Wheel Loader Counterweight Mounting Position Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel loaders lack the ability to adjust the mounting position of counterweights in response to different operational scenarios, such as transitioning from public road travel to work site operations.
Innovation Solution
The wheel loader design incorporates multiple mounting holes for each counterweight, allowing them to be positioned either centrally or offset towards the inside of the vehicle width direction, enabling easy reconfiguration between safety-oriented public road travel and efficiency-focused work site operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the counterweight is mounted at a fixed position on the vehicle body frame, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the mounting position cannot be changed to adapt to different operational scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body frame is segmented into multiple mounting positions (first and second mounting positions on each side) with corresponding mounting holes. The counterweight can be selectively mounted at different positions by using different mounting holes and fastening members, enabling position adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is designed with universal characteristics where the same counterweight can be mounted at multiple positions using the same type of mounting holes and fastening members. This multi-functional mounting system allows the counterweight to serve different operational needs (public road travel vs. work site operations) without requiring different mounting components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the counterweight is positioned outward to maximize balance effect, then the balancing performance is improved, but it may interfere with surrounding structures at work sites
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure enables dynamic repositioning of the counterweight between first and second mounting positions depending on operational conditions. During public road travel, the counterweight is positioned outward (first position) to maximize balance effect. During work site operations, it can be repositioned inward (second position) to avoid interfering with surrounding structures, thus adapting the balance configuration dynamically to different environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the counterweight mounting structure includes multiple mounting positions and fastening members, then the mounting position can be changed for different operations, but the time and complexity of mounting/dismounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into standardized mounting holes and corresponding fastening members that can be quickly engaged and disengaged. Each side of the vehicle body frame has multiple mounting holes positioned at different locations, allowing operators to quickly switch between positions by simply changing the fastening member location without complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system allows changing the mounting position parameter (horizontal position on the vehicle body frame) by selecting different mounting holes. The fastening members are designed to accommodate this parameter change efficiently, enabling quick reconfiguration from first mounting position to second mounting position or vice versa with minimal time and effort.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wheel loader (1) has a vehicle body frame (10), a right counterweight (32) detachably mounted to the vehicle body frame (10), and a left counterweight (33) detachably mounted to the vehicle body frame (10). The vehicle body frame (10) has a first right counterweight mounting hole (32a), a second right counterweight mounting hole (32b), a first left counterweight mounting hole (33a), and a second left counterweight mounting hole (33b).