Operator Deck Mounting for Work Vehicle Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional operator's section constructions for work vehicles, such as backhoes, face challenges in maintaining operating devices due to complex mounting requirements and inefficient use of space, making it difficult to accommodate large instruments and perform maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The operator's section construction features an operating deck with independent mounting portions for the driver's seat and operating devices, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance, with a pivot mechanism for the operating devices and a compact design that utilizes space effectively by incorporating an air conditioner and electric box within the deck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If operating devices are attached to the side faces of the operating deck, then the mounting structure is simple, but the maintenance becomes difficult and dead space is created below them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structure simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The operating devices are segmented from the operating deck structure, mounted independently on the upper face rather than being integrated into the side faces. This segmentation allows the operating devices to be easily detached and maintained while eliminating the dead space below them, as they no longer overhang the leg portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting position of operating devices is changed from the lateral dimension (side faces) to the vertical dimension (upper face). This dimensional change allows the operating devices to be positioned above the leg portions rather than extending beyond them, eliminating dead space and improving accessibility from above.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If operating devices are attached to the side faces of the operating deck, then the mounting structure is simple, but the space below them becomes dead space being unutilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structure simplicityVSAvoidutilizable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the operating devices from the side-face mounting arrangement, the space below them is freed up and can be utilized for accommodating instruments, control units, or other components, thereby converting dead space into functional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Changing the mounting arrangement to the upper face allows the vertical space below the operating devices to be utilized effectively. The operating devices are positioned in the vertical dimension above the leg portions, allowing the horizontal space below to be used for other purposes.

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

3Volume of moving object

If space is available inside the operating deck, then internal mounting is possible, but it is difficult to accommodate a large vehicle instrument therein

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal space availabilityVSAvoidinstrument accommodation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The operating devices are mounted on the upper face of the operating deck rather than inside it, creating a new spatial arrangement. This allows large instruments to be accommodated inside the operating deck while the operating devices are positioned externally on the upper face, eliminating the conflict between internal space requirements and operating device mounting.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2105538B1Operator's section construction for work vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP2105538B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2105538B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2105538B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operator's section construction for a work vehicle includes an operating deck (21) mounted on a vehicle body (6), a driver's seat (8) mounted on the operating deck (21), a first operating device (22) provided on one of right and left sides of the operating deck (21) and a second operating device (23) provided on the other of the right and left sides of the operating deck (21). On an upper face of the operating deck (21), there are formed a mounting portion (21a) for the driver's seat (8), a mounting portion (21b) for the first operating device (22), and a mounting portion (21c) for the second operating device (23); the driver's seat (8), the first operating device (22) and the second operating devices (23) being mounted on the respective mounting portions (21a,21b,21c) independently of each other.