Control Cab Module Development Brief

The control cab is an independent module - an upgrade from 2013 that supercedes earlier work for the sake of simplicity - that seats the driver of hydraulic heavy machinery. The driver operates the loader with foot pedals and controls the motion of the vehicle with hand levers. The module is a standalone unit that can be attached to the wheel base module - of many types of tractors, earth movers, or trucks that follow OSE modular design. The Control Cab provides the safety features of a front plexiglass screen that slides up and down; side metal mesh guards; a lap bar with electrical system lockout - such that the cab provides a safe operating environment in which the structural cab frame and lap bar keeps the operator safe in case of vehicle flip-over.

Prior design included a cab that was not modular. The former design was simply built into the existing tractor frame. Now we are shifting to modularity, so that:

• The Cab module is a complete and independent unit that can be placed on a wheel base platform of any Tractor Construction Set vehicle.
• The Cab Input interface includes hydraulic input from the power cube, hydraulic return to the Power Cube, and a case drain return to the Power Cube. These are all connected via 30 GPM hydraulic quick couplers, and 1/4" quick coupler for the case drain return, such that 60 hp of engine drive can be accommodated with one set of these couplers.
• The Cab Electrical Interface includes an electrical connection. This connection includes a quick connector to the Power Cube electrical system such that a key switch is placed within the cab.
• The Cab Output interface includes all connectors for active elements that are controlled from within the Control Cab: wheel motors (1 set per side); loader arms; loader bucket; auxiliary connection.

See the Control Cab Module for concept design of the Cab.