Hybrid control for a backhoe loader

Abstract

A backhoe loader has a backhoe assembly and a loader assembly. The backhoe loader has first and second control sticks configured to output a first set of electronic signals and a second set of electronic signals, respectively. In some arrangements, the first and second set of electronic signals are used to control operation of the backhoe assembly. In other arrangements, the first set of electronic signals is used to control operation of the loader assembly. In still other arrangements, the first set of electronic signals is used to control operation of the loader assembly and the second set of electronic signals is used to control operation of the backhoe assembly.

1 . A backhoe loader comprising:
 a cab having a seat assembly including a seat for an operator;   a loader assembly to a front side of the cab; and   a backhoe assembly to a rear side of the cab;   wherein the seat assembly comprises:
 a first control stick on a first side of the seat, the first control stick configured to output a first set of electronic signals; and 
 a second control stick on a second side of the seat opposite the first side, the second control stick configured to output a second set of electronic signals; 
   wherein the seat assembly is rotatable between a first position in which the seat assembly faces the rear side of the cab and a second position in which the seat assembly faces the front side of the cab; and   the backhoe loader further comprising:   a seat assembly orientation sensor; and   an electronic controller having a default setting in which:   in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in the first position, electronic signals from both the first and second control sticks are directed to control operation of the backhoe assembly; and   in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in the second position, electronic signals from the first control stick are directed to control operation of the loader assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The backhoe loader of  claim 1 , the electronic controller having an alternate setting in which:
 electronic signals from the first control stick are directed to control operation of the loader assembly and electronic signals from the second control stick are directed to control operation of the backhoe assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The backhoe loader of  claim 2  wherein the alternate setting is available in an event that an alternate setting actuator is activated. 
     
     
         4 . The backhoe loader of  claim 2  wherein the alternate setting is available in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines either:
 that the seat assembly is in the first position; or 
 that the seat assembly is in neither the first nor the second position. 
 
     
     
         5 . The backhoe loader of  claim 4  further comprising a safety trigger, wherein in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat is in neither the first nor the second position, signals from both the first and second control sticks are disabled unless the safety trigger is activated. 
     
     
         6 . The backhoe loader of  claim 2  wherein in the alternate setting:
 in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in the first position, electronic signals from the first control stick are directed to control operation of the loader assembly. 
 
     
     
         7 . The backhoe loader of  claim 2  wherein in the alternate setting:
 in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in the second position, electronic signals from both the first and second control sticks are directed to control operation of the backhoe assembly. 
 
     
     
         8 . The backhoe loader of  claim 2  wherein the backhoe assembly comprises a boom and an arm and wherein, in the alternate setting, the second control stick provides control signals for movement of the backhoe boom down and up and for movement of the backhoe arm out and in. 
     
     
         9 . The backhoe loader of  claim 1  wherein the backhoe assembly comprises a boom and an arm,
 wherein in the default setting and in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in the first position: 
 the first control stick provides control signals directed to control operation of the arm out and in and of a backhoe implement to curl and to dump; and 
 the second control stick provides control signals directed to control operation of the boom down, up, left and right. 
 
     
     
         10 . The backhoe loader of  claim 1  wherein the backhoe assembly comprises a boom and an arm,
 wherein in the default setting and in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in the first position: 
 the first control stick provides control signals directed to control operation of the boom down and up and of a backhoe implement to curl and to dump; and 
 the second control stick provides control signals directed to control operation of the arm out and in and the boom left and right. 
 
     
     
         11 . The backhoe loader of  claim 1  wherein the first control stick is on a right side of the seat assembly and the second control stick is on a left side of the seat assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A backhoe loader comprising:
 a cab having a seat assembly including a seat for an operator;   a loader assembly to a front side of the cab; and   a backhoe assembly to a rear side of the cab;   wherein the seat assembly comprises:
 a first control stick on a first side of the seat, the first control stick configured to output a first set of signals; and 
 a second control stick on a second side of the seat opposite the first side, the second control stick configured to output a second set of signals; 
   wherein the seat assembly is rotatable between a first position in which the seat assembly faces the rear side of the cab and a second position in which the seat assembly faces the front side of the cab;   the backhoe loader further comprising an electronic controller having a hybrid setting in which:   electronic signals from the first control stick are directed to control operation of the loader assembly and electronic signals from the second control stick are directed to control operation of the backhoe assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The backhoe loader of  claim 12  further comprising a seat assembly orientation sensor, wherein the hybrid setting is available in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in the first position. 
     
     
         14 . The backhoe loader of  claim 12 , wherein the hybrid setting is available in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in neither the first nor the second position. 
     
     
         15 . The backhoe loader of  claim 14  wherein in an event that the seat orientation sensor determines that the seat assembly is in neither the first nor the second position, signals from both the first and second control sticks are disabled unless a safety trigger is activated. 
     
     
         16 . The backhoe loader of  claim 12  wherein the hybrid setting is available in an event that an alternate setting actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The backhoe loader of  claim 12  wherein the backhoe assembly comprises a boom and an arm and wherein, in the hybrid setting, the second control stick provides control signals for movement of the backhoe boom down and up and for movement of the backhoe arm out and in. 
     
     
         18 . A backhoe loader comprising:
 a cab having a seat assembly including a seat for an operator;   a loader assembly to a front side of the cab; and   a backhoe assembly to a rear side of the cab;   wherein the seat assembly comprises:
 a first control stick on a first side of the seat, the first control stick configured to output a first set of electronic signals; and 
 a second control stick on a second side of the seat opposite the first side, the second control stick configured to output a second set of electronic signals; 
   an electronic controller having first, second and third selectable modes, wherein:   in the first mode, electronic signals from both the first and second control sticks are directed to control operation of the backhoe assembly;   in the second mode, electronic signals from the first control stick are directed to control operation of the loader assembly; and   in the third mode, electronic signals from the first control stick are directed to control operation of the loader assembly and electronic signals from the second control stick are directed to control operation of the backhoe assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The backhoe loader of  claim 18  wherein the backhoe assembly comprises a boom and an arm and wherein, in the third mode, the second control stick provides control signals for movement of the backhoe boom down and up and for movement of the backhoe arm out and in.