Cab and work machinery

Abstract

Reduce the amount of eye movement required by the operator. [Solution] The driver's seat 31 is located inside the cab and has a seat surface. The front window W1 is located in the center of the front part of the cab, the right window W2 is located to the right rear of the front window W1, and the left window W3 is located to the left rear of the front window W1. The right pillar 43 is located behind the right window W2 and in front of the center of the seat surface of the driver's seat 31. The left pillar 44 is located behind the left window W3 and in front of the center of the seat surface of the driver's seat 31. The front side first monitor 50 and the front side second monitor 60 are located on the right pillar 43. The front side first monitor 50 and the front side second monitor 60 are adjacent to each other vertically.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cab and a working machine.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-85055 (Patent Document 1) describes a work vehicle that includes a cab provided with a driver's seat and an operating unit having various operating tools, and a monitor for monitoring the operating state of an engine or the like is provided in the operating unit. The monitor is attached to the center pillar of the cab, and this monitor faces upward from the operating tools centrally arranged on the side of the driver's seat, and is configured to ensure the visibility of the monitor from the driver's seat by adjusting its angle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to improve workability, it is required to reduce the amount of视线移动量 (the amount of eye movement) of an operator boarding the cab.

[0005] In the present disclosure, a cab and a working machine capable of reducing the amount of eye movement of an operator are proposed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] It should be noted that the term "视线移动量" in the original text seems not to be a standard English expression. I've directly translated it as "the amount of eye movement" for the purpose of translation. If there is a more accurate English term for this concept in the relevant context, it can be adjusted accordingly.A cab of a work machine according to a certain aspect of this disclosure comprises a driver's seat located inside the cab and having a seating surface, a front window located in the center of the front of the cab, a right window located to the right rear of the front window, and a left window located to the left rear of the front window. The cab comprises a right pillar and a left pillar. The right pillar is located behind the right window and in front of the center of the driver's seating surface. The left pillar is located behind the left window and in front of the center of the driver's seating surface. The cab comprises a front-side first monitor and a front-side second monitor. The front-side first monitor and the front-side second monitor are located on either the right pillar or the left pillar. The front-side first monitor and the front-side second monitor are adjacent to each other vertically.

[0007] A cab of a work machine according to a certain aspect of this disclosure comprises a driver's seat located inside the cab and having a seating surface, a front window located in the center of the front of the cab, a right window located to the right rear of the front window, and a left window located to the left rear of the front window. The cab comprises a right pillar and a left pillar. The right pillar is located behind the right window and in front of the center of the driver's seating surface. The left pillar is located behind the left window and in front of the center of the driver's seating surface. The cab comprises a display device located on either the right pillar or the left pillar. The display device comprises a first screen that displays the operating status of the work machine, and a second screen located above and adjacent to the first screen that displays an image of the area around the work machine.

[0008] A work machine according to a certain aspect of this disclosure comprises a vehicle body, a cab mounted on the vehicle body, and a blade mounted on the front of the vehicle body and having an upper end and a lower end. The cab has a driver's seat located inside the cab and a forward monitor located in the center of the front of the cab. A reference eye point is set as a point representing the position of the driver's eyes in normal operating conditions. The forward monitor is positioned below the line connecting the reference eye point and the upper end of the blade when the lower end of the blade is in contact with the ground, and above the line connecting the reference eye point and the lower end of the blade when the lower end of the blade is in contact with the ground. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] By following this disclosure, the amount of eye movement required by the operator can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of a bulldozer. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the general shape of the cab. [Figure 3] This is a plan view that schematically shows some of the internal components of the cab. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the view from the standard eye point inside the cab, looking forward and downward. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side view showing a hypothetical straight line connecting the reference eye point inside the cab to the structure in front of the cab. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. In the drawings, some configurations may be omitted or simplified for the sake of explanation. It is also intended from the outset that any configuration may be extracted from the embodiments and combined in any way.

[0012] <Structure> In this embodiment, a bulldozer 10 will be described as an example of a work machine. Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a bulldozer 10 as an example of a work machine based on this embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the bulldozer 10 mainly consists of a body 11, a blade 12 as a work implement, and a travel device 13.

[0014] The vehicle body 11 has a cab (driver's compartment) 18 and an engine compartment 19. The cab 18 is located at the rear upper part of the vehicle body 11. The cab 18 is mounted on the vehicle body 11. The operator who operates the bulldozer 10 sits in the cab 18. The cab 18 has an operator's seat (driver's seat) inside for the operator to sit in.

[0015] The engine compartment 19 is located in front of the cab 18. The engine compartment 19 is located between the cab 18 and the blade 12. Inside the engine compartment 19 is the engine 21, such as an internal combustion engine, which is the power source for the bulldozer 10. The engine compartment 19 is covered from above by an engine hood 20. The engine hood 20 forms the ceiling of the engine compartment 19. The engine hood 20 separates the outside from the inside of the engine compartment 19. The upper surface of the engine hood 20 slopes downward towards the front.

[0016] In this embodiment, the direction in which the bulldozer 10 travels in a straight line is called the front-rear direction of the bulldozer 10. In the front-rear direction of the bulldozer 10, the side from which the blade 12 protrudes from the body 11 is defined as the front direction. In the front-rear direction of the bulldozer 10, the side opposite to the front direction is defined as the rear direction. The left-right direction of the bulldozer 10 is the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction in a plan view. Looking at the front direction, the right and left sides of the left-right direction are the right direction and left direction, respectively. The up-down direction of the bulldozer 10 is the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In the up-down direction, the side with the ground is the down side and the side with the sky is the up side.

[0017] In the following diagram, the front-to-back direction is indicated by arrow X, the left-to-right direction by arrow Y, and the up-to-down direction by arrow Z.

[0018] An exhaust pipe 25 is located in front of the cab 18. The exhaust pipe 25 protrudes upward from the engine hood 20. Exhaust from the engine 21 flows through the exhaust pipe 25 and is discharged to the outside of the engine compartment 19.

[0019] Blade 12 is a working machine for performing operations such as excavation and leveling of the ground surface. Blade 12 is attached in front of the vehicle body 11 and is arranged with a gap between it and the vehicle body 11. Blade 12 has an upper end 121 and a lower end 122. Blade 12 has a cutting edge that contacts the ground G during operation at the lower end 122.

[0020] Blade 12 is supported by frame 14 on both the left and right sides. Blade 12 is supported by the vehicle body 11 via frame 14. The front end of frame 14 is attached to the back surface of blade 12 by a rotatable support portion. Frame 14 is supported by the vehicle body 11 so as to be rotatable vertically about a rotation axis extending in the left - right direction.

[0021] Blade 12 is driven by tilt cylinder 15 and lift cylinder 16. Tilt cylinder 15 and lift cylinder 16 are hydraulic cylinders.

[0022] The front end of tilt cylinder 15 is rotatably supported on the back surface of blade 12. Due to the hydraulic extension and contraction of tilt cylinder 15, the upper end 121 of blade 12 moves back and forth, causing blade 12 to tilt (tilt operation).

[0023] The front end of lift cylinder 16 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of frame 14. The rear end of lift cylinder 16 is rotatably supported on the side surface of the vehicle body 11. Due to the hydraulic extension and contraction of lift cylinder 16, blade 12 moves in the vertical direction (lift operation).

[0024] The vehicle body 11 is supported by a traveling device 13 so as to be able to travel. The traveling device 13 has a pair of crawler - type traveling bodies separated in the left - right direction. The vehicle body 11 is arranged between the pair of left - right crawler - type traveling bodies. Each of the left - right crawler - type traveling bodies has a drive wheel (sprocket) 13a, an idler wheel (idler) 13b, a crawler 13c, and a track frame 13d.

[0025] The drive wheels 13a and track frame 13d are attached to the sides of the vehicle body 11. The drive wheels 13a are rotatably positioned behind the track frame 13d. The idler wheels 13b are attached to the track frame 13d. The idler wheels 13b are rotatably positioned, for example, at the front end of the track frame 13d.

[0026] The track 13c is configured in an annular (endless) shape and is wrapped around the drive wheel 13a and the idler wheel 13b. The track 13c is engaged with the drive wheel 13a and is configured to rotate as a result of the rotational drive of the drive wheel 13a. As the track 13c rotates, the idler wheel 13b engages with the track 13c and is able to rotate in a driven manner.

[0027] A hydraulic motor 23, which is part of the HST (Hydraulic Static Transmission) circuit, is connected to the drive wheel 13a. The hydraulic pump 22, which is part of the HST circuit, is located in the engine compartment 19. The charge pump 24, which supplies hydraulic fluid to the parking brake circuit, is also located in the engine compartment 19.

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic shape of the cab 18 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the cab 18, when viewed from above, has a roughly hexagonal shape. In a plan view, the cab 18 is formed with a roughly rectangular shape in which two vertices are chamfered. These pair of chamfered surfaces and the plane sandwiched between them constitute the front part of the cab 18. Each of the pair of chamfered surfaces is inclined so as it moves away from the plane sandwiched between them, it moves towards the rear.

[0029] The cab 18 has a front window W1, a right window W2, and a left window W3. The front window W1, the right window W2, and the left window W3 are made of transparent material such as glass so that the driver riding in the cab 18 can see the area in front of the cab 18.

[0030] The front window W1 is located in the center of the front of the cab 18. The right window W2 is located on the right side of the front of the cab 18. The right window W2 is angled diagonally to the right and rear relative to the front window W1. The left window W3 is located on the left side of the front of the cab 18. The left window W3 is angled diagonally to the left and rear relative to the front window W1. The front window W1 is positioned between the right window W2 and the left window W3.

[0031] The central portion of the front of the cab 18, where the front window W1 is located, extends in the left-right direction. The right portion of the front of the cab 18, where the right window W2 is located, extends diagonally in the front-rear and left-right directions, moving towards the rear as it approaches the right edge of the cab 18 from the central portion. The left portion of the front of the cab 18, where the left window W3 is located, extends diagonally in the front-rear and left-right directions, moving towards the rear as it approaches the left edge of the cab 18 from the central portion.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the engine hood 20 is located in front of the cab 18. Therefore, the lower edge of the front window W1 is located above the floor of the cab 18. In contrast, the lower edges of the right window W2 and the left window W3 are located near the floor of the cab 18.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing a part of the interior configuration of the cab 18 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the cab 18 has a driver's seat 31 where the operator who operates the bulldozer 10 sits. The cab 18 has a roof section that covers the driver's seat 31 and a number of pillars that support the roof section. Each pillar extends along the vertical direction (Z direction) and is connected to the floor and roof section of the cab 18.

[0034] The multiple pillars include a right front pillar 41, a left front pillar 42, a right pillar 43, a left pillar 44, a right rear pillar 45, and a left rear pillar 46. The right front pillar 41 and the left front pillar 42 are located on the right and left sides of the front window W1, respectively. The right pillar 43 and the left pillar 44 are located in front of the driver's seat 31 in the front-to-back direction (X direction). The right rear pillar 45 and the left rear pillar 46 are located behind the driver's seat 31 in the front-to-back direction (X direction).

[0035] The right front pillar 41, the right pillar 43, and the right rear pillar 45 are positioned to the right of the driver's seat 31 in the left-right direction (Y direction). The left front pillar 42, the left pillar 44, and the left rear pillar 46 are positioned to the left of the driver's seat 31 in the left-right direction (Y direction).

[0036] The driver's seat 31 is located approximately in the center of the cab 18. The driver's seat 31 has a seat, a backrest, and a headrest. The operator sitting in the cab 18 sits in the seat. Side supports that protrude forward are provided at the left and right ends of the backrest. The headrest is attached to the upper end of the backrest.

[0037] The upper surface of the seat is referred to as the seat surface 31A. The driver's seat 31 has a seat surface 31A. The seat surface center 31C is the center point of the seat surface 31A. The seat surface center 31C is the intersection of a line that bisects the seat surface 31A in the front-to-back direction (X direction) and a line that bisects the seat surface 31A in the left-to-right direction (Y direction). The right pillar 43 and the left pillar 44 are positioned in front of the seat surface center 31C. Referring also to Figure 2, the right pillar 43 is positioned behind the right window W2, and the left pillar 44 is positioned behind the left window W3.

[0038] A left console 32 is located to the left of the driver's seat 31 inside the cab 18. The left console 32 is equipped with a steering control lever 35 for steering the bulldozer 10. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can operate the steering control lever 35 with their left hand. The steering control lever 35 is located on the front side of the left console 32. The rear side of the left console 32 is provided as a left armrest 34.

[0039] A right console 33 is located to the right of the driver's seat 31 inside the cab 18. The right console 33 is equipped with a work implement control lever 39 for operating the blade 12. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can operate the work implement control lever 39 with their right hand. The work implement control lever 39 is located on the front side of the right console 33. The rear side of the right console 33 is provided as a right armrest 38.

[0040] The dashboard 36 is located in front of the driver's seat 31 inside the cab 18. The dashboard 36 is positioned in front of the right pillar 43 and the left pillar 44 in the front-rear direction, and between the right front pillar 41 and the left front pillar 42 in the left-right direction. The dashboard 36 is positioned to the left of the right pillar 43 and away from the right pillar 43 in the left-right direction. The dashboard 36 is positioned to the right of the left pillar 44 and away from the left pillar 44 in the left-right direction.

[0041] In front of the driver's seat 31 is a deceleration brake pedal 37 for adjusting the speed of the bulldozer 10. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can reduce the speed of the bulldozer 10 by operating the deceleration brake pedal 37 with their foot.

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic view looking forward and downward from the reference eye point EP inside the cab 18. Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing virtual straight lines VL1, VL2, and VL3, which are virtual straight lines connecting the reference eye point EP inside the cab 18 to the structure in front of the cab 18.

[0043] The reference eye point EP refers to a point that represents the position of the driver's (operator's) eyes under normal driving conditions. The reference eye point EP is located 680 mm vertically above the seat index point.

[0044] The seat index point is defined in ISO 5353 as the point at the intersection of the theoretical driver's torso-thigh joint axis and the vertical plane containing the centerline of the seat. The seat index point is the point on the central vertical plane when the device shown in Figure 1 of ISO 5353 is installed on the driver's seat 31 in the prescribed procedure. In this case, for seats with adjustment mechanisms for the front / back, up / down, back of the driver's seat 31, and other adjustments, the adjustment mechanism is set to the design standard position. The front / back, up / down, and back tilt angles of the driver's seat 31 are all set to their central position. Note that the seat index point is fixed to the cab 18 and does not move with the adjustment and / or movement range of the driver's seat 31.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the reference eye point EP is located above the seat surface 31A of the driver's seat 31 (Figure 3). In the front-rear direction, the reference eye point EP is located between the back of the driver's seat 31 and the work equipment operating lever 39. In the height direction, the reference eye point EP is located midway between the ceiling surface of the cab 18 and the upper end of the back of the driver's seat 31. The reference eye point EP is located above the front-side second monitor 60. The reference eye point EP is located behind the front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a display device is provided on the right pillar 43. The display device includes a front-side first monitor 50 and a front-side second monitor 60. The front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 are provided on the right pillar 43. The front-side first monitor 50 is positioned below the front-side second monitor 60. The front-side second monitor 60 is positioned above the front-side first monitor 50.

[0047] The front lateral first monitor 50 and the front lateral second monitor 60 are arranged adjacent to each other vertically. The upper edge of the front lateral first monitor 50 and the lower edge of the front lateral second monitor 60 may be in contact with each other. The front lateral first monitor 50 and the front lateral second monitor 60 may be fixed integrally. A small gap may be formed between the upper edge of the front lateral first monitor 50 and the lower edge of the front lateral second monitor 60, and the front lateral first monitor 50 and the front lateral second monitor 60 may be arranged adjacent to each other with the gap in between. In any case, the arrangement in which the front lateral first monitor 50 and the front lateral second monitor 60 are adjacent to each other vertically is included.

[0048] The front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 each have a display screen and a bezel, which is a frame surrounding the display screen. The display screen (first screen) of the front-side first monitor 50 and the display screen (second screen) of the front-side second monitor 60 are arranged adjacent to each other vertically, with at least a bezel in between. The display screen (second screen) of the front-side second monitor 60 is arranged above the display screen (first screen) of the front-side first monitor 50 and adjacent to the display screen (first screen) of the front-side first monitor 50. If a gap is formed between the front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60, the width of the gap may be smaller than the width of the bezel of the front-side first monitor 50 and / or the front-side second monitor 60.

[0049] In the height direction, the display screen of the front-side first monitor 50 and the upper edge of the back of the driver's seat 31 are in overlapping positions. The display screen of the front-side first monitor 50 is located above the top surface of the right console 33, at a position 1.5 times the maximum height to which the work equipment operating lever 39 protrudes upward from the top surface of the right console 33.

[0050] The front-side first monitor 50 is a touch-panel monitor. The front-side first monitor 50 is a machine monitor that displays the operating status of the bulldozer 10. The operating status of the bulldozer 10 displayed on the front-side first monitor 50 may include, for example, the coolant temperature of the engine 21, the hydraulic oil temperature, the remaining fuel level, the speed setting, the audio settings, the air conditioning settings, etc. The operator can make various settings by touching the appropriate part of the screen of the front-side first monitor 50.

[0051] The front-side second monitor 60 is a view monitor that displays images of the area around the bulldozer 10. The images displayed on the front-side second monitor 60 are captured by an imaging device. This imaging device may be mounted on the bulldozer 10. The imaging device may include a rear camera that captures images of the area behind the bulldozer 10. The imaging device may be a separate device located outside the bulldozer 10. The imaging device may be mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone. The front-side second monitor 60 may display captured images of the terrain behind the body 11 of the bulldozer 10. If a composite image of the bulldozer 10 and the surrounding terrain viewed from above is created by combining captured images simultaneously taken by multiple imaging devices, that composite image may be displayed on the front-side second monitor 60.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a front monitor 70 is provided on the dashboard 36. The front monitor 70 is located in the center of the front of the cab 18. There is only one monitor on the dashboard 36, the front monitor 70. The front monitor 70 is located below the first front-side monitor 50. In the vertical direction, the monitors are arranged from top to bottom in the order of the second front-side monitor 60, the first front-side monitor 50, and the front monitor 70.

[0053] The forward monitor 70 is an ICT monitor that displays screens related to work using information and communication technology (ICT). The bulldozer 10 moves forward and performs excavation work by pressing the target object with the blade 12. For example, during excavation work, the forward monitor 70 may display the current terrain in front of the bulldozer 10 and display the design terrain superimposed on the current terrain. The operator, who is on board the bulldozer 10 and operates the steering lever 35 for forward movement, can visually check the forward monitor 70 to understand the relationship between the current terrain and the design terrain and recognize how to operate the bulldozer 10.

[0054] The height H1 shown in Figure 4 represents the height of the forward monitor 70 in the operator's field of view as seen from the reference eye point EP. The height H2 represents the height of the blade in the operator's field of view as seen from the reference eye point EP. The height H1 of the forward monitor 70 as seen from the reference eye point EP is more than half the height H2 of the blade 12 as seen from the reference eye point EP.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can visually see the right end 123 of the blade 12 through the right window W2. In particular, the operator can visually see the right end 125 of the cutting edge of the blade 12 through the right window W2.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can visually see the left end 124 of the blade 12 through the left window W3. In particular, the operator can visually see the left end 126 of the cutting edge of the blade 12 through the left window W3.

[0057] The virtual straight line VL1 shown in Figure 5 is a virtual straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the upper end 121 of the blade 12 when the lower end 122 of the blade 12 is in contact with the ground G, when viewed from the side of the bulldozer 10. The virtual straight line VL2 is a virtual straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the upper surface of the engine hood 20 when viewed from the side of the bulldozer 10. The virtual straight line VL3 is a virtual straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the lower end 122 of the blade 12 when the lower end 122 of the blade 12 is in contact with the ground G, when viewed from the side of the bulldozer 10.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, the entire front monitor 70 is positioned below the virtual line VL1. The upper end of the front monitor 70 is positioned below the virtual line VL1. The entire front monitor 70 is positioned above the virtual line VL3. The lower end of the front monitor 70 is positioned above the virtual line VL3. The upper surface of the engine hood 20 is positioned below the virtual line VL1. The upper end 121 of the blade 12 is positioned above the virtual line VL2. The entire front monitor 70 is positioned below the virtual line VL2. The upper end of the front monitor 70 is positioned below the virtual line VL2. The front monitor 70 and the engine hood 20 are positioned so as not to interfere with the forward view from the reference eye point EP when viewing the upper end 121 of the blade 12.

[0059] As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can visually see the central part of the upper end 121 of the blade 12 through the front window W1. In the forward view from the reference eye point EP, the central part of the upper end 121 of the blade 12 is located above the front monitor 70. In the forward view from the reference eye point EP, the right end 125 of the blade 12, which is the lower right end of the blade 12, is located to the lower right of the front monitor 70, and the left end 126 of the blade 12, which is the lower left end of the blade 12, is located to the lower left of the front monitor 70. In the forward view from the reference eye point EP, the central part of the front monitor 70 is located near the center of the triangle formed by the central part of the upper end 121 of the blade 12, the right end 125 of the blade 12, and the left end 126 of the blade 12 (for example, the centroid of the triangle).

[0060] <Mechanism of Action and Effects> Although some of the above description overlaps with the above explanation, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment and the effects of the embodiment are summarized as follows.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4, the cab 18 is equipped with a display device located on the right pillar 43. The display device includes a front-side first monitor 50 and a front-side second monitor 60.

[0062] Since the front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 are positioned adjacent to each other vertically, the amount of eye movement required from an operator viewing one monitor to viewing the other can be reduced. It is also possible for the operator to view both the front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 simultaneously. The operator can obtain more information from the display screens of both monitors. This improves work efficiency.

[0063] The front-side second monitor 60 is positioned above the front-side first monitor 50 and may display images of the area around the bulldozer 10. The front-side second monitor 60, which displays images of the area around the bulldozer 10, is positioned above and closer to the reference eye point EP. The operator can easily view the images displayed on the front-side second monitor 60, allowing them to more accurately grasp the situation around the bulldozer 10 and more reliably recognize any obstacles present around the bulldozer 10.

[0064] When the bulldozer 10 is moving in reverse, the operator either turns their face backward to visually check the area behind the bulldozer 10, or turns their face diagonally forward to the right to view the image of the area behind the bulldozer 10 displayed on the front-side second monitor 60. The front-side second monitor 60, which displays images of the area around the bulldozer 10, is located on the right pillar 43, behind the right window W2. This reduces the amount of eye movement the operator has to make when shifting their gaze from either the area behind the bulldozer 10 or the front-side second monitor 60 to the other.

[0065] The front-side first monitor 50 is positioned below the front-side second monitor 60 and may display the operating status of the bulldozer 10. The operating status of the bulldozer 10, such as the engine 21 coolant temperature, hydraulic oil temperature, and fuel level, does not need to be constantly checked in order to perform the work. By positioning the front-side first monitor 50, which displays information that the operator checks less frequently, below the front-side second monitor 60, the front-side second monitor 60 can be positioned more reliably closer to the reference eye point EP.

[0066] The front-side first monitor 50 may be a touch panel type monitor. By installing the front-side first monitor 50, which is operated by the operator, on the right pillar 43 and positioning it lower than the front-side second monitor 60, the front-side first monitor 50 is positioned within easy reach of the operator. The operator can easily operate the front-side first monitor 50, improving operability.

[0067] By positioning the front-side first monitor 50 within the operator's reach and the front-side second monitor 60 adjacent to the front-side first monitor 50, it becomes possible to position the front-side second monitor 60 lower than the reference eye point EP. When the bulldozer 10 is moving in reverse, the operator can visually check the area behind the bulldozer 10 or view the image of the area around the bulldozer 10 displayed on the front-side second monitor 60. By turning their head while looking downwards, the operator can shift their gaze from the area behind the bulldozer 10 and the front-side second monitor 60 to the other. Since the operator does not need to move their gaze up and down, the amount of eye movement required from the operator can be reduced.

[0068] The cab 18 may further include a forward monitor 70 located in the center of the front of the cab 18. The operator riding in the cab 18 can see the right end 125 of the blade 12 through the right window W2 and the left end 126 of the blade 12 through the left window W3. The operator can see the right end 125 and the left end 126 of the blade 12 and the forward monitor 70 with minimal eye movement. When the bulldozer 10 is moving forward and working with the blade 12, the operator can easily see the front of the vehicle body 11 (direction of travel), the area around the blade 12, and the forward monitor 70.

[0069] As shown in Figure 5, the front monitor 70 may be positioned below the front side first monitor 50. The center of the display screen of the front monitor 70 may be positioned below the center of the display screen of the front side first monitor 50. By positioning the front monitor 70 lower, it is possible to prevent the front monitor 70 from obstructing the operator's view when the operator attempts to view the blade 12 through the front window W1.

[0070] It is desirable to minimize the vertical displacement between the front-side first monitor 50 and the front monitor 70. For example, the lower part of the front-side first monitor 50 and the upper part of the front monitor 70 may overlap in the height direction. This arrangement reduces the amount of eye movement required when the operator moves their gaze from one of the front-side first monitor 50 to the other.

[0071] The front monitor 70 may display a screen related to work using information and communication technology. This screen is one that the operator frequently checks during work. By placing the front monitor 70 in the center of the front of the cab 18, the operator can easily view the screen related to work using information and communication technology with minimal eye movement during work.

[0072] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cab 18 has a driver's seat 31 located inside the cab 18 and a forward monitor 70 located in the center of the front of the cab 18. As shown in Figure 5, the reference eye point EP is set as a point that represents the position of the driver's eyes in normal driving conditions. The virtual straight line VL1 is a straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the upper end 121 of the blade 12 when the lower end 122 of the blade 12 is in contact with the ground G. The forward monitor 70 is positioned below the virtual straight line VL1.

[0073] By positioning the forward monitor 70 below the virtual straight line VL1, it is possible to prevent the forward monitor 70 from obstructing the operator's view when the operator is trying to see the upper end 121 of the blade 12.

[0074] Furthermore, the operator can see the right end 125 and the left end 126 of the blade 12, as well as the front monitor 70, with minimal eye movement. When the bulldozer 10 is moving forward and working with the blade 12, the operator can easily see the front of the vehicle body 11 (direction of travel), the area around the blade 12, and the front monitor 70.

[0075] The virtual straight line VL3 is a straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the lower end 122 of the blade 12 when the lower end 122 of the blade 12 is in contact with the ground G. By positioning the forward monitor 70 above the virtual straight line VL3, the forward monitor 70 visible from the reference eye point EP is positioned within the range between the upper end 121 and the lower end 122 of the blade 12. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can check the information displayed on the forward monitor 70 while keeping the upper end 121 and the lower end 122 of the blade 12 in their field of view. During excavation work, the operator can check the amount of soil spillage from the upper end 121, the right end 125, or the left end 126 of the blade 12, and the information displayed on the forward monitor 70 with minimal eye movement.

[0076] The upper surface of the engine hood 20 may be positioned below the virtual straight line VL1. This helps to prevent the engine hood 20 from obstructing the operator's view when the operator attempts to view the upper end 121 of the blade 12.

[0077] The virtual straight line VL2 is a straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the upper surface of the engine hood 20. The upper end 121 of the blade 12 may be positioned above the virtual straight line VL2, and the forward monitor 70 may be positioned below it. This ensures that the forward monitor 70 or the engine hood 20 does not obstruct the operator's view when the operator attempts to view the upper end 121 of the blade 12.

[0078] The upper surface of the engine hood 20 may be sloped downwards as it extends forward. The direction of the operator's line of sight when they are in the cab 18 and looking forward and downward of the bulldozer 10 will be more parallel to the direction in which the upper surface of the engine hood 20 extends. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the engine hood 20 from interfering with the operator's field of view when they are trying to view the blade 12.

[0079] In the forward field of view from the reference eye point EP, the center of the upper end 121 of the blade 12 may be located above the forward monitor 70, the right end 125 of the blade tip 12 may be located to the lower right of the forward monitor 70, and the left end 126 of the blade tip 12 may be located to the lower left of the forward monitor 70. With this arrangement, the operator can view the right end 125 or the left end 126 of the blade tip 12 and the forward monitor 70 with minimal eye movement.

[0080] The height H1 of the front monitor 70 visible from the reference eye point EP may be more than half the height H2 of the blade 12 visible from the reference eye point EP. By making the screen of the front monitor 70 visible from the reference eye point EP larger so that it fits between the upper end 121 and the lower end 122 of the blade 12, the information displayed on the front monitor 70 becomes easier to see.

[0081] In the above description of embodiments, an example was described in which the display device provided on the right pillar 43 includes two monitors: a front-side first monitor 50 and a front-side second monitor 60. The display device provided on the right pillar 43 may have only one monitor. The display screen of that one monitor may be divided vertically, with the lower divided screen configured as a first screen displaying the operating status of the bulldozer 10, and the upper divided screen configured as a second screen displaying images of the area around the bulldozer 10. Therefore, the first screen and the second screen may be arranged adjacent to each other with the monitor bezel and the gap between the two monitors, or they may be arranged directly adjacent to each other without the bezel.

[0082] The display device is not limited to the right pillar 43, but may also be provided on the left pillar 44. If two monitors (a first front-side monitor 50 and a second front-side monitor 60 in this embodiment) are provided on either the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44, both of these monitors may be provided adjacent to each other vertically on either the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44. In this case, no monitor is provided on the other of the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44.

[0083] If the midline dividing the driver's seat 31 into two equal parts extends at an angle relative to the front-to-back direction, the placement of the display device on either the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44 may be determined according to the angle of the midline. For example, if the midline of the driver's seat 31 slopes to the right as it moves forward, the display device can be placed on the right pillar 43. In this case, the amount of eye movement required by the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 when checking behind or looking at the display device while reversing can be reduced.

[0084] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the cab 18 is equipped with three monitors: a front-side first monitor 50, a front-side second monitor 60, and a front monitor 70. The cab 18 does not necessarily have to be equipped with three monitors. For example, if it is not planned to perform information-based construction using the bulldozer 10, the cab 18 does not need to be equipped with a front monitor 70. In this case, instead of the front monitor 70, a storage compartment capable of storing items may be provided on the dashboard 36 in the center of the front of the cab 18.

[0085] In this embodiment, an example in which the cab 18 is mounted on a bulldozer 10 has been described. The cab 18 in this embodiment may be mounted on other work machines such as a motor grader, in addition to the bulldozer 10.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 10 Bulldozer, 11 Body, 12 Blade, 18 Cab, 19 Engine compartment, 20 Engine hood, 21 Engine, 31 Driver's seat, 31A Seat cushion, 31C Seat cushion center, 33 Right console, 36 Dashboard, 39 Implement control lever, 41 Right front pillar, 42 Left front pillar, 43 Right pillar, 44 Left pillar, 45 Right rear pillar, 46 Left rear pillar, 50 Front side monitor 1, 60 Front side monitor 2, 70 Front monitor, 121 Top edge, 122 Bottom edge, 123 Right edge, 124 Left edge, 125 Right edge of blade tip, 126 Left edge of blade tip, EP Reference eye point, G Ground, VL1, VL2, VL3 Virtual straight line, W1 Front window, W2 Right window, W3 Left window.

Claims

1. It is the cab of a work machine, A driver's seat having a seat surface is located inside the aforementioned cab, The front window located in the center of the front part of the aforementioned cab, A right window is provided to the right rear of the aforementioned front window, A left window is provided to the left rear of the aforementioned front window, The right pillar is positioned behind the aforementioned right window and in front of the center of the aforementioned seat cushion, The left pillar is positioned behind the left window and in front of the center of the seat cushion, A cab comprising a first front-side monitor and a second front-side monitor, which are vertically adjacent to each other and located on either the right pillar or the left pillar.

2. The cab according to claim 1, wherein the front-side second monitor is positioned above the front-side first monitor and displays an image of the area around the work machine.

3. The cab according to claim 1, wherein the front-side first monitor is positioned below the front-side second monitor and displays the operating status of the work machine.

4. The cab according to claim 1, wherein the front side first monitor is positioned below the front side second monitor and is a touch panel type monitor.

5. The cab according to claim 1, further comprising a front monitor provided in the center of the front of the cab.

6. The aforementioned front-side first monitor is positioned below the aforementioned front-side second monitor. The cab according to claim 5, wherein the forward monitor is positioned below the first front side monitor.

7. The cab according to claim 5, wherein the forward monitor displays a screen related to work using information and communication technology.

8. It is the cab of a work machine, A driver's seat having a seat surface is located inside the aforementioned cab, The front window located in the center of the front part of the aforementioned cab, A right window is provided to the right rear of the aforementioned front window, A left window is provided to the left rear of the aforementioned front window, The right pillar is positioned behind the aforementioned right window and in front of the center of the aforementioned seat cushion, The left pillar is positioned behind the left window and in front of the center of the seat cushion, The system includes a display device provided on either the right pillar or the left pillar, The display device has a first screen for displaying the operating status of the work machine, and a second screen positioned above and adjacent to the first screen for displaying an image of the area around the work machine.

9. The cab according to claim 8, wherein the first screen is a touch panel type screen.

10. The car body and, The cab mounted on the aforementioned vehicle body, The vehicle body is mounted on the front and comprises a blade having an upper end and a lower end, The cab has a driver's seat located inside the cab and a forward monitor provided in the center of the front of the cab. A work machine in which the forward monitor is positioned below a straight line connecting a reference eye point, which is set as a point representing the position of the driver's eyes in normal operating conditions, and the upper end of the blade when the lower end of the blade is in contact with the ground, and above a straight line connecting the reference eye point and the lower end of the blade when the lower end of the blade is in contact with the ground.

11. The engine is located in front of the aforementioned carburetor, The engine further comprises an engine hood that covers the engine, The work machine according to claim 10, wherein the upper surface of the engine hood is positioned below a straight line connecting the reference eye point and the upper end when the lower end is in contact with the ground.

12. The work machine according to claim 11, wherein the upper end of the blade is positioned above the straight line connecting the reference eye point and the upper surface of the engine hood, and the front monitor is positioned below it.

13. The work machine according to claim 11, wherein the upper surface of the engine hood is inclined downward as it extends forward.

14. The work machine according to claim 10, wherein, in the forward field of view from the reference eye point, the central part of the upper end of the blade is located above the forward monitor, the lower right end of the blade is located below and to the right of the forward monitor, and the lower left end of the blade is located below and to the left of the forward monitor.

15. The work machine according to claim 10, wherein the height of the forward monitor visible from the reference eye point is more than half the height of the blade visible from the reference eye point.

16. The work machine according to claim 10, wherein the front monitor displays a screen related to work using information and communication technology.

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