Working Machine Pedal-Inching Valve Layout for Flexible Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working machines face challenges in mounting the inching valve due to space constraints, require separate filters for inside and outside air, and allow boarding/alighting from unintended sides of the operator's seat, necessitating improved flexibility and compact design.
Innovation Solution
The inching valve is attached to the floor frame via a cable, with the pedal and valve lever connected, and a blocking member prevents entry/exit from the opposite side of the entrance passage. The inside-air and outside-air introducing ports are integrated, sharing a filter and switching mechanism, and the air-conditioner system is positioned to optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the inching valve is installed directly under the pedal, then the response to pedal operation is improved, but the mounting flexibility is reduced due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
A cable is introduced as an intermediary element to transmit the operator's input from the pedal to the inching valve. This allows the pedal and valve to be separated spatially while maintaining functional connection, enabling the valve to be mounted in locations that facilitate maintenance access rather than being constrained to direct proximity under the pedal.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into separate components (pedal, cable, valve) that can be independently positioned. The pedal remains accessible to the operator while the valve can be relocated to optimal maintenance positions, with the cable serving as the connecting transmission element between these separated functional segments.
2Reliability
If separate filters are provided for inside-air and outside-air, then the air filtration is comprehensive, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate air filtration paths (inside-air and outside-air) are merged into a single filter housing unit. The filter assembly serves both air sources simultaneously, reducing the number of separate filter components needed while maintaining comprehensive filtration for both air streams that enter the air-conditioner through different introducing ports.
Solution Approach 2:
A single filter assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by filtering both inside-air and outside-air streams. The filter housing accommodates filter elements that process air from different sources, making the filtration system universal rather than requiring dedicated filters for each air source.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both inside-air and outside-air introducing ports are provided at different positions, then the air intake flexibility is improved, but the space required for filtering and switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioner main unit is positioned nested within the air-conditioning system structure, with the filter housing and switching mechanism integrated into a compact arrangement. The different air introducing ports feed into a shared filtration and switching assembly, creating a nested configuration that reduces overall space requirements compared to separate distributed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple air intake functions (inside-air introduction, outside-air introduction, filtration, and switching) are merged into a integrated air-conditioner assembly. This consolidation allows different air sources to be processed through shared components, reducing the total volume required compared to having separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A working machine includes a machine body, a traveling device travelably supporting the machine body, a hydraulic driving device to hydraulically drive the traveling device, a floor frame supported on the machine body via a mounting member, a pedal operable to brake the traveling device, the inching valve to change a flow rate of hydraulic fluid supplied to the hydraulic driving device according to operation of the pedal, and a cable operably connecting the pedal to the inching valve. The pedal and the inching valve are attached to the floor frame.