Work Vehicle Protective Frame Gas Spring Assisting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective frames for work vehicles require significant labor for switching between protecting and storing states, and current solutions either increase labor requirements or complicate manufacturing with additional components like hydraulic cylinders, which also increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A protective frame with a gas spring assisting mechanism that provides support along a vertical direction, allowing the upper frame to be easily raised or collapsed without the need for additional energy sources or components, thereby reducing operational labor and maintaining a compact vehicle width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fastening of bolt/nut is increased to prevent violent pivotal collapsing motion, then the reliability of the protective frame is improved, but the worker's labor required for switchover operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A leaf spring is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper frame and the lower frame. The leaf spring acts as a flexible connector that provides continuous contact and support during the switchover operation, mediating the interaction between the frames to prevent violent collapsing motion while requiring minimal worker labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the connection between upper and lower frames are changed by replacing rigid bolt/nut fastening with a flexible leaf spring. This parameter change allows the connection to transition from a rigid, high-force requirement state to a flexible, low-force requirement state that still prevents violent collapsing motion.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinder and switching valve are added to reduce worker's labor, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring is designed to automatically perform the function of supporting and guiding the upper frame during switchover without requiring external power sources, control systems, or additional actuating mechanisms. The system uses the inherent elastic properties of the leaf spring to provide self-service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex hydraulic system (cylinder, valve, piping) is extracted and replaced with a simple mechanical leaf spring component. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the essential function of assisting the switchover operation.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinder and piping are installed to assist manual operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost and installation labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring is a simple, inexpensive mechanical component that can be easily manufactured and installed. It replaces expensive hydraulic components and complex piping systems with a single, low-cost elastic element that provides sufficient functionality for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an active hydraulic system that requires power sources, control valves, and complex installation, the invention uses a passive mechanical spring system that relies on elastic deformation to provide the necessary assistance during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gas spring assisting mechanism reduces labor required for switching operations while preventing violent collapsing motions and avoiding the need for increased fastening or additional components, thus enhancing operational efficiency and manufacturing simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spring assisting mechanism that provides support along a vertical direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A work vehicle has a protective frame (8) including a lower frame (31) fixed to a vehicle body frame (1) and an upper frame (32) raisably/collapsibly pivotally connected to an upper end portion of the lower frame (31). In association with a raising/collapsing pivotal movement of the upper frame (32) by an operator's manual operation, the protective frame (8) is switched over to either a protecting state wherein the upper frame (32) is set to a raised posture and disposed upwardly of the lower frame (31) or a storing state wherein the upper frame (32) is set to a collapsed posture and disposed on one front/rear side of the lower frame (31). The protective frame (8) includes an assisting mechanism (38) configured to assist the manual operation.