Work tool vibration system, apparatus, and method

Abstract

A utility vehicle for moving a material comprising a frame including a first motion detection apparatus, a work tool movably coupled with an arm, where the arm is movably coupled with the frame, a second motion detection apparatus coupled with the work tool, a vibration apparatus coupled with the work tool, and a controller in communication with the motion detection apparatus and the vibration apparatus, wherein the controller includes a processor and a memory having a work tool vibration algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operatable to execute the work tool vibration algorithm to receive motion data from the motion detection apparatus, analyze the motion data to determine if the motion data represents a movement of the motion detection apparatus that drops below a threshold movement level, actuate the vibration apparatus to vibrate the work tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A utility vehicle for moving a material comprising:
 a frame including a first motion detection apparatus;   a work tool movably coupled with an arm, where the arm is movably coupled with the frame;   a second motion detection apparatus coupled with the work tool;   a vibration apparatus coupled with the work tool; and   a controller in communication with the motion detection apparatus and the vibration apparatus, wherein the controller includes a processor and a memory having a work tool vibration algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operatable to execute the work tool vibration algorithm to:
 receive motion data from the motion detection apparatus, 
 analyze the motion data to determine if the motion data represents a movement of the motion detection apparatus that drops below a threshold movement level, 
 actuate the vibration apparatus to vibrate the work tool. 
   
     
     
         2 . The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein analyzing the motion data to determine if the motion data represents a movement of the motion detection apparatus drops below a threshold movement level includes analyzing a commanded cylinder velocity with a delivered cylinder velocity. 
     
     
         3 . The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a bucket. 
     
     
         4 . The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration apparatus comprises a hydraulic cylinder commanded to oscillate to alternate between extension and retraction. 
     
     
         5 . The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration apparatus comprises an electric actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the motion detection apparatus comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU). 
     
     
         7 . The utility vehicle of  claim 6 , wherein the pressure sensor is coupled with a hydraulic cylinder coupled with the work tool. 
     
     
         8 . The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the motion detection apparatus comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A work tool system for a utility vehicle, the work tool system comprising:
 a work tool movably coupled with a frame of the utility vehicle;   a motion detection apparatus;   a vibration apparatus coupled with the work tool; and   a controller in communication with the motion detection apparatus and the vibration apparatus, wherein the controller includes a processor and a memory having a work tool vibration algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operatable to execute the work tool vibration algorithm to:
 receive motion data from the motion detection apparatus, 
 analyze the motion data to determine if the motion data represents a movement of the motion detection apparatus that drops below a threshold movement level, 
 actuate the vibration apparatus to vibrate the work tool. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein analyzing the motion data to determine if the motion data represents a movement of the motion detection apparatus drops below a threshold movement level includes analyzing a commanded cylinder velocity with a delivered cylinder velocity. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the motion detection apparatus is coupled with the work tool and a second motion detection apparatus is coupled with the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the vibration apparatus comprises a hydraulic cylinder commanded to alternate oscillating between extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the vibration apparatus comprises an electric actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the motion detection apparatus comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU). 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the motion detection apparatus comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a utility vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving motion data from a motion detection apparatus,   analyzing the motion data with a controller to determine when the motion data represents a movement of a motion detection apparatus dropping below a threshold movement level, and   actuating the vibration apparatus to vibrate a work tool.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein analyzing the motion data with a controller to determine when the motion data with a controller to determine when the motion data represents a movement of a motion detection apparatus dropping below a threshold movement level includes analyzing a commanded cylinder velocity with a delivered cylinder velocity. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the vibration apparatus comprises a hydraulic cylinder commanded to alternate oscillating between extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the motion detection apparatus comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the vibration apparatus comprises an eccentric rotating mass electric motor.