Immobilization of electrohydraulic power machine

Abstract

Power machines having an electric power source and a controller configured to provide improved immobilization of power machine functions when an operator is not present or properly positioned within an operator station or compartment of the power machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power machine comprising:
 a frame providing an operating position for an operator of the power machine;   an actuator;   an operator input configured to be manipulated by the operator and to responsively provide an operator command signal to command usage of the actuator;   an electric power source supported by the frame and operably coupled to the actuator and configured to selectively provide a rotating shaft of an electric motor as a power source output   a power conversion system that is coupled to the rotating shaft and configured to provide power signals in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the at least one actuator; and   a controller configured to receive the operator command signal and an enablement signal indicative of an enablement action, and to responsively provide control signals to the electric power source to control the rotating shaft such that if the enablement signal is indicative of the enablement action, the controller generates the control signals responsive to the operator command signal to control the rotating shaft to cause the power conversion system to provide power signals to the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive the operator command signal and the enablement signal indicative of the enablement action and such that if the enablement signal is not indicative of the enablement action, the controller generates the control signals to control the rotating shaft to cause the power conversion system to not provide power signals to the actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the power conversion system includes:
 a hydraulic pump coupled to the rotating shaft of the electric motor and configured to provide the pressurized hydraulic fluid; and   a hydraulic valve coupled to the hydraulic pump and configured to control the application of the power signals to the actuator responsive to the operator command signal.   
     
     
         4 . The power machine of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured such that if the operator command signal is indicative of no manipulation by the operator, the controller generates the control signals to control the electric power source to not provide power regardless of the enablement signal. 
     
     
         5 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the electric power source further comprises battery components coupled to the electric motor, and including control signals to control the electric motor. 
     
     
         6 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the enablement signal is provided by at least one of an operator seat or position sensor, a safety bar position sensor, and a seat belt engagement sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The power machine of  claim 1 , wherein the enablement signal is provided by a sensor or input device configured to provide the enablement signal as an indication of the operator's presence at the operating position. 
     
     
         8 . The power machine of  claim 1  and further comprising an operator interface configured to alert the operator of a status of the enablement signal. 
     
     
         9 . A power machine comprising:
 at least one hydraulic actuator configured to perform a machine work function;   an operator input configured to be manipulated by an operator and to responsively provide an operator command signal to command usage of the at least one actuator to perform the work function;   an operator engagement sequence input configured to provide an enablement signal indicative of whether the operator has performed a proper enablement action such that the machine work function can be activated or enabled;   an electric power source including an electric motor and configured to provide a power source output in the form of a rotating shaft;   a power conversion system coupled to the rotating shaft and configured to selectively provide power signals in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic actuator to cause the at least one actuator to perform the machine work function; and   a controller configured to receive the operator command signal and the enablement signal and to responsively provide control signals to the electric power source to control the power source output, wherein the controller is further configured such that if the enablement signal is indicative of the proper enablement action, the controller generates the control signals, responsive to the operator command signal commanding usage of the at least one actuator, to control the electric power source to provide power to the power conversion system to provide the power signals to the at least one actuator.   
     
     
         10 . The power machine of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured such that if the enablement signal is not indicative of the proper enablement action, the controller generates the control signals to control the electric power source to not provide power to the power conversion system regardless of the commanded usage indicated by the operator command signal. 
     
     
         11 . The power machine of  claim 9 , wherein the power conversion system comprises a hydraulic pump coupled to the rotating shaft of the electric motor and configured to provide the pressurized hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The power machine of  claim 11 , wherein the power conversion system further comprises a hydraulic valve coupled to the hydraulic pump and configured to control the application of the power signals to the at least one hydraulic actuator responsive to the operator command signal. 
     
     
         13 . The power machine of  claim 11 , wherein the electric power source further comprises battery components coupled to the electric motor and configured to provide electric power to the electric motor, and wherein the control signals include control signals to control the electric motor. 
     
     
         14 . The power machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a frame including an operator station configured to provide an operating position for an operator of the power machine, wherein the operator input is positioned in the operator station; wherein the operator engagement sequence input is configured to provide the enablement signal as an indication of the operator's presence in the operator station. 
     
     
         15 . The power machine of  claim 14 , wherein the operator engagement sequence input comprises at least one of an operator seat or position sensor, a safety bar position sensor, and a seat belt engagement sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The power machine of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured such that if the operator command signal is indicative of no manipulation by the operator, the controller generates the control signals to control the electric power source to not provide power regardless of the enablement signal. 
     
     
         17 . The power machine of  claim 9 , wherein the operator engagement sequence input providing the enablement signal is a sensor or input device configured to provide the enablement signal as an indication of the operator's presence at an operating position of the power machine. 
     
     
         18 . The power machine of  claim 9 , and further comprising an operator interface configured to alert the operator of a status of the enablement signal.