Hydraulic apparatus control system
A hydraulic apparatus control system includes a plurality of directional control valves. Each valve serves to selectively convey pressurized fluid to a hydraulic consumer which is detachably connected to a respective hydraulic output. A plurality of user interface devices control the valves. A terminal includes a display and user input means. The display displays a graphic associated with each hydraulic output. Each graphic includes a displayed user-definable label.
1. A hydraulic apparatus control system comprising a plurality of directional control valves each for selectively conveying pressurised fluid to a hydraulic consumer detachably connected to a respective hydraulic output, a plurality of user interface devices to control the valves, a terminal comprising a display and user input means, wherein the display displays a graphic associated with each hydraulic output, and wherein each graphic includes a displayed user-definable label.
2. A control system further comprising memory means which stores a set of said user-definable labels as a stored dataset, wherein the stored dataset can be recalled by a user.
3. A control system according to claim 2 , wherein the memory means stored a plurality of sets of said user-defined labels as respective datasets, wherein one of said stored datasets can be selected and recalled by a user from said plurality of sets.
4. A control system according to claim 2 , wherein a stored set of said user-definable labels may be assigned a name via the user input means.
5. A control system according to claim 2 , further comprising an electronic control unit which comprises the memory means.
6. A control system according to claim 1 , further comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the terminal.
7. A control system according to claim 6 , wherein the user interface devices generate electrical signals which are communicated to the ECU.
8. A control system according to claim 7 , wherein the directional control valves are solenoid-actuated and respond to electrical signals.
9. A control system according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface devices are coupled to respective directional control valves by a mechanical coupling which operates a spool to activate the valve.
10. A control system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one user interface device is a lever which has a central neutral position and two activation positions either side of the neutral position.
11. A control system according to claim 1 , wherein the user input means comprises a plurality of buttons located around the periphery of the display.
12. A control system according to claim 1 , wherein the user input means comprises a touch sensitive display.
13. An agricultural tractor comprising a hydraulic apparatus control system comprising a plurality of directional control valves each for selectively conveying pressurised fluid to a hydraulic consumer detachably connected to a respective hydraulic output, a plurality of user interface devices to control the valves, a terminal comprising a display and user input means, wherein the display displays a graphic associated with each hydraulic output, and wherein each graphic includes a displayed user-definable label.