Protective Frame Fixing Structure for Four-Wheeled Utility Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing structures for protective frames in four-wheeled utility vehicles are limited by restricted fixing positions, leading to difficulties in achieving lightweight and compact designs, increased visibility for the driver, labor-intensive attachment/detachment processes, and compromised appearance and transportation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fixing structure where the fore and rear lower ends of the protective frame are detachably fixed to upward-projecting fixing members on the cabin frame via bolts inserted from the outside, allowing for easy attachment/detachment and maintaining high rigidity while minimizing weight and space requirements during transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective frame is fixed to the frame member through a cut-out formed in the side surface of the bonnet, then the protective frame can be secured to the vehicle structure, but the fixing position is restricted and it becomes difficult to achieve light weight and compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing function from the bonnet structure and relocates it to the front fender. By forming the cut-out and fixing member on the fender rather than the bonnet, the design achieves lighter weight and greater compactness while maintaining reliable fixing of the protective frame to the vehicle structure.
2Reliability
If the protective frame extends to the bumper at the fore end of the vehicle, then the protective frame can be fixed to the bumper, but the protective frame enlarges and comes within sight of the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing function from the bumper area and relocates it to the front fender. By positioning the fixing member on the fender, the protective frame does not need to extend to the bumper, thereby reducing its size and preventing it from coming within the driver's sight while maintaining secure fixing.
3Reliability
If the fore lower end of the protective frame is fixed to the frame member or the like inside of the hood or the front fender, then the protective frame can be secured, but it takes labor in attaching or detaching the protective frame and requires seals to prevent rainwater intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing member from the bonnet interior and positions it on the exterior surface of the front fender. This external positioning allows the protective frame to be attached and detached easily from the outside without requiring labor-intensive operations inside the hood and eliminates the need for seals to prevent rainwater intrusion.
4Device complexity
If the protective frame and the cabin frame are exposed sideways from the cabin and are integrated with each other, then the structure is simplified, but it makes it difficult to maintain a good appearance and requires a large mounting space in transporting the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing function from the cabin frame integration and relocates it to the front fender. This allows the protective frame to be detached when not in use, enabling the vehicle to maintain a good appearance and requiring minimal mounting space during transportation, while the integrated cabin frame structure remains simplified.
Data Source
AI summary
A four wheeled utility vehicle includes a pair of right and left rear wheels, a cabin arranged between the front wheels and the rear wheels, the cabin being defined with a cabin frame and accommodating an operational unit for the vehicle and seats for a passenger of the vehicle, a front fender for covering the front wheel and a front portion of the cabin frame, a protective frame disposed from a front portion of the cabin to a rear portion of the cabin through an upper portion of the cabin, and a front fixing member fixed rigidly to the front portion of the cabin frame so as to extend upward and project from the front fender through a through hole formed in the front fender, wherein a fore lower end of the protective frame is detachably and attachably fixed to the front fixing member at an upper end portion of the front fixing member.