Electric Excavator Cooling Layout With Single-Fan Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In small-sized electric work machines like mini-excavators, there is limited space for arranging separate cooling fans for a radiator and an oil cooler, making it difficult to achieve a compact layout for both components.
Innovation Solution
The radiator is positioned on the upstream side of a fan's airflow path, and the oil cooler is positioned on the downstream side, allowing both to be cooled by a single fan, with airflow efficiently directing heat exchange for both components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling fans are provided for radiator and oil cooler, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling functions for the radiator and oil cooler into a single fan system. The fan is positioned to generate airflow that simultaneously cools both heat exchangers, eliminating the need for separate cooling fans and reducing device complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fan is designed to serve multiple cooling purposes - it cools both the radiator and the oil cooler. This multi-functional approach allows one component to perform the work of what would traditionally require two separate components, addressing the space and complexity constraints in small-sized work machines.
2Reliability
If separate cooling fans are provided for radiator and oil cooler, then individual cooling control is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling functions into a single fan system that serves both the radiator and oil cooler. This consolidation significantly reduces the space required for cooling components, making it feasible for small-sized work machines with limited engine room space.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan is positioned at a specific location and oriented to utilize three-dimensional airflow patterns. By strategically positioning the fan and designing the airflow path, the system achieves effective cooling of both components in a compact arrangement, effectively using spatial dimensions to optimize cooling coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If compact layout is achieved for heat exchangers, then space utilization is improved, but cooling efficiency may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the fan and heat exchangers in specific locations with optimized orientations. The fan is placed to generate airflow that directly targets both the radiator and oil cooler, ensuring that each component receives adequate cooling despite the compact arrangement. This localized optimization maintains cooling efficiency while achieving space savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes three-dimensional airflow patterns and strategic positioning to achieve effective cooling in a compact layout. By designing the airflow path to wrap around and reach both heat exchangers from an optimized position, the system overcomes the limitations of compact spacing and maintains cooling efficiency.
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 enables a compact layout for the radiator and oil cooler, effectively utilizing airflow for cooling both components while preventing foreign matter entry and improving cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that takes outside air into an interior of a machine body
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger that cools a refrigerant passing through at least one of the plurality of electric devices
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger that cools the hydraulic oil
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic excavator as an electric work machine includes a plurality of electric devices, a first heat exchanger that cools a refrigerant passing through at least one of the plurality of electric devices, a hydraulic pump that is driven by any one of the plurality of electric devices and discharges hydraulic oil, a second heat exchanger that cools the hydraulic oil, and a fan that takes outside air into an interior of a machine body. The first heat exchanger is arranged on an upstream side of the fan in a flow direction of the outside air flown by the fan, and the second heat exchanger is arranged on a downstream side of the fan in the flow direction of the outside air.