Mudguard Rotational Coupling with Parallel Springs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mudguard systems for agricultural and industrial vehicles face issues with jamming due to exposure to dirty environments, requiring oversized springs and complex mechanisms that increase height and risk of jamming, while failing to provide reliable rotation beyond a certain steering angle without excessive bulk.

Innovation Solution

A mudguard group with rotational coupling means featuring parallel elastic return means and rolling bearings housed within a containment cup, allowing relative rotation and elastic return without external inclined planes or cams, ensuring protection from dirt and reducing vertical dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oversized springs are used to ensure considerable elastic return force, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and vertical bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic return function is segmented into multiple parallel springs (first elastic return spring and second elastic return spring) rather than using a single oversized spring. This segmentation provides the required elastic force while maintaining compact dimensions and reducing complexity compared to a single large spring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from using a single spring in one dimension to using multiple springs arranged in parallel across different spatial dimensions. The first and second elastic return springs are positioned at different locations and orientations, distributing the elastic force requirement across multiple elements rather than concentrating it in one oversized component.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If inclined planes or cam mechanisms are used to ensure rototranslation, then the rotation functionality is improved, but the device complexity and vertical bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex inclined plane and cam mechanisms are completely removed from the design. The patent extracts only the essential rotational coupling function, achieving mudguard rotation through a simpler pin-and-slot mechanism with parallel springs, eliminating unnecessary complexity while maintaining the required adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex inclined planes or cams to achieve rototranslation, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple rotational pin mechanism combined with parallel elastic springs. The rotation is achieved directly through the pin rotating within the slot, without requiring the intermediate complex mechanisms of inclined planes or cams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If rototranslation mechanism with inclined planes is used, then the rotation beyond limit angle is improved, but the vertical dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation beyond limit angleVSAvoidvertical dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The solution changes the spatial arrangement from vertical stacking (increasing height) to horizontal distribution. The parallel springs are arranged side-by-side in the horizontal plane rather than stacked vertically, achieving the required rotation functionality while minimizing vertical dimensions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The rotational mechanism is segmented into discrete components (pin, slot, parallel springs) that can be compactly arranged. This segmentation allows the mechanism to achieve rotation beyond limit angles through the pin traveling along the slot arc, without requiring the vertical bulk of inclined plane mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanisms with multiple components are used, then the rotation functionality is improved, but the risk of jamming increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation functionalityVSAvoidrisk of jamming
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanisms such as inclined planes, cams, and multiple coupling surfaces are completely removed. The patent extracts only the essential rotational function, implementing it through a simple pin rotating within a slot with parallel springs, thereby eliminating the numerous surfaces and components that could jam in dirty environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention focuses quality and simplicity at the critical rotational interface. The pin-and-slot mechanism with parallel springs creates a localized, simple rotational path with minimal contact surfaces, reducing the probability of jamming at the most critical location while maintaining the required rotation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides reliable and efficient rotation with reduced vertical bulk, improved smoothness, and protection from environmental debris, ensuring consistent functionality and cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for oversized springs and complex mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

the supports work outdoors in particularly dirty environments... the springs allow for mutual rotation when the element connected to the mudguard reaches the limit value and bumps against a special end stop, and the subsequent elastic return when the rotation angle of the steering is reduced below the limit value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

rotational coupling means (20) positioned between the fixing plate (8) and the support plate (12) so as to allow a relative rotation about a rotation axis X-X... improved smoothness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3964428B1Mudguard group, in particular for agricultural and/or industrial vehicles, and related agricultural and/or industrial vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 DOMAR
  • EP3964428B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964428B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3964428B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mudguard group (4) for vehicles, comprising a fixing plate (8) operatively connected to a steering wheel, a support plate (12) mechanically connected to an associable mudguard (16), rotational coupling means (20) positioned between the fixing plate (8) and the support plate (12), so as to allow a relative rotation about a rotation axis of (X-X), which comprise a pin (24) integral with the fixing plate (8) and parallel to said axis of rotation (X-X), at least one rolling bearing (84), coaxial with respect to the pin (24), a first elastic return means (32) extending from a first end (36) to a second end (40), wherein at the first end (36) it is joined to a first support peg (44) integral with the support plate (12), and at the second end (40) it is associated with a first fixing peg (48) integral with the fixing plate (8). Said first support peg (44) and first fixing peg (48) are arranged aligned along a first straight line (R1) not passing through the pin (24) and wherein one out of said first support peg (44) and first fixing peg (48) is housed within a first circular slot (52) of the support plate (12), that delimits its angular stroke.