Integrated Engine Compartment Support Rails for Accessory Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-clearance sprayers face challenges in efficiently assembling and mounting numerous engine-driven accessories and systems, such as exhaust after-treatment systems, due to their size and weight, which complicates the assembly process and requires separate brackets connected to the engine-supporting sub-frame.
Innovation Solution
A support arrangement with mounts integrally connected to the engine-supporting sub-frame within the engine compartment, including a first and second support rail with horizontal and angled portions, mounting flanges, and various engine accessory mounts, allowing for pre-assembly of the ATS system as a unit and simplifying the mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate brackets are used to mount each accessory and system, then each component can be individually supported, but assembly time increases and inventory management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate mounting brackets into a single integrated sub-frame structure that supports multiple accessories and systems simultaneously. This merging of separate mounting components into one unified structure reduces the number of individual parts that need to be assembled and inventory managed, directly addressing the time loss and operational complexity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-frame is designed as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate multiple different accessories and systems (such as exhaust after-treatment systems, air filters, and other engine components) through integrally formed mounting locations. This multi-functional design allows a single structure to perform the mounting function for various components that previously required separate brackets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate brackets are used for each accessory, then individual mounting flexibility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple mounting functions into a single sub-frame structure, combining what would have been separate brackets into one unified component. This reduction in the number of discrete parts directly decreases device complexity while maintaining the ability to mount various accessories through the integrally formed mounting locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-frame serves as a universal mounting platform with integrally formed locations designed to accommodate multiple types of accessories and systems. This multi-functional design maintains mounting flexibility and adaptability for different components without requiring separate specialized brackets for each accessory type.
3Ease of manufacture
If ATS components are mounted using separate brackets, then installation is possible, but assembly becomes particularly complicated due to size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-frame combines multiple mounting points and support structures into one integrated component, allowing ATS components and other heavy accessories to be mounted simultaneously through a single assembly operation rather than requiring multiple separate bracket installations. This merging simplifies the overall assembly process for heavy components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-frame is designed with integrally formed mounting locations that are prepared in advance during sub-frame manufacturing, rather than requiring field assembly of separate brackets. This preliminary preparation of mounting points simplifies the installation process for heavy ATS components by eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate mounting structures on-site.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine compartment support arrangement for an agricultural machine includes first and second support rails disposed within an engine compartment, a horizontal platform disposed between the first and second support rails and coupled thereto, and a plurality of engine accessory mounts welded to at least one of the first support rail and the second support rail. The first support rail includes a horizontal portion and an angled portion, wherein a second end of the horizontal portion is aligned with a first end of the angled portion. The second support rail includes a horizontal portion and an angled portion, wherein a second end of the horizontal portion is aligned with a first end of the angled portion.