Foldable Tailgate Nesting Beneath Load Bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable tailgates on mining dumpers face issues with reduced ground clearance during tilting, linkage damage, obstruction of loads, and limited movement distance, especially when used in low-height unloading areas with fixed load beds.
Innovation Solution
A foldable tailgate design where the tailgate is positioned under the load bed during lowering, with a linkage mechanism and power means protected between the tailgate and load bed, utilizing a four-joint link mechanism for minimized movement and stress relief, allowing increased ground clearance and modular compatibility with various load bed shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tailgate is hinged at the outermost rear edge of the load bed and opens downwards, then the tailgate can be opened for unloading, but the ground clearance is reduced during tilting and the linkage may be damaged by contact with the ground or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate is designed to move from a vertical plane to a horizontal plane beneath the load bed during opening. This dimensional transition allows the tailgate to clear the ground and avoid obstacles, eliminating the risk of linkage damage while maintaining unloading capability
Solution Approach 2:
The tailgate is positioned to nest beneath the load bed when opened, with the pivotal connection located between the tailgate and load bed. This nesting arrangement protects the pivotal connection from external damage while enabling full tailgate opening for unloading operations
2Ease of operation
If the tailgate is hinged in the upper edge of the load bed and opens upwards, then the tailgate can be opened for unloading, but the tailgate and linkage form an obstruction that causes the load to hit parts of the tailgate during tilting, resulting in great stress and potential breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of opening the tailgate upwards as conventionally done, the invention inverts the opening direction by having the tailgate open downwards and backwards beneath the load bed. This inversion eliminates the obstruction problem that causes load impact and tailgate stress during tilting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The tailgate movement transitions from a vertical opening path to a horizontal path beneath the load bed. This dimensional change removes the tailgate from the vertical space where it would otherwise obstruct the load during tilting, eliminating impact stress on the tailgate structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If the controlled tailgate is arranged to move downwards towards the rear wheels in low-height unloading areas, then unloading can be performed in restricted spaces, but the available movement distance is limited by the height from the ground to the bottom of the load bed
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate opening path is changed from a purely vertical downward movement to a combined horizontal and vertical movement beneath the load bed. This allows the tailgate to achieve greater effective opening distance by utilizing the horizontal space under the load bed, overcoming the limitation of limited vertical clearance in low-height unloading areas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a foldable tailgate for a load bed (2), comprising a link mechanism (28) pivotally connected to the tailgate (1) and the load bed (2), at least one power means (22) connected to the load bed (2) and arranged to fold the tailgate (1) between a raised position in which the tailgate (1) at least partly covers a rear opening (16) of the load bed (2) and a lowered position in which the rear opening (16) of the load bed (2) is open. The tailgate (1) is arranged at the load bed (2) such that the tailgate (1) in a lowered position is located under the load bed (2) and such that the pivotal connection of the link mechanism with the load bed (2) ends up between the tailgate (1) and the load bed (2), and such that, in the lowered position of the tailgate (1), the tailgate (1) is arranged to rest against the underside of the load bed (2). The invention also relates to a load bed (2) with such a foldable tailgate (1) and a vehicle (4) with such a load bed (2).