Wireless control for loader

Abstract

A control module for controlling functions on a power machine that can be removably mounted from the power machine and used, when not mounted to the power machine, to control the power machine. A method for controlling a power machine are provided to allow wireless control of power machine functions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power machine comprising:
 a frame;   a power system supported by the frame and configured to provide power for operating functions on the power machine;   machine function components supported by the frame and configured to perform machine functions using power from the power system;   a machine controller configured to control the application of power from the power system to the machine function components;   an operator control system including a user input module configured to wirelessly communicate with the machine controller to communicate user input commands to the machine controller to control the machine function components and corresponding machine functions; and   an operator proximity detection system configured to detect whether the operator is in close proximity to the power machine, when the user input module is removed from the power machine to wirelessly communicate with the machine controller, and to provide an output indicative of operator proximity information;   wherein the machine controller is configured to control application of power from the power system to the machine function components partially as a function of the operator proximity information.   
     
     
         2 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the operator control system further comprises a mount on which the user input module can be positioned. 
     
     
         3 . The power machine of  claim 2 , wherein the user input module is configured such that when positioned on the mount the user input module communicates with the machine controller through a wired connection, and when the user input module has been removed from the mount the user input module communicates with the machine controller wirelessly through a wireless connection. 
     
     
         4 . The power machine of  claim 2 , wherein the machine controller is further configured to:
 determine whether the user input module is positioned on the mount;   if the user input module is not positioned on the mount, determine using the operator proximity detection system whether the operator is proximate the power machine;   prevent operation of the power machine responsive to the user input commands from the user input module if the operator is determined to be proximate the power machine.   
     
     
         5 . The power machine of  claim 4 , wherein the machine controller is further configured, when the user input module is not positioned on the mount, to:
 determine, if the operator is determined to not be proximate the power machine, whether the operator and user input module are out of a predetermined range around the power machine;   shut down the power machine if it is determined that the operator and user input module are out of the predetermined range; and   operate the power machine responsive to the user input commands from the user input module if it is determined that the operator and user input module are within the predetermined range.   
     
     
         6 . The power machine of  claim 1 , and further comprising a lift arm structure pivotally coupled to the frame, the machine function components including at least one lift arm actuator coupled to the lift arm structure and configured to use power from the power system to selectively raise and lower the lift arm structure. 
     
     
         7 . The power machine of  claim 1 , and further comprising a traction system coupled to the frame and including at least one drive motor configured to use power from the power system to selectively propel the power machine over a support surface, the machine function components including the at least one drive motor. 
     
     
         8 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the user input module comprises a smart cellular phone configured with an app to communicate the user input commands to the machine controller. 
     
     
         9 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the user input module comprises a mobile computing device configured with an app to communicate the user input commands to the machine controller. 
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling operation of a power machine with an operator control system including a user input module configured to wirelessly communicate with a machine controller to communicate user input commands to the machine controller to control the machine function components and corresponding machine functions, the method comprising:
 determining, using the machine controller, whether the user input module is positioned on a mount on the power machine;   operating the power machine, using the machine controller, responsive to the user input commands from the user input module if the user input module is positioned on the mount;   determining, if the user input module is not positioned on the mount, using an operator proximity detection system on the power machine whether the operator is proximate the power machine and preventing, using the machine controller, operation of the power machine responsive to the user input commands from the user input module if the operator is determined to be proximate the power machine;   determining, if the operator is determined to not be proximate the power machine, whether the operator and user input module are out of a predetermined range around the power machine;   shutting down the power machine, using the machine controller, if it is determined that the operator and user input module are out of the predetermined range; and   operating the power machine, using the machine controller, responsive to the user input commands from the user input module if it is determined that the operator and user input module are within the predetermined range.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining whether the user input module is positioned on the mount further comprises determining whether the user input module is communicating with the machine controller wirelessly or through a wired connection. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining, using the operator proximity detection system on the power machine, whether the operator is proximate the power machine further comprises using at least one of radar circuitry, infrared detection circuitry, cameras and video or image processing circuitry, and RFID detection circuitry to detect an RFID tag located on the user input module. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein preventing, using the machine controller, operation of the power machine responsive to the user input commands from the user input module if the operator is determined to be proximate the power machine further comprises locking out at least some machine functions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein preventing, using the machine controller, operation of the power machine responsive to the user input commands from the user input module if the operator is determined to be proximate the power machine further comprises turning off an engine of the power machine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein shutting down the power machine, using the machine controller, if it is determined that the operator and user input module are out of the predetermined range further comprises turning off an engine of the power machine.