Air-conditioning Unit Duct Placement for Cabin Filter Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In construction machines like hydraulic excavators, the indoor air filter often becomes clogged with fine sands and dusts from the footrest area, leading to increased maintenance frequency and reduced workability due to its placement either below or on the footrest area, which is also a walking passage.
Innovation Solution
The indoor air filter is positioned in a duct accommodating space above the footrest area, with the indoor air inlet duct having a filter fitting hole on its front surface, preventing dusts and sands from adhering to it, and a reinforcing connecting pipe is used to improve structural strength without adding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the indoor air filter is arranged at a position lower than the footrest area or on the floor surface of the footrest area, then the installation space is utilized efficiently, but the indoor air filter catches much fine sands and dusts remaining on the footrest area, causing frequent clogging and increased maintenance frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning the indoor air filter arrangement from a horizontal placement on the footrest area to a vertical arrangement within the duct accommodating space. The indoor air inlet duct is configured to extend vertically, and the indoor air filter is arranged vertically within this duct, utilizing the vertical dimension to position the filter above the footrest area where sands and dusts do not accumulate, thereby resolving the contradiction between space utilization and filter reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the indoor air inlet duct as an intermediary structure that connects the footrest area to the indoor unit. This duct serves as a mediator that channels air from the footrest area to the indoor unit while positioning the indoor air filter within its own accommodating space, separating the filter from direct contact with sands and dusts on the footrest area surface, thus maintaining both efficient space utilization and filter reliability
2Device complexity
If the indoor unit is arranged in the lower side of the footrest area with the indoor air suction port and indoor air filter provided in this indoor unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the indoor air filter is easily clogged by sands and dusts, poor workability results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the air conditioning unit into functionally independent components: the indoor unit, the indoor air inlet duct, the duct accommodating space, and the indoor air filter. This segmentation allows the indoor air filter to be positioned independently within the duct accommodating space above the footrest area, separating it from the sources of contamination while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor air inlet duct acts as an intermediary that connects the footrest area to the indoor unit while providing a dedicated duct accommodating space for the indoor air filter. This intermediary structure enables the filter to be positioned in a clean environment above the footrest area, reducing maintenance frequency while keeping the device structure simple and integrated
3Reliability
If the indoor air filter is positioned above the footrest area in a duct accommodating space, then the frequency of maintenance work is reduced, but additional structural components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the indoor air inlet duct: it serves as both the air intake passage connecting the footrest area to the indoor unit and as the structural housing (duct accommodating space) for the indoor air filter. This merging reduces the need for separate dedicated filter housing components, achieving improved filter reliability while minimizing additional structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor air inlet duct is designed with multi-functionality, serving simultaneously as the air intake passage and as the accommodating space for the indoor air filter. This universal design allows the filter to be positioned above the footrest area for improved reliability while avoiding the need for additional separate structural components, thus balancing reliability improvement with structural simplicity
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 reduces the frequency of indoor air filter maintenance and enhances the workability of construction machines by preventing clogging, even in small-sized machines with limited installation space, while maintaining a favorable appearance and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an indoor air filter for catching dusts in the air is provided on the filter fitting hole of the indoor air inlet duct
Data Source
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AI summary
On a seat base (11) of a floor member (10), a rear surface plate (11C), an operator's seat mounting plate (11D) on which an operator's seat (17) is mounted at a position higher than a footrest area (12) on which the foot is placed, and a duct accommodating space (14) formed in the vertical direction among the rear surface plate (11C), the operator's seat mounting plate (11D), and a rear position (12B) of the footrest area (12) are provided. An indoor air inlet duct (23) having the front surface side opened as a filter fitting hole (25) and introducing air in an occupying space (21) toward an indoor unit (22) of an air-conditioning unit is provided on the duct accommodating space (14). An indoor air filter (26) for catching dusts in the air is provided on the filter fitting hole (25) of the indoor air inlet duct (23).