Multiple Control Patterns for Machines with Hand and Foot Controls

Abstract

A control system for a machine having traction devices, an implement, and a hydraulic system configured to drive the traction devices and the implement is disclosed. The control system may include a controller in communication with an operator interface and the hydraulic system. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a first predetermined control pattern, send signals to the to the hydraulic system to control the machine according to the first predetermined control pattern, receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a second predetermined control pattern, and send signals to the hydraulic system to control the machine according to the second predetermined control pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system for a machine having traction devices, an implement, and a hydraulic system configured to drive the traction devices and the implement, the control system comprising:
 an operator interface configured to receive input from and output data to an operator of the machine; and   a controller in communication with the operator interface and the hydraulic system, the controller configured to:
 receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a first predetermined control pattern, 
 send signals to the to the hydraulic system to control the machine according to the first predetermined control pattern, 
 receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a second predetermined control pattern, and 
 send signals to the hydraulic system to control the machine according to the second predetermined control pattern. 
   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the operator interface includes a switch configured to provide a signal indicative of a control pattern selection of the operator. 
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the operator interface includes a left pedal, a right pedal, a left joystick, and a right joystick. 
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the left pedal, the right pedal, the left joystick, and the right joystick is electronic. 
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein mounting positions of the left pedal and the right pedal are adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 3 , wherein the first predetermined control pattern is an international organization for standardization (ISO) control pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 6 , wherein one of the left pedal and the right pedal provides a throttle pedal functionality with the ISO control pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 6 , wherein the second predetermined control pattern is a hand and foot control pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 8 , wherein the operator interface includes a control configured to provide a signal to the controller to operate the machine according to the ISO control pattern when activated by the operator. 
     
     
         10 . A machine comprising:
 a fraction device;   an implement;   a hydraulic system configured to drive the traction device and the implement;   an operator interface configured to receive input from and output data to an operator of the machine, the operator interface including hand operator controls and foot operator controls; and   a controller in communication with the operator interface and the hydraulic system, the controller configured to:
 receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a first predetermined control pattern including hand operator controls, 
 send signals to the hydraulic system in accordance with the first predetermined control pattern, 
 receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a second predetermined control pattern including hand operator controls and foot operator controls, and 
 send signals to the hydraulic system in accordance with the second predetermined control pattern. 
   
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 10 , wherein the first predetermined control pattern is an international organization for standardization (ISO) control pattern, and the second predetermined control pattern is a hand and foot control pattern. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the hand operator controls include electronic joysticks and the foot operator controls include electronic pedals. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 12 , wherein one of the electronic pedals includes a throttle pedal functionality in the first predetermined control pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein additional functionality in one of the electronic pedals is programmed into a memory associated with the controller in the first predetermined control pattern. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 12 , wherein each of a mounting position of the left pedal and a mounting position of the right pedal is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein each of the left pedal and the right pedal a series of mounting holes that provide at least two mounting positions. 
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling a machine, the machine having a controller in communication with an operator interface and a hydraulic system, the operator interface configured to receive input from and output data to an operator of the machine and including a switch configured to receive input from the operator for a control pattern selection, the hydraulic system configured to control traction devices and an implement of the machine, the method comprising:
 storing a first predetermined control pattern and a second predetermined control pattern in a memory associated with the controller, the first predetermined control pattern including hand operator controls and the second predetermined control pattern including hand operator controls and foot operator controls;   the controller receiving a signal from the switch indicative of a control pattern selection of the operator, the control pattern selection being one of the first predetermined control pattern and the second predetermined control pattern; and   the controller sending signals to the hydraulic system to control the traction devices and the implement according to the control pattern selection.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the first predetermined control pattern being an international organization for standardization (ISO) control pattern and the second predetermined control pattern being a hand and foot control pattern. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising storing a third predetermined control pattern in the memory associated with the controller, the third predetermined control pattern being an H control pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising storing a fourth predetermined control pattern in the memory associated with the controller, the fourth predetermined control pattern including control of a drive function of the machine by foot controls.