Routing-Member Guide Structure for Easier Hose Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing routing-member guide structures in working machines, such as those in backhoes, face challenges in assembling hydraulic hoses due to the requirement of routing them between a swing bracket and a wall portion, which results in poor assembling properties and potential interference.

Innovation Solution

A routing-member guide structure that includes a movable member with a guide member inserted between wall portions to guide the routing members, allowing for easier assembly by providing a narrower interval than the joint width, enabling the guide member to be fixed after the routing members are routed, and allowing for more routing members to be placed in the same space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hose guide is assembled to the swing bracket before the hydraulic hoses are routed, then the hose guide is securely fixed, but the assembling properties of the hydraulic hoses become poor since they must pass between the hose guide and wall portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliability of hose guideVSAvoidassembling ease of hydraulic hoses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional assembly sequence by routing the hydraulic hoses through the swing bracket first, then assembling the hose guide after the hoses are in place. This allows the hoses to be routed more easily without being constrained by pre-assembled guide structures, while still achieving secure fixation through the guide's engagement with the hoses afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary routing of the hydraulic hoses through the swing bracket before assembling the hose guide. This preliminary action allows the hoses to be positioned and secured in their final locations prior to the guide assembly, eliminating the difficulty of forcing hoses through narrow gaps between pre-assembled components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the interval between wall portion and guide member is made narrow, then more routing members can be accommodated in the same space, but the assembly process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of routing members accommodatedVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent routes the hydraulic hoses through the swing bracket before assembling the hose guide, performing the routing action in advance. This allows multiple hoses to be positioned in the limited space between the wall portion and guide member without difficulty, as the routing is completed before the guide is assembled, eliminating the need to force hoses through narrow gaps during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12103168B2Routing-member guide structure and working machine

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A routing-member guide structure includes a movable member pivotably supported by a fixed-side member; a first routing member routed on or along the movable member; and a guide member to guide the first routing member. The movable member includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion facing each other with an interval therebetween. The guide member is inserted, in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first routing member having been routed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, into a space between the first wall portion and the second wall portion and is fixed to the movable member so as to guide the first routing member between the first wall portion and the guide member.