Releasable Door Hinge for Power Machine Cab Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled power machines, such as loaders, often face challenges in accessing the operator compartment when obstructions prevent the door from being opened using normal procedures, particularly when attachments like lift arms obstruct the door's path.
Innovation Solution
A power machine with a hinge securing mechanism that includes a shaft with a handle and a protrusion, allowing the door to be securely attached to the cab and easily opened or closed, even when obstructions are present, by using a bushing and spring mechanism to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the hinge components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is opened using normal procedures by swinging it open on hinges, then the door provides full access to the operator compartment, but obstructions such as lift arms block the door's path and prevent opening
Solution Approach 1:
The door release mechanism is segmented into independent components: a release handle that operates the latch, and the hinge securing mechanism that independently secures the hinge to the door. This allows the latch to be released without requiring the hinge to remain fully secured, enabling door removal when obstructions prevent normal opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge securing mechanism allows the hinge to be extracted or removed from the door independently of the latch mechanism. The release handle can disengage the hinge from the door by moving from a locked position to an unlocked position, enabling the hinge to be completely removed when needed for obstructed conditions.
2Strength
If the hinge is permanently secured to the door, then the door remains firmly attached to the cab, but the door cannot be easily removed or detached
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge securing mechanism transitions between two dynamic states: a locked position where the hinge is firmly secured to the door with high attachment strength, and an unlocked position where the hinge can be easily removed. The release handle enables operators to switch between these states as needed, providing both strong attachment during normal operation and easy removal when necessary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the door is removed from the hinges completely, then access is possible in obstructed conditions, but the door may be lost or misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge acts as an intermediary component that can be temporarily detached from the door but remains attached to the cab. When the door is removed for obstructed conditions, the hinge stays mounted on the cab, serving as a retained attachment point that prevents the door from being completely lost or misplaced, while still allowing alternative access methods.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A power machine (10) having a frame (12), an engine, a cab (16) defining an operator compartment (18) having an access opening (26), and a door (60) capable of being attached to the cab (16) adjacent the opening (26) is discussed. A hinge (62) includes first (64) and second (66) hinge components attached to the cab (16) and the door (60), respectively. A hinge securing mechanism (174) for securing the second hinge component (66) to the door (60) is attached to the door (60). The mechanism (174) includes a shaft (176) with a handle (186) moveable between first and second positions coupled to its first end (180) and a protrusion (208) extending radially proximal to its second end (184). The shaft (176) extends through a bore (132) in the door so that the handle (186) is proximal to an interior surface (100) and the protrusion (208) is proximal to an exterior surface (102) of the door (60). The shaft (176) extends through an aperture (168) in the second hinge component (66) when the second hinge component (66) is mounted to the door (60).