Modular Roof Modules for Road Construction Machine Cabins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver's roofs for road construction machines are inefficient to manufacture and require separate, complete roofs for different types of machines, leading to complex production and storage challenges.

Innovation Solution

A modular driver's roof system comprising interchangeable roof modules and intermediate parts, allowing for flexible assembly and customization to fit various machine types, with features like hinge connections, pull-out parts, and adjustable lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate complete driver's roofs are produced for each type of road construction machine, then each roof can be optimized for its specific machine type, but production complexity and storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization for different machine typesVSAvoidproduction and storage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver's roof is divided into multiple standardized modules (first roof module, second roof module, and intermediate parts) that can be combined in different configurations. This segmentation allows the same basic modules to serve multiple machine types while reducing production complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized roof modules are designed to be universally applicable across different types of road construction machines. The same first and second roof modules can be combined with different intermediate parts to create roofs suitable for various machine widths and configurations, eliminating the need for completely separate roof designs for each machine type.

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

2Productivity

If a modular system with interchangeable parts is used, then production efficiency and storage space are improved, but the initial design and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidmodular assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the roof into standardized modules, the invention enables parallel production of identical components, which simplifies manufacturing processes and improves productivity. The modular design allows for easier assembly and disassembly, reducing overall production time despite the initial design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If mirror image roof modules are used, then production tools and conditions can be standardized, but the design flexibility for asymmetric configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction standardizationVSAvoidasymmetric configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention acknowledges that while mirror image modules (first and second roof modules) provide manufacturing advantages through standardization, asymmetric configurations may be needed for specific applications. The modular system allows for the insertion of differently configured intermediate parts between the symmetric modules to achieve asymmetric overall configurations when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2650196B1Roof for the operator's cabin of a road construction machine
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 JOSEPH VOEGELE AG
  • EP2650196B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2650196B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP2650196B1 patent drawingFigure 8

AI summary

The invention relates to a driver's roof (1) for an operator's station (101) of a road construction machine (100), comprising a first roof module (2) and a second roof module (3) which are connected to each other in a fixed or detachable manner to form a common driver's roof (1).