JP2025070089A - Construction Machine Cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a center pillar on the opposite side from a boom side entering DLV even in the case where a cabin has deformed due to addition of the ROPS load.SOLUTION: A cabin 7 arranged approaching one side out of left and right of a boom 9 in a construction machine includes: left and right front pillars 12; left and right rear pillars 13; left and right roof rails 16 connected to the left and right front pillars and left and right rear pillars respectively; a boom side center pillar 14 positioned between the front pillar and the rear pillar and connected to the roof rail, on the boom side in the left-to-right direction; and a first roof reinforcement material 20 for stretching over and connecting a first connection part 61 in which the boom side center pillar is connected with the roof rail and the roof rail 16 on the side opposite from the boom side in the left-to-right direction. On the side opposite from the boom, a center pillar on the opposite from the boom which is positioned between the front pillar and the rear pillar and connected to the roof rail does not exist.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

This disclosure relates to a cabin for a construction machine.

Generally, the cabin of a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator has a cabin frame that forms its skeleton. The cabin frame has left and right front pillars, left and right rear pillars, and left and right roof rails that are connected to the left and right front pillars and the left and right rear pillars, respectively. The cabin frame also has left and right center pillars that are located between the left and right front pillars and the left and right rear pillars and are connected to the left and right roof rails, respectively.

JP 2006-240568 A

Meanwhile, the cabin must meet the ISO ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structures) standard. The ROPS standard is a standard that specifies the degree of deformation of the cabin when a lateral force, i.e., a ROPS load, is applied from the outside to the roof rail on the anti-boom side in the left-right direction. The purpose of this is to protect the occupants in the event of a vehicle rollover. According to the ROPS standard, when the cabin is deformed by the application of a ROPS load, no member may intrude into the DLV (Deflection-limiting Volume, the minimum space for occupants inside the cabin).

In recent years, there has been a trend to omit the boom-side center pillar in order to improve visibility and workability. This reduces the cabin's rigidity against ROPS loads, and there is a risk that the anti-boom side center pillar will intrude into the DLV due to deformation of the cabin.

The present disclosure was conceived in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a cabin for a construction machine that can prevent the anti-boom side center pillar from intruding into the DLV even if the cabin is deformed by the addition of a ROPS load.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure,
A cabin disposed adjacent to one of the left and right sides of a boom in a construction machine,
The left and right front pillars,
The left and right rear pillars,
left and right roof rails connected to the left and right front pillars and the left and right rear pillars, respectively;
a boom-side center pillar located between the front pillar and the rear pillar on a boom side in the left-right direction and connected to the roof rail;
a first roof reinforcement member that spans and connects a first connection portion at which the boom-side center pillar and the roof rail are connected to the roof rail on the anti-boom side in the left-right direction;
Equipped with
There is provided a cabin for a construction machine, characterized in that there is no anti-boom side center pillar located between the front pillar and the rear pillar and connected to the roof rail on the anti-boom side in the left-right direction.

Preferably, the boom-side front pillar has a smaller cross-sectional area than the boom-side center pillar.

Preferably, the front pillar on the boom side has a smaller cross-sectional area than the front pillar on the anti-boom side.

The cabin preferably includes a second roof reinforcement that spans and connects a second connection portion that connects the roof reinforcement to the roof rail on the anti-boom side and a third connection portion that connects the roof rail on the boom side to the rear pillar.

Preferably, an opening is defined by the front pillar, the rear pillar and the roof rail on the anti-boom side, and an openable and closable sliding door is provided in the opening.

According to the present disclosure, even if the cabin is deformed due to the addition of a ROPS load, the anti-boom side center pillar can be prevented from intruding into the DLV.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of a construction machine. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cabin in schematic form; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the cabin, taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a simplified cabin frame of the present embodiment, mainly showing the arrangement of each pillar. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing, in a simplified manner, deformation modes of the cabin frame of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a simplified front view showing a deformation mode of the cabin frame of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a simplified cabin frame of a comparative example, mainly showing the arrangement of each pillar. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing, in a simplified manner, deformation modes of a cabin frame of a comparative example. FIG. 11 is a front view showing, in a simplified manner, deformation modes of a cabin frame of a comparative example.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Please note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a construction machine according to this embodiment. The construction machine 1 in this embodiment is a hydraulic excavator, and includes a lower traveling body 2 and an upper rotating body 3 that is mounted on the lower traveling body 2 and can rotate around a vertical axis.

The lower traveling body 2 is equipped with left and right crawlers 5. The upper rotating body 3 is equipped with a rotating frame 6, a cabin 7 provided on the left side of the rotating frame 6 (one of the left and right sides), an excavation attachment 4 as a work tool provided at the front and in the center of the left and right parts of the rotating frame 6, and a machine room 8 provided on the right side of the rotating frame 6 (the other left and right side).

The excavation attachment 4 comprises a boom 9 mounted on the swivel frame 6 so as to be freely raised and lowered, an arm (not shown) rotatably mounted at the tip of the boom 9, and a bucket (not shown) rotatably mounted at the tip of the arm. The excavation attachment 4 also comprises a boom cylinder 10 for raising and lowering the boom 9 relative to the swivel frame 6, an arm cylinder (not shown) for rotating the arm relative to the boom 9, and a bucket cylinder (not shown) for rotating the bucket relative to the arm.

The right side is the side on which the boom 9 is located relative to the cabin 7, i.e., the boom side. In contrast, the left side is the opposite side on which the boom 9 is located relative to the cabin 7, i.e., the anti-boom side. The cabin 7 is located close to the left side of the boom 9.

Figures 2 and 3 show a schematic diagram of the cabin 7 and the cabin frame 11 that forms the framework of the cabin 7. The cabin 7 is constructed by attaching various panels, doors, windows, fittings, etc. to the cabin frame 11. The cabin 7 and the cabin frame 11 are constructed generally symmetrically. The boom 9 is also shown in the figures for reference.

The cabin frame 11 has left and right front pillars 12 (12L, 12R) erected at its front end, left and right rear pillars 13 (13L, 13R) erected at its rear end, and a center pillar 14, i.e., a right center pillar 14R (boom side center pillar), located on the right side and between the right front pillar 12R and the right rear pillar 13R.

Each of these pillars is erected on the floor of the cabin 7, specifically on a rectangular frame-shaped floor member 15 in the cabin frame 11. The floor member 15 is constructed by assembling a front floor member 15A, a rear floor member 15B, a right floor member 15C, and a left floor member 15D together in a rectangular frame shape.

A floor plate 35 is attached to close the opening on the inside of the floor member 15. The driver's seat and other components are attached to the floor plate 35. At the four corners, front, rear, left and right, the floor member 15 and floor plate 35 are elastically supported on the rotating frame 6 via cabin mounts 36 made of viscous mounts so that they can be raised and lowered. This provides vibration-proof support for the cabin 7 on the rotating frame 6 at four points. Although not shown, a cabin anchor bolt installed at the left rear end of the floor plate 35 regulates the amount of lift of the floor plate 35 relative to the rotating frame 6.

The cabin frame 11 also includes roof rails 16 (16L, 16R) that connect the upper ends of the front pillars 12 and the upper ends of the rear pillars 13 on the left and right sides. The front ends of the left and right roof rails 16 are connected to the upper ends of the left and right front pillars 12, respectively. Front upper connection parts 60 (60L, 60R) that connect the front pillars 12 and roof rails 16 are formed on the left and right. The upper end of the right center pillar 14R is connected to the right roof rail 16R.

The cabin frame 11 is equipped with a front header 17 that spans and connects the left and right front upper connection parts 60. The front header 17 extends horizontally when viewed from the front.

The cabin frame 11 includes a rear upper cross member 18 that spans and connects the upper ends of the left and right rear pillars 13, a rear middle cross member 19 that spans and connects the middle parts of the left and right rear pillars 13, and a rear lower cross member 22 that spans and connects the lower ends of the left and right rear pillars 13.

The cabin frame 11 also includes a center cross member 20 as a first roof reinforcement member that spans and connects a first connection portion 61 that connects the right center pillar 14R and the right roof rail 16R to the left roof rail 16L. The center cross member 20 extends horizontally and parallel to the left-right direction. The position of the center cross member 20 in the front-rear direction is set to be equal to the position of the right center pillar 14R.

Strictly speaking, for example, the upper end of the right center pillar 14R is connected to the lower surface of the right roof rail 16R, and the right end of the center cross member 20 is connected to the inner side surface, i.e., the left side surface, of the right roof rail 16R.

In the cabin frame 11, the portion where the center cross member 20 and the left roof rail 16L are connected is the second connection portion 62. Also, the portion where the right roof rail 16R and the right rear pillar 13R are connected is the third connection portion 63.

The cabin frame 11 is provided with a rear cross member 64 as a second roof reinforcement member, which spans and connects the second connection part 62 and the third connection part 63. The rear cross member 64 is inclined so that the right side is located further rearward than the left side in a plan view seen from above. The rear cross member 64 is also positioned horizontally in a front view.

Strictly speaking, for example, the front end of the rear cross member 64 is connected to the inner side surface, i.e., the right side surface, of the left roof rail 16L. Also, the upper end of the right rear pillar 13R is connected to the lower surface of the right roof rail 16R, and the rear end of the rear cross member 64 is connected to the inner side surface, i.e., the left side surface, of the right roof rail 16R.

The cabin frame 11 also includes a right side beam 23R that connects the middle parts of the right center pillar 14 and the right rear pillar 13R. The right side beam 23R is inclined downward toward the front.

The above-mentioned rear pillar 13, center pillar 14, rear upper cross member 18, rear middle cross member 19, rear lower cross member 22, center cross member 20, rear cross member 64, and right side beam 23R are formed from metal pipes, more specifically, from steel hollow square pipes that are straight and have a rectangular cross section.

On the other hand, the left and right front pillars 12 and roof rails 16 are made of metal (e.g., steel) and are formed integrally and continuously from hollow pipes with irregular cross sections. That is, the front pillars 12 and roof rails 16 are formed by bending a single hollow pipe with an irregular cross section into a curved shape. Therefore, the left and right front upper connection parts 60 have a curved shape as shown in the figure when viewed from the side. Here, an irregular cross section refers to a cross section that is different from the general rectangular or circular shapes.

In this embodiment, the right front pillar 12R has a smaller cross-sectional area than the right center pillar 14R. Here, cross-sectional area refers to the area occupied by the outer shape of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal or axial direction of a member such as a pillar. Therefore, the right front pillar 12R is made thinner or has a smaller diameter than the right center pillar 14R.

The right front pillar 12R also has a smaller cross-sectional area than the left front pillar 12L. In other words, the right front pillar 12R is thinner or has a smaller diameter than the left front pillar 12L.

In this type of cabin frame 11, the front opening is closed by a front window 24 (also shown in FIG. 1) as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 2. The rear opening of the cabin frame 11 is closed by a rear panel 25 and a rear window (not shown) provided in the opening 26 of the rear panel. The right opening of the cabin frame 11 is closed by a right side panel 27 and a right window (not shown) provided in the opening 28 of the rear panel 25.

On the left side of the cabin frame 11, an opening, i.e., a left opening 65, is defined by the left front pillar 12L, the left rear pillar 13L, the left roof rail 16L, and the left floor member 15D. An openable sliding door 66 is provided in this left opening 65, as shown by the phantom line.

The sliding door 66 can slide forward and backward along rails (not shown) provided on the left roof rail 16L and the left floor member 15D. FIG. 2 shows the sliding door 66 in a fully open state, where only the front half of the left opening 65 is open for passengers to get in and out, and the rear half of the left opening 65 is closed by the sliding door 66. When the sliding door 66 is moved forward from the illustrated state, the sliding door 66 is closed, and when the front edge of the sliding door 66 matches the position of the left front pillar 12L, the sliding door 66 is in a fully closed state. A lock mechanism is provided on the front edge of the sliding door 66 and the left front pillar 12L. Although not shown, the sliding door 66 has a window frame portion around it and a left window fitted into the window frame portion, and almost the entire surface is a transparent window. Therefore, the visibility to the left side is very good for passengers in the cabin.

The front window 24, rear window, right window and left window are generally formed from transparent glass plates.

Meanwhile, the rear half of the ceiling opening of the cabin frame 11 is closed by a rear roof panel 31. The rear roof panel 31 is located slightly forward and rearward of the center cross member 20.

The front half of the ceiling opening of the cabin frame 11 forms a roof hatch and is closed by a roof hatch cover, i.e., a front roof panel 32, as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 2. The front roof panel 32 is formed from a metal (e.g., steel) plate and is rotatably connected to the rear roof panel 31 so that it can be tilted up. The rear end of the front roof panel 32 is rotatably connected to the front end of the rear roof panel 31 via a hinge (not shown).

When the front roof panel 32 is in normal position a, not tilted up, the front roof panel 32 closes the front half of the ceiling opening. On the other hand, when the front roof panel 32 is in tilt position b, where it is tilted up, the front roof panel 32 is inclined so that its front end is higher than its rear end, opening the front half.

By tilting up the front roof panel 32 in this way, the view to the upper front and above is opened up when viewed from the eyepoint inside the cabin, making it easier to carry out tasks such as excavation.

Next, we will explain the advantages of this embodiment by comparing it with a comparative example.

Figures 4 to 6 show a simplified view of the cabin frame 11 of this embodiment. Figure 4 is a plan view mainly showing the arrangement of the pillars 12R, 12L, 13R, 13L, and 14R in the cabin frame 11. Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing the cabin frame 11, and Figure 6 is a schematic front view showing the cabin frame 11. Both Figures 5 and 6 show the deformation mode when a ROPS load F is applied. The DLV is shown in phantom lines in Figures 4 and 6.

On the other hand, Figures 7 to 9 show a simplified comparative example of the cabin frame 11 that is different from this embodiment. For convenience, the same members are given the same reference numerals. Figures 7 to 9 correspond to Figures 4 to 6, respectively.

The main differences between this embodiment and the comparative example are as follows. In this embodiment, a right center pillar 14R and a rear cross member 64 are present, but these are not present in the comparative example. Also, a left center pillar 14L (center pillar on the anti-boom side) is present in the comparative example, but this is not present in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the right front pillar 12R has a smaller cross-sectional area than the left front pillar 12L, but in the comparative example, the right front pillar 12R has a cross-sectional area equal to that of the left front pillar 12L.

First, we will explain the deformation mode when a ROPS load F is applied in the comparative example.

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the ROPS load F is applied horizontally near the middle of the length of the left roof rail 16L, from left to right, that is, from the anti-boom side to the boom side, across the dispersion device. This is because it mimics the lateral load applied to the cabin when the construction machine rolls over. The fore-aft position at which this ROPS load F is applied is slightly forward of the center cross member 20 and left center pillar 14L, and is approximately the middle position within the fore-aft length of the DLV.

When a ROPS load F is applied, the cabin frame 11 deforms in a plan view as shown in FIG. 8, with the rear end serving as a fulcrum and the front end tilting toward the right in the shape of a parallelogram. In a front view as shown in FIG. 9, the cabin frame 11 deforms in a plan view as shown in FIG. 9, with the lower end serving as a fulcrum and the upper end falling toward the right in the shape of a parallelogram. This type of deformation is called matchboxing deformation.

Then, the right front pillar 12R and the right rear pillar 13R hit the boom 9, and the cabin frame 11 is supported by the boom 9. However, with the further application of the ROPS load F, the right front pillar 12R is pressed against the corner of the boom 9, causing buckling deformation as indicated by the symbol a. At the same time, stress is concentrated on the front header 17, and a torsional force is also applied, causing the front header 17 to buckle. Then, the deformation of the cabin frame 11 progresses all at once.

At this time, there is a risk that the left center pillar 14L will buckle as shown by the imaginary line b and intrude into the DLV. If the left center pillar 14L intrudes into the DLV, the ROPS standard will not be met.

In contrast, the deformation mode in this embodiment is as follows:

Referring to Figures 2 and 4 to 6, the ROPS load F is applied horizontally from the left side to the right side, i.e., from the anti-boom side to the boom side, near the longitudinal center of the left roof rail 16L, as described above. The fore-aft position at which the ROPS load F is applied is slightly forward of the center cross member 20 and the right center pillar 14R, and is approximately the middle position within the fore-aft length of the DLV.

When the ROPS load F is applied, the cabin frame 11 deforms in a plan view as shown in FIG. 5, with the front end tilting toward the right in the shape of a parallelogram, with the rear end as the fulcrum. Also, when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 6, the cabin frame 11 deforms in a plan view as shown in FIG. 6, with the upper end tilting toward the right in the shape of a parallelogram, with the lower end as the fulcrum.

Then, the right front pillar 12R, the right rear pillar 13R, and the right center pillar 14R collide with or lean against the boom 9, and the cabin frame 11 is supported by the boom 9. In the comparative example, the cabin frame 11 is supported at only two points, the right front pillar 12R and the right rear pillar 13R, but in this embodiment, the cabin frame 11 is supported at three points, the right front pillar 12R, the right rear pillar 13R, and the right center pillar 14R. This allows the support load to be better distributed, and subsequent deformation of the cabin frame 11 can be suppressed more than in the comparative example.

In particular, as shown by arrow b, the ROPS load F is transmitted in the axial direction through the center cross member 20, and then can be instantly transmitted to the nearest right center pillar 14R. This allows the ROPS load F to be effectively transmitted to the right center pillar 14R and borne by it.

In addition, as shown by arrow c, the ROPS load F is transmitted in the axial direction, i.e., to the right rear side, through the rear cross member 64, and then can be immediately transmitted to the nearest right rear pillar 13. Therefore, the ROPS load F can be effectively transmitted to the right rear pillar 13 as well, and can be borne by it.

In this way, the ROPS load F is received by the three pillars on the right side (the right front pillar 12R, the right rear pillar 13R, and the right center pillar 14R), so deformation of the cabin frame 11 to the right can be suppressed more than in the comparative example.

If the cabin frame 11 were to subsequently tip further to the right due to the ROPS load F, the right front pillar 12R would be pressed against the corner of the boom 9, possibly causing buckling deformation as indicated by the symbol a. At the same time, stress would be concentrated on the front header 17, and torsional force would also be applied, possibly causing the front header 17 to buckle. This could cause the deformation of the cabin frame 11 to progress rapidly.

However, in this embodiment, the left center pillar 14L is not present, so even if the deformation of the cabin frame 11 progresses, the left center pillar 14L can be prevented from intruding into the DLV as in the comparative example. Therefore, the ROPS standard can be met.

In this way, according to this embodiment, even if the cabin 7 is deformed by the application of the ROPS load F, the left center pillar 14L (the center pillar on the anti-boom side) can be prevented from intruding into the DLV.

In addition, in this embodiment, the absence of the left center pillar 14L improves visibility to the left side for occupants in the cabin 7, ensuring good visibility from the front to the left rear. It also reduces the sense of pressure felt by occupants on the left side.

In this embodiment, the ROPS load F can be transmitted to the right center pillar 14R through the center cross member 20. Then, when the right center pillar 14R falls and hits the boom 9, the ROPS load F can be supported by the boom 9. Therefore, further tilting of the right center pillar 14R and therefore the cabin frame 11 can be suppressed, and deformation of the cabin frame 11 can be effectively suppressed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the ROPS load F can be transmitted to the right rear pillar 13 through the rear cross member 64. Then, when the right rear pillar 13 falls and hits the boom 9, the ROPS load F can be supported by the boom 9. Therefore, further tilting of the right rear pillar 13 and therefore the cabin frame 11 can be suppressed, and deformation of the cabin frame 11 can be effectively suppressed.

In this way, the ROPS load F can be supported by the boom 9 via the right center pillar 14R and the right rear pillar 13, reducing the burden on the right front pillar 12R. Therefore, as in this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the right front pillar 12R can be made smaller than that of the right center pillar 14R and the left front pillar 12L. This improves the visibility of the right front, where the boom 9 is located, for the occupants in the cabin 7, improving workability.

In contrast to this, in the comparative example, since there is no right center pillar 14R, the ROPS load F must be supported only by the right front pillar 12R and the right rear pillar 13. This places a burden on the right front pillar 12R, and the cross-sectional area of the right front pillar 12R must be made larger than in this embodiment. This reduces the visibility of the right front, where the boom 9 is located, for the occupants in the cabin 7, and thus reduces workability.

In the comparative example in which the left center pillar 14L is present, a hinged door for passengers to enter and exit the vehicle is provided in an openable and closable manner at the left opening in front of the left center pillar 14L. A hinge is attached to the left center pillar 14L.

In this embodiment, since there is no left center pillar 14L, a sliding door 66 is provided instead of a hinged door. This allows the door to be installed without any problems even if the left center pillar 14L is omitted.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, there are many other possible embodiments and variations of the present disclosure.

(1) For example, this disclosure can be applied to construction machines other than hydraulic excavators.

(2) If possible, the rear cross member 64 may be omitted.

(3) The front roof panel 32 can be replaced with a skylight made of a transparent glass plate or the like. The front roof panel 32 and the skylight do not have to be of the tilt-up type, and may be of the removable or fixed type.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and all modifications, applications, and equivalents encompassed within the concept of the present disclosure as defined by the claims are included in the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be interpreted in a limited manner, and may be applied to any other technology that falls within the scope of the concept of the present disclosure.

Reference Signs List 1 Construction machine 7 Cabin 9 Boom 12 Front pillar 13 Rear pillar 14 Center pillar 14R Right center pillar 16 Roof rail 17 Front header 20 Center cross member 61 First connection portion 62 Second connection portion 63 Third connection portion 64 Rear cross member 65 Left side opening 66 Sliding door

Claims (5)

A cabin disposed adjacent to one of the left and right sides of a boom in a construction machine,
The left and right front pillars,
The left and right rear pillars,
left and right roof rails connected to the left and right front pillars and the left and right rear pillars, respectively;
a boom-side center pillar located between the front pillar and the rear pillar on a boom side in the left-right direction and connected to the roof rail;
a first roof reinforcement member that spans and connects a first connection portion at which the boom-side center pillar and the roof rail are connected to the roof rail on the anti-boom side in the left-right direction;
Equipped with
a center pillar on an anti-boom side located between the front pillar and the rear pillar and connected to the roof rail is not present on the anti-boom side in the left-right direction. The cabin of a construction machine according to claim 1 , wherein the boom-side front pillar has a smaller cross-sectional area than the boom-side center pillar. The cabin of a construction machine according to claim 1 , wherein the front pillar on the boom side has a smaller cross-sectional area than the front pillar on the anti-boom side. 2. The cabin of a construction machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second roof reinforcement member that spans and connects a second connection portion that connects the first roof reinforcement member and the roof rail on the anti-boom side to a third connection portion that connects the roof rail on the boom side to the rear pillar. 2. The cabin of a construction machine according to claim 1, wherein an opening is defined by the front pillar, the rear pillar and the roof rail on the anti-boom side, and an openable and closable sliding door is provided in the opening.

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