Utility Vehicle Cargo Bed Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In utility vehicles, the forward and rearward movement of the cargo bed's front wall is hindered by contact with side ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) components due to the width matching issue, making expansion and contraction tasks difficult.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of lock devices that are displaceable between a fixing and non-fixing position on the vehicle body, preventing contact with side ROPS and allowing smooth movement of the front wall, along with rollers and elastic biasing for easy positioning and fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixing members are attached to the front wall to fix it to the vehicle body, then the front wall can be fixed at expanded and non-expanded positions, but the fixing members contact the side ROPS during movement, hindering smooth expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The lock device is designed with movable components that can dynamically change position between a fixing state (where the lock engages with positioning holes) and a non-fixing state (where the lock retracts inward). This dynamic capability allows the system to provide reliable fixing when needed while avoiding contact with side ROPS during movement, thus resolving the contradiction between fixing reliability and operational smoothness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the front wall is made to match the entire width of the vehicle body, then it can be properly fixed to the vehicle body, but the lock devices contact the side ROPS during forward and rearward movement
Solution Approach 1:
The lock device is segmented into multiple components: a lock body mounted on the front wall, a lock part that can move relative to the lock body, and positioning holes in the vehicle body. This segmentation allows the lock part to independently move inward to avoid side ROPS contact while the overall front wall maintains its full-width configuration for proper positioning and stability.
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
Enables smooth expansion and contraction of the cargo bed by preventing contact with side ROPS and facilitating easy fixing and movement of the front wall, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Lock parts of the lock devices are biased downward by elastic bodies
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle includes a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed provided in order from the front side. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into the riding space and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded. Lock devices for fixing the front wall to a vehicle body at a position in the expanded state and at a position in the non-expanded state are provided on the left and right sides of the front wall. The lock devices are displaceable between a fixing position where the lock devices are placed on the outer side of the cargo bed for fixing the front wall, and a non-fixing position where the lock devices are placed on the inner side of the cargo bed.