MXPA99004272A - Pivot assembly for vehic cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a body, an operator platform and a pivot assembly which pivotally couples the operator's platform to the vehicle around a generally horizontal pivot axis, the pivot assembly comprising: a pair of guide arms having different lengths and which extend in non-parallel directions, each guide arm has one end engaged in a first joint to the operator's platform and has another end coupled in a second joint to the body of the vehicle, said together they have the axes, which extend generally parallel to each other and which are spaced apart from each other, and an implement hitch having a lift arm coupled to the body of the vehicle, the lift arm comprises a first guide arm of the pivot assembly, the lifting arm being coupled to the operator's platform by means of a connecting joint

Description

PIVOT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE CABIN Background of the Invention This invention relates to a vehicle of industrial and agricultural utility with a vehicle body, a platform for the operator and a pivot assembly which pivotally couples the platform to the vehicle so that the platform can be pivoted about a pivot axis essentially horizontal.

Operator platforms (with or without cab) have been installed on vehicles for agricultural or industrial use to be pivoted or removable, in order to allow access for purposes of maintenance, repair, replacement or cleaning of the vehicle components that They are arranged under the operator's platform. Since the removal or pivoting of operator platforms usually requires cranes or block and rigging arrangements, such operations must be carried out in workshop areas or in places that are equipped with such arrangements. Frequently, the disassembly of the additional components is necessary in order to allow the pivoting in the first place. The design shown in European patent EP-A-0 422 489 for example, requires the disassembly of a rear wheel in order to allow the pivoting towards the sides of the operator's platform.

German patent DE-OS-30 07 074 shows a vehicle of construction and / or agricultural use in a force elevator equipped with two lower guide arms and a cabin which can be disassembled if it is not used and deposited in a place a place of storage. For the disassembly of the cabin it can be pivoted by means of a push rod around a pivot shaft located at the rear end of the tractor. On the one hand, the push rod is connected a joint for the lifting arm to the lower position of power lift and on the other hand is rigidly attached to a pivot lever and rigidly connected to the operator's cab. When the lifting arm raised to the highest position in the operator's cab is pivoted only as long as the center of gravity remains in front of the pivot shaft. In this intermediate position, the operator's cab can be manually carried to a storage position in an appropriate storage location. In this arrangement there is no provision for retaining the cab in a pivoted position. This has a disadvantage that the cabin must always be removed as a complete unit and deposited in an appropriate storage location. The operator platform, same with the operation components and the operator agent remain on the tractor. This is not an absolute requirement for the drilling of the repair and maintenance operations.

It is also known to provide trucks with cab operator platforms, which are pivoted towards the front around the horizontal pivot axis. Tale designs are not usually applicable to industrial agricultural vehicles because the operator platform is arranged in the rear region of the vehicle, and because components such as bumpers must interfere with the pivoting process.

Synthesis of the Invention An object of the invention is to provide a utility vehicle with a simple system for pivoting the operator platform to facilitate maintenance, repair and installation while avoiding the noted disadvantages and problems.

A further object is to provide a pivot assembly which consists of a few components that can be manufactured at a low cost and that can be easily installed.

A further object is to provide a pivot assembly which allows free pivoting of the operator's platform without any vehicle components impairing the pivoting process.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention wherein a utility vehicle includes a vehicle body, an operator platform and an assembly of pivot to pivot the operator's platform on the vehicle around an essentially horizontal pivot shaft in order to gain access to the vehicle components located beneath the operator's platform for the purposes of maintenance or repair operations. The pivot assembly includes at least two guide arms of different lengths and / or directions oriented in more parallel directions and are deferred. Each arm has one end coupled to a gasket for the operator platform and has another end coupled to a gasket for the body of the vehicle. The joints have axes, which are generally oriented parallel to each other and are spaced apart from one another. It should be understood that the arms may be coupled directly to the body of the vehicle and / or to the operator's platform or directly through other components attached thereto.

This pivot assembly makes possible an always fast pivot of the operator's platform or the operator's cab, without dismantling additional components of the vehicle, such as for example a rear wheel. Since no crane or block and rigging arrangements are required, pivoting requires to be carried out in a workshop, but can be done, if desired, in any place, for example in the field. The cabin can be secured in its pivoted position. This ensures sufficient access to the components of the vehicle arranged under the operator's platform. The pivoting angle made possible by the arrangement and the pivoting height allows all vehicle systems to remain connected and operable. For example, the lines for the air conditioning system, the heating system, the steering, the brakes, the hydraulic devices and the additional hydraulic and electrical pipes can be designed and directed in such a way that they do not need to be separated for pivoting. The pipes can be directed at the rear of the vehicle and provided with sufficient flexibility so that it becomes possible to pivot on the full pivot angle.

The two strip arms interact as a four-bar link so that the operator's platform pivots and moves linearly. By establishing the lengths, direction and position of the axes of the connection joints of the guide arms, the pivoting path and the possible range of the pivoting angle of the operator's platform can be varied within a wide range and made to conform to the available space. The pivoting movement ensures that, during the complete pivoting process, an adequate distance is maintained between the operator platform and the utility vehicle components. This is particularly advantageous if the bumpers for the rear wheels of the utility vehicle are fastened to the operator's platform. The invention ensures that, during the pivoting of the operator's platform, the bumpers do not stick with the rims, so that the pivot is possible without disassembling the rims. The pivoting movement of the operator platform can be described as a pivot around an imaginary center of rotation, whose position continuously changes during the pivoting process and an intersection of imaginary extensions of the guide arms is depicted. If the pivot angle is limited by the lengths of the guide arms and the locations of the tips of the guide arms in such a way that the center of gravity of the operator platform does not move out beyond the pivot axis , then the single action hydraulic cylinders can be used since the weight of the operator's platform brings it to its initial position.

Since the pivot assembly as well assists with a few component examples, it can be manufactured easily and at a low cost. Simple assembly and disassembly of the pivot assembly for utility vehicles and the operator's platform is possible, since for this purpose only two guide arms are required which are connected to the vehicle body or to the operator's platform. Instead of connecting the guide arms directly to the vehicle body or to the operator's platform, these can be connected through additional components attached to the vehicle body or to the operator's platform.

A force motor arranged between two four-bar linkage element (vehicle body, guide arm, operator's platform) helps to pivot the heavy operator's platforms. Such a power motor can be used exclusively to drive the pivot assembly. However, it is particularly advantageous to use a force motor for the pivot, which is already used for other purposes and is attached to the utility vehicle. The power motor can, for example, be a linear drive such as a hydraulic motorcycle, a spindle drive or a similar electric motor.

Preferably, the power motor is a hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pressure required can be supplied by a hydraulic pump which is available on the vehicle for the supply of hydraulic pressure to other systems such as for steering, hydraulic trains or similar units. . The hydraulic motor can also be supplied by a separate pressure source independent of the vehicle, such as a manually operated pump, a hydraulic pressure tank or an electrically driven external hydraulic pump. In this case, the hydraulic pressure source in the vehicle is not required to be used to pivot the operator's platform, and the operator's platform can then be pivoted even when the vehicle's pressure source is not operating.

The hydraulic motor can be a double acting or single action piston and d cylinder unit. With the external pressure supply of a single hydraulic motor, the descent of the operator platform occurs when the connection between the pressure source and the hydraulic motor is interrupted. Preferably the hydraulic fluid must be released through a throttle valve so that a uniform, not very rapid descent of the operator's platform can be achieved.

Preferably, a single bolt can be used to couple the power motor, the first guide arm and the operator platform to one another. Utility vehicles are often provided with a hitch to which attachments or loads are attached. A typical hitch includes two hydraulically actuated lifting arms which are pivotally coupled to the vehicle body, which can be raised and lowered by the associated inner guide arms. Such a lifting arm can be coupled to the operator's platform or to the component attached to the operator's platform. By using the lifting arm as the first guide arm of the pivot assembly, another existing component can be used for a second function of maner that the number of components is reduced. The lifting arm can be pivoted by a single-acting piston and a cylinder device that drives two lifting arms by means of a lifting shaft.

A lifting link is coupled between a free end of the lifting arm and the lower link joints of the hook. The three-point hitch also includes the joints attached to the vehicle body (for example, see ISO 730-1). The connection joint between the lifting arm and the operator platform is located in a central region of the lifting arm while the lifting rod and the lifting arm engage a free end of the lifting arm. Preferably, the hook lift cylinder is used as the force motor, and this can also be coupled to the center region of the hook lift arm, such that a common pin connects the lift cylinder and the operator platform and the arm d lifting each other. Since in the known hooks, the lifting arm and the lifting cylinder are bolted, an elongated bolt can be used to accommodate the lifting assembly in order to move the horizontal pivot axis in the rear most remote region of the vehicle. or even within a region outside the vehicle, and advantageous to hold a strut that extends horizontally to the operator's platform. A first guide arm may be coupled to a central region of the strut and a second guide arm may be coupled to the free end of the strut. This design allows good access to the components located inside the operator's platform with a relatively small pivot angle. Preferred pivot angles lie between 20 and 55. Small pivot angles are often sufficient for maintenance purposes for the replacement of small units so that a full pivot of the operator's platform is necessary only for large repairs or for extensive maintenance operations.

The struts can be rods which can be inserted very simply into corresponding openings in an operator's platform frame and secured thereto, thus avoiding costly fastening and connection devices.

In view of the heavy weight of the operator platform, a pivot assembly is preferably provided on each side of the utility vehicle. The corresponding effects of the connecting joints of the guiding arms are aligned with each other. In this case, the lifting arms of the known coupling can be used, since they are supported in bearings on a common lift axle, free to pivot. A hydraulic motor is coupled to a central region of each lifting arm and the hydraulic motors are supplied with hydraulic pressure through a common pressure source.

The pivot assembly includes at least one strut and a guide arm. The strut is connected to the guide arm, free to rotate, and can be rigidly connected to the operator platform. The strut is coupled to a power motor and to an additional guide arm which can be pivotally connected to the body of the vehicle. Such a pivot assembly can be permanently attached to the vehicle. However, it is particularly advantageous if the pivot assembly can be simply and quickly attached to the utility vehicle and then disassembled similarly after completion of maintenance and repair operations, so that the pivot assembly does not impair the normal operation of the vehicle. and so that it is not damaged in harsh operating conditions. The position of the connection tips of the pivot assembly can be varied so as to conform to various types of model or vehicle having varying dimensions. The connection bolts can be provided with interchangeable movable retainers or other removable components attached to the prop or guide arms.

If the power motor and the guide arm are additional components of a coupling, the number of pivot assembly components wanting to join or disassemble from the pivot assembly is further reduced. In a guide arm it can be connected to the free end of the strut, free to rotate. The power bike and the additional guide arm are coupled to a central region of the strut in order to improve the pivot axis of the operator's platform.

In the invention, agricultural and non-agricultural tractors can also be applied to other agricultural vehicles such as combined ones, to forage harvesters and other harvesting machines and to industrial vehicles such as loaders, cranes.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to the invention with a pivoted operator platform and a pivot assembly in a normal position and in a fully pivoted position (dotted lines).

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the pivot assembly of Figure 1 showing its initial position (solid lines) and several pivoted positions (dotted lines).

Description of the Preferred Incorporation Figure 1 shows an agricultural tractor 10 with a frame 12 on which are mounted a motor and gear box 14 and various other vehicle components (not shown). A front axle 16 and the rear axle 18 are attached to the frame 12. In the region of the rear axle 18 the operator's platform 20 is mounted in the form of a cabin on the frame 12. The bumpers 24 are attached to both sides of the vehicle 10 to the operator platform 20.

An implement hitch 28 is mounted on the rear side 26 of the vehicle 10 (with respect to its operation direction). Since the latch 28 is symmetrical about a longitudinal center line of the vehicle 10, only these components on the right side will be described in detail in the following. The hook 28 includes a first lifting arm or guide arm 30, which is coupled to the lifting shaft 32. The lifting shaft 32 is rotatably supported or mounted on the body of the vehicle 36 by means of the bearings (not shown) so that the lifting arm 30 is pivotally coupled to the vehicle body. In a central region of the lifting arm 30 a side leg 31 is provided, to which a force motor 34 in the form of a single action piston and cylinder arrangement is connected in a joint formed by a bolt connection. The other end of the force motor 34 is connected in a joint to a differential seal box that is part of the vehicle body 36 of the utility vehicle 10. The guide arms 35 the hitch rods 37 of the hitch are configured in a conventional manner . For the sake of clarity, the upper guiding arm is not shown in the drawing in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting arm 30 moves from an initial lower position 38 over several intermediate positions to an upper end position 40 when the hydraulic motor 34 is extended.

The operator platform 20 includes a four-sided armature. The two lower elements 21 on the frame sides are extended in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle have the slots 23, which are open to the rear part. A strut 52 configured as a profiled rod and inserted into each of these grooves 23. The outer strut shape conforms to the shapes of the rods 23. If necessary, the struts 52 can be fastened in a simple manner to the frame for easy assembly and disassembly To secure the struts 52 to the frame, conventional bolt connections (not shown) can be used.

A hinge 42 is shown pivotally to a free end of each strut 52 in the joint 56. The joint can be configured as a bolt connection that can be easily connected and disconnected, in which the strut 52 and the articulation 42 they are each provided with an associated orifice through which a bolt is inserted which is secured by appropriate retaining elements. The other joint end 42 is connected in a joint to the differential case 36. For this joint a bolt connection can also be provided, in which a bolt can be fastened to the differential case 36, which is inserted through or hole in the joint 42 and enables simple disassembly and disassembly of the joint 42. The bolt used here and preferably the same bolt that usually forms the joint between the hydraulic motor 34 and the differential case 36. If necessary, the The bolt used here previously may have to be replaced by a larger bolt, so that the joint 42 can be added to the assembly.

The central region of the strut 52 is connected through a gasket 54 to the side leg 31, which projects downwardly from the lift arm 30. For this purpose, the strut 52 is provided with a hole which receives a bolt. This bolt is the same bolt that engages the lifting arm 30 with the hydraulic motor 34. In contrast to the bolts commonly used in advance, the bolt used here is an extended length bolt, which extends through the bore of the strut 52. Appropriate rapid release retention elements (not shown) can be used to secure the pin to the strut 52.

Provided that the two struts 52 and the joints 42 are not permanently attached to the vehicle 1 then the vehicle 10 does not differ in a remarkable degree from a tractor with conventional hitch. For the pivoting of the operator platform 20, the struts 52 and the hinges 42 are fastened to the vehicle in the manner shown and described. In addition, the connecting elements, which secure the operator platform 20 to the vehicle body 36 are released. If the force motors 34 are supplied with a pressurized hydraulic fluid and are extended, the front part of the operator platform 20 is raised from the body of the vehicle 36, allowing access to the vehicle components located below the operator's platform. .

The struts 52, the joints 42 and the external hydraulic pump operated electrically or manually, can be assembled and maintained as a separate unit so that the latter can be fastened to the vehicle if necessary in order to pivot the operator's platform 20. For the drive hydraulics of the hydraulic pump, a "T" connection (not shown) can be provided in the hydraulic circuit of the power motors 34, the central connection of the "T" is connected on a shut-off valve with a hydraulic coupling (not shown).

It should be emphasized that it may be necessary to release or disconnect the electrical hydraulic connection pipes and the mechanical joints extending from the operator platform 20 and the vehicle body 36 before the pivoting operation. There is a particular advantage, however, in designing and fixing the brake pipes, the steering pipes, the heating pipes, the piping of an air conditioning system and the additional electric and hydraulic pipes, as well as any other necessary connection joints (not shown) in such a way that they do not have to be open for the pivoting operation. For this purpose, parts of the line in particular, those in the rear region of the operator platform 20 are directed transverse to the direction of operation. Apart from saving on maintenance time, the ability to keep pipes connected, it has the advantage that the main mover can continue to operate with the pivoted operator platform. Therefore, a hydraulic pump can also be driven to supply the force motors 34 with hydraulic fluid. The operated arm 30 of the joint arrangement 28 forms a pivot assembly 44 together with a second guide arm or hinge 42, by means of which the operator platform 20 can be brought from its initial position in contact with the vehicle (the solid lines in FIG. 2) over intermediate positions (shown with dotted line) inside a pivoted end position 48. In order to pivot the operator platform 20, the force motor 3 must be extended. Therefore, the lifting arm 30 moves along the dotted line 60 to its upper end position 40. The operator's arm 20 connected to it in a joint is also very high. Since the operator's platform is connected in a joint to the vehicle body 36 through the joint 42 with a constant length, the operator platform 20 therefore performs pivotal movement about an imaginary pivot axis. The position of this pivot ej is a result in the geometry of the individual components of the pivot assembly 44 that is, the location d of the connection joints and the lengths of the arm of the raised 30, the joint 42 and the strut 52.

In addition to the initial position and the final pivoted end position 48 of the operator platform 20 of Figure 2, several intermediate positions 39 are shown in dotted lines. During pivoting, the lifting arms 30 and the hinges 42 are pivoted about each of the connection joints in the vehicle body 36. During pivoting the connection joint 54 between the strut 52 and the lifting arm 30 is moves in a circular path 64 whose center shape forms the axis of the lift shaft 32. The connection joint 56 between the strut 52 and the link 42 moves in a circular path 66, whose center forms the connection joint of the link 42 on the body of the vehicle 36. Since the distance between the two aforementioned connection joints 54 and 56 remains constant, the result is that the platform of the operator 20, both moves (at an upward and backward angle) and pivots, of so that the rear frame point of the operator platform 20 moves along the curve 62. Preferably, two essentially identical pivot assemblies are provided, and these have the axes of corresponding connection joints, which are aligned with each other.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment it is understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Therefore, this invention is intended to cover all those alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. In a vehicle having a body, an operator's platform and a pivot assembly which pivotally couples the operator's platform to the vehicle about a generally horizontal pivot axis, the pivot assembly comprises: a pair of guide arms having different lengths and which extend in non-parallel directions each guide arm has one end coupled in a first joint to the operator's platform and has another end coupled in a second joint to the body of the vehicle, said joints have the axes, which extend generally parallel to each other and which are spaced apart from each other, and An implement hitch having a lifting arm coupled to the body of the vehicle, the raised arm comprising a first guide arm of the pivot assembly, and the lifting arm being coupled to the operator platform by means of a connection joint.

2. The vehicle as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises: a force motor coupled between the vehicle body and one of the guide arms, the motor being able to pivot the operator's platform.

3. The vehicle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it also comprises: a power motor coupled between the vehicle body and the operator's platform, the motor being operable to pivot the operator's platform.

4. The vehicle as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that: The force motor comprises a hydraulic motor.

5. The vehicle as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that: the force motor and the guide arm are coupled together in a first joint, and the force motor and the operator platform are coupled together in a second joint, and the first and second joints have shafts, which are aligned one with the other. other.

6. The vehicle as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that: the force motor and the guide arm are coupled together in a first connection joint, and the force motor and the guide arm are coupled together in a second connection joint, and the first and second connection joint have shafts, which are aligned with each other.

7. The vehicle as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that: A common clamping element couples the first guide cup, the power motor and the platform to each other.

8. The vehicle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: the lifting arm has a free end coupled to an upright of the hook, and having a central region coupled to the operator's platform.

9. The vehicle as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that: a strut is attached to and extends outwardly from the operator's platform to a free end; a first arm is coupled to a central region of the strut; Y a second arm is connected to the free end of the strut.

10. The vehicle as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that: the strut comprises a rod, which can be inserted into a frame component of the operator's platform and fastened thereto.

11. A pivot assembly for pivotally coupling an operator platform to a body of a utility vehicle, characterized by: a prop rigidly connected to the operator platform; a first guide arm rotatably coupled to the strut; a force motor coupled to the prop; a second guide arm coupled to the strut coupled pivotally to the body.

12. The pivot assembly as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that: the power motor and the second guide arm are components of an implement coupling which is attached to a utility vehicle.

13. The pivot assembly as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that: the strut comprises a rod which can be inserted into and fastened to a component of a frame of the operator's platform.

14. The pivot assembly as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that: the first guide arm is coupled to one end of the strut; and the second guide arm is coupled to a central region of the strut. SUMMARIZES A vehicle of industrial or agricultural utility includes a vehicle body, an operator's platform and a pivot assembly, by means of which the operator's platform can be pivoted on the vehicle of use around an essentially horizontal pivot axis. The pivot assembly includes at least two guide arms of different lengths and / or extends in parallel directions. Each guide arm has one end which is coupled in a joint to the operator's platform and another end which is engaged in another joint to the body of the vehicle. The connecting link axes of the guide arms are essentially parallel to each other and are spaced apart from one another. Such pivoted operator platform allows access for maintenance, repair or cleaning of vehicle components, which are arranged under the operator's platform.