초록 ▼

Heavy equipment includes a main body, a drivetrain, a work implement, and a control system. The drivetrain includes a first and second actuator providing speed and direction movement of the heavy equipment. The work implement includes a third and fourth actuator providing position and orientation of

Heavy equipment includes a main body, a drivetrain, a work implement, and a control system. The drivetrain includes a first and second actuator providing speed and direction movement of the heavy equipment. The work implement includes a third and fourth actuator providing position and orientation of the work implement. The control system includes first and second main interfaces and first and second auxiliary interfaces, to allows an operator to simultaneously control the drivetrain and the work implement. The first main interface is operated by a first hand of the operator, and the control system operates the third actuator responsive to a signal from the first main interface. The first auxiliary interface is integrated with the first main interface, and operates simultaneously with the first main interface by a finger of the first hand. The control system operates the first actuator responsive to a signal from the first auxiliary interface.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Heavy equipment, comprising: a main body;a drivetrain coupled to the main body and configured to facilitate movement of the heavy equipment, wherein the drivetrain comprises:a first actuator, anda second actuator, wherein the first and second actuators provide both speed and direction for the mov

1. Heavy equipment, comprising: a main body;a drivetrain coupled to the main body and configured to facilitate movement of the heavy equipment, wherein the drivetrain comprises:a first actuator, anda second actuator, wherein the first and second actuators provide both speed and direction for the movement of the heavy equipment;a work implement coupled to the main body, wherein the work implement comprises:a third actuator, anda fourth actuator, wherein the third and fourth actuators provide the position and orientation of the work implement;a control system for the heavy equipment allowing an operator to simultaneously control the drivetrain and the work implement, the control system comprising:a first main interface configured for operation by a first hand of the operator, wherein the control system operates the third actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first main interface;a first auxiliary interface integrated with the first main interface, wherein the first auxiliary interface is configured for simultaneous operation with the first main interface by a finger of the first hand, and wherein the control system operates the first actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first auxiliary interface;a second main interface configured for operation by a second hand of the operator, wherein the control system operates the fourth actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second main interface; anda second auxiliary interface integrated with the second main interface, wherein the second auxiliary interface is configured for simultaneous operation with the second main interface by a finger of the second hand, and wherein the control system operates the second actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second auxiliary interface. 2. The heavy equipment of claim 1, wherein the drivetrain further comprises: a first track, anda second track, wherein the first actuator drives the first track and the second actuator drives the second track. 3. The heavy equipment of claim 2, wherein the work implement further comprises: an articulated arm extending from the main body, anda bucket on an end of the articulated arm, wherein the third and fourth actuators move the bucket. 4. The heavy equipment of claim 3, wherein the first and second auxiliary interfaces allow for proportional control of the respective first and second actuators, controlling both the speed and the direction of the respective first and second actuators at least partially by way of the respective signals provided by the first and second auxiliary interfaces, allowing the operator the ability to change the speed and direction of the heavy equipment via the first and second auxiliary interfaces, while simultaneously controlling the work implement via the first and second main interfaces. 5. The heavy equipment of claim 4, wherein the first and second main interfaces each include a respective joystick, and wherein the first and second auxiliary interfaces each include a rocker switch positioned on a side of the respective joystick of the first and second main interfaces. 6. The heavy equipment of claim 5, wherein a movement of each rocker switch in a first direction instructs the respective first or second actuator to move the respective track in a forward movement at a speed proportional to the magnitude of the movement in the first direction, and wherein a movement of each rocker switch in a second direction instructs the respective first or second actuator to move the respective track in a backward movement at a speed proportional to the magnitude of the movement in the second direction. 7. Heavy equipment configured for mining, excavation, and construction applications, comprising: a main body configured to support an operator of the heavy equipment;a drivetrain coupled to the main body and configured to facilitate movement of the heavy equipment, wherein the drivetrain comprises:a first actuator,a first track coupled to the first actuator,a second actuator, anda second track coupled to the second actuator, wherein the first and second actuators drive the respective tracks;a work implement coupled to the main body, wherein the work implement comprises:a third actuator, anda fourth actuator, wherein the third and fourth actuators provide the position and orientation of the work implement;a control system for the heavy equipment coupled to the main body, and allowing the operator to simultaneously control the drivetrain and the work implement from the main body, the control system comprising:a first joystick, wherein the control system operates the third actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first joystick;a first switch integrated with the first joystick, wherein the control system operates the first track by way of the first actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first switch, and wherein the signal provided by the first switch is independent from the signal provided by the first joystick;a second joystick, wherein the control system operates the fourth actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second joystick; anda second switch integrated with the second joystick, wherein the control system operates the second track by way of the second actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second switch, and wherein the signal provided by the second switch is independent from the signal provided by the second joystick;wherein the first and second switches may each be used to change the rotation speed and direction of the respective track, together controlling the speed and direction of the heavy equipment. 8. The heavy equipment of claim 7, wherein the speed of each track is proportionally controlled as a function of the direction and magnitude of movement of the respective switch. 9. The heavy equipment of claim 7, wherein the speed of each track is proportionally controlled as a function of time elapsed following operation of the respective switch. 10. The heavy equipment of claim 7, wherein the speed of each track is proportionally controlled as a function of the number of times that the respective switch is operated. 11. The heavy equipment of claim 7, wherein each switch is positioned on a side of the respective first and second joystick. 12. The heavy equipment of claim 11, wherein each switch is positioned on a rear, inward side of the respective joystick, and is configured for operation by thumbs of the operator, when the operator is seated behind the joysticks and gripping the joysticks. 13. The heavy equipment of claim 12, wherein the work implement further comprises: an articulated arm extending from the main body, anda bucket on an end of the articulated arm, wherein the third and fourth actuators move the bucket. 14. A control system for operating two or more sub-systems, comprising: a first joystick moveable in at least four directions, wherein the first joystick provides a first signal that is at least partially a function of the direction in which the first joystick is moved;a first auxiliary interface integrated with and coupled to a side of the first joystick, wherein the first auxiliary interface is operable in at least two positions, and wherein the first auxiliary interface provides a second signal that is at least partially a function of the position in which the first auxiliary interface is operated;a second joystick moveable in at least four directions, wherein the second joystick provides a third signal that is at least partially a function of the direction in which the second joystick is moved; anda second auxiliary interface integrated with and coupled to a side of the second joystick, wherein the second auxiliary interface is operable in at least two positions, and wherein the second auxiliary interface provides a fourth signal that is at least partially a function of the position in which the second auxiliary interface is operated;wherein the first and third signals together at least partially control the operation of a work-implement sub-system, and wherein the second and fourth signals together at least partially control the operation of a propel sub-system;wherein the work-implement and propel sub-systems are simultaneously controllable independent of each other by way of the respective joysticks and auxiliary interfaces. 15. The control system of claim 14, wherein the control system allows for full control of the propel sub-system without the use of foot pedals. 16. The control system of claim 15, wherein the first and second auxiliary interfaces each include a switch, and wherein the second and fourth signals provide proportioned control instructions that are at least partially a function of the direction and magnitude of movement of the respective switch, the time elapsed following operation of the respective switch, and the number of times that the respective switch is operated. 17. The control system of claim 16, further comprising: a first inverter system for controlling electricity supplied to the work-implement sub-system at least partially as a function of the first and third signals; anda second inverter system for controlling electricity supplied to the propel sub-system at least partially as a function of the second and fourth signals;wherein the first and second inverter systems are configured for simultaneous and independent operation with respect to each other. 18. The control system of claim 16, wherein the first auxiliary interface is configured to be operated by right thumb of a right hand of an operator when the operator is gripping the first joystick with the right hand, and wherein the second auxiliary interface is configured to be operated by a left thumb of a left hand of the operator when the operator is gripping the second joystick with the left hand. 19. The control system of claim 16, wherein the second and fourth signals provide instructions for speed and direction of tracks of the propel sub-system, and wherein the first and third signals provide instructions for control of a bucket of the work-implement sub-system. 20. The control system of claim 16, wherein the first and second auxiliary interfaces each include a group of two or more buttons, and wherein the second and fourth signals are at least partially a function of the particular buttons pushed of the respective group of two or more buttons.