Front Loader Control Rod Routing in Swingarm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional front loaders with mechanical parallel guides often obstruct the driver's view and require significant space due to the placement of control rods, leading to collisions with windshields and visual obstructions.

Innovation Solution

The control rods in the new front loader design run at least half of their length between the rod pivot axes within the swingarm cross-section, with masses positioned at least 60% above a defined plane, allowing for a slim structure and unobstructed visibility, similar to a front loader without mechanical parallel guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control rods run above the swing arm to provide mechanical parallel guidance, then the angular position of attached tools is maintained relative to the ground, but the driver's visibility is obstructed and the risk of collision with the windshield increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical parallel guidance functionalityVSAvoiddriver visibility obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control rods are relocated from running above the swing arm to running below it, utilizing the unused spatial dimension beneath the swing arm structure. This dimensional relocation maintains the mechanical parallel guidance function while eliminating visibility obstruction for the driver, as the rods now operate in a previously unutilized space that does not interfere with the driver's line of sight.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If control rods are positioned below the swing arm to improve visibility, then driver visibility is improved, but the structural complexity and space requirements for accommodating the rods increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver visibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swing arm structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the front loader mechanism and simultaneously acts as a housing or conduit for the control rods running beneath it. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated pathways or complex mounting structures for the rods, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining improved visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If control rods run within the swing arm cross-section, then visibility is maintained and space is optimized, but the rods must be positioned at least 60% above a defined plane requiring precise positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswing arm cross-section space utilizationVSAvoidrod positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The swing arm cross-section is designed with differentiated local properties: certain regions provide optimal positioning for control rod placement (at least 60% above the defined plane), while other regions accommodate structural requirements. This localized quality optimization allows precise rod positioning within specific zones of the cross-section, ensuring both visibility maintenance and space optimization without compromising manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP1903147B1Front loader with mechanical parallel guidance
Publication Date: 2010.01.13 WILHELM STOLL MASCHFAB
  • EP1903147B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The loader (1) has a mechanical parallel guide comprising a control rod (3) running in all operating positions of the loader for half of the loader length between rod swivel axes (19, 20) within a cross-section of a swinging bar (2). A material distribution of the control rod is offset to a distribution of the swinging bar between a swinging swivel axis (8) and a triangle swivel axis (18) in a backward manner. Mass of the control rod is sixty percentages above a level defined by the rod swivel axes.