Construction Machine Cab Joint Structure Reducing Component Count
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cabs for construction machines require additional components like coupling members at joint sections between pillar and beam members, increasing the number of components and costs, while seeking to enhance strength and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A cab design featuring a pillar member with a cutout portion and a protruding portion on its upper end, where the beam member overlaps the cutout and abuts the protruding portion, allowing for a rigid joint without additional components, and optionally incorporating a transverse bar member for further reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of pipe materials is increased to enhance strength, then the strength of the pillar member is improved, but the material cost and processing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar member is segmented into different thickness regions: a first thickness in the main body and a second, smaller thickness at the upper end. This segmentation allows the structure to have sufficient strength where needed while reducing material usage and cost in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar member exhibits local quality variation with different wall thicknesses at different locations. The upper end has a reduced thickness compared to the main body, optimizing the distribution of material strength to match the actual stress requirements at each location.
2Reliability
If a coupling member is disposed at the joint section to assist joining, then the joining between pillar member and beam member is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joining function is merged into the pillar member itself through the protruding portion that extends into the cutout portion. This eliminates the need for separate coupling members while maintaining reliable joining between the pillar member and beam member.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar member provides its own joining mechanism through the protruding portion that fits into the cutout portion of the beam member. The structure is self-sufficient for joining purposes without requiring external coupling components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the thickness of pipe materials is increased to enhance strength, then the rigidity of the cab is improved, but the weight of the cab increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar member is segmented into different thickness regions, with the upper end having a reduced thickness compared to the main body. This segmentation maintains rigidity in the main body while reducing weight in the upper section where less structural support is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness parameter of the pipe material is changed along the length of the pillar member, transitioning from a first thickness in the main body to a second, smaller thickness at the upper end. This parameter variation optimizes the balance between rigidity and weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A cab for a construction machine includes a pillar member and a beam member. The pillar member is disposed generally along a vertical direction, and includes a cutout portion and a protruding portion. The cutout portion is formed on an upper end thereof. The protruding portion is formed on the upper end on an inner side of the cutout portion with respect to a widthwise direction of the cab. The beam member is disposed generally along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The beam member is joined to the pillar member with the beam member partially overlapping the cutout portion on the upper end of the pillar member in a plan view, and a lateral surface of the beam member abutting against the protruding portion.