Caterpillar Sarl

S.a.r.l.

Raymond T Schenck

Steven T Ufheil

Reid W Waitt

W Chris Swick

Timothy W Grunow

An operational state sensor for controlling certain operations of a work machine such as a skid steer loader based upon the fulfillment of certain operator conditions, the operational state sensor including a first switch coupled to an operator restraint mechanism and actuatable between a first mode of operation corresponding to the condition when the operator restraint mechanism is in a non-restraining condition and a second mode of operation corresponding to the condition when the operator restraint mechanism is in a restraining condition, a second switch coupled to the operator seat and actuatable between a first mode of operation corresponding to the condition when an operator is not present in the seat and a second mode of operation corresponding to the condition when an operator is present in the seat, and an electronic controller coupled to the first and second switches for receiving signals therefrom, the controller being operable to receive a first signal indicative of when the first switch is either in or out of its first mode of operation and a second signal indicative of when the first and second switches are either concurrently in their second modes of operation or at least one of such switches is out of its second mode of operation, the controller being further operable to control the certain operations of the work machine based upon said first and second signals.

Arm rest/seat switch circuit configuration for use as an operational state sensor for a work machine

An interlock control system for controlling certain operations of a work machine wherein such system includes a first switch coupled to an operator restraint mechanism, a second switch coupled to the operator seat, a third switch operable to control the operation of the parking brake mechanism, and an electronic controller coupled to all three switches for receiving signals therefrom, the controller outputting a signal to enable the drive mechanism and the implement control system when the controller receives signals from the first, second and third switches indicative of the fact that the operator is present in the seat, the operator restraint mechanism is positioned in its restraining position, and the parking brake switch has been actuated to release the parking brake. With the drive mechanism and implement control system enabled, a second activation of the parking brake switch will disable the drive mechanism and set the parking brake, but it will not disable the implement control system. In addition, regardless of the particular operating mode, as soon as the interlock controller senses that either the operator restraint mechanism has been moved out of its restraining position and/or the operator is no longer present in the seat, the controller will disable the drive mechanism and the implement control system, and it will apply the parking brake.

Interlock control system for a work machine

An auxiliary hydraulic control system for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid within an auxiliary hydraulic circuit associated with a particular work machine wherein such system includes a first bi-directional proportional switch actuatable to control the direction of flow within the auxiliary hydraulic circuit in either a first or a second direction and at a flow rate which is proportional to the amount of pressure being exerted on the switch in the selected direction, a second switch actuatable to provide continuous flow in the selected direction and at the selected flow rate, and an electronic controller coupled to the first and second switches for receiving signals therefrom, the controller outputting a signal to initiate continuous flow in the selected direction and at the selected flow rate when the controller receives signals indicative of the first switch being actuated, the second switch being actuated, and the first switch being released within a predetermined period of time after the second switch has been actuated. An interlock override feature is also provided whereby, under certain operating conditions, the continuous flow function will be allowed to remain active while an operator exits the machine seat.

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Sanford, NC, United States of America

Raymond T Schenck