Pivotable ROPS Bracket for Work Vehicle Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ROPS systems for work vehicles are costly, rigid, and obstructive, as they require high production costs and do not allow for optimal posture adjustment, posing challenges during driver access and maintenance, especially when adjusted to the lowest height.
Innovation Solution
A ROPS system with pivotable upright portions supported by a bracket fixed to the vehicle body frame, allowing for adjustable postures such as ROPS, power-source guarding, and towing positions, enabling optimal configuration based on the vehicle's situation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lower posts are made long with complicated curved shape to achieve ROPS function, then the ROPS provides adequate protection and structural integrity, but the production cost increases and the posts obstruct driver access and maintenance work
Solution Approach 1:
The ROPS structure is divided into separate components: the crossbar assembly and the lower posts. The lower posts are simplified to straight or mildly curved shapes rather than complicated curved forms, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design and pivot connection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower posts are made pivotable at their upper ends relative to the crossbar, allowing the ROPS structure to dynamically adjust its configuration. This pivot mechanism enables the posts to be positioned optimally for both structural support and minimal obstruction to driver access and maintenance activities.
2Length of stationary object
If the lower posts are adjusted to the lowest possible height position, then the ROPS height is minimized, but the posts still remain higher than the engine and obstruct maintenance work in the vicinity
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connection between the lower posts and crossbar allows the ROPS structure to be dynamically reconfigured into a lowered posture. When pivoted to a lower position, the crossbar and associated components can be positioned below the engine level, eliminating obstruction to maintenance work while maintaining ROPS functionality when raised.
Solution Approach 2:
The ROPS structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides rollover protection when in the raised position, and can be pivoted to a lowered position to facilitate maintenance access to the engine and other under-vehicle components, effectively becoming a multi-functional structure.
3Strength
If the ROPS structure is made rigid with high attaching strength, then the structural integrity and safety are ensured, but the complexity of the structure and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ROPS is divided into modular segments (crossbar, lower posts, pivot connections) that can be independently designed and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall structural complexity compared to a monolithic rigid design.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot connection acts as an intermediary element between the lower posts and the crossbar, providing a simplified mechanical interface that maintains structural integrity while enabling movement. This intermediary mechanism reduces complexity by using a standard pivot joint rather than complex rigid attachment systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle includes a front wheel unit and a rear wheel unit attached to a vehicle body frame, a power source mounted at a rear portion of the vehicle body frame, a ROPS bracket fixed to the vehicle body frame at a region thereof forwardly of the power source and a ROPS. this ROPS includes a pair of left and right upright portions and a crossbar connecting the upright portions at upper portions thereof. Lower end portions of the pair of upright portions are supported to the ROPS bracket to be pivotable toward the power source about a horizontal axis extending in a vehicle-body transverse direction.