Driver's cab door guiding device

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide device (4) for a door (3) configured to connect said door (3) to a cockpit (2), the cockpit (2) defining an opening (22), the device (4) comprising a rail (40) fixed to the cockpit (2); a first member (42a) and a second member (42b) that slide with the rail (40); a connecting rod (43a) that pivots with the first member (42a) and with the door (3), and a connecting rod (43b) that pivots with the second member (42b) and with the door (3); The guide device (4) is characterized in that it comprises a first cam (44) having a first portion (441) and a second portion (442), the gate (3) describes a movement when the connecting rod (43a) moves over the first portion (441), and the gate (3) describes a movement towards the opening (22) when the connecting rod (43a) moves over the second portion (442).

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of agricultural machinery.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the technical field of driver's cabs for agricultural machinery and aims at a device for guiding the opening and closing of doors of such driver's cabs. ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUE

[0003] Typically, a driver's cab, particularly for agricultural machinery such as a straddle tractor operating between rows of vines, consists of a side panel enclosing an opening and a movable door. This door can be set between a closed position, where it seals the cab opening, and an open position, where it allows the cab opening to move freely. This allows a user to access the driver's cab and the operator's position on the agricultural machinery. To meet regulatory requirements, the driver's cab includes pressurization equipment, which necessitates that the door, when closed, seals the cab opening airtight.

[0004] The transition between the open and closed positions of the door is achieved using a door guide system. Several guide movements are commonly used. The guide movement can be "swing," meaning the door is mounted on hinges and pivots around a vertical axis of the hinges, or "sliding," meaning the door is mounted on tracks and moves along a longitudinal axis of the cabin. Finally, the guide movement can be "sliding," meaning the door moves away from the cabin as it transitions from the closed to the open position.

[0005] In the case of a straddle tractor in vineyards, the driver's cab may be located between two rows of vines, at the same height as the vegetation in the rows. In this configuration, the lateral space that the cab door can occupy when open within the row is limited, which complicates the use of a swing or sliding guidance system and makes a sliding door guidance system preferable. However, such a sliding guidance system has the disadvantage of being less airtight when the door is closed, which is a major obstacle to pressurizing the driver's cab to meet regulatory requirements.

[0006] The invention therefore aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art (JP 2017 159815 A, FR 2 892 142 B1 and FR 3 068 723 A1), by proposing a swerving type guidance device conferring a significantly reduced transverse footprint and a seal allowing simple pressurization of the cockpit. PRESENTATION DE L'INVENTION

[0007] More specifically, the invention relates to a door guidance device configured to connect said door to the driver's cab of a machine, in particular an agricultural machine, the cab comprising a side wall delimiting an opening and a top, the cab door being movable between a closed position in which said door closes the cab opening and an open position in which said door leaves the cab opening free, the device comprising: a rail fixed on top of the cabin and extending along a longitudinal axis of the cabin; a first rolling element in sliding connection with the rail and a second rolling element in sliding connection with the rail; a first connecting rod in pivot connection along a first vertical axis of the cabin with the first rolling element and in pivot connection along a second vertical axis of the cabin with an upper post of the door, and a second connecting rod in pivot connection along a third vertical axis with the second rolling element and in pivot connection along a fourth vertical axis with the door post.

[0008] Furthermore, the guiding device includes a first cam fixed to the cabin on top and inwards relative to the rail, the first cam having a first portion extending parallel to the rail and a second portion curved towards the rail, the first connecting rod being in sliding contact with the first cam, the guiding device further including a means of servo-controlling the second connecting rod relative to the first connecting rod so that the first and second connecting rods describe the same movement, the guiding device being configured so that, to move from the open position to the closed position, the cabin door describes a first longitudinal translational movement relative to the cabin when the first connecting rod travels on the first portion of the first cam,and that the cabin door describes a second translational movement towards the cabin opening when the first connecting rod travels on the second portion of the first cam, the first and second connecting rods pivoting respectively relative to the first and second bearing elements.

[0009] Thanks to this combination of features, such a guiding system reduces the door's lateral clearance both when open and closed. This is achieved by adjusting the length of the connecting rods and cams so that the door slides along the rail as close as possible to the outside of the cab's side wall. Furthermore, when the door closes, the movement of the first connecting rod within the curved portion of the cam towards the rail causes the connecting rods to pivot relative to the bearings. This pivoting is followed, or occurs simultaneously, by a pivoting of the door frame relative to the connecting rods, ensuring that the door edges are flush against the cab's side wall at the opening, thus providing a watertight seal. Agricultural machinery, such as a straddle tractor in vineyards, equipped with such a guiding system can therefore achieve a cab level with the vegetation.Finally, an agricultural machine user can thus open the cab door and drive with the cab door open, even when the agricultural machine is in a row of vines.

[0010] Advantageously, the guidance device is configured to hermetically seal the opening of the cockpit.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mechanical control means is a second cam fixed to the cabin on its upper surface and inward relative to the rail. This cam has a first portion extending parallel to the rail and a second portion curved towards the rail. The second connecting rod is connected to the second cam via a sliding joint. In this configuration, the second connecting rod is mechanically controlled by the second cam without being directly mechanically linked to the first connecting rod. This allows the cabin door to be pressed more effectively against the cabin's side wall at both longitudinal ends, thus improving the seal.

[0012] Advantageously, the first portion of the second cam includes a stop configured to be in contact with the second connecting rod when the cabin door is in the open position. In such a configuration, the guide device can hold the door in the open position, the first connecting rod preferably including a notch configured to cooperate with the stop.

[0013] Advantageously, the first and second cams are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the cabin. In such a configuration, the first and second cams, respectively the first and second bearing elements, and respectively the first and second connecting rods, can be identical, which simplifies the manufacturing of the guide device.

[0014] Advantageously, the second connecting rod is longer than the first, with the second cam positioned further from the rail than the first cam. In this configuration, the door opening range is significantly increased.

[0015] Advantageously, each connecting rod comprises a long and a short portion, resulting in an L-shaped geometry. The first and second vertical axes are positioned at the intersection of the two portions of each connecting rod, and the third and fourth vertical axes are positioned at a free end of the short portion of each connecting rod. In this configuration, the pivoting of the door relative to the connecting rods and the pivoting of the connecting rods relative to the bearings are simultaneous.

[0016] Advantageously, at least one third cam is fixed to the underside of the cabin, the cabin door further comprising a lower post vertically opposite the upper post, the lower post being connected longitudinally to the third cam via a sliding mechanism. In such a configuration, the door is guided by its upper and lower posts, thus facilitating the sliding of the rolling elements on the rail, as the weight of the door is distributed over a greater number of supports.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a cockpit comprising a side wall delimiting an opening and further comprising a movable door between a closed position in which said door closes the cockpit opening and an open position in which said door leaves the cockpit opening free, the cockpit further comprising a guiding device as described above connecting the door to the cockpit.

[0018] Advantageously, the cabin includes means for pressurizing said cabin. In such a configuration, the cabin can be pressurized. By the term "pressurized," we mean that the air pressure inside the cabin is higher than the air pressure outside the cabin.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to an agricultural machine, in particular a straddle tractor for vineyards, comprising a driver's cab as described above. PRESENTATION DES FIGURES

[0020] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which: There figure 1 is a schematic front view representation of an agricultural machine according to another aspect of the invention; The figure 2 is a schematic perspective representation of the cab of an agricultural machine in the closed position of a cab door; The figure 3 is a schematic perspective representation of the driver's cab of an agricultural machine in a position with the cab door retracted; The figure 4 is a schematic top-view representation of a cockpit door guidance device according to a first embodiment, in an open door position; The figure 5 is a schematic top-view representation of the guiding device of the figure 3 , in a closed position of the door; The figure 6 is a schematic top-view representation of a cockpit door guide device according to another embodiment, in an open door position; The figure 7 is a schematic representation from below of a pilot cabin door guide device according to another embodiment, in a closed position of the door;

[0021] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable implementation of the invention; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE L'INVENTION

[0022] There figure 1 This illustrates, according to a first aspect of the invention, an agricultural machine 1, such as a straddle tractor traveling between rows of vines. The agricultural machine 1 includes a driver's cab 2. The cab 2 is configured to accommodate a user, in particular the driver of the agricultural machine 1. In the description and claims, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," and "vertical" shall be adopted without limitation, referring to the right-handed trihedron X, Y, Z shown in the figures and attached to the driver's cab 2. Furthermore, the terms "above," "below," "vertical," and their derivatives refer to the position or orientation of an element or component, this orientation being considered when the agricultural machine 1 and the cab 2 are in their operating configuration.When the agricultural machine 1 travels in the rows of vines, the cab 2 is located vertically at the same height as the vines, so that the user in the pilot's cab 2 can observe the operations carried out by tools carried by the agricultural machine 1.

[0023] There figure 2 and the figure 3 illustrate, according to another aspect of the invention, the driver's cab 2 of the agricultural machine 1 of the figure 1 For clarity, the agricultural machine is not shown. The cab 2 has a generally prismatic parallelepiped shape and preferably extends more longitudinally than transversely. The driver's cab 2 includes a side wall 20 defining an opening 22. The opening 22 allows a user, in particular the driver of the agricultural machine 1, to access the interior of the cab 2 to operate the agricultural machine 1. The opening 22 is preferably located in a longitudinal plane X, Z as illustrated in the diagram. figure 2 , but can alternatively be located in a transverse plane Y, Z, including on a front face relative to the direction of travel of the agricultural machine 1. As illustrated in particular on the figure 3 , cabin 2 further includes a movable door 3 between a closed position in which said door 3 closes the opening 22 and an open position in which said door 3 leaves the opening 22 of cabin 2 free.

[0024] The cab 2 further includes a top 24. The top 24 is formed in particular by a panel extending substantially in a horizontal plane X, Y and configured to accommodate equipment of the agricultural machine 1, for example, a ventilation outlet for the cab 2. Preferably, the cab 2 includes pressurization means (not shown) configured to pressurize the interior of the cab 2 when the door 3 is in the closed position. The term "pressurized" means that the air pressure inside the cab is higher than the air pressure outside the cab. Furthermore, the door 3 includes an upper pillar 30. The upper pillar 30 extends parallel to the top 24 of the cab 2.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, notably illustrated on the figure 4 , there figure 5 , there figure 6 and the figure 7 The door 3 is connected to the cabin 2 via a guide device 4. The guide device 4 is configured to connect the door 3 to the cabin 2. By the term "connect," we mean on the one hand that the guide device 4 is mechanically linked to the door 3 and to the cabin 2. On the other hand, we mean that the guide device 4 guides the passage of the door 3 from the open position to the closed position.

[0026] The guide device 4 comprises a rail 40 fixed to the top of the cabin 2. The rail 40 extends along the longitudinal axis X of the cabin 2. The device also includes a first rolling element 42a in a sliding connection with the rail 40 and a second rolling element 42b in a sliding connection with the rail 40. Advantageously, the rolling elements 42a and 42b can be formed by a carriage equipped with rollers rolling without slipping on the rail 40. The guide device 4 further comprises a first connecting rod 43a in a pivot connection about a first vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis Z and a second connecting rod 43b in a pivot connection about a second vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis Z. Preferably, the connecting rods 43a and 43b each have a long portion and a short portion, the short portion being shorter than the long portion so that the connecting rod has substantially an "L"-shaped geometry.In the described embodiment, the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis are positioned at the intersection of the two portions of each of the connecting rods 43a, 43b. The first connecting rod 43a is also connected via a pivot joint along a third vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis Z with the upper jamb 30 of the door 3. The second connecting rod 43b is also connected via a pivot joint along a fourth vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis Z with the upper jamb 30 of the door 3. In the described embodiment, the third vertical axis and the fourth vertical axis are positioned at a free end of the short portion of each of the connecting rods 43a, 43b.

[0027] By the translation of the rolling elements 42a, 42b along the rail 40, the door 3 describes a first longitudinal translational movement relative to the cabin 2. To move from the open to the closed position, the door 3 thus moves longitudinally closer to the opening 22. The door 3 can therefore translate along the rail 40 over a predetermined stroke distance of the rolling elements 42a, 42b. By the pivoting of the first connecting rod 43a relative to the first rolling element 42a, respectively the pivoting of the second connecting rod 43b relative to the second rolling element 42b, and simultaneously the pivoting of the upper post 30 relative to the connecting rods 43a, 43b, the door 3 describes a second transverse translational movement relative to the cabin 2. To move from the open to the closed position, the door 3 thus moves transversely closer to the cabin 2 and more specifically to the opening 22.

[0028] The guide device 4 further includes a first cam 44 fixed to the top of the cabin 2. The guide device 4 includes a control means 46 for the second connecting rod 43b. The control means 46 for the second connecting rod 43b mechanically links the second connecting rod 43b to the first connecting rod 43a to cause it to describe the same movement as the first connecting rod 43a.

[0029] The first cam 44 is further transversely from the gate 3 than the rail 40. The first cam 44 comprises a first portion 441 and a second portion 442. The first portion 441 of the cam 44 extends parallel to the rail 40. The second portion 442 of the first cam 44 is curved towards the rail 40. The first connecting rod 43a is in sliding contact along the longitudinal axis X with the first cam 44. The first connecting rod 43a preferably includes bearing elements on its long portion configured to roll without slipping in the path formed by the first cam 44.

[0030] In the described embodiment, the control means 46 is a second cam 46 fixed to the top of the cabin 2. In this configuration, the second connecting rod 43b is then mechanically controlled via the second cam 46 without being directly mechanically linked to the first connecting rod 43a. This allows the door 3 to be pressed more effectively against the side wall 20 of the cabin 2 by its two longitudinal ends, increasing the sealing of the closure.

[0031] The second cam 46 is further transversely from the gate 3 than the rail 40. The second cam 46 comprises a first portion 461 and a second portion 462. The first portion 461 of the second cam 46 extends parallel to the rail 40. The second portion 462 of the second cam 46 is curved towards the rail. The second connecting rod 43b is in sliding contact along the longitudinal axis X with the second cam 46. The connecting rod 43b preferably comprises rolling elements configured to roll without slipping in the path formed by the second cam 46.

[0032] In the embodiment described on the figure 4 and the figure 5 , the cams 44, 46 are aligned along the longitudinal axis X of the cabin 2. The connecting rods 43a and 43b then have similar dimensions, particularly at the level of their long portion, which facilitates the manufacture of the guiding device 4.

[0033] The guiding device 4 is configured so that, to move from the open position to the closed position, the door 3 of the cabin 2 describes the first longitudinal translational movement relative to the cabin 2 when the first connecting rod 43a travels on the first portion 441 of the first cam 44, and that the door 3 of the cabin 2 describes the second transverse translational movement relative to the cabin 2 when the first connecting rod 43a travels on the second portion 442 of the first cam 44. The second connecting rod 43b then follows a movement identical to that of the first connecting rod 43b via the servo means 46.

[0034] In the case where the control means 46 is a second cam 46, the guide device 4 is configured so that, to move from the open position to the closed position, the door 3 of the cabin 2 describes the first longitudinal translational movement relative to the cabin 2 when the connecting rods 43a, 43b travel respectively on the first portions 441, 461 of the first and second cams 44, 46 and that the door 3 of the cabin 2 describes the second transverse translational movement relative to the cabin 2 when the first and second connecting rods 43a, 43b travel respectively on the second portions 442, 462 of the first and second cams 44, 46.

[0035] The guide device 4 thus reduces the transverse dimensions of the door 3 in the open position and during closing, the door 3 sliding on the rail 40 as close as possible to the outside of the side wall 20 of the cab 2. In addition, when the door 3 closes, the curved portion of the first cam 44 towards the rail 40 induces a pivoting of the connecting rods 43a, 43b relative to the rolling elements 42a, 42b, followed by a pivoting of the upper pillar 30 of the door 3 relative to the connecting rods 43a, 43b so that the edges of the door 3 are pressed against the side wall 20 of the cab 2 at the level of the opening 22, ensuring a watertight closure of the cab 2. The agricultural machine 1 can thus present a cab 2 at the height of the vegetation. Finally, a user of agricultural machinery 1 can open door 3 of cab 2 and drive with door 3 of cab 2 open, even when agricultural machinery 1 is in a row of vines.The greater the curvature and increased length of the second portion 442 of the first cam 44 in the direction of the rail 40, the better the effect of the door 3 on the side wall 20 will be. In the case where the control means is a second cam 46, the greater the curvature and increased length of the second portion 462 of the second cam 46 in the direction of the rail 40, the better the effect of the door 3 on the side wall 20 will be.

[0036] Advantageously, the upper post 34 of the door 3 includes at least one notch configured to cooperate with the first and / or second connecting rod 43a, 43b. In this configuration, the plating effect is further reinforced.

[0037] In the embodiment described on the figure 4 and the figure 5 The first portion 461 of the second cam 46 includes a stop 45 configured to be in contact with the second connecting rod 43b when the gate 3 is in the open position. The guide device 4 can thus hold the gate 3 in the open position, the second connecting rod 43b preferably having a notch on the end of its long portion configured to cooperate with the stop 45.

[0038] There figure 6 illustrates the guidance device 4 according to another embodiment. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of the figure 4 and of the figure 5 in that the second cam 46 is transversely offset relative to the first cam 44. The second connecting rod 43b thus has a greater length than the first connecting rod 43a. In the case where the connecting rods 43a and 43b are L-shaped, the long portion of the second connecting rod 43ba is greater than the long portion of the second connecting rod 43a. In such a configuration, the opening range of the door 3 is significantly increased.

[0039] There figure 7The figure illustrates the guide device 4 according to another embodiment of the invention. The guide device 4 further comprises at least one third cam 47 fixed to the underside 26 of the cabin 2. Here, the guide device 4 comprises two third cams 47 fixed to the underside 26 of the cabin 2. The door 3 comprises a lower post 34, opposite along the vertical axis Z to the upper post 30. The lower post 34 is connected by a sliding joint along its longitudinal axis X to the third cams 47. The guiding of the door 3 is thus improved by being carried out at both ends. The sliding of the rolling elements 42a, 42b is also facilitated, as the weight of the door 3 is distributed over a greater number of supports on the cabin 2.

[0040] It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Indeed, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, in light of the information just disclosed to them.

[0041] For example, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the control means 46 can alternatively be a linkage rod mechanically connecting, via pivot joints, the first connecting rod 43a and the second connecting rod 43b at its free ends, in order to mechanically control the second connecting rod 43b. The length of such a linkage rod can also be adjustable to set the distance between the two connecting rods, so as to accommodate different cabin opening widths.

Claims

1. A guidance device (4) for a door (3) configured to connect said door (3) to a driving cab (2) of a machine, notably of an agricultural machine (1), the cab (2) comprising a side wall (20) delimiting an opening (22) and a top (24), the door (3) of the cab (2) being movable between a closed position in which said door (3) closes the opening (22) of the cab (2) and an open position wherein said door (3) leaves the opening (22) of the cab (2) free, the device (4) comprising: - a rail (40) fixed on the top (24) of the cab (2) and extending according to a longitudinal axis of the cab (2); - a first rolling member (42a) in sliding connection with the rail (40) and a second rolling member (42b) in sliding connection with the rail (40); - a first connecting rod (43a) in pivot connection according to a first vertical axis of the cab (2) with the first rolling member (42a) and in pivot connection according to a second vertical axis of the cab (2) with an upper upright (30) of the door (3), and a second connecting rod (43b) in pivot connection according to a third vertical axis with the second rolling member (42b) and in pivot connection according to a fourth vertical axis with the upright (30) of the door (3); the guidance device (4) comprises a first cam (44) fixed to the cab (2) on the top (24) and toward the inside relative to the rail (40), the first cam (44) presenting a first portion (441) extending parallel to the rail (40) and a second portion (442) curved in the direction of the rail, the first connecting rod (43a) being in sliding connection with the first cam (44), the guidance device (4) being configured so that, to move from the open position to the closed position, the door (3) of the cab (2) describes a first longitudinal movement in translation relative to the cab (2) when the first connecting rod (43a) travels on the first portion (441) of the first cam (44), and that the door (3) of the cab (2) describes a second movement in translation toward the opening (22) of the cab (2) when the first connecting rod (43a) travels on the second portion (442) of the first cam (44), the first and second connecting rods (43a, 43b) pivoting respectively relative to the first and second rolling members (42a, 42b); characterized in that the guidance device further comprises a control means (46) for the second connecting rod (43b) relative to the first connecting rod (43a) so that the first and second connecting rods describe a same movement.

2. The guidance device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical control means (46) is a second cam (46) fixed to the cab (2) on the top (24) and towards the inside relative to the rail (40) and presenting a first portion (461) extending parallel to the rail (40) and a second portion (462) curved in the direction of the rail (40), the second connecting rod (43b) being in sliding connection with the second cam (46).

3. The guidance device (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first portion (461) of the second cam (46) comprises a stop (47) configured to be in contact with the second connecting rod (43b) when the door (3) of the cab (2) is in the open position.

4. The guidance device (4) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first cam (44) and the second cam (46) are aligned according to the longitudinal axis of the cab (2).

5. The guidance device (4) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second connecting rod (43b) presents a length greater than a length of the first connecting rod (43a), the second cam (46) being at a greater distance from the rail (40) relative to the first cam (44).

6. The guidance device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the connecting rods (43a, 43b) comprises a long portion and a short portion so as to present an L-shaped geometry, the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis being positioned at the intersection of the two portions of each of the connecting rods (43a, 43b) and the third vertical axis and fourth vertical axis being positioned at a free end of the short portion of each of the connecting rods (43a, 43b).

7. The guidance device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a third cam (47) fixed to an underside (26) of the cab (2), the door (3) of the cab (2) further comprising a lower upright (34) vertically opposite the upper upright (30), the lower upright (34) being in sliding connection with the third cam (47) along a longitudinal axis.

8. A driving cab (2) comprising a side wall (20) delimiting an opening (22) and further comprising a door (3) movable between a closed position in which said door (3) closes the opening (22) of the cab (2) and an open position in which said door (3) leaves the opening (22) of the cab (2) free, the driving cab (2) further comprising a guidance device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 connecting the door (3) to the driving cab (2).

9. The driving cab (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cab (2) comprises pressurization means for said cab (2).

10. An agricultural machine (1), notably a straddle tractor for vineyards, comprising a driving cab (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 9.

Images