Canopy Document Storage for Working Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing storage apparatus on working vehicles, particularly power shovels, obstructs getting-on/off motions and narrows front visibility, and when the lid fails to close, it blocks front visibility, hindering work operations.

Innovation Solution

A storage apparatus with a frame and lid attached to the canopy's ceiling, where the lid hinges to the right wall and arcs to open/close, ensuring the entrance remains clear and visibility is maintained, even if the lid hangs due to a failure, with a holding portion on the lid to secure documents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the storage apparatus is arranged at a central position close to the front part in the ceiling part, then documents can be stored in the canopy, but the storage apparatus becomes an obstacle to getting-on/off motions and narrows front visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument storageVSAvoidgetting-on/off motion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage apparatus is repositioned from a central front location to the right side of the vehicle body, utilizing the lateral dimension to resolve the conflict between storage availability and operator accessibility. This spatial reconfiguration eliminates obstruction during getting-on/off motions while preserving document storage functionality.

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

2Reliability

If the storage apparatus is arranged at a central position close to the front part, then documents can be stored, but front visibility is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument storageVSAvoidfront visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage apparatus is relocated to the right side of the vehicle body, utilizing the lateral dimension to resolve the conflict between storage availability and operator visibility. This spatial reconfiguration eliminates obstruction to front visibility while preserving document storage functionality.

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

3Reliability

If the lid portion is not capable of being closed due to failure or defect, then the storage function is compromised, but the lid portion hangs down and blocks front visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage functionVSAvoidfront visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid portion is designed to be separable from the storage apparatus body. When failure or defect occurs preventing proper closure, the lid can be completely removed from the vehicle, eliminating the hazard of it hanging down and blocking front visibility while the storage function remains operational.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Volume of moving object

If documents are stored below the seat, then space utilization is improved, but it is difficult to manage space for battery and control equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidspace management for battery and control equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage apparatus utilizes the vertical dimension of the canopy ceiling, moving document storage from the horizontal space below the seat to the overhead space. This reconfiguration frees up the area below the seat for battery and control equipment while maintaining efficient space utilization through vertical placement.

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

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

Prevents obstruction during getting-on/off, secures front visibility, allows easy document retrieval, and prevents damage from rain and vibrations, while optimizing space for battery and control equipment below the seat.

Implementation Method 1

a left end turns so as to draw an arc between a position of the left wall portion of the frame and a position in a lower direction of the right wall portion to open/close the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3712336B1Working vehicle with document storage apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 TAKEUCHI MFG CO LTD
  • EP3712336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3712336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3712336B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

There is provided a storage apparatus for documents capable of preventing the storage apparatus from being an obstacle to getting-on/off motions and securing front visibility in good condition. A storage apparatus (60) includes a frame (62) having an opening (62e) and wall portions (62a to 62d) and a lid portion (64) attached to the frame (62), in which an entrance (36) of the canopy (14) is provided on a left side or a front side of a vehicle body (10), the frame (62) is fixed to a right side of the vehicle body (10), the lid portion (64) has a structure in which a right end (64d) is attached to the right wall portion (62d) of the frame (62), a left end (64c) turns between a position of the left wall portion (62c) and a position in a lower direction of the right wall portion (62d), and a holding portion (70) holding the documents is provided in an inner surface (64e).