Mudguard Support Shaft Locking for Tool-Free Attachment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mud guard systems require tools for attachment and detachment, making the process cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A mud guard system with a support shaft and support pipe that allows for easy attachment and detachment through rotational movement of protruding parts between recessed and extended positions, eliminating the need for tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bolts are used to fix the additional mud guard to the fixed mud guard, then the mud guard can be securely attached, but tools are required for attachment and detachment which makes the process troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mud guard system is divided into a fixed mud guard and an additional mud guard that can be independently attached and detached. The fixed mud guard remains permanently mounted while the additional mud guard can be added or removed as needed, allowing users to adapt the system to different operating conditions without requiring tools for the entire assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional mud guard is designed with dynamic attachment and detachment capabilities. Instead of permanent bolting, the system allows the additional mud guard to be easily attached and removed by hand, enabling flexible adaptation to different working conditions such as varying mud conditions or maintenance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If bolts are used to attach the additional mud guard, then secure fixation is achieved, but maintenance time increases due to tool requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mud guard system is divided into a fixed mud guard and an additional mud guard that can be independently attached and detached. The fixed mud guard remains permanently mounted while the additional mud guard can be added or removed as needed, allowing users to adapt the system to different operating conditions without requiring tools for the entire assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional mud guard is designed to be attachable and detachable by hand without requiring external tools. This self-service design allows operators to quickly add or remove the additional mud guard during maintenance or operation, significantly reducing the time and complexity of maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3904605B1Work vehicle and method for attaching and detaching mudguard

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KOMATSU LTD

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AI summary

A mud guard device (9) has a cylindrical support pipe (22), a support shaft (30), and a mud guard (50). The support pipe (22) is fixed to a vehicle body. The support shaft (30) is supported by being inserted into the support pipe (22). The mud guard (50) is supported by the support shaft (30).