Skid Steer Loader Component Layout for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skid steer loaders have an imbalance of heavy components, which raises the center of gravity and results in instability due to the placement of the engine, fuel tank, and hydraulic tank on the main frame assembly.
Innovation Solution
The heavy components, including the engine, fuel tank, and hydraulic tank, are repositioned with the fuel and hydraulic tanks located forwardly of the engine and integrated with a hydrostatic transmission and oil pump, and the fuel tank is designed with a laterally extending portion to project into a utility space, improving balance and stability by lowering the center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the engine, fuel tank, and hydraulic tank are mounted on the main frame assembly in conventional positions, then the components are easily accessible, but the center of gravity is raised and stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions components from a conventional longitudinal arrangement to a transverse arrangement across the width of the main frame. The engine is mounted on one side and the hydraulic tank on the other side, with the fuel tank positioned between them. This lateral distribution of heavy components lowers the center of gravity and improves stability by spreading weight across a wider base.
2Quantity of substance
If the fuel tank capacity is increased, then the operating duration is extended, but the available space on the main frame assembly is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel tank is positioned between the engine and hydraulic tank, utilizing the transverse space across the main frame width. This arrangement allows the fuel tank to extend laterally into the space between these two components, effectively using previously underutilized lateral space to increase fuel capacity without compromising the positioning of other heavy components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the heavy components are distributed to improve balance, then stability is improved, but the layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where the engine is mounted on one side of the main frame and the hydraulic tank on the other side, with the fuel tank positioned between them. This asymmetric transverse distribution creates a balanced center of gravity while maintaining clear functional separation of components, reducing layout complexity despite the improved balance.
Data Source
AI summary
A skid steer loader comprises: a main frame assembly (1); a boom assembly (2); a pair of right and left travel assemblies (3); a cabin (4) mounted so as to be capable of being tilted; an engine (5) located so as to be oriented in a longitudinal direction and at a location closer to a rear; a hydrostatic transmission (8) and an oil pump (9) connected to a front portion of the engine (5). A utility space is defined between the oil pump (9) and a bottom (1a) of the main frame assembly (1). A fuel tank (6) and a hydraulic tank (7) are located on the bottom of the main frame assembly (1) and to one lateral side and to the other lateral side respectively of the engine (5) and forwardly of the engine (5) in a vicinity of the oil pump (9). At least one of the fuel tank (6) and the hydraulic tank (7) has a laterally extending portion that projects into the utility space.