Cabin Frame Air Duct Layout for Excavator Visibility and Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
In construction machines, the duct for the air conditioning device in the driver's cab is often too long, obstructing the view and making it difficult to secure space under the floor for hydraulic hoses and control valves, as well as complicating maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine design where the cabin installation portion of the frame includes a box-shaped structure with communicating opening portions, allowing the frame to function as an air conditioning duct, thus shortening the duct length and freeing up space under the floor for other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the duct for the air conditioning device is arranged on the lateral face side of the seat, then the air conditioning casing can be mounted parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, but the duct hinders the view of the lower lateral side of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air conditioning duct with the cabin installation portion structure itself. The box-shaped structure includes opening portions that communicate with each other, and the air-conditioned air outlet communicates directly with these openings, eliminating the need for a separate lateral duct that would obstruct the view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving the air conditioning device inside the cabin rather than mounting it laterally. The box-shaped installation portion with communicating openings provides a three-dimensional pathway for air flow that avoids the lateral space where it would obstruct the driver's view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the main body unit of the air conditioning device is disposed under the floor, then the degree of freedom of the installation layout can be increased, but it is difficult to secure space under the floor for hydraulic hoses and control valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air conditioning device with the cabin installation portion, which is located in the upper space of the vehicle rather than under the floor. This merging allows the hydraulic hoses and control valves to occupy the previously unused under-floor space without interfering with the air conditioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the air conditioning device from a floor-mounted configuration to a cabin-mounted configuration, utilizing the vertical space within the cabin. This dimensional change frees up the under-floor area for hydraulic components while maintaining installation flexibility through the box-shaped structure with multiple opening portions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the main body unit of the air conditioning device is disposed under the floor, then the installation layout freedom can be increased, but maintenance of the main body unit becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air conditioning device with the cabin installation portion, positioning it in the accessible cabin space rather than the confined under-floor area. This allows maintenance personnel to easily access the main body unit for inspection, repair, and replacement while still achieving installation flexibility through the box-shaped structure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the air conditioning device from the difficult-to-access under-floor dimension to the easily-accessible cabin interior dimension. The box-shaped installation portion with communicating openings maintains layout flexibility while the cabin location provides excellent maintenance accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a construction machine with which it is possible to shorten a duct for an air conditioning device disposed in a driver's cab, and to secure space for disposing a hydraulic hose, a control valve and the like under the floor of the driver's cab. A hydraulic excavator is provided with a cabin covering an maneuvering unit, a turning frame on which the cabin is mounted, and an air conditioning device for air conditioning the inside of the cabin, wherein: the turning frame includes a cabin installation portion in which the cabin 6 is installed; the cabin installation portion 7a includes a box-shaped right frame having a first opening portion and a second opening portion that communicate with one another; and an air conditioned air discharge opening of the air conditioning device communicates with the first opening portion.