Abstract
A mobile apparatus includes a main frame with displacing means, a rotating sub-frame rotatably connected to the main frame such that the sub-frame is rotatable around a rotation axis relative to the main frame, and a working arm connected to the sub-frame. The sub-frame includes a standing or seating position for an operator. The working arm includes at least two arm segments, and a first arm segment of the at least two arm segments is pivotally connected to the sub-frame around a pivot point located at a distance of the rotation axis. The first arm segment and the sub-frame are configured such that the first arm segment can be moved rearwards onto the sub-frame in the direction of the rotation axis to a rearward position in which the first segment extends over the rotation axis.
Claims
1. A mobile apparatus, comprising: a main frame with displacing means, a rotating sub-frame rotatably connected to the main frame, such that the sub-frame is rotatable around a rotation axis relative to the main frame, and a working arm connected to the sub-frame, wherein the sub-frame is provided with a standing or seating position for an operator, said working arm comprising at least two arm segments, wherein a first arm segment of the at least two arm segments is pivotally connected to the sub-frame around a pivot point located at a distance of the rotation axis, and wherein the first arm segment and the sub-frame are configured such that the first arm segment can be moved rearwards onto the sub-frame in the direction of the rotation axis to a rearward position in which the first segment extends over the rotation axis.
2. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between the rotation axis and the pivot point is larger than 10 cm, preferably larger than 20 cm, more preferably larger than 30 cm, and wherein the distance between an end point of the first arm segment and the rotation axis in the rearward position is larger than 10 cm, preferably larger than 20 cm, more preferably larger than 30 cm.
3. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-frame is provided with a support location for the legs and/or feet of the operator, said support location being located next to the first arm segment, seen in a top view of the sub-frame.
4. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-frame is configured to be locked in a locking location to the first arm segment when the first arm segment is in the rearward position.
5. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first arm segment is arranged in front of the standing or seating position.
6. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising one or more operating instruments configured for controlling the engagement of the locking or unlocking and the movement of the first arm segment to and away from the rearward position, said one or more operating instruments being preferably at a distance of the working arm such that an operator can only activate the one or more operating instruments when in a safe position, wherein the one or more operating instruments preferably comprise two separate operating instruments required to be activated both for moving the first arm segment to the rearward position.
7. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the displacing means, such as wheels or caterpillar tracks, are configured to rotate and sharply steer into two recesses in the lower rear part of the sub-frame, optionally with a location for a technical component such as a valve in between the two recesses.
8. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-frame has an outer surface comprising two inwardly extending portions forming two recesses for allowing rotation of the displacing means relative to the sub-frame, wherein said two inwardly extending portions are preferably delimited by a plurality of interconnected structural plane members arranged such as to form an inwardly extending polyhedron.
9. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-frame comprises structural plane members dividing the sub-frame in compartments to house technical components.
10. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the compartments are arranged or configured to allow separate cooling and heating flows, either air or liquid.
11. (canceled)
12. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an air filter arranged such that air can enter through openings in one or more compartments with the air filter.
13. (canceled)
14. The in apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein additional energy storage components are positioned on the rear left and/or rear right outside area of the sub-frame.
15. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fluid tank such as for hydraulic oil is positioned on the rear left and/or rear right outside area of the sub-frame.
16-20. (canceled)
21. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-frame comprises hollow structural profile members (33) filled with a flowing fluid such as coolant or hydraulic oil.
22. (canceled)
23. The in apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main frame comprises a middle section and a narrow section connected to the middle section and creating on either side a recess for allowing sharp steering angles of the displacement means, said narrow section having a width which is less than two third of the width of the middle section, preferably less than half of the width of the middle section.
24. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main frame comprises outer structural members running from one side to the other side in a v-shape, optionally with inner structural members running from one side to the other also in a v-shape under the area of a slew bearing, supported by at least one cross sectional cross member/bulkhead.
25. The mobile apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the oscillation or suspension of displacement means can be blocked.
26. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein technical components such as for energy storage or a hydrogen fuel cell module are suspended and/or dampened in a 2 or 3-directional movement.
27. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a blade connectable to the main frame, said blade comprising at least one or more side stabilizers and actuators.
28-34. (canceled)
35. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot point is configured to allow a pivoting around a horizontal axis and around a vertical axis.
Description
[0024] The above stated and other advantageous features and objects of the invention will become more apparent, and the invention better understood, on the basis of the following detailed description when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a mobile apparatus 1000 provided with main frame 1 on which displacement means 4 in the form of four caterpillar tracks are arranged. A location 6 for the driver in the form of a cab is arranged on main frame 1. Of the operating arm 100, the first arm section 1010 is in its most rear position. Optional kingpost 20 with vertical rotation of the working arm on the sub-frame is visible. In this figure, the mobile apparatus is depicted on uneven ground.
[0026] FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment with two caterpillar tracks. It can be seen that components in the main frame are accessible from the side and in between one of the caterpillar tracks. The first arm section 201 is in its most rearward position. The third arm section 203 is in the position to assist the movement of the first arm section 201 forward because of the mass and centre of gravity of the third arm section helping the actuator of the first boom section. Pin or shaft 112 is visible at the front.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment with a blade 120 with opening 123 and connected to that blade a stabilizer 121 actuated by actuator 122. The second 202 and third 203 arm sections with their mass and their centres of gravity are depicted to assist the movement of arm section 201 forward.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the sub-frame 2 with structural member 22 and directly connected to these part of locking mechanism 23 and a movable part 24 of the locking mechanism, allowing the movement and rotation over swivel point 211 of first arm section 201 and directly connected to the arm section a mechanical part 212. Structural plate 21 of the sub-frame is visible below the locking means, as well as the centre of rotation 23 between the main frame and the sub-frame.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the same side view with part of locking mechanism 24 moved to block the rotation of arm segment 201.
[0031] FIG. 6 shows the sub-frame 2 with a valve component 25 in the centreline of the sub-frame. In structural sub-frame plate 21 openings 21′ are shown, which allow to components such as an electric motor and/or pump 42. The protective structure 26 for the sub-frame and the hydraulic or fluid tank 27 is visible on the right side. Also on the right the diagonal upwards running structural member for good entrance is depicted, as well as a swivel and attachment point for a structural member whereon a joystick can be mounted. On the left side an opening for air 28 and location for a filter and/or cover 29 also shows an electronic component 41 in the possible cool air stream. Seat 70 is also shown.
[0032] FIG. 7 shows the bottom side of the sub-frame 2 with the mounting area of a slew bearing between the main frame and the sub-frame. In the diagonal upward running sub-frame, the recesses 22 for the moving and sharp steering displacement means of the main frame can be seen and in between them the mounting plane/plate for a valve component. At the rear of the sub-frame a cooling fan 50 or radiator is visible. The structural profile members 33 can be seen. Also illustrated with 34 are the fluid directions of a coolant, hydraulic oil or other fluid within the structural or protective profiles 33.
[0033] FIG. 8 shows a rear side view of the sub-frame 2 on which structural members/planes/plates 32 are visible. These form compartments for technical components 40 such as energy storage or electrical or electronic components.
[0034] FIG. 9 shows protective structure 33. Operating instrument in the form of a joystick 60 is connected to movable structural member 64. On this an armrest 61 is mounted and a locking system 62 to connect between the movable structural member 64 with protective structure 33. On the lower side through the sub-frame an air stream 51 is visible, which flows through different compartments and alongside technical component 43.
[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates sub-frame 2 where many structural planes/plates can be seen and openings 28 in between the compartments. Air stream 51 can be seen to flow in or out opening 28 through a compartment on one of the sides of the sub-frame. On the lower part technical component such as an electric motor and/or pump is visible.
[0036] FIG. 11A depicts a cross section of the sub-frame at the area of a potential seat 70. Structural plates and members 32 throughout can be seen. Technical or energy storage components 40 with cooling devices or plates 41 are here depicted with in between a seat 70. The outside areas 27 can comprise of additional energy storage components or compartments. These can also hold hydraulic, coolant or any other fluid. On the left side inside profile 31 the potential flow or a fluid inside the profile is pointed at.
[0037] FIG. 11-B shows combined technical components suspended/dampened on the lower side.
[0038] FIG. 11-C shows separated suspended/dampened technical components with space in between
[0039] FIG. 11-D shows a 3 dimensional view of a technical component suspended in all directions
[0040] FIG. 12 illustrates a potential transparent door and possible locations 80 and 81 for operating instruments to engage and control the movement of the first arm segment from and to the most rearward position, as well as to control the locking of the arm segment to the sub-frame. These possible locations 80 and 81 for double hand control can only be used when the operator is outside the mobile apparatus.
[0041] FIG. 13 illustrates the possibility for both a left and right side movable structure on which operating instruments like a joystick can be positioned.
[0042] FIG. 14 shows a movable structure 64 with a connected extension 64′ of the structure to hold a steering wheel, which is positioned left of the centre of the seating or standing position.
[0043] FIG. 15 depicts a similar extension 64′ of a movable structure 64 on which a steering wheel is mounted. This steering wheel is shown here in the centreline of the seat.
[0044] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment without a protective structure and seating position for an operator.
[0045] FIG. 17 gives an overview of a main frame with a lower central area 100, the higher directional areas 101 and 102 and the higher side areas 104. The movable structure 103 for oscillation or suspension is connected to the steerable displacement means 4. The narrow body structure 105 to allow sharp steering angles is visible. In the centre, the location for a possible slew bearing 106 can be seen.
[0046] FIG. 18 with top view of a main frame 1 shows why the narrow body structure and recess 105 of frame 1 is necessary for the sharp steering angle of the displacement means 4. The mechanical structures such as tie-rod swivel points 111 for a sharp steering angle rotate here over centre rotation point 109.
[0047] FIG. 19 provides a view of a main frame 1 with a swivel point 107 for the oscillation of a structure holding displacement means. It can be seen in this angle that the narrow body v-shaped body structure 105 actually runs throughout the length of a main frame to other side 105′. Also in this view a higher body part 102 can be seen, which holds a location 108 for blocking oscillation or suspension of displacement means through a structure.
[0048] FIG. 20 provides a bottom view of the inside of a main frame 1 with internal longitudinal structural members or plates in a v-shape under the area 106 of a potential slew bearing. Cross sectional members or bulkheads 114, 115 and 117 are visible, as well as an attachment point 107 for a structure or suspension for displacement means, which continues in the frame pointed by locations 116.
[0049] FIG. 21 illustrates displacement means 4 in a straight line, non-steered. The swivel points 111 for mechanical linkages or tie-rods are here in the neutral position. The connecting structure for these swivel points 110 can be rotated over point 109. The structure for displacing means is locked by means of a pin 108′ in location 108 to the higher body structure of the main frame 102. Pin 112 for instance through the swivel point of the displacement means can be a rotating shaft or a towing location for an attachment or trailer.
[0050] FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 with the difference that the structure for the displacement wheels is not locked to the higher body structure 102 of the main frame.
[0051] The present invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to other embodiments falling within the scope of the appended description and claims.
