Fluid Supply Port Cover Hinge With Opening Limit Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

The working machine disclosed in PTL 1 lacks a mechanism to limit the opening degree of the fluid supply port cover, leading to potential damage to the cover or its peripheral sections.

Innovation Solution

A working machine with a hinge that includes an abutting portion to limit the rotation of the fluid supply port cover, supported by an elastic member, which abuts on an abutted portion at the opening's peripheral edge, preventing excessive opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the fluid supply port cover is made rotatable without restriction, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from excessive opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge includes an abutting portion that proactively prevents excessive opening of the fluid supply port cover by contacting the abutted portion on the cover body. This preliminary anti-action mechanism stops the cover before damage can occur, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the opening degree of the fluid supply port cover is unrestricted, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to potential damage risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The limitation function is merged into the hinge structure itself through the abutting portion and abutted portion. This integration allows the hinge to simultaneously provide rotation support and opening limitation without adding separate complex mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the abutting portion directly contacts the abutted portion, then manufacturing precision is improved, but strength deteriorates due to impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidstrength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

An elastic member is provided between the abutting portion and the abutted portion to cushion the impact when the cover reaches its opening limit. This beforehand cushioning prevents damage from direct contact while maintaining the precision of the limitation mechanism, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 limits the opening degree of the fluid supply port cover, preventing damage and ensuring secure operation.

Implementation Method 1

The abutting portion is provided with an elastic member. The abutting portion is configured to abut on the abutted portion via the elastic member.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4644615A1Work machine
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4644615A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644615A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644615A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a working machine (1) capable of limiting the opening degree of a fluid supply port cover (113). A working machine (1) includes a machine body (2); at least one tank (96, 97) provided in the machine body (2) and including a fluid supply port (96A, 97A); a cover body (101D) to cover the tank, the cover body including a main wall portion (104) and an opening (108) provided in a portion of the main wall portion, to expose the fluid supply port; a fluid supply port cover to open and close the opening; and a hinge (115) to support the fluid supply port cover in a rotatable manner. The hinge includes an abutting portion (117c) to abut on an abutted portion (111) at an opening peripheral edge portion (110) that is a peripheral edge portion of the opening of the cover body or in a vicinity of the opening peripheral edge portion from an inner side of the machine body, to limit rotation in an opening direction of the fluid supply port cover when the fluid supply port cover is rotated and opened.