Construction machine equipped with stairs for boarding and alighting, method for installing stairs for boarding and alighting on construction machine, and method for controlling operation of stairs for boarding and alighting provided on construction machine

A retractable staircase system on construction machines addresses access challenges by inclining towards the ground for safe cab entry, ensuring operational safety and space efficiency.

JP7621169B2Active Publication Date: 2025-01-24MOUNTAIN SAKI CONSTR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021071418
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-04-20
Publication Date
2025-01-24
Estimated Expiration
2041-04-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Construction machines face difficulties in safe access to the driver's cab due to uneven terrain and aging workforce, with existing solutions like steps or ladders interfering with operation or having space constraints.

Method used

A motor-driven, retractable staircase system that inclines towards the ground before operation, allowing safe access to the cab without interfering with the machine's operation, and can be controlled to retract when not in use.

Benefits of technology

Enables safe and efficient access to the driver's cab without obstructing the machine's operation, accommodating uneven terrain and aging workers, with motor control ensuring safety and space efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To enable secure access to an operation chamber or a control chamber of a construction machine without hindering its operation and work.SOLUTION: A staircase 50 for getting on / off is provided near an operation chamber 20 of a carrier dump truck 10 in an axially rotatable manner, and is arranged in a state of inclined in a machine front direction around a crawler 40 in a state of operation start (before starting).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to construction machinery, and more particularly to a device for enabling an operator to ascend and descend to a driver's cab or a pilot's compartment of a self-propelled construction machinery (vehicle-mounted construction machinery). [Background technology]

[0002] Self-propelled construction machinery such as bulldozers, scrapers, and dump trucks are equipped with wheeled or crawler-type running bodies, and the upper structure is equipped with working equipment for loading, excavating, transporting, etc., and a driver's cab (or pilot's cab).

[0003] Construction machinery has a wide range of specifications (size, weight) depending on the environment and purpose of use, but the driver's cab and control room are installed at a relatively high position because they are intended to perform special tasks at construction sites. Therefore, lifting devices are provided as necessary to make it easier for workers to access the driver's cab, etc.

[0004] For example, steps to serve as footstools are provided near the driver's cab or on the side of the traveling body (see Patent Document 1). In addition, in the case of large hydraulic excavators and self-propelled cranes, the traveling gear is higher than the height of the vehicle, so a sliding (telescopic) ladder is attached to the rotating body (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-80 [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-115493 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of construction machinery whose running body is not as tall as the vehicle itself, steps are often provided near the driver's cab or the control room. However, at work sites where mining work or soil transportation are performed, the road surface is not always flat like a public road, and the vehicle may be operated on a rough surface. Therefore, situations where it is difficult to get on and off using the steps can easily arise. In addition, in recent years, with the aging society, the workers at work sites are also getting older, and the burden of getting on and off using the steps is great.

[0007] On the other hand, for relatively small construction machinery, the use of ladders makes it difficult to ascend and descend smoothly. Also, there is limited space available near the upper working equipment, and installing ladders can cause problems such as hindrance to driving, operating, and moving the machinery.

[0008] Therefore, there is a demand for a construction machine equipped with a lifting means that allows safe access to the driver's cab or pilot's compartment without interfering with the operation and work of the construction machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A construction machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a traveling body, a cab or a control room (hereinafter referred to as a cab, etc.) provided on the traveling body, and a boarding staircase having a plurality of steps arranged side by side and enabling access to the cab, etc. The boarding staircase can be arranged around the traveling body with its lower end inclined toward the ground before starting (before the construction machine is in operation). The boarding staircase can be controlled to move to a retreat position where it does not impede travel or work. For example, the boarding staircase can be moved to a height higher than the height of the traveling body.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a method of installing boarding and alighting stairs on a construction machine, in which boarding and alighting stairs consisting of multiple steps arranged in a row, the upper ends of which can be rotated on an axis by motor drive, are attached to a position accessible to a driver's cab or the like provided on the running body, and the upper ends of the boarding and alighting stairs are attached around or in place of the boarding and alighting steps that have been pre-installed near the driver's cab or the like, and the boarding and alighting stairs are positioned around the running body with their lower ends inclined toward the ground.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling the operation of boarding and alighting stairs installed on a construction machine, in which the boarding and alighting stairs, which have multiple steps arranged in a row and allow access to a driver's cab, etc., located on the running body, are positioned around the running body with their lower ends inclined toward the ground before start-up, and a warning is given that the boarding and alighting stairs are not in an evacuation position or operation of the construction machine is disabled until the boarding and alighting stairs move to a evacuation position where they do not hinder travel or work. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, in a construction machine, safe access to the driver's cab or the operator's cabin is possible without interfering with the operation or work of the construction machine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a carrier dump according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of the boarding and disembarking stairs of the carrier dump truck. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the carrier dump truck viewed from the front side near the boarding and disembarking stairs. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic plan view of a carrier dump truck viewed from above in the vicinity of the boarding and disembarking stairs. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a block diagram relating to operation control of the boarding and alighting stairs. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a flow chart relating to the operation control of the boarding and alighting stairs. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a scrape dozer according to a second embodiment, seen from the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, a construction machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a carrier dump truck according to a first embodiment. The carrier dump truck 10 is an off-road vehicle (dump truck) equipped with a crawler-type travelling body 40, and its upper structure 10B is equipped with a prime mover 15, a driver's cab 20, etc. A power transmission device (not shown) that connects with the prime mover 15 is provided between a pair of crawlers 40A, 40B that constitute the travelling body 40. A loading platform 30 for carrying earth and sand is attached to the rear side of the upper structure 10B.

[0016] A door 20F is provided on the left side surface of the cab 20 in the forward direction. A movable boarding staircase 50 is provided on the diagonally forward left side of the cab 20. The boarding staircase 50 is configured as a step-type staircase provided on a path for an operator to access the cab 20.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of the boarding and alighting stairs 50 of the carrier dump 10. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view seen from the front side, and Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view seen from above. The configuration of the boarding and alighting stairs 50 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4.

[0018] The boarding and alighting stairs 50 include plate-like steps 52, 54, 56, both sides of which are supported by U-shaped support members 58. The steps 52, 54, 56 are made of metal plates or the like, and are arranged side by side at equal intervals.

[0019] 2, a step (hereinafter, referred to as an access step) 60 is provided at the upper end side of the boarding / alighting stairs 50, which extends in the front-rear direction adjacent to the cab 20 and forms a path for accessing the cab 20. The access step 60 is installed above a single boarding / alighting step F that is attached to the carrier dump 10 in advance.

[0020] The access step 60 has a flat upper surface 60F and is held by the upper structure 10B. Specifically, the access step 60 is mounted on and fixed to a plate-shaped support member 27 attached to a side surface of the base portion 25 of the upper structure 10B. Meanwhile, recesses 61A, 61B are formed from above at a front end 60T of the access step 60 so as to sandwich the upper ends 58A, 58B of the support member 58.

[0021] The support members 58 of the boarding and alighting stairs 50 are housed in the recesses 61A, 61B, and are attached to the access step 60 so as to be rotatable about the upper ends 58A, 58B of the support members 58 as axes. Through holes are provided in the upper ends 58A, 58B of the support members 58, and the support members 58 are held to the access step 60 by passing bolts 59A, 59B through the outer side surfaces of the recesses 61A, 61B of the access step 60.

[0022] Specifically, a nut or the like (not shown) is screwed onto a bolt 59B at the upper end portion 58B of the support member 58, while the shaft of the motor 90 and the bolt 59A are connected to the end portion 58A of the support member 58 via a connector or the like.

[0023] 2, the boarding / alighting stairs 50 extend from upper ends 58A, 58B to a lower end 58T, bending partway along the way. The section in which the steps 52, 54, 56 are arranged is inclined at an angle θ to the vertical direction. The boarding / alighting stairs 50 are positioned so that the lower end 58T of the boarding / alighting stairs 50 is spaced a predetermined distance h from the lowest position of the crawler 40, i.e., the road surface G.

[0024] The angle θ, height h from the road surface G, number of steps, etc. are determined based on the height H of the crawler 40 of the carrier dump 10, the position of the base portion 25 of the superstructure 10B, etc. so that the worker can easily get in and out of the cab 20. The height h is determined to be a height that allows the worker to easily place his / her foot on the step 52 that serves as the first footstool, and in this case, is determined below the center position of the sprocket of the crawler 40. For example, it can be determined to be in the range of 10 to 50 cm (particularly, around 30 cm).

[0025] On the other hand, the angle θ can be determined as an angle at which a worker can stop at the steps 52, 54, 56 of the boarding and alighting stairs 50 and board and alight without using his or her hands. For example, the angle can be determined within a range of 20° to 60°. However, in this embodiment, a rod-shaped handrail (see FIG. 1) or the like can be inserted into the tube 62, so that a worker can go up and down the boarding and alighting stairs 50 while holding on to it with his or her hands.

[0026] The boarding / alighting stairs 50 can be moved by an upward operation by an operator in the cab 20. The boarding / alighting stairs 50 are pivoted to a top position (hereinafter referred to as the retreated position) along a substantially vertical direction by the drive of a motor 90 (see FIG. 2) and positioned therein. The operator operates the carrier dump 10 with the boarding / alighting stairs 50 in this retreated position. After the operation is completed, the operator lowers the boarding / alighting stairs 50 to rotate on its axis back to its original position (hereinafter referred to as the boarding position).

[0027] 5 is a block diagram relating to the operation control of the boarding / alighting stairs 50. The controller 80 controls the ascending and descending operation of the boarding / alighting stairs 50, and is connected to a main body operation control unit 95 of the carrier dump 10. When the controller 80 detects a signal sent from an operation unit 82 (lever, push button, etc.) for ascending and descending the boarding / alighting stairs 50, it outputs a control signal for driving the motor 90.

[0028] Here, the motor 90 is configured by a motor having an output torque performance corresponding to the minimum torque required to axially rotate the boarding and alighting stairs 50. When a load exceeding a predetermined value (e.g., 10 kg / m) is applied, the motor 90 does not rotate and the boarding and alighting stairs 50 stops. For example, it is possible to apply a motor that drives an automatic opening and closing seat (so-called Coborane (registered trademark)) that is attached to the upper end of the side wall (gate) of the loading platform of a dump truck.

[0029] The limit switch 92 is a switch configured to switch between ON and OFF when the motor 90 moves to the retracted position, and is connected to the controller 80. A buzzer 84 and a warning lamp 86 connected to the controller 80 respectively emit a buzzer sound and flash depending on the position of the boarding and alighting stairs 50. The warning lamp 86 is provided inside the cab 20, but it may also be attached to a pole by inserting a pole into the tube 63 shown in Fig. 3. Also, two warning lamps may be provided.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram relating to the operation control of the boarding and alighting stairs 50. As shown in FIG.

[0031] As described above, before the operator boards the carrier dump 10, the boarding stairs 50 are positioned at the boarding position shown in Figs. 1 to 4. When the operator boards the cab 20 and performs an operation to start the dump truck operation (starting the engine or starting the electrical system-related devices), the operation control of the boarding stairs 50 is started.

[0032] Because the boarding / alighting stairs 50 are in the boarding position, the controller 80 controls the buzzer 84 and the warning lamp 86 to simultaneously emit a buzzer sound and flash the warning lamp 86 (S101). When the worker operates the operation unit 82 to move the boarding / alighting stairs 50 to the retreat position, the controller 80 drives the motor 90 (S102, S103).

[0033] When the boarding / alighting stairs 50 move to the retreat position, the motor 90 stops driving, and the boarding / alighting stairs 50 are stopped at the retreat position. When the boarding / alighting stairs 50 move to the retreat position, the limit switch 92 switches, and the controller 80 stops the operation of the buzzer 84 and the warning lamp 86 (S104). When the worker performs an operation to lower the boarding / alighting stairs 50 by using the operation unit 82 to end the operation or to interrupt or finish the work, the controller 80 drives the motor 90 and moves the boarding / alighting stairs 50 to the boarding position (S106). During this time, it is also possible to simultaneously generate a buzzer sound and turn on the warning lamp 86. After the operation is finished, the controller 80 may automatically move the boarding / alighting stairs 50 to the boarding position.

[0034] Thus, according to this embodiment, the boarding and alighting stairs 50 that can rotate on its axis are provided near the driver's cab 20 of the dump truck 10, and are arranged around the crawler 40 in a state inclined toward the front of the machine before the start of operation (before starting up). Then, after the machine is started up, the boarding and alighting stairs 50 are raised to move out of the vicinity of the traveling body 40.

[0035] The boarding and alighting stairs 50 have the same function as the ladders used on airplanes and ships, and are available only when necessary for boarding and alighting. In addition, by installing them near the boarding and alighting step F that was installed beforehand, workers can access the cab 20 smoothly in a comparatively shortest distance.

[0036] In addition, by adjusting the height h of the lower end 58T of the boarding and alighting stairs 50, the spacing between the steps 52, 54, 56, the number of steps, and the inclination angle θ in accordance with the height H to the superstructure 10B, the stride length when boarding and alighting is not too wide or too narrow, making it easier to board and alight.

[0037] Furthermore, by controlling the movement of the boarding and alighting stairs 50 by driving the motor 90 rather than by manual operation, it is possible to move the boarding and alighting stairs 50 to a position as far away (upward) as possible from around the running body 40, thereby reliably preventing the boarding and alighting stairs 50 from interfering with driving or work.

[0038] The boarding and alighting stairs 50 are positioned so as to incline toward the front side, preventing the need to climb over the side of the crawler 40 to access the stairs. This reduces the risk of contact with the crawler 40. In addition, a lateral space is ensured when stopping and parking, making it easy to line up construction machines side by side.

[0039] On the other hand, the boarding and alighting stairs 50 are arranged to face the crawler 40 (one of the crawlers 40A) so as to be installed as close as possible to the door 20F of the cab 20. This makes it possible to shorten the length of the access path to the cab 20 as much as possible.

[0040] The boarding and alighting stairs 50 are provided with access steps 60 that are supported by the superstructure 10B and extend along the base portion 25 (horizontally), forming an access path between the cab 20 and the steps 56. This allows the worker to easily get into the cab 20, and also allows the worker to safely move to the position of the steps 56 when disembarking.

[0041] The motor 90 is configured to output only the torque required to rotate the boarding stairs 50 upward on its axis, and stops driving if a load exceeding this amount is applied. Therefore, if the boarding stairs 50 come into contact with a worker or the like while rotating, no further force is applied, improving safety. In particular, since the motor for the automatic opening and closing seat described above can be applied, there is no need to prepare a dedicated motor.

[0042] When the worker starts the dump truck 10, a warning sound is generated by the buzzer 84 and a warning lamp 86 flashes to notify the worker that the boarding and alighting stairs 50 have not moved to the retreat position. This makes it possible to prevent the worker from starting driving or working with the boarding and alighting stairs 50 in the boarding position. The main body operation control unit 95 may control the dump truck 10 so that it is unable to be driven until the boarding and alighting stairs 50 move to the retreat position. For example, a function similar to that of a safety lever may be provided to prevent the working device from operating until the boarding and alighting stairs 50 reach the retreat position.

[0043] Next, a second embodiment of the stairs for getting on and off of a construction machine will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In the second embodiment, the stairs for getting on and off are provided on the rear side of the construction machine.

[0044] 7 is a schematic plan view of the scrape dozer according to the second embodiment, seen from the rear side. The scrape dozer 100 has an access path 170 to the operator's cab 120 provided on the upper structure of the crawler 140, provided on the rear side. Then, boarding and alighting stairs 150 having a step structure that can rotate on an axis are installed between the crawlers 140 (140A, 140B). The boarding and alighting stairs 150 are attached to their mounting position after the steps (not shown) have been removed in advance.

[0045] By providing the boarding and alighting stairs 150 in line with the access route 170 to the cab 120, the worker can move smoothly to the cab 120. In addition, since the boarding and alighting stairs 150 are disposed between the crawlers 140 and positioned so as to incline backward, there is no possibility of contact between the crawlers 140 and the boarding and alighting stairs 150, and the boarding and alighting stairs 150 can be driven and controlled safely.

[0046] It is possible to equip or retrofit vehicle-mounted construction machines other than the above-mentioned carrier dump 10 and scrape dozer 100 with boarding and alighting stairs in the same manner. This can be applied to both crawler-type and wheel-type running bodies, and the number of steps, inclination angle, height from the road surface to the bottom end, etc. can be set according to the height of the running body. In the case of wheel-type, the bottom end of the boarding and alighting stairs can be set below the center position of the wheels. It is also possible to apply boarding and alighting stairs to vehicle-mounted construction machines equipped with a driver's cabin in the same manner.

[0047] The retreat position of the boarding and alighting stairs may be determined according to the type of construction machine to which it is attached, and a position below the highest position in the vertical direction may be set as the retreat position. In addition, movement control other than axial rotation, such as sliding movement, may be performed, and the staircase structure may be configured to indicate multiple steps arranged in an array. Furthermore, multiple boarding and alighting stairs may be provided for a construction machine. For example, boarding and alighting stairs can be installed for a construction machine that allows access to the cab from the platform indicated by symbol N in FIG. 1. The boarding and alighting stairs may be installed in the access route to the cab or the control room. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10. Carrier dump (construction machinery) 10B Superstructure 20 Cab 30 Cargo Bed 40 Crawler (running body) 50 Boarding and alighting stairs 60 Access Steps 90 Motor 100 Scraper Dozer (Construction Machinery) F. Steps for boarding and alighting

Claims

1. A running body, A cab or a steering room (hereinafter referred to as a cab or the like) provided on the running body; A boarding and alighting staircase having a plurality of steps arranged side by side to enable access to the cab, etc.; The boarding and alighting stairs can be arranged around the running body with a lower end facing the ground and inclined forward before starting, The boarding and alighting stairs can be controlled to move to a retreat position where they do not interfere with travel or work, The vehicle is supported by a base portion of the upper structure of the vehicle body, and a front end portion of the access step protrudes forward from the driver's cab or the like to form a path to the driver's cab or the like; A construction machine characterized in that the boarding and alighting stairs are attached to a front end portion of the access step.

2. 2. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the boarding and alighting stairs extend in a bent manner from the middle.

3. The construction machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the boarding and alighting stairs are arranged in a position facing the wheels or crawlers of the running body along the fore-and-aft direction of the construction machine, or between the wheels or crawlers along the width direction of the construction machine.

4. A construction machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the access step is provided with a tube into which a rod-shaped handrail can be inserted.

5. A running body, A cab or a steering room (hereinafter referred to as a cab or the like) provided on the running body; A boarding and alighting staircase having a plurality of steps arranged side by side to enable access to the cab, etc.; The boarding and alighting stairs can be arranged around the traveling body with a lower end thereof inclined toward the ground before starting, The boarding and alighting stairs can be controlled to move to a retreat position where they do not interfere with travel or work, The boarding and alighting stairs are rotatable around an axis near the top end thereof, and are driven by a motor having an output torque performance equivalent to the minimum torque required for the axis rotation; A construction machine characterized in that the motor is a motor that drives an automatic opening and closing seat attached to an upper end of a side wall of a loading platform of a dump truck.

6. 6. A construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the boarding and alighting stairs are attached around a boarding and alighting step that has been installed in advance near the driver's cab or the like.

7. A method for installing a staircase for boarding and alighting on a construction machine, the method comprising: mounting a staircase for boarding and alighting, the staircase having a plurality of steps arranged side by side and an upper end of which can be rotated around an axis by driving a motor, at a position accessible to a cab or a control room (hereinafter referred to as a cab, etc.) provided on a running body; An access step forming a path to the cab or the like is fixed to a base portion of the upper structure of the traveling body so that a front end portion of the access step protrudes forward from the cab or the like; The upper end side of the boarding / alighting stairs is attached to the front end side of the access step, A method for installing boarding and alighting stairs on a construction machine, characterized in that the boarding and alighting stairs are arranged around the running body with their lower ends inclined forward toward the ground.

8. A method for controlling the operation of a boarding and alighting staircase installed in a construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: A method for controlling the operation of boarding and alighting stairs provided on a construction machine, characterized by notifying that the position of the boarding and alighting stairs is not in an evacuation position or disabling the operation of the construction machine until the boarding and alighting stairs move to a evacuation position where they do not hinder travel or work.

Citation Information

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