Work Vehicle Headlight Layout for Front Wheel Ground Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles face challenges in illuminating the area directly in front of the front wheels without increasing the number of parts and manufacturing costs by using separate work lights in addition to headlights.

Innovation Solution

The headlights are positioned to illuminate an area rearward of the front end of the ground contact portion, utilizing a combination of LEDs and reflectors to disperse light in multiple directions, including areas near the front travel device, thereby eliminating the need for additional work lights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If separate work lights are installed to illuminate the area directly in front of the front wheels, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the number of parts and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headlight is designed to perform multiple functions: it illuminates both the general area ahead of the vehicle body and the specific area directly in front of the front wheels. By adjusting the light distribution area to include the region rearward of the front end of the ground contact portion, the single headlight unit serves dual purposes, eliminating the need for separate work lights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The light distribution characteristics of the headlight are modified by changing its installation position and optical parameters. The headlight is positioned in the motor section and its light distribution area is adjusted to extend rearward, covering the area in front of the front wheels. This parameter change allows the existing headlight structure to illuminate previously uncovered areas without adding new components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If separate work lights are installed to illuminate the area directly in front of the front wheels, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of the headlight and work light are merged into a single headlight unit. The headlight's light distribution area is expanded to cover both the traditional illumination zone and the area directly in front of the front wheels, combining what were previously separate lighting functions into one integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration allows for effective illumination of the ground and crops in front of the front wheels without increasing parts or costs, enhancing visibility and simplifying the vehicle's structure.

Implementation Method 1

a light source unit including a combination of an LED as a light source and a reflector configured to disperse and reflect light emitted from the LED

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a reflector configured to disperse and reflect light emitted from the LED

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4610107A1Work vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 KUBOTA CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

This work vehicle includes a body supported by a front travel device 10F and a rear travel device 10R, a motor section 2 in a front portion of the body, and a driving section 3 rearward of the motor section 2 in the body. The front travel device 10F is located forward of the driving section 3 and laterally outward of a lateral side portion of the motor section 2 at a distance from the lateral side portion in a left-right direction, the front travel device 10F has a ground contact portion PG rearward of a front end of the motor section 2, the motor section 2 includes a headlight 5 that illuminates an area ahead of the body, and the light distribution area Z of the headlight 5 includes an area rearward of the front end of the ground contact portion PG.