Cabin Air Conditioner Layout Above Prime Mover Room

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing working machines face issues such as reduced foot space for operators, difficulty in maintenance due to the placement of components, excessive exhaust heat and noise, hindered cooling air flow, and sound leakage from the prime mover room.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner body is positioned above the prime mover room, with a plate member supporting it, and a compressor system is integrated to manage cooling air flow. Components like the fuel tank and hydraulic fluid tank are strategically placed to optimize space and facilitate maintenance, while exhaust gas and cooling air are managed through specific routing and purification systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air conditioner body is disposed below the operator's seat, then the air conditioning function is provided, but the foot space for the operator is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot spaceVSAvoidair conditioner placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner body is relocated from the horizontal plane (below operator's seat) to the vertical dimension (above prime mover room), utilizing unused vertical space to resolve the conflict between operator foot space and air conditioning functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of repair

If the fuel tank is secured to the machine body, then the fuel tank is firmly fixed, but maintenance on the fuel tank or nearby devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidfuel tank fixation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel tank support structure is divided into separate components (support base, positioning members) that can be independently adjusted or removed, allowing maintenance access while maintaining secure fixation during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the exhaust gas is directly released outside via the exhaust pipe, then the exhaust system is simple, but exhaust heat and noise harm the surrounding environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust heat and noiseVSAvoidexhaust system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prime mover room serves as an intermediary space between the exhaust source and the external environment, allowing exhaust gas to be released into the room first before being vented outside, thereby reducing direct thermal and acoustic impact on surrounding areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the intake hose is connected to the air cleaner, then the air cleaning function is provided, but the cooling air flow around the prime mover is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling air flowVSAvoidair cleaning function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air cleaner is extracted from the main cooling air flow path and positioned separately, with its intake hose routed to draw air from a location that does not obstruct the primary cooling airflow around the prime mover, maintaining both cooling efficiency and air cleaning functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12509852B2Working machine

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A working machine includes a machine body, a cabin on the machine body, an air conditioner body for air conditioning in the cabin, and a prime mover room to contain a prime mover on the machine body. The air conditioner body is disposed above the prime mover room.