ROPS Curved Mounting Zone for Non-Protruding Work Lights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compaction machines with rollover protective structures (ROPS) used as support members for work assist devices often suffer damage due to protrusion beyond the vehicle's width or height during operation and transportation, especially when working near walls or guards, and during transportation when height restrictions are a concern.
Innovation Solution
A compaction machine design featuring a protective structure with arc-shaped curved portions that form an approximately triangular protect region, allowing work assist devices like lights to be fixed within this region, preventing protrusion and damage by defining lateral and upper restriction lines to ensure they remain within the protective area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If work assist devices are fixed to the ROPS to perform their functions effectively, then the devices can be installed at high positions for better illumination and visibility, but the devices may protrude laterally beyond the vehicle width and be damaged by contact with walls or guards during compaction work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the protect region boundaries (lateral restriction line and upper restriction line) before installing work assist devices. The mounting positions are predetermined within these boundaries to ensure devices do not protrude beyond safe limits, preventing damage before it occurs during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces restriction lines as intermediary reference elements that mediate between the ROPS structure and work assist devices. These lines serve as design guides to position devices within the protect region, preventing direct contact with obstacles while maintaining functional effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If work assist devices are fixed to the ROPS as high as possible to maximize visibility and illumination, then the devices perform their original functions better, but the devices may protrude above the maximum height of the ROPS and cause damage during transportation when height restrictions apply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the upper restriction line before device installation. This line defines the maximum safe height for mounting work assist devices, ensuring they remain within the protect region and do not protrude above the ROPS maximum height, thereby preventing transportation damage while maintaining adequate visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from considering only vertical height for device mounting to a two-dimensional approach by introducing both lateral and upper restriction lines. This creates a planar protect region boundary system that simultaneously controls both horizontal and vertical device positions
3Reliability
If the ROPS is formed into a gate shape with width nearly equal to vehicle width to secure driver's seat space during rollover, then rollover protection is improved, but the ROPS and vehicle body are positioned very close to walls and guards, increasing the risk of work assist devices contacting obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the protect region boundaries based on the fixed ROPS geometry and vehicle width. The lateral restriction line is established at the maximum vehicle width, creating a safety buffer zone that accounts for the close proximity to walls and guards, thereby preventing device contact damage before operation begins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific protect region with defined boundaries around the ROPS structure. This region provides localized protection for work assist devices mounted on the ROPS, allowing the gate-shaped ROPS to maintain its rollover protection function while the protected zone prevents device contact with external obstacles
Data Source
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AI summary
A ROPS (protective structure) (15) is obtained by coupling upper ends of a pair of leg portions (15a) with a coupling portion (15b) and forming an arc-shaped curved portion (15c) between each of the leg portions (15a) and the coupling portion (15b), and is arranged so as to straddle vehicle bodies (4 and 5) and fixed. A working light (17) is fixed to the left curved portion (15c) via a mounting bracket (19), and a rotary light (18) is detachably mounted by fixing a mounting bracket (20). A protect region (E) formed into an approximately triangular shape is formed by the curved portion (15c) of the ROPS (15), a lateral restriction line (LI) in which a left-side surface corresponding to a maximum width of the vehicle bodies (4 and 5) is extended upward and an upper restriction line (L2) in which a maximum height of the ROPS (15) is extended laterally. The working light (17) and the mounting brackets (19 and 20) are arranged in the protect region (E), thereby preventing an outward protrusion.