Air Intake Cover Gutter Layout for Engine Room Rainwater Exclusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rainwater intrusion prevention structures for engine rooms in working vehicles, such as crawler-type skid stair loaders and hydraulic shovels, struggle to simultaneously prevent rainwater intrusion and ensure sufficient airflow for condenser cooling, as they either obstruct airflow or fail to effectively discharge rainwater.

Innovation Solution

A structure comprising an air intake cover, first, second, and third rainwater gutters that guide and separate rainwater from outside air, allowing the air to flow towards the condenser while discharging rainwater outside, using inclined and horizontal gutters to manage the flow paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a receiving pan member is disposed below the air intake opening portion to receive rainwater, then rainwater intrusion is prevented, but outside air flow is interrupted and cooling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverainwater intrusion preventionVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving pan member is divided into multiple independent gutter portions (first gutter, second gutter, third gutter) arranged in sequence. Each gutter handles a specific portion of rainwater flow, allowing air to pass through gaps between them while rainwater is collected and channeled away. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by preventing rainwater intrusion through multiple collection points while maintaining air flow paths between the gutters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gutters are arranged in a longitudinal sequence along the air intake cover rather than a single transverse pan. This longitudinal arrangement creates multiple levels of rainwater collection that progress from front to back, allowing air to flow horizontally through the structure while rainwater is diverted downward and rearward. The dimensional reorganization enables both functions to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the air intake cover is fixed along the inclined portion to cover the opening, then structural protection is improved, but rainwater discharge capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural protectionVSAvoidrainwater discharge capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake cover combines an inclined portion (for structural protection and rainwater runoff) with a horizontal portion (for effective rainwater discharge). The gutters are positioned to take advantage of this asymmetric geometry, where the inclined surface directs rainwater toward the horizontal discharge section. This asymmetric design allows the cover to provide structural protection while maintaining effective rainwater discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If multiple gutters are arranged to discharge rainwater effectively, then rainwater intrusion prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverainwater intrusion preventionVSAvoidgutter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple gutter portions (first, second, and third gutters) are merged into a single integrated receiving pan member that is fixed to the air intake cover. Rather than being separate components, the gutters form a continuous rainwater collection and discharge system. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining effective rainwater intrusion prevention through multiple collection stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving pan member with its multiple gutters serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the air intake cover, collects rainwater from different portions of the cover, channels water rearward, and allows air to pass through. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving rainwater intrusion prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances rainwater prevention and condenser cooling by allowing sufficient airflow while effectively discharging intruding rainwater, maintaining efficient cooling functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a first rainwater gutter (50) which receives the rainwater intruding from the air intake opening portion (36)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The first rainwater gutter (50) separates outside air which intrudes together with the rainwater, and allows the outside air to flow towards the condenser (25)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4509342B1Structure for preventing intrusion of rainwater into engine room and working vehicle therefor

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 TAKEUCHI MFG CO LTD

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AI summary

Provided are "a structure for preventing intrusion of rainwater into an engine room" capable of enhancing an effect of preventing the intrusion of rainwater into an engine room from an air intake cover and capable of enhancing a cooling function of a condenser, and a working vehicle provided with the structure for preventing intrusion of rainwater into the engine room.