CIVILIAN TRACKED VEHICLE

Abstract

A civilian tracked vehicle having a direction control device for manually controlling steering and travel direction functions of the tracked vehicle, and a control unit for controlling at least one operating function of the tracked vehicle. The direction control device and the control unit for the at least one operating function are integrated in a common operating device. The common operating device has an individual, manually actuable control column which can be displaced into a plurality of operating positions.

Claims

1. A civilian tracked vehicle, comprising: a carrier frame; a mounting frame arranged on the carrier frame; a tipping trough mounted on the mounting frame and tiltable about a tilting axis; a direction control device for manually controlling steering and travel direction functions of the tracked vehicle; and a control unit for controlling at least one operating function of the tracked vehicle which brings about tilting of the tipping trough, wherein the direction control device and the control unit for controlling the at least one operating function are integrated in a common operating device, the common operating device having an individual, manually actuable control column displaceable into a plurality of operating positions.

2. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the mounting frame is arranged rotatably relative to the carrier frame about a rotation axis extending in a vertical direction of the tracked vehicle.

3. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the common operating device has a base unit and the control column is constructed in a pivotably movable manner for pivoting about a first pivot axis relative to the base unit of the common operating device in order to control a steering function of the tracked vehicle.

4. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the control column is constructed in a pivotably movable manner relative to the base unit about a second pivot axis positioned at an angle relative to the first pivot axis in order to control an acceleration and/or braking function of the civilian tracked vehicle.

5. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the direction control device has a first actuation element arranged on the control column in order to control a travel direction function.

6. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the control unit has, for each operating function, a second actuation element arranged on the control column in order to control the respective operating function.

7. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the control unit has at least one third actuation element arranged on the control column in order to activate or deactivate at least one operating function.

8. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the control unit has a fourth actuation element arranged on the control column in order to actuate an acoustic function of the tracked vehicle.

9. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 1, further including a driver's seat and the common operating device is arranged on the driver's seat.

10. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 1, further including a driver's cab arranged on the mounting frame.

11. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the driver's cab is arranged on the mounting frame in a manner offset relative to the tipping trough.

12. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the first actuation element comprises a toggle switch or a button.

13. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the second actuation element comprises a rocker switch or a button.

14. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the at least one third actuation element comprises buttons.

15. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the at least one third actuation element is configured to block at least one operating function.

16. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the fourth actuation element comprises a button.

17. The civilian tracked vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the driver's seat includes an armrest and the common operating device is arranged on the armrest.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an operating device of an embodiment of a civilian tracked vehicle according to the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the operating device of the civilian tracked vehicle according to FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a detail of the operating device of the civilian tracked vehicle according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the civilian tracked vehicle according to FIGS. 1 to 3; and

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a driver's seat of the civilian tracked vehicle according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] A civilian tracked vehicle 1 can be configured for use on a construction site. Accordingly, the civilian tracked vehicle 1 may be a construction site vehicle. The civilian tracked vehicle 1 can preferably be used as a working vehicle, thus for constructing and maintaining pipelines, electricity lines and telephone lines, and for similar purposes.

[0031] The civilian tracked vehicle 1 has a direction control device 2. The direction control device 2 serves to manually control steering and travel direction functions of the tracked vehicle 1. The tracked vehicle 1 has in this instance a track chassis with two mutually opposite track running gears. In order to steer the tracked vehicle 1, the two track running gears thereof can be driven at different rotating speeds. The track running gears can be driven in the same direction or in opposite directions, in two mutually opposed rotational directions. Consequently, the tracked vehicle 1 can turn on the spot or travel forward or backward. The function of the forward or backward travel and the steering or turning of the tracked vehicle corresponds to the travel direction function. In other words: by means of the direction control device 2, on the one hand, the tracked vehicle 1 can be steered and, on the other hand, it can be determined whether the tracked vehicle 1 travels forward or backward.

[0032] The civilian tracked vehicle 1 further comprises a control unit 3 for at least one operating function of the tracked vehicle 1. The operating function of the tracked vehicle 1 may be a rotation or tilting of a structure 19 of the tracked vehicle 1. Alternatively or additionally, there may be provided an operating function, according to which a cable winch of the tracked vehicle 1 is controlled. The direction control device 2 and the control unit 3 for the at least one operating function are integrated in a common operating device 4. The operating device 4 has a single control column 5. The control column 5 can be manually actuated. The control column 5 can be displaced into a plurality of operating positions.

[0033] In this instance, the operating device 4 comprises a base unit 6. In this case, the control column 5 is constructed in a pivotably movable manner about a first pivot axis A relative to the base unit 6. The steering function is controlled by pivoting the control column 5 about the first pivot axis A. In order to accelerate and/or decelerate the civilian tracked vehicle 1, an acceleration and/or braking function can be provided. The acceleration function and/or the braking function can be controlled by means of at least one pedal. One pedal may be provided for the braking function and one pedal for the acceleration function.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally to the at least one pedal, the control column 5 may be constructed in a pivotably movable manner about a second pivot axis B relative to the base unit 6 in order to control the acceleration function and/or braking function. The second pivot axis B can be positioned at an angle relative to the first pivot axis A. In this instance, the second pivot axis B extends in a longitudinal vehicle direction of the civilian tracked vehicle 1. In this case, the first pivot axis A extends in a transverse vehicle direction which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal vehicle direction and perpendicularly to a vertical axis of the tracked vehicle 1.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, the direction control device 2 has a first actuation element 7. The first actuation element 7 is arranged on the control column 5. The first actuation element 7 is in the form of a toggle switch 8 in this case. The first actuation element 7 may be in the form of a button. The travel direction function can be controlled by means of the first actuation element 7. The toggle switch 8 can be adjusted between at least two control positions. In a first of the control positions, the travel direction function may allow forward travel of the tracked vehicle 1. In the second control position, the travel direction function may allow backward travel of the tracked vehicle 1. Furthermore, a third control position of the toggle switch 8, in which the travel direction function is neutral, may be provided. In the third control position, no drive of the track chassis of the tracked vehicle 1 is carried out. In the third control position, a neutral mode of the travel direction function may be active.

[0036] In this instance, the control unit 3 comprises, per operating function, a second actuation element 9, 9. In this case, the tracked vehicle 1 has two operating functions. Accordingly, two second actuation elements 9, 9 are arranged on the control column 5. The second actuation element 9, 9 is, for example, in the form of a rocker switch 10, 10. The second actuation element 9, 9 may be in the form of a button. The second actuation element 9, 9 is used to control the respective operating function. The rocker switch 10, 10 is displaceably movable between two control positions. In this case, the rocker switch 10, 10 is automatically adjusted back into a neutral central position which is located between the two control positions thereof. In the neutral control position of the respective rocker switch 10, 10, the relevant operating function is not actuated. In the two control positions of the rocker switch 10, 10, counteracting portions of the relevant operating function can be controlled. Rocker axes of the rocker switches 10, 10 can be positioned at an angle relative to each other.

[0037] In this case, the control unit 3 further has a third actuation element 13 which is arranged on the control column 5. The third actuation element 13 is, for example, in the form of a button 14. The third actuation element 13 is used to activate or deactivate at least one operating function. In this case, both operating functions of the tracked vehicle 1 can be activated or deactivated by means of the third actuation element 13. In particular, the operating functions can be blocked by means of the third actuation element 13. If the operating functions are deactivated or blocked, they cannot be controlled by means of the second actuation element 9, 9. The deactivation or blocking of the operating function can be cancelled by means of the third actuation element 13.

[0038] In this case, a fourth actuation element 11 is further arranged on the control column 5. The fourth actuation element 11 may be in the form of a button 12. The fourth actuation element 11 is used to actuate an acoustic function of the tracked vehicle 1. For example, by means of the actuation element 11 an acoustic warning signal of the tracked vehicle 1 can be controlled. A horn of the tracked vehicle 1 can be actuated by means of the actuation element 11.

[0039] In this case, the control column 5 is connected at one end to the base unit 6 in an articulated manner. At the other end, the control column 5 has a gripping portion for the manual actuation thereof. The two second actuation elements 9, 9 can be arranged at mutually opposite sides of the control column 5. The actuation elements 7, 9 and 11 can be arranged on the control column 5 in such a manner that they can be actuated by means of a thumb of the driver if the driver grasps the control column 5 at the gripping portion. The actuation elements 9, 13 can be arranged on the control column 5 in such a manner that they can be actuated by means of an index finger and/or a middle finger of the driver when the driver grasps the control column 5 at the gripping portion.

[0040] In the civilian tracked vehicle 1 shown, the operating device 4 is arranged on a driver's seat 15 of the tracked vehicle 1. For example, the operating device 4 is arranged on an armrest 16 of the driver's seat 15. In this case, the base unit 6 of the operating device 4 is integrated in the armrest 16. The driver's seat 15 can be constructed in a vertically and/or laterally and/or rotationally adjustable manner. During adjustment or rotation of the driver's seat 15, the operating device 4 retains its position relative to the driver's seat 15. Therefore, the driver's seat 15 is then adjusted or rotated together with the operating device 4. In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, of the civilian tracked vehicle 1 according to the invention, the operating device 4 can be arranged remote from the driver's seat 15, for example, on an instrument panel, on a central or lateral console.

[0041] In this case, the tracked vehicle 1 has a carrier frame 17. A mounting frame 18 is arranged on the carrier frame 17. A structure 19 can be mounted on the mounting frame 18. The structure 19 can be tilted about a tilting axis K relative to the carrier frame 17 by means of one of the operating functions of the tracked vehicle 1. Tilting upward and downward may constitute counteracting portions of the tilting operating function. The structure 19 may be a tipping trough. The mounting frame 18 can be rotated relative to the carrier frame 17 about a rotation axis D, which extends transversely relative to the tilting axis K, by means of the additional operating function of the tracked vehicle 1. A rotation of the mounting frame 18 in and counter to the clockwise direction may constitute counteracting portions of the rotational operating function. In this case, the rotation axis D extends in a vertical direction V of the tracked vehicle 1. The rocker axis of the rocker switch 10 can extend parallel to the tilting axis K. The rocker axis of the rocker switch 10 can extend parallel to the rotation axis D.

[0042] In this case, the civilian tracked vehicle 1 is further provided with a driver's cab 20. In the embodiment shown, the driver's cab 20 is arranged on the carrier frame. Alternatively, the driver's cab 20 may be arranged on the mounting frame 18. The driver's cab 20 can be arranged in a manner offset relative to the structure 19 on the mounting frame 18. In this case, the structure 19 can be rotated and tilted relative to the carrier frame 17 and relative to the driver's cab 20. If the driver's cab 20 is arranged on the mounting frame 18, the mounting frame 18 can be rotated together with the driver's cab 20 relative to the carrier frame 17. In this case, the structure 19 can be tilted relative to the mounting frame 18 and relative to the driver's cab 20 in each rotational position of the mounting frame 18.