GB1565642A

GB1565642A - Vehicle with a tippable drivers cab

Info

Publication number: GB1565642A
Application number: GB1257/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Current assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Priority date: 1977-01-15
Filing date: 1978-01-12
Publication date: 1980-04-23
Also published as: SE7800437L; IT7847633A0; FR2377315B1; IT1101943B; DE2701521A1; FR2377315A1

Description

(54) VEHICLE WITH A TIPPABLE DRIVER'S CAB (71) We, DAIMI.ER-BENz AKTIEN GESELLscHAFT, of Stuttgart-Untertiirkheim, Germany, a Company organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a commercial or utility vehicle, particularly but not exclusively a motor vehicle for cross-country operation, having a driver's cab which is tippable about a transverse axis, is held at one end on a torsionally stiff or rigid auxiliary frame by two mountings or bearings and has releasable locking means at its rear end.

Driver's cabs of this kind, particularly for vehicles with front steering, are generally designed with front mounting means constructed as a pivot for tipping, while the rear mounting means is provided with the releasable locking means. The front mounting means, fixed to the chassis frame, determines the movement of the cab when frame distortions occur. The rear mounting means must be so constructed that they can compensate for frame movements in their region, which movements may, in part, be oppositely directed.

The above-described known arrangement has the disadvantage that angles of distortion appearing in the front region of the frame when frame distortion occurs result in pronounced wavering movements of the cab. The forces thus introduced into the cab are very considerable, so that correspondingly uneconomical dimensioning of relevant structural components is necessary.

Also the arrangement for supporting the cab leads to torsional stressing of the cab when frame distortion occurs. Furthermore, opposite movements which occur in the event of torsional distortion necessitate large clearances between the cab and the front wheels. In addition, when tipping is carried out on uneven ground, it may be impossible, without special provision, to reengage the cab with the locking means.

Finally, with the known construction, the cab and superstructure are attached to the frame at points which are a considerable distance apart, so that large opposite angles of relative distortion occur in the event of torsional distortion.

The invention seeks to obviate these disadvantages and, more particularly, to keep torsional stresses away from the cab and to manage with smaller clearances in the region of the front wheels.

According to the invention, in a vehicle having a driver's cab which is tippable about a transverse axis and is held on a torsionally stiff auxiliary frame by two mountings at its front end and by releasable locking means at its rear end, the auxiliary frame is connected to a vehicle main frame by three attachment points, namely one at the front of the cab substantially in the region of the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle main frame and two at the rear of the cab on longitudinal members of the vehicle main frame. Suitably, the front attachment point is constituted by a bearing arranged on the auxiliary frame. The axis for turning of the said bearing may be oriented in the longitudinal central vertical plane of the vehicle.

The said bearing may be welded between two profiled members which extend from the bearing obliquely outwardly and upwardly and are welded by their upper outer ends to the auxiliary frame.

The rear points of attachment to the auxiliary frame may also comprise or be constituted by bearings arranged below that frame. The means of attachment to the auxiliary frame comprise inelastically rotatable or elastically yielding means. Conveniently, so-called metal-rubber components are used.

Auxiliary units, such as hydraulic tipping means, air filter, mudguards, spare wheel, supplementary wheels or steps, may be attached to the auxiliary frame itself.

One embodiment of the invention by way of example will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a driver's cab and adjacent parts in perspective.

In the front portion of a commercial motor vehicle illustrated the driver's cab is constructed for being tipped forward about a transverse axis 2. Bearings 3 necessary for the tipping are located on an auxiliary frame 4 which is U-shaped in plan view. A bridge part 5 of the U-shape is disposed near the front face 6 of the cab, to which face it is parallel, and carries the two bearings 3. The frame 4 may be fabricated from a profiled member or members.

The cab 1 is articulated to the auxiliary frame 4 fhrough the intermediary of longitudinal members 7 and the bearings 3. Releasable locking means 8 is provided at the rear end of the cab.

The auxiliary frame 4 has three attachment points, namely one such point 11 at the front end of the cab 1 in the region of the neutral central longitudinal axis of the main vehicle frame 12, which comprises a front transverse member 13 and two longitudinal members 14. Two further attachment points located in the rear region of the cab 1 comprise bearings 15 which are fixed to the longitudinal members 14 below the auxiliary frame 4. Preferably and as shown, the bearings 15 are constructed so that their axes for turning are directed in one line transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The front point 11 of attachment of the frame 4 is constituted by a bearing which is located below that frame and whose axis for turning is preferably oriented, as shown, in the longitudinal central vertical plane of the vehicle. A metal rubber pot bearing without determinate axes may alternatively be used as bearing in this position.

The bearing at 11 is welded between two members 16 of profiled cross section, for example box or U-section, which extend from the bearing, located in the aforesaid central plane, obliquely outwardly and upwardly and are welded by their upper ends 17 to the auxiliary frame 4.

The points of attachment of the cab 1 to the auxiliary frame 4 are of elastically yielding construction. In the example illustrated, cylindrical helicoidal springs 18 are provided - for this purpose. Instead of such springs 18, however, support by means of rubber or pneumatic spring elements may be emploved.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1 A A vehicle having a driver's cab which is tippable about a transverse axis and is held on a torsionally stiff auxiliary frame by two mountings at its front end and by releasable locking means at its rear end, wherein the auxiliary frame is connected to a vehicle main frame by three attachment points, namely one at the front of the cab substantially in the region of the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle main frame and two at the rear of the cab on longitudinal members of the vehicle main frame.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front attachment point is constituted by a bearing arranged on the auxiliary frame.

3. A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the axis for turning of the said bearing is oriented in the longitudinal central vertical plane of the vehicle.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the said bearing is welded between two profiled members, which extend from the bearing obliquely outwardly and upwardly and are welded by their upper outer ends to the auxiliary frame.

5. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rear end points of attachment of the auxiliary frame comprise bearings arranged below that frame.

6. A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the said bearings have a common axis for turning directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

7. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the points of attachment of the auxiliary frame comprise elastically yieldable means 8. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein points of attachment of the auxiliary frame comprise metalrubber mountings without determinate axis of turning.

9. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein auxiliary units, such as hydraulic tipping means, an air filter, mudguards, spare wheel, supplementary wheels or steps, are attached to the auxiliary frame.

10. A vehicle having a tippable driver's cab substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

drawing, which shows a driver's cab and adjacent parts in perspective.

In the front portion of a commercial motor vehicle illustrated the driver's cab is constructed for being tipped forward about a transverse axis 2. Bearings 3 necessary for the tipping are located on an auxiliary frame 4 which is U-shaped in plan view. A bridge part 5 of the U-shape is disposed near the front face 6 of the cab, to which face it is parallel, and carries the two bearings 3. The frame 4 may be fabricated from a profiled member or members.

The cab 1 is articulated to the auxiliary frame 4 fhrough the intermediary of longitudinal members 7 and the bearings 3. Releasable locking means 8 is provided at the rear end of the cab.

The auxiliary frame 4 has three attachment points, namely one such point 11 at the front end of the cab 1 in the region of the neutral central longitudinal axis of the main vehicle frame 12, which comprises a front transverse member 13 and two longitudinal members 14. Two further attachment points located in the rear region of the cab 1 comprise bearings 15 which are fixed to the longitudinal members 14 below the auxiliary frame 4. Preferably and as shown, the bearings 15 are constructed so that their axes for turning are directed in one line transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The front point 11 of attachment of the frame 4 is constituted by a bearing which is located below that frame and whose axis for turning is preferably oriented, as shown, in the longitudinal central vertical plane of the vehicle. A metal rubber pot bearing without determinate axes may alternatively be used as bearing in this position.

The bearing at 11 is welded between two members 16 of profiled cross section, for example box or U-section, which extend from the bearing, located in the aforesaid central plane, obliquely outwardly and upwardly and are welded by their upper ends 17 to the auxiliary frame 4.

The points of attachment of the cab 1 to the auxiliary frame 4 are of elastically yielding construction. In the example illustrated, cylindrical helicoidal springs 18 are provided - for this purpose. Instead of such springs 18, however, support by means of rubber or pneumatic spring elements may be emploved.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1 A A vehicle having a driver's cab which is tippable about a transverse axis and is held on a torsionally stiff auxiliary frame by two mountings at its front end and by releasable locking means at its rear end, wherein the auxiliary frame is connected to a vehicle main frame by three attachment points, namely one at the front of the cab substantially in the region of the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle main frame and two at the rear of the cab on longitudinal members of the vehicle main frame.
2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front attachment point is constituted by a bearing arranged on the auxiliary frame.
3. A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the axis for turning of the said bearing is oriented in the longitudinal central vertical plane of the vehicle.
4. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the said bearing is welded between two profiled members, which extend from the bearing obliquely outwardly and upwardly and are welded by their upper outer ends to the auxiliary frame.
5. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rear end points of attachment of the auxiliary frame comprise bearings arranged below that frame.
6. A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the said bearings have a common axis for turning directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
7. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the points of attachment of the auxiliary frame comprise elastically yieldable means
8. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein points of attachment of the auxiliary frame comprise metalrubber mountings without determinate axis of turning.
9. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein auxiliary units, such as hydraulic tipping means, an air filter, mudguards, spare wheel, supplementary wheels or steps, are attached to the auxiliary frame.
10. A vehicle having a tippable driver's cab substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.