Rotatable Tractor Bumper End Portions for Tighter Turning Radius

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural tractors equipped with traditional bumper end portions experience a larger turning circle due to the distance of the bumper ends from the front wheels, leading to potential damage during obstacle encounters and reduced maneuverability.

Innovation Solution

The bumper end portion is designed with a coupling member affixed to a middle segment on the tractor, featuring an end portion that is rotatable around a vertical hinge pin, allowing it to fold rearward and be secured, thus reducing the turning radius and providing protection by turning away from obstacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bumper end portion is positioned at a larger distance from the front wheels, then the bumper provides better protection coverage, but the turning circle becomes larger and maneuverability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebumper protection coverageVSAvoidturning circle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper end portion is made rotatable around a vertical hinge pin, allowing it to dynamically change its position between extended (for protection) and retracted (for maneuverability) states. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the bumper to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bumper end portion is divided into a coupling member affixed to the middle segment and a separately rotatable end portion. This segmentation allows the end portion to be independently positioned and secured at different angles, enabling both extended protection coverage and reduced turning radius as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the bumper end portion is positioned at a larger distance from the front wheels, then the bumper provides better protection coverage, but the device complexity increases due to additional securing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebumper protection coverageVSAvoidsecuring mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable hinge connection with securing means allows the bumper end portion to be dynamically positioned and locked at different angles. This provides extended protection coverage when needed while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation through the use of a single hinge axis and securing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the bumper end portion is rigidly fixed, then the bumper structure is simpler, but the bumper is more prone to damage during obstacle encounters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebumper structureVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper end portion is connected via a rotatable hinge rather than being rigidly fixed, allowing it to dynamically respond to collision forces by rotating away from obstacles. This reduces damage to the bumper structure while maintaining relatively simple construction through the hinge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable hinge connection pre-establishes the capability for the bumper end portion to rotate away upon encountering an obstacle, preventing damage before it occurs. The securing means allows this protective rotation while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enables a smaller turning circle, reduces the risk of bumper damage during collisions, and allows for compact folding during field work, while the accordion-shaped bumper stays absorb collision energy and maintain visibility of headlights and towing equipment.

Implementation Method 1

the bumper stays are accordion-shaped so as to be capable of turning away and absorbing energy on collision

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

an end portion (7) connected thereto and rotatable around an imaginary vertical hinge pin (11) to the front and to the rear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge rotation: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP2815928B1Bumper end portion and bumper fitted bumper end parts and tractor fitted with the bumper

Publication Date: 2017.03.01 JANSSEN ALPHONS FRANCISCUS MARIA

AI summary

A bumper comprises a middle segment 5 with end portions 7 hingedly connected to it on either side, which end portions are secured relative to the middle segment. Each end portion comprises two parts 7a and 7b which are extendable and retractable relative to each other and can therefore be varied in length. By turning the end portions 7 relative to the middle segment 5 and adjusting the end portions 7 to length, the bumper 1 can be brought into the shown position relative to the agricultural tractor 3, where the end portions 7 are situated at a short distance from the front wheels 13 of the agricultural tractor. The front 5b of the middle segment of the bumper is situated at a larger distance from the front wheels 13 than the free tips 7c of the end portions. As a result, the tips of the end portions make a smaller turning circle than if they are situated at a larger distance from the front wheels.