Work Vehicle Hood Lock Diagonal Manipulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hood lock mechanisms for work vehicles can be easily opened by non-users due to the projection of the manipulation tool outside the vehicle body, posing a security risk and requiring users to inconveniently remove attached implements to access the hood.

Innovation Solution

A lock mechanism with a manipulation tool that can be inserted and withdrawn through a through-hole in a left or right upward diagonal direction, allowing users to easily release the hood's anchoring without interference from attached implements, while preventing non-users from opening the hood by requiring specific tool usage and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the manipulation tool projects outward below the lower cover from an elongated hole, then the hood can be easily opened by users, but non-users can also easily release the hood anchoring

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of hood openingVSAvoidSecurity against unauthorized opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The manipulation tool is repositioned from a vertically accessible location to a diagonally accessible location through a through-hole formed at a left or right end of the baseplate. This dimensional change in access direction prevents non-users from easily manipulating the tool while maintaining user accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The through-hole is specifically positioned at a left or right end of the baseplate rather than centrally, creating a localized access point that requires specific positioning and diagonal insertion. This local quality change restricts access to those who know the correct manipulation method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the manipulation tool is positioned centrally on the baseplate, then the structure is simple, but attached implements interfere with tool insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStructure simplicityVSAvoidAccessibility with attached implements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manipulation tool access is moved from a central vertical position to a lateral diagonal position through the through-hole at the baseplate end. This dimensional relocation allows tool insertion from the side at an angle, avoiding interference from front-mounted implements while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the through-hole is formed at a left or right end of the baseplate, then diagonal insertion prevents non-user access, but the manipulation path becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSecurity against unauthorized openingVSAvoidManipulation path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manipulation tool itself performs the function of guiding its own insertion path through the diagonal approach. The tool's design and the through-hole geometry work together to enable self-guided diagonal insertion, eliminating the need for additional guiding mechanisms or complex auxiliary structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances security by ensuring only authorized users can open the hood, simplifies the unlocking process, and allows for easier operation even with attached implements, improving user convenience and security.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member for biasing the first member back to the lock position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3470309B1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3470309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3470309B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3470309B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The problem to be solved is how to provide a work vehicle with a hood lock mechanism that impedes unlocking by non-users without inconveniencing the user. The present work vehicle comprises a lock mechanism (30), disposed on an upper surface of a baseplate (23), for anchoring and retaining a front-opening hood (19) in a lower closed position. The lock mechanism (30) is configured so that the hood (19) is anchored and retained at the closed position by the baseplate-side first member (31) being positioned at the lock position by the action of the biasing member (33) and engaging with the hood-side second member (32), and the anchoring and retention of the hood (19) at the closed position is released by the engagement of the first member (31) with the second member (32) being released by the first member (31) being manipulated to the unlocking position by the manipulation tool (34). The manipulation tool (34) is configured so as to manipulate the first member (31) to the unlock position by being inserted through a through-hole (23A) formed at a position on the right end side of the baseplate (23) in a left upward diagonal direction from a position below the through-hole (23A) to the right of the outside of the vehicle body.