Work Lamp Layout for Protected Excavator Area Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional working machines with work lamps protruding from the front end of the cabin are prone to illumination failure due to external object contact and unnecessary outside illumination, which affects the effectiveness of work area illumination.

Innovation Solution

The working machine incorporates work lamps positioned lower than the operator's seat, with a front work lamp placed at the front portion of the machine body and additional lamps strategically located to illuminate the sides and rear, all while being protected within brackets to prevent external contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If work lamps are provided to protrude from the front end of the upper portion of the cabin, then the work area can be illuminated from high positions, but the work lamps may contact external objects such as tree branches causing illumination failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidillumination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vertical dimension of lamp placement by moving work lamps from high positions on the cabin to low positions on the front lamp bracket, below the operator's seat. This dimensional change allows the lamps to illuminate the work area effectively while avoiding contact with external objects like tree branches that would occur at higher positions.

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

2Illumination intensity

If work lamps are provided at high positions of the cabin, then the front of the machine body can be illuminated, but the lamps may unnecessarily illuminate the outside of the work area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront illuminationVSAvoidlight energy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the work lamps on the front lamp bracket at low positions, directing illumination specifically toward the work area in front of the machine body. This localized positioning ensures that light energy is concentrated where needed rather than being wasted illuminating unnecessary areas outside the work zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If work lamps are provided at low positions on the front lamp bracket, then contact with external objects is prevented, but the lamps must be positioned below the operator's seat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination reliabilityVSAvoidvertical position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the vertical position constraint by utilizing the front lamp bracket structure that extends forward from the machine body at low positions. This allows the work lamps to be installed below the operator's seat level while still achieving effective illumination of the work area, transforming the vertical positioning limitation into a spatial advantage.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4549250A1Work machine
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4549250A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4549250A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4549250A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a working machine (1) that can appropriately illuminate a work area. A working machine (1) includes a machine body (2); a traveling device (3) provided at a lower portion of the machine body (2); a working device (4) provided at a front portion of the machine body (2); an operator's seat (6) mounted on the machine body (2); and a work lamp (11) to illuminate a work area of the working device (4). The work lamp (11) includes a front work lamp (11a) to illuminate front of the machine body (2). The front work lamp (11a) is provided at the front portion of the machine body (2), at a position lower than a seat surface (6S) of the operator's seat (6).