Electric Excavator Component Layout for Battery Capacity and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric work machines face challenges in achieving a compact layout that allows for an increase in battery capacity while ensuring efficient cooling of the electric motor, hydraulic pump, and hydraulic oil tank, particularly due to the separate arrangement of these components which generates heat and requires efficient space utilization.
Innovation Solution
The electric motor, hydraulic pump, and hydraulic oil tank are arranged side by side below the battery unit on the machine body frame, optimizing space utilization and facilitating an increase in battery capacity while considering cooling efficiency through balanced air-cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hydraulic oil tank is arranged on the side of the battery unit, then the layout is simpler, but the machine size increases and battery capacity cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a lateral arrangement (side-by-side) to a vertical arrangement (stacking), utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the machine's footprint. By stacking the battery unit, hydraulic oil tank, electric motor, and hydraulic pump vertically, the layout achieves compactness while maintaining all necessary functional connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where components are arranged in a vertical stack, with each component positioned above or below another. The battery unit and hydraulic oil tank are stacked vertically, and the electric motor and hydraulic pump are integrated in a compact vertical arrangement, creating a space-efficient nested structure.
2Power
If the electric motor and hydraulic pump are driven, then work is performed, but heat is generated requiring cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by the electric motor and hydraulic pump into a beneficial cooling opportunity. By positioning the hydraulic oil tank directly below these heat-generating components, the naturally rising hot air flows downward through the hydraulic oil tank, providing passive cooling to both the components and the hydraulic oil simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes its own operational characteristics (heat generation and natural convection) to achieve cooling without external intervention. The hot air generated by motor operation automatically rises and flows through the hydraulic oil tank, creating a self-sustaining cooling cycle that requires no additional cooling systems.
3Reliability
If the hydraulic oil tank is cooled, then cooling performance improves, but the layout must accommodate cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic oil tank serves dual functions: storing hydraulic oil and providing passive cooling through natural convection. The tank's position directly below heat-generating components allows it to utilize rising hot air for cooling without requiring external cooling systems, fans, or complex thermal management infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic oil tank is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: hydraulic fluid storage, passive cooling of the hydraulic system, and thermal management of nearby components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling systems and reduces overall system complexity.
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 achieves a compact layout with increased battery capacity and efficient cooling of the motor, pump, and oil tank, enhancing the overall performance of the electric work machine.
Implementation Method 1
a battery unit that stores electric power for driving the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor... that is driven by electric power supplied from the battery unit
Implementation Method 3
a hydraulic pump that is driven by the electric motor and is connected to the hydraulic oil tank... pumps hydraulic oil to a hydraulic actuator
Implementation Method 4
when the electric motor and the hydraulic pump are driven, heat is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic excavator as an electric work machine includes: an electric motor; a battery unit that stores electric power for driving the electric motor; a hydraulic oil tank that contains hydraulic oil, and a hydraulic pump that is driven by the electric motor and connected to the hydraulic oil tank. The electric motor, the hydraulic pump, and the hydraulic oil tank are arranged below the battery unit on a machine body frame, and are arranged side by side in a lateral direction of the machine body frame.