Arm rest/seat switch circuit configuration for use as an operational state sensor for a work machine

An operational state sensor for controlling certain operations of a work machine wherein the work machine includes an engine, an operator restraint mechanism and an operator seat, said operational state sensor comprising:

• a first switch coupled to said operator restraint mechanism and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a non-restraining condition and a second state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a restraining condition;
• a second switch coupled to said operator seat and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when an operator is not present in the seat and a second state corresponding to the condition when an operator is present in the seat;
• an electronic controller coupled to said first and second switches and operable to receive signals from each of said switches, said signals being indicative of the states of each switch;
• said controller outputting a signal to enable certain operations of the work machine when said controller receives a signal indicative of said first switch being out of its first state and a signal indicative of said first and second switches being concurrently in their second state.

An operational state sensor for controlling certain operations of a work machine wherein the work machine includes an engine, an operator restraint mechanism and an operator seat, said operational state sensor comprising:

• a first switch coupled to said operator restraint mechanism and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a non-restraining condition and a second state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a restraining condition;
• a second switch coupled to said operator seat and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when an operator is not present in the seat and a second state corresponding to the condition when an operator is present in the seat;
• an electronic controller coupled to said first and second switches and operable to receive first and second signals from said switches, said first signal being indicative of when said first switch is either in or out of its first state and said second signal being indicative of when said first and second switches are either concurrently in or at least one of said switches is out of their respective second states;
• said first signal being grounded when said first switch is in its first state, and said second signal being grounded when said first and second switches are concurrently in their second states;
• said controller outputting a signal to disable or inhibit certain operations of the work machine when said second signal indicates that either said first or second switch is out of its second state.

An operational state sensor for controlling certain operations of a work machine wherein the work machine includes an engine, an operator restraint mechanism and an operator seat, said operational state sensor comprising:

• a first switch coupled to said operator restraint mechanism and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a non-restraining condition and a second state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a restraining condition;
• a second switch coupled to said operator seat and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when an operator is not present in the seat and a second state corresponding to the condition when an operator is present in the seat;
• an electronic controller coupled to said first and second switches and operable to receive first and second signals from said switches, said first signal being indicative of when said first switch is either in or out of its first state and said second signal being indicative of when said first and second switches are either concurrently in their respective second states or at least one of said first and second switches is out of its second state;
• said controller outputting at least one signal to disable or inhibit certain operations of the work machine when said first signal indicates that said first switch is in its first state.

A control circuit for controlling certain operations of a work machine wherein the work machine includes an arm rest and an operator seat, said arm rest being movable between an up position and a down position, said control circuit comprising:

• an arm rest switch;
• a seat switch coupled in series with said arm rest switch;
• a controller coupled to said arm rest and seat switches;
• said arm rest switch being operable between a first mode of operation corresponding to said arm rest being in its up position and a second mode of operation corresponding to said arm rest being in its down position;
• said seat switch being operable between a first mode of operation corresponding to no operator being seated in the seat and a second mode of operation corresponding to an operator being seated in the seat;
• and
• said controller sensing both the first and second modes of operation of said arm rest switch, said first mode of operation of said arm rest switch being sensed continuously while the second mode of operation of said arm rest switch is only sensed when said seat switch is in its second mode of operation.

An operational state sensor for controlling certain operations of a work machine wherein the work machine includes an engine, an operator restraint mechanism and an operator seat, said operational state sensor comprising:

• a first switch coupled to said operator restraint mechanism and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a non-restraining condition and a second state corresponding to the condition when said operator restraint mechanism is in a restraining condition;
• a second switch coupled to said operator search and actuatable between a first state corresponding to the condition when an operator is not present in the seat, and a second state corresponding to the condition when an operator is present in the seat;
• an electronic controller coupled to said first and second switches and operable to receive signals from each of said switches, said signals being indicative of the states of each switch or a predetermined combination of the states of said switches,
• the signal from said first switch being grounded when said operator restraint mechanism is in a non-restraining condition, the signal from said second switch being grounded when said operator restraint mechanism is in a restraining condition and an operator is present in the seat;
• said controller outputting a signal to control certain operations of the work machine based upon the signals received from said first and second switches.