Work machinery

Abstract

Reduces the airflow resistance of the fan. [Solution] The work machine comprises an exterior panel having an air outlet AO, a louver 80 provided in the air outlet AO, and a cooling fan 60 that generates airflow passing through the air outlet AO. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted diagonally to match the tilt of the louver 80, which is tilted diagonally with respect to the thickness direction of the exterior panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a working machine.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-70311 (Patent Document 1) describes a cooling device disposed in an intake chamber and a cover that covers one side of the intake chamber. The cover has an intake port at a position facing the heat dissipation surface of the cooling device. A louver that is inclined downward toward the inside of the intake chamber is provided at the intake port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a working machine including a fan that generates an air flow, it is required to reduce the ventilation resistance of the fan. [[ID=3*]]

[0005] The present disclosure proposes a working machine capable of reducing the ventilation resistance of a fan.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present disclosure, there is proposed a working machine including an exterior panel having an opening, a louver provided in the opening, and at least one fan that generates an air flow passing through the opening. The rotation center axis of the fan is inclined obliquely in accordance with the inclination of the louver that is inclined obliquely with respect to the thickness direction of the exterior panel.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the working machine of the present disclosure, the ventilation resistance of the fan can be reduced. [[ID=5*]] It seems there is an issue with the "ID=26" in the original text where the tag " " seems to be incomplete or incorrect in the context. I've translated it as best as possible while keeping all other tags intact. If this is a formatting error in the original, it might affect the proper interpretation of the text in a more complex way.[Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the general structure of the shovel. [Figure 2] This is a top view showing the arrangement of the cooling units on the swivel frame. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the cooling unit. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of heat exchangers. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of cooling fans. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the cooling fan and the louvers. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the cooling fan and the air outlet. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. In the drawings, some configurations may be omitted or simplified for the sake of explanation. It is also intended from the outset that any configuration may be extracted from the embodiments and combined in any way.

[0010] In the following explanation, "up," "down," "front," "rear," "left," and "right" refer to directions relative to the operator seated in the cab (driver's compartment). Therefore, the front-rear direction refers to the direction in which the boom 16 extends between its base and tip when viewed from above. The left-right direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction when viewed from above. The up-down direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the plane that includes the mutually perpendicular front-rear and left-right directions.

[0011] The direction from the base to the tip of the boom 16 is the forward direction, and the direction from the tip to the base of the boom 16 is the rear direction. In a rear view, the right and left sides are the right and left directions, respectively. In the vertical direction, the side with the ground is the downward direction, and the side with the sky is the upward direction. A top view means a viewpoint from which the shovel 1 is viewed from above and below. A side view means a viewpoint from which the slewing body 13 is viewed from the left or right direction. A rear view means a viewpoint from which the slewing body 13 is viewed from the rear to the front.

[0012] In the drawings, the upward direction is indicated by the arrow Up, the downward direction by the arrow Dn, the forward direction by the arrow Fr, the backward direction by the arrow Rr, the rightward direction by the arrow Rt, and the leftward direction by the arrow Lt.

[0013] <Overall structure of an excavator> Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a shovel 1 as an example of a work machine in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The work machine in this embodiment is, for example, a hydraulic shovel.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the shovel 1 comprises a main body 11 and a hydraulically operated work implement 12. The main body 11 includes a slewing body 13 and a traveling body 15.

[0015] The vehicle 15 has a pair of left and right tracks 15Cr and a drive motor 15M. The shovel 1 can move by the rotation of the tracks 15Cr. The drive motor 15M is provided as the drive source for the vehicle 15.

[0016] The slewing body 13 is positioned on and supported by the traveling body 15. The slewing body 13 is capable of rotating relative to the traveling body 15 about a pivot axis RX by a slewing motor (not shown). The pivot axis RX is a hypothetical straight line that serves as the pivot center of the slewing body 13.

[0017] The revolving body 13 has a cab 14. Inside the cab 14, a driver's seat 14S for the operator to sit on is provided. The operator can sit on the driver's seat 14S to operate the working machine 12, perform the revolving operation of the revolving body 13 with respect to the traveling body 15, and perform the traveling operation of the excavator 1 by the traveling body 15.

[0018] The working machine 12 is supported by the revolving body 13. The working machine 12 has a boom 16, an arm 17, and a bucket 18. The working machine 12 further has a boom cylinder 19a, an arm cylinder 19b, and a bucket cylinder 19c. Each of the cylinders 19a, 19b, and 19c is a hydraulic cylinder.

[0019] The boom 16 is rotatably connected to the main body 11. Specifically, the base end portion of the boom 16 is rotatably connected to the revolving body 13 with the boom foot pin BF as a fulcrum. The base end portion of the boom 16 is disposed on the right side of the cab 14. The arm 17 is rotatably connected to the boom 16. Specifically, the base end portion of the arm 17 is rotatably connected to the tip end portion of the boom 16 with the boom top pin BT as a fulcrum. The bucket 18 is rotatably connected to the arm 17. Specifically, the base end portion of the bucket 18 is rotatably connected to the tip end portion of the arm 17 with the arm top pin AT as a fulcrum.

[0020] The revolving body 13 further has an exterior panel OP that surrounds the machine room 20. Inside the machine room 20 of the revolving body 13, an engine 21 (Figure 2) and the like are disposed. The periphery of the engine 21 is covered by the exterior panel OP. The exterior panel OP partitions the machine room 20. Inside the exterior panel OP, the machine room 20 is partitioned and formed. The exterior panel OP separates the internal space of the machine room 20 from the outside of the machine room 20.

[0021] <Configuration of the cooling unit> Figure 2 is a top view showing the arrangement of the cooling unit CU on the slewing frame RF. As shown in Figure 2, the slewing body 13 has a slewing frame RF. The slewing frame RF has a pair of vertical plates VPL, VPR near the center in the left-right direction. The vertical plates VPL, VPR are composed of plates that are erected in the vertical direction. The vertical plates VPL, VPR extend along the front-rear direction and are spaced apart in the left-right direction. The boom foot pin BF (Figure 1) is positioned across both of the pair of vertical plates VPL, VPR. The work implement 12 is positioned between the pair of vertical plates VPL, VPR and is supported by the vertical plates VPL, VPR in a manner that allows it to move in the vertical direction.

[0022] The slewing frame RF houses the cab 14, engine 21, cooling unit CU, and main valve 40. The cab 14 is located on the front left side of the slewing frame RF.

[0023] The main valve 40 supplies hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump to each hydraulic actuator. The main valve 40 adjusts the flow rate of hydraulic fluid required to operate each hydraulic actuator by moving a spool. The main valve 40 is located between a pair of vertical plates VPL, VPR. The main valve 40 is located behind the cab 14. The main valve 40 is located in front of the engine 21.

[0024] The cooling unit CU is a cooling device for cooling the engine 21. The cooling unit CU and the engine 21 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The cooling unit CU is located to the right of the engine 21. The cooling unit CU is located to the right of the right vertical plate VPR.

[0025] The exterior panel OP includes the exterior door OPD. The exterior door OPD is the part that opens and closes the machine room 20, which is surrounded by the exterior panel OP, to the outside. The exterior door OPD forms the right side of the exterior panel OP. The cooling unit CU is located between the engine 21 and the exterior door OPD.

[0026] An air outlet AO is formed in the exterior door OPD. The air outlet AO is an opening formed in the exterior door OPD. The air outlet AO connects the inside and outside of the machine room 20. The cooling unit CU is positioned opposite the exterior door OPD. An air inlet (not shown) is formed on the left side of the exterior panel OP. Air is introduced into the machine room 20 through the air inlet and discharged through the air outlet AO.

[0027] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cooling unit CU. The cooling unit CU has a heat exchanger 50. The heat exchanger 50 includes a first main radiator 51, a second main radiator 52, and a sub-radiator 53. The first main radiator 51 may be a radiator that cools the coolant of the engine 21. The second main radiator 52 may be an oil cooler that cools the hydraulic fluid supplied to the hydraulic actuator. The sub-radiator 53 may be a CAC (Charge Air Cooler) that cools the air supplied to the engine 21.

[0028] In the front-to-back direction, the first main radiator 51, the sub-radiator 53, and the second main radiator 52 are arranged in that order from rear to front. The sub-radiator 53 is positioned between the first main radiator 51 and the second main radiator 52. The first main radiator 51, the second main radiator 52, and the sub-radiator 53 are surrounded by a frame 58 and supported by the frame 58. The frame 58 is, for example, a metal frame.

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the heat exchanger 50. Figure 4 schematically shows the arrangement of the heat exchanger 50 as seen in the direction of arrow IV shown in Figure 3. The heat exchanger 50 further includes an air conditioner condenser 54. The air conditioner condenser 54 is a heat exchanger for the outdoor unit of an air conditioner, for example, to harmonize the air inside the cab 14. The air conditioner condenser 54 is located to the left (towards the foreground in the vertical direction of the paper in Figure 4) of the first main radiator 51, the second main radiator 52, and the sub-radiator 53.

[0030] The first main radiator 51 has a radiator core 51C. The second main radiator 52 has a radiator core 52C. The auxiliary radiator 53 has a radiator core 53C. The radiator cores 51C to 53C of the heat exchanger 50 are the parts that release heat from the cooling medium and have heat transfer tubes and fins. The radiator core 51C is a device for releasing heat from the cooling medium (cooling water) flowing through the first main radiator 51. The radiator core 52C is a device for releasing heat from the cooling medium (hydraulic oil) flowing through the second main radiator 52. The radiator core 53C is a device for releasing heat from the cooling medium (air) flowing through the auxiliary radiator 53.

[0031] The radiator core 53C has a smaller height dimension than the radiator cores 51C and 52C. As shown in Figure 4, the upper surfaces of the radiator cores 51C to 53C may be positioned at approximately the same height, and the lower surface of the radiator core 53C may be positioned higher than the lower surfaces of the radiator cores 51C and 52C. The radiator cores 51C and 52C are examples of the “first core” of this disclosure. The radiator core 53C is an example of the “second core” of this disclosure, having a smaller height dimension than the first core.

[0032] Returning to Figure 3, the cooling unit CU has multiple cooling fans 60. The cooling fans 60 are, for example, axial fans. The cooling fans 60 are electric fans driven by a motor. The cooling fans 60 generate airflow. By blowing air onto the heat exchanger 50, the cooling fans 60 cool the cooling medium flowing through the heat exchanger 50. In the radiator cores 51C to 53C of the heat exchanger 50, the cooling medium is cooled by heat exchange with the airflow generated by the cooling fans 60.

[0033] The airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 flows from left to right within the machine room 20. The air that circulates within the machine room 20 via the air inlet passes through the engine 21 and the heat exchanger 50 in order, and is discharged from the air outlet AO. The cooling fan 60 directs the air inside the machine room 20 to the outside of the machine room 20 through the air outlet AO. The engine 21, heat exchanger 50, and cooling fan 60 are arranged in that order from upstream to downstream in the direction of the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60. The direction of the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 will be simply referred to as the ventilation direction below.

[0034] The cooling unit CU has a support member 70 that supports the cooling fan 60. The support member 70 is positioned downstream of the heat exchanger 50 in the direction of airflow. The support member 70 has a flat plate portion 71, a duct portion 72, a spacer portion 73, and a mounting portion 74.

[0035] The flat plate portion 71 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions, and covers the radiator cores 51C to 53C from the downstream side in the ventilation direction. In a side view, the flat plate portion 71 has a rectangular outer edge shape.

[0036] The spacer portion 73 has a thin plate shape. The spacer portion 73 is connected to the entire outer edge of the flat plate portion 71 and extends in the left-right direction. The flat plate portion 71 is connected to the downstream edge of the spacer portion 73 in the ventilation direction. The spacer portion 73 extends from the outer circumference of the radiator cores 51C to 53C to the downstream side in the ventilation direction. The spacer portion 73 rises from the entire outer edge of the downstream side surface of the heat exchanger 50 in the ventilation direction to the downstream side in the ventilation direction. The flat plate portion 71 closes the hollow rectangular frame formed by the spacer portion 73 from the downstream side in the ventilation direction. By sealing the flow path from the heat exchanger 50 to the cooling fan 60, the amount of air passing through the heat exchanger 50 is increased.

[0037] A mounting portion 74 is connected to the upstream edge of the spacer portion 73 in the direction of ventilation. At the mounting portion 74, the support member 70 is fixed to the frame 58 of the heat exchanger 50 by a plurality of fixing members 78. The fixing members 78 may include bolts. The support member 70 that supports the cooling fan 60 is attached integrally with the heat exchanger 50. The cooling fan 60 is formed as an integral structure with the heat exchanger 50 via the support member 70.

[0038] The duct portion 72 protrudes downstream from the flat plate portion 71 in the direction of ventilation. The flat plate portion 71 has multiple through holes that penetrate through the plate portion 71 in the thickness direction, and a duct portion 72 corresponding to each through hole extends downstream from the edge of the through hole in the direction of ventilation. Multiple duct portions 72, specifically the same number as the through holes, are attached to the flat plate portion 71. The duct portion 72 may be molded integrally with the flat plate portion 71, or a separate member may be fixed to the flat plate portion 71 by welding or fastening to form the duct portion 72.

[0039] The duct portion 72 has a hollow cylindrical shape. When viewed in the direction in which the central axis of the duct portion 72 extends, the duct portion 72 has a cylindrical shape centered on its central axis. The central axis of the duct portion 72 extends with an inclination in both the left-right and up-down directions. Specifically, the central axis of the duct portion 72 is inclined diagonally so as it is directed downstream in the direction of ventilation, it is directed upward and forward. The central axes of multiple duct portions 72 each extend parallel to one another.

[0040] A cooling fan 60 is installed inside each duct section 72. By making the duct section 72 cylindrical to match the outer shape of the cooling fan 60, the cooling fans 60 can be arranged more densely, and the flow resistance of the airflow generated by the cooling fans 60 is reduced.

[0041] In this embodiment, the support member 70 has eight duct portions 72, and the cooling unit CU has eight cooling fans 60. The eight cooling fans 60 are arranged in three rows in the front-to-back direction. In the front row of the three rows of cooling fans 60 (hereinafter referred to as the front row), three cooling fans 60 are arranged in the vertical direction. In the middle row of the three rows of cooling fans 60 (hereinafter referred to as the middle row), two cooling fans 60 are arranged in the vertical direction. In the rear row of the three rows of cooling fans 60 (hereinafter referred to as the rear row), three cooling fans 60 are arranged in the vertical direction.

[0042] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the cooling fan 60. The central axis CX shown in Figure 5 and the subsequent Figures 6 and 7 is the rotational axis of the cooling fan 60. In Figure 5, the position of the rotational axis on the outer surface of the cooling fan 60 is indicated by a dot when the cooling unit CU is viewed from the right, and this dot is labeled with the symbol CX.

[0043] The cooling fans 60 in the front row and the cooling fans 60 in the middle row are positioned offset from each other in the front-to-back direction. The cooling fans 60 in the rear row and the cooling fans 60 in the middle row are positioned offset from each other in the front-to-back direction. The three cooling fans 60 in the front row have the same central axis CX in the front-to-back direction. The two cooling fans 60 in the middle row have the same central axis CX in the front-to-back direction. The three cooling fans 60 in the rear row have the same central axis CX in the front-to-back direction.

[0044] The three cooling fans 60 in the front row are positioned opposite the radiator core 52C of the second main radiator 52. The two cooling fans 60 in the middle row are positioned opposite the radiator core 53C of the sub-radiator 53. The three cooling fans 60 in the rear row are positioned opposite the radiator core 51C of the first main radiator 51. The number of cooling fans 60 in the middle row, positioned opposite the radiator core 53C, is less than the number of cooling fans 60 in the rear row, positioned opposite the radiator core 51C. The number of cooling fans 60 in the middle row, positioned opposite the radiator core 53C, is less than the number of cooling fans 60 in the front row, positioned opposite the radiator core 52C.

[0045] The front and rear rows of the three rows of cooling fans 60 are examples of the “first fan row” of this disclosure, positioned opposite the first core. The middle row of the three rows of cooling fans 60 is an example of the “second fan row” of this disclosure, positioned opposite the second core, which has a smaller height dimension than the first core. The number of cooling fans 60 in the second fan row is less than the number of cooling fans 60 in the first fan row.

[0046] One of the three cooling fans 60 in the front row has its central axis CX at the same height as one of the three cooling fans 60 in the back row. The height position of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the front row is different from the height position of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the middle row. The height position of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the back row is different from the height position of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the middle row. The cooling fans 60 in the front row and the cooling fans 60 in the middle row are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction. The cooling fans 60 in the back row and the cooling fans 60 in the middle row are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction.

[0047] The cooling fan 60 in the front row and the cooling fan 60 in the middle row have overlapping portions in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the cooling fan 60 in the front row and the cooling fan 60 in the middle row have overlapping portions in the front-to-back direction. Also, the cooling fan 60 in the rear row and the cooling fan 60 in the middle row have overlapping portions in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the cooling fan 60 in the rear row and the cooling fan 60 in the middle row have overlapping portions in the front-to-back direction. The cooling fans 60 in the front row and rear row are examples of the "first fan" of this disclosure. The cooling fan 60 in the middle row is an example of the "second fan" of this disclosure.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the rear row and the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the middle row is defined as width W1. The distance in the front-to-back direction between the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the middle row and the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 in the front row is defined as width W2. Diameter D represents the diameter of the cooling fan 60. Width W1 is smaller than diameter D. Width W2 is smaller than diameter D. The distance in the front-to-back direction between the central axes CX of cooling fans 60 in adjacent rows is smaller than the diameter D of the cooling fan 60.

[0049] Height H1 is defined as the vertical distance between the central axis CX of the highest-positioned cooling fan 60 among the three cooling fans 60 included in the front and rear rows, and the central axis CX of the highest-positioned cooling fan 60 among the two cooling fans 60 included in the middle row. Height H2 is defined as the vertical distance between the central axis CX of the highest-positioned cooling fan 60 among the two cooling fans 60 included in the middle row, and the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 positioned in the middle among the three cooling fans 60 included in the front and rear rows.

[0050] Height H3 is defined as the vertical distance between the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 positioned in the middle of the three cooling fans 60 included in the front and rear rows, and the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 positioned lower of the two cooling fans 60 included in the middle row. Height H4 is defined as the vertical distance between the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 positioned lower of the two cooling fans 60 included in the middle row, and the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 positioned lowest of the three cooling fans 60 included in the front and rear rows.

[0051] Height H1 is smaller than diameter D. Height H2 is smaller than diameter D. Height H3 is smaller than diameter D. Height H4 is smaller than diameter D. The distance in the height direction between the central axes CX of the front row cooling fans 60 and the middle row cooling fans 60, which overlap each other in the height direction, is smaller than the diameter D of the cooling fan 60. The distance in the height direction between the central axes CX of the rear row cooling fans 60 and the middle row cooling fans 60, which overlap each other in the height direction, is smaller than the diameter D of the cooling fan 60.

[0052] The distance in the front-to-back direction from the front end of a cooling fan 60 in the front row to the rear end of a cooling fan 60 in the rear row is less than the product of the diameter D of the cooling fan 60 and the number of rows of cooling fans 60 arranged in the front-to-back direction (3 in the example shown in Figure 5). The distance in the vertical direction from the top end of the highest-positioned cooling fan 60 to the bottom end of the lowest-positioned cooling fan 60 is less than the product of the diameter D of the cooling fan 60 and the number of cooling fans 60 arranged in the vertical direction (5 in the example shown in Figure 5).

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the cooling fan 60 and the louvers 80. In Figure 6, the cooling fan 60A (see Figure 3), which is in the middle of the rear row, is representatively shown among the eight cooling fans 60 included in the cooling unit CU. The arrangement of the cooling fan 60 and the louvers 80 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 shows the cooling fan 60 and the louvers 80 viewed from the rear. The cooling fan 60 has a fan body 62, a fan motor 64, and a fan cover 66.

[0054] The fan body 62 is housed in the internal space of the duct portion 72 of the support member 70. The fan body 62 generates airflow by being rotationally driven. The fan motor 64 converts electrical energy into mechanical energy to rotate the fan body 62. The output shaft of the fan motor 64 is connected to the rotation axis of the fan body 62, and the rotational driving force generated by the fan motor 64 is transmitted to the fan body 62, causing the fan body 62 to rotate.

[0055] The fan cover 66 covers the fan body 62 and the fan motor 64 from the downstream side in the direction of airflow. The fan cover 66 is attached to the end of the duct portion 72 by a plurality of fixing members 68. The fixing members 68 may include bolts. The fan motor 64 is mounted on the radial center portion of the fan cover 66. The support member 70 rotatably supports the fan body 62 via the fan motor 64 and the fan cover 66.

[0056] Since the support member 70 has a spacer portion 73 as described with reference to Figure 3, a gap G is formed between the surface of the heat exchanger 50 on the downstream side in the ventilation direction and the flat plate portion 71. The spacer portion 73 has the function of increasing the distance from the heat exchanger 50 to the cooling fan 60. Since the airflow after passing through the heat exchanger 50 bends towards the cooling fan 60, by positioning the cooling fan 60 away from the heat exchanger 50, pressure loss is reduced and airflow loss is avoided.

[0057] As explained with reference to Figure 2, the exterior door OPD, in which the air outlet AO is formed, constitutes the right side of the exterior panel OP. In the direction of the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60, the air outlet AO is located downstream of the cooling fan 60.

[0058] A louver 80 is provided in the air outlet section AO. The louver 80 has multiple fins. Each fin of the louver 80 is fixed to the exterior door OPD. Each fin of the louver 80 has an elongated, thin plate shape and is arranged extending in the front-to-back direction. The fins of the louver 80 are arranged in a line at regular intervals, approximately parallel to each other, with gaps between them vertically.

[0059] Each louver 80 is inclined at an angle relative to the thickness direction of the exterior door OPD. Specifically, the louver 80's louvers are inclined upward as they move downstream in the direction of the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60. The louvers 80's louvers are inclined to move upward as they move to the right. The louver 80 is inclined upward from the inside to the outside of the machine room 20. The louver 80 defines the direction of airflow passing through the air outlet AO. The air discharged from the machine room 20 through the air outlet AO by the rotational drive of the cooling fan 60 is directed diagonally upward by passing between adjacent louvers 80.

[0060] The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted at an angle. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted in accordance with the inclination of the louver 80's blades. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted upward as it moves to the right. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted upward as it approaches the louver 80. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted upward as it approaches the air outlet AO of the exterior door OPD where the louver 80 is located. The central axes CX of multiple cooling fans 60 each extend parallel to one another.

[0061] Typically, the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 and each blade of the louver 80 extend parallel to each other in the rear view shown in Figure 6. The most preferable angle between the direction of extension of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 and the direction of extension of the louver 80 in the rear view is 0°. However, the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 and the louver 80 do not necessarily have to extend strictly parallel to each other, as long as the airflow resistance when the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 passes through the louver 80 is sufficiently reduced. For example, the angle between the direction of extension of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 and the direction of extension of the louver 80 may be 5° or less. The angle between the direction of extension of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 and the direction of extension of the louver 80 may be 10° or less, or 20° or less.

[0062] In the rear view shown in Figure 6, the duct portion 72 of the support member 70 is also tilted at an angle. The duct portion 72 is tilted upward as it moves to the right. The duct portion 72 is tilted upward as it approaches the louver 80. The duct portion 72 is tilted upward as it approaches the air outlet AO of the exterior door OPD on which the louver 80 is installed.

[0063] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the cooling fan 60 and the air outlet AO. Similar to Figure 6, the cooling fan 60A in the rear row is shown as representative in Figure 7. The arrangement of the cooling fan 60 and the air outlet AO will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the cooling fan 60 and the exterior door OPD viewed from above.

[0064] The air outlet AO of the exterior door OPD and the cooling fan 60 are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction. The air outlet AO has a portion that is positioned in front of the fan body 62. The rear edge of the air outlet AO is positioned in front of the rear end of the rear row of cooling fans 60. In a side view (viewed in the vertical direction in Figure 7), a portion of the rear row of cooling fans 60 overlaps with the exterior door OPD where the air outlet AO is not formed.

[0065] The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted in the front-to-back direction. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted diagonally so that it shifts forward as it moves to the right. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted forward as it approaches the air outlet AO of the exterior door OPD. The direction in which the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 extends and the direction of airflow when passing through the heat exchanger 50 (to the right in this example; upward in Figure 7) are not parallel. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted with respect to the normal to the downstream surface of the heat exchanger 50 in the ventilation direction.

[0066] In the top view shown in Figure 7, the duct portion 72 of the support member 70 is also inclined at an angle. The duct portion 72 is inclined to face forward as it moves to the right. The duct portion 72 extends toward the air outlet AO. The duct portion 72 is inclined forward as it approaches the air outlet AO of the exterior door OPD. The duct portion 72 is an example of the “flow straightening section” of this disclosure, which guides the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 toward the air outlet AO.

[0067] <Mechanism of Action and Effects> The characteristic configuration and effects of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, the louvers 80 provided in the air outlet AO are inclined at an angle with respect to the thickness direction of the exterior door OPD. The central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is inclined at an angle in accordance with the inclination of the louvers 80. By aligning the direction of inclination of the louvers 80 with the direction of inclination of the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60, the pressure loss when the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 passes through the louvers 80 is reduced. Therefore, the airflow resistance of the cooling fan 60 can be reduced. The rotational speed of the cooling fan 60 required to generate a predetermined amount of airflow can be reduced, and the energy consumption for driving the cooling fan 60 can be reduced, thus improving fuel efficiency.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, the air outlet AO may be positioned downstream of the cooling fan 60 in the direction of the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60. The air flowing out of the cooling fan 60 can pass through the air outlet AO. If the cooling fan 60 is housed in the machine room 20 and the exterior door OPD with the air outlet AO formed thereon constitutes the side of the shovel 1, the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 can be discharged from the inside to the outside of the machine room 20 via the air outlet AO.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6, the louvers 80 may be tilted upward as they move downstream of the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60. By tilting the louvers 80 upward and directing the airflow direction through the air outlet AO upward, it is possible to prevent the hot air flowing out of the air outlet AO from flowing towards workers around the shovel 1. Also, since hot air has a lower specific gravity and rises, by discharging the air upward, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of hot air around the shovel 1 and prevent the hot air from being drawn back into the machine room 20 when the shovel 1 is rotated. By tilting the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 upward in line with the louvers 80, the ventilation resistance of the cooling fan 60 can be reliably reduced.

[0071] As shown in Figure 2, the exterior door OPD, where the air outlet AO is formed, constitutes the right side of the shovel 1, and as shown in Figure 7, the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 may be tilted in the front-rear direction. The cooling fan 60 and the air outlet AO may be positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction, and there may be a portion of the exterior door OPD where the air outlet AO is not formed and the cooling fan 60 overlap each other in the front-rear direction. In this case, by tilting the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 toward the air outlet AO, it is possible to avoid the exterior door OPD becoming an obstacle to the airflow. The ventilation resistance of the cooling fan 60 can be reliably reduced.

[0072] As shown in Figure 7, the support member 70 supporting the cooling fan 60 may have a duct portion 72, which guides the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 to the air outlet AO. The duct portion 72 straightens the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60, forming an airflow from the cooling fan 60 to the air outlet AO, thus preventing the exterior door OPD from becoming an obstacle to the airflow. Therefore, the ventilation resistance of the cooling fan 60 can be reduced.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2, the exterior door OPD, in which the air outlet AO is formed, constitutes the right side of the shovel 1, and as shown in Figure 7, the cooling fan 60 and the air outlet AO may be positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction. The duct portion 72 straightens the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60, thereby reliably forming an airflow toward the air outlet AO, which is positioned offset from the cooling fan 60.

[0074] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the duct portion 72 may have a cylindrical shape that extends toward the air outlet AO. By allowing air to flow through such a duct portion 72, an airflow from the cooling fan 60 toward the air outlet AO can be reliably formed.

[0075] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the cooling fan 60 may be housed inside the duct portion 72. By housing the cooling fan 60 inside the hollow duct portion 72, it becomes possible to arrange the cooling fan 60 in a compact and simple configuration.

[0076] As shown in Figure 2, the shovel 1 may further include an engine 21, which is a heat source. The heat source can be cooled by the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2, the cooling fan 60 may be positioned downstream of the heat source in the direction of airflow. The air that has passed around the heat source and cooled it can be reliably discharged to the outside of the machine room 20 using the cooling fan 60.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5, the cooling fans 60 in the front and rear rows are positioned offset from each other in the front-to-back direction from the cooling fans 60 in the middle row, and may also have overlapping portions in the front-to-back direction. By arranging the cooling fans 60 in this way, multiple cooling fans 60 can be densely arranged. This reduces the area required for installing the cooling unit CU and allows for miniaturization of the cooling unit CU, thereby improving the flexibility of the cooling unit CU's placement.

[0079] As shown in Figure 5, the cooling fans 60 in the front and rear rows may be positioned vertically offset from the cooling fans 60 in the middle row, and may also have overlapping portions in the vertical direction. By arranging the cooling fans 60 in this way, multiple cooling fans 60 can be densely arranged. The height dimension of the cooling unit CU can be reduced, and the cooling unit CU can be made smaller, thereby improving the flexibility of the arrangement of the cooling unit CU.

[0080] As shown in Figure 5, the number of cooling fans 60 in the middle row, which are positioned opposite the radiator core 52C (which has a smaller height dimension than the radiator core 51C), may be less than the number of cooling fans 60 in the rear row, which are positioned opposite the radiator core 51C. By positioning the cooling fans 60 to match the dimensions of the radiator cores 51C and 52C, the cooling medium can be cooled efficiently.

[0081] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 is tilted upward and forward as it approaches the air outlet AO. If the air outlet AO and the cooling fan 60 are located at the same position in the front-rear direction, the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 does not need to be tilted in the front-rear direction. The central axes CX of multiple cooling fans 60 do not all need to extend parallel to each other. Depending on the arrangement of obstacles downstream of the cooling fan 60 in the ventilation direction, the direction in which the central axes CX of multiple cooling fans 60 are tilted may be made different from each other so that the air flows around the obstacles.

[0082] In the embodiment described, an example was given in which both the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 and the duct portion 72 are tilted diagonally as they approach the air outlet AO. However, either the central axis CX or the duct portion 72 may be arranged to extend in the left-right direction without tilting. For example, a duct-like or vane-like flow straightening section that tilts toward the air outlet AO may be provided between the cooling fan 60 and the air outlet AO, downstream of the cooling fan 60 in the ventilation direction. In this case, even if the central axis CX of the cooling fan 60 extends in the left-right direction without tilting in the vertical and front-back directions, the airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 can be guided to the air outlet AO, thereby reducing the ventilation resistance of the cooling fan 60.

[0083] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the cooling fan 60 generates an airflow within the machine room 20 from left to right, but the direction of airflow may be in the opposite direction. The airflow generated by the cooling fan 60 may flow within the machine room 20 from right to left. The cooling fan 60, heat exchanger 50, and engine 21 may be arranged in the order of upstream to downstream in the direction of airflow generated by the cooling fan 60.

[0084] In the embodiments, an excavator was described as an example of a work machine, but the ideas of this disclosure may also be applied to other types of work machines such as bulldozers, wheel loaders, and motor graders.

[0085] <Note> The above description includes the following features.

[0086] (Note 1) Exterior panel having an opening, A louver provided in the opening, The system comprises at least one fan that generates an airflow through the opening, The rotational axis of the fan is tilted diagonally to match the tilt of the louvers, which are tilted diagonally with respect to the thickness direction of the exterior panel, in a working machine.

[0087] (Note 2) The work machine according to Appendix 1, wherein the opening is located downstream of the fan in the direction of the airflow.

[0088] (Note 3) The working machine as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the louvers are inclined upward as they are directed downstream in the direction of the airflow.

[0089] (Note 4) The exterior panel constitutes the side of the work machine, The aforementioned rotational axis is inclined in the front-rear direction of the work machine, as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3.

[0090] (Note 5) Heat source and Exterior panel with openings formed therein, At least one fan that generates airflow through the opening, The fan is supported by a support member, The support member has a flow straightening section that guides the airflow generated by the fan to the opening, in a work machine.

[0091] (Note 6) The exterior panel constitutes the side of the work machine, The working machine described in Appendix 5, wherein the fan and the opening are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction of the working machine.

[0092] (Note 7) The rectifier section has a cylindrical portion extending toward the opening, as described in Appendix 5 or Appendix 6 of the working machine.

[0093] (Note 8) The fan is housed inside the cylindrical part, as described in Appendix 7 of the working machine.

[0094] (Note 9) A work machine described in any one of the appendices 1 to 8, further equipped with a heat source.

[0095] (Note 10) The working machine according to Appendix 9, wherein the fan is located downstream of the heat source in the direction of the airflow.

[0096] (Note 11) The aforementioned fan includes a first fan and a second fan, The first fan and the second fan are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction of the work machine, and have overlapping portions in the front-rear direction, as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 10.

[0097] (Note 12) The first fan and the second fan are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction, and have overlapping portions in the vertical direction, as described in Appendix 11, for the working machine.

[0098] (Note 13) The cooling medium further comprises a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the airflow generated by the fan, The heat exchanger includes a first core and a second core having a smaller height dimension than the first core. The fan includes a first fan row positioned opposite the first core and a second fan row positioned opposite the second core. A work machine according to any one of the appendices 1 to 12, wherein the number of fans included in the second fan row is less than the number of fans included in the first fan row.

[0099] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1 Shovel, 11 Main body, 12 Working equipment, 13 Slewing body, 20 Machine room, 21 Engine, 50 Heat exchanger, 51 First main radiator, 51C, 52C, 53C Radiator core, 52 Second main radiator, 53 Sub-radiator, 54 Air conditioning condenser, 58 Frame, 60, 60A Cooling fan, 62 Fan body, 64 Fan motor, 66 Fan cover, 68, 78 Fixing members, 70 Support members, 71 Flat plate section, 72 Duct section, 73 Spacer section, 74 Mounting section, 80 Louver, AO Air outlet section, CU Cooling unit, CX Central axis, OP Exterior panel, OPD Exterior door.

Claims

1. Exterior panel having an opening, A louver provided in the opening, The system comprises at least one fan that generates an airflow through the opening, The rotational axis of the fan is tilted diagonally to match the tilt of the louvers, which are tilted diagonally with respect to the thickness direction of the exterior panel, in a working machine.

2. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening is located downstream of the fan in the direction of the airflow.

3. The working machine according to claim 1, wherein the louvers are inclined upward as they are directed downstream in the direction of the airflow.

4. The exterior panel constitutes the side of the work machine, The working machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotational axis is inclined in the front-rear direction of the working machine.

5. Heat source and Exterior panel with openings formed therein, At least one fan that generates an airflow passing through the opening, The fan is supported by a support member, The support member has a flow straightening section that guides the airflow generated by the fan to the opening, in a work machine.

6. The exterior panel constitutes the side of the work machine, The working machine according to claim 5, wherein the fan and the opening are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction of the working machine.

7. The work machine according to claim 5, wherein the flow straightening section has a cylindrical section extending toward the opening.

8. The working machine according to claim 7, wherein the fan is housed inside the cylindrical portion.

9. The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 5, further comprising a heat source.

10. The working machine according to claim 9, wherein the fan is positioned downstream of the heat source in the direction of the airflow.

11. The aforementioned fan includes a first fan and a second fan, The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 5, wherein the first fan and the second fan are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction of the work machine and have overlapping portions in the front-rear direction.

12. The work machine according to claim 11, wherein the first fan and the second fan are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction and have overlapping portions in the vertical direction.

13. The cooling medium further comprises a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the airflow generated by the fan, The heat exchanger includes a first core and a second core having a smaller height dimension than the first core. The fan includes a first fan row positioned opposite the first core and a second fan row positioned opposite the second core. The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 5, wherein the number of fans included in the second fan row is less than the number of fans included in the first fan row.

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