Control for floor scraping machine

Abstract

A ride-on floor stripping machine employing a controller, various sensors and motors, and a user interface to control the operation of the machine improves efficiency and effectiveness, and extends the useful life of blades attached the machine, during a floor stripping operations.

1 . A floor stripper comprising:
 a. a drive section comprising a wheel;   b. a blade positioning assembly coupled to the drive section and comprising a rotatable blade holder;   c. a control assembly comprising (i) a first actuator assembly configured to move the blade holder, and (ii) a first position sensor configured to send position signals indicative of the position of the blade holder.   
     
     
         2 . The floor stripper of  claim 1  further comprising a display coupled to the first position sensor and configured to provide information in real time indicative of the position of the blade holder. 
     
     
         3 . The floor stripper of  claim 2  wherein said blade assembly further comprises a vertically adjustable plate, said control assembly further comprises a second actuator assembly configured to move the vertically adjustable plate and a second position sensor configured to send position signals indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate, and wherein said display is also coupled to the second position sensor and also configured to provide information in real time indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         4 . The floor stripper of  claim 2  further comprising a second display and wherein said blade assembly further comprises a vertically adjustable plate, said control assembly further comprises a second actuator assembly configured to move the vertically adjustable plate and a second position sensor configured to send position signals indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate, and wherein said second display is coupled to the second position sensor and configured to provide information in real time indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         5 . The floor stripper of  claim 1  further comprising at least one switch coupled to a controller, wherein said controller is also coupled to the first position sensor and is configured to respond to a first actuation of the switch to store position information indicative of the then existing position of the blade holder. 
     
     
         6 . The floor stripper of  claim 5  wherein said controller is also coupled to the first actuator assembly, wherein said first actuator assembly is configured to receive first actuator control signals from the controller and based on said first actuator control signals move the blade holder. 
     
     
         7 . The floor stripper of  claim 6  wherein a second actuation of said at least one switch caused the controller to access the store position information and send first actuator control signals to said first actuator assembly causing the first actuator assembly to return the blade holder to the stored position. 
     
     
         8 . The floor stripper of  claim 6  further comprising a second switch, wherein an actuation of said second switch caused the controller to access the store position information and send first actuator control signals to said first actuator assembly causing the first actuator assembly to return the blade holder to the stored position. 
     
     
         9 . The floor stripper of  claim 1  wherein said blade assembly further comprises a vertically adjustable plate, said control assembly further comprises a second actuator assembly configured to move the vertically adjustable plate and a second position sensor configured to send position signals indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         10 . The floor stripper of  claim 9  further comprising at least one switch coupled to a controller, wherein said controller is also coupled to the first position sensor and the second position sensor and is configured to respond to a first actuation of the switch to store position information indicative of the then existing position of the blade holder and the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         11 . The floor stripper of  claim 10  wherein said controller is also coupled to the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly, wherein said first actuator assembly is configured to receive first actuator control signals from the controller and based on said first actuator control signals move the blade holder, and wherein said second actuator assembly is configured to receive second actuator control signals from the controller and based on said second actuator control signals move the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         12 . The floor stripper of  claim 11  wherein a second actuation of said at least one switch caused the controller to access the stored position information and send first actuator control signals to said first actuator assembly and second actuator control signals to said second actuator assembly causing the first actuator assembly and second actuator assembly to return the blade holder to the stored position. 
     
     
         13 . The floor stripper of  claim 11  further comprising a second switch and wherein an actuation of said second switch caused the controller to access the store position information and send first actuator control signals to said first actuator assembly and second actuator control signals to said second actuator assembly causing the first actuator assembly and second actuator assembly to return the blade holder to the stored position. 
     
     
         14 . The floor stripper of  claim 1  further comprising a controller configured to receive first position signals from the first position sensor indicative of the position of the blade holder and transmit actuator control signals to the first actuator assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The floor stripper of  claim 14  further comprising means for sending to the controller flooring signals corresponding to a type of flooring to be removed from a floor, wherein at least said flooring signals and said first position signals are used by the controller to generate, and send to said actuator, first actuator control signals and thereby set the angle of attack of a blade coupled to the blade holder based on the type of flooring to be removed. 
     
     
         16 . The floor stripper of  claim 15  wherein said means for sending to the controller flooring signals is a sensor configured to sense the flooring type. 
     
     
         17 . The floor stripper of  claim 15  wherein said means for sending to the controller flooring signals is a first operator actuated control assembly of a user interface. 
     
     
         18 . The floor stripper of  claim 15  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a touch display. 
     
     
         19 . The floor stripper of  claim 15  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a multi-position switch. 
     
     
         20 . The floor stripper of  claim 15  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a plurality of switches. 
     
     
         21 . The floor stripper of  claim 15  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a joystick. 
     
     
         22 . The floor stripper of  claim 1  wherein said actuator assembly comprises an actuator selected from a group consisting of hydraulic linear actuators, hydraulic rotary actuators, electro-mechanical linear actuators, and electro-mechanical rotary actuators. 
     
     
         23 . The floor stripper of  claim 1  wherein said floor stripper is a ride-on floor stripper. 
     
     
         24 . A floor stripper comprising:
 a. a drive section comprising a wheel;   b. a blade positioning assembly comprising a bracket attached to the drive section, a vertically adjustable plate configured to slide up and down relative to the bracket, and a blade holder operatively coupled to the vertically adjustable plate and configured to move relative to the vertically adjustable plate;   c. a control assembly, said control assembly comprising (i) a first actuator assembly configured to receive first actuator control signals and based on said first actuator control signals move the blade holder relative to the vertically adjustable plate and hold the blade holder at preselected positions relative the vertically adjustable plate, (ii) a second actuator assembly configured to receive second actuator control signals and based on said second actuator control signals vertically move the vertically adjustable plate relative to the bracket and hold the vertically adjustable plate at preselected positions relative to the bracket, (iii) a first position sensor configured to send first position signals indicative of the position of the blade holder relative to the vertically adjustable plate, and (v) a second position sensor configured to send second position signals indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate relative to the bracket.   
     
     
         25 . The floor stripper of  claim 24  further comprising a display coupled to the first position sensor and the second position sensor and configured to provide information in real time indicative of the position of the blade holder and the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         26 . The floor stripper of  claim 24  comprising a first display and a second display, wherein said first display is coupled to the first position sensor and configured to provide information in real time indicative of the position of the blade holder, and wherein said second display is coupled to the second position sensor and configured to provide information in real time indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         27 . The floor stripper of  claim 24  further comprising at least one switch coupled to a controller, wherein said controller is also coupled to the first position sensor and the second position sensor and is configured to respond to a first actuation of the switch to store position information indicative of the then existing position of the blade holder and the vertically adjustable blade plate. 
     
     
         28 . The floor stripper of  claim 27  wherein said controller is also coupled to the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly, wherein said first actuator assembly is configured to receive first actuator control signals from the controller and based on said first actuator control signals move the blade holder, and wherein said second actuator assembly is configured to receive second actuator control signals from the controller and based on said second actuator control signals move the vertically adjustable plate. 
     
     
         29 . The floor stripper of  claim 28  wherein a second actuation of said at least one switch caused the controller to access the store position information and send, as necessary to return the blade holder and vertically adjustable plate to the stored position, first actuator control signals to said first actuator assembly and second actuator control signals to said second actuator assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The floor stripper of  claim 28  further comprising a second switch and wherein an actuation of said second switch caused the controller to access the stored position information and send, as necessary to return the blade holder and vertically adjustable plate to the stored position, first actuator control signals to said first actuator assembly and second actuator assembly actuator control signals to said actuator assembly. 
     
     
         31 . The floor stripper of  claim 24  further comprising a controller configured to receive first signals from the first position sensor indicative of the position of the blade holder and second signals from the second position sensor indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate, and transmit first actuator control signals to the first actuator assembly and second actuator control signals to the second actuator assembly. 
     
     
         32 . The floor stripper of  claim 31  further comprising means for sending to the controller flooring signals corresponding to a type of flooring to be removed from a floor, wherein at least said flooring signals and said position signals are used by the controller to generate, and send said first actuator control signals and said second actuator control signals and thereby set the angle of attack of a blade coupled to the blade holder based on the type of flooring to be removed. 
     
     
         33 . The floor stripper of  claim 32  wherein said means for sending flooring signals to the controller is a sensor configured to sense the flooring type. 
     
     
         34 . The floor stripper of  claim 32  wherein said means for sending to the controller flooring signals is a first operator actuated control assembly of a user interface. 
     
     
         35 . The floor stripper of  claim 32  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a touch display. 
     
     
         36 . The floor stripper of  claim 32  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a multi-position switch. 
     
     
         37 . The floor stripper of  claim 32  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a plurality of switches. 
     
     
         38 . The floor stripper of  claim 24  wherein at least one of said first actuator assembly and said second actuator assembly comprises an actuator selected from a group consisting of hydraulic linear actuators, hydraulic rotary actuators, electro-mechanical linear actuators, and electro-mechanical rotary actuators. 
     
     
         39 . The floor stripper of  claim 24  wherein at least one of the first position sensor and the second position sensor is selected from a group consisting of inductive sensors, Hall Effect sensors, magneto-resistive sensors, and optical sensors. 
     
     
         40 . The floor stripper of  claim 31  further comprising means for sending to the controller blade signals corresponding to a type of blade attached to the floor stripper, wherein at least said blade signals, in addition to said flooring signals, said first position signals and said second position signals, are used by the controller to generate said first actuator control signals and said second actuator control signals and thereby set the angle of attack of a blade coupled to the blade holder based on the type of flooring to be removed and the type of blade attached to the floor stripper. 
     
     
         41 . The floor stripper of  claim 31  further comprising means for sending to the controller weight signals corresponding to amount of auxiliary weight attached to the floor stripper, wherein at least said weight signals, in addition to said flooring signals, said first position signals and said second position signals, are used by the controller to generate said first actuator control signals and said second actuator control signals and thereby set the angle of attack of a blade coupled to the blade holder based on the type of blade attached to the floor stripper. 
     
     
         42 . The floor stripper of  claim 31  further comprising means for sending to the controller blade signals corresponding to a type of blade attached to the floor stripper and means for sending to the controller weight signals corresponding to amount of auxiliary weight attached to the floor stripper, wherein at least said blade signals and said weight signals, in addition to said flooring signals, said first position signals and said second position signals, are used by the controller to generate said first actuator control signals and said second actuator control signals and thereby set the angle of attack of a blade coupled to the blade holder based on the type of flooring to be removed and the type of blade and amount of auxiliary weight attached to the floor stripper. 
     
     
         43 . A floor stripper comprising:
 a. a drive section comprising a pair of wheels,   b. a blade positioning assembly comprising a bracket attached to the drive section, a vertically adjustable plate operatively coupled to the bracket and configured to move relative to the bracket, and a blade holder operatively coupled to the vertically adjustable plate and configured to move relative to the vertically adjustable plate;   c. a control assembly comprising (i) a controller, (ii) a first wheel motor assembly configured to receive first wheel control signals from the controller and drive a first wheel of said pair of wheels based on said first wheel control signals, (iii) a second wheel motor assembly configured to receive second wheel control signals from the controller and drive a second wheel of said pair of wheels based on said second wheel control signals, (iv) a first wheel sensor configured to send to the controller first wheel signals indicative of the speed and direction of rotation of the first wheel, (v) a second wheel sensor configured to send to the controller second wheel signals indicative of the speed and direction of rotation of the second wheel, (vi) a first actuator assembly configured to receive first actuator control signals from the controller and based on said first actuator control signals move the blade holder relative to the vertically adjustable plate and hold the blade holder at preselected positions relative to the vertically adjustable plate, (vii) a second actuator assembly configured to receive second actuator control signals from the controller and based on said second actuator control signals move the vertically adjustable plate relative to the bracket and hold the vertically adjustable plate at preselected positions relative to the bracket, (viii) a first position sensor configured to send first position signals to the controller indicative of the position of the blade holder relative to the vertically adjustable plate, and (ix) a second position sensor configured to send second position signals to the controller indicative of the position of the vertically adjustable plate relative to the bracket;   d. an input assembly including a user interface, said user interface comprising a first operator actuated control assembly configured to send a first set of operator input signals to the controller, said first set of operator input signals used by the controller in combination with at least said first position signals and said second position signals to generate said first actuator control signals and said second actuator control signals and thereby set the angle of attack of a blade coupled to the blade holder, and a second operator actuated control assembly configured to send a second set of operator input signals to the controller, said second set of operator input signals used by the controller in combination with said first wheel signals and said second wheel signals to generate said first wheel control signals and said second wheel control signals and thereby independently regulate the speed and direction of rotation of each of the first and second wheels.   
     
     
         44 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said first set of operator input signals are selected from a group of signal types consisting of signals representative of a type of flooring to be removed, signals representative of a type of blade attached to the floor stripper, signals representative of the amount of auxiliary weight attached to the floor stripper, signals representative of a selectable maximum acceleration rate of the floor stripper, signals representative of a maximum speed of the floor stripper, and signals representative of a sensitivity of at least one component of the second operator actuated control assembly. 
     
     
         45 . The stripper of  claim 43  wherein said second operator actuated control assembly comprises a joystick. 
     
     
         46 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a touch display configured to display a plurality of user selectable options and permit the user, by touching the screen, to select from said options. 
     
     
         47 . The floor stripper of  claim 44  wherein said plurality of user selectable options includes options related to types of material to be removed from the floor. 
     
     
         48 . The floor stripper of  claim 44  wherein said plurality of user selectable options includes options include options related to a type of blade attached to the floor stripper. 
     
     
         49 . The floor stripper of  claim 44  wherein said plurality of user selectable options includes options related to the rate of acceleration of the floor stripper. 
     
     
         50 . The floor stripper of  claim 44  wherein said plurality of user selectable options includes options related to the maximum speed of the floor stripper. 
     
     
         51 . The floor stripper of  claim 44  wherein said plurality of user selectable options includes options related to the sensitivity of a component of the floor stripper. 
     
     
         52 . The floor stripper of  claim 44  wherein said second operator actuated control assembly comprises a joystick, and said plurality of user selectable options includes options related to the sensitivity of the joystick. 
     
     
         53 . The floor stripper of  claim 44  wherein said plurality of user selectable options includes options related to the amount of any auxiliary weight added to the floor stripper. 
     
     
         54 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said input assembly comprises at least one sensor configured to sense types of material to be removed from the floor. 
     
     
         55 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said input assembly comprises at least one sensor configured to sense types of blades attached to the floor stripper. 
     
     
         56 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said input assembly comprises at least one sensor configured to sense amounts of auxiliary weight attached to the floor stripper. 
     
     
         57 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a multi-position switch, each switch position of said first multi-position switch corresponding to a different type of flooring. 
     
     
         58 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a first multi-position switch, each switch position of said first multi-position switch corresponding to a different type of blade. 
     
     
         59 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said first operator actuated control assembly comprises a touch display and said second operator actuated control comprises a joystick. 
     
     
         60 . The floor stripper of  claim 59  wherein said touch display is configured to send control signals to the controller which are used by the controller to adjust the sensitivity of the joystick. 
     
     
         61 . The floor stripper of  claim 60  wherein the touch display is configured to send control signals to the controller which are used by the controller to adjust each axis and null point of the joystick collectively. 
     
     
         62 . The floor stripper of  claim 60  wherein the touch display is configured to send control signals to the controller which are used by the controller to adjust each axis and each null point of the joystick separately. 
     
     
         63 . The floor stripper of  claim 43  wherein said first operator actuated control comprises a touch display, and wherein said touch display is further configured to send a plurality of sets of operator control signals to the controller. 
     
     
         64 . The floor stripper of  claim 63  wherein at least one of said plurality of sets of operator control signals is selected from a group consisting of an authentication code, a type of material to be removed from the floor, a type of blade coupled to the blade holder, a maximum speed of the floor stripper, a maximum rate of acceleration of the floor stripper, an amount of auxiliary weight attached to the floor stripper and a desired sensitivity of the second operator actuated control assembly. 
     
     
         65 . The floor stripper of  claim 64  wherein said authentication code consists of a password. 
     
     
         66 . The floor stripper of  claim 1  further comprising at least one front caster wheel, a front caster wheel sensor configured to signal whether the front caster wheel is in contact with a floor, and means for signaling to an operator when the front caster is in contact with the floor. 
     
     
         67 . The floor stripper of  claim 66  wherein said front caster wheel sensor is selected from a group consisting of position sensors, proximity sensors, pressure sensors, and switches that are configured to be closed when the caster wheel in in contact with a floor and open when the caster wheel is not in contact with the floor. 
     
     
         68 . The floor stripper of  claim 66  wherein said means for signaling to an operator when the front caster is in contact with the floor is an indicator light. 
     
     
         69 . The floor stripper of  claim 66  wherein said means for signaling to an operator when the front caster is in contact with the floor is an audible alarm. 
     
     
         70 . The floor stripper of  claim 66  wherein said means for signaling to an operator when the front caster is in contact with the floor is a display.