Cabin Front Window Structure for Full Opening and Head Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In working machines, the upper and lower window portions of the cabin's front window are designed to open, but this configuration reduces head clearance due to the need for space to accommodate the open windows and their components.

Innovation Solution

The cabin design includes a front window that is vertically divided into an upper and lower portion, where the lower window portion is detachably coupled to the window frame and includes a lock mechanism to secure it in place, allowing for full opening of the front window without reducing head clearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lower window portion is configured to open toward the ceiling portion along the rail portion similarly to the upper window portion, then the front window can be fully openable, but the head clearance in the cabin is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront window openabilityVSAvoidhead clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The front window is divided into an upper window portion and a lower window portion that can be independently opened. The lower window portion is detachably coupled to the window frame, allowing it to be separated into a storage space below the operator's seat rather than requiring ceiling accommodation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of opening the lower window portion vertically upward along the ceiling (consuming head clearance space), the window portion is designed to be detachably coupled and stored horizontally in a storage space below the operator's seat, changing the storage dimension from vertical to horizontal.

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

2Ease of operation

If the lower window portion is made detachably coupled to the window frame with lock mechanism, then the window can be fully removed for maximum opening, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow removal capabilityVSAvoidlock mechanism and coupling structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The window system is segmented into a permanently coupled upper window portion and a detachably coupled lower window portion. The detachable coupling includes simple locking mechanisms (lock receivers and locks) that enable easy attachment and detachment without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower window portion is extracted as a separate, detachable component from the main window frame structure. This allows the lower window to be completely removed and stored separately, enabling maximum opening of the front window while using a relatively simple detachable coupling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4549668A1Cabin and work machine
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4549668A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4549668A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4549668A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a cabin (5) mounted on a working machine (1), in which it is possible to make a cabin front window portion to be fully openable while preventing or reducing a decrease in head clearance in the cabin. A cabin mounted on a working machine includes a protective frame (30) vertically provided around an operator's seat (6) included in the working machine; a roof (35) provided at an upper portion of the protective frame; and a front window (42) provided at a front portion of the protective frame. The front window is vertically divided into an upper window portion (51), which is coupled to a window frame (31) at the front portion of the protective frame so as to be movable toward a lower surface of the roof, and a lower window portion (52) detachably coupled to the window frame. The window frame includes a lower window stay (39A) to engage with and support a lower edge (52b) of the lower window portion, and a lock receiver (39B) to hold a side edge (52c) of the lower window portion in a closed position. The lower window portion includes at least one lock (55) to be fitted to the lock receiver when the side edge of the lower window portion is overlapped with the window frame.