Skid-Steer Loader Linkage for Vertical Arm Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working machines with radial arm configurations experience instability due to non-vertical movement of the loading arm, leading to longitudinal imbalance and restricted loading arm movement, as the center of gravity shifts when the arm is raised and lowered.
Innovation Solution
A quadrilateral structure formed by the geometry of first and second links, with a linearly extendible actuator, allows for substantially vertical movement of the loading arm, maintaining machine stability and extending its reach without requiring a telescopic arm, by pivotally mounting the actuator between the links and the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a radial arm configuration is used where the loading arm is simply pivoted to the body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loading arm movement becomes non-vertical causing longitudinal machine imbalance and stability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The loading arm structure is segmented into multiple components: a first link pivotally connected to the body at a first position, a second link pivotally connected to the body at a second position, and a loading arm connected to both links. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function in achieving vertical movement while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second links are designed with asymmetric characteristics where the first link provides a shorter distance between its pivotal connections than the second link. This asymmetric configuration is crucial for achieving substantially vertical movement of the loading arm end, resolving the contradiction between simple radial pivot and stable vertical movement
2Device complexity
If the loading arm is designed to move in a curved path as in radial arm machines, then the device complexity is minimized, but the reach of the loader arm at full height is restricted due to longitudinal imbalance constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism transitions from a static radial arm pivot to a dynamic quadrilateral linkage system where the first and second links pivot relative to the body and loading arm. This dynamic configuration allows the loading arm end to follow a substantially vertical path, maximizing reach at full height without causing longitudinal imbalance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the center of gravity is allowed to shift significantly when the loading arm is raised and lowered, then the loading arm movement range is increased, but longitudinal machine imbalance occurs and stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second links act as intermediary elements between the body and the loading arm. These intermediaries transmit motion in a controlled manner, ensuring that the loading arm end moves vertically while minimizing center of gravity shifts and maintaining longitudinal balance throughout the movement range
Data Source
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AI summary
A working machine (10) includes a body (11) having a front end (12) and a rear end (13), and a ground engaging propulsion structure (15) whereby the machine (10) may be driven over the ground, a loading arm assembly (25) which includes a loading arm (26) which is mounted at one end (26a) relative to the body (11) and which extends forwardly at or towards one side of the body (11), beyond the front end (12) of the body (11), to a second end (26b) where there is a mounting for a working implement (35), the loading arm assembly (15) including a first link (28) which is pivotally connected at or adjacent the one end (26a) of the loading arm (26) and also to the body (11) at a first mounting position (27), and a second link (32) which is pivotally connected to the arm (26) between the first and second ends (26a, 26b) of the arm (26), and to the body at a second mounting position (36) which is forwards of the first mounting position (27), and the machine (10) including an actuator (40) which acts between the loading arm (26) and the body (11) to raise and lower the loading arm (26) relative to the body (11).