Agricultural Vehicle Side Stabilizer Bearing Bracket Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural utility vehicle side stabilizer mounting systems face challenges in efficiently managing mechanical loads and reducing frictional forces, leading to increased material usage and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a bearing bracket system with high and transverse connecting means that extend along the vehicle's longitudinal and transverse directions, respectively, to provide additional mechanical connections between the axle housing and the vehicle's supporting structure, allowing for efficient force component transmission and reduced mechanical load on the bearing bracket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bearing bracket is firmly connected to the axle housing using suitable clamping elements, then the mechanical connection is achieved, but the frictional forces increase and the mechanical load on the bearing bracket increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidfrictional forces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing bracket is divided into multiple connection points along its longitudinal direction. Instead of a single firm connection, multiple distributed connections are created through connecting means extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, segmenting the force transmission paths and reducing concentrated frictional forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting means extend not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the transverse direction of the vehicle. This multi-dimensional arrangement distributes the mechanical load across different spatial dimensions, reducing the frictional force concentration at any single connection point between the bearing bracket and axle housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the bearing bracket is designed with sufficient load-bearing capacity, then the mechanical strength is ensured, but the material usage increases and the design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing bracket structure is segmented into multiple connection points distributed along its longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, simpler connecting elements at each point while collectively achieving the required overall load-bearing capacity, reducing both material usage and design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By extending connecting means in both longitudinal and transverse directions, the load-bearing capacity is achieved through spatial distribution rather than increasing the size or complexity of individual components. This multi-dimensional connection approach maintains strength while simplifying the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the bearing bracket is designed with sufficient load-bearing capacity, then the mechanical strength is ensured, but the ground clearance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidground clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting means extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle in addition to the longitudinal direction. This transverse extension provides the necessary load-bearing capacity and stability without increasing the longitudinal footprint of the bearing bracket, thereby preserving ground clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If the bearing bracket is firmly connected to the axle housing, then the mechanical connection is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing bracket is equipped with multiple connecting means distributed along its longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows for modular assembly where each connecting means can be installed independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining reliable mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3991530B1Agricultural commercial vehicle with a side stabilizer
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 DEERE & CO
  • EP3991530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3991530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3991530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an agricultural vehicle (10) with an axle housing (32) for a rear axle and with a bearing bracket (46) for the movable mounting of a side stabilizer (48), which in its operational installation position provides a mechanical coupling of the bearing bracket (46) with a rear power lift of the agricultural vehicle (10), wherein the bearing bracket (46) - extends at least partially along a longitudinal direction (38) of the vehicle, - is firmly connected to the axle housing (32) in a mutual fastening area (56), and - is connected to the fastening area (56) at a distance in the longitudinal direction (38) of the vehicle by means of connecting means (60, 62).The connecting means (60, 62) include - vertical connecting means (60) which extend at least partially along a vehicle vertical direction (40) to connect the bearing bracket (46) to a connection point (72) of the axle housing (32), and/or - transverse connecting means (62) which extend at least partially along a vehicle transverse direction (42) to connect the bearing bracket (46) to a connecting bearing (78) which is rigidly connected to a supporting structure of the commercial vehicle (10).