Abstract
A self-propelled ground milling machine comprising a machine frame, a drive motor, a ground milling device having a milling drum arranged inside a milling drum box and rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis transverse to a forward traveling direction of the ground milling machine, front and rear travel devices, right and left lateral outer walls, and an operator platform.
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
116. A self-propelled ground milling machine, comprising: a machine frame; a drive motor; a ground milling device with a milling drum arranged inside a milling drum box and rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis extending transversely to a forward traveling direction of the ground milling machine; front and rear travel devices; a right and a left lateral outer wall; and an operator platform, wherein at least one of the two lateral outer walls has, in forward direction toward the front, a first sidewall region arranged in front of the operator platform in forward direction toward the front, a second sidewall region positioned in front of the first sidewall region in forward direction toward the front, and a third sidewall region positioned in front of the second sidewall region in forward direction toward the front, wherein the second sidewall region protrudes sideways in horizontal direction and perpendicular to forward direction of the machine relative to the first and third sidewall regions and away from a longitudinal center of the machine extending in forward direction.
217. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein the first and/or the second and/or the third sidewall region are configured essentially planar and/or extend parallel to the vertical direction.
318. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein the first and/or the second and/or the third sidewall region, in the horizontal plane in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center of the machine, are each free of projections in vertical direction.
419. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein the second sidewall region is configured narrower in the forward direction than the first and/or the third sidewall region.
520. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the front travel devices is connected to the machine frame via a height-adjustable lifting column, the lifting column being arranged at the level of the second sidewall region as viewed in the forward direction, in particular being completely overlapped by the second sidewall region.
621. The ground milling machine according to claim 20, wherein the lifting column at least overlaps the first and/or the second sidewall region in the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal center of the ground milling machine extending in forward direction.
722. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein the first and/or the second and/or the third sidewall region are set back toward the longitudinal center of the machine relative to the lateral outer boundaries of the operator platform, in particular on both sides of the ground milling machine.
823. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein an outer end face of one of the front travel devices protrudes beyond the first and/or the second and/or the third sidewall region as seen perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine.
924. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein the second sidewall region overlaps an outer end face of one of the front travel devices as seen perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine.
1025. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein the first and/or the second and/or the third sidewall region extend, in the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal center of the machine extending in forward direction, at the level of a front travel device.
1126. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein the transition from the first to the second sidewall region and/or the transition from the second to the third sidewall region is formed by inclined surfaces running at an angle (α, β) to the longitudinal direction of the machine.
1227. The ground milling machine according to claim 26, wherein the inclined surfaces have an extension in the longitudinal direction of the machine which is smaller than the extension of the first and/or second and/or third sidewall region.
1328. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein both lateral outer walls in the first and/or second and/or third sidewall region are configured mirror-symmetrical to one another.
1429. The ground milling machine according to claim 16, wherein a cover wall is provided which extends from the operator platform in the forward direction toward the front and slopes downward in forward direction toward the front.
1530. The ground milling machine according to claim 29, wherein the cover wall at the level of the first and/or the second and/or the third sidewall region slopes downward in forward direction toward the front and slopes downward sideways in the direction transversely away from the longitudinal center of the machine.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The invention will be explained in more detail below by reference to an embodiment example shown in the figures. In the schematic figures:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment example of a ground milling machine;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a top view of the ground milling machine of FIG. 1; and
[0033] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cut-out view of region I of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Like components are designated by like reference numerals in the figures, although not each recurring component is necessarily designated separately in each figure.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a ground milling machine 1, more specifically the right side of the machine relative to the forward direction A. The essential elements of the ground milling machine 1 are a machine frame 2, a drive motor 3, a ground milling device 4, front travel devices 5, rear travel devices 6 and an operator platform 7. The ground milling device comprises a milling drum box 8, inside which a milling drum 9 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1) is provided. The latter may comprise a hollow-cylindrical support tube with a plurality of milling tools arranged on its outer circumferential surface. The milling drum 9 rotates about a horizontal rotation axis R extending transversely to the forward direction A. In milling operation, the milling drum 9 engages the underlying ground and mills off ground material. The resulting milled material is collected in the milling drum box 8 and can then be loaded via transport devices 10 and 11, for example onto a transport vehicle. The transport device 10 is an internal conveyor belt, whereas the transport device 11 is a so-called external or attached conveyor belt. The external conveyor belt 11 is not referred to herein as part of the ground milling machine 1 per se, particularly in connection with the dimensional details of individual machine sections described in more detail below. The embodiment example shown in the figures shows a ground milling machine 1 in which the ground milling device 4 is arranged between the front travel devices 5 and the rear travel devices 6, as seen in the forward direction A. However, the invention also extends to such ground milling machines in which the ground milling device 4 is arranged at the level of the rear travel devices, as seen in the forward direction A, as is the case with so-called rear rotor type milling machines.
[0036] The travel devices 5 and/or 6 may be connected to the machine frame 2 via lifting devices, such as, for example, lifting columns 12 in this case. By adjusting the height of the lifting columns 12, the vertical distance of the machine frame and thus, for example, the depth of immersion of the milling drum 9 into the ground may be varied. In the present case, all of the front and rear travel devices 5/6 are each connected to the machine frame 2 via such a lifting column 12. Embodiments in which only the front or only the rear travel devices are connected to the machine frame via corresponding lifting columns are also possible.
[0037] The drive energy required to operate the ground milling machine 1 is provided by the drive motor 3. The latter may be located in the rear of the machine, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The ground milling machine 1 may further comprise a water tank 18 (indicated in FIG. 2). Said tank may be accommodated in particular in the front region or in the machine section located in front of the operator platform 7 as seen in the forward direction A. The internal conveyor belt 10, for example, may also run at least partially through this region.
[0038] The ground milling machine 1 is steered and operated from the operator platform 7. The operator platform 7 includes a floor area 13 and various control units 14. Irrespective of the specific embodiment example, it is preferred if the operator platform floor is arranged at a height of at least 1.9 m, in particular 2.0 m, and very particularly at least 2.1 m. The distance refers to a positioning of the machine with the milling drum resting on unmilled ground. The operator platform 7 may further comprise a roof and/or a cabin, as well as other elements, such as railings, a seat, etc. During traveling and milling operation, the machine operator is located in the area of the operator platform 7 and can control the main machine functions from there, such as traveling operation, operation of the ground milling device 4, the lifting columns 12 and the transport devices 10 and 11. As will be described in more detail below, it is advantageous if, in the region in front of the operator platform 7 in the forward direction A, the ground milling machine 1 is recessed toward the longitudinal center M of the machine with respect to the maximum lateral extension BF of the operator platform 7. Ground milling machines with a laterally displaceable and/or partially laterally extendable operator platform are known. In this case, the following information on the dimensions of the ground milling machine 1 refers to the center position of the operator platform and/or to the operator platform with its subelements maximally retracted toward the longitudinal center of the machine. However, it is preferred if the operator platform as a whole is stationary relative to the machine frame 2 (except for any damping devices that may be present) or comprises side elements that can be at most partially extended laterally, as described, for example, in DE102018002170A1. One of the advantages of the invention is that a laterally adjustable operator platform and/or laterally extendable operator platform elements can be dispensed with, while at the same time improving visibility.
[0039] During milling operation, the ground milling machine 1 usually moves in forward direction A, so that this direction can also be referred to as the working direction. The machine operator must now be able to navigate the comparatively large ground milling machine 1 safely and precisely from the operator platform 7 and at the same time avoid collisions of the ground milling machine, for example with a transport vehicle, surrounding obstacles and/or in particular with persons located next to or in front of the ground milling machine. A good overview of the area surrounding the ground milling machine 1, in particular in the forward direction A in front of the operator platform 7, is therefore advantageous. In this context, machine operators often find it advantageous over camera monitoring options if they can view critical machine sections directly from the operator platform 7 and do not have to rely on an indirect reproduction of an image captured by a camera on a screen.
[0040] To facilitate this, in the region in front of the operator platform 7 in forward direction A, the ground milling machine 1 is configured such that the machine operator has optimized, direct line of sight visibility from the operator platform 7 both of at least one of the front travel devices 5 and of a region in front of the ground milling machine in forward direction A. For further explanation of these special features, the configuration of the frame and the dimensioning of individual regions will first be described in more detail based on FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0041] The ground milling machine 1 has a maximum length L. The latter is determined in a virtual horizontal plane and indicates the maximum extension of the ground milling machine 1 in a horizontal plane in forward direction A. All subsequent length specifications also relate to dimension specifications in a virtual horizontal plane parallel to the length L of the ground milling machine 1. It is important to note that an attached conveyor belt that may be present, such as the external conveyor belt 11, as well as its removable fastening elements, are not included in this length L of the ground milling machine 1. What is relevant here is thus in particular the stationary entirety of the ground milling machine 1 relative to the machine frame 2.
[0042] The ground milling machine 1 further has a maximum vertical height H or a maximum height extension H. Said height is determined along a vertical line extending perpendicular to a horizontal plane from the ground on which the ground milling machine rests with the travel devices 5 and 6 to the highest point of the ground milling machine 1 in the vertical direction. In the present case, this point is formed by the rear section of the ground milling machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1. By definition, in order to determine the maximum height H, the ground milling machine is lowered to the ground using lifting devices that may be present until the milling drum 9 rests on the unmilled underlying ground U. All further height specifications below are likewise determined from the underlying ground in vertical direction and thus parallel to the determination of the maximum vertical height H. An operator platform or cabin roof is not taken into account in this case, although the ground milling machine 1 may well have such devices.
[0043] Finally, the ground milling machine 1 has a maximum width B. The maximum width B of the ground milling machine 1 is determined in a virtual horizontal plane and perpendicular to the forward direction A, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. The maximum width is thus formed by maximally spaced points in the horizontal plane on both sides of the ground milling machine 1 along a horizontal connection line extending transversely to the forward direction A. For this purpose, the entire machine is projected into this virtual horizontal plane. By definition, the maximum width B is likewise determined based on the entirety stationary relative to the machine frame 2 of the ground milling machine 1, in particular including the milling drum box 8 of the ground milling device 4. All of the following width specifications also run in a horizontal plane parallel to the maximum width B of the ground milling machine 1 or in the virtual horizontal plane.
[0044] What is now essential is the configuration of at least one, preferably both, sidewalls SWR (sidewall on the right-hand side of the ground milling machine 1 as viewed in forward direction A) and SWL (sidewall on the left-hand side of the ground milling machine 1 as viewed in forward direction A) of the ground milling machine 1 in accordance with FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in the region in front of the operator platform 7 as viewed in forward direction A. A sidewall SWR/SWL in the present case designates that vertically extending part of the lateral outer surface of the machine which extends in forward direction A on the right (right sidewall SWR) or on the left (left sidewall SWL) in the horizontal plane and thus delimits the ground milling machine 1 to the right or left side. It is now envisaged that the sidewall (right and/or left) of the ground milling machine 1 comprises a first sidewall region SB1, a second sidewall region SB2, and a third sidewall region SB3, which are arranged successively in forward direction A. Each of the sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3 is in this case defined by an inherently uniform configuration, in particular in the vertical direction and/or horizontal direction, in particular as an inherently planar outer surface with, in particular, a surface extending in the vertical direction and parallel to the forward direction. The difference with regard to the specific configuration and position of these three sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3 consists, in addition to their respective specific surface area, in particular in their spacing in the horizontal plane and perpendicular to forward direction A of the ground milling machine 1 toward its longitudinal center M. The longitudinal center of the machine is a plane extending in the vertical direction and in forward direction A and passing through the center of the maximum width B of the ground milling machine 1. This center of the maximum width B is determined by the midpoint of a virtual connection line extending in a horizontal plane and perpendicular to the forward direction A in a region having the largest width of the ground milling machine with respect to its lateral outer dimensions. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, where the reference sign of the maximum width B is located on said midpoint. What is now essential is that the second sidewall region SB2 protrudes outward horizontally and perpendicular to the forward direction A with respect to the first sidewall region SB1 and the third sidewall region SB3, more specifically by the distance VA1 (on the right side of the machine) or VA2 (on the left side of the machine), as indicated in FIG. 3. The second sidewall region is thus offset further outward to the side of the ground milling machine 1 by the distances VA1 and VA2, respectively. At the same time, all three sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3 are set back in the horizontal plane toward the longitudinal center M of the machine with respect to the respective lateral outer edge on the right or left side of the operator platform 7. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this may be the case on both sides, i.e. on the right and on the left side as seen in forward direction A from the operator platform 7. The ground milling machine is thus configured such that its entire machine section in front of the operator platform 7 in the forward direction A is tapered toward the longitudinal center M of the machine on both sides with respect to the operator platform 7, and the operator platform 7 thus projects beyond this front machine section in the horizontal plane with respect to its width on both sides. In particular, the second sidewall region SB2 therefore protrudes laterally beyond the two sidewall regions SB1 and SB3, but does not project beyond the operator platform 7 in this direction. This enables the optimized visibility explained in more detail below. Further, the three sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3, or SW1, SW2 and SW3, are arranged successively as viewed in the traveling direction.
[0045] On the respective side, right and/or left, the machine part formed by the sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3 in the forward direction A in front of the operator platform 7 is thus narrower than the operator platform 7 in terms of extension in the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal center M of the machine. This may be achieved in that, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the respective sidewall is recessed toward the longitudinal center M of the machine on both sides, i.e. on the right and on the left side as seen from the operator platform 7 in forward direction A. The operator platform 7 has a width BF. This creates an observation clearance on both sides of the ground milling machine 1 as seen from the operator platform 7 in forward direction A, through which the operator located on the operator platform 7 has free view sideways along the ground milling machine 1 in forward direction A along the respective sidewall to the front and onto the underlying ground. The fact that the first sidewall region SB1, which is located between the operator platform 7 and the second sidewall region SB2 as seen in the forward direction A, is set back further inward toward the longitudinal center of the machine than the second sidewall region SB2 means that the machine operator standing on the operator platform 7 now has even further improved visibility in this region along the first sidewall region SB1 and down to the underlying ground U. Sidewall region SB3, which follows in forward direction A and is likewise set back relative to sidewall region SB2 projecting outward sideways, likewise creates a another narrowing of the lateral outer surface of the machine. The third sidewall region SB3 in this case extends in particular to the front end of the ground milling machine 1. In this manner, the machine operator located on the operator platform 7 can look over the upper edge of the second sidewall region SSB 3 and/or past the longitudinal edge of the second sidewall region SB2 at an angle and, in particular, have a better view of the region in front of the ground milling machine 1 in the forward direction A. This concerns in particular the material transfer region to an external conveyor belt 11 as well as the region between the front of the ground milling machine 1 and the external conveyor belt 11.
[0046] To illustrate the optimized viewing conditions obtained by the special configuration of the three sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3, FIG. 1 shows parts of viewing axes and fields of view (hatched areas), which indicate now possible viewing perspectives of the machine operator standing on the operator platform 7. One field of view extends through sidewall region SB1 (shown in FIG. 1), which is set back toward the longitudinal center of the machine, and extends from the operator platform 7 to the underlying ground U. This region is relevant in that it is located directly in front of the ground milling device 4 following in working operation and also encompasses almost the entire extension LF in forward direction A of the front travel devices 5 located on the side of sidewall region SB1. It is thus also advantageous if the first sidewall region extends at least far enough from the operator platform 7 in forward direction A that the operator located on the operator platform 7, for example in a sitting and/or standing operating position, can see at least the ground region extending along the respective front travel devices, on which the travel device currently rests, and/or the outer end face of the respective front travel device. This corresponds approximately to length LF. The outer end face of the respective front travel device comprises the outer surface of the respective travel device extending horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal center M of the machine. This facilitates navigation to the extent that the machine operator located on the operator platform 7 can directly and immediately see the steering position and the ground area next to the front travel devices 5 (and partly, as shown in FIG. 2, also the ground area directly in front of the respective travel device) from the operator platform 7.
[0047] Another field of view extends beyond the sidewall region SB2 protruding sideways and sweeps over the third sidewall region SB3 located in front of it in forward direction A. This field of view is open in vertical upward direction, and it is the lower delimitation that is of particular importance in this case. It can be seen that the configuration of the third sidewall region SB3, which is set back toward the longitudinal center of the machine, gives the machine operator located on the operator platform 7 a better view of the area in front of the ground milling machine 1.
[0048] However, the arrangement discussed above not only improves the visibility in the vertical direction, but also in the horizontal direction from the operator platform 7 in forward direction A. This is exemplified in FIG. 2 for the left side of the ground milling machine 1 by the shaded background field of view, but may also be applied to the right side in the same manner, since in the present embodiment example both the right and left sides of the ground milling machine 1 each comprise a first sidewall region SB1, a second sidewall region SB2 and a third sidewall region SB3 in the manner described above. The top view of FIG. 2 shows that the maximum width BF of the operator platform 7 is significantly greater than the maximum width BV (FIG. 3) of the ground milling machine in the region in front of the operator platform in forward direction A, which comprises the sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3. In the horizontal plane and perpendicular to forward direction A, the width BF of the operator platform 7 laterally protrudes on the left side by the width BL beyond the sidewall protruding maximally sideways through the sidewall region SB2 (the front travel device 5 is excluded from this consideration), and laterally protrudes on the right side by the width BR, likewise formed by the sidewall region SB2 located on the opposite right side of the ground milling machine 1, beyond the width BV of the region of the ground milling machine 1 located in front of the operator platform 7 in forward direction A. If the driver is now standing on the operator platform 7 (or its floor) on the right or (as indicated by the eye in FIG. 2) left side, a field of view opens up to him on the one hand in forward direction A along the sidewall regions SB1 to SB3 of the respective side. However, since the sidewall region SB3 is recessed toward the longitudinal center M of the machine relative to the preceding sidewall region SB2 with respect to the operator platform 7, the operator's field of view also extends forward in the forward direction A and diagonally toward the longitudinal center M of the machine. In this manner, the machine operator can in particular also directly view an area in front of the ground milling machine 1 from the operator platform 7, and in particular, for example, more reliably perceive persons in front of or close to the ground milling machine 1 in the front region, for example, at the level of the external conveyor belt 11.
[0049] It is preferred if the second sidewall region SB2, i.e. the sidewall region which protrudes perpendicular to the longitudinal center of the machine by a distance VA1 or VA2 (FIG. 3) beyond the first sidewall region SB2 preceding in forward direction A and beyond the third sidewall region SB3 succeeding in forward direction A, is located at the height of a lifting device, in this case a lifting column 12, and thus has a longitudinal extension parallel to the latter in the vertical direction. This not only enables an efficient arrangement of the lifting device in terms of installation space, but also facilitates the comparatively wide spacing of the two front travel devices 5 in order to obtain a wide track in this area. On the one hand, this increases the stability of the ground milling machine 1. On the other hand, it is then also possible for the respective front travel devices 5 to protrude in the horizontal plane with their outer end face 15 beyond at least the first sidewall region SB2 and/or the third sidewall region SB3, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3 on the right-hand side of the ground milling machine 1. In the horizontal plane, the end face 15 of the travel device may thus lie between the first and third sidewall regions SB1/SB3 and the second sidewall region SB2 as seen perpendicular to forward direction A. It is also possible for the lifting column 12 and thus the respective front travel devices to be positioned so far out sideways that the front travel devices 5 even protrude beyond the second sidewall region SB2, as shown in FIG. 3 on the left-hand side. This means that the driver located on the operator platform 7 can directly and immediately see the respective end face of the front travel devices 5 over practically their entire length in the forward direction A, at least in the ground contact area, which additionally facilitates maneuvering.
[0050] It is possible that the transition between the individual sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3, viewed in the forward direction A, is abrupt and that they thus immediately follow one another. Preferably, however, the first sidewall region SB1 and the second sidewall region SB2 are connected to each other via an inclined surface 16. The inclined surface extends in the horizontal plane from the first sidewall region at an angle α to the second sidewall region in forward direction A and away from the longitudinal center M of the machine. Similarly, the transition from the second sidewall region SB2 to the third sidewall region SB3 is preferably obtained via an inclined surface 17, which, however, extends in forward direction A from the second sidewall region SB2 obliquely toward the longitudinal center M, in this case inclined in the horizontal plane toward the longitudinal center of the machine at an angle β. The inclined surfaces 16 and 17 may be configured as planar, essentially quadrangular surface elements. However, it is also possible to make the inclined surfaces curved or in a comparable way to obtain a visually smooth transition between the individual sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3. In the horizontal plane, the inclined surfaces 16 and 17 have an extension LS1 and LS2 in the forward direction A (FIG. 3). Said extension is significantly smaller than the respective extensions of sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3 (indicated as SW1, SW2 and SW3 in FIG. 1). The sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3 preferably have extensions SW1, SW2 and SW3 corresponding to at least twice, preferably at least three times and very particularly at least four times the extensions LS1 and LS2.
[0051] In particular, the enlarged cut-out view according to FIG. 3 of area I of FIG. 2 makes it clear that the sidewall of the ground milling machine 1 in the machine part in front of the operator platform in forward direction A is formed exclusively by the sidewall regions SB1, LS1, SB2, LS2 and SB3, in this case in direct succession. The first sidewall region SB1 thus extends from the operator platform 7 preferably to the level of the respective front travel devices 5. The second sidewall region SB2 preferably extends completely at the level of the front travel devices 5, and the third sidewall region SB3 preferably extends from a start at the level of the front travel device 5, as seen in the forward direction A, to the front end of the machine. Thus, in other words, due to the third sidewall region SB3, a recess open toward the front in forward direction A of the ground milling machine 1 is preferably obtained.
[0052] Depending on the specific configuration of the ground milling machine 1, it may be advantageous for the water tank 18 arranged inside the ground milling machine 1 in the region in front of the operator platform 7 in forward direction A to be arranged at the level of the first sidewall region SB1 and/or the second sidewall region SB2 and/or the third sidewall region SB3.
[0053] In particular, FIG. 3 further illustrates that the first sidewall regions SB1 of both sides and the third sidewall regions SB3 of both sides are each located within the track of the two front travel devices 5. The second sidewall region SB2, on the other hand, may be located within the track of the two front travel devices 5, as is the case for the second sidewall region SB2 on the left side, or may project beyond the track toward the outside, as is the case for the right side of the ground milling machine 1 in the present embodiment example.
[0054] The ground milling machine 1 further comprises a cover wall 19 in the region in front of the operator platform 7 in forward direction A. The cover wall 19 covers this region of the ground milling machine in vertical upward direction. In forward direction A, at least in its side regions, preferably also in its central region, it is configured to slope downward toward the ground, i.e. configured to slope downward toward the ground in forward direction A at least in its side regions, which likewise improves visibility from the operator platform 7 in the forward direction A. At the same time, the cover wall 19 may also be configured to slope in vertical direction downward in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center M of the machine toward its edge region, in which it adjoins the sidewall regions SB1, SB2 and SB3 as well as the inclined surfaces 16 and 17. This sloping configuration toward the sides and/or toward the front is also independent of the specific embodiment example.
