Asymmetric Front Loader Frame Assembly on Tractors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional front loader designs for tractors face assembly challenges due to asymmetrical vehicle body configurations, often interfering with components like mufflers, making it difficult to securely attach the loader.

Innovation Solution

The front loader design features a second fixing frame positioned further forward than the first, with strategically placed through-holes in the fixing frames to avoid interference with vehicle body components, allowing for easier assembly by positioning the rear group of through-holes lower than the forward group, and incorporating a smaller-diameter through-hole for stud bolts to prevent excessive load on weaker bolts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the work device support portions are configured to be left/right symmetrical, then the front loader structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but interference with asymmetrical vehicle body components (muffler, exhaust gas purifying device) occurs, making assembly difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront loader structureVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by making the right-side work device support portion extend further forward than the left-side support portion. This asymmetric configuration allows the right-side support to clear asymmetrical vehicle body components (muffler, exhaust gas purifying device) that are located on the right side, thereby resolving the interference problem while maintaining the overall symmetrical structure for ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If the rear end of the second fixing frame is positioned further forward than the rear end of the first fixing frame, then interference with vehicle body components is avoided, but the fixing frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidfixing frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fixing frame into two distinct portions: a first fixing frame for the left-side support and a second fixing frame for the right-side support. By positioning the rear end of the second fixing frame further forward than the rear end of the first fixing frame, the design clearly separates the functional requirements of each side, allowing the right-side frame to clear vehicle body components while maintaining structural clarity through segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If through-holes are positioned in the fixing frames, then bolt installation is enabled, but interference with coupling frames and difficulty in tightening bolts occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing frame structureVSAvoidbolt tightening work
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the rear group of through-holes at a lower vertical position than the forward group of through-holes in the fixing frame. This vertical dimensionality change allows the rear through-holes to clear the coupling frame structure, providing adequate space for bolt installation and tightening operations without interfering with the coupling frame, thereby resolving the operational difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If standard-diameter through-holes are used for all fixing positions, then manufacturing is simplified, but excessive load on weaker bolts (stud bolts) occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrough-holesVSAvoidbolt attachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different through-hole diameters for different fixing positions. Specifically, the small-diameter through-hole (for stud bolts) is positioned differently from the standard-diameter through-holes. This localized differentiation allows stud bolts to receive appropriate load distribution, preventing excessive loading on these weaker bolts while maintaining simplified manufacturing through standardized hole production methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3093395B1Front loader, frame mechanism of a front loader and method
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3093395B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3093395B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3093395B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support for and/or a front loader includes a first main frame fixed to one of a left and right side of a vehicle body and a second main frame fixed to the other of the left and right sides of the vehicle body. A rear end of the second main frame is positioned further forward than a rear end of the first main frame.