Bucket Shake Control Override for Skid-Steer Loaders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Material handling machines, such as skid-steer loaders, face challenges in effectively dislodging lodged materials from buckets due to suppressed bucket shake in standard tilt control systems, which reduces the aggressiveness of the shaking operation and limits operator control.
Innovation Solution
A bucket shake control system with an electrohydraulic control system that includes a proportional control valve and an electronic controller, allowing for manual override to maximize bucket tilt acceleration and independence from joystick movement magnitude, enabling aggressive shaking and improved operator control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If standard tilt control with proportional flow control is used, then smooth operation and stability are improved, but bucket shake aggressiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two control modes: standard proportional control for smooth operation and shake control mode for aggressive material dislodging. The shake control mode overrides proportional flow control to enable rapid bucket cycling, allowing the system to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameters by disabling proportional flow control during shake operations. This parameter change allows the bucket tilt acceleration to become independent of joystick movement magnitude, enabling maximum aggressiveness for dislodging lodged materials while maintaining smooth operation during standard tasks.
2Extent of automation
If pre-programmed shake control is used, then automation is improved, but operator control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control flexibility by allowing operators to switch between automated shake control and manual control modes. The override mechanism enables operators to maintain direct control when needed while still benefiting from automated shake control when appropriate, adapting to specific operational situations.
3Measurement precision
If proportional flow control valve opening is dependent on joystick movement magnitude, then control precision is improved, but shake aggressiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter relationship by making proportional flow control valve opening independent of joystick movement magnitude during shake control mode. This parameter change enables maximum bucket tilt acceleration regardless of the small joystick movements typically used during shake operations, significantly improving shake aggressiveness while maintaining control precision when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves more aggressive bucket shaking and enhanced operator control, effectively dislodging materials with increased tilt magnitude and frequency, improving the efficiency of material handling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The proportional control valve controls the magnitude and direction of fluid flow through the tilt cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The electrohydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized fluid such as a fixed or variable displacement pump
Implementation Method 3
Lodged materials typically are shaken loose from the bucket by cycling the tilt cylinders back and forth to rapidly move the bucket up and down about a baseline to dislodge the lodged materials
Data Source
AI summary
A material handling machine can be operated in a bucket shake control mode to override proportional control of a valve controlling fluid flow to and from a bucket tilt cylinder of the machine. Fluid flow through the valve upon actuation of a tilt controller such a joystick therefore is proportional to actuator stroke when the shake control system is deactivated and is always maximized regardless of actuator stroke when the shake control system is activated. Bucket shake control is activated through the manual operation of a control device such as a joystick-mounted switch. As a result of this arrangement, proportional control valve actuation always occurs immediately upon bucket tilt controller movement in a direction that is dependent upon a direction of bucket tilt controller movement from the neutral position thereof.