Floor-Mounted Air Conditioning Module for Work Vehicle Operator Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicle operator stations face challenges in maintaining a comfortable environment due to limited space, high dust contamination, and significant heat or cold exposure from large glass walls, which existing air-conditioning systems address inadequately by reducing headroom and workspace.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning system is positioned adjacent to the floor with air conduits routing outside air from the roof inlet to the air-conditioning module and conditioned air distributed through a network within the operator compartment, including vertical and horizontal conduits that maintain operator visibility and reduce headroom intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high-capacity air filtration and air-conditioning modules are mounted on the interior of the operator station roof, then effective air conditioning and heating is achieved, but operator headroom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning module is relocated from the roof (vertical dimension) to the floor (horizontal dimension), changing the spatial dimension where the equipment is positioned. This allows the module to be placed in the unused horizontal space at the front of the operator station without encroaching on the vertical headroom space where the operator sits.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-conditioning module is extracted from its traditional roof-mounted position and relocated to the floor. This separation removes the conflicting element (the module) from the space where it causes problems (headroom area) while maintaining its functional position in a different location (floor area).
2Ease of operation
If air conduits extend downward from the air-conditioning modules to distribute air, then effective air distribution is achieved, but operator headroom and workspace are further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air conduits are extracted from the vertical space and relocated to horizontal pathways along the floor and side walls. This removes the conduits from the headroom area entirely, allowing effective air distribution to occur through horizontal routing rather than vertical suspension.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution system transitions from vertical conduit routing (hanging down from roof) to horizontal conduit routing (along floor and side walls). This dimensional change eliminates the conflict with headroom while maintaining air distribution functionality through alternative pathways.
3Illumination intensity
If the operator station provides glass walls for visibility, then operator visibility to the surrounding environment is improved, but the interior becomes extremely hot or cold due to solar radiation and thermal conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning module is designed to handle extreme temperature variations by providing both heating and cooling capabilities. The system adjusts temperature parameters dynamically to compensate for thermal gains from solar radiation through the glass walls, maintaining a stable and comfortable operator environment despite the transparent enclosure.
4Reliability
If air is recirculated at high rates with heavy filtration, then operator comfort and cleanliness are maintained, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning module performs multiple functions in a single integrated unit: filtration, cooling, heating, and air distribution. By combining these functions into one floor-mounted module rather than separating them into multiple components, the system achieves high air quality and temperature control while minimizing overall system complexity and space requirements.
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 maintains a comfortable working environment by efficiently filtering and conditioning air while minimizing the reduction in operator headroom and workspace, providing effective temperature control and cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
it must also be filtered very well to keep clean the operator, his clothing, his lungs, and the various controls
Implementation Method 2
the interior of the operator compartment can become extremely hot or extremely cold due to solar radiation received through the large glass walls and lost through those same walls due to outward radiation and thermal conduction
Implementation Method 3
the interior of the operator compartment can become extremely hot or extremely cold due to solar radiation received through the large glass walls and lost through those same walls due to outward radiation and thermal conduction
Implementation Method 4
a second air conduit extending between the first conditioned air outlet of the air-conditioning module and the first conditioned air outlet of the roof and configured to communicate conditioned air from the air-conditioning module to the first conditioned air outlet of the roof
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An operator station (100) for a work vehicle comprises a roof, a roof (102), that defines an outside air inlet (201); a floor (115); several windows (106) extending between the floor (115) and the roof (102) that together define in enclosed operator compartment; an operator seat (108) disposed within the operator compartment; an air-conditioning module (112) disposed adjacent to the floor (115); a first air conduit extending between an outside air inlet (201) and the air-conditioning module (112); and a second air conduit extending between the air-conditioning module (112) and a first conditioned air outlet of the roof (102).