Adjustable Stand-On Skid Steer Cab for Low-Height Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility vehicles, such as snow removal machines, face challenges in efficiently transitioning between operating, storage, and transportation positions, particularly in terms of cab height and operator accessibility, which affects usability and mobility.
Innovation Solution
A stand-on utility machine design featuring a removable cab that can be moved between operating and storage/transportation positions, with a frame, skid steer drive assembly, ground engaging elements, and an operator platform, allowing the cab to adjust height to accommodate operator access and reduce overall vehicle height for storage/transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the cab is positioned in the operating position with full height, then operator protection from wind and precipitation is improved, but the overall vehicle height increases reducing mobility and storage efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cab is designed to be movable between different positions (operating and storage/transportation) rather than fixed, allowing the vehicle to adapt its height dynamically based on operational needs. This resolves the contradiction by enabling full cab height during operation for operator protection while allowing reduced height during storage/transport for mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cab is designed as a separable component that can be removed or repositioned from the vehicle body. This segmentation allows the cab to provide full protection during operation when attached, while enabling compact storage configuration when removed or folded, thus resolving the height protection contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cab is made removable and movable between positions, then storage and transportation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cab mounting system uses movable connections (such as pivot points, slides, or quick-connect mechanisms) that allow the cab to be repositioned between operating and storage configurations. This dynamic design provides versatility while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through standardized movable joint designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cab design serves multiple functions: it provides operator protection during operation, can be repositioned for storage, and may accommodate different operational configurations. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single adaptable structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A stand-on utility machine includes a frame having a front end and a rear end, a prime mover supported by the frame, a skid steer drive assembly operably coupled to the prime mover, and a plurality of ground engaging elements supporting the frame with respect to a ground surface and operable under the influence of the skid steer drive assembly. The machine further includes an operator interface positioned on top of a control tower and an operator platform configured to support an operator so the operator interface is accessible by the operator standing on the platform. A portion of the operator platform being rearward a portion of the ground engaging elements. The machine further includes a cab removably coupled to the frame proximate the operator interface, the cab being movable between an operating position and one or more of a storage position or a transportation position.