Ground-Mounted Dust Curtain Lifting Assembly with Curved Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work machines lack a suitable lifting assembly for the front dust curtain, leading to reduced productivity due to material falling back into holes and potential damage to the lifting assembly, especially when interfering with the fuel tank and axle during movement.
Innovation Solution
A lifting assembly with a pair of mounting brackets, an arm assembly, and a linkage mechanism that allows the front dust curtain to be moved between lowered and lifted positions without interfering with the axle or fuel tank, using a design with curved arm members and a linkage assembly for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lifting assembly is mounted on a mast to lift the front dust curtain, then the dust curtain can be lifted during reverse movement, but the lifting assembly may get damaged due to lack of ground clearance and interference with machine components
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting assembly is extracted from the mast-mounted configuration and repositioned to be ground-mounted. This separates the lifting function from the mast structure, allowing the dust curtain to be lifted without the assembly being subjected to mast movement constraints and potential damage from lack of ground clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
A ground-mounted lifting assembly acts as an intermediary between the ground and the dust curtain. This intermediary position provides adequate ground clearance and prevents interference with machine components like the fuel tank and axle, while still enabling the dust curtain to be lifted during reverse movement.
2Ease of operation
If the lifting assembly is positioned to lift the front dust curtain, then the dust curtain can be elevated, but the assembly interferes with the fuel tank and axle during movement between lowered and lifted positions
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting assembly is repositioned in the horizontal dimension (ground level) rather than being mounted vertically on the mast. This dimensional change allows the assembly to operate in a different spatial plane that avoids interference with the fuel tank and axle while still achieving the dust curtain elevation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-mounted lifting assembly serves as an intermediary structure that mediates between the ground and the dust curtain. Its ground-level position allows it to elevate the dust curtain without conflicting with overhead components like the fuel tank and axle, as it operates from a different spatial level.
3Device complexity
If the front dust curtain remains in contact with the ground during reverse movement, then the assembly structure is simpler, but material falls back into the hole reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-mounted lifting assembly enables the dust curtain to automatically maintain proper clearance from the ground during reverse movement. The assembly self-adjusts to lift the curtain when needed, eliminating material spillage without requiring complex manual intervention or additional structural modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting assembly for a dust curtain of a work machine includes a pair of mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket is coupled to a frame of the work machine. The lifting assembly also includes an arm assembly pivotally coupled to each mounting bracket and is movable relative to the mounting brackets between a first state in which the dust curtain is disposed in a lowered position and a second state in which the dust curtain is disposed in a lifted position. The arm assembly includes a first arm member and a second arm member. The first arm member includes a first linear portion and a first curved portion. The second arm member includes a second linear portion and a second curved portion. The lifting assembly further includes a lifting plate coupled to the dust curtain and a linkage assembly coupling the arm assembly with the lifting plate.