DPF and SCR Exhaust System Layout for Working Vehicle Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust gas cleaning device in working vehicles, such as tractors, often obstructs the operator's view due to space constraints, requiring the engine hood to be enlarged, which compromises visibility and operability.

Innovation Solution

The DPF and SCR are mounted upwardly within the engine room, with a connecting pipe configuration that creates free space and allows for a reduced hood height, enabling a wider viewing field by inclining the components and positioning the connecting pipe under the rear face portions, forming a compact double-layered structure that maintains effective exhaust gas cleaning while preserving operator visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the exhaust gas cleaning device (DPF and SCR) is disposed outside the engine hood, then the engine room space is reduced, but the mounting location is limited and working implement readiness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine room spaceVSAvoidworking implement mounting readiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal arrangement (outside hood) to vertical arrangement (inside hood, upwardly of engine). By utilizing the vertical dimension above the engine, the exhaust gas cleaning device is accommodated within the engine room without increasing the vehicle's overall footprint, thus preserving working implement mounting readiness while maintaining engine room space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the engine hood is enlarged to accommodate the exhaust gas cleaning device, then the device can be mounted inside the engine room, but the operator's visibility and operability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas cleaning device accommodationVSAvoidoperator's visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the exhaust gas cleaning device specifically in the upper region of the engine room (upwardly of the engine), away from the operator's line of sight. The DPF and SCR are arranged vertically above the engine, utilizing space that does not interfere with the operator's forward view, thus maintaining visibility while accommodating the cleaning device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the connecting pipe is arranged to ensure long total length for reducing agent mixing, then mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereducing agent mixing efficiencyVSAvoidconnecting pipe arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension for the connecting pipe arrangement. The pipe extends downward from the DPF and upward to the SCR, leveraging the vertical space within the engine room. This three-dimensional routing achieves sufficient pipe length for effective reducing agent mixing while maintaining a compact overall structure that does not increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances the operator's forward and lateral visibility by reducing the hood's height and width, allowing for a more compact exhaust gas cleaning system without compromising the vehicle's functionality or the effectiveness of the exhaust gas treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

exhaust gas from an engine is fed to the DPF and PM (particulate matters) contained in the exhaust gas are collected by the DPF

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an amount of reducing agent (e.g. ammonia) is injected into the connecting pipe from the reducing agent supplying nozzle to be mixed with the exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

mixing between the reducing agent and exhaust gas is promoted by securing a long total length for the connecting pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

inside the SCR, there occurs a chemical reaction between the reducing agent and nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas, whereby the nitrogen oxides are reduced to nitrogen, a harmless substance, and water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2873825B1Working vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP2873825B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2873825B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2873825B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work vehicle includes a DPF 20 and an SCR 30 disposed width of an engine mounted in an engine room covered by a hood 6 located forwardly of a driving operation section, the DPF and the SCR being disposed in juxtaposition in a vehicle body transverse direction. The DPF 20 includes an upper face portion 20c, a bottom face portion 20d, a first lateral face portion 20a and a second lateral face portion 20b. The SCR 30 includes an upper face portion 30c, a bottom face portion 30d, a first lateral face portion 30a and a second lateral face portion 30b opposed to the first lateral face portion 20a of the DPF 20. A connecting pipe 50 includes a first connecting end 50A connected to the first lateral face portion 30a of the SCR 30, a second connecting end 50B connected to the second lateral face portion 20b of the DPF 20, and a main body portion 50C extending from the first connecting end 50A to the second connecting end 50B, the main body portion 50C extending at positions lower than the upper face portion 20c of the DPF 20 and the upper face portion 30c of the SCR 30.