Fender Support Structure Steering Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fender support structures for front wheels interfere with vehicle bodies during steering, causing interference and mud splashes, especially when the front wheel is steered to the left or right.

Innovation Solution

A fender support structure comprising a first rotation body that rotates with the front wheel, a second rotation body that supports the fender, a holding mechanism using a torsion spring to maintain the relative position, and a regulating mechanism that controls the second rotation body's rotation at predetermined steering angles to prevent interference with the vehicle body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the fender is rotated in accordance with the steering of the front wheel, then mud splashes are prevented, but the fender interferes with the vehicle body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemud splashesVSAvoidfender interference with vehicle body
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fender support structure employs a dynamic system with two rotation bodies and elastic members that allow the fender to rotate with the front wheel during steering while automatically limiting the rotation range. The elastic members generate holding forces that enable mud splash prevention through fender rotation, while the regulatory mechanism prevents interference with the vehicle body by constraining rotation within safe boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the rotational parameters of the fender dynamically based on steering angle. During normal steering, the fender rotates to follow the wheel and prevent mud splashes. When the steering angle reaches predetermined thresholds, the regulatory mechanism activates to limit further rotation, thereby preventing interference with the vehicle body while maintaining effective mud splash protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the fender rotates freely with front wheel steering, then mud splash protection is maintained, but interference with vehicle body occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemud splash protectionVSAvoidfender interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic members and regulatory mechanism form a feedback system that continuously monitors the rotational position of the fender relative to the front wheel steering angle. When the fender approaches positions that would cause interference with the vehicle body, the holding force from the elastic members and the regulatory mechanism activate to prevent further rotation, thereby maintaining reliable mud splash protection without causing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a regulatory mechanism is added to prevent fender interference, then vehicle body interference is suppressed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefender interference with vehicle bodyVSAvoidfender support structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic members are configured to automatically generate holding forces that regulate fender rotation without requiring external control systems. The regulatory mechanism leverages the natural elastic properties of the members to self-regulate the fender's rotational range, suppressing interference with the vehicle body while minimizing additional complexity through passive, self-regulating design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If elastic members are used to hold the rotation position, then holding force is maintained, but foreign matter adhesion may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation position stabilityVSAvoidforeign matter adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The regulatory mechanism extracts and isolates the elastic members within protected spaces, separating them from direct exposure to foreign matter such as mud and water. This allows the elastic members to maintain their holding force and stabilize the rotation position while minimizing their exposure to contaminants that would cause adhesion and degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution effectively suppresses fender interference and mud splashes during steering, allowing the fender to follow the front wheel in a wide range while preventing foreign matter adhesion and intrusion, with a simple configuration that maintains a high holding force.

Implementation Method 1

the holding mechanism includes a torsion spring having a main body wound in a coil shape having an axis substantially parallel to a rotation shaft of the second rotation body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3650320B1Fender support structure and work vehicle equipped with same
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3650320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3650320B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3650320B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a fender support structure capable of suppressing fender interference caused by a steering of a front wheel to the left and right. The fender support structure includes a base member 110 that rotates in accordance with a steering of a front wheel, a cover member 130 that is relatively rotatable with respect to the base member 110 and that supports a front wheel fender covering the front wheel, a holding mechanism 150 that is accommodated in the base member 110 and the cover member 130 and that generates a holding force to hold a relative rotational position of the cover member 130 relative to the base member 110 at a predetermined initial position, and a regulating mechanism that regulates a rotation of the cover member 130 in accordance with a steering of the front wheel against the holding force when a steering angle of the front wheel becomes a predetermined value or more in a left direction and a right direction.