Towing Vehicle Inching Switch Mount Surface Angled Rear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of towing vehicles with inching switches on the lateral side of the vehicle body face difficulties in visually checking the coupling condition between the coupling device and the towing object due to obstructed views, whereas those with switches at the rear have better visibility but are hindered by the vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
A towing vehicle design with an inching control switch located at the rear portion of the vehicle body, shifted from the center, and a mount surface angled relative to the vehicle width direction, allowing the operator to maintain a wider field of view and easier access to the coupling condition while operating the switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inching control switch is provided on the lateral side of the vehicle body, then the switch is easily accessible to the operator, but the operator's field of view for checking the coupling condition is obstructed by the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the inching control switch from the lateral side to the rear portion of the vehicle body, utilizing the rear spatial dimension. This positional change in the third dimension (rearward direction) allows the operator to access the switch while maintaining an unobstructed view of the coupling condition, resolving the contradiction between switch accessibility and field of view.
2Loss of information
If the inching control switch is provided at the rear of the vehicle body, then the operator has a better field of view for checking the coupling condition, but the operator needs to be present between the vehicle body and the towing object which may block the view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design by positioning the inching control switch at an offset location in the rear portion rather than at the center. This asymmetric placement allows the operator to stand at an optimal position that maintains both good visibility of the coupling condition and proper access to the switch, eliminating the need to be directly between the vehicle body and towing object.
3Ease of operation
If the mount surface is positioned at the rear corner of the vehicle body, then the inching control switch is accessible, but the operator's view of the coupling condition is blocked by the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a recessed mounting structure at the rear portion of the vehicle body. The recessed design allows the inching control switch to be positioned in a location that is accessible to the operator while the recess itself provides a viewing gap that does not block the operator's field of view toward the coupling condition.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A towing vehicle includes a vehicle body, a coupling device provided in a rear portion of the vehicle body, and an inching control switch located at a position in the rear portion of the vehicle body shifted from a center of the rear portion of the vehicle body in a vehicle width direction. The vehicle body has a mount surface provided adjacent to a rear corner thereof. The mount surface is exposed to the outside and the inching control switch projects from the mount surface to the outside of the vehicle. The mount surface extends at an angle with respect to the vehicle width direction. A part of the mount surface that is closest to the center of the rear portion in the vehicle width direction is located rearward of the other part of the mount surface that is most distant from the center of the rear portion.