Operation Member Lock Mechanism With Mid-Body Engagement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working machines face issues with the accuracy of their lock mechanisms due to relative position and angle deviations of engaged portions, and the cumulative dimension errors from part deformation or wear, leading to improper locking and unlocking of operation members, as well as increased manufacturing complexity and part counts.
Innovation Solution
A working machine design featuring a lock mechanism with an engaged portion positioned at an intermediate portion of the lock body, supported by a lock support shaft, and driven by a driving portion to rotate and change positions between engagement and disengagement, enhancing the accuracy and ease of operation while reducing the number of parts and manufacturing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the engaged portion is provided at the free end of the lock body (cantilever-supported), then the lock mechanism structure is simple, but the relative position and angle of the engaged portion deviate, making it impossible to lock and unlock properly
Solution Approach 1:
The lock body is divided into two parts: a supported portion that rotates on the lock support shaft, and an engaged portion positioned at an intermediate location. This segmentation allows the engaged portion to be precisely positioned relative to the engagement portion while maintaining a simpler overall structure compared to fully supported designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaged portion acts as an intermediary element positioned between the supported portion and the engagement portion. By placing it at an intermediate location rather than at the free end, it serves as a mediator that maintains accurate relative positioning while still allowing for a relatively simple lock mechanism structure.
2Reliability
If the number of constituent parts and supporting parts is large, then the lock mechanism can be more robust, but cumulative dimension errors from deformation or wear make it impossible to lock and unlock properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary constituent parts from the lock mechanism. By using a lock body that is supported at only one end with the engaged portion at an intermediate location, rather than using multiple support points or additional constituent parts, the design reduces the total number of parts while maintaining sufficient robustness for proper locking and unlocking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting the lock body at multiple points to increase robustness (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by supporting it at a single end and positioning the engaged portion at an intermediate location. This inverted configuration reduces cumulative dimension errors from multiple support points while maintaining adequate robustness through the simplified single-support structure.
3Strength
If bosses are pre-fixed to the tank side face by welding, then the attachment member can be mounted securely, but the manufacturing steps increase and the tank may be deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is merged with the cover as a single integrated component rather than being a separate part requiring independent mounting. This combining of functions allows the attachment member to be formed as part of the cover structure itself, eliminating the need for separate welding of bosses to the tank and reducing manufacturing steps while maintaining secure attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover serves multiple functions: it closes the tank opening and integrates the attachment member for mounting devices. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate attachment structures (bosses) on the tank, reducing manufacturing complexity and deformation risk while maintaining secure mounting capability through the integrated attachment member on the cover.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock mechanism that is switchable between a locking state in which a movement of an operation member of a working machine is restricted and an unlocking state includes an engagement portion to rotate together with the operation member, a lock body including an engaged portion at its intermediate portion, a lock support shaft that supports the lock body rotatably, and a driving portion that applies a driving force to the lock body. The lock body is moved by the applied driving force to a position in which the engaged portion is in engagement with the engagement portion and a position in which the engaged portion is not in engagement with the engagement portion.