Pick-up Screen Shield Link Mechanism for Single-Operator Bed Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pick-up style utility vehicles face difficulty in easily moving and positioning the screen shield between expanded and non-expanded states, requiring two operators due to its weight and width, which complicates the operation of expanding and contracting the cargo bed.

Innovation Solution

A link mechanism is introduced that couples the screen shield to the cabin frame, allowing it to be shifted between positions without lifting, using a pair of first and second arms rotatably coupled to the cabin frame and rear seat, enabling easy change between 2 and 4 passengers transformations by a single operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the screen shield is made large and wide to cover the entire cargo bed, then the cargo bed is well protected, but the screen shield becomes difficult to move and requires two operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of cargo bedVSAvoidmovability of screen shield

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The screen shield is divided into multiple sections: a fixed rear portion and a movable front portion. The movable front portion can be independently shifted forward or backward along the cargo bed, allowing the large screen shield to be operated by a single person while maintaining full protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the screen shield is integrally formed with the front panel, then the structure is simplified, but the weight increases making it difficult to move

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidweight of screen shield

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The screen shield is segmented into a fixed rear portion integrally connected to the front panel, and a movable front portion that can be independently shifted. This segmentation reduces the weight of the movable part while maintaining structural simplicity through the integral connection of the fixed portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the screen shield is moved by lifting and manually positioning, then the positioning is precise, but the operation time increases and requires multiple operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A shifting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the operator and the movable front portion of the screen shield. This mechanism enables precise positioning of the screen shield while reducing the physical effort required and allowing a single operator to perform the operation quickly without manual lifting and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration simplifies the operation of expanding and contracting the cargo bed, allowing a single operator to easily change the screen shield's position, reducing the time and effort required, and enabling the cargo bed to be expanded or contracted without lifting the screen shield.

Implementation Method 1

a link mechanism, wherein the screen shield is coupled to an upper portion of the cabin frame by the link mechanism so that the screen shield is shiftable between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational coupling: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS7992911B2Pick-up style utility vehicle with expandable cargo bed

Publication Date: 2011.08.09 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from front, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The screen shield has a link mechanism. The screen shield is coupled to the upper portion of the cabin frame by the link mechanism so that the screen shield can be shifted between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state.