Adjustable Cab Roof Extension for Soil Working Machine Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-propelled soil tillage machines lack the ability to individually customize the operator's working area, with roofs that either obstruct visibility or fail to provide adequate protection from environmental elements, limiting operational flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A roof structure for self-propelled soil tillage machines that can vary in length along the machine's longitudinal direction, allowing for adjustable roof area to accommodate the operator's needs, with components like flexible materials, guide components, and support devices to ensure stability and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the roof area is increased to provide protection from environmental elements, then operator protection is improved, but visibility and machine maneuverability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental elementsVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamically adjustable roof structure that can change its longitudinal extension between a retracted position (improving visibility and maneuverability) and an extended position (providing protection from environmental elements). The roof is connected to the machine body via a lifting device that enables it to assume different positions along a lifting path, allowing the operator to adapt the roof coverage to specific working conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the roof area is increased to provide full coverage, then operator protection is improved, but machine maneuverability and operational flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator protectionVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The roof structure is designed as a movable component that can be positioned at different locations along its lifting path, enabling the machine to adapt to various operational requirements. The lifting device allows the roof to be raised to different heights and extended to different longitudinal positions, providing operational flexibility while maintaining protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the roof structure is made rigid for stability, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability and visibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidroof area adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The roof structure is divided into separate functional components: a rigid roof shell providing structural strength and protection, and a movable support/lifting mechanism enabling position adjustment. This segmentation allows the rigid roof to maintain its strength while the overall system achieves adaptability through the movable connection to the machine body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4265844B1Self-propelled soil working machine with a roof that can be varied in length direction of the machine
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 WIRTGEN GMBH
  • EP4265844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4265844B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4265844B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a self-propelled soil cultivation machine (10) for removing material and/or changing the soil density and/or changing the soil surface (AO) and/or adding material to a soil area (U), wherein the soil cultivation machine (10) comprises: - a machine frame (12), - a chassis (22) supporting the machine frame (12), - a working device (32) for soil cultivation, - a power source (39) for supplying power to at least one functional assembly comprising the working device (32) and a drive system, wherein the soil cultivation machine (10) has a driver's cab (24) with a roof (44) having a variable roof surface (54). According to the invention, the roof surface (54) is variable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the machine.