Movable Suspension Tower for Work Vehicle Shipping Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riding work vehicles face challenges in minimizing their shipping height due to protruding suspension systems, which require larger shipping crates and are not efficiently compacted for transport.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with a movable suspension tower that can adjust between an operating position and a shipping position, allowing the vehicle to be compacted to a lower height for transport, and an adjustable latch mechanism for securing shock absorbers along a slot to optimize suspension characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a suspension system is provided to attenuate forces during operation, then operator comfort is improved, but the shipping height increases due to protruding components
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension tower is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to change position between operating and shipping configurations. The tower can be raised to a vertical position during operation to provide suspension functionality, and lowered to a horizontal or reduced position for shipping to minimize height. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by making the suspension system's vertical dimension variable rather than constant.
2Productivity
If the suspension tower is lowered to reduce shipping height, then shipping efficiency is improved, but the suspension performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a movable suspension tower that can be positioned in different configurations. During shipping, the tower is lowered to reduce height while maintaining structural integrity. During operation, the tower is raised to the vertical position to provide full suspension performance. The latch mechanism ensures the tower remains securely in the desired position, thereby maintaining reliability in both shipping and operating states.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is divided into separable components including the suspension tower, shock absorbers, and latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the tower to be independently positioned and latched in different configurations, enabling the system to optimize for either shipping efficiency or suspension performance depending on the operational state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the latch mechanism allows adjustment along the slot, then adaptability of suspension characteristics is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently adjusted along the slot. This segmentation allows for simple adjustment of suspension characteristics by moving the latch to different positions on the slot, providing adaptability without requiring complex integrated systems. The latch can be easily repositioned to change the effective length or configuration of the suspension tower.
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
Enables the vehicle to be packaged in a smaller crate, facilitating more efficient shipping and assembly, while maintaining effective force attenuation during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension system interconnecting the support platform and the chassis... a shock absorber having a first end adapted to connect to the chassis, and a second end connected to the suspension tower
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system for use with a work vehicle. The suspension system may include a suspension tower to which one or more shock absorbers may attach. The tower may permit the shock absorbers to attach at multiple locations, effectively allowing the angular orientation of the shock absorbers, and thus a suspension characteristic of the suspension system, to be altered. The tower may be movable relative to the vehicle, e.g., for crating/shipping.