Machinery Room Cover Support for Hinge-Free Opening Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional work machines with hinge-based cover mechanisms require additional components and increased assembly time, making them costly and difficult to assemble.

Innovation Solution

A cover member that rotates within a defined range to open and close an opening part, using a support part that allows attachment and detachment without a hinge, simplifying the structure and reducing assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hinge is used to open and close the cover member, then the opening and closing function is achieved, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening and closing functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support part is integrated directly into the cover member, eliminating the need for a separate hinge component. The support part includes a rotation axis that is formed as an integral part of the cover member structure, allowing the cover to rotate and open/close without requiring additional hinge parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support part serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the cover member, acts as the rotation axis for opening/closing motion, and eliminates the need for a dedicated hinge. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components while maintaining the required functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a hinge is used to open and close the cover member, then the opening and closing function is achieved, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening and closing functionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support part is integrated directly into the cover member, eliminating the need for a separate hinge component. The support part includes a rotation axis that is formed as an integral part of the cover member structure, allowing the cover to rotate and open/close without requiring additional hinge parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional hinge component is extracted/removed from the system entirely. Instead of adding a hinge to connect the cover member to the machinery room, the design uses the support part integrated into the cover member itself, eliminating the need for separate hinge attachment processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a hinge is used to open and close the cover member, then the opening and closing function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening and closing functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support part is integrated directly into the cover member, eliminating the need for a separate hinge component. The support part includes a rotation axis that is formed as an integral part of the cover member structure, allowing the cover to rotate and open/close without requiring additional hinge parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated support part design uses simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing methods compared to producing and assembling separate hinge components. By forming the rotation axis as an integral part of the cover member, the design reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and assembly costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4675052A1Work machine

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD

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AI summary

[Problem] A mechanism for opening and closing an opening part is realized without the need of a dedicated part such as a hinge, with a simplified structure, and at low cost. The assembling ability of the above mechanism is improved. [Solution] A work machine comprises a machinery room having an opening part (44P). The work machine further comprises a cover member (52) which opens and closes the opening part, and a support part (51) which is attached to the machinery room and rotatably supports the cover member. In a state where the support part is attached to the machinery room (P1), the cover member is rotated with respect to the support part within a first rotation range (Ra1) within which the opening part is openable and closable, while in a state where the support part is removed from the machinery room, the cover member is rotated with respect to the support part within a second rotation range (Ra2) including the first rotation range. The second rotation range includes outside the first rotation range an attachment and detachment rotation position (Px) which allows the attachment and detachment of the cover member with respect to the support part.