Cab Heater Layout for Working Machines to Prevent Local Boiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Working machines like excavators face challenges in providing an efficient heater for the operation room using an electric hot-water heater with limited heating capacity, particularly due to space constraints in the footwell area and the risk of localized boiling when adjusting heating temperature through flow rate control in large cross-sectional areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a heater system with a heat generator located below the floor surface, utilizing electric power to generate heat, and a hot water circulator with a flow regulating valve to control the flow rate, allowing for adjustable heat generation and prevention of localized boiling by reducing the flow rate while maintaining a high temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cross-sectional area of the hot-water flow passage is increased to enhance heating effect, then the heating capacity is improved, but localized boiling occurs when the flow rate is significantly reduced during temperature adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The hot-water flow passage is divided into multiple passages, each with a smaller cross-sectional area. This segmentation prevents localized boiling by ensuring that even when total flow rate is reduced for temperature adjustment, the velocity in each individual passage remains sufficient to prevent boiling, while the combined area of all passages maintains the required heating capacity.
2Volume of moving object
If the footwell area space is utilized for heater installation, then the equipment volume is reduced, but the installation positions are limited and affect the ease of tasks such as water filling and inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The heater components are arranged in the vertical dimension of the footwell area rather than only horizontal placement. The hot-water heater is positioned in the upper portion while the cold-water tank is positioned in the lower portion, utilizing the height space. This vertical arrangement maintains ease of operation for water filling and inspection while efficiently using the limited footwell volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an electric hot-water heater is used instead of engine exhaust heat, then the working machine can use non-combustion prime movers, but the heating capacity is limited and requires more careful space management
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heater components (hot-water heater, cold-water tank, pump, flow regulating valve) are integrated into a single compact assembly unit that fits within the footwell area. This merging allows the electric hot-water heater system to provide sufficient heating capacity while maintaining space efficiency and adaptability for non-combustion prime movers.
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 enhances heating efficiency, reduces the risk of localized boiling, and allows for compact design by utilizing dead space under the floor, improving the overall heating effect and reducing equipment volume.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generator to generate heat by using electric power
Implementation Method 2
a hot water circulator to cause water heated as a result of heat generation of the heat generator to circulate
Implementation Method 3
a flow regulating valve to regulate a flow rate of the hot water by changing an opening
Data Source
AI summary
A working machine includes a machine body, a working device on the machine body, an operation room structure on the machine body and including an operation room and a floor surface body to define a floor surface of the operation room, and a heater to heat an interior of the operation room. The heater includes a heat generator to generate heat by using electric power, and a hot water circulator to cause water heated as a result of heat generation of the heat generator to circulate. Among components of the heater, at least the heat generator is located in a space in the machine body below the floor surface body.