Cab for work vehicle and work vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cabs for work vehicles with air-conditioning units face a challenge in improving the operator's visibility of the outside environment, which is hindered by the placement and design of air-conditioning units and other components.

Innovation Solution

The cab design features an air-conditioning unit positioned in front of the operator seat, with a front wall comprising left and right front sidewalls that include upper and lower windows, allowing unobstructed views of the outside from the inside, including lateral and oblique perspectives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air-conditioning unit is arranged under the front console box, then the operator seat can be slid to a greater extent, but the operator's visibility of the outside is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator seat sliding rangeVSAvoidoperator's visibility of outside
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The front sidewall is divided into multiple sections with different window configurations. The upper portion contains an upper window while the lower portion contains a lower window, allowing the air-conditioning unit to be positioned in the lower front sidewall without completely blocking the operator's view. This segmentation enables both the air-conditioning unit placement and adequate visibility through the distributed window openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The window arrangement transitions from a single large window to multiple windows distributed across different vertical levels (upper and lower windows). This dimensional redistribution of window space allows the air-conditioning unit to occupy the lower front sidewall area while upper windows maintain visibility, effectively resolving the conflict between equipment placement and viewing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the air-conditioning unit is positioned to provide appropriate pressure to prevent dust entry, then the indoor space is protected, but the design complexity of the cab increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust prevention capabilityVSAvoidcab design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air-conditioning unit serves multiple functions: it provides climate control for the operator and simultaneously generates appropriate pressure differential to prevent dust particle infiltration. By integrating the dust prevention function into the existing air-conditioning system rather than adding a separate pressure control system, the design achieves enhanced reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3550082B1Cab for work vehicle and work vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP3550082B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3550082B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3550082B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An operator seat (14) is arranged in a cab (10). An air-conditioning unit (12) is arranged in front of the operator seat (14). A lower window (5L) through which the outside can be seen from the inside of the cab (10) is arranged in front of the operator seat (14) and laterally to the air-conditioning unit (12).