Cab for a construction machine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of construction machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face difficulties in visually confirming and operating portable communication terminals due to their placement, especially when the operation seat is adjusted, which can obstruct the forward visual field and make it hard to notice incoming calls in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
A cab design with a portable communication terminal holding portion integrated into the control box on the lateral side of the operation seat, using the operation lever as a reference to maintain a consistent position, allowing easy access and visibility of the terminal without obstructing the forward visual field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the portable communication terminal is placed in a pocket or clothing worn by the operator, then the operator can carry the terminal conveniently, but the operator cannot easily visually confirm or operate the terminal during work, especially in noisy and vibrating environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable communication terminal holding section as an intermediary device mounted on the cab interior. This holding section serves as a mediator between the operator and the portable communication terminal, providing a stable placement position that allows easy visual confirmation and operation while the operator works in noisy and vibrating environments. The holding section includes a support surface and positioning structures that securely hold the terminal in an accessible location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cab interior into functional zones by adding a dedicated holding section for the portable communication terminal. This segmentation separates the terminal storage function from the operator's clothing or other locations, creating a specialized area optimized for terminal visibility and operation without interfering with the operator's movement or the machine operations.
2Ease of operation
If a portable information placement table is installed in the front side of the operation seat, then the portable terminal can be placed on it, but the adjustable position of the operation seat in the front-rear direction varies the relative positional relationship, making visual confirmation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the portable communication terminal holding function with the existing control box structure in the cab. By integrating the holding section into the control box or mounting it on the control box, the system combines two functions (control operations and terminal holding) into a single integrated unit. This ensures that the terminal holding position remains fixed relative to the cab structure, maintaining adaptability to seat position adjustments while providing easy terminal access.
Solution Approach 2:
The control box structure serves multiple functions: it houses the operation levers for machine control and simultaneously provides a mounting location for the portable communication terminal holding section. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to support both operational controls and communication devices, ensuring consistent terminal positioning regardless of seat adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If the portable communication terminal is held at a position that allows easy visual confirmation, then the operator can easily operate the terminal, but the terminal may obstruct the forward visual field of the operation seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the portable communication terminal holding section in a specific location within the cab interior that optimizes visual access while minimizing visual field obstruction. The holding section is placed on the lateral side of the operation seat at a height and angle that allows the operator to view the terminal screen and operate it easily without blocking the forward view through the cab windows. This localized positioning ensures that the terminal is accessible when needed but does not interfere with the operator's primary visual field for machine operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a cab (7) of a construction machine, enabling an operator sitting on an operation seat to easily perform visual confirmation and operation of a portable communication terminal. The cab (7) includes a floor plate (10), an operation seat (18) positionally adjustable in the front-rear direction to the floor plate (10), and a control box (20B) disposed sideward of the operation seat (18). The control box (20B) includes a box body (24), and an operation lever (22) protruding upward beyond the upper surface of a front part of the box body (24) to receive an operation by the operator sitting on the operation seat (18). The box body (24) includes a portable communication terminal holding portion (30) that receives insertion of a portable communication terminal at a position frontward of the operation lever (22) and holds the inserted portable communication terminal while exposing at least a part of the portable communication terminal above the box body (24).