Abstract:
Apparatus for controlling the rotational movement of a ladder or the like of mobile equipment having stabilizing outriggers when the ladder is rotated manually to the side of the mobile equipment which does not have the outrigger fully deployed. A two-part switch, arranged for one part to rotate relative to the other, develops various combinations of signals dependent upon the relative positions of the parts of the switch. A control circuit is arranged to recognize the positions of the switch parts and supplies control signals which allow the ladder to rotate at a particular rate and to a particular point as the operator is steering the ladder to the side of the mobile equipment at which the outrigger is not fully deployed.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/738,974, filed Oct. 24, 1996, which is U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,936 issued on Jul. 14, 1998. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates, in general, to mobile equipment such as fire fighting and utility service vehicles having extendable ladders, &#34;cherry-pickers&#34; and the like and, in particular, to apparatus for controlling the movement of such mobile equipment ladders, &#34;cherry-pickers&#34; and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fire fighting vehicles with long extension ladders are equipped with outriggers on each side which are extended outwardly to provide stability when the ladders are raised, extended and rotated and the center of gravity of the ladder and the weight carried by the ladder is outward of the side of the fire fighting vehicle. With the outriggers fully deployed, the raised, extended ladder can be rotated to a desired position by an operator in the carriage at the top of the ladder and/or an operator at the base of the ladder. The fire fighting vehicle is designed so that the ladder can be safely operated within the design range and load limitations with the outriggers fully deployed. 
     Typically, the controls for rotating the ladder have an interlock which prevents rotating the ladder unless the outriggers have been fully deployed but which can be bypassed when the available space does not permit full deployment of the outriggers and the situation requires rotating the ladder. The operator simply actuates a manual over-ride switch which permits manual control of rotating the ladder to the desired position even with the outriggers not fully extended. Such arrangements place complete judgment and control of the rotation of the ladder with the operator which can lead to serious accidents. For example, if the ladder is rotated to a side where the outrigger is not fully extended, shifting the center of gravity can cause the fire fighting vehicle to capsize. The same result can occur if the rotating ladder approaches a side where the outrigger is not fully deployed at a high rate of rotational speed and is suddenly stopped. 
     To overcome this shortcoming of manual control of rotation of the ladder, it has been suggested to incorporate a control feature by which the operator is assisted during the manual control of the ladder. By sensing the rotation of the ladder during manual control operation with, for example, proximity switches and target plates, the direction of rotation and the approach to various critical points can be sensed, so that the ladder will be rotated only in the direction of an extended outrigger and the rate of rotational movement of the ladder can be reduced to prevent overshooting the critical point. In effect, manual control of the rotational movement of the ladder is over-ridden. 
     Proximity switches and target plates have been unsatisfactory in that the water being applied to fight a fire and debris affect the condition and operation of such devices. During cold weather when the water turns to ice, proximity switches and target plates can lock. In addition, proximity switches and target plates are difficult to install and calibrate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatus for controlling the rotational movement of a ladder of a vehicle having extendable outriggers at the lateral sides of the vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention includes sensing means responsive to movement of the outriggers for developing outrigger signals representative of full deployment of the outriggers. Also included in this apparatus is a swivel unit, including a first switch member and a second switch member mounted for relative rotation between the first switch member and the second switch member. Input signals are supplied to the swivel unit from which first output signals are delivered for a first range of rotational positions of the second switch member relative to the first switch member, and second output signals are delivered for a second range of rotational positions, extending beyond the first range of rotational positions, of the second switch member relative to the first switch member. The apparatus further includes a control unit responsive to the outrigger signals and the output signals delivered from the swivel unit for supplying control signals to a driver unit which allows rotation of the ladder. 
     A rotation position sensor unit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes a first multi-segment ring having a first electrically conductive segment extending over a first arc length and to which a first input signal is supplied and a second electrically conductive segment extending over a second arc length and to which a second input signal is supplied. The first electrically conductive segment and the second electrically conductive segment are electrically isolated. The rotation position sensor unit also includes a second ring from which output signals are delivered. The second ring has first, second, and third electrical contacts each electrically isolated from the others. The first and second electrical contacts are positioned on the second ring for: (1) contact of the first electrical contact with the second electrically conductive segment of the first multi-segment ring and contact of the second electrical contact with the second electrically conductive segment of the first multi-segment ring for a first range of rotational positions of the second ring relative to the first multi-segment ring, and (2) contact of the first electrical contact with the first electrically conductive segment of the first multi-segment ring and contact of the second electrical contact with the second electrically conductive segment of the first multi-segment ring for a second range of rotational positions, extending beyond the first range of rotational positions, of the second ring relative to the first multi-segment ring. The third electrical contact is positioned on the second ring for: (1) contact of the third electrical contact with the second electrically conductive segment of the first multi-segment ring for the first range of rotational positions of the second ring relative to the first multi-segment ring; and (2) contact of the third electrical contact with the second electrically conductive segment of the first multi-segment ring for the second range of rotational positions of the second ring relative to the first multi-segment ring. The rotation position sensor further includes means for mounting the first multi-segment ring and the second electrically conductive ring for relative rotation between the first multi-segment ring and the second ring. 
     Although the invention will be described in connection with the rotation of ladders of fire fighting vehicles, it will be apparent that the invention has broader application in other mobile equipment, for example in utility service vehicles such as telephone and power company service vehicles having &#34;cherry-pickers&#34; or the like. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of apparatus for controlling the rotational movement of a ladder of a vehicle having extendable outriggers at the lateral sides of the vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 are plan views of the switching members of a position sensor unit constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is sectional view of a swivel unit housing which contains the switching members of FIGS. 2 and 3 in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus for controlling the rotational movement of a ladder of a vehicle having extendable outriggers at the lateral sides of the vehicle, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes sensing means responsive to movement of the outriggers for developing outrigger signals representative of full deployment of the outriggers. Such sensing means are represented by LEFT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 10 and RIGHT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 12 and can be the usual sensors mounted on a fire fighting vehicle in the usual manner. An input signal &#34;1&#34; is delivered from INPUT SIGNAL SOURCE 14 to LEFT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 10 and RIGHT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 12 from which LEFT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 10 and RIGHT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 12 develop output signals representative of full deployment of the outriggers. &#34;1&#34; at the outputs of LEFT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 10 and RIGHT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 12 represents these output signals. &#34;0&#34; at either output of LEFT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 10 and RIGHT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 12 represents no deployment or less than full deployment of the particular outrigger. In an alternative embodiment, an INPUT SIGNAL CONDITIONER 14 may be used in conjunction with the input signals. 
     The FIG. 1 apparatus also includes a rotation position sensor unit, identified as SWIVEL UNIT 16, which is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and described in detail below. SWIVEL UNIT 16 receives either the output signals &#34;1&#34;, representative of full deployment of the outriggers, from LEFT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 10 and RIGHT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 12 or the output signals &#34;0&#34;, representative of no deployment or less than full deployment of the outriggers, from LEFT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 10 and RIGHT OUTRIGGER SENSOR 12 and passes these signals, identified as &#34;LO&#34; and &#34;RO&#34;, through to a CONTROL UNIT 18. 
     SWIVEL UNIT 16 also receives input signals &#34;1&#34; and &#34;0&#34; from INPUT SIGNAL SOURCE 14 from which: (1) first output signals are developed for a first range of rotational positions of the ladder, and (2) second output signals are developed for a second range of rotational positions, extending beyond the first range of rotational positions, of the ladder. The first output signals and second output signals delivered by SWIVEL UNIT 16 are various combinations of the signals identified as &#34;A&#34;, &#34;B&#34;, and &#34;R&#34; which will be explained in greater detail below. 
     CONTROL UNIT 18, responsive to the outrigger signals &#34;LO&#34;, and &#34;RO&#34; and the output signals &#34;A&#34;, &#34;B&#34;, and &#34;R&#34; delivered from SWIVEL UNIT 16, supplies control signals to a DRIVER UNIT 20, typically one or more electrically operated hydraulic valves, which causes controlled rotation of the ladder. These control signals are represented by: (1) &#34;FAST&#34; which allows fast rotational movement of the ladder, (2) &#34;CW&#34; which allows clockwise rotational movement of the ladder, and (3) &#34;CCW&#34; which allows counter-clockwise rotational movement of the ladder. MANUAL CONTROL, namely steering of the ladder by an operator while the present invention is operative, and MANUAL OVER-RIDE, namely complete control of the ladder by the operator after the present invention has been overridden, also are inputs to DRIVER UNIT 20. 
     &#34;E&#34;, &#34;W&#34; and &#34;H&#34; in FIG. 1 represent electrical, water and hydraulic lines which extend through SWIVEL UNIT 16 from the body of the fire fighting vehicle to the top of the ladder or carriage at the top of the ladder. Electrical lines are provided for lighting at the carriage, communications between an operator in the carriage and others and power for operating tools from the carriage. Water lines are provided to apply water to the fire from the carriage. Hydraulic lines are provided to control movement of the carriage and ladder from the carriage. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, SWIVEL UNIT 16 of FIG. 1, which serves as a rotation position sensor unit, includes a housing 30 adapted to be fixed to the body of a fire fighting vehicle. The SWIVEL UNIT includes first and second switch members 32 and 34 mounted in housing 30 for relative rotation between first switch member 32 and second switch member 34. For the embodiment of the invention illustrated, switch member 32 is restrained from rotational movement by three ribs 35, only one of which is shown in FIG. 4, extending along the length of housing 30 which engage three notches 38 in the outer periphery of switch member 32. Switch member 34 has three holes 40 through which three elongated rods 42 extend, only one of which is shown in FIG. 4. These rods are fastened to the ladder, so that when the ladder is rotated, switch member 34 rotates relative to switch member 32. 
     As indicated above, input signals &#34;1&#34; and &#34;0&#34; are supplied to the SWIVEL UNIT from INPUT SIGNAL SOURCE 14. Specifically, input signal &#34;1&#34; is conducted to a tab 46 on switch member 32 and input signal &#34;0&#34; is conducted to a tab 44 on switch member 32. SWIVEL UNIT 16 develops and delivers first output signals for a first range of rotational positions of second switch member 34 relative to first switch member 32, and second output signals for a second range of rotational positions, extending beyond the first range of rotational positions, of the second switch member relative to the first switch member. 
     Switch member 32 is a multi-segment ring having a first electrically conductive segment 45 extending over a first arc length and to which input signal &#34;0&#34; is supplied by way of tab 44 and a second electrically conductive segment 50 extending over a second arc length and to which input signal &#34;1&#34; is supplied by way of tab 46. First electrically conductive segment 45 is electrically isolated from second electrically conductive segment 50 by insulator segments 98 and 99. 
     Switch member 34 is a ring from which the output signals &#34;A&#34;, &#34;B&#34;, and &#34;R&#34; of FIG. 1 are delivered. Switch member 34 has first electrical contact 76 (output signal &#34;A&#34;), second electrical contact 77 (output signal &#34;B&#34;), and third electrical contact 78 (output signal &#34;R&#34;), which are electrically isolated from each other. 
     First and second electrical contacts 76 (&#34;A&#34; output signal) and 77 (&#34;B&#34; output signal) are positioned on second ring 34 for: 
     (1) contact of first electrical contact 76 (&#34;A&#34; output signal) with second electrically conductive segment 50 of first multi-segment ring 32 and contact of second electrical contact 77 (&#34;B&#34; output signal) with the second electrically conductive segment 50 of the first multi-segment ring for the first range 64a-64b of rotational positions of second ring 34 relative to the first multi-segment ring 32, 
     (2) contact of first electrical contact 76 (&#34;A&#34; output signal) with first electrically conductive segment 45 of first multi-segment ring 32 and contact of second electrical contact 77 (&#34;B&#34; output signal) with the second electrically conductive segment 50 of the first multi-segment ring for the second range of rotational positions of second ring 34 relative to the first multi-segment ring 32, extending beyond the first range of rotational positions. 
     Third electrical contact 78 (&#34;R&#34; output signal) is positioned on second ring 34 for: 
     (1) contact of third electrical contact 78 (&#34;R&#34; output signal&#34;) with second electrically conductive segment 50 of the first multi-segment ring for a first range, identified by dashed lines 64a-64b, of rotational positions of second ring 34 relative to the first multi-segment ring 32, and 
     (2) contact of third electrical contact 78 (&#34;R&#34; output signal) with second electrically conductive segment 50 of the first multi-segment ring for a second range of rotational positions, extending beyond the first range of rotational positions, of the second ring 34 relative to the first multi-segment ring 32, and The rotation range 64a-64b is the &#34;cradle range.&#34; Within this narrow range, the ladder can be moved safely, either clockwise or counter-clockwise at slow speed, even if one or both outriggers are not fully deployed. This permits the secure seating of the ladder before travel even after the outriggers are retracted. 
     Similar statements can be made about the contacts of electrical contacts 76, 77, and 78 with electrically conductive segments 45 and 50 of multi-segment ring 32 for changes in the rotational position of second ring 34 when the ladder is disposed in an opposite direction as represented by dashed lines 68a and 68b. The contacts of electrical contacts 76, 77, and 78 with electrically conductive segments 45 and 50 of multi-segment ring 32 for changes in the rotational position of second ring 34 are identified below in four &#34;truth&#34; charts. 
     The following chart shows the dispositions of electrical contacts 76, 77, and 78 of switch member 34 relative to the segments 45, 50, 98, and 99 of switch member 32 for different rotational positions of switch member 34 moving counter-clockwise from the center line of rotation range 64a-64b: 
     
         ______________________________________  First 76      Second 77  Third 78RANGE  CONTACT A     CONTACT B  CONTACT R______________________________________C/L-64a  50            50         50+64a   45            50         50______________________________________ 
    
     A similar chart can be developed for clockwise movement of switch member 34 from the center line of rotation range 64a-64b. Specifically: 
     
         ______________________________________  First 76      Second 77  Third 78RANGE  CONTACT A     CONTACT B  CONTACT R______________________________________C/L-64b  50            50         50+64b   50            45         50______________________________________ 
    
     If the foregoing is taken for rotations of switch member 34 for the ladder disposed toward the front of the fire fighting vehicle, the following chart shows the dispositions of electrical contacts 76, 77, and 78 of switch member 34 relative to the segments 45, 50, 98, and 99 of switch member 32 for different rotational positions of switch member 34, moving counter-clockwise from the center line of rotation range 68a-68b, for disposition of the ladder toward the rear of the fire fighting vehicle: 
     
         ______________________________________  First 76      Second 77  Third 78RANGE  CONTACT A     CONTACT B  CONTACT R______________________________________C/L-68b  50            50         45+68b   50            45         45______________________________________ 
    
     A similar chart can be developed for clockwise movement of switch member 34 from the center line of rotation range 68a-68b. Specifically: 
     
         ______________________________________  First 76      Second 77  Third 78RANGE  CONTACT A     CONTACT B  CONTACT R______________________________________C/L-68a  50            50         45+68a   45            50         45______________________________________ 
    
     The logic circuitry in CONTROL UNIT 18 is set to recognize and distinguish between the different combinations of outputs from SWIVEL UNIT 16 as representing the ladder being in a particular rotational position. Based on the determination of the rotational position of the ladder, along with the outrigger sensor signals &#34;LO&#34; and &#34;RO&#34;, CONTROL UNIT 18 develops the appropriate control signals. For example: 
     (1) Any signal from SWIVEL UNIT 16 that is a &#34;0&#34; (i.e. contact with electrically conductive segment 45 of multi-segment ring 32) or neither &#34;0&#34; nor &#34;1&#34; (i.e. contact with isolated segment 98 or isolated segment 99 of multi-segment ring 32) is evaluated by CONTROL UNIT 18 as a &#34;0&#34;; and 
     (2) Any signal from SWIVEL UNIT 16 that is a &#34;1&#34; (i.e. contact with electrically conductive segment 50 of multi-segment ring 32) is evaluated by CONTROL UNIT 18 as a &#34;1&#34;. 
     It will be useful, in gaining a understanding of the operation of the present invention, to give an example of a possible maneuver of the ladder. With both outriggers fully deployed, the present invention does not become operative. 
     Assume that the left outrigger is fully deployed and the right outrigger is less than fully deployed and the ladder is disposed toward the front of the fire fighting vehicle. The right outrigger sensor signal &#34;RO&#34; conditions CONTROL UNIT 18 to make the present invention effective if the operator steers the ladder to the right or clockwise for the viewing of FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     The following &#34;truth&#34; table applies for a right outrigger signal RO=&#34;0&#34; and a left outrigger signal LO=&#34;1&#34;: 
     
         ______________________________________    RAW SWIVEL    SIGNALS    EVALUATED SIGNALS      76    77       78  76      77  78Range      A     B        R   A       B   R______________________________________67b-64b    1     X        1   1       0   164b-64a    1     1        1   1       1   164a-67a    X     1        1   0       1   167a-68a    X     1        X   0       1   068a-68b    1     1        X   1       1   068b-67b    1     X        X   1       0   0______________________________________ 
    
     where: &#34;X&#34; may be either &#34;0&#34; or neither; &#34;neither&#34; meaning no value, namely a contact being on a non-conducting segment 98 or 99. 
     If the operator steers the ladder clockwise, namely toward the right side where the outrigger is not fully deployed, CONTROL UNIT 18 supplies an output signal &#34;CW&#34; and the ladder is allowed to move slowly to one end 64b of range 64a-64b and no further. Clockwise movement of the ladder is limited because CONTROL UNIT 18 recognizes from the &#34;RO&#34; and &#34;A&#34;, &#34;B&#34;, and &#34;R&#34; signals that the right outrigger is not fully deployed and the ladder is at the end 64b of range 64a-64b. At this point, the operator has two options if the ladder is to be further moved clockwise. One option is to fully deploy the right outrigger if possible. The second option is to consciously over-ride the present invention by actuating the manual over-ride switch and steer the ladder further clockwise. 
     If, instead of steering the ladder clockwise, the operator steers the ladder counter-clockwise, namely toward the left side where the outrigger is fully deployed, CONTROL UNIT 18 supplies two output signals &#34;SLOW&#34; and &#34;CCW&#34; and the ladder is allowed to move slowly to end 64a of range 64a-64b. From this point, CONTROL UNIT 18 supplies two output signals &#34;FAST&#34; and &#34;CCW&#34; and the ladder is allowed to move quickly to end 68a of range 68a-68b. From this point, the &#34;CCW&#34; output signal from CONTROL UNIT 18 allows the ladder to continue to move counter-clockwise, but the &#34;SLOW&#34; output signal from the CONTROL UNIT allows rotation only at a slower rate because the right outrigger is not fully deployed. The ladder continues to move slowly until it reaches end 68b of this range but no further because CONTROL UNIT 18 recognizes from the &#34;RO&#34; and &#34;A&#34;, &#34;B&#34;, and &#34;R&#34; signals that the right outrigger is not fully deployed and the ladder is at the end 68b of range 68a-68b. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that other arrangements besides the conductive segment/electrical contact arrangement can be used to develop signals indicative of the position of second switch member 34 relative to first switch member 32. For example, potentiometers, encoders and optical sensors can be used and, while generally similar to the conductive segment/electrical contact arrangement described above, will require different signal processing circuitry. 
     As is evident from FIG. 2 first switch member 32 has a circular inner periphery and an outer periphery having a first outside diameter extending along a third arc length and a second outside diameter, less than the first outside diameter, extending along a fourth arc length. As is evident from FIG. 3, second switch member 34 has a circular outer periphery with a diameter equal to the second outside diameter of first switch member 34 and an inner periphery having a first inside diameter equal to the inside diameter of the first switch member extending along a fifth arc length and a second inside diameter, less than the inside diameter of the first switch member extending along a sixth arc length. With this arrangement, electrical wires can extend through SWIVEL UNIT 16 nestled in the sector of reduced outside diameter of switch member 32 and in the sector of increased inside diameter of switch member 34. In addition, water and hydraulic lines can extend through the central openings in switch members 32 and 34. 
     While there have been described preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.