System and method for blade control on a utility vehicle

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment, a work tool control system for a work vehicle, the work tool system comprising at least two hydraulic cylinders, a work tool coupled, directly or indirectly, with the at least two hydraulic cylinders, the work tool configured to move material, a controller, wherein the controller is in communication with the at least two hydraulic cylinders, an operator interface, wherein the operator interface is in communication with the controller, wherein when the controller receives a first signal from the operator interface the controller sends a second signal to the at least two hydraulic cylinders, where the first signal is a vehicle reverse signal and the second signal is a work tool lift signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A work tool control system for a work vehicle, the work tool control system comprising:
 at least two hydraulic cylinders;   a work tool coupled, directly or indirectly, with the at least two hydraulic cylinders, the work tool configured to move material;   a controller, wherein the controller is in communication with the at least two hydraulic cylinders;   an operator interface, wherein the operator interface is in communication with the controller   wherein when the controller receives a first signal from the operator interface the controller sends a second signal to the at least two hydraulic cylinders, where the first signal is a vehicle reverse signal and the second signal is a work tool lift signal.   
     
     
         2 . The work tool control system of  claim 1 , wherein the work tool comprises a blade, a bucket, or a scraper. 
     
     
         3 . The work tool control work tool control system of  claim 2 , wherein when the controller receives a third signal from the operator interface the control sends a fourth signal to the at least two hydraulic cylinders, where the third signal is a vehicle forward signal and the fourth signal is a work tool lower signal. 
     
     
         4 . The work tool control system of  claim 1 , wherein the operator interface comprises a switch for engaging the system. 
     
     
         5 . The work tool control system of  claim 4 , wherein the switch comprises a physical switch or a virtual switch. 
     
     
         6 . The work tool control system of  claim 1 , wherein the work tool lift signal raises the work tool from a first position to a second position, where the first position is closer to a ground and the second position is further from the ground. 
     
     
         7 . The work tool control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a work tool height sensor, wherein the work tool height sensor determines a height of the work tool with respect to a ground. 
     
     
         8 . The work tool control system of  claim 7 , wherein the work tool height sensor comprises one or more of an ultrasonic sensor, a lidar sensor, or a radar sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The work tool control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display, wherein the display includes one or more of a first notification for the first signal and a second notification for the second signal. 
     
     
         10 . A work vehicle comprising:
 at least two hydraulic cylinders;   a work tool coupled, directly or indirectly, with the at least two hydraulic cylinders, the work tool configured to move material;   a controller, wherein the controller is in communication with the at least two hydraulic cylinders; and   an operator interface, wherein the operator interface is in communication with the controller, wherein when the controller receives a first signal from the operator interface the controller sends a second signal to the at least two hydraulic cylinders, where the first signal is a vehicle reverse signal and the second signal is a work tool lift signal.   
     
     
         11 . The work vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the work tool comprises a blade, a bucket, or a scraper. 
     
     
         12 . The work vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein when the controller receives a third signal from the operator interface the control sends a fourth signal to the at least two hydraulic cylinders, where the third signal is a vehicle forward signal and the fourth signal is a work tool lower signal. 
     
     
         13 . The work vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the work tool lift signal raises the work tool from a first position to a second position, where the first position is closer to a ground and the second position is further from the ground. 
     
     
         14 . The work vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising a work tool height sensor, wherein the work tool height sensor determines a height of the work tool with respect to a ground. 
     
     
         15 . The work vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the work tool height sensor comprises one or more of an ultrasonic sensor, a lidar sensor, or a radar sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The work vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising a display, wherein the display includes one or more of a first notification for the first signal and a second notification for the second signal. 
     
     
         17 . A method of moving material with a work vehicle, the method comprising:
 engaging an automatic work tool lift system;   moving material with a work tool in a first position when the work vehicle is moving in a first direction;   lifting the work tool to a second position when the work vehicle changes from a forward direction to a reverse direction;   determining a distance from the work tool to a surface; and   lowering the work tool to a third position when the work vehicle returns to the forward direction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first position comprises a first grading position and the third position comprises a second grading position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising displaying on a display one or more of a status of the automatic work tool lift system, the distance from the work tool to the surface, the first position of the work tool, and the second position of the work tool.