Engine Room Cooling Layout Using One Fan for Battery Work Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small work machines face challenges in efficiently cooling both batteries and electrical and hydraulic equipment due to limited space, necessitating separate fans for each component which is impractical.
Innovation Solution
A unified cooling system is implemented using a single fan and strategically positioned vents and ducts to efficiently cool batteries, electrical equipment, and hydraulic components within the engine room by optimizing air flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate fans are installed for cooling batteries, electrical equipment, and hydraulic oil, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cooling functions into a single fan system. The engine room is designed as an integrated cooling space where one fan creates air flow that cools batteries, electrical equipment, and hydraulic oil simultaneously through strategically positioned air inlets and the engine room structure itself, eliminating the need for separate cooling fans for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine room serves multiple functions: it houses the engine, acts as a cooling chamber for batteries and electrical equipment, and provides cooling for hydraulic oil through the oil cooler. The single fan within the engine room performs universal cooling duty for all heat-generating components, making the engine room a multi-functional space that simplifies the overall cooling system.
2Temperature
If separate fans are installed for each heat-generating component, then cooling performance is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooling functions into a single fan system. The engine room is designed as an integrated cooling space where one fan creates air flow that cools batteries, electrical equipment, and hydraulic oil simultaneously through strategically positioned air inlets and the engine room structure itself, eliminating the need for separate cooling fans for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space optimization by positioning air inlets at the bottom of the engine room and using the vertical space for air circulation. The fan creates upward air flow that efficiently utilizes the vertical dimension of the engine room to cool components stacked at different heights, maximizing cooling effectiveness within limited space.
3Volume of moving object
If a single fan is used for all cooling needs, then space utilization is improved, but cooling effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different air flow paths and cooling zones within the engine room. Air inlets are positioned at specific locations to direct cool air to specific components (batteries, electrical equipment, hydraulic oil cooler), ensuring each component receives adequate cooling despite using a single fan. The engine room structure itself is designed to facilitate localized cooling where needed.
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
The system effectively cools all heat-generating components while optimizing space utilization, ensuring efficient cooling and storage without deteriorating performance.
Implementation Method 1
a fan for a battery located above the battery box cools down the batteries by causing air flow from the bottom to the top of a space where the multiple batteries are housed
Implementation Method 2
A unified cooling system is implemented using a single fan and strategically positioned vents and ducts to efficiently cool batteries, electrical equipment, and hydraulic components within the engine room by optimizing air flow paths
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide a work machine driven by battery power capable of cooling down equipment with heat generating while efficiently arranging the equipment in the space inside the engine room. [Solution] A work machine includes a battery pack, a first vent provided at a rear end of a machine body, a fan located between the first vent and the battery pack, a second vent located in front of and above the battery pack, and an electric motor rotated by electric power from the battery pack.