Tractor Dashboard Mounting via Fuel Tank Cover Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicle dashboard configurations are inflexible and costly to adjust for different specifications, as they require complex mechanisms like sideway guides and stabilizing devices that are not easily adaptable.

Innovation Solution

A dashboard configuration where the dashboard is supported by a removable support member attached to the fuel tank cover, allowing for easy adjustment of the dashboard's position without altering the dashboard or fuel tank cover design, using a simple attachment mechanism that includes plate-shaped members and attachment holes for versatile positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the dashboard is fixed to the steering column as one assembly, then the structure is stable, but the adaptability to different specifications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different dashboard positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dashboard support structure is divided into separate components: the steering column, the dashboard bracket, and the mounting hardware. This segmentation allows the dashboard to be independently positioned and adjusted relative to the steering column, enabling different specifications while maintaining structural stability through proper connection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dashboard mounting system incorporates adjustable elements that allow the dashboard position to be dynamically changed to suit different specifications. The bracket and mounting hardware are designed to accommodate various positions, transforming a static fixed assembly into a dynamic, adaptable configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a stabilizing device with sideway guide is used to adjust the dashboard position, then the dashboard position can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedashboard position adjustabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex stabilizing device with sideway guide is removed from the dashboard support structure. Instead, a simplified bracket system is used that provides the necessary positioning and stability without requiring elaborate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using a complex mechanism to actively adjust the dashboard position, the design inverts the approach by using a simple bracket that passively accommodates different positions. The adjustability is achieved through the bracket's design rather than through active mechanical adjustment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If the dashboard and steering column are formed as one assembly, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability to different specifications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different dashboard positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dashboard support structure is divided into separate components that can be manufactured independently using simple processes. The bracket and mounting hardware are designed for ease of manufacturing while allowing the final assembly to be configured for different specifications, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the dashboard is directly attached to the fuel tank cover without support member, then the structure is simplified, but the dashboard stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoiddashboard stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A dashboard bracket serves as an intermediary component between the fuel tank cover and the dashboard. This bracket provides the necessary structural support and stability for the dashboard while keeping the overall structure simple. The bracket acts as a mediator that translates the attachment forces from the fuel tank cover to the dashboard, ensuring stability without requiring complex structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3318442B1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 YANMAR POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP3318442B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318442B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3318442B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tractor includes a fuel tank (19), a fuel tank cover (30), a dashboard support member (40), and a dashboard (50). The fuel tank (19) is disposed in a rear portion of a hood in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body of the tractor. The fuel tank cover (30) covers a rear portion of the fuel tank (19). The dashboard support member (40) is attached to the fuel tank cover (30). The dashboard (50) is supported by the dashboard support member (40). The fuel tank cover (30) includes a first attachment portion (31) for attaching the dashboard support member (40). The dashboard (50) is configured to be directly attachable to the first attachment portion (31) (without using the dashboard support member (40)).