DE102022210852A1 - CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY, ESPECIALLY ROAD PAVER OR TANDEM ROLLER - Google Patents

Abstract

Construction machine (1), in particular road paver or tandem roller, for working a soil in a working direction (a), with a machine frame (3), a driver's station (2) with at least one driver's station door (26) and at least one driving device (6), and an operating unit (29), the operating unit (29) comprising a driver's seat (8) for a driver of the construction machine (1), an operating console (9) with operating elements for controlling the construction machine (1) by the driver, a support structure (30) on which both the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) are arranged, and a transverse guide (31) with at least one guide rail (18), wherein the support structure (30) is movably mounted on the at least one guide rail (18), so that the support structure (30) together with the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) are designed to be movable along the at least one guide rail (18), wherein the support structure (30) with the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) can be moved by a, in particular vertical, direction extending pivot axis (S) is designed to be pivotable, wherein the pivot axis (S) is arranged in front of the driver's seat (8) in the working direction (a).

Description

The invention relates to a construction machine, in particular a road paver or a tandem roller.

Construction machines of this type are used, for example, in road and path construction, in the construction of squares and runways. Such a construction machine usually has a machine frame, a driver's cab, at least one driving device and an operating unit. In particular, a construction machine of this type is a road paver or a tandem roller. A road paver also usually comprises a material hopper positioned in front of the driver's cab in the direction of installation, conveyor devices for the longitudinal and transverse conveyance of paving material and a paving screed. Tandem rollers usually have so-called roller drums as driving devices. Tandem rollers can be pivot- or articulated-steered. Construction machines of this type are usually self-propelled construction machines that have a drive motor, for example an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, which provides the drive energy required to operate the construction machine. The supporting structure of the construction machine is usually a machine frame and a chassis that supports the machine frame and has at least one driving device, for example a wheel, a track drive or a compaction/rolling drum. The construction machines are typically operated from a control station of the construction machine. For this purpose, the control station has suitable operating devices. It is also known to provide at least one seat in the control station from which the operator can operate the construction machine in a sitting position. The control station can have at least one control station door. The control station door can be adjustable, in particular pivotable, between a closed and an at least partially open position. The control station door essentially initially represents a fall protection device and can, for example, be part of a railing structure. It can be provided that the control station must be entered through the control station door. This can be the case in particular with tandem rollers. However, it is also possible that the opening of the control station door is not necessary to enter the control station, since another access is available, for example from the rear of the construction machine, as is often the case with road pavers. The control station can, for example, be open, have at least one roof arranged above the control station or be designed in the form of a cabin that completely encloses the control station.

Road pavers are used to apply or install a top layer of paving material, such as asphalt or concrete, onto a prepared subsoil. For this purpose, they have a material hopper at their front end in which paving material is stored. This is transported through a central shaft to the rear of the machine and distributed there by a cross-distribution device, such as a screw conveyor, across the working direction. Finally, the paving material is smoothed off by a paving screed and pre-compacted. A typical road paver is, for example, in the DE102017002225A1 disclosed.

Tandem rollers, in turn, are usually used to either compact the subsoil on which a surface layer is to be laid, or to compact a layer of paving material, in particular asphalt. For example, tandem rollers can be used in a paving train following a road finisher in the paving direction and compact the asphalt mat laid out by the paver. For this purpose, tandem rollers typically have two compaction drums, which can essentially consist of metallic hollow cylinders with which the tandem roller rolls on the soil to be compacted. In addition, at least one vibration exciter can be arranged in one or both of the compaction drums, which causes the compaction drum to vibrate in order to influence the compaction in this way. A typical tandem roller can be found in the DE102018007825A1 disclosed.

Construction machines of this type also have at least one operating unit. In this case, an operating unit is understood to mean a unit consisting of a driver's seat for the driver of the construction machine and for the operating elements used by the driver to control the construction machine. The operating elements can be part of a so-called operating console, for example. An operating console refers in particular to a type of table-like arrangement of several operating elements. The driver's seat and the operating console are typically movably mounted in the driver's station in order to enable the driver to have different sitting positions within the driver's station. This can improve the driver's operating comfort and overview of the work area and the outside environment of the construction machine, which increases both the accuracy of the work and operational safety. Accordingly, the operating unit also includes structures that connect the driver's seat to the operating console or contribute to its movable mounting. In addition to the driver's seat and the operating console, this also includes, for example, a support structure on which both the driver seat and the control console are arranged. It is known to provide a transverse guide with at least one guide rail along which the control unit can be displaced. In construction machines of this type, the support structure can be movably mounted on the at least one guide rail, so that the support structure, together with the driver's seat and the control console, is designed to be movable along the at least one guide rail. In other words, it is known to design the driver's seat and the control console to be displaceable together in a direction transverse to the working direction of the construction machine within the driver's cab. A working direction is understood here to mean in particular a front/rear direction of the construction machine. Such driver's seats or control units that can be displaced transversely to the working direction of the construction machine are known, for example, from the patents EN 10 2010 035 270 B4 and EP 1 961 607 B1 known to the applicant.

The driver's seat preferably has a so-called seat index point. The seat index point is a standard defined in the EN ISO 5353 standard. The EN ISO 5353 standard is hereby referred to. The seat index point is determined in the context of the present disclosure using the determination device described in this standard. The seat index point of the driver's seat is therefore approximately located at an intersection point of a theoretical axis of the upper body of a person sitting in the driver's seat with the theoretical axis of the thigh on the vertical plane that runs through the seat center line. It is therefore located in the middle of the seat, a few centimeters above the seat surface. Further details on the seat index point can be found in the standard mentioned. In other words, the seat index point represents a standard point for detecting a person sitting in a seat. At the same time, the seat index point can always be clearly found on every seat and in every position of the seat in accordance with the specifications of the standard, so that it is suitable for describing the position of the seat, in particular, for example, within the driver's station and/or in relation to other elements. If the seat does not have a seat index point, for example because it does not have a backrest, the seat index point of this seat within the meaning of this description is to be considered to be a point located in the middle of the seat surface and a few centimeters, in particular 5 cm, vertically above the seat surface. The center of the seat surface is preferably the center point of a surface resulting from a projection of the seat surface of the driver's seat into the horizontal plane.

The work processes of this type of construction machinery are varied and complex. At the same time, the demands on the work result are constantly increasing. It is therefore becoming increasingly important that the drivers of this type of construction machinery can control it as accurately and precisely as possible and at the same time maintain as comprehensive an overview of the construction site situation as possible. At the same time, it is important to relieve the drivers of this task as much as possible so that they do not have to concentrate on, for example, having to adopt various, uncomfortable body positions in order to be able to maintain an overview.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to further improve the driver's station with its control unit.

The task is solved with a construction machine according to the independent claim. Preferred further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

Specifically, the solution is achieved in the case of a construction machine of this type in that the support structure with the driver's seat and the control console is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis, particularly one that runs vertically, with the pivot axis being arranged in front of the driver's seat in the working direction. In this case, the pivot axis refers to a movement axis and not necessarily a component axis.

According to the invention, the support structure together with the driver's seat and the control console has a first degree of freedom, which is brought about by the movement along the transverse guide or the guide rail. This is in particular a linear movement. This preferably takes place horizontally and transversely to the working direction. The term "horizontal" refers to a situation in which the construction machine is standing on a horizontally running surface. In addition, the transverse guide is designed in particular such that a corresponding movement of the support structure and the other components from a right side of the operator's station to a left side of the operator's station and vice versa is possible. This transverse displacement should therefore be possible, in particular starting from a first lateral displacement position in which the driver's seat is positioned completely in a first half of the operator's station with respect to the width of the operator's station transversely to the forward direction of the construction machine, at least beyond the center line separating the width halves of the operator's station into the other or second half of the operator's station in such a way that the driver's seat is positioned completely in the second half of the operator's station. In particular, the transverse displacement should be possible across the entire width of the interior of the control station, i.e. from its working direction viewed from the left side to the right side. For example, the support structure, together with the driver's seat and the control console, can be moved transversely to the working direction up to the side wall/railing delimiting the interior of the operator's station on the left or right side or, if this has an openable element, the operator's station door. In other words, it is preferably provided that the support structure is adjustable in a horizontal plane transversely to the forward direction of the construction machine, ie in the direction of a width, at least with regard to the driver's seat at least completely across the middle of the width of the operator's station from one side to the other. In particular, the support structure and the driver's seat as well as the control console can be moved, in particular linearly displaced, right up to immediately next to the operator's station door. If the operator's station of the construction machine has operator's station doors on both sides, spaced apart from one another transversely to the working direction, the support structure and the driver's seat as well as the control console can be moved along the transverse guide from a position next to one operator's station door to a position next to the other operator's station door opposite in the direction of the width. It is therefore important that the range of adjustment in the width direction is not limited to a range of a few centimeters, as is known, for example, in terms of amount for individual adjustment of a seat height depending on the body size or other individual factors of different operators. The linear adjustability preferably covers a range of at least one meter, preferably of at least 1.5 meters, in the direction of the width. Finally, it is preferred if the movement along the transverse guide takes place over almost the entire width of the driver's station between a right stop position, in which in particular the driver's seat, for example on its right side, strikes an adjustment path limiter, in particular formed by a side limiter positioned on the right side of the driver's station, and a left stop position, in which in particular the driver's seat, for example on its left side, strikes an adjustment path limiter, in particular formed by a side limiter positioned on the left side of the driver's station.

Preferably, only one driver's seat is provided on the operator's platform of the construction machine and/or on the entire construction machine. In contrast, the prior art provides solutions in which several driver's seats are provided, for example two driver's seats that are arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the working direction. Due to the mobility of the driver's seat according to the invention transversely to the working direction along the transverse guide, the seat can be positioned on both sides, so that a second seat is not required. This not only reduces production costs. The driver also does not have to switch between driver's seats during operation, which makes operation easier.

In addition to the first degree of freedom "moving" explained above, a core idea of the present invention is to equip the support structure with the driver's seat and the control console with a further, i.e. second, degree of freedom. This is achieved by pivoting the support structure with the driver's seat and the control console about the pivot axis, which is in particular vertical. It is important here that the support structure, the driver's seat and the control console together perform exactly the same pivoting movement about exactly the same pivot axis, so that their relative position to one another ideally remains the same both when "moving" according to the first degree of freedom and when "pivoting" according to the second degree of freedom. Only the respective pivoting path of the components mentioned is different due to a different distance from the pivot axis. The pivot angle, in turn, is exactly the same for all of the components mentioned. The pivoting movement takes place in particular relative to the transverse guide or the rest of the control station of the construction machine. The pivot axis preferably runs in the vertical direction (again in relation to a construction machine standing on a horizontal floor), so that the joint pivoting of the support structure, the driver's seat and the control console is a rotation in the horizontal plane. This rotation or pivoting allows the driver's seat to take up different positions within the driver's station (or, as explained in more detail below, even outside the driver's station) and/or to be aligned differently, particularly in relation to the construction machine or the working direction or straight-ahead direction of the construction machine. For example, the driver's seat can be tilted relative to the working direction so that the driver sitting on the driver's seat can more easily look at one of the two sides of the construction machine. The driver's seat can be tilted towards both sides of the construction machine, i.e. either to the right or to the left with regard to the pivoting. The terms straight-ahead and side position are also used below for positions of the driver's seat. The driver's seat is in a straight-ahead position when the line of sight of a driver sitting on the driver's seat and looking straight ahead is parallel to the working direction or the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine. However, the driver's line of sight "straight ahead" does not refer to the construction machine and its straight-ahead direction, but on the driver's seat. A viewing direction "straight forward" can also be derived from the arrangement of the seat, if applicable the backrest and if applicable the armrests of the driver's seat, in particular, for example, perpendicular to the vertical plane in which the backrest has its greatest extension, and from this plane in the direction of the seat. Additionally or alternatively, the viewing direction "straight forward" can be defined in a horizontal plane parallel to the greatest extension of the armrests' armrests. If this viewing direction of the driver matches the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine, the driver's seat is in the straight-ahead position. If this viewing direction does not match the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine, but forms an angle to the straight-ahead direction of the construction machine, for example in a horizontal virtual reference plane, the driver's seat is in a sideways or inclined position. Because such lateral or inclined positions can be adjusted both to the right and to the left, the driver can choose from a variety of different positions and/or orientations of the driver's seat in the driver's station, depending on which position or orientation gives him the best overview of work- and safety-relevant areas of the construction machine and/or its surroundings. Because the driver's seat is pivoted about the pivot axis together with the control console and the support structure that carries these two components, it is ensured that the control console always has the same orientation in relation to the driver's seat. When pivoted about the pivot axis, the relative position of the control console and the driver's seat does not change. All controls on the control console are therefore always in the same place in relation to the driver's seat or to the driver sitting on the driver's seat. In this way, the spatial relative position of the driver's seat to the controls does not change (apart from individual seat adjustments by the driver in terms of seat height, inclination, rotation of the seat, etc., in order to accommodate differences between different drivers in terms of their body type and/or individual seating posture preferences) despite a swivel around the swivel axis and/or a shift along the guide rail, which makes operating the construction machine particularly simple and intuitive, since the controls always remain spatially accessible to the driver regardless of the current adjustment from his seating position.

The swivel axis of the support structure can basically run in different positions relative to the driver's seat, whereby according to the invention it is at least always arranged in front of the driver's seat in the working direction. This relates to an arrangement or position of the swivel axis when the driver's seat is swiveled into a position in which a driver sitting on the driver's seat looks straight ahead in the forward direction of the construction machine. Depending on the specific arrangement of the swivel axis relative to the driver's seat, a different movement of the driver's seat and the control console results during the swiveling process. For example, it can be provided that the swivel axis runs in the working direction of the construction machine between the driver's seat and the control console. The control console is preferably located in the working direction in front of the driver's seat. In this case, for example, the control console would be swiveled in a different direction transverse to the working direction than the driver's seat when swiveled about the swivel axis. In other words, the control console would be swiveled to the left transverse to the working direction and the driver's seat to the right transverse to the working direction, or vice versa. However, it is particularly preferred if the swivel axis and the control console are positioned or run in front of the driver's seat on the support structure in the working direction. This means that the driver's seat covers a greater swivel path when swiveling around the swivel axis than the control console, but in the same direction. In this way, the driver's seat can assume more pronounced lateral positions by swiveling around the swivel axis, thereby allowing the driver a viewing angle that differs significantly from the straight-ahead position.

The swivel axis is preferably functionally the only swivel axis around which the support structure with the driver's seat and the control console can be swiveled. In other words, the support structure, together with the other components, is designed to be swivelable exclusively around the aforementioned swivel axis. In contrast, there are no further swivel axes for the support structure with the driver's seat and the control console. In contrast, separate axes of rotation can be provided, for example, the driver's seat can be rotated independently of the support structure and the control console, for example around a vertical axis. The control console can also be designed to be rotatable independently of the support structure and the driver's seat around an axis, in particular a vertical axis, for example to allow individual adjustment options for different drivers. However, for the joint swiveling of the support structure with the driver's seat and the control console, only the one swivel axis already specified above is available, which leads to a simple structure with intuitively comprehensible swiveling movements. The swivel axis is not a physical component, but a virtual reference axis that characterizes the rotational movement and is specified or defined in particular by an articulated bearing of the supporting structure on the transverse guide.

The transverse guide generally refers to all components that contribute to the support structure, and thus also the driver's seat and the control console, being supported with the described mobility along the transverse guide, in particular horizontally and transversely to the working direction of the construction machine. For this purpose, the transverse guide preferably comprises, for example, in addition to the guide rail, at least one transverse guide support, via which the guide rail is arranged in the operator's station. It is ideal if the transverse guide has at least and particularly precisely two transverse guide supports, in particular extending in the vertical direction, which are arranged at the respective ends of the guide rail and support it in the operator's station. The transverse guide supports can thus be designed in the form of beams and preferably form a frame or a support frame for the guide rail. It can be provided that the transverse guide supports are connected directly to the machine frame. It is preferred if the transverse guide supports are connected to a base structure forming the support structure of the operator's station, which is mounted on the machine frame, in particular in a vibration-damped manner. The transverse guide and the guide rail are preferably located in the working direction in front of the driver's seat and/or the support structure and/or the control console. The support structure can be connected to the guide rail, for example, via a sliding bush, wherein the sliding bush at least partially and preferably completely surrounds the guide rail and is preferably movably mounted on the guide rail via rolling bearings, for example ball bearings. In principle, one guide rail is sufficient for the mobility of the support structure along the transverse guide. In this case, it is preferred if the guide rail has a non-circular, in particular square or polygonal, cross-section in order to prevent rotation of the support structure about the longitudinal axis of the guide rail. In a preferred embodiment, however, it is provided that the transverse guide has, in addition to the guide rail, a further bearing rail arranged at a distance from the guide rail in the vertical direction. The bearing rail preferably also runs parallel to the guide rail with respect to its longitudinal extent. The support structure can, for example, be mounted on the bearing rail via at least one roller. In this case, the support structure is then movably mounted on the guide rail and the bearing rail. For example, it can be provided that the guide rail carries or absorbs a larger proportion of the weight of the support structure, the driver's seat and the control console than the bearing rail, and that the bearing rail is essentially intended to prevent rotation of the support structure around the guide rail. Preferably, the guide rail carries a large part of the weight of the support structure, the driver's seat and the control console. In this way, the bearing rail can be less solid than the guide rail. Because rotation of the support structure around the guide rail is prevented by the bearing rail, the guide rail can be designed with a round cross-section and the support structure can be mounted on the guide rail, for example via the sliding bushing using ball bearings. This enables particularly simple and smooth movement of the support structure along the transverse guide. This can therefore be achieved without additional drive by the muscle power of the driver himself, without the driver finding it unpleasant.

A particularly simple design is obtained if the support structure is mounted on the transverse guide via a support carriage. In this case, the support structure is preferably mounted on the support carriage via a swivel joint that forms the swivel axis. The support carriage is thus mounted so that it can move along the transverse guide, for example via the aforementioned sliding bushing or a similar movable bearing device on the guide rail. At the same time, the support carriage can have a further sliding bushing with which it is mounted so that it can move along the transverse guide on the bearing rail. A sliding roller or similar bearing device is also possible, in particular for mounting on the bearing rail. To connect the two bearing devices, in particular sliding bushings or sliding rollers, the support carriage can have, for example, a carriage frame on which both bearing devices, in particular sliding bushings or sliding rollers, and the swivel joint for connection to the support structure are arranged. Overall, it is therefore preferably provided that a support carriage is provided on which the support structure with the driver's seat and the operating console is mounted so that it can pivot about the swivel axis. The support carriage is movably mounted on the cross guide, so that the support carriage, together with the support structure, the driver's seat and the control console, is designed to be movable along the cross guide, in particular along the guide rail. The support carriage is therefore movable along the cross guide, but with regard to pivoting around the pivot axis, the support carriage is fixed relative to the cross guide. The support carriage therefore does not pivot around the pivot axis, but represents the counter bearing for the support structure, relative to which it pivots around the pivot axis.

In principle, it could be provided, for example, that the support structure is mounted on the transverse guide on the one hand and, for example, at the opposite end of the support structure, there is further mounting, either on another transverse guide or on the operator's platform floor. However, it is preferred if the support structure is mounted exclusively on the transverse guide, in particular comprising the guide rail and the bearing rail. In addition, it is further preferred if the support structure is mounted on the transverse guide exclusively in front of or behind the driver's seat, preferably in front of the driver's seat, as seen in the working direction of the construction machine. The support structure therefore projects backwards from the transverse guide in the working direction of the construction machine and is thus designed to be spaced or floating relative to an operator's platform floor, preferably in the vertical direction, over a free space on its side facing away from the transverse guide. In particular, the driver's seat is designed to be spaced or floating relative to an operator's platform floor, preferably in the vertical direction, over a free space. In particular, the driver's seat is located at the floating end of the support structure. In other words, the driver's seat is supported exclusively by the support structure and the cross guide in the driver's station, without being supported on the driver's station floor, for example. This also enables the driver's seat and the support structure to be pivoted particularly easily around the pivot axis, which is also driven solely by the driver's muscle power, for example, without an additional drive. Due to the floating support, only the friction forces of the pivot joint of the pivot axis have to be overcome. In addition, this enables the driver's station floor to be designed particularly simply. In particular, the driver's station floor is free of rails, guides or other bearing devices for supporting the driver's seat and/or the support structure and/or the control console. For example, the entire driver's station floor can be made of a continuous plate that is closed across the width and is not interrupted to accommodate cross rails or similar for supporting the driver's seat. The driver's station floor is therefore preferably designed as a flat, closed surface and is therefore particularly comfortable to walk on and without the risk of tripping.

As already explained, the support structure is preferably mounted on the guide rail so that it can pivot about the pivot axis that the driver's seat can pivot between a straight-ahead position and a side position. In order to define the pivot angle by which the seat is pivoted about the pivot axis, a vertical plane through the seat index point (possibly replaced by the point explained at the beginning if a driver's seat is used that does not have a seat index point) and the pivot axis can be used. If a vertical plane through the seat index point and the pivot axis in the straight-ahead position of the driver's seat is compared with the same plane in the side position, these two vertical planes enclose a pivot angle. The pivot angle is to be measured in particular in a horizontal plane or lies in a horizontal plane. As already mentioned, the side position can be assumed starting from the straight-ahead position on both sides of the construction machine or the driver's station. The larger the swivel angle, the more obliquely the support structure, the control console and in particular the driver's seat are arranged in the side position in the driver's station, which allows the driver various advantageous viewing angles with regard to the construction machine and the working environment of the construction machine. It is therefore preferred that the support carriage, the support structure and the swivel joint are designed in such a way that large swivel angles are possible. For example, it is preferred that a swivel angle of at least up to 40° is adjustable, preferably at least up to 50° or at least up to 60° or at least up to 70° or at least up to 80° or at least up to 90°.

A particularly compact and symmetrical arrangement is obtained when the vertical plane through the seat index point and the swivel axis is aligned parallel to the working direction when the driver's seat is in the straight-ahead position. This is achieved by appropriate design of the support carriage, the support structure and the driver's seat. It is also preferred if the support structure extends in a straight line parallel to the working direction. In other words, a connecting line between the seat index point in the working direction up to the swivel axis preferably runs continuously in the vertical direction above the support structure. The support structure is therefore preferably designed as a straight, essentially horizontally elongated lever or support arm between the swivel axis and the driver's seat. It is particularly preferred if the support structure is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane running through the seat index point and the swivel axis. In this way, the swiveling of the support structure, the control console and the driver's seat from the straight-ahead position is exactly the same on both sides, so that it can also take place the same distance in both directions, for example. In particular, the same swivel angle can be achieved on both sides. In this way, both sides of the construction machine are particularly easy for the driver to see and are equally visible to each other when the driver's seat is in the side positions.

As already stated, the transverse guide preferably runs transversely to the working direction. In addition, it preferably specifies an end position for the driver's seat at each of its opposite ends, which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the working direction. For example, the transverse guide and/or the support structure and/or the support carriage can have an adjustment stop that allows the support structure to be moved along the transverse guide up to the respective end position at the end of the transverse guide, but prevents it from moving beyond that. The stop is preferably formed by a positive connection between the transverse guide and the support structure and/or the support carriage. The end positions are therefore the maximum displaced positions of the support structure along the transverse guide. The two end positions specified by the transverse guide are located opposite each other on the two sides of the driver's station that are spaced transversely to the working direction. If the driver's seat is arranged in one of these end positions and is in the straight-ahead position, the seat index point in the direction transverse to the working direction is arranged at the level of the transverse guide. This means that the seat index point in the working direction is aligned with the transverse guide. A vertical plane through the seat index point that runs parallel to the working direction therefore also intersects the transverse guide. Preferably, the driver's seat can be pivoted away from the guide rail about the pivot axis in these end positions in such a way that the seat index point is behind the transverse guide in the direction transverse to the working direction or, depending on the direction of view, in front of the transverse guide. In other words, the pivoting movement takes place outwards from the center of the driver's station. The fact that the seat index point is behind the transverse guide in the direction transverse to the working direction means that a vertical plane through the seat index point that runs parallel to the working direction does not intersect the transverse guide in terms of its structural components. Instead, the vertical plane runs at a distance from the transverse guide in the direction transverse to the working direction, i.e. next to the transverse guide. In other words, the driver's seat is pivoted in such a way that it protrudes laterally beyond the transverse guide. By swiveling the seat accordingly, the area accessible to the driver sitting on the seat can be extended outwards by the swivel range of the driver's seat from the straight-ahead position in one of the end positions. This also improves the driver's overview of the machine and its external surroundings. This swiveling can even go so far that the seat index point is outside the driver's station, in particular the driver's station floor.

With the above-described swiveling sideways beyond the transverse guide, it is thus possible for the operator sitting in the driver's seat to be swiveled out of the area of the operator's station, in particular a space outlined in the vertical direction by the operator's station floor, and in this way to sit at least partially practically "next to" the rest of the machine. In other words, the driver sitting in the driver's seat is moved at least partially outwards beyond the outer edge of the operator's station in a horizontal reference plane. However, the operator's station is often limited, particularly on the right and/or left side in relation to the forward direction of the construction machine, by a fall protection device, for example in the form of a side wall of a driver's cabin or a railing. For such arrangements, it is now preferred if an operator's station door is arranged in this area. The end points specified by the transverse guide are preferably arranged next to the operator's station door, so that the driver's seat is in the straight-ahead position in the end positions directly next to the respective operator's station door. Accordingly, the operator's station door must be opened before or during swiveling beyond the transverse guide or from the interior of the operator's station. The operator's cab door can have an outer side with which it forms or helps to form an outer contour of the construction machine when closed. In other words, when the operator's cab door is closed, its outer side forms part of the outer contour of the construction machine in the area of the operator's cab. In the present case, the outer contour of the construction machine and in particular that part of the outer contour that is formed by the operator's cab door refers exclusively to the position of the outside of the operator's cab door when it is closed. When the operator's cab door is open, the outer contour of the machine is therefore a virtual reference surface that is located in the area of the operator's cab door where the outer surface of the operator's cab door would be if the operator's cab door were closed. It is now preferably provided that the driver's seat, in particular the seat index point of the driver's seat, can be adjusted transversely to the working direction when the operator's cab door is open by pivoting the driver's seat about the pivot axis away from a central longitudinal axis of the construction machine and beyond this outer contour of the construction machine. By pivoting the driver's seat outwards around the pivot axis, in other words away from the centre of the driver's cab or from the guide rail, the driver's seat pivots into an area where the closed driver's cab door was previously located. The driver's seat and in particular the seat index point of the driver's seat is then in an area that is outside the driver's cab when the driver's cab door is closed. In this sense, the driver's seat is moved into an area outside the driver's cab by the corresponding pivoting. In this position in particular tion, the driver receives particularly advantageous viewing angles of the outside surroundings of the machine on the respective side transverse to the working direction. In particular, the driver can look along the outer contour of the machine and observe both the work process and the outside surroundings of the machine on this side in a particularly advantageous manner. By pivoting the driver's seat outside the outer contour of the construction machine, the driver's seat or the seat index point is also moved outwards past an A-pillar of the operator's station or driver's cab, for example, so that the driver can look outside the A-pillar and the A-pillar is not in his field of vision. As usual, the A-pillar refers to the front vehicle pillar with which, for example, a roof of the operator's station or driver's cab is connected to the machine frame. It is important that the driver's seat is moved to the area outside the outer contour of the construction machine by pivoting around the pivot axis. In order to enable such viewing positions for the driver, the invention no longer requires the entire operator's station to be moved sideways, for example, which is known in the prior art but requires immense structural effort. A lateral shift of the entire driver's station must also be driven by a motor, while the swiveling according to the invention can be carried out directly by the driver himself, for example by manual drive.

The further the driver's seat or the seat index point of the driver's seat can be adjusted outwards beyond the outer contour of the construction machine, the better the driver's viewing position will be for various work situations that require an overview of the side and in particular the outside of the construction machine. It is therefore preferred that the seat index point of the driver's seat can be adjusted a distance beyond the outer contour of the construction machine transversely to the working direction, whereby the distance is at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm or at least 20 cm or at least 25 cm or at least 30 cm. The corresponding adjustment is carried out by pivoting the driver's seat together with the support structure and the control console about the pivot axis.

As already indicated, it is preferred that the movement of the support structure along the transverse guide and/or the pivoting of the support structure about the pivot axis can be carried out manually by the operator and therefore no separate drive is necessary for these movements. A manual drive refers to a drive by the driver himself. Nevertheless, it is certainly possible and included in the invention to drive the linear adjustment and/or the pivoting of the support structure by motor, for example by electric motor, hydraulically or pneumatically. It is also possible for the operator to open the operator's cab door manually and/or separately before pivoting the driver's seat into the lateral positions described above with the seat index point in the direction transverse to the working direction behind the transverse guide or at a distance from the outer contour of the construction machine. Alternatively, however, it can be provided that the operator's cab door is automatically opened when the support structure and the driver's seat are pivoted from one of the end positions of the transverse guide laterally beyond the transverse guide or the outer contour of the machine. It can also be provided that the operator's cab door is automatically closed during the counter movement, i.e. when the support structure of the driver's seat is pivoted into one of the end positions of the transverse guide. For this purpose, a coupling device can preferably be provided which automatically opens and/or closes the operator's cab door when the driver's seat is pivoted about the pivot axis next to the operator's cab door. "Next to the operator's cab door" here means that the driver's seat is in one of the end positions of the transverse guide. For example, a stop can be provided on the support structure and/or the driver's seat which strikes the operator's cab door when pivoting about the pivot axis and pushes it outwards. In this case, the driver only has to unlock the locking mechanism of the operator's cab door, but can push it open or open it at the same time as the support structure pivots about the pivot axis. Alternatively, a mechanical or electronic unlocking of the operator's cab door could also be provided, which is automatically triggered by pivoting the support structure from the straight-ahead position towards the operator's cab door. If the corresponding stop is designed to be magnetic, for example, and the operator's cab door comprises magnetic material, the corresponding stop can also pull the operator's cab door along and close it due to magnetic attraction when the support structure and the driver's seat are pivoted back into the straight-ahead position. A corresponding design of the stop and the operator's cab door is therefore preferred. Alternatively, a lever, a hook or an engagement arm can also be provided which, when the support structure and the driver's seat are pivoted from the straight-ahead position in one of the end positions of the transverse guide towards the operator's cab door, comes into positive engagement with it and, via this positive engagement, causes the door to close when the support structure and the driver's seat are pivoted back into the straight-ahead position.

When pivoting beyond the outer contour of the construction machine as described above, the opening provided by the open operator's cab door must be large enough so that the support structure and in particular the driver's seat can pivot out through it at least partially. The operator's cab door is typically designed in such a way that it can be opened and closed about a door pivot axis, in particular a vertical one. It is now preferably provided that the door pivot axis is arranged at the level of the pivot axis when viewed in the direction of work. A vertical plane through the pivot axis, which runs perpendicular to the direction of work, also runs through the door pivot axis in this arrangement. It is even more preferred if the door pivot axis is further forward in the direction of work than the pivot axis. In this, particularly preferred case, the door pivot axis is therefore spaced forward in the direction of work from the vertical plane through the pivot axis, which runs perpendicular to the direction of work. In this way, opening the operator's cab door creates a particularly large amount of free space, particularly in the area of the pivot axis, so that the support structure with the driver's seat and the control console can pivot out particularly easily and freely. In particular, collisions between the control console arranged in the area of the swivel axis and the area in which the door rotation axis is arranged are avoided.

The construction machine can, for example, have a mechanical-hydraulic steering system, as is particularly used in EN 10 2010 035 270 B4 is disclosed. For this purpose, a steering device, such as a steering wheel, can be arranged on the control console, for example. A steering movement of the steering device, for example a rotation, can be transmitted mechanically via a steering drive shaft to a steering output shaft and from there to a hydraulic steering valve. When using such a steering system, however, it must be ensured that the mechanical connection between the steering device and the steering output shaft or the hydraulic steering valve is compatible with the pivoting of the control console, the support structure and the driver's seat about the pivot axis. The steering output shaft is fixed relative to the transverse guide or can even be designed as part of the transverse guide, for example as a bearing rail. This therefore only rotates in order to mechanically transmit the steering movement further, without changing its relative position to the transverse guide, apart from the rotation. In contrast, it is preferably provided that the steering drive shaft is designed to be at least partially movable with the support structure. The steering drive shaft is coupled to the steering output shaft, which is fixed relative to the transverse guide, in such a way that a steering movement of a steering device, for example the steering wheel, on the control console is transmitted to the steering output shaft via the steering drive shaft.

If the driver's seat is swung out beyond the outer contour of the construction machine, the driver's seat is also moved beyond the side end of the operator's platform floor. In this case, the floor on which the construction machine moves is located directly under the driver's seat or the support structure. However, this can pose a safety risk when the machine is in operation. It can also happen that the driver loses objects from the driver's seat. In this case, these would fall directly onto the floor, possibly becoming damaged or lost. It is therefore preferably provided that a horizontally extending swivel floor is present. This is adjustable, in particular swivelable, between a storage position in which the swivel floor is pushed in under an operator's platform floor, and a working position in which the swivel floor extends the operator's platform floor transversely to the working direction, in particular up to the open operator's platform door. For example, the swivel floor is a floor plate that is usually located in a storage compartment arranged under the operator's platform floor. When the operator's cab door is open, the swivel floor can then be pulled out or pushed out of this storage compartment in order to be adjusted between the storage position and the working position. For this purpose, for example, a further swivel axis can be provided around which the swivel floor can swivel. The swivel axis of the swivel floor is preferably coaxial with the door rotation axis of the operator's cab door. In this way, the swivel floor can particularly easily extend the operator's cab floor up to the open operator's cab door, namely over the entire extent of the operator's cab door. The swivel floor is particularly preferably designed in the form of a circular section or circular sector, with the respective circular section or circular sector preferably lying in the horizontal plane. The swivel axis of the swivel floor is preferably arranged at the tip of the circular sector. In the working position, the swivel floor therefore preferably closes the area between the open operator's cab door and the operator's cab floor in a horizontal plane that is essentially at the level of the operator's cab floor or a few centimeters, for example a maximum of 1 cm or a maximum of 2 cm or a maximum of 3 cm, below it.

In principle, the driver can move the swivel floor between the storage position and the working position as required. It is preferred however, that the movement of the swivel floor between the storage position and the working position is coupled to the movement of the operator's cab door and/or the support structure, so that the swivel floor is automatically moved along with the operator's cab door or the support structure. This automatic adjustment can, for example, be controlled mechanically or electronically. For example, a swiveling of the support structure beyond the outer contour of the machine can be detected by a sensor and passed on to an electronic control device. The electronic control device can then control a drive, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic drive, to initiate the movement of the swivel floor between the storage position and the working position. In addition, it is also possible for there to be a mechanical coupling, for example by providing a form-fitting element on the support structure which engages with a corresponding form-fitting element on the swivel floor when the driver's seat is in one of the end positions of the transverse guide. In this case, it can be provided that the automatic adjustment of the swivel floor between the storage position and the working position is achieved via the positive locking between the two positive locking elements on the support structure and on the swivel floor. Overall, the provision of the swivel floor can significantly increase both work safety and comfort for the driver.

In order to enable safe working, it is also preferred if the movement along the transverse guide and also the pivoting movement around the pivot axis can be blocked when they are not required, or if the support structure can be locked. For this purpose, it is preferably provided that a locking device is provided, which can be locked with the driver's seat and the control console in different positions along the transverse guide and/or in different pivoting positions around the pivot axis. For example, the locking device can be designed in such a way that it provides a detachable positive or frictional connection between the support structure and the transverse guide and/or between the support structure and the support carriage. For example, a rack can be provided on the transverse guide and/or a gear ring on the pivot joint, into which a locking lever can engage in a positive manner in order to prevent the respective movement. The locking lever can, for example, be designed with a spring preload such that the locking lever is preloaded in the position that locks or prevents the movement. An operator can enable the support structure to move along the transverse guide or pivot the support structure around the pivot axis by releasing the positive or frictional connection between the locking lever and the toothed rail or the gear ring by pivoting the locking lever. The locking lever(s) can be arranged vertically at the height of the control console or a few centimeters, for example a maximum of 5 cm or a maximum of 10 cm or a maximum of 15 cm or a maximum of 20 cm, below the control console. In this way, an operator can easily reach the locking lever(s) from the driver's seat. Alternatively, the locking levers can also be designed as pedals for operation with the foot. In this case, the locking lever(s) is located in the operator's footwell on the support structure. However, since the operator typically supports himself with his feet on the driver's cab floor to move or pivot the support structure with the control console and the driver's seat, it is preferable if the locking levers are arranged in the area of the control console so that they can be reached as easily as possible with the hands. Preferably, a separate locking device is provided for the movement along the transverse guide and the pivoting about the pivot axis.

The construction machine of the present invention can also have a number of other features. For example, an additional armrest console with additional operating elements for the driver can be provided, in particular on the driver's seat. The armrest console can be provided in addition to the operating console, or it can replace the operating console. In addition to or as an alternative to the mechanical-hydraulic steering system described above, an electronic steering system can also be provided for the construction machine, which in particular comprises a joystick. The joystick is designed, for example, as an operating element and in particular as a steering device for the construction machine. It can be part of the armrest console or arranged on it. The joystick can be used in addition to or as an alternative to the steering wheel already described.

The driver's seat can also have various features. For example, the driver's seat can be height-adjustable and/or rotatable. For example, the driver's seat is attached to the support structure via a seat bearing, wherein the seat bearing has a height adjustment device, via which the driver's seat can be adjusted in the vertical direction. For example, the height adjustment device can comprise a gas pressure spring, which is used for the height adjustment. In addition, the seat bearing can have a swivel joint, which Turning or rotation of the driver's seat around a vertical axis of rotation is possible. This axis of rotation allows the driver's seat to be rotated relative to the supporting structure and the control console as well as the rest of the construction machine.

The support structure preferably comprises a seat support extending in the radial direction of the pivot axis. If the driver's seat is arranged in the straight-ahead position, the seat support thus extends parallel to the working direction. The seat support therefore forms a horizontally extending arm which supports the driver's seat on its side remote from the pivot axis, for example via the seat bearing. For example, lines and/or cables can be routed through the seat support, for example to connect an armrest control console arranged on the driver's seat. In addition, the support structure preferably comprises a vertically extending console support. The console support is connected in particular to the seat support, in particular on the side of the seat support facing the pivot axis. The control console is arranged at the vertically upper end of the console support. Cables and lines that are necessary for the control console preferably run through the console support and connect the control console, for example, to a control device of the machine, for example an on-board computer. The console support is preferably connected to the support carriage via the pivot joint and can be pivoted relative to it via the pivot axis. The vertical extension of the console support and the horizontal extension of the seat support, running in the radial direction of the pivot axis, each describe their greatest spatial extent.

• 1: eine Seitenansicht eines Straßenfertigers;
• 2: eine Seitenansicht einer Tandemwalze;
• 3: eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer Bedieneinheit von schräg hinten oben;
• 4: eine perspektivische Vorderansicht einer Bedieneinheit von schräg oben;
• 5: eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen Straßenfertiger mit Fahrersitz in einer mittleren Stellung auf dem Fahrstand in Geradeausstellung;
• 6: eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen Straßenfertiger mit Fahrersitz in der linken Endposition in Geradeausstellung;
• 7: eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen Straßenfertiger mit Fahrersitz in der linken Endposition in Seitenstellung;
• 8: eine Draufsicht auf einen Straßenfertiger mit Fahrersitz in der linken Endposition in Seitenstellung; und
• 9: eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen Straßenfertiger mit Fahrersitz in einer mittleren Stellung auf dem Fahrstand in Seitenstellung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures. They show schematically:

• 1 : a side view of a road paver;
• 2 : a side view of a tandem roller;
• 3 : a perspective side view of a control unit from the rear above;
• 4 : a perspective front view of a control unit from above;
• 5 : a perspective top view of a road paver with the driver's seat in a middle position on the operator's platform in the straight-ahead position;
• 6 : a perspective top view of a road paver with driver's seat in the left end position in straight-ahead position;
• 7 : a perspective top view of a road paver with driver's seat in the left end position in side position;
• 8th : a plan view of a road paver with driver's seat in the left end position in side position; and
• 9 : a perspective top view of a road paver with the driver's seat in a middle position on the operator's platform in side position.

Identical components or components with the same effect are numbered with the same reference numerals in the figures. Repeating components are not designated separately in each figure.

The 1 and 2 show construction machinery 1, specifically a road paver ( 1 ) and a tandem roller ( 2 ). The construction machines 1 preferably have a machine frame 3 with a control station 2 and a chassis. The construction machine 1 is operated from the control station 2. The chassis preferably comprises driving devices 6, which in the case of the road finisher consist of 1 For example, it can be tracked or wheels. In the case of the tandem roller made of 2 the driving devices 6 are designed as compaction drums, for example. In the case of both construction machines 1, however, the driving devices 6 could also be designed as wheels. In addition, the construction machines 1 preferably comprise a drive motor 4, which can be, for example, an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine, or an electric motor, and which provides drive energy for operating the construction machine 1. When the construction machines 1 are in operation, they move in or against the working direction or forward direction a over the ground and work it, for example by laying a base layer using the road paver or by compacting the ground using the tandem roller.

The road paver according to 1 preferably has a material hopper 5 in which paving material is stored during operation. This is then transported by the road finisher to its rear, where it is preferably distributed by a transverse distribution device such as a screw conveyor and smoothed and pre-compacted by a paving screed 7. Typically, tandem rollers such as the one according to 2 in use, which compact the soil to a desired level of compaction through their own weight and optionally through an unbalance excitation device arranged in one or more of the compaction drums 6, oscillating movement of the compaction drums.

The construction machines 1 have at least one control unit 29 in their control station 2, which is shown in detail in the 3 and 4 Components of the operating unit 29 are a driver's seat 8 and an operating console 9 as well as, according to the invention, a transverse guide 31. To control the construction machine 1, the driver is preferably located on the driver's seat 8. The driver's seat 8 has a seat index point SIP ( 4 ), which is a standard defined in the EN ISO 5353 standard. The standard also specifies a method for clearly determining the exact position of the seat index point SIP on any seat. The seat index point SIP is approximately in the middle of the seat, a few centimeters above the seat surface. More precise information can be found in the EN ISO 5353 standard. The control console 9 preferably has control elements for controlling the construction machine 1 by the driver sitting on the driver's seat 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, one of these control elements is, for example, a steering device 10, which can be designed as a steering wheel. The driver's seat 8 is preferably arranged or fastened to a seat support 16 via a seat bearing 15. The seat bearing 15 can preferably comprise a height adjustment device for the driver's seat 8, so that the seat height can be adjusted vertically. In addition, the seat bearing 15 can also comprise a pivot bearing for the driver's seat 8, so that the driver's seat 8 is designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation. The seat support 16 is in turn preferably connected to a console support 17, wherein the console support 17 preferably extends in the vertical direction and supports the control console 9. Together, the seat support 16 and the console support 17 preferably form a support structure 30, which overall represents a rigid connection between the control console 9 and the driver's seat 8. The support structure 30 is in turn preferably attached to a support carriage 37 ( 4 ), which preferably comprises a carriage frame 36, a sliding bush 19 and a steering sliding bush 25. In addition, the support carriage 37 is preferably movably mounted on a bearing rail 38, for example via a sliding roller, or is additionally supported on the latter. In particular, the carriage frame 36 extends in the vertical direction and establishes a rigid connection of the sliding bush 19 with the steering sliding bush 25 and the bearing on the bearing rail 38.

The support structure 30 is preferably mounted on a transverse guide 31 via the support carriage 37. The transverse guide 31 preferably comprises a transverse guide support 21 and at least one guide rail 18. The transverse guide support 21 preferably forms a support frame that supports the guide rail 18 in the operator's station 2 of the construction machine 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the guide rail 18 is preferably designed as a round beam that is encompassed by the sliding bushing 19 of the support carriage 37. In particular, the sliding bushing 19 is mounted on the guide rail 18 via rolling bearings, in particular ball bearings, in such a way that the sliding bushing 19 and thus also the support carriage 37 are designed to be movable along the guide rail 18 or the transverse guide 31. The guide rail 18 is preferably aligned transversely or perpendicularly to the working direction a, so that the direction of movement of the support carriage 37 along the transverse guide 31 also preferably runs transversely to the working direction a. In addition to the guide rail 18, the transverse guide 31 can preferably also have a further bearing rail 38, which is preferably arranged vertically spaced from the guide rail 18. The bearing rail 38 is also preferably connected to the support carriage 37 via a movable bearing, for example a roller bearing, in particular a sliding roller. The bearing on the bearing rail 38 preferably forms the counter bearing for the bearing on the guide rail 18, so that these two bearings are designed to absorb the weight, in particular the entire weight, of the support carriage 37. In addition, a steering output shaft 14 is preferably provided, which is part of the steering of the machine via the control console 9. A steering sliding bush 25 is preferably also guided along the steering output shaft 14, which is preferably mounted on the steering output shaft 14 via rolling bearings, for example ball bearings. The steering output shaft 14 is preferably force-free with respect to the supporting forces of the support carriage 37 and the components arranged on it and therefore does not fulfill any supporting function. Overall, it is therefore preferred if the support carriage 37 has two, in particular only two, bearings for transmitting its weight force to the transverse guide 31, wherein the two bearings preferably each allow movement of the support carriage 37 along the transverse guide. The two bearings are preferably spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction in order to prevent rotation of the support carriage 37 about the guide rail 18 and/or the bearing rail 38. It is preferred that, apart from these two bearings, there are no further connections between the support structure 30, the driver's seat 8, the control console 9, the support carriage 37 on the one hand and the transverse guide 31 or the operator's station 2 or the rest of the construction machine 1 on the other hand for supporting the support carriage 37. There can also be a connection to the steering output shaft 14 for transmitting steering movements. However, this connection is also preferably not intended to absorb weight forces of the support carriage 37 on the transverse guide 31. In particular, the support structure 30 is designed to be free or floating on the side remote from the transverse guide 31.

The support carriage 37, the support structure 30 and with it also the operating console 9 and the driver's seat 8 can therefore preferably be adjusted or moved over the entire extent of the guide rail 18 and/or the bearing rail 38 along the transverse guide 31 transversely to the working direction a. At the respective ends of the rails or the transverse guide 31, a respective end position is preferably structurally specified as a result. The end position preferably describes a position of the maximum displacement of the support carriage 37 along the transverse guide 31 in one of the two possible directions of displacement. The transverse guide 31 therefore preferably specifies exactly two end positions, one for each of the displacement directions along the transverse guide 31. For example, the end positions are those positions in which the sliding bush 19 and/or the steering sliding bush 25 strikes the transverse guide support 21 and thereby limits the movement. Alternatively, another stop can be provided on the support carriage 37 and on the cross member 31, which stops or limits the movement of the support carriage 37 along the cross member 31 in the end positions.

In addition, a locking device 24 ( 3 ) may be provided to fix the support carriage 37 at any position between the two end positions on the cross member 31. For example, the locking device 24 may comprise a rack which may be arranged parallel to the guide rail 18 and/or the bearing rail 38. In addition, a locking control element 20 ( 3 ), for example in the form of a locking lever, which can be brought into or out of engagement with the locking device 24 by an operator. The locking control element 20 is preferably pre-tensioned into the position blocking the movement, i.e. into engagement with the locking device 24, for example by a spring.

In order to enable the movement of the support carriage 37 along the transverse guide 31 and thus also the control console 9, a drag chain 22 is preferably provided, via which the control elements of the control console 9 are connected to a control device of the construction machine 1. The drag chain 22 is preferably used to guide cables and other lines from the fixed transverse guide 31 to the movable support carriage 37 and to the control console 9 and its control elements. The drag chain is particularly dimensioned such that it is sufficient for adjusting the support carriage 37 between the two end positions of the transverse guide 31.

A key basic idea of the invention is that the support structure 30, together with the driver's seat 8 and the control console 9, are designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis S. For this purpose, the support structure 30 is preferably arranged or mounted on the support carriage 37 so that it can pivot about a pivot joint defining the pivot axis S. The pivot axis S preferably runs in the vertical direction. By pivoting the support structure 30 about the pivot axis S, the control console 9 and the driver's seat 8 are automatically pivoted along with the support structure 30. The movement of these components therefore takes place together and by the same pivot angle. In this way, the relative arrangement of the control console 9 and the control elements arranged on the control console 9 with respect to the driver's seat 8 and the driver sitting on the driver's seat 8 always remains the same. The driver can therefore control the construction machine 1 via the control console 9 and, for example, the steering device 10 in the same, intuitive way from the driver's seat 8, regardless of the respective pivot position of the support structure 30 about the pivot axis S. Therefore, when pivoting about the pivot axis S, he does not have to get used to or take into account a changed position of the operating elements or the control console 9. The pivot axis S is preferably arranged in front of the driver's seat 8 in the working direction a, in particular just like the transverse guide 31. In other words, the pivot axis S is preferably arranged at the end of the support structure 30 opposite the driver's seat 8. In this way, when pivoting about the pivot axis S, the pivot path of the driver's seat 8 is as large as possible, which in turn leads to the position and orientation of the driver's seat 8 with respect to the construction machine 1 or the driver's station 2 changing particularly significantly. Because the driver can freely choose the pivot position of the driver's seat 8 about the pivot axis S, he can choose from a variety of different positions and orientations of the driver's seat 8, depending on the requirements of his current work situation in terms of the overview of the construction machine 1 or its external environment.

In order for the driver to be able to determine or fix a freely adjustable swivel position of the support structure 30, the control console 9 and the driver's seat 8 around the swivel axis S, a locking device 32 ( 4 ) is provided. The locking device 32 is preferably arranged on the swivel joint of the swivel axis S and comprises, for example, a gear ring and a locking control element 23 such as a locking lever. For example, the locking control element 23 has a stop with which it can be inserted into the gear ring of the locking device 32. can engage conclusively to prevent rotation of the support structure 30 relative to the support carriage 37 or the transverse guide 31. It is preferred that the locking control element 23 is pre-tensioned into the locking position by a spring pre-tension. It can be moved out of this position by the driver by actuating the locking control element 23, so that pivoting about the pivot axis S is possible. As soon as the driver releases the locking control element 23, the pre-tension causes the locking control element 23 to engage in the locking device 32 and prevents further pivoting.

In the embodiment shown, a steering device 10 in the form of a steering wheel is arranged on the control console 9. The steering wheel can be part of a mechanical-hydraulic steering system. For this purpose, the rotational movement of the steering wheel, which is triggered by a driver, is preferably transmitted to the steering output shaft 14. Details on this can be found in the above-mentioned EN 10 2010 035 270 B4 Alternatively, a cable connection can be provided via which signals from an electric steering device can be transmitted.

The 5-9 show different positions or orientations that the driver's seat 8 and the control console 9 together with the support structure 30 can assume by moving along the transverse guide 31 and by pivoting about the pivot axis S. 5 shows an example of a road finisher from a perspective view from the rear and above. The operator's cab 2 of the road finisher is shown without a roof for reasons of clarity. However, the present invention relates to both operator's cabs 2 with and without a roof. In the example according to 5 the driver's seat 8 is arranged in the middle of the driver's station 2 and is in a straight-ahead position. A driver sitting on the driver's seat 8, who looks straight ahead based on the orientation of the driver's seat 8, is therefore looking exactly in the working direction a. In addition, the driver's seat 8 is arranged exactly in the middle between the two end positions specified by the transverse guide 31. In this position, the driver has a particularly symmetrical view to the front and rear. In addition, in 5 It is shown by way of example that an additional control console, specifically an armrest console 33 on the driver's seat 8, can be provided. Additional control elements for the construction machine 1 can be arranged on the additional control console, i.e. the armrest console 33. For example, a joystick 34 is arranged on the armrest console 33, which can be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the steering device 10 designed as a steering wheel. For example, the construction machine 1 can have an electronic control or an electronic steering system which is controlled by the joystick 34. It is also possible for two such additional control consoles to be provided, for example on both armrests.

In 6 the driver's seat 8 is in the left end position specified by the transverse guide 31 with regard to the movement transverse to the working direction a. The driver's seat 8 and the control console 9 are located in this position directly next to the left operator's cab door 26. However, the driver's seat 8 and the control console 9 could also be moved along the transverse guide 31 to the right side of the operator's cab 2 into the right end position so that they are located directly next to the right operator's cab door 26. 6 the left end position is shown. In addition, 6 the vehicle pillars of the operator's station 2 of the construction machine 1, specifically the A-pillar A and the B-pillar B. If the driver wants to drive from the driver's seat 8 in the 6 If the driver wants to observe the outside environment to the left of and to the left in front of machine 1 from the position shown, he must look past vehicle pillar A. In other words, vehicle pillar A in the example shown is directly in the driver's field of vision and hinders him from observing the working environment.

The present invention can provide a remedy here. In 7 a situation is shown in which the left operator's cab door 26 is open. In addition, the support structure 30 together with the control console 9 and the driver's seat 8 is pivoted outwards about the pivot axis S. The pivoting movement outwards refers to a pivoting movement about the pivot axis S away from the central longitudinal axis M of the construction machine 1. As the figure shows, the driver's seat 8 is pivoted out through the open operator's cab door 26 or the opening cleared by the open operator's cab door 26 into an area which, when the operator's cab door 26 is closed, is in accordance with 6 was still outside the driver's station 2. In particular, the driver's seat 8 has been moved by pivoting about the pivot axis S into a position that is further away from the central longitudinal axis M of the construction machine 1 than the A-pillar A. As will be explained in more detail below, these details relate in particular to the seat index point SIP of the driver's seat 8. In this way, the driver can easily look past the A-pillar A from the driver's seat 8 and observe the outside surroundings of the construction machine 1. In addition, he can particularly easily look past another vehicle on the construction site, for example a truck that is driving in front of or behind the construction machine 1. The usual construction site communication with the driver of this other vehicle, for example by hand signals, is made easier. In particular, he can also look along the outer contour of the machine and, for example, determine with high precision where the construction machine 1 is traveling and which parts of the ground are therefore being worked by it and which are not. Distances to obstacles can also be determined particularly precisely in this way. The driver can open the operator's cab door 26 manually. Alternatively, a coupling device 35 ( 3 ) can be provided which, when the support structure 30 is pivoted about the pivot axis S in one of the end positions of the transverse guide 31 on the operator's cab door 26, leads to an automatic opening of the operator's cab door 26. The coupling device 35 can, for example, be a stop which pushes the operator's cab door 26 open outwards. In addition, the coupling device 35 can also comprise a magnet, so that the operator's cab door 26 can also be closed automatically by the coupling device 35 when the support structure 30 and the driver's seat 8 as well as the control console 9 are pivoted from the pivoted-out position back into the straight-ahead position.

To ensure that the driver's seat 8 is in the swivelled-out position according to 7 does not hang freely in the air or hover freely above the ground over which the construction machine 1 travels, a pivoting floor 27 is preferably provided. This preferably has the shape of a circular sector and can be pivoted about a pivot axis, in particular between a storage position and a working position. The pivot axis of the pivoting floor 27 is preferably coaxial with a door rotation axis T ( 8th ), the pivot axis of the pivoting floor 27 also preferably being arranged at the tip of the circular sector. In the stowed position, the pivoting floor 27 is preferably arranged in a storage compartment beneath the operator's cab floor 28 and can be pulled out from there into a working position in which the pivoting floor 27 preferably bridges or closes the area between the operator's cab floor 28 and the open operator's cab door 26 in the horizontal plane. When the operator's cab door 26 is open, the pivoting floor 27 therefore extends the operator's cab floor 28 beyond the actual extent of the operator's cab floor 28 and therefore secures the driver, who is no longer above the operator's cab floor 28 when the driver's seat 8 is pivoted out. In the side position, the driver's seat 8 is then arranged above the pivoting floor 27 which is in the working position.

For further explanation, the situations of 5 , 6 and 7 again in 8th summarized in plan view. Specifically, 8th the position of the driver’s seat 8, the control console 9 and the support structure 30 as well as the operator’s cab door 26 and the swivel floor 27 according to 7 . The positions of these elements according to the 5 and 6 are shown in phantom lines. 8th various preferred geometric designs of the invention now emerge. For example, 8th that the displacement direction h of the support structure 30 with the control console 9 and the driver's seat 8 runs transversely to the working direction a. In addition, 8th that the pivoting of the support structure 30 or the control console 9 and the driver's seat 8 about the pivot axis S is preferably characterized by a pivot angle W which is spanned by two vertical planes, each of which runs through the seat index point SIP of the driver's seat 8 and the pivot axis S. One vertical plane results from the straight-ahead position of the driver's seat 8 before pivoting about the pivot axis S and the second vertical plane results from the lateral position of the driver's seat 8 after pivoting about the pivot axis S. Between these two vertical planes, the pivot angle W measured in the horizontal plane results. The larger the pivot angle W, the further the driver's seat 8 and its seat index point SIP can be pivoted outwards. 8th It is also clear that the operator's cab door 26 can be opened or closed about a door rotation axis T. In addition, the door rotation axis T is preferably arranged in the working direction a in front of the pivot axis S. In particular, the door rotation axis T is arranged in the working direction a in front of the pivot axis S by an offset v. In this way, it is ensured that even in the end positions specified by the transverse guide 31, pivoting of the support structure 30 and in particular of the control console 9 about the pivot axis S is possible. For example, if the door rotation axis T were in 8th in the working direction a only at the height of the swivel axis S and not in front of it, the control console 9 would be positioned with its left, rear corner, which is in 8th protrudes beyond the outer contour of the construction machine 1, collide with the operator's cab door 26. By virtue of the correspondingly preferred arrangement of the door rotation axis T in the working direction a in front of the pivot axis S, sufficient space is made available in this area so that the operating console 9 can also pivot freely into the lateral position.

In particular, 8th also shows that the seat index point SIP of the driver's seat 8 can preferably be pivoted outwards beyond an outer contour K of the construction machine 1. The outer contour K of the construction machine 1 is defined by the outer surface of the construction machine 1 and in particular of the operator's station 2 when the operator's station door 26 is closed. In the area in which the closed operator's cab door 26, the outer contour K of the construction machine 1 is therefore defined by the position of the outer surface of the closed operator's cab door 26. The outer contour K of the construction machine 1 remains as a virtual reference surface in the same position as it is when the operator's cab door 26 is closed, even when the operator's cab door 26 is open. The driver's seat 8 and in particular also the seat index point SIP of the driver's seat 8 are pivoted outwards beyond this outer contour K by pivoting the support structure 30 about the pivot axis S. The seat index point SIP is thereby moved beyond the outer contour K in particular in such a way that it is a distance d from the outer contour K. The distance d is measured in particular in the direction transverse to the working direction a.

It is pointed out again that the above explanations refer only to the left side of the construction machine 1 as an example. All processes can also be carried out on the other, right side of the construction machine 1. With regard to the elements and processes described, the operator's station 2 and the control unit 29 are therefore preferably mirror-symmetrical. The driver's seat 8 can therefore also be swiveled beyond the outer contour K of the construction machine 1 on the right side when the operator's station door 26 is open. A swivel floor 27 is also arranged on this side. Reference is made to the above explanations only to avoid repetition.

9 shows that pivoting of the support structure 30 with the driver's seat 8 and the control console 9 about the pivot axis S is also possible in a position along the transverse guide 31 which is not an end position. In 9 For example, the driver's seat 8 is located completely within the operator's station 2, although it is in a lateral position, i.e. in a position pivoted about the pivot axis S. This also enables the driver to adopt different positions and different orientations of the driver's seat within the operator's station, and thus improve his overview of the construction machine 1 and the work being done. Overall, the invention therefore makes it possible to significantly improve the flexibility of an operating unit 29 of a generic construction machine 1 and thus increase work safety and work quality.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely to provide the reader with better information. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102017002225 A1 [0003]
• DE 102018007825 A1 [0004]
• DE 102010035270 B4 [0005, 0026, 0044]
• EP1961607B1 [0005]

Claims (17)

Construction machine (1), in particular a road finisher or tandem roller, for working a soil in a working direction (a), with - a machine frame (3), - a driver's station (2) and - at least one driving device (6), and - an operating unit (29), the operating unit (29) comprising - a driver's seat (8) for a driver of the construction machine (1), - an operating console (9) with operating elements for controlling the construction machine (1) by the driver, - a support structure (30) on which both the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) are arranged, and - a transverse guide (31) with at least one guide rail (18), wherein the support structure (30) is movably mounted on the at least one guide rail (18), so that the support structure (30) together with the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) are designed to be movable along the at least one guide rail (18), characterized in that the support structure (30) with the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) can be moved by a, in particular in The pivot axis (S) extending in the vertical direction is designed to be pivotable, the pivot axis (S) being arranged in front of the driver's seat (8) in the working direction (a). Construction machine (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the pivot axis (S) and the operating console (9) are arranged on the support structure (30) in front of the driver's seat (8) in the working direction (a). Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (30) with the driver's seat (8) and the control console (9) is designed to be pivotable exclusively about the pivot axis (S). Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse guide (31) has, in addition to the guide rail (18), a further bearing rail (38) which is arranged at a distance from the guide rail (18) in the vertical direction and preferably runs parallel to the guide rail (18), and that the support structure (30) is movably mounted on the guide rail (18) and the bearing rail (38). Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support carriage (37) is provided on which the support structure (30) with the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) is pivotably mounted about the pivot axis (S), and that the support carriage (37) is movably mounted on the transverse guide (31), so that the support carriage (37) together with the support structure (30), the driver's seat (8) and the operating console (9) is designed to be movable along the transverse guide (31), in particular along the guide rail (18). Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (30) is mounted exclusively on the transverse guide (31) and that the support structure (30) is mounted exclusively in the working direction (a) in front of the driver's seat (8) on the transverse guide (31). Construction machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the driver's seat (8) has a seat index point (SIP), and that the support structure (30) is mounted on the guide rail (18) so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis (S) such that the driver's seat (8) can be pivoted between a straight-ahead position and a lateral position, wherein a vertical plane through the seat index point (SIP) and the pivot axis (S) in the straight-ahead position and a vertical plane through the seat index point (SIP) and the pivot axis (S) in the lateral position enclose a pivot angle (W), and wherein the pivot angle (W) is in particular at least up to 40°, preferably at least up to 50° or at least up to 60° or at least up to 70° or at least up to 80° or at least up to 90°. Construction machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vertical plane through the seat index point (SIP) and the pivot axis (S) is aligned parallel to the working direction (a) when the driver's seat (8) is in the straight-ahead position. Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 7 - 8th , characterized in that the transverse guide (31) runs transversely to the working direction (a) and at its ends spaced transversely to the working direction (a) each predetermines an end position for the driver's seat (8), wherein the driver's seat (8) is arranged in one of these end positions in the straight-ahead position such that the seat index point (SIP) in the direction transverse to the working direction (a) is arranged at the level of the transverse guide (31), and that the driver's seat (8) in these end positions can be pivoted about the pivot axis (S) away from the guide rail (18) such that the seat index point (SIP) in the direction transverse to the working direction (a) is behind the transverse guide (31). Construction machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the Seat index point (SIP) of the driver's seat (8) is adjustable by a distance (d) beyond the outer contour of the construction machine (1) transversely to the working direction (a), wherein the distance (d) is at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm or at least 20 cm or at least 25 cm or at least 30 cm. Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operator's station (2) comprises at least one operator's station door (26), the operator's station door (26) having an outer side with which it forms an outer contour of the construction machine (1) in a closed state, and that the driver's seat (8), in particular the seat index point (SIP) of the driver's seat (8), can be adjusted transversely to the working direction (a) when the operator's station door (26) is open by pivoting the driver's seat (8) about the pivot axis (S) away from a central longitudinal axis (M) of the construction machine (1) up to beyond this outer contour of the construction machine (1). Construction machine (1) according to Claim 11 , characterized in that a coupling device (35) is provided which automatically opens and/or closes the operator's cab door (26) when the driver's seat (8) is pivoted about the pivot axis (S) next to the operator's cab door (26). Construction machine (1) according to one of the Claims 11 or 12 , characterized in that the operator's cab door (26) is designed such that it can be opened and closed about a door rotation axis (T), wherein the door rotation axis (T) is located further forward in the working direction (a) than the pivot axis (S). Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a horizontally extending pivoting floor (27) is present, which is adjustable, in particular pivotable, between a storage position in which the pivoting floor (27) is inserted under a driver's cab floor (28), and a working position in which the pivoting floor (27) extends the driver's cab floor (28) transversely to the working direction (a), in particular up to the opened driver's cab door (26). Construction machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movement of the pivoting floor (27) between the storage position and the working position is coupled to the movement of the operator's cab door (26) and/or the support structure (30), so that the pivoting floor (27) is automatically moved along with the operator's cab door (26) or the support structure (30). Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking device (24, 32) is provided in order to lock the support structure (30) with the driver's seat (8) and the control console (9) in different positions along the transverse guide (31) and/or in different pivoting positions about the pivot axis (S). Construction machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one of the following features: - it has an additional armrest console (33) with operating elements for the driver, in particular on the driver's seat (8); - it has an electronic steering system for the construction machine (1), in particular comprising a joystick (34); - the driver's seat (8) is designed to be height-adjustable; - the driver's seat (8) is designed to be rotatable; - the support structure (30) comprises a seat support (16) extending in the radial direction of the pivot axis (S); - the support structure (30) comprises a vertically extending console support (17).

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