Control system and method for an equipment service vehicle
A vehicle comprises a chassis, a mechanical system, and a control system configured to control the mechanical assembly. The mechanical system is mounted on the chassis and configured to be moved through a range of positions responsive to operator inputs from a human operator. The control system processing logic configured to generate output signals for the output devices based on input signals from the directional controller to thereby control movement of the boom assembly in accordance with the operator inputs. The communication system is configured to communicate signals, including the input signals and the output signals, between the directional controller, the processing logic, and the output devices, the communication system at least partially comprising a radio-frequency transmission medium.
1. A power distribution and control system for a vehicle having a power source, the power distribution and control system comprising:
a power transmission link;
a plurality of input devices;
a plurality of output devices;
a communication network; and
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules, the plurality of interface modules coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link;
wherein the plurality of interface modules are coupled to the plurality of input devices and to the plurality of output devices and execute respective control programs to control the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of input devices;
wherein the plurality of interface modules are interconnected to each other by way of the communication network;
wherein at least a portion of the communication network comprises a radio-frequency transmission medium such that at least some of the interface modules communicate with each other wirelessly.
2. A power distribution and control system according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a firefighting vehicle and the output devices are configured to move an aerial system.
3. A power distribution and control system according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a refuse handling vehicle and the output devices are configured to move a lift system.
4. A power distribution and control system according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a concrete vehicle.
5. A power distribution and control system according to claim 1 , wherein the interface modules are configured to transmit power distribution and control system data to a remote monitoring system via the communication network.
6. A power distribution and control system according to claim 1 , wherein the interface modules are configured to establish an Internet link with a computer located off-board the power distribution and control system and to provide logged data regarding the power distribution and control system to the computer via the Internet.
7. A power distribution and control system according to claim 6 , wherein the interface modules are configured to establish the Internet link via a communications system configured to communicate to the Internet via radio frequency.
8. A vehicle load handling system, comprising:
a mechanical system configured for mounting on a vehicle chassis and configured to be moved through a range of positions to move a load at least vertically;
output devices configured to receive output signals to control movement of the mechanical system;
a user interface configured to receive operator inputs from a human operator and to generate input signals reflecting the operator inputs,
processing logic configured to generate the output signals for the output devices based on the input signals from the user interface, and to thereby control movement of the mechanical system in accordance with the operator inputs, and
a communication system configured to communicate signals, including the input signals and the output signals, between the user interface, the processing logic, and the output devices, the communication system comprising a radio-frequency transmission medium.
9. A vehicle load handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the mechanical system is an aerial system.
10. A vehicle load handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the processing logic is further configured to log data relating to the movement of the mechanical system in memory.
11. A vehicle load handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the processing logic is configured to provide the logged data to a remote monitoring system wirelessly via the communication system.
12. A vehicle load handling system according to claim 11 , wherein the processing logic is further configured to establish an Internet link with a computer not physically coupled to the vehicle chassis and to provide the logged data to the computer via the Internet link.
13. A controller for a vehicle load handling system moved by output devices mechanically coupled to the vehicle load handling system, the controller comprising:
a communications interface configured to communicate with the output devices via a wireless communications link;
an input module configured to receive input signals from a user input device;
processing electronics coupled to the communications interface and the module, wherein the input module provides the input signals to the processing electronics and the processing electronics process the input signals to generate output signals configured to control movement of the load handling system, and the processing electronics are further configured to provide the output signals to the communications interface for transmission to the output devices via the wireless communications link.
14. The controller of claim 13 , wherein the load handling system is an aerial system.
15. The controller of claim 13 , wherein the vehicle load handling system is a lift system for a refuse handling vehicle.
16. The controller of claim 13 , wherein the processing electronics are further configured to log data relating to the controlled movement of the load handling system in memory.
17. The controller of claim 16 , wherein the processing electronics are further configured to provide the logged data to a remote monitoring system wirelessly via the communications interface.
18. The controller of claim 17 , wherein the processing electronics are further configured to establish an Internet link with a computer not physically coupled to a vehicle to which the load handling system is attached and to provide the logged data to the computer via the Internet link.