Amphibious Vehicle Tilting Cab Sealing Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracked vehicles face challenges in maintaining efficient sealing during water passage and accessing sensitive components for maintenance, as existing sealing arrangements are not adequately effective for amphibious functions and are difficult to access.
Innovation Solution
An amphibious vehicle with a sealing arrangement featuring a tilting cab connected to the vehicle frame via hinge means, utilizing inflatable sealing elements and electromagnetic sealing to create a liquid-tight and EMC-compatible sealed space, allowing for efficient sealing and easy access while maintaining amphibious functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing arrangement is provided between the cab and vehicle frame to enable amphibious function, then liquid tight sealing is improved, but access to vehicle components becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cab is designed to tilt relative to the vehicle frame, transforming the static sealing structure into a dynamic one. The hinge means enable the cab to move between a closed position (providing liquid tight sealing for amphibious operation) and an open position (providing easy access to components). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its sealing state based on operational requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cab is kept in closed position for continuous sealing protection, then component protection is improved, but maintenance access and operational flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting cab mechanism allows the vehicle to dynamically transition between sealed and accessible states. During amphibious operation, the cab remains in the closed position to protect components from water ingress. During maintenance or operational phases requiring access, the cab can be tilted to the open position. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between continuous protection and operational flexibility.
3Reliability
If rigid sealing structures are used to ensure liquid tight sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but noise transfer from engine and track assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements (such as seals or gaskets) at the interface between the cab and vehicle frame, rather than rigid sealing structures. These flexible elements maintain liquid tight sealing while providing acoustic isolation, reducing noise transfer from the engine and track assembly into the cab. The flexibility of these sealing elements allows them to conform to the interface surfaces while dampening vibration and noise transmission.
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 solution provides efficient sealing during water passage, protects sensitive components from liquid ingress, and facilitates easy access for maintenance, while maintaining the vehicle's amphibious capabilities and reducing noise transfer from engine and track assembly.
Implementation Method 1
Where the sealing means comprises inflatable sealing means the sealing means is configured to provide a sealing function even in the non-inflated state
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle comprising a vehicle frame and a cab supported by said vehicle frame, said cab being connected to said vehicle frame via hinge means so as to allow tilting of said cab about said hinge means between a closed position and an open position, wherein said vehicle comprises a sealing arrangement comprising sealing means arranged to provide liquid tight sealing between the cab and the vehicle frame in said closed position, wherein in the closed position, the sealing arrangement is arranged to provide a confined space for protecting components of said vehicle enclosed inside said space.