WO2007075031A1

WO2007075031A1 - Armrest device for construction heavy equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2007075031A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/005725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Gyo Ji
Original assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-12-27
Filing date: 2006-12-26
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: KR100976916B1; KR20080093107A

Abstract

The present invention relates to heavy construction equipment, and more particularly to an armrest device for heavy construction equipment capable of adjusting an operating position and an angle according to a user s body size. The armrest device according to the present invention comprises: an armrest (20) selectively fixed to a seat bracket (10) secured at a seat; a fixation unit (30) disposed at the armrest (20) for movement in fore and back directions (FBD) and rotatably inserted into the seat bracket (10) to selectively fix the armrest (20) to the seat bracket (10); and an operation panel (40) provided with an operation lever (41) and rotatably disposed relative to the armrest (20).

Description

ARMREST DEVICE FOR CONSTRUCTION HEAVY

EQUIPMENT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to heavy construction equipment, and more particularly to an armrest device for heavy construction equipment capable of adjusting an operating position and an angle according to a user's body size. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[2] Typically, construction equipments such as a wheel loader are often provided with devices to make them easy and comfortable to operate, such as an armrest on which an operator can rest the operator's arm and an operation device for operating a vehicle. The operation device is provided with at least one operation lever for steering the vehicle or operating the front working device when the operator operates the vehicle. Recently, the operation lever is reduced to a small size by means of buttons or joysticks and arranged on an operation panel that is separately provided. The armrest, often fitted on a lateral surface of the operator's seat, is arranged at a position on which the operator can comfortably rest his or her arm while the operation panel is operated. The armrest and the operation panel may be position-adjustably provided in relation to the operator's desired operating position.

[3] The previously known armrest has a disadvantage, however, in that it is positioned a predetermined distance apart from an operation panel to cause an inconvenience to an operator in operating the operation panel even if the armrest and the operation panel are position-adjusted. In order to solve the disadvantage, an armrest is integrally provided with an operation panel. In this case, however, only the position of the armrest is adjustable while a relative position of the operation panel in relation to the armrest remains unchanged to make it impossible to cater to the varying body size of different operators.

[4] Meanwhile, an armrest device is fixed to a driver's seat by means of fasteners such as bolts and nuts using spanners after the armrest device is arranged relative to the driver's seat. As a result, another disadvantage arises that the above-mentioned complicated processes must be repeated in order to re-arrange the position of the armrest. Technical Solution

[5] The present invention is disclosed to solve the afore-said problems and it is an object of the present invention to provide an armrest device for heavy construction equipment capable of adjusting a position of an operation panel to optimally cater to an operator's body size.

[6] It is another object of this invention to provide an armrest device for heavy construction equipment capable of adjusting a position by means of simple operation.

[7] In one general aspect, the armrest device for heavy construction equipment comprises: an armrest (20) selectively fixed to a seat bracket (10) secured at a seat; a fixation unit (30) disposed at the armrest (20) for movement in fore and back directions (FBD) and rotatably inserted into the seat bracket (10) to selectively fix the armrest (20) to the seat bracket (10); and an operation panel (40) provided with an operation lever (41) and rotatably disposed relative to the armrest (20).

[8] Preferably, the fixation unit (30) comprises: a fixation lever (31) disposed at the armrest (20) for movement in left and right directions (LRD) during rotation; and a locking plate (32) for selectively fixing the armrest (20) to the seat bracket (10) in response to the movement in left and right directions (LRD) of the fixation lever (31).

[9] Preferably, the fixation lever (31) is threaded into a first nut (34) disposed at a guide bracket (33) fixed at the armrest (20) for movement only in fore and back directions (FBD).

[10] In another general aspect, the armrest for heavy construction equipment comprises: a rod-type connection member (50) fixed at one end thereof to the operation panel (40) and rotatably disposed at the other end relative to the armrest (20) for movement in left and right directions (LRD); and a left/right rotation unit (60) for rotating the operation panel (40) in left and right directions (LRD) relative to the armrest (20), wherein the left/right rotation unit (60) preferably includes a left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) disposed at a distal end of the operation panel (40) side of the connection member (50), and a left/right adjustment knob (63) rotatably disposed at the armrest (20) for moving the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) in left and right directions (LRD) to thereby rotate the connection member (50) in left and right directions (LRD).

[11] Preferably, the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) is fixedly mounted with a second nut (62), and the left/right adjustment knob (63) is threaded to the second nut (62) for a restricted left/right movement relative to the armrest (20).

[12] In still another general aspect, the armrest device for heavy construction equipment comprises: a rod- type connection member (50) fixed at one end thereof to the operation panel (40) and rotatably disposed at the other end thereof relative to the armrest (20) for movement in up and down directions (UDD); and an up/down tilting unit (70) for tilting the operation panel (40) in up and down directions (UDD) relative to the armrest (20), wherein the up/down tilting unit (70) includes a left/right moving- cum tilting bracket (71) provided thereunder with an inclined surface (71a) in up and down directions (UDD) and fixed to the connection member (50), an up/down tilting shaft (72) rotatably disposed at the armrest (20) for movement in fore and back directions (FBD) relative to the armrest (20) during rotation, and a pushing member (73) provided at a front end of the up/down tilting shaft (72) for contacting the inclined surface (71a) and moving the connection member (50) in up and down directions (UDD) by moving along the inclined surface in response to the movement of the up/ down tilting unit in fore and back directions (FBD).

[13] Preferably, the up/down tilting shaft (72) is threaded into a third nut (76) fixed at the armrest (20), and the up/down tilting shaft (72) is movably provided with an up/ down adjusting knob (74) in the fore and back directions (FBD), and the up/down adjusting knob (74) is restricted in its movement in the fore and back directions (FBD) relative to a knob accommodation groove (75) provided at a bottom surface of the armrest (20).

[14] In still another general aspect, the armrest device for heavy construction equipment comprises: a rod- type connection member (50) extended at one end thereof toward the operation panel (40) side and rotatably disposed at the other end thereof relative to the armrest (20), whereas an outside diameter thereof decreases to form a stepped shape and a surface formed by the stepped formation faces the operation panel (40); a plurality of first projections (59b) protrusively formed from the stepped surface of the connection member (50) toward the operation panel (40); a slide block (58) into which a distal end at the operation panel (40) side of the connection member (50) is slidably inserted, and protrusivly formed with second projections (59a) that are meshed with the first projections (59b) at a distal end at the armrest (20) side; a fourth nut (57) coupled to a distal end at the operation panel (40) side of the connection member (50) for preventing the slide block (58) from breaking away; and a spring (58a) disposed between the fourth nut (57) and the slide block (58) for elastically supporting the slide block (58) toward the armrest (20) side.

Advantageous Effects

[15] As apparent from the foregoing, the armrest is position-adjustable at least in one direction relative to a driver's seat, and the operation panel is possible in relative to the armrest, enabling setting optionally the position of the operation panel to cater to a driver's body size.

[16] Furthermore, the position setting of the armrest device can be easily and simply performed by a driver's operation of an externally-exposed fixation lever, a left/right adjustment knob and an up/down adjusting knob without recourse to separate fastening tools. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] FIG.1 is a schematic plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an armrest device for heavy construction equipment.

[18] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II- II of FIG.1.

[19] FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG.l.

[20] FIG.4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.l.

[21] FIG.5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1

[22] FIG.6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIF.1.

[23] FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an armrest device for heavy construction equipment.

[24] FIG.8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an operation status of another embodiment of FIG.7.

[25] FIG.9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating another operation status of FIG.8. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[26] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents fa lling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[27] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, an armrest device for heavy construction equipment comprises: a seat bracket (10) fixed to a seat (not shown); an armrest (20) position- adjustably connected to the seat bracket (10) in forward and backward directions by the fixation unit (30); an operation panel (40) disposed with a plurality of operation means for operation of a vehicle; and a connection unit (90) connecting the operation panel (40) to the armrest (20) for rotation in left and right directions (hereinafter referred to as LRD) and for tilting in up and down directions (hereinafter referred to as UDD).

[28] The connection unit (90) includes a connection member (50) for connecting the operation panel (40) to the armrest (30), a left/right rotation unit (60) for rotating the operation panel in left and right directions (LRD), and an up/down tilting unit (70) for tilting the operation panel (40) in up and down directions (UDD).

[29] Although in the present embodiment the operation panel (40) is both rotatable in left and right directions and tiltable in up and down directions relative to the armrest (20), and the connection unit (90) includes the connection member (50), the left/right rotation unit (60) and the up/down tilting unit (70), the connection unit (90) may be configured only with the connection member (50) and the left/right rotation unit (60) excluding the function of the up/down tilting unit (70) if rotation in the left and right directions is desired. If only the tilting in the up and down directions is desired, the function of rotation in the left and right directions is deleted and the connection unit (90) may be configured only with the connection member (50) and the up/down tilting unit (70).

[30] The armrest (20) is fixed to the seat bracket (10) by which an arm of the operator is supported. The armrest (20) is formed with a bracket insertion groove (21. FIG. 3) into which the seat bracket (10) is inserted. The bracket insertion groove (21) is formed in the oblong shape along the fore and back directions (hereinafter referred to as FBD) of the armrest (20), such that the armrest (20) where the seat bracket (10) is inserted into the bracket insertion groove (21) is movable in the fore and back directions (FBD) relative to the seat bracket (10).

[31] Now, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixation unit (30) includes a locking plate (32) mounted at the fixation lever (31) and the bracket insertion groove (21) and selectively contacting the seat bracket (10), a guide bracket (33) fixed to the armrest (20), and a first nut (34) mounted at the guide bracket (33) for movement in fore and back directions (FBD), albeit restricted in rotation.

[32] The fixation lever (31) includes a handle (31a) and a rotational axis (31b). The rotational axis (31b) passes the locking plate (32), the seat bracket (10) and the guide bracket (33) to be threaded into the first nut (34). The rotational axis (31b) is linearly moved in the left and right directions (LRD) by the reciprocal action with the first nut (34) to move the fixation lever (31) when the handle (31a) is rotated.

[33] The guide bracket (33) is disposed with an oblong hole (33a) into which a distal end of the rotational axis (31b) is inserted, and is secured inside the armrest (20). The oblong hole (33a) is shaped in such a fashion that the armrest (20) can be moved in the fore and back directions (FBD) while the fixation lever (31) is inserted.

[34] The first nut (34) is disposed at a lateral surface of the guide bracket (33) to slide in the fore and back directions (FBD) along the oblong hole (33a), albeit restricted in rotation. The first nut (34) is threaded into a distal end of the fixation lever (31), i.e., a distal end of the rotational axis (31b).

[35] The locking plate (32) selectively presses the seat bracket (10) toward the guide bracket (33) side as the rotational axis (31b) linearly moves in the left and right directions (LRD). The locking plate (32) is inserted by the rotational axis (31b) and moves toward the seat bracket (10) by a stepped part (31c) provided at the rotational axis (31b) and pressed thereby. However, unlike the present embodiment, the seat bracket (10) may be directly pressed and fixed to the armrest (20) by the stepped part (31c) of the fixation lever (31) without recourse to the locking plate (32).

[36] Now, operation of the fixation unit (30) thus constructed will be described. An operator first moves the armrest (20) in the fore and back directions (FBD) to cater to his or her body size. At this time, even if the oblong hole (33a) formed at the guide bracket (33), the oblong hole (22a) formed at a lower frame (22) of the armrest (20) and the bracket insertion groove (21) are formed to force the armrest (20) to move in the fore and back directions (FBD), the fixation lever (31), the seat bracket (10), the locking plate (32) and the first nut (34) are not moved in the fore and back directions (FBD).

[37] When the armrest (20) is moved in the fore and back directions (FBD) to reach an optimal position for the operator's body size, the operator rotates the handle (31a) at the fixation lever (31) to fix the armrest (20) to the seat bracket (10). When the fixation lever (31) is rotated, the fixation lever (31) is moved toward the armrest (20) by the first nut (34). As a result, the stepped part (31a) of the fixation lever (31) moves the locking plate (32), and the locking plate (32) in turn presses the seat bracket (10) to the guide bracket (33) of the armrest (20) and fixes thereto. The position of the armrest (20) in the fore and back directions (FBD) can be easily set up by the above-mentioned process.

[38] Meanwhile, the operation panel (40) is provided with at least one operation lever

(41), inside of which is provided with a variety of switches for generating an electrical signal in response to the operation of the operation lever (41). The operation panel (40) is provided thereon with a plurality of operation buttons (42) for operating various convenience gadgets. The operation panel (40) is rotatably mounted at the armrest (20) by the connection unit (90) in the left and right directions (LRD), and is tiltably mounted at the armrest (20) in the up and down directions (UDD) as well. The connection unit (90) includes the connection member (50), the left/right rotation unit (60) and the up/down tilting unit (70) as explained before.

[39] Referring to FIGS.2 and 5, the connection member (50) is fixed at one end thereof to the operation panel (40) and is rotatably mounted to the armrest (20) at the other end thereof by a hinge unit (51) in the left and right directions (LRD), and is tiltably mounted to the hinge unit (51) in the up and down directions (UDD) as well.

[40] Now, referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the hinge unit (51) includes a first shaft (52) in which the other end of the armrest (20) is rotatably mounted in the up and down directions (UDD), a connection bracket (53) in which both ends of the first shaft (52) is fixed and a second shaft (54) is projected upward, and a support bracket (55) in which the second shaft (54) is rotatably inserted in the left and right directions (UDD), the support bracket (55) being fixed to the armrest (20).

[41] The connection member (50) is so rotated in the left and right directions (LRD) by the afore-mentioned construction that the connection member (50), the first shaft (52) and the connection bracket (53) are rotated about the second shaft (54) on the support bracket (55). The connection member (50) is also rotated about the first shaft (52) during tilting in the up and down directions (UDD).

[42] Referring to FIG.5, the left/right rotation unit (60) includes a left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) into which the connection member (50) is inserted, and a left/right adjustment knob (63) for moving the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) in the left and right directions (LRD).

[43] The left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) movably mounted at the armrest (20) along the left and right directions (LRD) is moved in the left and right directions (LRD) along with the connection member (50) inserted into the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71). The left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) is connected to the left/right adjustment knob (63) by the second nut (62).

[44] The left/right adjustment knob (63) is rotatably mounted to the armrest (20), albeit restricted in movement of the left and right directions (LRD). One end of the left/right adjustment knob (63) is threaded into the second nut (62), such that, the left/right adjustment knob (63), when rotated, moves back and forth, being fixed to the armrest (20), to move the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) in the left and right directions (LRD). When the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) is moved in the left and right directions (LRD), the connection member (50) is also moved in the left and right directions (LRD) to rotate about the second shaft (54) in the left and right directions (LRD). As the connection member (50) is rotated in the left and right directions (LRD), the operation panel (40) is rotated in the left and right directions (LRD).

[45] Now, operation regarding the rotation in the left and right directions (LRD) of the operation panel (40) by the left/right rotation unit constructed as above will be described.

[46] When the operator rotates the left/right adjustment knob (63), the left/right moving- cum tilting bracket (71) and the connection member (50) inserted into the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) move in the left and right directions (LRD). At this time, the connection member (50) is rotated about the second shaft (54) on the support bracket (55) in the left and right directions (LRD).

[47] Referring back to FIG. 2, the up/down tilting unit (70) includes the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) provided underneath the connection member (50) with an inclined surface (71a) in the up and down directions, an up/down tilting shaft (72) movably provided at the armrest (20) in the fore and back directions (FBD), a pushing member (73) provided at one end of the up/down tilting shaft (72) and contacting the inclined surface (71a), an up/down adjustment knob (74) for rotating the up/down tilting shaft (72), and a third nut (76) fixed to the armrest (20) and threaded into the up/ down tilting shaft (72). The single member known as the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) in the instant embodiment has two aspects of function, that is, one being the left and right movement and the other being the tilting function. Alternatively, configuration may be differently arranged where one exclusive bracket for left/right moving function and the other exclusive bracket for tilting function are separately provided.

[48] The left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71), being a member coupled to the connection member (50), is projected downward. However, unlike the present embodiment, the up/down tilting shaft (72) may be provided at the armrest (20) so as to be contacted by the pushing member (73), and the up/down tilting shaft (72) may be provided with an inclined surface to thereby delete the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71).

[49] The up/down tilting shaft (72) is movably arranged at the armrest (20) in the fore and back directions (FBD), and threaded into the third nut (76). As a result, the up/ down tilting shaft (72) is moved in the fore and back directions (FBD) by the third nut (76) during rotation.

[50] The pushing member (73) moves the connection member (50) in the up and down directions by moving along the inclined surface (71a) when the up/down tilting shaft (72) is moved in the fore and back directions (FBD). The left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) is supported to the pushing member (73) by its own self weight of the connection member (50), such that the position of the connection member (50) in the up and down directions (UDD) is determined by the position of the pushing member (73).

[51] The up/down adjustment knob (74) provided at a knob accommodation groove (75) mounted underneath the armrest (20) is externally exposed for the easy approach by the operator. The up/down adjustment knob (74) is restricted in the movement in the fore and back directions (FBD) by the knob accommodation groove (75) and is movably mounted in the fore and back directions (FBD) relative to a peripheral surface of the knob accommodation groove (75). When the up/down adjustment knob (74) is rotated, the up/down tilting shaft (72) is rotated and moved in the fore and back directions (FBD), whereas the up/down adjustment knob (74) slides on the up/down tilting shaft (72) but does not move in the fore and back directions (FBD) relative to the knob accommodation groove (75).

[52] Now, the up/down tilting operation of the operation panel (40) according to the up/ down tilting unit (70) having the afore-said configuration will be described.

[53] When the operator rotates the up/down adjustment knob (74), the up/down tilting shaft (72) is moved in the fore and back directions (FBD) relative to the armrest (20). As the up/down tilting shaft (72) is moved in the fore and back directions (FBD), pushing member (73) is simultaneously moved in the fore and back directions (FBD). At this time, the pushing member (73) is moving in the fore and back directions (FBD) along the inclined surface (71a) to move the connection member in the up and down directions. The connection member (50) then tilts the first shaft (52) in the up and down directions. Mode for the Invention

[54] Another embodiment of an armrest device for heavy construction equipment will be described with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 7 to 9, wherein like reference numerals as in the foregoing embodiment are used for like or similar parts or portions in order to avoid the redundancy of description, and same or similar explanation thereto will not be described either.

[55] FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an armrest device for heavy construction equipment, and can be a drawing corresponding or opposite to FIG.2.

[56] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the connection member (50) faces the operation panel

(40) at one end thereof and is rotatably mounted at the other end thereof relative to the armrest (20). Preferably, the operation panel (40) is rotatably mounted relative to the armrest (20) in the left and right directions (LRD) or in the up and down directions (UDD) as in the foregoing embodiment. A distal end facing the operation panel (40) of the connection member (50) is formed with a small-diameter part (56) having a decreasing diameter. The decreased diameter helps form a stepped formation, and a stepped surface caused by the stepped formation faces the operation panel (40) side. The stepped surface facing the operation panel (40) is formed with a first projection (59b). Preferably, the projection (59b) is plurally formed, and has a saw-toothed ring shape if the connection member (50) is of a cylindrical shape.

[57] A slide block (58) is formed with a hollow hole into which the small-diameter part

(56) of the connection member (50) slides. In other words, the slide block (58) is slidably disposed relative to the connection member (50) but is restricted in the scope of movement by the first projection (59b) in the direction of the armrest (20). A fourth nut (57) is coupled to a distal end of the operation panel (40) side of the connection member (50) in order to protect the slide block (58) against break-away from the connection member (50) by being slid toward the operation panel (40) side.

[58] Meanwhile, a spring (58a) is interposed between the fourth nut (57) and the slide block (58) to apply resilience so that the fourth nut (57) can be distanced from the slide block (58). In other words, the spring (58a) presses the slide block (58) toward the armrest (20) side. A distal end of the armrest (20) side of the slide block (58) is formed with a second projection (59a). The second projection (59a) is so formed as to be meshed with the first projection (59b) of the connection member (50), and preferred to be plurally formed as the first projection (59b). If the first projection (59b) is shaped of a saw-toothed ring, the second projection (59a) also has a saw-toothed ring shape to allow both projections (59b, 59a) to be hooked up therebetween.

[59] A operation panel fixation bracket (42) is fixed to the slide block (58), and is also fixed to the operation panel (40) by a fixation bolt (43).

[60] Referring to FIG.8, if there is no external force applied in this construction, the first and second projections (59b, 59a) come to be meshed as the spring (58a) pushes the slide block (58) toward the armrest (20). In this configuration, the operation panel (40) is restricted of rotation about the connection member (50).

[61] However, as shown in FIG.9, if the operator pulls the operation panel (40) toward an arrow direction, the slide block (58) is moved to compress the spring (58a) and at the same time, the second projection (59a) that is meshed to the first projection (59b) comes off from the first projection (59b). At this time, the operator rotates the operation panel (40) about the connection member (50) as much as is needed. Thereafter, if the force that has pulled the operation panel (40) is released, the slide block (58) is again moved toward the armrest (20) by the restoring force of the spring (58a), and the second projection (59a) is meshed with the first projection (59b) to restrict the rotation of the operation panel (40).

[62] If the preceding embodiment has enabled the operation panel (40) to rotate about two axes, the present embodiment has a feature in that it allows enabling an additional rotation about one axis. The construction that has enabled an additional rotation about one axis, i.e., the first projection (59b), the second projection (59a), the spring (58a), the slide block (58) and the fourth nut (57), is an addition to that of the connection unit (90) of the precedent embodiment, and results in a composition of one part of the connection unit (90).

[63] The foregoing embodiments are merely preferred and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[64] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Industrial Applicability [65] According to the present invention, the armrest is position-adjustable at least in one direction relative to a driver's seat, and the operation panel is possible in relative rotation thereof relative to the armrest, enabling to optimally set the position of the operation panel to cater to a driver's body size.

[66] Furthermore, the position setting of the armrest device can be easily and simply performed by a driver's operation of an externally-exposed fixation lever, a left/right adjustment knob and an up/down adjusting knob without recourse to separate fastening tools.

Claims

[1] An armrest device for heavy construction equipment comprising: an armrest (20) secured at one side of a seat for an operator to lean thereon; a seat bracket (10) connecting the armrest (20) to the seat so that the armrest is relatively position- adjustable relative to the seat; a fixation unit (30) selectively fixing the armrest position-adjusted relative to the seat to the seat bracket; an operation panel (40) disposed with at least one operation means for inputting a vehicle-adjusting operation signal; and a connection unit (90) connecting the operation panel to the armrest so that the operation panel can be relatively rotated at least toward one direction relative to the armrest.

[2] The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the armrest is movable relative to the seat bracket in fore and back directions, wherein the fixation unit (30) comprises: a fixation lever (31) having a handle rotatable by operation of the operator and a rotational axis disposed at the armrest (20) for being moved in the left and right directions (LRD) during rotation of the handle; and a locking plate (32) moved by the rotational axis to allow the armrest and the seat bracket to be pressed therebetween during rotation of the handle.

[3] The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixation lever (31) threaded into a first nut (34) disposed at a guide bracket (33) fixed at the armrest (20) for movement only in fore and back directions (FBD).

[4] The device as claimed in anyone claim of 1 to 3, wherein the connection unit

(90) comprises: a rod- type connection member (50) fixed at one end thereof to the operation panel (40) and rotatably disposed at the other end thereof relative to the armrest (20) in the left and right directions (LRD); and a left and right rotation unit (60) for rotating the operation panel (40) in left and right directions (LRD) relative to the armrest (20), wherein the left/right rotation unit (60) includes a left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) disposed at a distal end of the operation panel (40) side of the connection member (50), and a left/right adjustment knob (63) rotatably disposed at the armrest (20) for moving the left/ right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) in left and right directions (LRD) to thereby rotate the connection member (50) in left and right directions (LRD).

[5] The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) is fixedly mounted with a second nut (62), and the left/right adjustment knob (63) is threaded to the second nut (62) for a restricted left/right movement relative to the armrest (20).

[6] The device as claimed in any one claim of 1 to 3, wherein the connection unit

(90) comprises: a rod- type connection member (50) fixed at one end thereof to the operation panel (40) and rotatably disposed at the other end thereof relative to the armrest (20) for movement in up and down directions (UDD); and an up/ down tilting unit (70) for tilting the operation panel (40) in up and down directions (UDD) relative to the armrest (20), wherein the up/down tilting unit (70) includes a left/right moving-cum tilting bracket (71) provided thereunder with an inclined surface (71a) in up and down directions (UDD) and fixed to the connection member (50), an up/down tilting shaft (72) rotatably disposed at the armrest (20) for movement in fore and back directions (FBD) relative to the armrest (20) during rotation, and a pushing member (73) provided at a front end of the up/down tilting shaft (72) for contacting the inclined surface (71a) and moving the connection member (50) in up and down directions (UDD) by moving along the inclined surface in response to the movement of the up/down tilting unit in fore and back directions (FBD).

[7] The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the up/down tilting shaft (72) is threaded into a third nut (76) fixed at the armrest (20), and the up/down tilting shaft (72) is movably provided with an up/down adjusting knob (74) in the fore and back directions (FBD), and the up/down adjusting knob (74) is restricted in its movement in the fore and back directions (FBD) relative to a knob accommodation groove (75) provided at a bottom surface of the armrest (20).

[8] The device as claimed in any one claim of 1 to 3, wherein the connection unit further comprises: a rod- type connection member (50) extended at one end thereof toward the operation panel (40) side and rotatably disposed at the other end thereof relative to the armrest (20), whereas an outside diameter thereof decreases to form a stepped shape and a surface formed by the stepped formation faces the operation panel (40); a plurality of first projections (59b) protrusively formed from the stepped surface of the connection member (50) toward the operation panel (40); a slide block (58) into which a distal end at the operation panel (40) side of the connection member (50) is slidably inserted, and protrusivly formed with second projections (59a) that are meshed with the first projections (59b) at a distal end at the armrest (20) side; a fourth nut (57) coupled to a distal end at the operation panel (40) side of the connection member (50) for preventing the slide block (58) from breaking away; and a spring (58a) disposed between the fourth nut (57) and the slide block (58) for elastically supporting the slide block (58) toward the armrest (20) side.