FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor. The operator module with all controls and instruments slides and rotates throughout the width of machine providing all round visibility, operator comfort and ease of operation enabling long working hours.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
A compactor operator seat is provided with all controls and instruments fixed on frames and can not be moved to either side. Compactor is a vibratory machine used to make roads, air fields, dams, harbours and industrial sites. These compactors comprising of a module known as OPERATOR PLATFORM or OPERATOR MODULE which is mounted on the frame. It has all the indications of temperature, pressure etc. along with operator levers and controls. It also has fixed operator seat for driver. In some of the machines, driver seat rotates alone allowing operator to change position, but still all the controls remain stationary and it becomes difficult for operator to operate them. Compactor moves forwards and backwards in a defined patch which is required to be compacted no. of times. This is commonly known as patch. Hence, every time operator is required to move his neck and eyes front or rear as it has to keep an eye on that patch, resulting fatigue and stresses in his body and long working hours becomes very tiring affecting productivity of the operator.
The present invention is improvement over known art providing freedom for operator to move in the whole width of machine and enabling him to see either of the corner of machine or road.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor which overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art(s).
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor which is efficient.
Further object of the present invention is to provide sliding mechanism of the operator module in a compactor having hydraulic cylinder as actuator receiving signal of left or right movement of whole module through solenoid valve which in turn is energized or de-energized through an electrical switch provided near the operator and which also moves with the operator.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary mechanism which rotates the whole operator module along with controls to the either side of the machine enabling operator to see the machine both at front, rear and on sides without bending his neck or straining himself. It also has intermediate positions with locking arrangement so as to lock the module while running with vibration.
Yet another object of the present invention is to isolate the whole module in such a way that the minimum vibrations of rotating parts generated through vibratory mechanism are transferred to the operator seat resulting less vibrations at instruments and operator seat, hence generating minimum fatigue and enabling him to work continuously for long hours.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor comprising of rollers moving inside sliding rails in which said rollers are mounted on sliding fabrication, one end of which is connected to hydraulic cylinder in connection with a solenoid operated valve constituting a sliding fabrication having a shaft arrangement on which upper module rotates freely to any direction.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The operator module of the present invention is mounted through bearings on a sliding fabrication, which allows rotation of operator module with all instruments and controls either to clockwise or counter clockwise with intermediate and extreme locking positions allowing operator to fix the module with all controls to any convenient angle vis-a-vis the machine.
The sliding assembly of the present invention slides on rails mounted on the fixed platform through heavy duty rubber mounts providing vibration isolation and hence minimum or no vibration getting transferred to operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: sliding arrangement of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows: rotary arrangement of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS :-
Reference may be made to fig . 1, wherein rollers (2) move inside sliding rails (1) on bearings. Rollers of both sides of channels are mounted on sliding fabrication (3) whose one end is connected to hydraulic cylinder (4) which in turn is fixedly mounted on the frame. The frame is stationary and mounted on the driver frame through heavy duty rubber mounts (4'). This provides shock absorbing action and hence isolates the whole module from engine or vibratory mechanism vibrations.
The cylinder (4) is connected to a solenoid operated valve (5) through hydraulic hoses which receives signal from a switch mounted on the switch panel near the operator. When operator presses the switch, the module moves to either side depending upon the direction the cylinder moves either to right or left. The sliding fabrication is provided with adjustable stoppers (6) thereon at each end enabling operator to control the maximum movement of whole module. Further, the intermittent positions can be controlled by bringing the switch to neutral position and hence equaling pressure at both ends of the cylinder. Therefore, operator can lock his seating position at any location infinitely in the entire width of the machine.
Referring to figure-2, the operator module (7) is mounted through bearings (8) on the sliding fabrication. The fabrication comprising of a boltable shaft (9) arrangement, on which the upper module rotates freely to any direction on the bearings. It has a lubrication hole to lubricate bearings resulting free movement of operator module.
It also comprises one housing welded to operator module, which has a lever (10) guided on a bush and mounted with the compression spring. The lever when pushed upward against the spring force makes the operator module free which in turn rotates clockwise or counter clockwise depending upon the operator choice. One plate with a plurality of holes is mounted on the sliding fabrication which is known as locking plate (11). This houses the lever and hence locks the rotary position of operator module at any intermediate or extreme position, which ensures operator module is fixed in that position and the operator works for long durations.
Features of the present invention
Operator with all instruments and controls can be rotated to clockwise or counter clockwise direction.
Whole operator module with all controls can be positioned to any angle and locked to that position.
Whole operator module with all controls can slide to either side along the entire width of the machine at any angle already fixed by rotary mechanism.
Sliding and rotary actuation is carried out through a button provided near the operator seat on the switch panel.
The operator module with sliding and rotary mechanism is mounted on a frame which is positioned on heavy duty vibration isolators providing isolation to any vibrations generated either through engine or vibratory mechanism.
Advantageous features of the Rotary and Sliding operator module;-
1. Operator can be positioned at any angle according to requirement with all controls remain unchanged vis-a-vis his seating position, i.e. he rotates along with all controls in both directions.
2. Operator can slide to any infinite position in entire width of the machine at any angular position of operator module, providing him all round visibility all around his machine and even access to corners or edges of the roads without moving from his seating position. Further, all controls move along with him enabling him always in full control of the machine.
3. Sliding and rotary mechanism is actuated through a button enabling ease of operation and full operator comfort.
4. This feature provides excellent all round visibility of the machine resulting better control and smoother finish especially at corners and ends of road.
5. This feature results in less operator fatigue and hence uninterrupted long working hours and improved productivity.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims: -

WE CLAIM
1. A rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor comprising of rollers moving inside sliding rails in which said rollers are mounted on sliding fabrication, one end of which is connected to hydraulic cylinder in connection with a solenoid operated valve constituting a sliding fabrication having a shaft arrangement on which upper module rotates freely to any direction.
2. A rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic cylinder is fixedly mounted in frame, which is stationary and mounted on the driver frame through heavy duty rubber mounts.
3. A rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising of adjustable stoppers at each end of sliding fabrication so as to control maximum movement of the module.
4. A rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein through said bearings operator module is mounted on said sliding fabrication.
5. A rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising of a housing attached to operator module having a lever.
6. A rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said sliding fabrication is mounted with a plate having a plurality of holes constituting a locking plate housing the lever.
7. A rotary and sliding operator module of a compactor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.