Autonomous Farm Machine Cooling Layout for High-Power Diesel Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous agricultural machinery lacks sufficient power for heavy-duty operations and integrating a diesel-type thermal engine system requires increased volume, leading to stability and safety issues due to increased height and bulk.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous agricultural machine equipped with a split thermal engine system and a specific cooling system, featuring an air circulation gallery and ventilation device to cool the engine without increasing the machine's size or height, and a motorization system with an exhaust device and air filter arranged to maintain compact dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a diesel-type thermal engine system is integrated to increase power output, then the power is improved, but the volume and height of the machine must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidmachine volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical space above the wheelbase by positioning the engine and cooling system components in the upper portion of the machine frame, effectively using the third dimension (height) to accommodate powertrain components without increasing the machine's footprint or length. This allows high-power diesel engine integration while maintaining compact horizontal dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If the machine height is increased to accommodate the thermal engine system, then the power is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to increased center of gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidmachine stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the machine into distinct functional zones: the lower portion contains the wheelbase and operational components for stability, while the upper portion houses the engine and cooling system. This vertical segmentation allows the heavy engine components to be positioned high for space efficiency while the lower mass distribution maintains operational stability during agricultural operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Power

If equipment is arranged in longitudinal offset to accommodate the thermal engine system, then the power is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to unpredictable tool positions and trajectories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidnavigation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal mounting structure and standardized positioning system for tools and equipment that ensures all components remain within predictable trajectories regardless of the high-power engine configuration. The frame structure provides standardized attachment points that maintain consistent tool positions relative to the wheelbase, ensuring safe and predictable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides a more powerful machine with improved stability and safety by maintaining a low center of gravity and preventing tools from being offset, thus ensuring predictable and controllable navigation and operation.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling system having an air circulation gallery arranged in the upper part of the frame, directly under the roof, the air circulation gallery having at least one opening to allow the admission of outside air into the air circulation gallery and an upper air outlet to expel hot air upwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The cooling system also includes a ventilation device to ensure air circulation in the air circulation gallery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

the autonomous agricultural machine comprising at least one radiator arranged in said volume, so as to dissipate heat into the air circulating in the air circulation gallery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4375106B1Autonomous agricultural machine with anpped drive system
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 EXEL INDUSTRIES
  • EP4375106B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4375106B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a self-contained agricultural machine (1) comprising a frame (2) having an inverted U-shaped cross-section, the self-contained agricultural machine (1) having a roof and comprising a thermal propulsion system including an engine (3), the self-contained agricultural machine (1) comprising a cooling system having an air circulation gallery (4) disposed in the upper part of the frame (2), directly under the roof, the gallery (4) having at least one opening to allow the admission of outside air into the air circulation gallery (4) and a top air outlet to expel hot air upwards, towards the top of the roof, the cooling system also comprising a ventilation device to ensure air circulation in the air circulation gallery (4), the air circulation gallery (4) being configured to allow the circulation of fresh air to cool the engine (3).