Construction Machine Fuel Tank Stepped Surface Reductant Tank Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machines face challenges in efficiently installing and replenishing liquid reductant tanks for NOx reduction due to space and cost constraints, leading to reduced fuel tank capacity and complicated replenishment operations.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine design featuring a fuel tank with an L-shaped upper surface and a tank cover that defines a liquid reductant tank installation space, allowing the liquid reductant tank to be positioned close to the fuel tank's filler port without requiring a special tank table, thus facilitating replenishment and minimizing fuel tank capacity reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the liquid reductant tank is installed within the tool storage box on the same plane as the fuel tank, then the liquid reductant tank is protected from external heat, but the replenishment port becomes significantly lower than the filler port of the fuel tank, complicating replenishment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by creating a stepped upper surface configuration on the fuel tank, with a first upper surface at a higher level and a second upper surface at a lower level. The tank cover is positioned above the second upper surface to define an installation space, effectively using vertical space arrangement to resolve the height difference issue between the filler port and replenishment port while maintaining heat protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tool storage box is enlarged to house the liquid reductant tank, then the liquid reductant tank can be installed in a shielded environment, but the planar size of the fuel tank is reduced, shortening continuous work time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional vertical arrangement by creating a stepped fuel tank upper surface and positioning the tank cover above the second upper surface. This vertical space utilization allows the liquid reductant tank to be installed in a shielded environment without reducing the fuel tank's planar size or capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel tank's upper surface is segmented into two distinct levels: a first upper surface at a higher level and a second upper surface at a lower level. This segmentation creates separate functional zones - the first upper surface area can be used for fuel storage while the second upper surface area with the tank cover provides a shielded installation space for the liquid reductant tank, thereby preserving overall fuel tank capacity.
3Ease of operation
If a special tank table is used to raise the height of the replenishment port, then the replenishment operation is facilitated, but cost and required space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tank cover serves multiple functions: it protects the liquid reductant tank, defines the installation space, and its positioning above the second upper surface naturally elevates the replenishment port to an appropriate height for operation. This eliminates the need for a separate tank table structure, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction machine including an engine, a fuel tank, and a liquid reductant tank. The construction machine further includes a tank cover, and the fuel tank has an upper surface including a high-position surface and a low-position surface located at a lower position than the high-position surface and adjacent to the high-position surface through a step. The tank cover is provided over the low-position surface and at a height position approximately equal to that of the high-position surface to define a liquid reductant tank installation space in cooperation with the low-position surface. The liquid reductant tank has a replenishment port, installed in the liquid reductant tank installation space so that the replenishment port is close to a lower surface of the tank cover.