Implement Lowering Limit Mechanism for Working Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for limiting the lowering of implements on working vehicles require time-consuming operations to change the lowering limit position between working and travel/transport vertical positions, especially due to the spiral staircase design of abutted portions, which complicates the process and reduces operability.
Innovation Solution
A working vehicle with a manually operable receiving piece that can be positioned to limit the implement's lowering closer to the upper limit of its range, using a first and second portion on a laterally extending rotation shaft, and an operating piece to change the contact position between the abutting and abutted members, enhancing the ability to quickly switch between working and travel positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the abutted member has plural abutted portions formed in a spiral staircase shape to allow arbitrary vertical position adjustment, then the adaptability for different working positions is improved, but the device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The abutted member is divided into multiple discrete abutted portions (first through fourth portions) arranged vertically, each corresponding to a specific lowering limit position. This segmentation allows the operator to select from predetermined positions without requiring continuous adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutted portions are pre-positioned at predetermined vertical locations corresponding to common working positions and travel positions. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for real-time calculation or complex adjustment during operation, allowing quick switching between positions by simply selecting the appropriate pre-positioned abutted portion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the abutted member uses a spiral staircase design with multiple abutted portions, then the versatility of position selection is improved, but the time required to change positions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static spiral staircase design requiring rotational movement to a dynamic selection mechanism where the abutted member can be quickly repositioned between predetermined vertical locations. This dynamic approach allows rapid switching between working positions and travel positions without the time-consuming rotation operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical position parameter of the abutted member is changed by selecting from discrete predetermined positions rather than continuous rotation. This parameter discretization allows quick jumps between specific vertical positions (working position vs. travel position) without intermediate adjustments, significantly reducing position change time.
3Reliability
If the receiving piece is positioned to receive the abutting member near the upper limit, then the safety margin against unintended lowering is improved, but the range of usable working positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The abutted member serves multiple functions: it acts as both a positioning element (defining lowering limits at various vertical positions) and a safety element (preventing unintended lowering when positioned near the upper limit). This multi-functionality allows the same component to provide both working position definition and safety protection without requiring separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the function of the abutted member based on its vertical position. When positioned lower, it defines working position limits; when positioned near the upper limit, it provides safety protection against unintended lowering. This dynamic functional switching maintains both versatility and reliability throughout the range of motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A working vehicle includes a vehicle body supported by a plurality of wheels; an implement supported by the vehicle body via a link mechanism such that the implement can be raised and lowered, the implement being permitted to be lowered under its own weight; an abutting member that moves in tandem with the raising and lowering movement of the implement; a receiving piece for limiting the lowering of the implement under its own weight by receiving a first portion of the abutting member; and a manually operable first operating piece for changing the position of the receiving piece between a receiving position and a retracted position, wherein a lowering limiting position is set to a vertical position that is closer to the upper limit of a range of the raising or lowering movement of the implement than to the lower limit of that range.