Abstract:
A control apparatus for a work object which has a first and a second mode of operation, the control apparatus having a sensing system operable to detect when the work object is in the first mode; a regulating system operably connected to the sensing system adapted to determine when a predetermined parameter has been reached by the work object; and a control system operably connected to the regulating system to place the work object in the second mode when the regulating system determines that the predetermined parameter has been reached by the work object.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a control apparatus and, more particularly, to a control apparatus which is capable of managing the operation of work objects so as to avoid the unnecessary operation thereof when the work object is not otherwise in use. 
         [0005]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    The use of energy of all types has become a focus of attention for a wide variety of concerns. This focus has intensified in recent years due to such issues as the diminishment of reliable sources of energy, the dramatic increases in the cost of energy, the dependence upon sources of energy from foreign venues and the cost of pumping and transporting, for example, oil from remote locations. 
         [0007]    Nonetheless, common practices, which often have become engrained, contribute to the unnecessary waste of energy and a concomitant increase in the cost of operating businesses. Such waste is prevalent particularly in industry, farming, construction and the like. For example, in such commerce, bulk materials must frequently be loaded and unloaded using heavy equipment. However, a multiplicity of other operations must also be accomplished as well, frequently without the possibility of scheduling to make such work operations more efficient. In other words, such work operations must be performed almost randomly as the needs arise. 
         [0008]    In these environments and many others, large earth moving equipment, wheel loaders, excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, compactors and the like are used to perform large scale tasks. Such heavy equipment, during operation, consumes very large volumes of fuel as compared with lighter equipment, automotive vehicles and the like. Nonetheless, the conventional practice with such heavy equipment, in all of these environments, is to leave the equipment operating; that is, with the engine running when the operator leaves the equipment to attend to the other responsibilities. Characteristically, the other responsibilities take longer than anticipated and, frequently, substantially longer. Often, these tasks are physically distant from the equipment. For these and other reasons, it is inconvenient, or perhaps not possible, to return to the equipment to turn off the engine during such an interruption and delay. 
         [0009]    In other instances, the operator leaves the engine and other systems running for such purposes as to leave the air conditioning or heating operating in the operator&#39;s compartment of the equipment so as to maintain a comfortable environment therein. Thus, conventional practice is simply to let the engine and subsystems of the equipment continue to run the entire time even though the equipment is not otherwise in use. There are many other environments in which similar situations exist. 
         [0010]    This practice, while common, has a host of negative consequences. The most obvious is that fuel consumption for such equipment is substantially greater than would be the case if the engine were run only when the equipment was actually being used for its intended work purpose. Obviously, heavy equipment gets very low gas mileage. In addition, with the dramatic increase in the commercial cost per gallon of fuel, the overall cost of running such business operations is directly adversely affected by this practice. Another direct consequence is that the equipment requires service more frequently than would otherwise be the case. Since the equipment is not moving during such stationary operation, overheating and other adverse consequences can result. Among other things, this may damage the equipment leading to the need for costly repairs. Furthermore, just in general terms, the useable life of the equipment is, to that degree, foreshortened by the unnecessary operation of the engine and other subsystems. 
         [0011]    There are also general environmental concerns which result from this practice. In fact, the laws of various jurisdictions prohibit this practice because of general environmental concerns as well as other concerns. More specifically, this practice of letting equipment run has adverse consequences such as the creation of air pollution; the increased risk of fire due to the equipment being stationary, particularly where the equipment overheats; and a multiplicity of other possible hazards too numerous to catalogue. 
         [0012]    Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have a control apparatus which could be operated to manage the use of work objects; which could be operated automatically; which had particular utility when used on mechanical equipment of a heavy duty type; which ensured that equipment which was operating, but not otherwise in use, was controlled so as to avoid the waste of resources, pollution of the environment and other adverse consequences; and which was otherwise entirely successful in achieving its operative purposes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved control apparatus for use on a wide variety of types of work objects. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which is operable to manage the use of work objects. 
         [0015]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which operates substantially, automatically without the need for attention by the operator thereof. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which has particular utility in the management of the operation of work objects such as mechanical equipment of a heavy duty type. 
         [0017]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which prevents continued operation of subsystems of work objects when the work objects are not otherwise in use. 
         [0018]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which minimizes the adverse environmental consequences from the operation of work objects such as vehicles having internal combustion engines. 
         [0019]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which permits work objects to be used so as fully to utilize their operative benefits while helping to minimize the expenses associated therewith. 
         [0020]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which has particular utility in the management of heavy equipment by minimizing fuel consumption, minimizing unnecessary wear upon the operative components thereof, maximizing the warranty protection benefits therefore and the like. 
         [0021]    Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which has the capability of permitting the operator of the work object to confirm the status of the work object from a significant distance. 
         [0022]    Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0023]    These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a control apparatus for a work object which has a first mode and a second mode, the control apparatus having a sensing system operable to detect when the work object is in the first mode; a regulating system operably connected to the sensing system adapted to determine when a predetermined parameter has been reached by the work object; and a control system connected to the regulating system whereby the regulating system operates the control system to place the work object in the second mode when the regulating system determines that the predetermined parameter has been reached. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of the control apparatus of the present invention showing the upper portion of the microcontroller thereof. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view showing the bottom portion of the microcontroller of the control apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view of the control apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side elevation of a heavy piece of equipment, in this case a wheel loader, showing the control apparatus of the present invention in a preferred operational location on the loader. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the control apparatus of  FIG. 1  and showing the microcontroller thereof. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a portion of the electrical system of the control apparatus of the present invention and, in particular, showing the microcontroller circuitry and the ignition and accessory relays thereof. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a portion of the electrical system of the control apparatus of the present invention and, in particular, showing the ignition and accessory relays in addition to connection to certain of the accessories thereof. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a portion of the electrical system of the control apparatus of the present invention and, in particular, showing the ignition and accessory relays together with descriptive notations relative to the electrical system. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a portion of the electrical system of the control apparatus of the present invention and, in particular, showing the ignition switch, ignition plug, microcontroller, ignition relay and accessory relay thereof. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of a portion of the electrical system of the control apparatus of the present invention and, in particular showing the microcontroller, ignition relay and ignition and the accessory relay and harness. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus of the present invention in generally indicated by the numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0035]    The control apparatus  10  is adapted for use in conjunction with a wide variety of types of work objects. In most cases, the control apparatus does not have to be modified from the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinafter described in detail. Thus, the control apparatus hereof can be used on all makes and models of wheel loaders, excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, compactors and many other types of heavy equipment as well as other types of equipment. The control apparatus can be used on automotive vehicles such as cars, trucks and the like. It will be understood that this is not a complete list of such work objects, but simply a listing of some examples of such work objects. 
         [0036]    More specifically, in the representative example hereof, the work object is a wheel loader  20  shown in  FIG. 4 . The wheel loader, in general, has a main frame  21  having a front  22  and a rear  23 . The main frame mounts four ground engaging wheels  24  for earth traversing movement across the earth surface  25 . The main frame has an engine cowling  26  removably mounted in covering relation to a prime mover; that is, an internal combustion engine, not shown. The engine mounts an upwardly extending exhaust pipe  27 . A work bucket or scoop assembly  28  is mounted on the front  22  of the main frame. 
         [0037]    The wheel loader  20  has cab or operator&#39;s compartment  35  mounted on the main frame  21 . The operator&#39;s compartment has a roof  36  and glass, or plexiglass, windows  37  which extend entirely around the operator&#39;s compartment. An instrument panel  38  of the wheel loader is mounted within the operator&#39;s compartment and in close proximity to the engine cowling  26 . The operator&#39;s compartment has a side door  39  and steps  40  to provide ingress and egress relative to the operator&#39;s compartment. The control apparatus  10  of the present invention, as shown and described herein, is operably mounted near the instrument panel  38 . 
         [0038]    For purposes of illustrative convenience, it will be understood that the wheel loader  20  has a variety of subsystems, not shown, including, for example, a tachometer sensor, a Global Positioning System (GPS) and the like. The wheel loader can have a variety of subsystems, the foregoing simply being illustrative examples thereof. 
         [0039]    The control apparatus  10  has a microcontroller or main housing  50  shown best in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . The main housing has a rectangular base plate  51  on which is mounted a top casing  52 . The top casing has a rectangular top wall  53  and four (4) sidewalls  54 . The main housing has an interior  55 , best shown in  FIG. 3 . The base plate and top casing of the main housing are releasably held together by a plurality of screws  56  which are screwthreadably received in a plurality of corresponding internally screwthreaded holes  57 , also as best shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    The microcontroller  50  has a circuit board  70  mounted by any suitable means in the interior  55  of the main housing  50  best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . The circuit board physically contains much of the electrical circuit  71  of the control apparatus  10 . The electrical circuit is shown in the schematic diagrams thereof in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10  and will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail. 
         [0041]    The electrical circuit  71  is operably connected to certain subsystems of the wheel loader  20 . These subsystems of the work object are shown in the schematic diagrams of  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10 . 
         [0042]    Referring first to  FIG. 6 , the wheel loader  20  has a pin plug connector  80  adapted to have the electrical circuitry connected thereto from the control apparatus  10  to the subsystems of the wheel loader  20 . Thus, the wheel loader has an extra connection  81  for use in the event it is required for another subsystem. The pin plug connector also has the following connection locations which, for purposes of illustrative convenience, are listed in serial order: an ignitional relay connection  82  and a transmission neutral switch connection  83  which prevents the control apparatus  10  from shutting down the engine of the wheel loader if the transmission is not in the neutral position. The connection locations of the pin plug connector further include: a park brake connector  84  which operates to prevent the control apparatus  10  from shutting down the engine of the wheel loader if the park brake is not engaged. The control apparatus has a power connection  85  through which the control apparatus receives electrical energy from the battery to operate the control apparatus. The control apparatus has a tachometer sensor connection  86  which provides a pulse to the control apparatus from the wheel loader so as to indicate whether or not the engine of the wheel loader is at a preselected minimum idle speed. An alternator connection can also be employed with or without the tachometer sensor for determining if the engine of the wheel loader is idling in a predefined range. 
         [0043]    A Global Positioning System (GPS) connection  87  provides data to the GPS system in the wheel loader if, of course, the wheel loader is equipped with such a system. A ground connection  89  provides an electrical ground for the control apparatus  10  from the wheel loader. An accessory relay connection  90  provides power to the accessory terminal side of the ignition plug to accessory relay  140  at connection post  144 . An accessory relay connection  91  provides power from the accessory terminal side of the ignition plug to connection post  145 , as will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the microcontroller  50  of the control apparatus  10  has a plurality of connections for the performance of its various functions hereinafter set forth. For descriptive conveinence, these connection locations on the main housing are listed in alphabetical order by letter as: (A) lead to red light-emitting diode connection  100 ; (B) power lead from box connection  101  to ignition relay  120 ; (C) lead from red light-emitting diode connection  102 ; (D) information lead  103  from the microcontroller to ignition relay  120 ; (E) connection lead to transmission neutral switch  104 ; (F) connection to park brake  105 ; (G) power connection  106  to microcontroller from work object  20 ; (H) connection to tachometer sensor  107  from the wheel loader  20 ; (I) connection to alternator  107 (A) from the wheel loader  20 ; (J) connection to Global Positioning System (GPS)  108 ; (K) lead to ground  109  of wheel loader  20 ; (L) power lead from microcontroller connection  110  to accessory relay  140 ; (M) information lead  111  from the microcontroller to accessory relay  140 ; and (N) lead to yellow light-emitting diode connection  112 . 
         [0045]    The microcontroller  50  has an ignition relay generally indicated by the numeral  120  in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 . The ignition relay has an electrical connection  121  and an electrical connection  122 . The ignition relay has an electrical connection  123 , an electrical connection  124  and an electrical connection  125 . 
         [0046]    Similarly, the main housing  50  of the control apparatus  10  has an accessory relay  140  shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10 . The accessory relay has an electrical connection  141  and an electrical connection  142 . The accessory relay has an electrical connection  143 , an electrical connection  144  and an electrical connection  145 . 
         [0047]    The main housing  50  of the control apparatus  10  has an electrical conductor  150  interconnecting the (A) power connection  100  to the red light-emitting diode  164 . Electrical conductor  151  interconnects (B) power connection  101  and electrical connection  122  of the ignition relay  120 . Electrical conductor  152  interconnects (C)  102  and electrical connection  123  of the ignition relay  120 . Electrical conductor  153  interconnects (D)  103  and electrical connection  121  of the ignition relay  120 . Electrical conductor  154  interconnects (E)  104  and electrical connection  83 . Electrical conductor  155  interconnects (F)  105  and electrical connection  84 . Electrical conductor  156  interconnects (G)  106  from the microcontroller  50  to electrical connection  85 . Electrical conductor  157  interconnects (H)  107  to electrical connection  86 . The electrical conductor  158  interconnects (I)  107 (A) and electrical connection  87 . The electrical conductor  159  interconnects (J)  108  to electrical connection  88  and electrical connection  89 . Electrical conductor  160  interconnects (K) from the microcontroller and to a ground connection of the wheel loader. Electrical conductor  161  interconnects (L)  110  and the electrical connection  142  of the accessory relay  140 . Electrical conductor  162  interconnects (M)  111  and electrical connection  141  of the accessory relay  140 . Electrical conductor  163 (A) interconnects (N)  112  and the yellow light-emitting diode  165  and the audible alarm  166  of the control apparatus. Electrical conductor  163 (B) interconnects electrical connection (K) and the red light emitting diode  164 , the yellow light emitting diode  165  and the buzzer  166 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10  display many of the elements heretofore described and are supplemental views or flow charts further to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the subject invention. Thus, referring more particularly to  FIG. 7 , the previously described microcontroller  50 , ignition relay  120  and accessory relay  140  are shown. In addition,  FIG. 7  shows a switch, diagrammatically identified by the numeral  170 , and the ignition harness (plug/receptacle)  180 . The electrical circuit  71  operably interconnects these elements of the subject invention, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0049]    With regard to  FIG. 8 , the ignition relay  120  and accessory relay  140  are shown operably connected to the electrical circuit  71 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows the microcontroller  50 , the ignition relay  120 , the accessory relay  140  and the ignition switch  170 . Also shown in  FIG. 9  is ignition harness (plug/receptacle)  180 . These elements are operably interconnected by the electrical circuit  71 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  shows the main housing  50 , the ignition relay  120 , the accessory relay  140 , ignition switch  170  and harness (plug receptacle)  180  all as operably interconnected by the electrical circuit  71 . 
       Operation 
       [0052]    The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. 
         [0053]    In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the control apparatus  10 , shown and described herein, is mounted on or near the ignition switch assembly of the work object, or in the illustrative example, wheel loader, within the operator&#39;s compartment thereof. The control apparatus is so mounted either on the wheel loader when the wheel loader is manufactured and sold as new equipment, or is retrofitted on the work object as an after market product. 
         [0054]    The red and yellow light emitting diodes  164  and  165  respectively, as previously discussed, are visible to the operator in the field of operation. The microcontroller  50 , as heretofore discussed, is also operably connected to the transmission neutral switch  83 ; the park brake  84 ; the power source  85 ; the tachometer sensor  86 ; the alternator  87 ; the Global Positioning System  88 ; the ground lead to the wheel loader  20 , as well as to the other components such as the ignition relay; accessory relay; and the like which enable the control apparatus to perform its various functions. 
         [0055]    As heretofore noted, purely for purposes of illustrative convenience, the specific work object is a wheel loader, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Also for illustrative convenience, the control apparatus may be thought of as being set to shut down the engine of the wheel loader in a range of from one (1) to three (3) minutes from a predesignated starting point, such as when the engine has been in a low idle mode, or first mode, without movement of the wheel loader for a selected period of time, or, for example, after the driver has gotten out of the wheel loader. These considerations are, of course, the decision of the manufacturer. 
         [0056]    In some cases, governmental authorities or the like have, or may in the future, proscribe limits in this regard such as, for example, that the engines of certain or all vehicles must not be permitted to idle above a designated number of revolutions per minute for more than a specified period of time, such as five (5) minutes. These are, of course, as a result of largely environmental concerns; that is, preserving natural resources and minimizing air pollution as well as other considerations. 
         [0057]    More important to the owner of the equipment, he may be avoiding the costs associated with wasting fuel, exceeding warranty provisions sooner than would otherwise be the case, unnecessary wear on the engine and related systems, and many other such detrimental effects. 
         [0058]    The operation of the control apparatus  10  readily avoids the foregoing difficulties. Referring more particularly to  FIG. 4 , the control apparatus is mounted on or near the instrument panel  38  within the operator&#39;s compartment. The microcontroller  50 , as heretofore discussed in detail, is also operably connected to the source of power  84 , the Global Positioning System  87 , the tachometer sensor  88  as well as to the other components as well as the ignition relay, accessory relay, ground and the like which enable the control apparatus to perform its various functions. 
         [0059]    The microcontroller  50  monitors the number of revolutions per minute registered by the tachometer sensor. When the number of revolutions per minute is below a preselected number, the microcontroller begins to keep track of the period of time during which this number is continuously below the preselected number. 
         [0060]    When a preselected period of time has elapsed, for example three (3) minutes, the microcontroller causes the yellow light-emitting diode  165  to illuminate and activates the audible alarm  166 . This serves as a signal to the operator that the engine of the wheel loader is to be shut down as well as the accessories of the wheel loader in a preselected period of time, such as three (3) minutes from the time the yellow light-emitting diode  165  illuminates and the audible alarm  166  is activated. When that preselected period of time has elapsed, the microcontroller through the ignition relay  120  and accessory relay  140  turn off the ignition and the accessories. These components and the engine are thereby shut off. At this time the microcontroller  50  shuts off the yellow light-emitting diode  165  and lights the red light-emitting diode  164 . The operator is thereby signaled that all systems including the engine have been shut off by the microcontroller and are therefore in the second mode. 
         [0061]    It will be understood that if, during the time period in which the yellow light-emitting diode  165  is illuminated and the audible alarm is activated, the microcontroller detects through the tachometer sensor or the alternator that the number of revolutions per minute of the engine has increased above the preselected lower limit, the microcontroller turns off the yellow light-emitting diode and the audible alarm, discontinues timing for shut down of the engine and accessories and simply monitors operation without keeping track of a period of time. Thus, when the lower limit of the number of revolutions per minute of the engine drops below the lower limit, the process heretofore set forth begins again from the beginning 
         [0062]    Therefore, the control apparatus of the present invention can be operated to manage the use of work objects of a wide variety of types; can be operated automatically; has particular utility when used on mechanical equipment of heavy duty size; ensures that equipment which is operating, but not otherwise in use, is controlled so as to avoid the waste of resources, pollution of the environment and other adverse consequences; and is otherwise entirely successful in achieving its operational objectives. 
         [0063]    Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.