A working machine

Abstract

A working machine is provided with an operator cab mounted to a body. An interior of the operator cab has a decorative trim part that incorporates a display. The display includes a translucent region

Description

FIELD This invention relates to a working machine. BACKGROUND Off-highway vehicles / working machines are typically those used in construction industries (e.g. backhoe loaders, slew excavators, telescopic handlers, forklifts, skid-steer loaders, dump trucks, bulldozers, graders), agricultural industries (e.g. tractors, combine harvesters, wheeled loading shovels, telescopic handlers, self-propelled harvesters and sprayers), quarrying (e.g. excavators, wheeled loading shovels, aggregate crushing equipment), and forestry (e.g. timber harvesters, feller bunchers). Many working machines have a primary function of moving material using either a lifting arm (e.g. a pivoting boom) ora working arm (e.g. an excavator arm) and may be referred to as material handling machines. Telehandlers are generally well known and comprise a vehicle with a pivoting telescopically extending working arm which allows items to be transported between different locations at varying heights with relative ease and flexibility. Telehandlers are often utilised in agriculture, construction or logistics, amongst other sectors. The interior of the operator cabs of such working machines may incorporate interior trim parts that may provide an improved aesthetic appearance within the operator cab. Such trim parts may be used to cover sound insulation, structural components, wiring or other ancillary equipment as may be required in operator cabs. Operator cabs may also include displays and controls with which an operator can receive information or provide inputs, for example. These interior trim parts, displays or controls may obstruct an operator's view during operation of the working machine. The present teachings seek to overcome or at least mitigate one or more problems associated with the prior art. SUMMARY According to a first aspect of the present teachings, there is provided a working machine comprising: a ground engaging structure; a body supported on the ground engaging structure; a working arm pivotally mounted to the body; and an operator cab mounted to the body. An interior of the operator cab may comprise an interior trim part provided as a decorative trim part for improving an aesthetic appearance within the operator cab. The interior trim part may comprise at least one display comprising a translucent region of the trim part having front and back surfaces, and a lighting module arranged at the back surface of the translucent region. The working machine may include a controller, and the controller may be configured to selectively activate the lighting module such that the illuminated lighting module is visible at the front surface of the translucent region. The display may be indistinguishable from the interior trim part when the lighting module deactivated and visible from within the operator cab when the lighting module is activated. This arrangement provides an interior trim part that has a variable appearance. When the lighting module is not activated, the display is not visible which provides a much cleaner and simpler interior of the operator cab. The display takes advantage of the "hidden-until-lit" functionality by being visually perceptible when the lighting module is activated. This enables the interior trim part of the operator cab to display one or a plurality of displays and / or control elements of the working machine. This arrangement also helps to improve visibility for an operator. The working machine may comprise a sensor assembly configured to monitor one or more parameters associated with the working machine and to output a signal to the controller. The lighting module may be configured to display an output from the sensor assembly based on the signal from the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly may comprise a load moment indicator (LMI) sensor assembly, and the display may be configured to show a load moment of the working machine. The sensor assembly may comprise a pedestrian recognition sensor assembly, and the display may be configured to alert an operator of the working machine when a pedestrian is detected around the working machine. The interior trim part may be located on a pillar within the operator cab. This arranges the display in the line of sight of an operator during operation of the working machine. The trim part may be located on an A-pillar. This arranges the display in the line of sight of an operator during operation of the working machine. The pillar may extend between a floorplate and a roof of the operator cab, and wherein the display is arranged closer to the roof than the floorplate. Advantageously, this arranges the display in the line of sight of an operator when looking at the working arm, when the working arm is in an elevated position. The display may be arranged on an upper half of the pillar, an upper quarter of the pillar, or on a roof section of the operator cab. The display may be arranged in an uppermost region of the pillar. Advantageously, this arranges the display in the line of sight of an operator when looking at the working arm, when the working arm is in an elevated position. The operator cab may comprise an operator seat, and the display may be arranged forwardly of the operator seat with respect to a fore-aft axis of the working machine. This arranges the display in the line of sight of an operator during operation of the working machine. The display may be arranged at a height that is above the operator seat. The display may be arranged between the operator seat and the working arm. The display may be interposed between the operator seat and the working arm when the working arm is in an elevated position. This arranges the display in the line of sight of an operator during operation of the working arm. The interior trim part may cover a structural element of the operator cab. The interior trim part may be adjacent one or more adjacent trim parts, and the interior trim part and one or more adjacent trim parts may have a continuous uninterrupted surface profile. The interior trim part may be separately detachable from the one or more adjacent trim parts. Advantageously, this enables the display to be changed / replaced. The translucent region may be integrally formed with the interior trim part. This arrangement reduces the number of separate components within the operator cab, which helps to improve visibility for an operator. The translucent region may comprise a region of the interior trim region having a reduced thickness relative to the surrounding interior trim part. This arrangement reduces the number of separate components within the operator cab, which helps to improve visibility for an operator. The translucent region may not project outwardly relative to the surrounding trim part. This helps to improve operator visibility. The display may not project outwardly relative to the interior trim part. This helps to improve operator visibility. The translucent region and the surrounding trim part may have a continuous uninterrupted surface profile. The translucent region may comprise one or more display features thereon. Forming one or more display features on the interior trim part reduces the number of separate components within the operator cab, which helps to improve visibility for an operator. The display features may be integrally formed, for example engraved or etched, on the translucent region. Forming one or more display features on the interior trim part reduces the number of separate components within the operator cab, which helps to improve visibility for an operator. The controller may be configured to activate the lighting module when the working machine is turned on. The working machine may be a telehandler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a working machine according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the working machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric view of a part of an interior of the operator cab of the working machine of Figure 1; Figures 4A and 4B are isometric views of an interior trim part of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the interior trim part of Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments and the inventive concept. However, those skilled in the art will understand that: the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with known equivalents of these specific details; that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments; and, that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of alternative embodiments. It will also be appreciated that well known methods, procedures, components, and systems may not have been described in detail. References to vertical and horizontal in the present disclosure should be understood to be in relation to the machine when stood on horizontal ground in a non-working condition. The term axial is generally used in relation to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The term width is generally used in relation to the longitudinal length, that is, transverse to the length. Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the teachings includes a working machine 10. The working machine may be a load handling machine. In this embodiment, the load handling machine 10 is a telescopic handler. In other embodiments the load handling machine 10 may be a rotating telescopic handler, an excavator, a skid-steer loader, a compact track loader, a wheel loader, a telescopic wheel loader, a backhoe loader, or a tractor, for example. Such working machines may be denoted as off-highway vehicles or as non-road mobile machinery, and may include an operator cab. The working machine 10 includes a body 12. The body 12 may include, for example, an operator's cab 14 from which an operator can operate the machine 10. The operator cab 14 may be mounted on the body 12 so as to be offset from a centre of the body. Although in alternative arrangements, the cab 14 may be substantially central, i.e. central relative to a horizontal or lateral direction. The working machine 10 has a ground engaging structure. The ground engaging propulsion arrangement or structure supports the body 12. A working arm 16 is pivotally connected to the body 12. The working arm 16 is connected to the body 12 by a mount 18 proximate a first end, or proximal end, of the working arm 16. The working arm 16 is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis. In other embodiments, the body 12 may include an undercarriage or chassis including the ground engaging propulsion arrangement, and a superstructure including the cab 14 and arm 16, and the superstructure may be rotatable (e.g. about a substantially vertical axis) relative to the undercarriage / chassis. Put another way, the superstructure may be rotatable relative to a ground engaging propulsion structure. In such embodiments, it will be appreciated that the mount 18 may be provided on the undercarriage / chassis or the superstructure. The ground engaging propulsion structure includes a first, or front, axle Al and a second, or rear, axle A2, each axle being coupled to a pair of wheels 20, 22. In other embodiments, the ground engaging propulsion structure may include a pair of endless tracks. One or both of the axles Al, A2 may be coupled to a drive arrangement (not shown) configured to drive movement of the ground engaging propulsion structure (i.e. the axles Al, A2). The drive arrangement causes movement of the working machine 10 over a ground surface. The drive arrangement includes a primer mover and a transmission (not shown). The prime mover may be an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or may be a hybrid comprising both an internal combustion engine, an electric motor. The working arm 16 may be a telescopic arm, having a first section 24 connected to the mount 18 and a second section 26 which is telescopically fitted to the first section 24. In this embodiment, the second section 26 of the working arm 16 is telescopically moveable with respect to the first section 24 such that the working arm 16 can be extended and retracted. Movement of the second section 26 with respect to the first section 24 of the working arm 16 may be achieved by use of an extension actuator (not shown), for example a double acting hydraulic linear actuator, an electric linear actuator, a telescopic extension ram, multiple extension rams, and / or a chain and pulley system. As will be appreciated, the working arm 16 may include a plurality of sections, for example two, three, four or more sections. Each arm section may be telescopically fitted to at least one other section, and an actuator may be provided therebetween. In alternative arrangements, the working arm 16 may not be telescopic. In such embodiments, the working arm 16 may include a first arm, for example a boom, pivotally mounted to the mount 18 and may, in some embodiments, also include a second arm, for example a dipper arm, pivotally mounted to the first arm. The working arm 16 can be moved with respect to the machine body 12 and the movement is preferably, at least in part, rotational movement about the mount 18. The rotational movement is about a substantially transverse axis of the machine 10. Rotational movement of the working arm 16 with respect to the machine body 12 is, in an embodiment, achieved by use of at least one lifting actuator (not shown) coupled between the arm 16 and the body 12. A carriage assembly 28 is mounted to a second, or distal, end 30 of the working arm 16. A working implement or a load handling implement 32 is mounted to the carriage assembly 28. The working machine 10 is configured to transport loads over uneven ground, i.e. with a load held by the working implement 28, an operator controls the ground engaging propulsion structure to move the machine 10 with the load from one location to another. In the illustrated arrangement, the working implement is a pair of forks 32, e.g. a pair of laterally spaced apart forks. The forks 32 project forwardly from the carriage assembly 28. In alternative arrangements, the working implement may be a bucket, or a basket etc., or any other suitable working implement. It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the carriage 28 may be omitted, and the working implement 30 may be mounted directly to the working arm 16. Referring now to Figure 3, an interior of the operator cab 14 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the operator cab 14 is provided in the form of an enclosed cab from which an operator can control one or more of the controllable elements of the working machine 10. In other embodiments, the operator cab 14 may be at least partially open. The operator cab 14 includes an operator station 36. The operator station 36 includes a plurality of assignable control input devices 37, a steering wheel 38, a throttle pedal (not shown), a brake pedal (not shown), and an operator seat 39. The steering wheel 38 controls steering of the wheels 20, 22 mounted to the front and / or rear axles Ai, A2 of the ground-engaging propulsion arrangement via a steering linkage (not shown). The steering wheel 38 is supported on a steering pedestal 58. Each assignable control input device 37 is suited to selectively controlling more than one of the assignable controllable elements. In the illustrated embodiment, one control input device 37 includes a single joystick. However, in other embodiments two or more joysticks may be provided. In some embodiments, the operator station 36 may include an input device arrangement (not shown) for receiving an input from the operator. The input device arrangement may include a touch screen device having a display device with a screen. Trim parts or panels are provided within the operator cab 14 to finish the interior of the operator cab 14. Put another way, these interior trim parts are provided as decorative parts or panels that improve the aesthetic appearance within the operator cab 14. The operator cab 14 includes an interior trim part 34. It will be understood that the interior trim part 34 of the operator cab 14 may be any suitable part located within the operator cab 14. Such trim parts may be formed from a plastics or polymeric material, for example ABS, PU, PVC, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the interior trim part 34 may be provided to cover a structural element of the operator cab 14, for example a structural pillar of the operator cab 14. In other embodiments, the interior trim parts may be a part of door panels, control consoles, steering consoles, or any other suitable component. In the illustrated embodiment, the operator cab 14 includes an interior trim part 34 located on a pillar 40. The pilar 40 is a structural component of the operator cab 14. The operator cab 14 may include four structural pillars, for example two forward pillars, known as A-pillars, and two rear pillars, known as B-pillars. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior trim part is located an A-pilar 40. An A-pillar is the forward-most structural pillar within the operator cab 14, supporting a roof of the operator cab 14 on opposing sides of the front windshield 60. Although only a single (i.e. front-right) A-pillar 40 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the operator cab 14 will include a pair of A-pillars (i.e. a front-right A-pillar and a front-left A-pillar). Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the interior trim part 34 includes a display 42 formed therein. The display 42 does not project outwardly relative to the interior trim part 34. In the illustrated arrangement, the display 42 is formed on a trim part located on a pillar. In the illustrated example, the display 42 is formed on a trim part that is located on the A-pillar 40. The interior trim part 34 that includes the display 42 may be arranged between, for example interposed between, an operator seat 39 and the working arm 16. This arranges the display 42 in the line of sight of an operator during operation of the working arm 16. The trim part that includes the display 42 may be forwardly of the operator seat 39 with respect to a fore-aft axis of the working machine 10. This arranges the display 42 in the line of sight of an operator during operation of the working machine 10. The display 42 may be arranged at a height that is above the operator seat 39, which helps to arrange the display 42 in the line of sight of an operator when looking at the working arm, when the working arm is in an elevated position. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 42 is provided on a pillar within the operator cab. The display may be provided on the A-pillar 40, as is illustrated. In particular, the display 42 is provided on the A-pillar that is arranged between the operator seat 39 and the working arm 16. The display 42 may be arranged within the operator cab 14 to be interposed between the operator seat 39 and the working arm 16 when the working arm 16 is in an elevated position. This arranges the display in the line of sight of an operator during operation of the working machine. The pillar 40 extends between a floorplate (not shown) and a roof 15 (shown in Figure 1) of the operator cab 14. In some embodiments the display 42 may be arranged to be closer to the roof 15 than the floorplate. Put another way, the display 42 may be arranged on an uppermost region of the pillar 40, an upper half of the pillar 40, an upper quarter of the pillar 40, or on a roof section of the operator cab 14. Positioning the display higher within the operator cab 14 than an operator seated within the operator cab 14 arranges the display 42 in the line of sight of an operator when looking at the working arm 16, when the working arm 16 is in an elevated position. The interior trim part 40 incorporating the display 42 is adjacent one or more adjacent trim parts 41. The interior trim part 40 and the display 42 have a continuous uninterrupted surface profile. The interior trim part 40 may also have a continuous uninterrupted surface profile with the adjacent trim part 41. This improves the aesthetics within the operator cab 14 and also helps to improve visibility for an operator. In some embodiments, the interior trim part 40 is separately detachable from the one or more adjacent trim parts 41, for example for repair and / or replacement. Whilst the embodiments have been described with reference to the display 42 being provided on a trim part located on a pillar, it will be appreciated that a display may be provided on any suitable trim part of the operator cab 14 in other embodiments. Moreover, while the display 42 has been described with reference to the interior illustrated in Figure 3, it will be understood that the display may be incorporated into an interior trim part of any suitable interior layout of the operator cab. The display 42 includes a translucent region 44 that is illuminated, or back lighted, when the display 42 is activated. In some embodiments, the display 42 is activated when the working machine 10 is turned on. The display 42 is configured to take advantage of the "hidden-until-lit" functionality by being visually perceptible only when a lighting module is activated. The display 42 is indistinguishable from the interior trim part 34 when the lighting module deactivated and is visible from within the operator cab 14 when the lighting module is activated. This provides a much cleaner and simpler interior of the operator cab 14 and may help to improve visibility for an operator. In the illustrated embodiment, the translucent region 44 is integrally formed with the interior trim part 34. The translucent region 44 of the display is contiguous with the surrounding region of the trim part. The display 42 and the trim part 34 are configured such that the display does not project outwardly from the trim part, which helps to improve the visibility of an operator during operation of the working machine. Put another way, the translucent region 44 and the surrounding trim part 40 have a continuous uninterrupted surface profile. The translucent region 44 of the interior trim part 34 is provided with one or more display features 46 thereon. The display features 46 may be integrally formed, for example engraved or etched, on the translucent region 44 of the interior trim part 34. Forming one or more display features on the interior trim part reduces the number of separate components within the operator cab, which may further improve visibility for an operator. In other embodiments, the display features may not be integrally formed with the trim part 34 and one or more features or colours may be attached to the trim part, for example via an adhesive. Referring now to Figure 5, the display 42 is illustrated. The translucent region 44 of the trim part 34 includes front 48 and back 50 surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, the translucent region 44 is formed by a region of the interior trim part 34 that has a reduced thickness relative to the surrounding interior trim part. This arrangement reduces the number of separate components within the operator cab. In alternative embodiments, however, the translucent region may be formed by a region of the trim part that is formed from a different material to the surrounding trim part, or may be provided as a separate cover that covers an opening in the trim part. The display 42 includes a lighting module 52 arranged at the back surface 50 of the translucent region 44. The working machine 10 includes a controller 54. The controller 54 is configured to selectively activate the lighting module 52 such that the illuminated lighting module is visible at the front surface 48 of the translucent region 44. This arrangement provides an interior trim part that has a variable appearance. When the lighting module is not activated, the display is not visible which provides a much cleaner and simpler interior of the operator cab. The display takes advantage of the "hidden-until-lit" functionality by being visually perceptible when the lighting module is activated. This enables the interior trim part of the operator cab to display one or a plurality of displays and / or control elements of the working machine. This arrangement also helps to improve visibility for an operator. The working machine 10 includes a sensor assembly 56 configured to monitor one or more parameters associated with the working machinelO. The sensor assembly 56 outputs a signal to the controller 54, and the lighting module 52 is configured to display an output from the sensor assembly 56 based on the signal from the sensor assembly. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly 56 may be a load moment indicator (LMI) sensor assembly, and the display 42 is configured to show a load moment of the working machine 10. In another embodiment, the sensor assembly 56 may be a pedestrian recognition sensor assembly, and the display 42 is configured to alert an operator of the working machine 10 when a pedestrian is detected around the working machine 10. In a further embodiment, the sensor assembly 56 may be collision avoidance sensor assembly, and the display 42 is configured to alert an operator of the working machine 10 when a potential collision of a part of the working machine 10 with an object is detected. In some embodiments, the controller 54 may be configured to activate the lighting module 52 when the working machine is turned on. In other embodiments, the controller 54 may be configured to activate the lighting module 52 in response to a signal from the sensor assembly 56. Whilst the display has been described as being a part of an A-pillar, in particular the forward-right A-pillar, it will be appreciated that the display described herein 5 may be provided at any trim part within the operator cab 14. For example, the display may be provided on a B-pillar at a rear of the operator cab. It will further be understood that the operator cab 14 may be provided with multiple displays 42 at different locations within the cab. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only and it 10 will be appreciated that the variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A working machine comprising:a ground engaging structure;a body supported on the ground engaging structure;a working arm pivotally mounted to the body;an operator cab mounted to the body, wherein an interior of the operator cab comprises an interior trim part provided as a decorative trim part for improving an aesthetic appearance within the operator cab; anda controller,wherein the interior trim part comprises at least one display comprising a translucent region of the trim part having front and back surfaces, and a lighting module arranged at the back surface of the translucent region,wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the lighting module such that the illuminated lighting module is visible at the front surface of the translucent region, andwherein the display is indistinguishable from the interior trim part when the lighting module deactivated and is visible from within the operator cab when the lighting module is activated.

2. The working machine according to claim 1, comprising a sensor assembly configured to monitor one or more parameters associated with the working machine and to output a signal to the controller, wherein the lighting module is configured to display an output from the sensor assembly based on the signal from the sensor assembly.

3. The working machine according to claim 2, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a load moment indicator (LMI) sensor assembly, and the display is configured to show a load moment of the working machine.

4. The working machine according to claim 2, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a pedestrian recognition sensor assembly, and wherein the display is configured to alert an operator of the working machine when a pedestrian is detected around the working machine.

5. The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the interior trim part is located on a pillar within the operator cab.

6. The working machine according to claim 5, wherein the trim part is located on an A-pillar.

7. The working machine according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the pillar extends between a floorplate and a roof of the operator cab, and wherein the display is arranged closer to the roof than the floorplate.

8. The working machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the display is arranged on an upper half of the pillar, an upper quarter of the pillar, or on a roof section of the operator cab.

9. The working machine according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the display is arranged in an uppermost region of the pillar.10.The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the operator cab comprises an operator seat, and wherein the display is arranged forwardly of the operator seat with respect to a fore-aft axis of the working machine.11.The working machine according to claim 10, wherein the display is arranged at a height that is above the operator seat.12.The working machine according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the display is arranged between the operator seat and the working arm, optionally wherein the display is interposed between the operator seat and the working arm when the working arm is in an elevated position.13.The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the interior trim part covers a structural element of the operator cab.

14. The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the interior trim part is adjacent one or more adjacent trim parts, and wherein the interior trim part and one or more adjacent trim parts have a continuous uninterrupted surface profile.15.The working machine according to claim 14, wherein the interior trim part is separately detachable from the one or more adjacent trim parts.

16. The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the display does not project outwardly relative to the interior trim part.

17. The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the translucent region is integrally formed with the interior trim part.18.The working machine according to claim 17, wherein the translucent region comprises a region of the interior trim region having a reduced thickness relative to the surrounding interior trim part.

19. The working machine according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the translucent region does not project outwardly relative to the surrounding trim part.

20. The working machine according to claim 19, wherein the translucent region and the surrounding trim part have a continuous uninterrupted surface profile.

21. The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the translucent region comprises one or more display features thereon.22.The working machine according to claim 21, wherein the display features are integrally formed, for example engraved or etched, on the translucent region.23.The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to activate the lighting module when the working machine is turned on.

24. The working machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the working machine is a telehandler.s

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