Bulldozer Radiator Access via Pivotable Fan and Grille
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of bulldozers, as seen in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-204295, makes it difficult to clean the radiator from the front side due to its location behind the fan, resulting in low cleaning workability even when the front grille is opened.
Innovation Solution
The bulldozer features a foldable front grille and a pivotable fan module, allowing the radiator to be exposed and accessed easily for cleaning. The fan module is positioned closer to the front than the radiator, and the front grille is designed with pivot shafts that enable it to be folded and opened wide, preventing overlap with the radiator and allowing for maximum exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fan and radiator are arranged in sequence from the front side with the fan in front, then the cooling function is improved, but the radiator becomes difficult to clean from the front side resulting in low cleaning workability
Solution Approach 1:
The fan module is made pivotable about a third pivot shaft, allowing it to rotate between a first position (for normal cooling operation) and a second position (for radiator cleaning access). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the radiator to be accessed from the front side when the fan is rotated away, resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling function and enabling cleaning workability
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the fan module from a fixed linear arrangement to a rotatable configuration about a vertical pivot shaft. By introducing rotational movement in the vertical dimension, the fan can be positioned out of the way during cleaning while maintaining its functional position during operation, thereby enabling front-side radiator access without compromising cooling performance
2Device complexity
If the front grille is made fixed, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the radiator cannot be accessed for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The front grille is divided into multiple independent grille members that can be pivotally opened. This segmentation allows the grille to be configured in an open state for radiator access while maintaining structural integrity when closed, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and maintenance accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The grille members are made pivotable about pivot shafts, transforming the fixed grille into a dynamic structure that can switch between closed (for normal operation) and open (for cleaning) states. This dynamic capability enables radiator accessibility without requiring permanent structural modification
3Device complexity
If the fan module is positioned far from the front end, then the engine compartment layout is simplified, but the radiator becomes harder to access for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the fan module close to the front end and making it pivotable, the design achieves both simplified engine compartment layout and improved radiator accessibility. The fan can be rotated to a second position that exposes the radiator for cleaning, while its proximity to the front end maintains a compact and simple overall layout
Data Source
AI summary
A first grille member extends from the left side of the vehicular body toward the right side. A second grille member extends from the first grille member further toward the right side. A first pivot shaft is provided at the left side of the vehicular body. The first pivot shaft extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicular body and pivotably supports the first grille member. A second pivot shaft extends in parallel with the first pivot shaft and couples the second grille member to the first grille member so that the second grille member is pivotable with respect to the first grille member. A fan module is pivotable about a third pivot shaft provided at the left side of the vehicular body and extending in parallel with the first pivot shaft, and at least a part of the fan module is movable to an outside of the vehicular body.