Patent Application
20240125058
The invention relates to a construction machine, in particular a road paver roller or a tandem roller.
Generic ground compaction machines are used, for example, in road and pathway construction, in the construction of public squares as well as take-off and landing runways. Such a construction machine usually has a machine frame, an operator platform, at least one travel unit and an operating unit. In the present context, a generic construction machine is in particular a road paver or a tandem roller. A road paver usually further comprises a material hopper positioned in front of the operator platform in the paving direction, conveying devices for conveying paving material lengthwise and crosswise, and a paving screed. Tandem rollers usually have so-called roller drums as travel units. Tandem rollers may be pivot-steered or articulated. Such construction machines are usually self-propelled construction machines that have a drive motor, for example an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, via which the drive energy required to operate the construction machine is provided. The supporting structure of the construction machine is usually a machine frame and a travel mechanism supporting the machine frame with at least one travel unit, for example a wheel, a crawler track or a compaction/roller drum. The construction machines are typically operated from an operator platform of the construction machine. The operator platform has suitable operating devices for this purpose. It is also known to provide at least one seat on the operator platform from which the operator can operate the construction machine in a sitting position. The operator platform may have at least one operator platform door. The operator platform door may be adjustable, in particular swiveling, between a closed and an at least partially open position. The operator platform door is essentially a fall protection device and may be part of a guard railing structure, for example. It may be necessary to use the operator platform door to enter the operator platform. This may be the case in particular with tandem rollers. However, it is also possible that it is not necessary to open the operator platform door to enter the operator platform because another access is available, for example from the rear of the construction machine, as is often the case with road pavers. The operator platform may, for example, have an open configuration, may have at least one roof arranged above the operator platform or may be configured as a cabin that completely encloses the operator platform.
Road pavers are used to apply or lay a top layer of a paving material, such as asphalt or concrete, on a prepared underlying ground. For this purpose, they have a material hopper at their front end in which paving material is stored. This paving material is transported through a central duct to the rear of the machine and distributed there by a transverse distribution device, for example a screw conveyor, transversely to the working direction. Finally, the paving material is leveled by a paving screed and precompacted. A typical road paver is disclosed, for example, in DE102017002225A1.
Tandem rollers, in turn, are usually used either to compact the underlying ground on which a top layer is to be placed, or to compact a layer of paving material, especially asphalt. For example, tandem rollers can be used in a paving train following a road paver in a paving direction and compacting the asphalt mat laid by the road paver. For this purpose, tandem rollers typically have two compaction drums, which may essentially consist of hollow metal cylinders with which the tandem roller rolls on the ground to be compacted. In addition, at least one vibration exciter may be arranged in one or both of the compaction drums, which sets the compaction drum into vibration to thereby influence compaction. A typical tandem roller is disclosed, for example, in DE102018007825A1.
Generic construction machines also have at least one operating unit. In the present context, an operating unit is understood to be a unit consisting of an operator's seat for the operator of the construction machine and the operating elements used by the operator to control the construction machine. The control elements may, for example, be part of a so-called operating console. An operating console refers in particular to a kind of panel-like arrangement of several control elements. The operator's seat and the operating console are typically movably mounted on the operator platform to allow the operator different sitting positions on the operator platform. This can improve the operator's comfort and overview of the working area and also the outside environment of the construction machine, which increases both the accuracy of the work and the operational safety. Accordingly, structures that connect the operator's seat to the operating console or contribute to its movable mounting are also part of the operating unit. In addition to the operator's seat and the operating console, this therefore includes, for example, a support structure on which both the operator's seat and the operating console are arranged. It is known to provide a transverse guide with at least one guide rail along which the operating unit can be displaced. In generic construction machines, the support structure may be movably mounted on the at least one guide rail, so that the support structure is configured to be movable along the at least one guide rail together with the operator's seat and the operating console. In other words, it is known to configure the operator's seat and the operating console to be movable together in a direction transverse to the working direction of the construction machine on the operator platform. In the present context, a working direction is understood to mean in particular a front/rear direction of the construction machine. Such operator's seats or operating units, which can be displaced transversely to the working direction of the construction machine, are known, for example, from applicant's patents DE 10 2010 035 270 B4 and EP 1 961 607 Bl.
The operator's seat preferably has a so-called seat index point. The seat index point is defined in the EN ISO 5353 standard. The EN ISO 5353 standard is hereby incorporated by reference. In the context of the present disclosure, the seat index point is determined using the determination apparatus described in this standard. As an approximation, the seat index point of the operator's seat is thus located on an intersection point of a theoretical axis of the upper body of a person sitting in the operator's seat with the theoretical axis of the thigh on the vertical plane passing through the seat centerline. It is therefore located in the middle of the seat, a few centimeters above the seat surface. Further details on the seat index point can be found in the aforementioned standard. In other words, the seat index point represents a standard point for detecting a person sitting in a seat. At the same time, the seat index point can always be determined unambiguously at each seat and in each position of the seat in accordance with the specifications of the standard, so that it is suitable for describing the position of the seat, in particular, for example, on the operator platform and/or in relation to other elements. If the seat does not have a seat index point, for example because it does not have a backrest, the seat index point of this seat for the purposes of the present description is to be considered a point located in the middle of the seat surface and a few centimeters, in particular 5 cm, vertically above the seat surface. The center of the seat surface is preferably the center of a surface area resulting from a projection of the seat surface of the operator's seat into the horizontal plane.
The operations of generic construction machinery are diverse and complex. At the same time, the demands on the work result are constantly increasing. It is therefore becoming increasingly important that the operators of generic construction machines are able to control them as accurately and precisely as possible, while maintaining as comprehensive an overview of the construction site situation as possible. At the same time, it is important to relieve the operators of this activity wherever possible so that they do not have to concentrate on, for example, having to adopt various, uncomfortable postures in order to maintain an overview.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to further improve the operator platform with its operating unit.
Specifically, in a generic construction machine, the object is achieved in that the support structure is configured to swivel together with the operator's seat and the operating console about a swivel axis running in particular in vertical direction, the swivel axis being arranged in front of the operator's seat in the working direction. In the present context, the swivel axis refers to a movement axis and not necessarily a component axis.
According to the invention, the support structure together with the operator's seat and the operating console has a first degree of freedom implemented by the movement along the transverse guide or the guide rail. Said movement is in particular a linear movement. This movement is preferably horizontal and transverse to the working direction. The term “horizontal” refers to a situation in which the construction machine is standing on a horizontal ground. Moreover, the transverse guide is configured in particular such that a corresponding movement of the support structure and the further components from a right side of the operator platform to a left side of the operator platform and vice versa is possible. This transverse displaceability should therefore be possible in particular starting from a first lateral displacement position in which the operator's seat is positioned completely in a first half of the operator platform with respect to the width of the operator platform transverse to the forward direction of the construction machine, at least beyond the centerline separating the width halves of the operator platform into the other or second half of the operator platform, such that the operator's seat is positioned completely in the second half of the operator platform. In particular, the transverse displaceability should be made possible across the entire width of the interior of the operator platform, i.e., from its left side as seen in the working direction to its right side. For example, the support structure together with the operator's seat and the operating console may be movable transversely to the working direction as far as the side wall/railing, or, if it has an openable element, the operator platform door, delimiting the interior of the operator platform on the left or right side. In other words, the support structure is preferably adjustable in a horizontal plane transverse to the forward direction of the construction machine, i.e., in the direction of a width extension, at least with respect to the operator's seat at least completely over the center of the width extension of the operator platform from one side to the other. In particular, the support structure and the operator's seat as well as the operating console may be displaceable, especially linearly, to immediately adjacent to the operator platform door. If the operator platform of the construction machine has platform doors on both sides, spaced apart from each other transversely to the working direction, the support structure and the operator's seat and operating console can be moved along the transverse guide from a position next to one platform door to a position next to the other platform door opposite in the direction of the width extension. It is thus important that the adjustment range in the width direction is not limited to a range of a few centimeters, as is known, for example, in terms of amount for individual adjustment with regard to a seat height as a function of the body height or other individual factors of different operators. The linear adjustability preferably covers a range of at least one meter, preferably at least 1.5 meters, in the direction of the width extension. Ultimately, it is preferred if the movement along the transverse guide takes place over almost the entire width of the operator platform between a right stop position, in which in particular the operator's seat, for example on its right side, strikes an adjustment travel limit stop formed in particular by a side limit stop positioned on the right side of the operator platform, and a left stop position, in which in particular the operator's seat, for example on its left side, strikes an adjustment travel limit stop formed in particular by a side limit stop positioned on the left side of the operator platform.
Preferably, only one operator's seat is provided on the operator platform of the construction machine and/or on the entire construction machine. In the prior art, on the other hand, solutions are known in which several operator's seats are provided, for example two operator's seats arranged at a distance from each other transverse to the working direction. Due to the mobility of the operator's seat according to the invention transverse to the working direction along the transverse guide, the seat can be positioned on both sides, so that a second seat can be omitted. This not only reduces production costs. The operator also does not need to switch between operator's seats during operation, which facilitates operation.
In addition to the first degree of freedom, “displacement”, explained above, a basic idea of the present invention is to provide the support structure with the operator's seat and the operating console with a further, i.e., second, degree of freedom. This is achieved by a swiveling of the support structure with the operator's seat and the operating console about the swivel axis, which runs in particular vertically. Here it is important that the support structure, the operator's seat and the operating console together perform exactly the same swivel movement about exactly the same swivel axis, so that their relative position to each other ideally remains the same both during “displacing” according to the first degree of freedom and during “swiveling” according to the second degree of freedom. Only the respective swivel path of the mentioned components is different due to a different distance to the swivel axis. The swivel angle, in turn, is exactly the same for all the components mentioned. The swivel movement takes place in particular with respect to the transverse guide or the remaining operator platform of the construction machine. The swivel axis preferably runs in vertical direction (again, in relation to a construction machine standing on a horizontally extending ground), so that the joint swiveling of the support structure, the operator's seat and the operating console is a rotation in the horizontal plane. This rotation or swiveling allows the operator's seat to assume different positions on the operator platform (or, as explained in more detail below, even outside the operator platform) and/or, in particular, to be oriented differently with respect to the construction machine or the working direction or straight-ahead direction of the construction machine. For example, the operator's seat can be angled with respect to the working direction so that the operator sitting in the operator's seat can look more easily at either side of the construction machine. The operator's seat can be angled to either side of the construction machine, i.e., to the right or to the left. In the following, the terms straight-ahead position and side position are also used for positions of the operator's seat. The operator's seat is in a straight-ahead position when the viewing direction of an operator sitting in the operator's seat and looking straight ahead is parallel to the working direction or the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine. However, the “straight-ahead” viewing direction of the operator does not refer to the construction machine and its straight-ahead direction, but to the operator's seat. From the arrangement of the seat surface, if applicable the backrest and if applicable the armrests of the operator's seat, it is also possible to derive a “straight-ahead” viewing direction, in particular, for example, perpendicular to that vertical plane in which the backrest has its greatest extension and from this plane in the direction of the seat surface. Additionally or alternatively, the “straight-ahead” viewing direction can be defined parallel to the greatest extension of the armrests' arm support surface in a horizontal plane. If this viewing direction of the operator matches the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine, the operator's seat is in the straight-ahead position. If this viewing direction does not correspond to the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine, but forms an angle to the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine in a horizontal virtual reference plane, for example, the operator's seat is in a side or angled position. The fact that such side or angled positions can be adjusted both to the right and to the left means that the operator can choose from a large number of different positions and/or orientations of the operator's seat on the operator platform, depending on which position or orientation gives him the best view of areas of the construction machine and/or its surroundings that are relevant to work and safety. The fact that the operator's seat is swiveled about the swivel axis together with the operating console along with the support structure supporting these two components ensures that the operating console always has the same orientation relative to the operator's seat. During swiveling about the swivel axis, the relative position of the operating console and the operator's seat therefore does not change. All the operating elements on the operating console are therefore always in the same place in relation to the operator's seat or the operator sitting in the operator's seat. In this way, the spatial relative position of the operator's seat to the operating elements does not change (apart from individual adjustments of the seat by the operator with regard to seat height, inclination, rotation of the seat, etc., in order to accommodate differences between different operators with regard to their physique and/or individual sitting posture preferences) despite swiveling about the swivel axis and/or displacement along the guide rail, which makes operation of the construction machine particularly simple and intuitive, since the operating elements always remain spatially equally accessible to the operator from his sitting position, regardless of the current adjustment.
The swivel axis of the support structure may generally extend in various relative positions to the operator's seat, although according to the invention it is at least always arranged in front of the operator's seat in the working direction. This relates to an arrangement or position of the swivel axis when the operator's seat is swiveled in a position in which an operator sitting in the operator's seat looks straight ahead in the forward direction of the construction machine. Depending on the specific arrangement of the swivel axis relative to the operator's seat, the result is a different movement of the operator's seat and the operating console during the swiveling process. For example, the swivel axis may extend in the working direction of the construction machine between the operator's seat and the operating console. The operating console is preferably located in the working direction in front of the operator's seat. In this case, for example, the operating console would be swiveled in a different direction transverse to the working direction than the operator's seat when swiveled about the swivel axis. In other words, the operating console would, for example, swivel to the left transverse to the working direction and the operator's seat to the right transverse to the working direction, or vice versa. However, it is particularly preferred if the swivel axis and also the operating console are positioned or extend on the support structure in the working direction in front of the operator's seat. This means that the operator's seat covers a greater swivel distance when swiveled about the swivel axis than the operating console, but in the same direction. In this way, the operator's seat can assume more pronounced side positions by swiveling about the swivel axis, thus allowing the operator to see from angles that deviate more distinctly from the straight-ahead position.
The swivel axis is preferably functionally the only swivel axis about which the support structure with the operator's seat and the operating console can be swiveled. In other words, the support structure is configured to swivel together with the other components exclusively about said swivel axis. There are no further swivel axes for the support structure with the operator's seat and the operating console. On the other hand, separate rotation axes may be provided, for example, the operator's seat may be rotatable independently of the support structure and the operating console, for example about a vertical axis. The operating console may likewise be rotatable about an axis, in particular a vertical axis, independently of the support structure and the operator's seat, for example to allow individual adjustment options for different operators. For the joint swiveling of the support structure with the operator's seat and the operating console, however, only the one swivel axis described above is provided, resulting in a simple structure with intuitively comprehensible swivel movements. The swivel axis is not a physical component, but a virtual reference axis that characterizes the rotary motion and is specified or defined in particular by an articulated mounting of the support structure on the transverse guide.
The transverse guide generally refers to all components that contribute to mounting the support structure, and thus also the operator's seat and the operating console, with the described mobility along the transverse guide, in particular horizontally and transversely to the working direction of the construction machine. For this purpose, the transverse guide preferably comprises, for example, at least one transverse guide support in addition to the guide rail, via which the guide rail is arranged on the operator platform. Ideally, the transverse guide has at least, and in particular exactly, two transverse guide supports, in particular projecting in vertical direction, which are arranged at the respective ends of the guide rail and mount the latter on the operator platform. The transverse guide supports may thus be of a strut-like configuration and preferably form a frame or support frame for the guide rail. The transverse guide supports may be directly connected to the machine frame. Preferably, the transverse guide supports are connected to a base structure forming the support structure of the operator platform and mounted on the machine frame, in particular in a vibration-damped manner. The transverse guide and the guide rail are preferably located in the working direction in front of the operator's seat and/or the support structure and/or the operating console. The support structure may, for example, be connected to the guide rail via a slide bushing, the slide bushing at least partially and preferably completely engaging around the guide rail and preferably being movably mounted on the guide rail via rolling bearings, for example ball bearings. Generally, one guide rail is already sufficient for the mobility of the support structure along the transverse guide. In this case, it is preferred if the guide rail has a non-circular, in particular square or polygonal, cross-section to prevent rotations of the support structure about the longitudinal axis of the guide rail. According to a preferred embodiment, however, the transverse guide has, in addition to the guide rail, a further mounting rail spaced from the guide rail in vertical direction. In terms of its longitudinal extent, the mounting rail preferably likewise extends parallel to the guide rail. The support structure may, for example, be mounted on the mounting rail via at least one roller. In this case, the support structure is then movably mounted on the guide rail and the mounting rail. For example, the guide rail may bear or support a greater proportion of the weight of the support structure, operator's seat and operating console than the mounting rail, while the mounting rail may essentially be intended to prevent rotation of the support structure about the guide rail. Preferably, the guide rail supports a major part of the weight of the support structure, the operator's seat and the operating console. Accordingly, the mounting rail may be less solid than the guide rail. Since rotation of the support structure about the guide rail is prevented by the mounting rail, the guide rail may be of circular cross-section and the support structure may be mounted on the guide rail by means of ball bearings via the slide bushing, for example. This enables particularly simple and smooth movement of the support structure along the transverse guide. This movement can therefore be achieved through the operator's muscle strength alone, without any additional drive, and without being perceived as uncomfortable by the operator.
A particularly simple structure is achieved when the support structure is mounted on the transverse guide via a support slide. In this case, the support structure is preferably mounted on the support slide via a swivel joint forming the swivel axis. The support slide is therefore mounted on the guide rail such that it can be displaced along the transverse guide, for example by means of the slide bushing already mentioned or a similar displaceable mounting device. At the same time, the support carriage may have a further slide bushing with which it is mounted on the mounting rail such that it can be displaced along the transverse guide. A slide roller or similar mounting device is also possible, especially for mounting on the mounting rail. To connect the two mounting devices, in particular slide bushings or rollers, the support slide may, for example, have a slide frame on which both mounting devices, in particular slide bushings or rollers, and the swivel joint are arranged for connection to the support structure. Overall, therefore, it is preferred that a support slide is provided on which the support structure with the operator's seat and the operating console is mounted such that it can swivel about the swivel axis. The support slide is movably mounted on the transverse guide so that the support slide is movable along the transverse guide, in particular along the guide rail, together with the support structure, the operator's seat and the operating console. The support slide is thus movable along the transverse guide, but is fixed relative to the transverse guide with respect to said swiveling about the swivel axis. The support slide therefore does not swivel about the swivel axis, but represents the counter bearing for the support structure, with respect to which the latter swivels about the swivel axis.
Generally, it is possible that the support structure is, for example, mounted on the one hand on the transverse guide and, for example at the opposite end of the support structure, a further mounting is provided, either on a further transverse guide or on the floor of the operator platform. However, it is preferred if the support structure is mounted exclusively on the transverse guide, in particular comprising the guide rail and the mounting rail. In addition, it is further preferred if the support structure, as seen in the working direction of the construction machine, is mounted on the transverse guide exclusively in front of or behind the operator's seat, preferably in the working direction in front of the operator's seat. The support structure therefore projects rearward from the transverse guide in the working direction of the construction machine and, on its side facing away from the transverse guide, is thus preferably vertically spaced from, or floating above, the operator platform floor by a free space. In particular, the operator's seat is preferably vertically spaced from, or floating above, an operator platform floor by a free space. In particular, the operator's seat is located at the floating end of the support structure. In other words, the operator's seat is mounted on the operator platform solely by the support structure and the transverse guide without being supported on the platform floor, for example. This also makes it particularly easy to swivel the operator's seat and the support structure about the swivel axis, which is also driven, for example, solely by the operator's muscle strength, without an additional drive. Due to the floating mounting, only the frictional forces of the swivel joint of the swivel axis need to be overcome. In addition, this enables a particularly simple configuration of the operator platform floor. In particular, the operator platform floor is free of rails, guides or other mounting devices for mounting the operator's seat and/or the support structure and/or the operating console. For example, the entire operator platform floor may be formed from a continuous panel closed across its width, which is not interrupted for arrangement of transverse rails or the like for mounting the operator's seat. The operator platform floor is therefore preferably configured as a flat, closed surface and is therefore particularly comfortable to walk on without the risk of tripping.
As already explained, the support structure is preferably mounted on the guide rail so that it can be swiveled about the swivel axis such that the operator's seat can be swiveled between a straight-ahead position and a side position. In order to define the swivel angle by which the support structure is swiveled about the swivel axis, a vertical plane through the seat index point (possibly replaced by the point explained at the beginning if an operator's seat is used that does not have a seat index point) and the swivel axis can be used. If a vertical plane through the seat index point and the swivel axis in the straight-ahead position of the operator's seat is compared with the same plane in the side position, these two vertical planes form a swivel angle. In particular, the swivel angle is to be measured in a horizontal plane or lies in a horizontal plane. As already mentioned, the side position can be assumed on both sides of the construction machine or operator platform, starting from the straight-ahead position. The greater the swivel angle, the more obliquely the support structure, the operating console and, in particular, the operator's seat are arranged on the operator platform in the side position, thus providing the operator with various advantageous viewing angles with regard to the construction machine and the working environment of the construction machine. It is therefore preferred that the support slide, the support structure and the swivel joint are configured such that large swivel angles are made possible. For example, it is preferred that a swivel angle of at least up to 40° can be set, preferably at least up to 50° or at least up to 60° or at least up to 70° or at least up to 80° or at least up to 90°.
A particularly compact and symmetrical arrangement is obtained when the vertical plane through the seat index point and the swivel axis is oriented parallel to the working direction when the operator's seat is in the straight-ahead position. This is achieved by an appropriate configuration of the support slide, the support structure and the operator's seat. It is further preferred if the support structure extends in a straight line parallel to the working direction. In other words, a connecting line from the seat index point in the working direction to the swivel axis preferably extends continuously vertically above the support structure. The support structure is thus preferably configured as a straight, essentially horizontally elongated, lever or support arm between the swivel axis and the operator's seat. It is particularly preferred if the support structure is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane passing through the seat index point and the swivel axis. In this way, the swiveling of the support structure, the operating console and the operator's seat from the straight-ahead position is exactly the same on both sides, so that it can also be carried out to the same extent in both directions, for example. In particular, the same swivel angle can be achieved on both sides in terms of extent. In this way, both sides of the construction machine can be viewed by the operator particularly and equally well in the side positions of the operator's seat.
As already indicated, the transverse guide preferably extends transverse to the working direction. In addition, it preferably provides an end position for the operator's seat at each of its opposite ends that are spaced apart transversely to the working direction. For example, the transverse guide and/or the support structure and/or the support slide may have an adjustment stop which allows the support structure to be moved along the transverse guide as far as the respective end position at the end of the transverse guide, but prevents movement beyond this position. The stop is preferably formed by positive engagement between the transverse guide and the support structure and/or the support slide. The end positions are therefore the maximum displaced positions of the support structure along the transverse guide. The two end positions defined by the transverse guide are located opposite each other on the two sides of the operator platform spaced apart transversely to the working direction. If the operator's seat is arranged in one of these end positions and is in the straight-ahead position, the seat index point is arranged at the level of the transverse guide in a direction transverse to the working direction. This means that the seat index point is aligned with the transverse guide in the working direction. A vertical plane through the seat index point that runs parallel to the working direction therefore also intersects the transverse guide. In this end positions, the operator's seat can preferably be swiveled about the swivel axis away from the guide rail in such a way that the seat index point lies behind the transverse guide in a direction transverse to the working direction or in front of it, depending on the viewing direction. In other words, the swivel movement is away from the center of the operator platform and outward. The fact that the seat index point is located behind the transverse guide in a direction transverse to the working direction means that a vertical plane through the seat index point that runs parallel to the working direction does not intersect the transverse guide in terms of its structural components. Instead, the vertical plane extends, in a direction transverse to the working direction, at a distance from the transverse guide, i.e., next to the transverse guide. In other words, the operator's seat is swiveled in such a way that it protrudes laterally beyond the transverse guide. By swiveling accordingly, the area accessible to the operator sitting in the operator's seat can thus be extended outward by the swiveling range of the operator's seat from the straight-ahead position in one of the end positions. This also improves the operator's overview of the machine and its external environment. Said swiveling may even be to such an extent that the seat index point is outside the operator platform, in particular the platform floor.
With the above-described swiveling laterally beyond the transverse guide, it is thus possible for the operator sitting in the operator's seat to be swiveled out of the area of the operator platform, in particular a space outlined in vertical direction by the platform floor of the operator platform, and in this way to sit at least partially practically “next to” the rest of the machine. In other words, the operator sitting in the operator's seat, as seen in a horizontal reference plane, is moved outward at least partially beyond the outer edge of the operator platform. However, the operator platform is often bounded by a fall protection device, for example in the form of a side wall of an operator's cab or a guardrail, in particular to the right and/or left side with respect to the forward direction of the construction machine. For such arrangements, it is now preferred if an operator platform door is arranged in this area. The end points specified by the transverse guide are preferably located next to the operator platform door, so that the operator's seat is located directly next to the respective operator platform door in the end positions and in the straight-ahead position. Accordingly, the operator platform door must be opened before or during swiveling beyond the transverse guide or out of the interior of the operator platform. The operator platform door may have an outer side with which it forms or co-forms an outer contour of the construction machine in a closed state. When the operator platform door is closed, its outer side, in other words, forms part of the outer contour of the construction machine in the area of the operator platform. In the present case, the outer contour of the construction machine and, in particular, that part of the outer contour which is formed by the operator platform door refers exclusively to the position of the outer side of the operator platform door when the latter is closed. When the operator platform door is open, the outer contour of the machine is therefore a virtual reference surface that is located in the area of the operator platform door where the outer surface of the machine door would be if the machine door were closed. It is now preferred that the operator's seat, in particular the seat index point of the operator's seat, can be adjusted transversely to the working direction away from a central longitudinal axis of the construction machine to beyond this outer contour of the construction machine by swiveling the operator's seat about the swivel axis when the operator platform door is open. By swiveling the operator's seat outward about the swivel axis, in other words away from the center of the operator platform or away from the guide rail, the operator's seat swivels into an area where the closed operator platform door was previously located. The operator's seat and, in particular, the seat index point of the operator's seat are then located in an area that lies outside the operator platform when the platform door is closed. In this sense, the operator's seat is moved to an area outside the operator platform by a corresponding swivel. In this position in particular, the operator obtains especially advantageous viewing angles of the machine's external environment on the respective side transverse to the working direction. In particular, the operator can look along the outer contour of the machine and observe both the work process and the external environment of the machine on this side particularly advantageously. By swiveling the operator's seat to outside the outer contour of the construction machine, the operator's seat or the seat index point is also moved outward past an A-pillar of the operator platform or cab, for example, so that the operator can look past the A-pillar on the outside and the A-pillar is not in his field of view. In accordance with its conventional usage, the term A-pillar refers to the front vehicle pillar with which, for example, a roof of the operator platform or cab is connected to the machine frame. What is important is that the operator's seat is moved to the area outside the outer contour of the construction machine by swiveling about the swivel axis. To enable such viewing positions for the operator, the invention therefore no longer requires, for example, the entire operator platform to be moved laterally, which is known in the prior art but requires immense structural effort. A lateral displacement of the entire operator platform must also necessarily be motor-driven, whereas the swiveling according to the invention can be carried out directly by the operator himself, for example by manual drive.
The further the operator's seat or the seat index point of the operator's seat can be adjusted outward beyond the outer contour of the construction machine, the better the operator's viewing position becomes for various work situations that require an overview of the side and especially the outer side of the construction machine. It is therefore preferred that the seat index point of the operator's seat is adjustable transversely to the working direction beyond the outer contour of the construction machine by a distance, the distance being at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm or at least 20 cm or at least 25 cm or at least 30 cm. The corresponding adjustment is made by swiveling the operator's seat together with the support structure and the operating console about the swivel axis.
As already indicated, it is preferred that the movement of the support structure along the transverse guide and/or the swiveling of the support structure about the swivel axis can be performed manually by the operator and therefore no separate drive is required for these movements. A manual drive refers to a drive effected by the operator himself. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible and within the scope of the invention to drive the linear adjustment and/or the swiveling of the support structure by means of a motor, for example by an electric motor, hydraulically or pneumatically. Similarly, it is possible for the operator to open the operator platform door manually and/or separately before swiveling the operator's seat into the lateral positions described above with the seat index point in a direction transverse to the working direction behind the transverse guide or at a distance from the outer contour of the construction machine. Alternatively, however, the operator platform door may be automatically opened when the support structure and the operator's seat are swiveled from one of the end positions of the transverse guide laterally beyond the transverse guide or the outer contour of the machine. Likewise, the operator platform door may be automatically closed during the counter movement, i.e., a swiveling of the support structure of the operator's seat into one of the end positions of the transverse guide. For this purpose, a coupling device may preferably be provided which automatically opens and/or closes the operator platform door when the operator's seat is swiveled about the swivel axis next to the operator platform door. “Next to the operator platform door” means in this case that the operator's seat is in one of the end positions of the transverse guide. For example, a stop may be provided on the support structure and/or the operator's seat which strikes the operator platform door and pushes it outward with it during said swiveling about the swivel axis. In this case, the operator only needs to unlock the closing mechanism of the operator platform door, but can open it or slide it open simultaneously with the swiveling of the support structure about the swivel axis. Alternatively, a mechanical or electronic unlocking device could be provided for the operator platform door, which is automatically triggered by the support structure swiveling out of the straight-ahead position in the direction of the operator platform door. If the corresponding stop is magnetic, for example, and the operator platform door comprises magnetic material, the corresponding stop can also pull the operator platform door along and close it by magnetic attraction when the support structure and operator's seat are swiveled back into the straight-ahead position. A corresponding configuration of the stop and the operator platform door are therefore preferred. Alternatively, a lever, hook or engagement arm may be provided which, when the support structure and the operator's seat are swiveled out of the straight-ahead position in an end position of the transverse guide, comes into positive engagement with the operator platform door and, via this positive engagement, causes the door to close when the support structure and operator's seat are swiveled back into the straight-ahead position.
When swiveling beyond the outer contour of the construction machine as described above, the opening provided by the open operator platform door must be large enough to allow the support structure and, in particular, also the operator's seat to swivel out through it at least partially. The operator platform door is typically configured such that it can be opened and closed about a door rotation axis, in particular a vertical one. It is now preferred that the door rotation axis is arranged at the level of the swivel axis, viewed in the direction of the working direction. A vertical plane through the swivel axis, which is perpendicular to the working direction, thus also runs through the door rotation axis in this arrangement. It is even more preferred if the door rotation axis is further forward in the working direction than the swivel axis. In this particularly preferred case, the door rotation axis is thus spaced forward in the working direction from the vertical plane through the swivel axis, which is perpendicular to the working direction. In this way, opening the operator platform door creates a particularly large amount of free space, especially in the area of the swivel axis, so that the support structure with the operator's seat and the operating console can swivel out particularly easily and freely. In particular, collisions of the operating console located in the area of the swivel axis with the area in which the door rotation axis is located are avoided.
The construction machine may, for example, have a mechanical-hydraulic steering system as disclosed in particular in DE 10 2010 035 270 B4. For this purpose, for example, a steering device such as a steering wheel may be arranged on the operating console. A steering movement of the steering device, for example a rotation, can be transmitted mechanically via a steering input shaft to a steering output shaft and from this to a hydraulic steering valve. When using such a steering system, however, it must be ensured that the mechanical connection between the steering device and the steering output shaft or the hydraulic steering valve is compatible with the swiveling of the operating console, the support structure and the operator's seat about the swivel axis. The steering output shaft is in this case fixed relative to the transverse guide or may even be configured as part of the transverse guide, for example as a mounting rail. This rail therefore only rotates in order to transmit the steering movement mechanically without changing its relative position to the transverse guide apart from the rotation. The steering input shaft, on the other hand, is preferably configured to be at least partially movable with the support structure. The steering input shaft is coupled to the steering output shaft, which is fixed relative to the transverse guide, in such a way that a steering movement of a steering device, for example the steering wheel, on the operating console is transmitted to the steering output shaft via the steering input shaft.
When the operator's seat is swiveled outward beyond the outer contour of the construction machine, the operator's seat is also moved beyond the lateral end of the operator platform floor. In this case, therefore, the underlying ground on which the construction machine moves is located directly below the operator's seat or the support structure. However, this can pose a safety risk when the machine is in operation. In addition, the operator may lose objects while sitting in the operator's seat. In this case, they would fall directly onto the underlying ground and possibly be damaged or lost. It is therefore preferred that a horizontally extending swivel floor is provided. Said swivel floor can be adjusted, in particular swiveled, between a stowed position, in which the swivel floor is slid in underneath an operator platform floor, and a working position, in which the swivel floor extends the operator platform floor transversely to the working direction, in particular as far as the open operator platform door. For example, the swivel floor may be a floor panel that is usually located in a stowage compartment that is arranged underneath the operator platform floor. With the operator platform door open, the swivel floor can then be pulled or pushed out of this stowage compartment to be adjusted between the stowed position and the working position. For this purpose, for example, a further swivel axis may be provided about which the swivel floor can be swiveled. The swivel axis of the swivel floor is preferably coaxial with the door rotation axis of the operator platform door. In this way, the swivel floor can particularly easily extend the operator platform floor up to the open operator platform door and over the entire extension of the operator platform door. Particularly preferably, the swivel floor is configured in the form of a circle sector or circular sector, with the respective circle sector or circular sector preferably lying in the horizontal plane. The swivel axis of the swivel floor is preferably located at the tip of the circular sector. In the working position, the swivel floor thus preferably closes the area between the open operator platform door and the operator platform floor in a horizontal plane which is essentially level with the operator platform floor or a few centimeters, for example a maximum of 1 cm or a maximum of 2 cm or a maximum of 3 cm, below it.
Generally, the swivel floor may be movable by the operator between the stowed position and the working position as required. However, it is preferred if the movement of the swivel floor between the stowed position and the working position is coupled to the movement of the operator platform door and/or the support structure, so that the swivel floor is automatically moved along with the operator platform door or the support structure. This automatic adjustment may be controlled mechanically or electronically, for example. For example, a swivel of the support structure beyond the outer contour of the machine can be sensed by a sensor and transmitted to an electronic control device. The electronic control device may then control a drive unit, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic drive unit, to cause the swivel floor to move between the stowed position and the working position. Moreover, it is also possible that a mechanical coupling exists, for example, in that a positive engagement element is provided on the support structure, which engages with a corresponding positive engagement element on the swivel floor when the operator's seat is in one of the end positions of the transverse guide. In this case, the automatic adjustment of the swivel floor between the stowed position and the working position may be realized via the positive engagement between the two positive engagement elements on the support structure and on the swivel floor. Overall, the provision of the swivel floor can significantly increase both work safety and comfort for the operator.
To enable safe operation, it is also preferred if the movement along the transverse guide and also the swivel movement about the swivel axis can be locked, i.e., the support structure can be locked, when they are not required. For this purpose, it is preferred that a locking device is provided with which the operator's seat and the operating console can be locked in various positions along the transverse guide and/or in various swivel positions about the swivel axis. For example, the locking device may be configured to provide a releasable positive or non-positive connection between the support structure and the transverse guide and/or between the support structure and the support slide. For example, a toothed rack may be provided on the transverse guide and/or a toothed rim may be provided on the swivel joint, in which a locking lever can engage positively to prevent the respective movement. The locking lever may, for example, be configured with a spring preload such that the locking lever is preloaded in the position that locks or prevents the movement. An operator can enable the support structure to move along the transverse guide or to swivel about the swivel axis by releasing the positive or non-positive connection between the locking lever and the toothed rack or the toothed rim by swiveling the locking lever. The locking lever or levers may be arranged vertically at the level of the operating console or a few centimeters, for example a maximum of 5 cm or a maximum of 10 cm or a maximum of 15 cm or a maximum of 20 cm, below the operating console. In this way, an operator can easily reach the locking lever(s) from the operator's seat. Alternatively, the locking levers may also be configured as pedals for operation with the foot. In this case, the locking lever or levers are located accordingly in the operator's footwell on the support structure. However, since the operator typically rests his feet on the floor of the operator platform to move or swivel the support structure with the operating console and the operator's seat, it is preferred if the locking levers are located in the area of the operating console so that they can be reached as easily as possible with the hands. Preferably, a separate locking device is provided for movement along the transverse guide and for swiveling about the swivel axis.
The construction machine of the present invention may further have a number of other features. For example, an additional armrest console with further operating elements for the operator, in particular on the operator's seat, may be provided. The armrest console may be provided in addition to the operating console, or it may replace the operating console. In addition or as an alternative to the mechanical-hydraulic steering system described above, an electronic steering system, in particular comprising a joystick, may also be provided for the construction machine. The joystick is configured, for example, as an operating element and, in particular, as a steering device for the construction machine. It may be part of or located on the armrest console. The joystick may be used in addition or as an alternative to the steering wheel already described.
The operator's seat, in turn, may likewise have various features. For example, the operator's seat may be height-adjustable and/or rotatable. For example, the operator's seat is attached to the support structure via a seat mount, the seat mount having a height adjustment device via which adjustment of the operator's seat in vertical direction is made possible. For example, the height adjustment device may comprise a gas pressure spring that is used for height adjustment. In addition, the seat mount may have a rotary joint that allows the operator's seat to rotate about a rotation axis extending in vertical direction. This rotary axis allows the operator's seat to be rotated relative to the support structure and the operating console, as well as the rest of the construction machine.
The support structure preferably comprises a seat support extending in a radial direction of the swivel axis. If the operator's seat is arranged in the straight-ahead position, the seat support thus extends parallel to the working direction. The seat support thus forms a horizontally extending arm that supports the operator's seat on its side remote from the swivel axis, for example via the seat mount. Lines and/or cables may be routed through the seat support, for example, to connect an armrest operating console arranged on the operator's seat. In addition, the support structure preferably comprises a vertically extending console support. In particular, the console support is connected to the seat support, especially on the side of the seat support facing the swivel axis. The operating console is arranged at the vertically upper end of the console support. Cables and lines required for the operating console preferably run through the console support and connect the operating console, for example, to a control device of the machine, such as an on-board computer. The console support is preferably connected to the support slide via the swivel joint and can be swiveled relative to it via the swivel axis. The vertical extension of the console support and the horizontal extension of the seat support, which runs in radial direction of the swivel axis, respectively describe their greatest spatial extent.
The invention will be explained in more detail below by reference to the embodiment examples shown in the figures. In the schematic figures:
Like parts or functionally like parts are designated by like reference numerals in the figures. Recurring parts are not designated separately in each figure.
The road paver according to
The construction machines 1 have at least one operating unit 29 on their operator platform 2, which is shown in detail in
Via the support slide 37, the support structure 30 is preferably mounted on a transverse guide 31. The transverse guide 31 preferably comprises a transverse guide support 21 and at least one guide rail 18. The transverse guide support 21 preferably forms a support frame that mounts the guide rail 18 on the operator platform 2 of the construction machine 1. In the embodiment example shown, the guide rail 18 is preferably configured as a round strut which is engaged around by the slide bushing 19 of the support slide 37. In particular, the slide bushing 19 is mounted on the guide rail 18 via rolling bearings, especially ball bearings, in such a way that the slide bushing 19 and thus also the support slide 37 are movable along the guide rail 18 or the transverse guide 31. The guide rail 18 is preferably oriented transverse or perpendicular to the working direction a, so that the direction of movement of the support slide 37 along the transverse guide 31 is also preferably transverse to the working direction a. In addition to the guide rail 18, the transverse guide 31 may preferably also have a further mounting rail 38, which is preferably vertically spaced from the guide rail 18. The mounting rail 38 is likewise preferably connected to the support slide 37 via a movable bearing, for example a roller bearing, in particular a slide roller. The mounting on the mounting rail 38 preferably forms the counter bearing to the mounting on the guide rail 18, so that these two bearings are configured to absorb the weight force, in particular the entire weight force, of the support slide 37. Furthermore, a steering output shaft 14 is preferably provided, which is part of the steering of the machine via the operating console 9. A steering slide bushing 25 is preferably likewise guided along the steering output shaft 14, which is preferably mounted on the steering output shaft 14 via rolling bearings, for example ball bearings. The steering output shaft 14 is preferably force-free with respect to supporting forces of the support slide 37 and the components arranged thereon, and thus does not perform a supporting function. Overall, it is therefore preferred if the support slide 37 has two, in particular exclusively two, bearings for transmitting its weight force to the transverse guide 31, the two bearings preferably each permitting movement of the support slide 37 along the transverse guide. The two bearings are preferably spaced apart from each other in vertical direction, so as to prevent rotation of the support slide 37 about the guide rail 18 and/or the mounting rail 38, respectively. It is preferred that for the load-bearing mounting of the support slide 37, apart from these two bearings, there are no other connections between the support structure 30, the operator's seat 8, the operating console 9, the support slide 37 on the one hand and the transverse guide 31 or the operator platform 2 or the rest of the construction machine 1 on the other hand. There may further be a connection with the steering output shaft 14 for transmitting steering movements. However, this connection is also preferably not provided to support weight forces of the support slide 37 on the transverse guide 31. In particular, the support structure 30 is configured to be free or floating on the side remote from the transverse guide 31.
The support slide 37, the support structure 30 and, with the latter, also the operating console 9 and the operator's seat 8 can therefore preferably be adjusted or moved along the transverse guide 31 transversely to the working direction a over the entire extension of the guide rail 18 and/or the mounting rail 38. Preferably, the respective ends of the rails or of the transverse guide 31 specify a respective end position. The end position preferably describes a position of maximum displacement of the support slide 37 along the transverse guide 31 in one of the two possible directions of displacement. The transverse guide 31 therefore preferably provides exactly two end positions, one for each of the displacement directions along the transverse guide 31. For example, the end positions are those positions where the slide bushing 19 and or the steering slide bushing 25 strikes the transverse guide support 21, thereby limiting movement. Alternatively, another stop may be provided on the support slide 37 and on the transverse support 31 to stop or limit the movement of the support slide 37 along the transverse support 31 in the end positions.
In addition, a locking device 24 (
In order to enable the movement of the support slide 37 and thus also of the operating console 9 along the transverse guide 31, a drag chain 22 is preferably provided, via which the operating elements of the operating console 9 are connected to a control device of the construction machine 1. The drag chain 22 is preferably used to route cables and other lines from the fixed transverse guide 31 onto the movable support slide 37 and up to the operating console 9 and its operating elements. In particular, the drag chain is dimensioned such that it is sufficient for adjusting the support slide 37 between the two end positions of the transverse guide 31.
An essential basic idea of the invention now is that the support structure 30 together with the operator's seat 8 and the operating console 9 are configured to swivel about a swivel axis S. For this purpose, the support structure 30 is preferably arranged or mounted on the support slide 37 such that it can swivel about a swivel joint defining the swivel axis S. The swivel axis S preferably extends in vertical direction. When the support structure 30 is swiveled about the swivel axis S, the operating console 9 and the operator's seat 8 are automatically swiveled along with the support structure 30. The movement of these components therefore takes place together and about the same swivel angle. In this way, the relative arrangement of the operating console 9 and the operating elements arranged on the operating console 9 with respect to the operator's seat 8 and the operator sitting in the operator's seat 8 always remains the same. The operator can therefore control the construction machine 1 from the operator's seat 8 in the same, intuitive manner via the operating console 9 and, for example, the steering device 10, irrespective of the particular swivel position of the support structure 30 about the swivel axis S. Therefore, the operator does not have to get used to or take into account a changed position of the operating elements or the operating console 9 when swiveling around the swivel axis S. The swivel axis S is preferably arranged in the working direction a in front of the operator's seat 8, in particular just like the transverse guide 31. In other words, the swivel axis S is preferably located at the end of the support structure 30 opposite the operator's seat 8. In this way, the swivel path of the operator's seat 8 becomes as large as possible when swiveling about the swivel axis S, which in turn leads to the position and orientation of the operator's seat 8 with respect to the construction machine 1 or the operator platform 2 changing particularly strongly. The fact that the operator can freely select the swivel position of the operator's seat 8 about the swivel axis S means that he can choose from a variety of different positions and orientations of the operator's seat 8, depending on the requirements of his current work situation with regard to the overview of the construction machine 1 or its external environment.
A locking device 32 (
In the embodiment example shown, a steering device 10 in the form of a steering wheel is arranged on the operating console 9. The steering wheel may be part of a mechanical-hydraulic steering system. For this purpose, the rotary movement of the steering wheel, which is triggered by an operator, is preferably transmitted to the steering output shaft 14. Details can be taken from DE 10 2010 035 270 B4, which has already been mentioned. Alternatively, a cable connection may be provided via which signals from an electric steering device can be transmitted.
In
This can be addressed by the present invention.
To prevent the operator's seat 8 from hanging freely in the air or floating freely above the ground over which the construction machine 1 travels in the swiveled-out position as shown in
For further explanation, the situations of
In particular,
It is again pointed out that the above explanations refer to the left side of the construction machine 1 only by way of example. All operations may also be performed on the other, i.e., right side of the construction machine 1. With regard to the elements and operations described, the operator platform 2 and the control unit 29 are thus preferably mirror-symmetrical. For example, the operator's seat 8 can be swiveled beyond the outer contour K of the construction machine 1 also on the right side when the operator platform door 26 is open. A swivel floor 27 is also arranged on this side. Therefore, to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the above discussion.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2022 210 852.3 | Oct 2022 | DE | national |
