GB2461508A

GB2461508A - Tractor cab with improved visibility

Info

Publication number: GB2461508A
Application number: GB0811894A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kimmo Tapani Wihinen
Original assignee: Valtra Oy AB
Current assignee: Valtra Oy AB
Priority date: 2008-06-30
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Also published as: WO2010000630A1; GB0811894D0

Abstract

A tractor 10 having at least one pillar 30 adjacent a driver's operating area is provided. The pillar comprises and integral window (32, figure 2) within the line of sight of the driver thereby improving the visibility thereof during the operation of the tractor. Integral windows may be provided in cab pillars or in a rollover protective structure of a platform structure. A truss -style construction can be employed for the pillars wherein windows are provided in the gaps between the webbing.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TRACTOR

The invention relates to a tractor having upright pillars which are disposed around a driver's operating area. In particular but not exclusively so the invention relates to an agricultural tractor having a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS).

Tractors, whether fitted with a cab or not, operating under most jurisdictions require a ROPS which serves to protect the driver in the event of the tractor rolling over. When fitted with a cab the ROPS is integrated with the cab frame. Typically a cab comprises at least four cab pillars; a pair of front cab pillars and a pair of rear cab pillars. It is also known to include one or two intermediate cab pillars which are disposed between the front pillar and rear pillar and often serve to provide a rigid post to which a door can be hinged.

A continuing desire of tractor cab design is to maximize the visibility of the driver so as to improve the operating conditions and even improve safety.

It is thus an object of the invention to provide a tractor with improved visibility for the driver.

In accordance with the present invention there is a tractor having a pillar adjacent a driver's operating area, the pillar comprising an integral window within the line of sight of a driver. It has been recognised that a conventional pillar presents a visual obstruction to the driver whether it be a front (A-pillar), an intermediate pillar (B-pillar) or a rear pillar (C-pillar). By providing a window which is integrated with the structure of the pillar the object of the invention is achieved.

Preferably the pillar (or pillars) having an integral window forms part of a ROPS. This is applicable to both tractors having a cab and platform tractors which comprise merely a pair of pillars connected above the driver's head by a cross member.

In a preferred embodiment however, the tractor comprises a cab which includes a roof supported by a plurality of cab pillars said pillar (having an integral window) forming one of said cab pillars. Preferably at least two of said cab pillars comprise an integral window thereby increasing the visibility of the driver further still.

In the case of a five-pillar cab or a six-pillar cab (having at least one intermediate cab pillar) the intermediate pillars preferably comprise an integral window. In such a five-or six-pillar cab structure it is typically the B-pillar which presents the greatest obstruction to the driver's sight because it is located closest to the driver's head and, furthermore, often provides the ROPS.

Advantageously, the tractor may further comprise a sheet of transparent material such as glass which extends from a C-pillar to an adjacent B-pillar which has the integral window. The sheet of transparent material extends over the integral window. This allows a plurality of windows to be covered with a single piece of material.

In a further preferred embodiment the pillar is of a truss style construction having two parallel chords and a web therebetween, The web may be formed from a plurality of connecting struts for example. However, in a preferred embodiment the pillar is of a Warren truss style construction and comprises a plurality of triangular integral windows formed within the web.

Not only is a Warren truss style construction aesthetically pleasing but it offers a particularly strong construction whilst maximizing the area of the integral window or windows.

Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following description of specific embodiments with reference to the appended drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tractor in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of part of the tractor of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of part of the tractor of Figure I showing the cab with the roof removed; Figure 4 shows a B-pillar of the tractor of Figure 1 having a construction in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the tractor or Figure 1 showing the increased visibility provided by the invention; and Figure 6 shows a tractor in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figure 1 a tractor 10 comprises two front wheels 12 attached to respective ends of an axle 13 and rear wheels 14. Each of the wheels has an associated fender 16 for restricting the amount of mud and debris which can otherwise fly up from the wheel whilst the tractor is in motion. A driver (not shown) sits in the driver's seat 18 whilst the tractor 10 is in operation. A cab 20 comprises a roof 22 supported by a plurality of cab pillars. The cab surrounds a driver's operating area and provides protection from the outside environment which will he discussed in more detail below.

With reference also to Figures 2 and 3 the cab comprises a pair of front cab piLlars 24, often referred to as A-pillars. The A-pillars 24 are each disposed at a front corner of the driver's operating area, provide support for the cab roof 22 and provide part of a rigid frame in which a front windscreen is fitted, The cab further comprises a pair of rear cab pillars 26, often referred to as C-pillars. These are each disposed at a respective rear comer of the driver's operating area. The C-pillars 26 provide support for the rear corners of the cab roof 22 and provide part of rigid frame for a rear windscreen 27.

The A-pillars 24 and C-pillars 26 are formed from tubular steel which is bent into shape and welded during manufacture. The tops of the A-pillars 24 and C-pillars 26 are welded to a roof frame structure 28 which is also formed of tubular steel.

The cab 20 further comprises a pair of intermediate pillars 30 which are each disposed forward of the C pillars 26 above the fender 16 of the rear wheel 14. Each intermediate pillar 30, often referred to as B-pillars, is welded at its bottom end to a lower part of the driver's operating area and at its top part to the cab roof support structure 28. The B-pillars 30 provide extra support for the cab whilst also providing, together with the cab roof support structure 28, the ROPS which is a legislative requirement in most countries.

Alternatively, the pillars can instead be bolted to the tractor frame at their lower cnd and may instead be formed from aluminium for example.

In accordance with the invention each B-pillar 30 comprises a plurality of integral windows 32 within the line of sight of the driver. The windows 32 are provided by forming the B-pillar having a Warren truss style construction. With reference also to Figure 4, this style of truss construction comprises angled struts 34 connecting a pair of parallel chords 36. The chords 36 and the struts 34 are welded together so as to leave triangular integral windows 32 aligned substantially transversely to the forward direction of the tractor 10. The Warren truss-style construction provides a sufficiently strong support for the ROPS.

A single sheet of glass 40 extends from each respective C pillar 26 to the adjacent B-pillar and over the integral windows 32. Thus the windows 32 of the B-pillars 30 deliver improved visibility to the driver whilst also forming part of the cab structure. By employing a single sheet of glass 40 no extra glazing is required for the additional windows 32, thus saving extra cost. The glass sheet 40 is affixed to the respective pillars and horizontal frame work in a known manner.

In addition to providing support for the cab structure each B-pillar 30 provides a post upon which a cab door (not shown) can be hinged.

With reference to Figure 5 it can be seen that the invention delivers a significant increase in the visibility for the driver. The field of vision represented by X of a driver (represented at 100) is significantly improved by the invention. A traditional, completely opaque, B-pillar would completely block the field of view X located to the driver's immediate left and right sides. By providing at least one integral window 32 in each B-pillar 30 the driver's vision over range X is at least significantly improved. This is particularly advantageous from a safety perspective when driving on the public highway wherein the driver s blind spot is reduced in size if not completely eradicated.

It should be understood that a pillar in accordance with the invention can be formed with a truss style construction having an alternative web lay out without deviating from the scope of the invention. That is to say that the struts 34 which connect the parallel chords 36 can alternatively be arranged leaving rectangular windows for example. Alternatively further still, it is envisaged that a truss having a web of diagonal and horizontal struts can instead be employed.

In a very basic alternative to that described the pillar may comprise a single window' wherein a truss style construction is not required.

Furthermore it should be appreciated that the A-pillars 24 andlor C pillars 26 could instead, or additionally, comprise an integral window whilst remaining within the scope of the invention.

In a second embodiment a platform tractor 60 having front wheels 12, rear wheels 14, fenders 16 and driver's seat 18 comprises a ROPS 62, as shown in Figure 6. The ROPS 62 comprises a pair of pillars 70 connected at their bottom ends to the tractor chassis and connected together at their iop ends by a cross member 64.

The pillars 70 are formed of a Warren truss style construction in a similar to the B-pillars 30 shown in Figure 1. The triangular windows 32 are aligned transverse to the forward direction of the platform tractor 60 so as to improve the sideways visibility of the driver sat in seat 18.

In summary there is provided a tractor having at least one pillar adjacent a driver's operating area. The pillar comprises and integral window within the line of sight of the driver thereby improving the visibility thereof during the operation of the tractor. Integral windows may be provided in cab pillars or in a rollover protective structure of a platform structure. A truss-styLe construction can be employed for the pillars wherein windows are provided in the gaps between the webbing.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tractor having a pillar adjacent a driver's operating area, the pillar comprising an integral window within the line of sight of a driver.
2. A tractor according to Claim 1, further comprising a cab which includes a roof supported by a plurality of cab pillars, said pillar forming one of said cab pillars.
3. A tractor according to Claim 2, wherein at least two of said cab pillars comprise an integral window.
4. A tractor according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the cab comprises a pair of front cab pillars, a pair of rear cab pillars and at least one intermediate cab pillar comprising an integral window.
5. A tractor according to Claim 4, further comprising a door hinged on the intermediate cab pillar.
6. A tractor according to Claim 4 or 5, further comprising a sheet of transparent material extending from one of said rear cab pillars to the intermediate cab pillar and over the integral window.
7. A tractor according to any preceding claim, wherein said pillar forms part of a rollover protection structure.
8. A tractor according to any preceding claim, wherein said pillar is of a truss-style construction having two parallel chords and a web therebetween.
9. A tractor according to Claim 8, wherein said pillar is of a Warren truss-style construction and comprises a plurality of triangular integral windows formed within the web.
10. A tractor according to any preceding claim, wherein said integral window is covered by a sheet of transparent material.
11. A tractor constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying Figures.