Work Vehicle Fender Asymmetry and Footrest Interchangeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current work vehicle fender configurations are limited in cost reduction and parts management, and the placement of operational pedals in footrest regions complicates foot operation, leading to potential transmission loss and frictional wear during constant-speed travel.
Innovation Solution
Implementing right-left interchangeable top and vertical plate members, and a support bracket with front-rear symmetric shapes, along with a footrest member positioned at the vehicle's center to facilitate easy foot placement and reduce accidental contact with operational pedals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If right-left symmetric top plate members are used for fenders, then cost reduction and parts management readiness are improved, but vertical plate members remain non-interchangeable limiting further cost reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the top plate member with an asymmetric structure that includes a front-rear direction extending side and a left-right direction extending side, with specific features positioned asymmetrically. This asymmetric design allows the same top plate member to be used on both right and left fenders by rotating it 180 degrees, making the vertical plate member interchangeable between sides and reducing parts variety.
2Ease of operation
If operational pedals are disposed in footrest regions, then vehicle control is improved, but foot placement becomes difficult and accidental pedal operation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by adding a dimensional solution - providing a footrest member that extends in the width direction of the vehicle body, positioned above the boarding step. This creates a new spatial dimension for foot placement, allowing the driver's foot to rest on the footrest member rather than on the boarding step near the pedals, thereby preventing accidental pedal operation while maintaining ease of vehicle control.
3Ease of operation
If foot is placed on boarding step during constant-speed traveling, then footrest is available, but accidental step-on operation of pedals occurs due to vehicle swaying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the footrest member - that is positioned between the driver's foot and the boarding step/pedals. This footrest member serves as a mediator that allows the driver to rest their foot during constant-speed traveling without the foot being in contact with or near the operational pedals, thereby preventing accidental pedal operation and the associated transmission loss while still providing footrest functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Contemplated are cost reduction and enhanced readiness of parts management related to right and left fenders. A work vehicle includes right and left fenders (16) each having a vertical plate member (18) covering an inner face of a traveling device from an inner side of a vehicle body and a top plate member (19) covering an upper portion of the traveling device (5) from above, wherein the top plate member (19) is configured to be front-rear symmetric, and each of the vertical plate member (18) and the top plate member (19) is configured to act as a right-left interchangeable member.