Construction Machine Downward Exhaust Discharge Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machines, such as hydraulic shovels, face challenges in reducing the adverse effects of heat and noise on operators due to the direct discharge of exhaust gas and cooling air, which worsens the operating environment.
Innovation Solution
A configuration where the discharge opening and duct outlet in the engine room are positioned downward, with the exhaust gas pipe inserted into the duct to mix exhaust gas with cooled air, allowing the mixture to be discharged downward, reducing heat and noise impact on operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If exhaust gas is discharged upward directly from the engine room, then the exhaust gas discharge structure is simple, but heat and noise directly affect the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the discharge direction from upward (vertical dimension) to downward (opposite vertical direction), redirecting exhaust gas and cooling air away from the operator's position. The discharge opening is positioned on the lower surface of the engine room, and the duct extends downward to discharge the mixture below the operator level, effectively using dimensional reorientation to eliminate harmful exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the exhaust gas discharge function with the cooling air discharge function into a single integrated system. Both exhaust gas from the engine and cooling air from the heat exchanger are guided through the same duct and discharged together through a common opening, simplifying the overall discharge structure while achieving the dual purpose of exhaust removal and cooling ventilation.
2Temperature
If exhaust gas pipe is inserted into duct to mix with cooling air, then exhaust gas temperature is reduced, but the mixing structure increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The duct serves as an intermediary mixing chamber where exhaust gas and cooling air are combined. The exhaust gas pipe inserts into the duct, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cooling air flow path. The duct structure itself acts as the mixing mechanism, using the existing cooling air flow to cool the exhaust gas without requiring separate mixing devices or complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the cooling air that is already being generated for heat exchanger operation to simultaneously cool the exhaust gas. The cooling air flow, which must be produced anyway for engine cooling, serves a dual purpose by mixing with and cooling the exhaust gas in the duct, eliminating the need for additional cooling resources or complex active cooling systems for the exhaust.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If discharge opening is positioned downward, then heat and noise impact on operator is reduced, but the discharge structure requires reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discharging exhaust gas and cooling air upward or horizontally as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the discharge direction to downward. The discharge opening is positioned on the lower surface of the engine room, and the duct extends downward to discharge the mixture below the operator's position, effectively using inversion of the discharge orientation to protect the operator from harmful exposure.
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 significantly reduces heat and noise exposure for operators, improves exhaust gas temperature reduction, and enhances noise reduction, creating a more favorable working environment.
Implementation Method 1
the duct and the exhaust gas pipe are configured to mix the exhaust gas with the cooled air in the duct
Implementation Method 2
a cooling fan 10 driven by the engine 7... Outside air is introduced into the engine room 6 through the intake opening 12 with rotation of the fan 10
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A construction machine includes: a lower propelling body; and an upper slewing body which is slewably mounted on the lower propelling body. The upper slewing body includes: an engine room provided with an intake opening for introducing cooling air from an outside and a discharge opening for discharging cooled air to the outside; a duct provided in the engine room so as to communicate with the discharge opening and adapted to discharge the cooled air to the outside of the engine room from the discharge opening; and an exhaust gas pipe which guides exhaust gas discharged from the engine into the duct. The discharge opening and an outlet of the duct are open downward from the engine room. A portion on a distal end side of the exhaust gas pipe is inserted into the duct. The duct and the exhaust gas pipe are configured to cause the exhaust gas to be mixed with the cooled air in the duct and cause the mixture of the exhaust gas and the cooled air to be discharged downward from the discharge opening.