Releasable Vehicle Assembly Securing Upper and Base Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle assembly systems for working machines, such as articulated haulers, face challenges in providing secure engagement for roll over protection while complicating maintenance and service operations, as the heavy-duty connections required for safety purposes make accessing components difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A securing assembly that includes an inter-connecting member and a releasable fixation support, allowing the upper vehicle part to be securely engaged with the base vehicle part during operational states but easily disengaged for maintenance, using a lower torque and dimensioned screw connection to facilitate service without compromising safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy-duty securing connections are used to ensure roll over protection, then strength and safety are improved, but service and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing assembly is divided into separate components: a fixation support with a recess and an inter-connecting member with a projecting portion. This segmentation allows the upper vehicle part to be quickly disconnected from the base vehicle part by simply removing the inter-connecting member, significantly reducing service and maintenance time while maintaining full strength during operational use.
2Reliability
If permanent securing connections are used to ensure roll over protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The securing assembly transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic releasable connection. The inter-connecting member can be easily inserted and removed, allowing the upper vehicle part to be quickly accessed for repairs or maintenance while providing reliable securing during normal operation. This dynamic design enables rapid disassembly without compromising the structural integrity when engaged.
3Strength
If strong fixed connections are used for roll over protection, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the securing assembly into separable components (fixation support and inter-connecting member), the system enables rapid setup and teardown operations. This segmentation allows the vehicle to quickly transition between operational states, improving productivity while maintaining full engagement strength when the components are connected during actual operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for releasably engaging an upper vehicle part with a base vehicle part comprises the upper vehicle part, the base vehicle part and a securing assembly for ensuring that the upper vehicle part is secured to the base vehicle part in an operational state of the vehicle. The securing assembly comprises an inter-connecting member adapted to extend from the upper vehicle part to the base vehicle part in said operational state, said inter-connecting member having a body portion and a projecting portion defining an abutment surface. The securing assembly further comprises a releasable fixation support having a recess adapted to accommodate a part of the body portion, wherein another part of the releasable fixation support is capable of restricting displacement of said inter-connecting member in a direction towards said upper part vehicle by engaging with said abutment surface of said projecting portion in said operational state.