Compact Lifting Assembly for Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting systems for agricultural vehicles, such as tractors, face encumbrance issues due to the presence of guide rods and rockers, which limit space, increase weight, complexity, and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A lifting system with a compact design that eliminates guide rods and rockers, utilizing lateral and central connecting arms with actuator and stabilizer means, and a support structure that can be selectively fixed to the vehicle body, allowing for independent operation of left and right lifting portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If guide rods and rockers are used in the lifting system, then the lifting function is achieved, but the useful space above the arms and tractor body is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes guide rods and rockers from the lifting system, extracting the problematic components that limited useful space. The lifting function is achieved through alternative means (lateral connecting arms with actuator means) that do not require these encumbering elements, thereby increasing the useful space above the tractor body and arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting system is divided into independent lateral connecting arms, each with its own actuator means and support structure. This segmentation allows each arm to operate independently without requiring connecting rockers, eliminating the need for these space-limiting components while maintaining lifting functionality.
2Reliability
If guide rods and rockers are present in the lifting system, then the lifting mechanism functions, but the weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes guide rods and rockers from the lifting system. These extracted components are replaced by a simpler arrangement of lateral connecting arms with integrated actuator means, reducing the overall weight while maintaining the lifting mechanism's functionality through direct actuation of each arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is merged with the lateral connecting arm, and the actuator means are integrated directly onto each arm. This merging eliminates the need for separate guide rods and rockers, reducing component count and overall system weight while preserving lifting functionality.
3Ease of operation
If guide rods and rockers are used, then the lifting system operates, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts guide rods and rockers from the lifting system design. By removing these complex components, the manufacturing process is simplified, requiring fewer precision-machined parts and assembly steps, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining operational ease through the simplified lateral arm structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective components in place of expensive guide rods and rockers. The lateral connecting arms with integrated support structures and actuator means use fewer materials and simpler construction methods, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate operational lifespan and reliability.
4Reliability
If guide rods and rockers are included, then the lifting system is complete, but the encumbrance and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes guide rods and rockers from the lifting system. The completeness of the lifting function is maintained through alternative means: lateral connecting arms with actuator means that directly control arm movement, eliminating the need for rockers and guide rods while reducing overall system complexity and encumbrance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting system is segmented into independent lateral connecting arms, each with its own actuator means and support structure. This segmentation eliminates the need for connecting rockers and guide rods, reducing complexity while maintaining system completeness through distributed, independent actuation of each arm.
Data Source
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AI summary
Lifting system (1) for a work vehicle provide body portion (2), comprising: - a pair of lateral arms (4) defining a connection portion (4a), actuator means (8) for actuating each of said pair of lateral arms (4) and comprising a lower portion (8a) connected between connection and coupling portions (4a, 4b) of lateral arms (4) and an upper portion (8b) connected to said body portion (2); wherein the lower portion (8a) and the upper portion (8b) are connected to the respective element via movable connections (9, 17), the actuator means (8) being configured to increase or decrease their dimension to lift or lower said connection portion (4a) with respect to ground, wherein the upper portion (8b) and the coupling portion (4b) are both connected to a same support element (13) that is carried by body portion (2).