Articulated Wheel Support Hydraulics for Dust-Resistant Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel support arrangements in agricultural work vehicles are prone to damage from fine dust and water intrusion, which can affect the electric motor and circuit systems when operating in rugged environments.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle with articulated link mechanisms that allow posture change about a vertical axis, featuring a turning mechanism and a feeding pipe holding portion to stabilize the vehicle and protect hydraulic hoses, ensuring the vehicle maintains an appropriate posture and reduces the risk of component damage from environmental intrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If electric motors are used to drive link mechanisms for maintaining vehicle posture on uneven terrain, then the vehicle can travel with appropriate posture maintenance, but the risk of damage from fine dust and water intrusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric motors with hydraulic actuators to drive the link mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the risk of fine dust and water intrusion damaging electric components, while maintaining the ability to adjust link mechanism angles for posture stability on uneven terrain. The hydraulic system is sealed and not susceptible to the same environmental damage risks as electric motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic actuators connected via hoses to control the bending and stretching of link mechanisms. The hydraulic system provides reliable actuation for maintaining vehicle posture on rugged terrain without the vulnerability of electric motors to dust and water damage. The hydraulic components can be positioned and routed to minimize exposure to harmful environmental factors.
2Device complexity
If hydraulic hoses are routed near turning mechanisms for posture adjustment, then the system remains compact, but the hoses may become entrapped and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hose guide as an intermediary component between the hydraulic actuator and the turning mechanism. This guide ensures that the hydraulic hose follows a predetermined safe path that avoids entrapment zones during turning operations. The hose guide maintains system compactness while protecting hose integrity by mediating the spatial relationship between moving components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-routes the hydraulic hose through designated pathways and guides before the turning mechanism operates. This preliminary arrangement of the hose routing prevents entrapment during subsequent turning operations. The hose is positioned in advance to follow safe trajectories that avoid high-risk zones where entrapment could occur.
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 vehicle can maintain stability and reduce the risk of damage to components from dust and water, enabling effective operation in harsh environments with improved posture control and protection of hydraulic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder capable of changing the posture of the articulated link mechanism
Implementation Method 2
the posture of the articulation mechanism will have its posture changed about the vertical axis, whereby the right/left orientation of the traveling device can be changed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A work vehicle includes a plurality of traveling devices (2) driven for traveling, a plurality of articulated link mechanisms (4) having a plurality of links (21, 22) pivotally coupled to each other to provide two or more joints and configured to independently support the traveling devices (2) to a vehicle body with allowing lifting/lowering of the traveling devices independently relative to the vehicle body, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (4, 5) capable of changing respective postures of the plurality of links (21, 22) included in the articulated link mechanisms (4). A first link (21) located at a position nearest the vehicle body is supported to be pivotable about a body side coupling portion. A first hydraulic cylinder (5) for operating the first link (21) has its cylinder tube (5A) side pivotally coupled to a coupled portion (20) on the side of the vehicle body and has its piston rod (5B) side pivotally coupled to a coupled portion (21a) on the side of the first link (21).