Method and device for controlling specific functions within a load-carrying vehicle under dumping and/or loading the load-carrying platform of the vehicle

Abstract

Method and arrangement for controlling a load-carrying vehicle when dumping or loading a load carrying platform of the vehicle. The method includes detecting maneuvering of a control input arranged in a cabin of a load-carrying vehicle having a load-carrying platform using a computer control unit operatively coupled between the control input and a brake and a gearbox of the vehicle. The brake of the vehicle is activated using the computer control unit and the gearbox of the load-carrying vehicle is caused to assume a neutral position using the computer control unit.

1 . A method for controlling a load-carrying vehicle when dumping or loading a load carrying platform of the vehicle, said method comprising: 
 detecting maneuvering of a control input arranged in a cabin of a load-carrying vehicle having a load-carrying platform using a computer control unit operatively coupled between the control input and a brake and a gearbox of the vehicle;    activating the brake of the vehicle using the computer control unit; and    causing the gearbox of the load-carrying vehicle to assume a neutral position using the computer control unit.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control input is arranged in such a way that it is within the reach of a driver of the vehicle when the driver is maneuvering a steering wheel and a dumping lever of the vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control input is arranged in such a way that it is within the reach of a driver of the vehicle when the driver is maneuvering a dumping lever with the same hand.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising utilizing a sensor connected to the computer control unit for sensing manual maneuvering of a gear shift lever connected to the gearbox of the vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising utilizing a sensor connected to the computer control unit for sensing a speed of the vehicle and maintaining the brake of the vehicle in a non-active position and maintaining a present gear in the gearbox when the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is an articulated dumper.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising detecting manual movement of a gear selection lever using the computer control unit and releasing the brake of the vehicle in response thereto using the computer control unit.  
   
   
       8 . A control arrangement for a load-carrying vehicle when dumping or loading a load carrying platform of the vehicle, said arrangement comprising: 
 a control input positioned in a cabin of a load-carrying vehicle having a load-carrying platform; and    a computer control means operatively coupled between said control input and a brake and a gearbox of the vehicle, said computer control means configured for detecting operator maneuvering of said control input and for actuating the brake and causing the gearbox of the load-carrying vehicle to assume a neutral position.    
   
   
       9 . An arrangement that controls a load-carrying vehicle when dumping or loading a load carrying platform of the vehicle, said arrangement comprising: 
 a control input positioned in a cabin of a load-carrying vehicle having a load-carrying platform; and    a computer control unit operatively coupled between said control input and a brake and a gearbox of the vehicle and wherein said computer control unit is configured to detect operator maneuvering of said control input and to actuate the brake and cause the gearbox of the load-carrying vehicle to assume a neutral position.    
   
   
       10 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the control input is arranged within the reach of a driver of the vehicle when the driver is maneuvering a steering wheel and a dumping lever of the vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the control input is arranged within the reach of a driver of the vehicle when the driver is maneuvering a dumping lever with the same hand.  
   
   
       12 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a sensor connected to the computer control unit that senses manual maneuvering of a gear shift lever.  
   
   
       13 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a sensor connected to the computer control unit for sensing a speed of the vehicle and said computer control unit configured to maintain the brake of the vehicle in a non-active position and to maintain a present gear in the gearbox when the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.  
   
   
       14 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle is an articulated dumper.  
   
   
       15 . A device for controlling a load-carrying vehicle when dumping or loading a load-carrying platform of the vehicle, the device installed in a load-carrying vehicle having a dumping load-carrying platform, said device comprising: 
 a maneuvering organ configured to be arranged in a cabin of the load-carrying vehicle for hand maneuvering by a driver; and    a computer control unit operatively coupled to the maneuvering organ, to a brake of the load-carrying vehicle and to a gearbox of the load-carrying vehicle, so that the device, when the maneuvering organ is activated, activates the brake and institutes a neutral position in the gearbox.    
   
   
       16 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the maneuvering organ is arranged in such a way that it is within the reach of the driver while the driver simultaneously is maneuvering a steering wheel and a dumping lever of the vehicle.  
   
   
       17 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the maneuvering organ is arranged on a panel in the cabin, in the immediate vicinity of a dumping lever of the vehicle, in such a way that the maneuvering organ is within reach of the driver while simultaneously maneuvering the dumping lever with the same hand.  
   
   
       18 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a sensor connected to the control unit for sensing a manual movement of a gear shift lever connected to the gearbox.  
   
   
       19 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a sensor connected to the control unit for sensing the speed of the vehicle with the purpose of maintaining the brake in a non-active position and a present gear in the gearbox, despite an activation of the maneuvering organ when a speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.  
   
   
       20 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the control unit for sensing brake pressure, and wherein the control unit is coupled to a parking brake of the vehicle for its activation when brake pressure falls below a predetermined value.  
   
   
       21 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the device is adapted for use in an articulated dumper.  
   
   
       22 . A control device for a load-carrying vehicle with a plurality of brakes and a gearbox having a neutral position, the device comprising: 
 a computer control unit, installed in a load-carrying vehicle having a dumping load-carrying platform, coupled in control communication with a brake and a gearbox of the vehicle; and    a maneuvering control for operation by a driver, the maneuvering control being in signal communication with the control unit, the maneuvering control generating a signal for activating the brake and for selecting the neutral position of the gearbox when the maneuvering control is activated.