Split Boom Excavator Cab Alignment for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excavator machines face visibility and maneuverability issues due to the boom's obstruction of the operator's view and off-center positioning, which impairs operation and requires adjustments in automated systems for cameras and sensors.
Innovation Solution
The excavator design features a cab positioned at the front of a rotatable carriage assembly with a split boom assembly, where the boom branches are coupled to the carriage on opposing sides of the cab, allowing the cab and boom to rotate together, and a detent mechanism for seat positioning to enhance visibility and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the operator cab is positioned adjacent to the boom connection on the platform, then the structure is compact, but the boom obscures the operator's visibility around the machine and into the excavation site
Solution Approach 1:
The boom assembly is divided into two separate branches that attach to the carriage assembly on opposing sides of the operator cab. This segmentation allows the boom to be positioned away from the cab, eliminating the visibility obstruction while maintaining structural integrity through the connection member that joins the branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom branches are positioned on opposing sides of the cab in a lateral arrangement rather than directly in front of the cab. This dimensional repositioning moves the boom from a forward-obstructing position to a side-mounted position, allowing the operator to see around the machine without compromising boom functionality.
2Device complexity
If the operator is positioned off-center from the boom and bucket, then the cab structure is simplified, but the operator's ability to operate the boom and bucket is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The operator cab is positioned asymmetrically on the carriage assembly, shifted toward one side to align with the boom and bucket. This asymmetric positioning places the operator in an optimal operational position directly in line with the boom and bucket, improving control and visibility during operation while maintaining a relatively simple cab structure.
3Extent of automation
If electronic units are added for automated procedures, then automation capability is improved, but the boom and bucket being off-center from the longitudinal centerline requires complex calculation adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The boom assembly is extracted from the traditional central longitudinal positioning and repositioned to attach on opposing sides of the cab. This extraction from the centerline position simplifies the geometric relationships for automated systems, as the boom and bucket now align more directly with the operator's position and machine coordinate system, reducing the complexity of coordinate transformations and calculations required for automated procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An excavator machine includes an undercarriage assembly including a drive assembly, and a carriage assembly rotatably coupled to the undercarriage assembly and including an operator cab positioned at a front of the carriage assembly. The excavator machine also includes a boom assembly. The boom assembly is coupled to the carriage assembly via two branches, and the branches are coupled to the carriage assembly on opposing sides of the operator cab.