Loader Lever Cable Guide Structure for Dust-Sealed Vehicle Bodies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing working vehicles with longitudinal members, such as cables, face issues of dust ingress through large holes and aesthetic deterioration due to the need for large seals to accommodate cable movement, which affects the operational efficiency and appearance.

Innovation Solution

A flexible longitudinal member coupled to a movable member, with a movable member that includes an insertion portion and is relatively movable with respect to a vehicle body, guided by a fixing member with a cutout portion and a guide mechanism, including rollers and guide portions, to minimize deformation and dust ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large long hole is formed in the plate to allow cable movement, then the cable can move with the seat, but dust flows into the cabin and aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable movement capabilityVSAvoiddust ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is divided into two functional areas: a large long hole for cable movement and a sealed surrounding area. The seal member is positioned at the periphery of the long hole, creating a segmented structure where the hole allows cable passage while the sealed perimeter prevents dust ingress and maintains aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a large-sized seal member is used to close the long hole, then dust ingress is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust ingress preventionVSAvoidseal member requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of sealing the entire long hole with a large seal member, the seal is applied locally at the periphery or edges of the hole. This localized sealing approach prevents dust ingress while minimizing the size and complexity of the seal member required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the cable is guided through a fixed structure, then the structure is simple, but the cable cannot accommodate seat movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance structure simplicityVSAvoidcable movement with seat
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance structure incorporates a movable guide member that can shift position within the long hole to accommodate cable movement caused by seat adjustment. This dynamic element allows the simple overall structure to adapt to varying cable positions while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 guides and minimizes deformation of cables, preventing dust ingress and improving the aesthetic appearance while maintaining operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a roller rotatably provided on one of the movable member or the fixing member; and a guide portion provided on another of the movable member or the fixing member and that guides the roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP4578688A1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4578688A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4578688A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4578688A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a working vehicle capable of suitably guiding a longitudinal member. A movable loader lever, cables 40 and 50 that are formed in a flexible longitudinal shape, are coupled to the loader lever, and move with movement of the loader lever, and a movable member 70 that includes an insertion hole 71a through which the cables 40 and 50 are inserted and that is provided to be relatively movable with respect to a vehicle body are included, a plate-shaped member 60 that is fixed to the vehicle body and includes a cutout portion 62 is further included, and the movable member 70 is provided to be relatively movable with respect to the plate-shaped member 60 such that the insertion hole 71a moves within a range inside the cutout portion 62.