Tractor Headlamp Support via Segmented Body-Mounted Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tractor designs have complex headlamp support structures that complicate the engine hood shape and increase manufacturing costs, while also making it difficult to accurately adjust the optical axes of headlamps and maintain the engine compartment.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped support unit with perpendicular columns and a cross beam is used to securely position the headlamp unit above it, allowing for simple adjustment of optical axes and integration with other accessories, and transparent light transmitting portions in the front panel simplify the structure and facilitate airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the headlamp unit is attached directly to the front panel of the engine hood, then the headlamp support structure can be simple, but the optical axes of the headlamps cannot be accurately adjusted and the engine hood shape becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadlamp support structureVSAvoidoptical axis adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp support structure is segmented into two independent parts: the support unit (with perpendicular columns and cross beam) attached to the body, and the engine hood front panel. This separation allows the support unit to provide stable, adjustable headlamp mounting while the engine hood maintains its functional shape without complex cutouts or notches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the stay structure member is notched and bent to conform to the engine hood shape, then the headlamps can be supported on the engine hood, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstay structure member
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp support function is extracted from the engine hood structure and placed on a separate support unit attached to the body. This eliminates the need for complex notches and bends in the engine hood, simplifying both the engine hood and the support structure while reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support unit with perpendicular columns and cross beam serves multiple functions: it supports the headlamp unit, provides adjustment capability for optical axes, and integrates with other accessories in the engine room. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure compared to specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If light transmitting portions are formed in the front panel to transmit illumination light, then light transmission is enabled, but the front panel structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidfront panel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the front panel complex with light transmitting portions, cutouts, or transparent inserts, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the headlamp support unit on the body behind the front panel. The front panel remains simple and can be made of standard opaque material, while light transmission is achieved through the space between the support columns and cross beam.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2610147B1Tractor
Publication Date: 2016.03.09 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP2610147B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2610147B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2610147B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An engine hood (60) including a top panel (61), a front panel (620), and side panels (63) is supported so as to be displaceable between a closed orientation of covering an engine room (20) from above and an open orientation of exposing the engine room. A support unit (40) disposed in front of the engine room (20) has left and right perpendicular support columns (41, 41) provided upright on a body (1) with a space therebetween in the transverse direction of the body, and a cross beam (42) that connects upper portions of the support columns (41, 41). A headlamp unit (440) is supported to an upper portion of the support unit (40). Light transmitting portions (62B) are provided in the front panel (620) and transmit illumination light from the headlamp unit (440) when the engine hood (60) is in the closed orientation.