Counterweight Cover Mounting Bracket for Excavator Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The stability of construction machines like hydraulic excavators is compromised due to the forward extension of counterweight mounting parts, which shifts the gravity center, and the workability of inspection tasks is hindered by the narrow inspection opening caused by the bonnet stay in prior art designs.
Innovation Solution
A cover mounting bracket is introduced, connecting the left and right weight parts of the counterweight, allowing the prime mover cover to pivot on a connecting member, thereby maintaining the gravity center's rear position and expanding the inspection opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the left and right mounting parts extend forward from the upper ends of the weight parts to mount the bonnet, then the bonnet can be securely mounted, but the gravity center of the counterweight moves forward, undermining vehicle body stability
Solution Approach 1:
A cover mounting bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the counterweight and the prime mover cover. The bracket includes a left mounting part extending forward from the left weight part and a right mounting part extending forward from the right weight part, with a connecting part joining them. This allows the prime mover cover to be mounted on the connecting part rather than directly on extended weight parts, securing the bonnet while preventing forward shift of the counterweight's gravity center, thus maintaining vehicle body stability.
2Reliability
If the bonnet stay is mounted on the left and right mounting parts to support the bonnet, then the bonnet can be properly positioned, but the inspection opening is narrowed by the bonnet stay, lowering workability of inspection work
Solution Approach 1:
The bonnet stay is repositioned from being mounted on the left and right mounting parts (horizontal arrangement) to being mounted on the connecting part of the cover mounting bracket (vertical/different spatial arrangement). This dimensional change allows the bonnet stay to support the bonnet from a different location that does not interfere with the inspection opening, thus maintaining bonnet positioning reliability while improving inspection workability by preserving a large inspection opening.
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
This configuration enhances the stability of the machine by preventing the gravity center's shift forward and improves workability by providing a larger inspection opening, facilitating easier maintenance tasks.
Implementation Method 1
a prime mover cover covering the inspection opening of the counterweight capable of opening or closing is mounted on the connecting member of the cover mounting bracket through a pivotal member
Data Source
AI summary
A cover mounting bracket (16) is provided on an upper side of a left weight part (11) and a right weight part (12) constituting a counterweight (10). The cover mounting bracket (16) is formed as a U-shaped frame with the counterweight (10) side open by a left extending member (17) extending forward from the upper side of the left weight part (11), a right extending member (18) extending forward from the upper side of the right weight part (12), and a connecting member (19) connecting the front side of the left extending member (17) and the front side of the right extending member (18). A prime mover cover (28) is supported on the connecting member (19) of the cover mounting bracket (16) rotatably in a vertical direction through a hinge (31). The prime mover cover (28) is moved between an open position where an inspection opening (15) of the counterweight (10) is opened and a closed position where the inspection opening (15) is closed around the hinge (31).