Flat Plate Tractor Nose Frame for Under-Hood Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tractors face challenges in accommodating larger cooling packages without increasing hood height or reducing ground clearance, while also needing to support additional weights and maintain airflow and debris removal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flat plate front nose frame design that extends from the conventional frame rails, providing increased under-hood vertical clearance without raising the hood height, and incorporates a contoured bumper for structural support and debris reduction, with integrated mounting for cooling packages and hoses, and a tow cable connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the size of cooling package is increased to meet cooling requirements, then cooling capability is improved, but hood height must be increased or ground clearance reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional deep-section vertical frame structure with a flat plate configuration that extends horizontally. This dimensional change allows the cooling package to be positioned lower to the ground while maintaining adequate support structure, thereby increasing under-hood vertical clearance without reducing overall hood height from the ground.
2Temperature
If the size of cooling package is increased to meet cooling requirements, then cooling capability is improved, but ground clearance must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from a deep-section vertical frame to a horizontal flat plate configuration, the patent repositions the frame structure in a different dimensional orientation. This allows the cooling package to be supported at a lower elevation while the flat plate extends forward horizontally, maintaining ground clearance and angle of approach.
3Strength
If conventional deep section frame rails are used to support cooling package, then structural strength is sufficient, but under hood vertical clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vertically-oriented deep section frame rails with a horizontally-extending flat plate configuration. This dimensional reorientation maintains structural strength through the flat plate's horizontal span while creating vertical clearance underneath the hood for the cooling package.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the frame structure by replacing deep-section vertical profiles with a flat plate having different dimensional characteristics. The flat plate's thickness and horizontal extension provide structural strength while its low vertical profile increases under-hood clearance.
4Length of moving object
If flat plate nose frame is used to increase under hood clearance, then cooling package space is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the flat plate's thickness and material properties to provide sufficient structural strength. By adjusting these parameters, the flat plate can support the cooling package and withstand operational loads while maintaining the low vertical profile needed for increased under-hood clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent may utilize composite material construction or reinforced plate designs to achieve the required structural strength in a flat plate configuration. This allows the frame to maintain both the low vertical profile for clearance and the structural integrity for load-bearing applications.
5Strength
If conventional frame configuration is used, then structural support is adequate, but debris accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a contoured bumper with curved surfaces that follow the aesthetic lines of the hood and grill. These curved contours prevent debris from accumulating in sharp corners or flat surfaces, as debris cannot easily adhere to smooth curved surfaces and can be more easily shaken or blown off.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A flat plate nose frame design for a tractor (5) in which a thick, flat structural plate (32) is connected to and forwardly extends from the conventional frame rails (21) of the tractor (5). The flat plate nose frame design increases vertical clearance under the hood without raising the hood height or reducing ground clearance. The nose plate (32) is contoured to match the exterior contours of the tractor grill (15) and hood (11) eliminating the need for a separate aesthetic component covering the nose plate. The nose plate (32) features a pair of vertically aligned short-height frame plates (26, 27) extending forwardly along the axis from the deep-section frame rails (21) to increase strength in the flat nose plate (32) without significantly increasing vertical height of the nose plate assembly. The flat plate nose frame is capable of withstanding operational loads as well as supporting a weight package or front-mounted implements. Additionally, a releasable connector (70) for a tow cable (90) common on large tractors may also be connected to and supported by the flat plate nose frame without adverse impact to its primary advantages.