GB2561828A

GB2561828A - Armrest assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2561828A
Application number: GB1706293.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Clarke Kevin; Keith Plimmer Kevin
Original assignee: JC Bamford Excavators Ltd
Current assignee: JC Bamford Excavators Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-20
Filing date: 2017-04-20
Publication date: 2018-10-31
Also published as: GB201706293D0

Abstract

An armrest assembly for a construction machine, comprising a first arm support 31 defining a support surface 35 for an operator's arm and a sensor for determining an angle of rotation of the first arm support 31 about a pivot 34, relative to the predetermined starting position. The sensor may be a contactless Hall Effect sensor mounted inside the pivot 34. The armrest assembly may comprise first 37 and second 38 control handles (e.g. buttons, joysticks, switches) for operating construction machine actuators. A control unit 40 may be connected to the sensor for partly or fully disabling functionalities of the first and/or second control handles if the angle of rotation of the first arm support 31 exceeds a first predetermined threshold. This may prevent inadvertent activation of parts of the construction machinery, thus preventing accidental damage to the construction or injuring a worker. Some functionalities of the first control handle 37 may be disabled and assigned or changed-over to the second control handle 38 if the angle of the first arm support exceeds a predetermined threshold. Preferentially, only some, e.g. hazardous functionalities are disabled. A pivotable seat comprising the armrest assembly and a method of operating construction machine are disclosed.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Armrest assembly Abstract Title: Armrest assembly (57) An armrest assembly for a construction machine, comprising a first arm support 31 defining a support surface 35 for an operator's arm and a sensor for determining an angle of rotation of the first arm support 31 about a pivot 34, relative to the predetermined starting position. The sensor may be a contactless Hall Effect sensor mounted inside the pivot 34. The armrest assembly may comprise first 37 and second 38 control handles (e.g. buttons, joysticks, switches) for operating construction machine actuators. A control unit 40 may be connected to the sensor for partly or fully disabling functionalities of the first and/or second control handles if the angle of rotation of the first arm support 31 exceeds a first predetermined threshold. This may prevent inadvertent activation of parts of the construction machinery, thus preventing accidental damage to the construction or injuring a worker. Some functionalities of the first control handle 37 may be disabled and assigned or changed-over to the second control handle 38 if the angle of the first arm support exceeds a predetermined threshold. Preferentially, only some, e.g. hazardous functionalities are disabled. A pivotable seat comprising the armrest assembly and a method of operating construction machine are disclosed.

Figure 2b

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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ARMREST ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an armrest assembly for seats of a construction machine, particularly, but not exclusively to armrests for rotatable construction machines. The invention further relates to a seat comprising the armrest and a vehicle including the seat. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling a construction machine.

BACKGROUND

A large variety of heavy equipment is known and used for different applications within the construction sector. Generally, most construction machines can be grouped into two different categories, namely rotatable and non-rotatable machines. In non-rotatable constructions machines, the operators cab is fixed relative to the tracking system, such as the driven wheels or the chain drive of the machinery. As such, in non-rotatable construction machines, the operator cab will always face the front end of the machine. However, some non-rotatable construction machines, such as backhoe loaders or bulldozers, require the operator to turn around and face the other direction, i.e. the back end of their machine. To this end, some non-rotational construction machines include rotatable seats that enable the operator to change direction within the fixed operator's cab. These seats can also be used to assist the operator when entering and leaving the cab, i.e. by turning the seat towards the entrance of the cab. This is particularly useful, when the entrance of the cab is on one side of the construction machine.

In contrast to the above, rotatable construction machines include an operators cab, which is rotatable with respect to the tracking system. Common examples include excavators and telescopic handlers, in which the cab rotates together with the shovel or telescopic boom respectively. In this type of construction machinery, it is usually not necessary for the operator to turn around within the operators cab and so the operator seat is commonly fixed, that is, non-rotatable within the driver's cab. It is a known problem that getting in and out of the driver's seat of such a rotatable construction machine can be more difficult as the seat is not rotatable and entrance doors are usually arranged on the side of the operator's seat. Operators, therefore, have to turn in a very confined space within the operators cab in order to enter or leave the construction machine.

The above is not only cumbersome for the operator but involves a number of health and safety risks. In particular, it is common practice to attach one or two armrests to the operator's seat. The armrests generally include control handles or buttons for operating a variety of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators of the construction machine. On a normal working day, the operator has to enter and leave the cab numerous times (e.g. to verify the exact position of their shovel or to attach parts of the machine to objects to be lifted). Occasionally, when entering or leaving the operators cab, driver's get stuck with on some of the control devices attached to the armrests, leading to inadvertent activation of parts of the construction machinery. For example, in excavators, this could lead to an inadvertent drop of the boom, which may cause damage to the construction site, or worse, injure a nearby co-worker.

In view of the aforementioned problem, armrests have been devised, which are pivotable with respect to the operator's seat, such that the operator may fold the armrest up and away from the entrance of the cab in order to ease access to the seat. Although this solution significantly simplifies access to the driver's cab and substantially reduces the risk of inadvertent operation of the construction machine, there is still a slight chance or inadvertently operating the control handles of the armrests, especially commonly used joysticks.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an armrest assembly that further reduces the risk of inadvertent operation of the construction machine. Another object of the present invention is to further improve the operators experience in using the construction machinery, especially from the outside of the operators cab.

Summary of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an armrest assembly for seats of a construction machine, a corresponding seat and vehicle comprising the armrest assembly and a method of controlling construction machines.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an armrest assembly for seats of a construction machine, the armrest comprising a first arm support defining a surface for supporting an operator's arm. The armrest assembly further includes a pivot connected to the first arm support and adapted to pivotably mount the first arm support to parts of a construction machine and a sensor device adapted to determine an angle of rotation of the first arm support relative to a predetermined starting position.

The armrest assembly of the present invention can be mounted in a pivotable manner to parts of the construction machine, such as the operator's seat or a trim panel of the driver's cab, to enable the operator to fold the arm support away when entering or exiting the cab. A movement of the arm support can be monitored by a sensor device and may be used to disable or shift the functionalities of controls attached to the arm support. In other words, if the operator intends on entering or exiting the driver's cab, they will pivot the arm support, thereby changing the angle of rotation relative to a predetermined starting position. The sensor device determines a change of angle, which can be interpreted as the operator's intention to deactivate or change the functionalities of manipulators attached to the arm support. In one embodiment, which will be discussed in more detail below, a control system may disable functionalities of the first arm support when rotation of said arm support is detected relative to the predetermined starting position. A main advantage of the armrest assembly of the present invention is the possibility to avoid any risk of inadvertently operating the control handles and buttons on the armrest when entering or exiting the operator's cab.

It should be understood that the sensor device of the present invention is not only able to detect whether the arm support is in its starting position or an end position, but also at various positions between the two. In other words, the sensor device continuously monitors the angular position of the first arm support relative to the predetermined starting position. The predetermined starting position may be any position comfortable to most operators during work with the construction machine. Most commonly, the starting position is substantially parallel with a seating plane of the operator's seat.

In another embodiment, the sensor device is a contactless sensor. In one variant, the sensor device may be a Hall Effect sensor. The Hall Effect sensor may be integrated into the pivot. During a normal working day, the arm support is moved in and out of its starting position several times and so a contactless sensor will significantly reduce wear of the sensor device. Of course, it is also feasible to use any other type of contactless sensor, such as inductive or optical sensors.

The armrest assembly may comprise a first control handle adapted to operate actuators of a construction machinery. The first control handle may be attached to the first arm support and pivotable therewith. The control handle may be constructed in any shape or form, such as a joystick, a rotary knob, switches or control buttons, etc. The first control handle may refer to a single controller or to an assembly of controllers, such as a joystick with a variety of buttons. As is commonly known in the art, the control handle may operate one or more actuators of a construction machine. In the example of a telescopic handle, the first handle may be a joystick, which is set up to extend or retract a telescopic boom when the joystick is pushed forward/pulled backwards, while shifting the joystick to the sides will slew the operators cab and the telescopic boom in a clockwise/counter-clockwise direction. Other functionalities may be provided as part of or separate to the first control handle (joystick), such as buttons to activate the machine's horn or switches for adjusting the speed of some or all of the actuators.

In an alternative embodiment, the first control handle may not be part of the first arm support and instead mounted to a different part of the construction machine.

According to yet another embodiment, the armrest assembly comprises a control unit connected to the sensor device and adapted to partly or fully disable or change functionalities of the first control handle if the angle of rotation of the first arm support exceeds a first predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the threshold may be set as any movement away from the starting position such that some or all of the functionalities of the first handle may be disabled/changed as soon as the first arm support is moved. In other embodiments, some movement may be allowable to enable the operator to adjust the arm support for personal preferences. In this example, the threshold may be set at an angle of more than 20° relative to the starting position. As soon as the sensor device determines an angle of rotation higher than the predetermined first threshold, the control unit may entirely disable all of the functionalities of the first control handle. Alternatively, only some of the functionalities may be disabled, such as the boom extension and slewing operations discussed in the example hereinbefore. Other non-hazardous functionalities, such as the horn, may remain in operation even after the angle of rotation has exceeded the predetermined threshold.

In another alternative, some or all of the functionalities may be assigned to other control handles of the construction machine, if the first arm support exceeds the first threshold.

The first predetermined threshold may be between 20 and 40 °, preferably 30 ° relative to the predetermined starting position. The first predetermined threshold may be preprogrammed by the armrest assembly manufacturer. Alternatively, the threshold may be adjustable by the operator, preferably within certain limits set by the manufacturer/safety regulations.

According to another embodiment, the armrest assembly comprises a second control handle adapted to operate actuators of a construction machine, wherein the control unit is adapted to partly or fully disable or change functionalities of the second control handle if the angle of rotation of the first arm support exceeds a second predetermined threshold. The second control handle may be mounted on a second arm support, which may be mounted to the other, opposite side of the operator seat. Similar to the first control handle, the second control handle may be adjusted to control a variety of hazardous and non-hazardous actuators of the construction machine. As such, the hazardous functionalities may be disabled as soon as the second predetermined threshold is exceeded. In one embodiment, the first and second thresholds are identical and some of the functionalities of the first and second handles are disabled as soon as the latter are exceeded. At the same time, some of the disabled functionalities of the first control handle may be reassigned to the second control handle. In particular, if the functionalities activated by shifting the second control handle left and right were disabled when the first arm support exceeds the second threshold, the shifting functionalities of the first handle may then be assigned to the second handle. Accordingly, the operator is then still able to use some of the functionalities (e.g. the less hazardous functionalities) of the first handle via the second control handle, when the first arm support is rotated away from a starting position beyond the first and/or second threshold.

With reference to the particular example described hereinbefore, the functionalities of the second control handle when shifting a joystick to the sides may be disabled and replaced by the shifting functionalities of the first control handle (e.g. slewing of the operator cab/telescopic boom). This may be particularly useful if the entrance to the driver's cab is next to the first control handle, in which case it is much less likely to operate the second handle inadvertently, as the second handle is preferably located on a distant side of the vehicle seat with respect to the cab entrance. This changeover of functionalities would then enable the operator to make a conscious effort to control the construction machinery from the outside of the cab via the second control handle even if the first arm support is folded away from the starting position.

In another embodiment, the armrest assembly comprises a base frame connected to the first arm support by means of the pivot such that the first arm support is pivotable with respect to the base frame. The base frame may be directly connected to the operator's seat and provides a stable support structure for the first arm support. A dampening cylinder may be arranged between the base frame and the pivotable arm support in order to ease the pivoting adjustment of the first arm support. In one embodiment, the sensor device may be attached to or integrated into the dampening cylinder.

The first arm support may be adapted to pivot between the starting position and an end position, wherein the sensor device may be adapted to determine the angle of rotation at predetermined intervals between the starting position and the end position. As described hereinbefore, the sensor device is not only adapted to determine whether the first arm support is in its starting or end position but also to measure the angle of rotation at certain intervals between said positions. For example, the sensor device may be adapted to determine the angle of rotation at 1 ° intervals between a starting position of 0° and an end position of about 90°.

According to yet another embodiment, the pivot comprises a latch mechanism for locking the first arm support at a plurality of the predetermined positions between the starting position and the end position. The latch mechanism may allow the operator to adjust the arm support to an angle of rotation of their personal preference. Of course, this angle should not exceed the first predetermined threshold such that the first arm support is locked in a convenient position and maintains the all of the functionalities of the first and/or second control handle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat for a construction machine, wherein the seat comprises a seat surface and an armrest assembly as described hereinbefore. The seat surface may extend along a seating plane, wherein, in the starting position, the first arm support extends substantially parallel to the seating plane. In other words, if the construction machine is on a horizontal surface, the seating plane and the arm support in the starting position extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

In another embodiment, the first arm support is adapted to pivot between the starting position and an end position, the first arm support extending substantially orthogonal to the seating plane in the end position. In simple terms, the first arm support may be adapted to pivot between a 0° angle and a 90° angle with respect to the starting position.

The vehicle seat may comprise a base support adapted to connect the vehicle seat to a construction machine, wherein the seat surface may be pivotable about the base support. In particular, the seat surface may be pivotable to the front and rear of the seat to enable the operator to lean backwards or forwards within the operators cab. In some situations, structures of the operators cab may be in the view field of the operator, especially when handling positions above the operator's head. The seat structure of the present embodiment enables the operator to lean backwards to see past opaque structures of the driver's cab.

The first arm support may be connected to the base support, such that the first arm support is pivotable about the base support together with the vehicle seat. This particular arrangement will guarantee that the relative arrangement between the vehicle seat and the arm support remains stable when the seat is pivoted. At the same time, it should be noted that pivoting of the arm support together with the seat will not affect the functionalities of the first and/or second control handle as the sensor device only determines rotation of the first arm support about the pivot of the armrest assembly, not the base support.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a construction machine comprising providing a construction machine with a plurality of actuators; providing a first arm support pivotably mounted to the construction machine, the first support comprising a first control handle for operating at least one of the plurality of actuators; determining an angle of the first support with respect to a starting position thereof; changing or disabling functionalities of the first control handle, if the angle of the first arm support exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In another embodiment, the method may comprise resetting the functionalities of the first control handle, if the angle of the first armrest is below the predetermined threshold. Although not set out in detail hereinbefore, it is of course advantageous to reset the functionalities of the first control handle if the operator pivots the first arm support back into its start position, that is below the predetermined threshold.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual feature thereof, may be take independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the construction machine according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2a and 2b show perspective views of an embodiment of the seat according to the present invention;

FIGURE 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention; and

FIGURE 4 shows a schematic flow diagram of another embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a construction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The construction machine 1 of this embodiment is a rotary telescopic handler. The construction machine 1 has an operator's cab 3 and a tracking system 5. The tracking system 5 in this case is constructed as drive wheels, which are connected to the drive train of a vehicle body 7. Of course, the invention is not limited to the particular drive system utilised on the construction machine. Rather, it is equivalently feasible to employ other drive systems, such as chain drives as used in crawler excavators, for example.

A telescopic boom 4 extends from the vehicle body 7. The telescopic boom 4 is attached to the vehicle body 7 at its first, proximal end and comprises a second, distal end, opposite the first end, which carries a plurality of adjustable chains 8 for lifting heavy objects, in a crane-like manner. Of course, the distal end of the telescopic boom 4 could equivalently carry an elevated platform or any other tools known in the art. The telescopic boom and the driver's cab 3 are rotatably connected to the vehicle body 7 such that the driver's cab 3 and the telescopic boom 4 are fully rotatable with respect to the body 7, that is may be rotated through an angle of 360°.

The operator's cab 3 includes a seat 2 for the operator of the telehandler. In this embodiment, seat 2 is fixed (i.e. not rotatable) with respect to the driver's cab 3. As described hereinbefore, this is due to the fact that the driver's cab 3 itself rotates with respect to the vehicle body 7 and together with the telescopic boom 4. As such, the telescopic boom 4 will always be in the view field of the operator and there is generally no need for seat 2 to be rotatable. Of course, the present invention is not limited to non-rotatable seats.

An access door 6 is provided on the operator's cab 3. The access door 6 is located on a side of the driver's cab 3, which is opposite to the telescopic boom 4. During a normal working day, the operator will have to enter and leave the cab 3 on several occasions, for example, to attach chains 8 to different objects that shall be lifted by telescopic boom 4 ofthe construction machine 1. Since seat 2 is generally not rotatable within the cab 3, the operator is forced to turn their body within the limited space of cab 3 when entering and exiting the latter. Such turning movement within the cab 3 can cause inadvertent activation of control handles within the cab 3.

As a consequence of the aforementioned problem, the control handles of construction machine 1 are attached to a pivotable arm support 21, which will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2a and 2b. Figures 2a and 2b show an embodiment of the seat according to the present invention. The seat 20 has a seat surface 22 and a backrest 23. The seat surface 22 and backrest 23 are attached to the floor of the construction machine via a base support 24. Base support 24 will be described in more detail below and may have two main functions, mainly to dampen impact of vibrations in a vertical direction and to enable the operator to pivot seat 20 forwards and backwards. An armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the seat 20. In this particular embodiment the armrest assembly 30 is releasably connected to the base support 24 via fastening bolts. The armrest assembly comprises a first arm support 31. The first arm support 31 is connected to a base frame 33 via pivot

34. The first arm support 31 has a first end connected to pivot 34 and a second, opposite end defining a support surface 35 for an operator's arm. The second, opposite end of the first arm support 31 comprises a first control handle 37.

The first control handle 37 of this embodiment is constructed as a joystick and has a plurality of functionalities that allow the operator to activate a variety of different actuators of the construction machine. For example, the first control handle 37 may be set up to control extension and retraction of the telescopic boom as well as slewing of the operator's cab 3 I the telescopic boom 4. In Figure 2a, the support arm 31 is shown in its starting position. The starting position of the embodiment in Figure 2a is substantially parallel to seating surface 22.

Figure 2a further shows that a second support arm 32 is attached to the opposite side of seat 20. The second support arm 32 defines a second support surface 36 for the operator's right arm. A second control handle 38 is attached to one end of the second support arm 32. An opposite end (not shown) may be rigidly or pivotably connected to base frame 33. Similar to the first control handle 37, the second control handle 38 is constructed as a joystick and adapted to control a plurality of actuators of the construction machine 1. In one example, the second control handle 38 may be used to raise or lower the telescopic boom and control the tracking system 5 of the construction machine 1.

As can be derived from Figure 1, the construction machine 1 is configured such that the operator can enter and leave the cab 3 on the left of seat 20, that is, in the direction of the first arm support 31. In order to ease the operator's access to the seat 20, at least the first support arm 31 is pivotable about pivot 34 from a starting position shown in Figure 2a towards an end position shown in Figure 2b. In the end position shown in Figure 2b, the first support arm 31 is rotated by about 90° relative to the starting position, about pivot 34. A telescopic cylinder 39 is positioned between the first arm support 31 and the base frame 33 to assist and dampen pivoting movements of the first support arm 31.

A sensor device (not shown) is provided on the armrest assembly and configured to determine an angle of rotation of the first arm support 31 relative to the predetermined starting position. The sensor device is preferably a contactless sensor, such as a Hall Effect sensor. The sensor device may be part of the pivot 34 and is configured to determine any angular position of the first support arm between the starting position shown in Figure 2a and the end position shown in Figure 2b.

A control unit 40 is connected to the sensor device and configured to partly or completely deactivate the first control handle 37 and/or the second control handle 38, if the angle of rotation of the first support arm 31 with respect to the starting position exceeds a predetermined threshold. Exemplary embodiments of this control method will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5 below.

Seat 20 is pivotable about base structure 24 in order to allow the operator to lean forwards and backwards and thereby get a direct view of the object to be handled by the construction machine.

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a first control method according to the present invention. In a first step S201, the sensor determines the angle of rotation of the first arm support 31 with respect to the starting position. The angle information measured by the sensor device is fed back to the control unit 40, which then compares the angle to the first predetermined threshold in a step S202. The first predetermined threshold may be stored in a database of the control unit and is preferably set up by the manufacturer. As mentioned previously, the predetermined first threshold may be anywhere between the starting and end position of the first support arm 31. In one example, the first threshold can be between 20° and 40° of angular rotation relative to the starting position. If, in step S202, the control unit determines that the angular rotation does not exceed the first threshold, the control unit will keep monitoring the angular position of the first support arm 31 by repeating step S201 until the first threshold is exceeded. If the angular rotation of the first support arm 31 is determined to exceed the first threshold in step S202, the control unit disables some or all of the functionalities of the first control handle 37 in step S203. For example, the control unit may disable all hazardous functionalities, such as slew motor operation and/or extension/retraction of the telescopic boom. Other functionalities, which are not classified as being dangerous to the operator's or co-worker's health and safety, may remain active (e.g. actuation of a horn or lights of the construction machine).

Once some or all of the functionalities of the first control handle 37 have been deactivated, the control unit will prompt the sensor device to keep monitoring the angular position of the first arm support 31 with respect to the starting position, in step S204. The angular position of the first arm support 31 is, in turn, fed back by the sensor device to the control unit 40. The angular position of the first arm support is then compared to a second predetermined threshold in step S205. If, in step S205, the control unit 40 determines that the angular position is above the second threshold, the control unit 40 will keep monitoring the angular position via the sensor device until the angular position is below the second threshold. In one embodiment, the second threshold may be identical to the first threshold, that is, between 20° and 40° with respect to the starting position. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the second threshold may be intentionally lower than the first threshold in order to prevent unnecessary continuous switching around the value of the first threshold. For example, the second threshold may be about 10° below the first threshold such that the operator has to pivot the first support arm 31 at least 10° towards the starting position in order to reset the functionalities of the first control handle 37.

If, in step S205, the control unit 40 determines that the angular position is below the second threshold, the functionalities of the first control handle 37 will be restored in a step S206. In other words, the first control handle 37 will, again, be assigned the same functionalities as in the starting position. After the functionalities of the first control handle 37 have been restored/enabled the control unit 40 starts the described method at the beginning as described with reference to step S201.

A second embodiment of the control method is described with respect to Figure 4. According to this embodiment, steps S301 and S302 are identical to steps S201 and S202 of the embodiment in Figure 3. Once the angular position of the first support arm 31 exceeds the first threshold, the control unit disables some or all of the functionalities of the first control handle 37 and, at the same time, changes some of the control functionalities of the second control handle 38. In particular, the control unit 40 may disable some of the functionalities of the second control handle 38, which are usually not required when the operator is outside of the cab 3. In the specific example described above, control unit 40 could, for example, disable control of the tracking system via the second control handle 38 and replace it with some of the disabled functionalities of the first control handle 37. For example, extension and retraction of the telescopic boom could be reassigned from the first control handle 37 to the second control handle 38, instead of the aforementioned control over the tracking system. According to this embodiment, the operator may still be able to extend and retract the telescopic boom even if the first handle has been deactivated. This is particularly useful if the operator is working outside of the driver's cab 3 and intends on slightly moving the boom from the outside of the driver's cab 3, without having to sit down and bringing the first arm support 31 back into the starting position. In this embodiment, the operator may reach for the second control handle 38, without having to enter the construction machine. Of course, it should be understood that the embodiment of Figure 4 is not limited to the control functions described hereinbefore. Rather, any of the control functions of the first control handle 37 could be reassigned to the second control handle 38 as soon as the first arm support 31 exceeds the first threshold.

After the control unit 40 has disabled some of the functionalities of the second control handle 38 and/or assigned some of the functionalities of the first control handle 37 to the second control handle 38, the angular position of the arm support 31 is further monitored in step S304. Steps S304 and S305 are substantially identical to steps S204 and S205. Again, if the first arm support 37 reaches an angular position, which is below the second threshold, the control unit 40 will initialise a reset of the original functionalities in step S306. In more detail, control unit 40 will reassign the original functionalities to the first and second control handles 37 and 38. As such, the operator will no longer be able to extend/retract the telescopic boom with the second control handle 38, but rather through first control handle 37 again.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described hereinbefore. In particular, the arm supports 31 and 32 may not be directly connected to the seat 20 but could be attached to any part of the construction machine 1. It is also within the scope of this invention to provide two or more sensor devices, which monitor the angle of rotation of the first arm support, for redundancy purposes. The control method may have more or less than the two thresholds described hereinbefore. For example, different thresholds could be implemented for deactivation of the first control handle 37 functionalities and/or reassignment of the original functionalities to the second control handle 38. As such, there may be a range of angles in which some of the functionalities of the first and second control handles 37 and 38 are identical.

Claims

1. An armrest assembly for seats of a construction machine, the armrest comprising: a first arm support defining a surface for supporting an operator's arm;

a pivot connected to the first arm support and adapted to pivotably mount the first arm support to parts of a construction machine; and a sensor device adapted to determine an angle of rotation of the first arm support relative to a predetermined starting position.

2. The armrest assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor device is a contactless sensor.

3. The armrest assembly of claim 2, wherein the sensor device is a Hall Effect sensor.

4. The armrest assembly of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor device is mounted inside the pivot.

5. The armrest assembly of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the armrest assembly comprising a first control handle adapted to operate actuators of a construction machine.

6. The armrest assembly of claim 5, wherein the armrest assembly comprises a control unit connected to the sensor device and adapted to partly or fully disable functionalities of the first control handle if the angle of rotation of the first arm support exceeds a first predetermined threshold.

7. The armrest assembly of claim 6, wherein the predetermined threshold is between 20° and 40°, preferably 30°.

8. The armrest assembly of any of claims 6 or 7, wherein the armrest assembly comprises a second control handle adapted to operate actuators of a construction machine, wherein the control unit is adapted to partly or fully disable/change functionalities of the second control handle if the angle of rotation of the first arm support exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

9. The armrest assembly of claim 8, wherein the first predetermined threshold is identical to the second predetermined threshold.

10. The armrest assembly of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the armrest assembly comprises a base frame connected to the first arm support by means of the pivot such that the first arm support is pivotable with respect to the base frame.

11. The armrest assembly of claim 10, wherein a dampening cylinder is arranged between the base frame and the pivotable first arm support.

12. The armrest assembly of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first arm support is adapted to pivot between the starting position and an end position, and wherein the sensor device is adapted to determine the angle of rotation at predetermined intervals between the starting position and the end position.

13. The armrest assembly of claim 12, wherein the pivot comprises a latch mechanism for locking the first arm support at a plurality of predetermined positions between the starting position and the end position.

14. A vehicle seat for a construction machine, wherein the seat comprises a seat surface and an armrest assembly of any of claims 1 to 13.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 14, wherein the seat surface extends along a seating plane and wherein, in the starting position, the first arm support extends substantially parallel to the seating plane.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 14 or 15, wherein the first arm support is adapted to pivot between the starting position and an end position, the first arm support extending substantially orthogonal to the seating plane in the end position.

17. The vehicle seat of any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the vehicle seat comprises a base support adapted to connect the vehicle seat to a construction machine, and wherein the seat surface is pivotable about the base support.

18. The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the first arm support is connected to the base support, such that the first arm support is pivotable about the base support together with the vehicle seat.

19. A construction machine comprising the vehicle seat of any of claims 14 to 18.

20. A method of controlling a construction machine comprising:

a) providing a construction machine with a plurality of actuators;

b) providing a first arm support pivotably mounted to the construction machinery, the first support comprising a first control handle for operating at least one of the plurality of actuators;

c) determining an angle of the first support with respect to a starting position thereof;

d) changing or disabling functionalities of the first control handle, if the angle of the first arm support exceeds a predetermined threshold.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the method comprises providing a second arm support pivotably mounted to the construction machinery, the second arm support comprising a second control handle for operating at least one of the plurality of actuators, and changing or disabling functionalities of the second arm support, if the angle of the first arm support exceeds the predetermined threshold.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method comprises assigning functionalities of the first control handle to the second control handle and disabling the first control handle, if the angle of the first arm support exceeds a predetermined threshold.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the method comprises resetting the functionalities of the first control handle, if the angle of the first arm supoport is below the predetermined threshold.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1706293.6 Examiner: Mr Ilya Gribanov