Cooling Pack Layout for Front-Axle Steering Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling packages in machines and vehicles are limited in size and cooling capacity due to their perpendicular orientation, which restricts packaging and operator visibility.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system design where the fan system is positioned in front of the prime mover and at least partially over the front axle, with the cooling pack positioned in front of the fan system, allowing the fan and cooling pack to define a space for steering tractive elements behind and underneath, and heat exchangers oriented at varying angles to enhance visibility and cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cooling package is oriented perpendicular to airflow and normal to the frame, then the cooling package can be easily integrated into the machine structure, but the sizing and cooling capabilities of the cooling package are limited due to packaging and operator visibility constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling package is reoriented from a perpendicular-to-airflow arrangement to an arrangement where the fan system is positioned in front of the prime mover and the cooling pack is positioned in front of the fan system. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the cooling components to extend forward of the front axle while maintaining proper airflow paths, thereby increasing cooling package size without compromising operator visibility through the windshield.
2Power
If the fan system is positioned in front of the prime mover and over the front axle, then the cooling capacity is enhanced by allowing larger heat exchangers, but the machine structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling pack and fan system are positioned to cooperatively define a space therebetween, with the cooling pack nested in front of the fan system. This nested arrangement allows both components to be integrated into the front portion of the machine without requiring separate spatial allocations, thereby enhancing cooling capacity while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers are oriented at varying angles, with the second heat exchanger extending rearward from an upper end of the first heat exchanger toward the fan system at a greater angle. This angular configuration allows the heat exchangers to maximize their surface area and cooling capacity within the available space defined by the cooling pack and fan system arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cooling pack is positioned in front of the fan system to define a steering space, then front tractive elements can be steered behind and underneath the cooling pack improving maneuverability, but the positioning precision of the cooling components becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling pack and fan system are positioned in advance to cooperatively define a specific space therebetween that is configured to facilitate steering. This pre-planned spatial arrangement ensures that the front tractive elements have sufficient clearance to steer behind and underneath the cooling pack through their range of motion, thereby improving maneuverability while maintaining straightforward component positioning.
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
Enhances cooling capacity and operator visibility by allowing larger components and improved steering without extending the wheelbase, while maintaining a low profile hood design.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling pack includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is configured to be oriented at a first angle. The second heat exchanger is configured to extend rearward from an upper end of the first heat exchanger toward the fan system.
Implementation Method 2
The fan system is positioned in front of the prime mover and at least partially over the front axle in a fan over axle arrangement. The cooling pack is positioned in front of the fan system such that the cooling pack and the fan system cooperatively define a space therebetween.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A machine includes a frame (12), a front axle (76) coupled to the frame (12), a pair of front tractive elements (78) coupled to the front axle (76), a prime mover (52) coupled to the frame (12), and a cooling system (100). The pair of front tractive elements (78) are steerable through a range of motion that defines a tractive element cloud (79). The cooling system (100) includes a fan and a cooling pack (102). The fan system (180) is positioned in front of the prime mover (52) and at least partially over the front axle (76). The cooling pack includes a plurality of heat exchangers. The cooling pack (102) is positioned in front of the fan system (180) such that the cooling pack (102) and the fan system (180) cooperatively define a space therebetween. The pair of front tractive elements (78) are configured to be steered behind the cooling pack (102) and into the space such that the cooling pack (102) is positioned in front of the tractive element cloud (79).