Work Vehicle Speed Change Control for Cargo Loading Operations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional work vehicles require drivers to frequently board and disembark to change speed while loading or unloading cargo, leading to cumbersome operations and decreased efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle configuration with a main operation tool in the driving section and an auxiliary operation tool located elsewhere, allowing drivers to change speed without returning to the driving section, including a push-operated switch or lever switch on the loading platform or rollover protection structure for efficient speed control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the speed change operation tool is provided only in the driving section, then the driver can control the vehicle speed while seated, but the driver must repeatedly board and disembark to change speed during cargo loading/unloading operations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpeed change operation convenienceVSAvoidWork efficiency during cargo operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The speed change operation tool is divided into two separate operation tools: a main operation tool located in the driving section and an auxiliary operation tool located outside the driving section. This segmentation allows the driver to operate the vehicle from different positions depending on the task being performed, eliminating the need to repeatedly board and disembark during cargo loading and unloading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary operation tool acts as an intermediary device that enables speed change operations from outside the driving section. This intermediary tool transmits the driver's speed change commands to the transmission device without requiring the driver to be seated in the driving section, thus facilitating efficient cargo operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the driver returns to the driving section to perform speed change operations during cargo tasks, then speed control is precise, but operational complexity increases and work efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpeed control precisionVSAvoidOperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the main operation tool in the driving section and the auxiliary operation tool outside the driving section provide the same speed change control functionality. This multi-functionality ensures that speed control precision is maintained regardless of which operation tool the driver uses, while allowing the driver to operate from the most convenient position for each task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the driver to return to the driving section to change speed, the invention inverts the approach by placing the auxiliary operation tool outside the driving section. This allows the driver to change speed from the cargo operation position, reversing the traditional workflow and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the auxiliary operation tool is provided on the lateral side of the vehicle body, then the driver can safely operate the vehicle while outside, but the tool requires stable support structure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveExternal operation accessibilityVSAvoidSupport structure strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary operation tool is combined with the rollover protection structure, merging two functions into a single integrated component. This provides stable and strong support for the auxiliary operation tool while simultaneously maintaining driver protection in the event of vehicle rollover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rollover protection structure is pre-installed on the vehicle body before the auxiliary operation tool is mounted. This preliminary structure provides a ready-made stable support framework that can bear the operational loads of the auxiliary tool while already serving its protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4368436A1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4368436A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368436A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4368436A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A work vehicle includes a travel body (1) having a rear section provided with a loading platform (8) on which cargo is placeable, and the travel body (1) includes: a motor section (9); a travel device (S); a driving section (4) rideable by a driver; at least one speed change operation tool (10) configured to give a command regarding a speed change operation; and a transmission device (11) configured to change a speed of motive power of the motor section (9) and transmit the changed motive power to the travel device (S), and switch a speed change state based on the command from the at least one speed change operation tool (10). The at least one speed change operation tool (10) includes a main operation tool provided in the driving section (4), and an auxiliary operation tool (24) provided at a location in the travel body (1) different from the driving section (4).