Skid-Steer Loader Cab With Full-Length Hinged Access Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact working machines often have limited operator access and egress due to their compact cab design, with existing solutions either not providing full-length side access or obstructing views with frame parts.
Innovation Solution
A working machine design featuring a cab with a full-length, hinged access door on one side that pivots outward, mounted on U-shaped frames with no intervening parts, allowing unobstructed access and egress, and a single loading arm with vertical lift geometry for improved visibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cab is designed to be compact, then the machine size is reduced, but operator access and egress become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cab side is segmented into a movable access door portion and a fixed frame portion. The access door is hinged to allow it to pivot open outwardly, creating a segmented structure that enables easy operator entry and exit while preserving the compact overall cab volume. This segmentation allows the cab to maintain its compact size while providing adequate access functionality.
2Reliability
If the side access is closed by a door, then operator protection is improved, but visibility and access are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The access door is designed as a dynamic element that can pivot between a closed position (providing operator protection) and an open position (providing unobstructed visibility and access). The hinged connection allows the door to be moved outwardly away from the cab frame, transforming the static enclosure into a dynamic structure that adapts between protective and accessible states.
3Strength
If frame parts are added to support the access door, then structural integrity is improved, but access and visibility are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the supporting frame elements and integrates them directly into the U-shaped frame structure that forms the cab sides. The U-shaped frames are positioned at the cab sides with panels attached to provide the cab structure, eliminating the need for additional intervening frame parts that would obstruct access. The hinge connection is attached to a limb of the U-shaped frame, integrating the support function into the existing structural form.
Data Source
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AI summary
A working machine (10) includes a body (11) having a front end (12) and a rear end (13), the body being provided with a ground engaging propulsion structure (15) whereby the machine (10) may be driven over the ground, a loading arm assembly (25) which includes a single loading arm (26) which is mounted at one end (26a) relative to the body (11) and which extends forwardly at towards one side of the body (11), beyond the front end (12) of the body (11), to a second end (26b) where there is a mounting for a working implement (35) the machine (10) further including an operator's cab (50) mounted on the body (11) towards a second side of the body (11) opposite to the first side where the arm (26) extends, and at the front end (12) of the body (11) so that no part of the body (11) extends significantly forwardly of the cab (50), and wherein the cab (50) includes a cab roof (58), a cab floor (60), a front wall (52), a rear wall (59) and a first side wall (53) adjacent to the loading arm assembly (25), and a side (54) opposite to the first side wall (53), which affords a substantially unobstructed opening, which extends for substantially the entire length and height of the cab (50) at the second side (54), and the opening being closable by an access door (56).