Excavator Electrical Component Cooling via Airflow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction machines with limited space, such as hydraulic excavators, face challenges in protecting electrical components like mechatronics controllers from heat damage due to the engine's heat generation, which can lead to component failure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cooling structure that utilizes air intake and exhaust pathways to direct cooled air towards the mechatronics controller, combined with a dedicated electrical-component cover and cooling fins, effectively prevents heat damage by enhancing air flow and contact area for cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the mechatronics controller is disposed below the seat stand to prevent increased wiring length, then the wiring complexity is reduced, but the electrical component is exposed to heat damage from the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling function into separate components: air intake paths, cooling fins attached to the controller housing, and exhaust paths. This segmentation allows the cooling system to be independently optimized without affecting the controller's placement below the seat stand, thus maintaining wiring simplicity while protecting against heat damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary cooling medium that flows between the engine and the mechatronics controller. The cooling fins act as intermediaries to transfer heat from the controller to the flowing air, preventing direct heat exposure while maintaining the controller's protected position below the seat stand.
2Ease of repair
If the electrical component is mounted on the rear plate portion for operator accessibility, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the space utilization in limited areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized cooling zone around the mechatronics controller with cooling fins and dedicated air paths. This local quality enhancement allows the controller to be positioned in the limited rear space while still receiving adequate cooling, thus maintaining both space utilization and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the controller below the seat stand and using vertically oriented cooling fins. This dimensional arrangement allows the controller to be accessible from the rear while the cooling structure extends upward, efficiently using the limited three-dimensional space available in the excavator cab.
3Temperature
If cooling air flow is increased to prevent heat damage, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cooling system to utilize the engine's own operational characteristics - the engine displacement and exhaust airflow - to provide cooling for the mechatronics controller. The cooling fins are positioned to capture the natural airflow generated during engine operation, enabling the system to cool itself without requiring additional energy input from separate fans or pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the waste heat and airflow generated by the engine operation and redirects it through the cooling fins to cool the mechatronics controller. By discarding the hot exhaust air after it has served its cooling function, the system achieves effective cooling without the energy expenditure of active cooling mechanisms.
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 solution efficiently cools the mechatronics controller, reducing the risk of heat-induced damage and maintaining component functionality, while also allowing for easy maintenance and protection from external impacts.
Implementation Method 1
an air flow path, between the electrical-component cover and the electrical component disposed on an inner side of the electrical-component cover, for flowing air along the electrical component
Implementation Method 2
combined with a dedicated electrical-component cover and cooling fins, effectively prevents heat damage by enhancing air flow and contact area for cooling
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a construction machine including an electrical component (40) and efficiently cooling it. The construction machine includes an upper slewing body having an air intake chamber (16) capable of taking in air, an engine (28), the electrical component (40), an air intake duct (24) guiding the air inside the air intake chamber (16) toward the engine (28), a blow fan (27) directing the air inside the air intake chamber (16) toward the engine (28) through the air intake duct (24), and electrical-component cover (36, 50, 43) covering the electrical component (40). The electrical-component cover (36, 50, 43) defines an air flow path (55) for flowing air along the electrical component (40), between the electrical-component cover (36, 50, 43) and the electrical component (40) thereinside. The electrical-component cover (36, 50, 43) includes an air inlet (51) communicating an upstream portion of the air flow path (55) with the air intake chamber (16) and an air outlet (52) communicating a downstream portion of the air intake chamber (16) with the air intake duct (24).