Movable Driver Cab and Video Monitoring for Road Milling Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current road milling machines face challenges with limited visibility and observation capabilities for drivers during reversing and shunting operations, requiring assistance from additional personnel, especially when navigating around obstacles.

Innovation Solution

The integration of video monitoring devices at multiple points on the machine, adjustable and rotatable driver's seat with enhanced visibility, and a movable driver's cab that can extend beyond the machine frame, along with automatic climbing aids and pivotable mirrors, allows for improved visibility and control without the need for additional assistants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the driver's seat is positioned on the zero side to allow the milling drum to pass close to obstacles, then the milling drum can be guided past obstacles closer, but the driver's visibility and observation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance from milling drum to obstacleVSAvoiddriver's visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The driver's seat is made movable in the transverse direction, allowing the driver to shift their observation position laterally beyond the lateral outer walls. This dimensional movement provides new observation angles and improves visibility without changing the machine's operational position relative to obstacles

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

Solution Approach 2:

Video monitoring devices with cameras are installed to capture images of areas that are difficult to observe directly. These images are displayed on a display device, replacing the need for direct visual observation and compensating for limited visibility from the driver's position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the driver's seat is fixed within the machine frame, then the machine structure remains simple, but the driver cannot optimally observe the lateral outer walls and surrounding areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structureVSAvoidobservation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The driver's seat is designed with mobility in the transverse direction, allowing it to move dynamically beyond the lateral outer walls during operation. This dynamic positioning capability enables optimal observation of lateral areas while maintaining a relatively simple machine structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Video cameras capture visual information from areas that are difficult to observe directly, creating visual copies of these areas that are displayed on a screen. This allows the driver to observe lateral outer walls and surrounding areas without physically moving the seat to extreme positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If the driver relies on outside mirrors for observation, then the machine structure remains simple, but the visibility and observation possibilities remain limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobservation systemVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Video monitoring devices with cameras replace or supplement the traditional outside mirror system. The cameras capture visual information from multiple angles and display it on a screen, providing superior visibility and observation capability compared to mirrors alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The video monitoring system serves multiple functions: it provides visibility for areas blind to mirrors, records operational data, and can be displayed on multiple screens simultaneously. This multi-functional system improves visibility more effectively than a simple mirror extension

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

Data Source

PatentEP3078773B2Self-propelled construction vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 WIRTGEN GMBH
  • EP3078773B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3078773B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3078773B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a self-propelled construction machine, in particular a road milling machine (1), recycler (100) or stabilizer, with a machine frame (4) supported by a chassis (2) with preferably vertically extending lateral outer walls (5), a milling drum (6) mounted in the machine frame (4) for processing a ground or traffic surface (8), and with a driver's platform (10) with an operating and display panel (12) and a seat (14) for a driver, it is provided that the driver's platform is movable transversely to the direction of travel on the machine frame (4), that the seat (14) for the driver is integrated into the driver's platform (10), which is movable outwards beyond the lateral outer walls (5) of the machine frame (4), that the machine frame (4) has a guide (18) acting transversely to the direction of travel for the driver's platform (10), and that the guide (18) does not or only slightly protrudes laterally beyond the outer walls (5).