Work Vehicle Coupling Mechanism Anti-Rotation Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional work vehicles face challenges in ensuring proper temporary fastening of engine auxiliary machines to auxiliary machine fixing portions, leading to issues like idle rotation, connection failures, and gasket deformation due to loose or tight fastening, which complicates assembly and increases the risk of assembly errors.

Innovation Solution

The work vehicle incorporates a coupling mechanism with a locking protrusion and anti-rotation hole system that allows for visual confirmation of proper temporary fastening, enabling easy checking of the fastening state and preventing assembly errors by using a coupling bolt and abutment member with a nut portion and a locking protrusion that fits into an anti-rotation hole, facilitating manual operation and power tool usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual temporary fastening operation is performed without visual confirmation means, then assembly process continues, but assembly errors occur due to improper fastening state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly accuracyVSAvoidcoupling mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual confirmation through the locking protrusion's position relative to the anti-rotation hole to indicate fastening state. The protrusion's engagement or disengagement from the hole provides a clear visual signal (similar to color change principle) that allows operators to confirm proper temporary fastening without complex measurement tools, thereby improving assembly reliability while maintaining simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-checking through the locking protrusion and anti-rotation hole arrangement. The system automatically provides visual feedback about its own fastening state without requiring external measurement instruments or complex detection systems, allowing the mechanism to serve its own verification function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If temporary fastening is done too loosely, then ease of adjustment is improved, but idle rotation occurs during power tool fastening

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidfastening stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking protrusion is designed with a specific protrusion amount that provides partial engagement with the anti-rotation hole. This partial engagement (not full constraint) allows sufficient stability to prevent idle rotation during power tool fastening while still permitting the necessary adjustability for proper alignment, achieving the balance between ease of operation and fastening stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If temporary fastening is done too tightly, then fastening stability is improved, but connection failures occur due to distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening stabilityVSAvoidbonded position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The locking protrusion provides just enough constraint to prevent excessive looseness and idle rotation, but is designed with controlled engagement that avoids over-constraint. This partial action approach ensures fastening stability without applying excessive force that would cause distortion or connection failures, maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If visual confirmation of fastening state is added, then assembly error detection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening state verificationVSAvoidcoupling mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs visual confirmation through the locking protrusion's positional relationship with the anti-rotation hole. This simple visual indicator system (analogous to color change indicators) provides clear feedback about fastening state without requiring complex sensors, detectors, or additional verification mechanisms, thus improving detectability while minimizing complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism incorporates self-verification capability through its own structural elements (locking protrusion and anti-rotation hole). The system uses its inherent components to provide visual confirmation of fastening state, eliminating the need for separate detection devices or external verification tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3974584B1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3974584B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974584B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974584B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An attachment device (2) includes a support table member (6) and a coupling mechanism (20). The coupling mechanism (20) includes a coupling bolt (21) and an abutment member (22) having a nut portion (23). In the abutment member (22), there is formed a locking protrusion (24) protruding to the side where an auxiliary machine fixing portion (54) is present. In the auxiliary machine fixing portion (54), there are formed an insertion hole (54a) for the coupling bolt (21) and an anti-rotation hole (54b) in which the locking protrusion (24) can be fitted.