Operation Lever Cover Sealing for Work Vehicle Cab Dust Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles face challenges in preventing dust and debris from entering the driver's cab through the holes where operation levers pass, which can compromise the cleanliness and functionality of the interior.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an operation lever cover with a through hole and attachment parts that fit onto support surfaces in the driver's cab, creating a seal around the operation levers to inhibit dust entry, utilizing a bellows-shaped trunk and attachment surfaces to secure the cover in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If operation levers are provided with through holes in the driver's cab, then operation levers can be installed and operated, but dust and debris can enter the driver's cab through the holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation lever installationVSAvoiddust and debris entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a cover made of flexible material that can be fitted over the operation lever to create a sealed environment. The flexible shell conforms to the lever shape while maintaining a dust-proof barrier, effectively blocking harmful particles without interfering with lever operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary component between the operation lever and the external environment. It mediates between the need for lever accessibility and the need for dust protection, allowing the lever to function while preventing particle entry through the attachment surfaces that seal against the cab structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If covers are added to seal around operation levers, then dust entry is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust entry preventionVSAvoidcover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented into distinct functional parts: a main body portion that covers the operation lever, attachment surfaces for securing the cover, and an opening for lever passage. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides dust sealing, structural support through attachment surfaces, and operational access via the opening. This universality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive dust protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10883595B2Operation lever cover for work vehicle, operation mechanism for work vehicle, and work vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

An operation lever cover for a work vehicle includes a through hole, a trunk, a first attachment part, and a second attachment part. The through hole extends in a first direction. An operation lever of the work vehicle passes through the through hole. The first attachment part is provided at a first end in the first direction of the trunk and has a first attachment surface fitted to a first support surface in a driver's cab of the work vehicle. The second attachment part has a second attachment surface fitted to a second support surface provided separately from the first support surface in the driver's cab.