IP Library Granted Patent US 10,802,699
Granted Patent B2
US 10,802,699 · App. 15/827,818 · Granted Oct 13, 2020

Service mode selection system for service vehicle

Inventors: Jared James Brodbeck (Metamora, IL); Benjamin Bacha (Streator, IL)
Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
G06F3/0488B60W50/12G06F3/0416B60L2240/10B60L2250/16B60L2260/00B60W50/08E01H1/103E01H1/108E02F3/925E03F7/103G06F3/0482
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,802,699
App. No.
15/827,818
Granted
Oct 13, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A service mode selection system for a service vehicle is provided for simplifying a control for setting the vehicle in a desired service mode. The system includes a control system for receiving an operator's selection of service mode via a service mode selection device and controlling vehicle components to automatically set the vehicle in a selected service mode. The service mode selection device can be arranged in a cab of the vehicle and allows the operator to conveniently select a desired service mode, thereby achieving a work-ready machine with as few operator inputs as possible.

Claims (71)

1. A vehicle for performing a plurality of service modes, the vehicle comprising:

a service mode selection device configured to receive an operator's selection of one of the plurality of service modes;

a control system configured to automatically set the vehicle to the selected service mode,

the control system configured to:

store the plurality of service modes, wherein each of the plurality of service modes are defined at least partially by predefined operational conditions of a plurality of vehicle components;

receive the selected service mode from the service mode selection device;

determine that the vehicle is in a parked position;

verify an interlock for the selected service mode, wherein the interlock prevents the vehicle from being set into the selected service mode until predefined status requirements of the plurality of vehicle components are satisfied;

automatically control status conditions of the plurality of vehicle components to meet the predefined status requirements; and

once the interlock is satisfied, automatically control the plurality of vehicle components to the predefined operational conditions to set the vehicle to the selected service mode.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to:

prior to controlling the vehicle components, determine manual controls are in inactive states.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to:

generate a notification; and

present the notification via the service mode selection device.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vehicle components include at least one of a park brake status, an emergency stop status, a gear status, a wheel speed, a clutch status, and a split shaft transfer case status.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

engaging a power take-off (PTO) predetermined for the selected service mode;

shifting a split shaft transfer case predetermined for the selected service mode; and

shifting a transmission to a gear predetermined for the selected service mode.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

controlling a throttle predetermined for the selected service mode.

7. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

controlling a work light predetermined for the selected service mode;

controlling a strobe light predetermined for the selected service mode; and

controlling a directional warning light predetermined for the selected service mode.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of service modes includes at least one of a water jet mode, a water and vacuum combination mode, a water recirculation mode, a driving and vacuum mode, a flusher mode, and a road mode.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the selected service mode is the water jet mode, and wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

engaging a predetermined power take-off; and

determining all manual controls are inactive.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

controlling a throttle.

11. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the selected service mode is the water and vacuum combination mode, and wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

engaging a predetermined power take-off;

shifting the split shaft transfer case;

shifting a transmission to a predetermined gear; and

determining all manual controls are inactive.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

controlling a throttle.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the selected service mode is the water recirculation mode, and wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

enabling an operator to start the vehicle in either the water jet mode or the water and vacuum combination mode with a water pump on and hooked into a recirculation line;

dropping a throttle;

putting a transmission to neutral;

shifting a split shaft transfer case; and

turning off a power take-off.

14. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the selected service mode is the driving and vacuum mode, and wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

enabling an operator to start the vehicle in the water and vacuum combination mode; and

engaging a hydrostatic motor to rear wheels.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the control system operates to control vehicle components to set the vehicle to the selected service mode by:

controlling a throttle.

16. A control system for automatically setting a vehicle to one of a plurality of service modes, the control system including a processing device and a computer readable storage medium storing software instructions that cause the processing device to:

store the plurality of service modes, wherein each of the plurality of service modes are defined at least partially by predefined operational conditions of a plurality of vehicle components;

generate a user interface at a service mode selection device, the service mode selection device configured to receive an operator's selection of one of the plurality of service modes;

receive the selected service mode via the service mode selection device;

determine that the vehicle is in a parked position;

verify an interlock for the selected service mode, wherein the interlock prevents the vehicle from being set into the selected service mode until predefined status requirements of the plurality of vehicle components are satisfied;

automatically control status conditions of the plurality of vehicle components to meet the predefined status requirements; and

once the interlock is satisfied, automatically control the plurality of vehicle components to the predefined operational conditions to set the vehicle to the selected service mode.

17. The control system of claim 16 , wherein the computer readable storage medium further cause the processing device to:

prior to controlling the vehicle components, determine manual controls are in inactive states.

18. The control system of claim 16 , wherein the computer readable storage medium further cause the processing device to:

generate a notification; and

present the notification via the service mode selection device.

19. A method for automatically setting a vehicle to one of a plurality of service modes, the method including:

storing the plurality of service modes, wherein each of the plurality of service modes are defined at least partially by predefined operational conditions of a plurality of vehicle components;

generating a user interface at a service mode selection device, the service mode selection device configured to receive an operator's selection of one of the plurality of service modes;

receiving the selected service mode via the service mode selection device;

determining that the vehicle is in a parked position;

verifying an interlock for the selected service mode, wherein the interlock prevents the vehicle from being set into the selected service mode until predefined status requirements of the plurality of vehicle components are satisfied;

automatically controlling status conditions of the plurality of vehicle components to meet the predefined status requirements; and

once the interlock is satisfied, automatically controlling the plurality of vehicle components to the predefined operational conditions to set the vehicle to the selected service mode.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2019
From: FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049964/0340 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2018
From: BRODBECK, JARED JAMES; BACHA, BENJAMIN
To: FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047339/0968 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190163340A1 · May 30, 2019