Caster Bracket Cover Portions for Debris Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles with caster type front wheels face issues of damage to the caster axle due to debris entering the gaps between the caster wheel and bracket, and objects being flung up and hitting vehicle equipment during operation.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle design featuring a driving rear wheel unit, a front frame with pivotal connecting units, a caster wheel, and a caster bracket with extended cover portions to prevent debris from reaching the caster axle and vehicle equipment, utilizing a caster bracket with left and right side walls, a top wall, and cover portions to shield the caster axle and wheel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a narrow U-shaped caster bracket is used to hold the caster axle, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the caster axle becomes exposed and vulnerable to damage from debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaster bracket manufacturingVSAvoidcaster axle protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The caster bracket is transformed from a simple 2D U-shaped plate into a 3D enclosed structure by adding side walls extending in the width direction and a bottom wall extending in the depth direction, creating a protective cavity that shields the caster axle from debris while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the caster bracket arms are positioned close to the caster wheel, then the structural compactness is improved, but gaps remain that allow debris to enter and damage the caster axle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaster bracket structural compactnessVSAvoiddebris damage to caster axle

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is divided into multiple functional segments: side walls extending from the bracket arms to cover the caster wheel sides, and a bottom wall extending between them to seal the lower opening, creating a comprehensive barrier against debris while maintaining structural compactness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the caster bracket is designed with extended protective walls, then the protection against debris is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaster axle protectionVSAvoidcaster bracket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective side walls and bottom wall are integrated into a single unified caster bracket structure rather than being separate components, eliminating the need for additional fasteners or assembly steps while providing comprehensive protection against debris

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11110746B2Work vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A work vehicle includes a pair of left and right pivotal connecting units provided on a front frame, a caster wheel, a caster axle and a caster bracket connected to the pivotal connecting unit. The caster bracket includes side walls supporting the caster axle, a top wall extending rearwards from the upper side of the caster wheel and interconnecting the left side wall and the right side wall, and left and right cover portions for covering gaps between the side walls and the caster wheel.