PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide operator force feedback similar to a pilot control joystick.SOLUTION: Force feedback regions of operator force feedback similar to a pilot control joystick include free play, dead-band start of modulation, modulation, fore-warning bumper and hold near max angle. An output signal device may also vary the fore-warning feel and hold positions to be at any angle. This output signal device uses force sensing as a signal and has force slope changes used as auto-calibration of an output signal. This improves signal accuracy and provides a service prognostic signal. The prognostic signal may be used to activate a redundant sensor. The variable force feedback may improve operation on rough terrain. The force feedback may allow more productive operating positions to be learned. This enables productivity and other important job site criteria, such as fuel usage, to be optimized by interactive communication with this output signal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
OPERATOR CONTROLLED ELECTRICAL OUTPUT SIGNAL METHOD WITH VARIABLE FEEL AND HOLD FEEDBACK, AUTOMATED CALIBRATION, AND LEARNABLE PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION