Adjustable Suspension Frame for Work Vehicle Steering and Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles with larger components, such as engines, often have limited steering range of motion due to increased hood height, which obstructs operator visibility and restricts clearance between wheels and components, compromising ride quality and steering capability.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable suspension system that transitions the frame between a lowered position for enhanced operator visibility and a raised position for increased steering angle, using actuating cylinders to manage wheel clearance and suspension travel, allowing for greater steering range while maintaining ride quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the frame is raised to increase steering range of motion, then the steering angle is improved, but operator visibility deteriorates due to increased hood height
Solution Approach 1:
The frame position is made dynamically adjustable between raised and lowered states based on operational requirements. The suspension system allows the frame to transition between positions to optimize either steering range or visibility as needed, rather than being fixed in a single position that compromises both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical position parameter of the frame is changed between two distinct states (raised and lowered). This parameter change allows the system to switch between optimizing for steering capability (raised position) and operator visibility (lowered position), resolving the contradiction through discrete state transitions.
2Power
If larger components are installed to increase power, then engine power is improved, but steering range of motion deteriorates due to reduced clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts the frame position to compensate for the space occupied by larger engine components. When maximum steering range is required, the frame can be raised to create additional clearance between the wheels and the enlarged engine/hood assembly, allowing larger components to be installed without permanently limiting steering capability.
3Illumination intensity
If the frame is lowered to improve operator visibility, then visibility is improved, but steering range of motion deteriorates due to reduced clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic transition between lowered frame position (optimizing visibility) and raised frame position (optimizing steering range). The adjustability enables the operator to select the appropriate configuration based on current operational priorities, resolving the contradiction through temporal separation of conflicting requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable suspension system enhances operator visibility by reducing hood height and increases steering range without compromising ride quality, providing adequate clearance between wheels and components, thus improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating cylinder extending between the axle and a frame of a work vehicle. The actuating cylinder is configured to transition the frame between a lowered position and a raised position
Implementation Method 2
a suspension system to damp vibrations caused by uneven field conditions, thereby enhancing ride quality and reducing wear on certain work vehicle components
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system is provided that includes an axle configured to support a first wheel on a first lateral end of the axle, and a second wheel on a second lateral end of the axle. The suspension system also includes a steering assembly configured to rotate each wheel relative to the axle about a substantially vertical axis. In addition, the suspension system includes an actuating cylinder extending between the axle and a frame of a work vehicle. The actuating cylinder is configured to transition the frame between a lowered position that enables the steering assembly to rotate each wheel through a first range of motion without contact between the wheels and a component of the work vehicle, and a raised position that enables the steering assembly to rotate the wheels through a second range of motion, greater than the first range of motion.