Underground Mining Cab Utility Compartment Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Underground mining machines lack efficient storage solutions for operators' essential items within the compact operator cab, limiting accessibility and space utilization.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a utility compartment positioned between the floor and seating unit in the operator cab, with an aperture directed towards the opening, allowing easy access to stored items without interfering with controls or input devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the operator cab is designed to be compact and space-efficient, then maneuverability in underground mines is improved, but storage space for operators' essential items deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator cab sizeVSAvoidstorage space for items

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The utility compartment is nested within the seating assembly structure, specifically positioned between the floor portion and the operator seating unit. This nesting approach allows storage functionality to be integrated into the existing cab structure without adding external volume, thus maintaining compact cab dimensions while providing dedicated storage space for operators' essential items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the utility compartment between the floor and the seating unit, effectively using the height space that would otherwise be unused. The aperture directed towards the opening allows access without requiring horizontal space, thus adding storage capacity in the vertical dimension without compromising the compact horizontal footprint of the operator cab

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If storage space is added to the operator cab, then storage capacity for operators' items is improved, but accessibility to stored items deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space for itemsVSAvoidaccessibility to stored items

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The utility compartment is strategically positioned with its aperture directed towards the opening of the operator cab, creating a localized access point that is easily reachable by the operator. This localized positioning ensures that frequently needed items can be accessed quickly without requiring the operator to reach into deep or hard-to-reach storage areas, thus maintaining ease of operation while providing adequate storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture serves as an intermediary access point between the operator and the stored items. By directing the aperture towards the opening, the design creates a convenient interface that allows operators to access their items without interfering with controls or input devices, thus mediating between the need for storage and the need for easy accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of stationary object

If storage compartment is positioned under the seating unit, then space utilization is improved, but interference with controls or input devices may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidinterference with controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture of the utility compartment is specifically oriented towards the opening of the operator cab, creating a localized access zone that is spatially separated from the controls and input devices. This directional positioning allows the storage compartment to occupy the vertical space under the seating unit while maintaining clear access paths that do not intersect with the operator's interaction zone with the machine controls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture directed towards the opening acts as an intermediary access point that mediates between the storage compartment and the operator. This configuration allows items to be accessed without the operator needing to reach over or near the controls, thus preventing interference while maintaining full accessibility to stored items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240328114A1Operator cab for underground mining machines with utility compartment

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

An operator cab for an underground mining machine includes a floor portion, an opening to access an interior space of the operator cab, and a seating assembly for the operator cab. The seating assembly includes an operator seating unit, a raiser, and a utility compartment. The operator seating unit is mounted on the floor portion and is housed within the interior space of the operator cab. The raiser defines a surface to mount the operator seating unit thereon. The surface is elevated from the floor portion to raise the operator seating unit with respect to the floor portion. The utility compartment is positioned between the surface and the floor portion and defines an aperture directed towards the opening.