Pivotable Cab Hinge with Hydraulic Damping for Combine Harvester
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines face increased costs and manufacturing complexity due to dedicated cab suspension systems, and operators struggle to attach/detach work implements without clear visibility or require expensive camera systems or external assistance.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable vehicle cab mounted via a hinge coupling with an actuator system, including a hydraulic cylinder and accumulator for damping, allowing operators to easily view and manage work implement attachments without additional assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dedicated cab suspension system is installed to minimise vibration effects, then operator comfort is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cab suspension function with the hinge coupling mechanism that connects the cab to the main frame. The hinge coupling serves dual purposes: enabling cab pivoting for visibility and providing suspension to reduce vibrations, thereby eliminating the need for a separate dedicated suspension system and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge coupling is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides cab pivoting capability for operator visibility and acts as a suspension mechanism to reduce vibrations during transport, making one component serve multiple functions and reducing system complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the operator remains in a fixed cab position to maintain stability, then structural stability is preserved, but the ability to view front coupling and implement attachment is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic pivoting capability to the cab through the hinge coupling mechanism, allowing the cab to rotate relative to the main frame. This enables the operator to adjust the cab position for better visibility of front coupling operations while maintaining structural stability through controlled mechanical connection
3Measurement precision
If expensive camera systems or external assistance are used to monitor implement attachment, then attachment accuracy is improved, but system cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the operator to directly observe front coupling and implement attachment operations by pivoting the cab into the appropriate position. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external assistance or expensive camera monitoring systems, as the operator can personally verify the attachment process through direct visual inspection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pivotable cab system enhances operator comfort and accuracy in attaching/detaching implements, reduces vibration impact, and eliminates the need for expensive camera systems or external help, while maintaining structural support and damping vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one hydraulic accumulator acting as a damper for the hydraulic cylinder to reduce vibrations of the vehicle cab
Implementation Method 2
the vehicle cab is mounted to the main frame via at least one hinge coupling, the hinge coupling having an axis of rotation transverse to the direction of travel of the agricultural machine such that, in use, the vehicle cab is pivotable about the axis of rotation relative to the main frame
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine, preferably a combine harvester, which has a pivoting vehicle cab. The cab is pivotable relative to the main frame of the machine, about an axis of rotation transverse to the direction of travel of the machine. The cab is pivoted to allow an operator to view a front coupling of the machine, to observe the attaching or detaching of a work implement to the front coupling.