WO2015108504A1

WO2015108504A1 - Mounting cabin for articulated vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2015108504A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/011428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin Ditchcreek
Original assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Ab
Priority date: 2014-01-14
Filing date: 2014-01-14
Publication date: 2015-07-23

Abstract

A mounting Cabin for Articulated Vehicle is disclosed. The device has a front frame and a rear frame, a vertically elongated pivot connecting the front frame with the rear frame. The two frames are rotatable in relation to each other. The pivot comprises a pivot pin, at least one front pivot arm extended from the front frame, at least one rear pivot arm extended from the rear frame, a mounting plate affixed to the top of the pivot pin and supporting a cabin, a support bearing installed at the bottom of the pivot pin and under the lowest joined pivot arm. The top front pivot arm has a front bracket extended upwardly at the adjacent part to the pivot joint. The top rear pivot arm has a rear bracket extended upwardly at the adjacent part to the pivot joint. Two brackets each have holes so that the lock pin can pass through the bracket. After passing through the bracket, the lock pin faces the lock collar which is installed at the pivot pin and has a pin receptor. The lock pin passes through the bracket and is inserted in the pin receptor of the lock collar. In this way, the cabin on the mounting plate can be fixed on either of the frames.

Description

MOUNTING CABIN FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an articulated vehicle, and more particularly, to mounting cabin for the articulated vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An articulated vehicle is a vehicle which has a pivot joint, i.e., a vertical hinge connecting a front frame and a rear frame. Such articulated vehicles can turn more sharply, thus show improved off-road performance. There are many kinds of articulated vehicles, from construction machine such as wheel loaders and haulers to commercial vehicles such as long wheel based buses, trucks and tractor-trailer combinations.

[0003] The front and rear frames are connected with one or more hydraulic cylinders that change the angle between the frames, thus steering the vehicle. Due to the smaller turning radius and the immediate steering response, the operation cabin for such an articulated vehicle is typically mounted on the front frame for the enhanced visibility of users.

[0004] However, there are some occasions or work applications where rear frame mounted cabins are more preferable. Furthermore, some countries or locations regulate that the operation cabin should be mounted on the rear frame.

[0005] Such various requirements sometimes demand consumers to possess both types of machines, i.e., vehicles with the front frame mounted cabin and the rear frame mounted cabin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there provides an articulated vehicle that has a cabin associated with a pivot pin structure. A mounting plate for the cabin is installed on the top of the pivot pin at the pivot joint of two frames, i.e., a front frame and a rear frame. The cabin is mounted on the mounting piate.

[0007] A front pivot arm is extended from the rear surface of the front frame, while a rear pivot arm is extended from the front surface of the rear frame. Two pivot arms are joined together at the pivot joint, thus rotafable in relation to each other.

[0008] The pivot pin is supported by a support bearing installed at the bottom of the pivot pin and under the lowest joined pivot arm. Ultimately, the support bearing supports the weight of the cabin.

[0009] A front bracket is extended from the top of the front pivot arm, while a rear bracket is extended from the top of the rear pivot arm. These two brackets are facing each other, and between them, a lock collar is positioned when the pivot pin is joined to the pivot arms. The lock collar is installed at the pivot pin.

[0010] The front bracket has a front pin hole passing through its entire width. Likewise, the rear bracket has a rear pin hole passing through its entire width. The lock collar has a pin receptor which corresponds to either the front pin hole or the rear pin hole.

[0011] A lock pin is inserted in either the front pin hole or the rear pin hole. Then, the lock pin is engaged with the pin receptor formed at the lock collar, in this manner, the lock collar is engaged selectively with either the front frame or the rear frame. Ultimately, the cabin is fixed selectively on either the front frame or the rear frame.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, a user can choose which frame the cabin is fixed on. This is useful because which frame's direction the cabin would follow is decided by the user's choice. That is, if the cabin is fixed on the front frame, the cabin would follow the direction of the front frame when the vehicle is being steered. On the other hand, if the cabin is fixed on the rear frame, the cabin would follow the direction of the rear frame when the vehicle is being steered. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 a is a side view of a conventional articulated vehicle of which the cabin is mounted on the front frame and an enlarged view of its pivot joint;

[0014] FIG. 1 b is a side view of another conventional articulated vehicle of which the cabin is mounted on the rear frame and an enlarged view of its pivot joint;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of an entire configuration of an articulated vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and an enlarged view of its pivot joint between the front frame and the rear frame;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of a pivot pin and pivot arms of FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 4a is a view from above an articulated vehicle with its cabin fixed on the front frame;

[0018] FIG. 4b is a view from above an articulated vehicle with its cabin fixed on the rear frame;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a disassembled perspective view of a pivot pin and pivot arms according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the following embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments alone. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. [0021] FIG. 1 a shows an example of a conventional articulated vehicle 100a, where a mounting plate 110a is mounted on a front frame 102. Front frame 102 and a rear frame 104 of articulated vehicle 100a are coupled by a pivot 108. They are rotatable in relation to each other.

[0022] A cabin 106a is installed on mounting plate 110a. Mounting plate 110a is mounted on front frame 102 so that cabin 106a pivots with front frame 102 abidingly when vehicle 100a is being steered.

[0023] FIG. 1 b shows an example of another conventional articulated vehicle 100b, where a mounting plate 110b is mounted on rear frame 104. Front frame 102 and rear frame 104 of articulated vehicle 100b are coupled by pivot 108. They are rotatable in relation to each other.

[0024] A cabin 106b is installed on mounting plate 110b. Mounting plate 110b is mounted on rear frame 104 so that cabin 106b stays with rear frame 104 abidingly when vehicle 100b is being steered.

[0025] Users can choose either a front frame mounted vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 a or a rear frame mounted vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 b based on his preference and various requirements such as work applications and regional regulations.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an entire configuration of an articulated vehicle 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and an enlarged view of its pivot "A" between a front frame 202 and a rear frame 204. FIG. 3 shows a disassembled perspective view of a pivot pin 208 and pivot arms 210, 212 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a vertically extended pivot connects front frame 202 with rear frame 204. Thus, front frame 202 and rear frame 204 are rotatable in relation to each other. A mounting plate 206 is mounted on the top of pivot pin 208. A cabin 228 is mounted on mounting plate 206. A pair of front pivot arms 210a, 210b are extended from the rear surface of front frame 202 and joined to pivot pin 208 at the end. Likewise, a pair of rear pivot arms 212a, 212b are extended from the front surface of rear frame 204 and joined to pivot pin 208 at the end. The number of such pivot arms can be singular or plural based on needs. [0028] It is preferable that pivot arms 210, 212 consist in pairs. Each front pivot arm is spaced from and in parallel with each other and each rear pivot arm is spaced from and in parallel with each other. It is also preferable that each pair of front pivot arms and each pair of rear pivot arms are alternately joined to pivot pin 208. This is good for balancing the load of frames 202, 204 at the pivot joint.

[0029] For example, when the pivot arms consists of one pair like FIG. 2 and 3, it is preferable that the lower front pivot arm 210b is spaced from and in parallel with the upper front pivot arm 210a. Likewise, it is preferable that lower rear pivot arm 212b is spaced from and in parallel with upper rear pivot arm 212a. It is also preferable that each pair of front pivot arms 210a, 210b and each pair of rear pivot arms 212a, 212b are alternately joined to pivot pin 208.

[0030] A support bearing 214 is installed at the bottom of pivot pin 208 and under the lowest joined pivot arm, for example, pivot arm 210b of FIG. 2 and 3. Support bearing 214 supports pivot pin 208, ultimately, the weight of cabin 228.

[0031] It is preferable that the pivot arm extended from the heavier frame is joined to the lower part of pivot pin 208. By doing so, support bearing 214 is installed at the pivot arm from the heavier frame, for example, pivot arm 210b of FIG. 2 and 3. Support bearing 214 withstands the load of pivot pin 208, ultimately the weight of cabin 228.

[0032] The upper front pivot arm joined to pivot pin 208 is referred to as 210a. A front bracket 218 is extended upwardly from the top of upper front pivot arm 210a. The upper rear pivot arm joined to pivot pin 208 is referred to as 212a. A rear bracket 220 is extended upwardly from the top of upper rear pivot arm 1 a.

[0033] These two brackets 218, 220 are facing each other, and between them, a lock collar 222 is positioned when pivot pin 208 is joined to front and rear pivot arms 210a, 210b and 212a, 212b. Lock collar 222 is a cylindrical type having a larger diameter than pivot pin 208 and installed at pivot pin 208.

[0034] Front bracket 218 has a front pin hole 224a passing through its entire width. Likewise, rear bracket 220 has a rear pin hole 224b passing through its entire width. [0035] Lock collar 222 has a pin receptor 228 which corresponds to either front pin hole 224a or rear pin hole 224b. A lock pin 216 is inserted in either front pin hole 224a or rear pin hole 224b. After that, lock pin 218 is engaged with pin receptor 228 formed at lock collar 222.

[0036] Lock collar 222 can be rotated by 180 degrees around pivot pin 208. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 when pin receptor 226 corresponds to front pin hole 224a, lock collar 222 faces front pin hole 224a. By doing so, lock pin 216 is engaged with front pin hole 224a and pin receptor 228. That is, cabin 228 is fixed to front frame 202.

[0037] On the other hand, when pin receptor 226 needs to correspond to rear pin hole 224b, lock collar 222 is rotated by 1 80 degrees in order to face rear pin hole 224b. By doing so, lock pin 218 is engaged with rear pin hole 224b and pin receptor 228. That is, cabin 228 is fixed to rear frame 204.

[0038] In this way, lock collar 222 of pivot pin 208 is engaged with either front frame 202 or rear frame 204 so that cabin 228 is fixed on either front frame 202 or rear frame 204.

[0039] According to this embodiment, users can alter the vehicle between a front mounted cabin and a rear mounted cabin by changing the engagement position of lock pin 218 to lock collar 222.

[0040] FIG. 4a shows a view from above of the articulated vehicle with cabin 228 fixed on front frame 202. Cabin 228 pivots with front frame 202 abidingly when the vehicle is being steered.

[0041] FIG. 4b shows a view from above of the articulated vehicle with cabin 228 fixed on rear frame 204. Cabin 228 stays with rear frame 204 abidingly when the vehicle is being steered.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a disassembled perspective view of pivot pin 208 and pivot arms according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] In this embodiment, lock collar 222 is integrated with pivot pin 208 and has two pin receptors, i.e., a first pin receptor 230a and a second pin receptor 230b. First pin receptor 230a corresponds to front pin hole 224a, and second pin receptor 230b corresponds to rear pin hole 224b when the cabin is aligned so that the cabin's front is toward the forward direction of the vehicle. [0044] When lock pin 216 passes through front pin hole 224a, it is engaged with first pin receptor 230a. Likewise, when lock pin 216 passes through rear pin hole 224b, it is engaged with second pin receptor 230b. In this embodiment, there is no need that lock collar 222 is rotatable to face opposite side pin hole. Therefore, in this embodiment, by simply changing the engagement position of lock pin 216 without the need of rotation of lock collar 222, users can alter the vehicle between a front mounted cabin and a rear mounted cabin.

[0045] According to the present disclosure, if cabin 228 is fixed on front frame 202, cabin 228 would follow the direction of front frame 202 when vehicle 200 is being steered. On the other hand, if cabin 228 is fixed on rear frame 204, cabin 228 would follow the direction of rear frame 204 when vehicle 200 is being steered. Users can choose which frame (either front frame 202 or rear frame 204) cabin 228 is fixed on. This is useful because which frame's direction cabin 228 would follow is decided by users' choice.

[0046] It should be noted that the cabin configuration according to the present disclosure is not limited to the articulated vehicles as shown in the embodiments, but can be widely used for various construction machinery with an articulated joint structure.

[0047] Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments in the attached figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.

Claims

1 . An articulated vehicle, comprising:

a front frame and a rear frame;

a vertically elongated pivot connecting said front frame with said rear frame, whereby said front frame being rotatable in relation to said rear frame; a cabin mounted on said pivot and fixed selectively on either said front frame or said rear frame.

2. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said pivot comprising:

a pivot pin;

a front pivot arm extended from the rear face of said front frame and joined to said pivot pin at the end;

a rear pivot arm extended from the front face of said rear frame and joined to said pivot pin at the end; and

a support bearing installed at the bottom of said pivot pin and the lower one of said pivot arms.

3. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said pivot comprising:

a pivot pin;

a plurality of front pivot arms extended from the rear face of said front frame and joined to said pivot pin at the ends;

a plurality of rear pivot arms extended from the front face of said rear frame and joined to said pivot pin at the ends; and

a support bearing installed at the bottom of said pivot pin and the lowest one of said pivot arms.

4. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 3,

wherein said front pivot arms comprises an upper front pivot arm and a lower front pivot arm which is spaced from and in parallel with said upper front pivot arm, and

wherein said rear pivot arms comprises an upper rear pivot arm and a lower rear pivot arm which is spaced from and in parallel with said upper rear pivot arm.

5. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a mounting plate fixed on the top of said pivot pin and supporting said cabin.

6. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a mounting plate fixed on the top of said pivot pin and supporting said cabin.

7. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein;

one of said pivot arms that is extended from the heavier one of said front frame and said rear frame is joined to the lowest part of said pivot pin.

8. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein;

9. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a lock pin;

a front bracket extended upwardly from the top of said front pivot arm and having a front pin hole for said lock pin;

a rear bracket extended upwardly from the top of said rear pivot arm and having a rear pin hole for said lock pin;

a lock collar installed at said pivot pin and located between said front bracket and said rear bracket when said pivot pin is joined to said pivot arms, said lock collar being rotatable around said pivot pin and having a pin receptor for said lock pin at a position corresponding to either of said front pin hole or said rear pin hole as said lock collar is rotated; and wherein

said lock pin is inserted through either one of said front pin hole or said rear pin hole and engaged with said pin receptor.

10. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a lock pin;

11 . The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a lock pin;

a front bracket extended upwardly from the top of said upper front pivot arm and having a front pin hole for said lock pin;

a rear bracket extended upwardly from the top of said upper rear pivot arm and having a rear pin hole for said lock pin;

a lock collar installed at said pivot pin and located between said front bracket and said rear bracket when said pivot pin is joined to said pivot arms, said lock collar being rotatable around said pivot pin and having a pin receptor for said lock pin at a position corresponding to either of said front pin hole or said rear pin hole as said lock collar is rotated; and wherein said lock pin is inserted through either one of said front pin hole or said rear pin hole and engaged with said pin receptor.

12. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a lock pin;

a lock collar installed at said pivot pin and located between said front bracket and said rear bracket when said pivot pin is joined to said pivot arms, said lock collar having a first pin receptor for said lock pin at a position corresponding to said front pin hole and a second pin receptor for said lock pin at a position corresponding to said rear pin hole; and wherein

said lock pin is inserted through either one of said front pin hole or said rear pin hole and engaged with either one of said first pin receptor or said second pin receptor.

13. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a lock pin;

said lock pin is inserted through either of said front pin hole or said rear pin hole and engaged with either of said first pin receptor or said second pin receptor.

14. The articulated vehicle as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a lock pin;