Modular Load Gate with Angled Lattice for Forwarder Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing load gates for terrain-going vehicles, such as forwarders, obstruct the operator's view of the load compartment during loading and unloading operations while providing comprehensive protection, and are costly due to their complex structure and extensive inner structure, which limits adaptability to varying load compartment dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A modular load gate design with a central principal gate section and angled side gate sections featuring a lattice structure of flat steel bars, allowing for improved visibility and impact resistance, which can be easily adapted to different load compartment dimensions through modular components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a load gate with extensive inner structure is used to provide comprehensive protection, then protection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidinner structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load gate is divided into modular components including frame sections, lattice structures, and interchangeable panels that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows the protective function to be maintained while reducing overall structural complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the load gate are designed with different structural densities - the frame provides structural support while lattice sections provide protection with reduced material usage. This local differentiation optimizes protection where needed while reducing complexity in less critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a load gate with extensive inner structure is used to provide comprehensive protection, then protection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows certain panels and components to be removed, replaced, or recovered for use in different configurations, reducing the need to manufacture entirely new structures for different load compartment sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the load gate extends outside the outermost parts of the load to prevent contact with obstacles, then protection capability is improved, but the overview of the load compartment by the operator is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidoperator's view of the load compartment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The load gate structure uses open lattice sections rather than solid panels in areas that would block the operator's view, while maintaining protective frame sections at critical locations. This provides protection where needed while preserving visibility through the gate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the load gate is designed to cover the complete width of the load during transport, then protection capability is improved, but adaptability to varying load compartment dimensions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidadaptability to load compartment dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The load gate design incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components that allow the structure to be dynamically reconfigured for different load compartment sizes and configurations, maintaining both protection and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2619035B1Load gate and a vehicle equipped with such a load gate

Publication Date: 2020.01.08 KOMATSU FOREST

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AI summary

The invention concerns a load gate for a vehicle such as a forwarder or similar and intended to limit a forward end gable of a load compartment (4) formed from load bunks (5) and stakes (6), and comprising outer frame sections (28, 29, 31, 32) that, joined at their ends, form a surrounding principally square or rectangular outer frame, an inner structure that extends between the frame parts and with which the outer frame parts are mutually joined. A load gate that, without deviating from the requirement of comprehensive protection, improves the overview of the operator of the load compartment from the driver's cabin comprises a central principal gate section (25) and side gate sections (26, 26') arranged on each side of this, and the combination that the central principal gate section (25) demonstrates a lattice inner structure formed from a number of elements (30) that are placed in a sequence and with an orientation that differs from that of the load bunks (5), while the side gate sections (26, 26') demonstrate a lattice inner structure formed from a number of elements (30) that are placed in a sequence and with an orientation that differs from that of the stakes (6).