Work Vehicle Hood Shield Segmentation for Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal members in work vehicles deform over time, compromising their effectiveness in partitioning the hood space and cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle design featuring a hood with a first and second shield portion that contact each other, forming recesses for hoses and being fixed to the radiator, with the shield portions having a trapezoidal shape to reduce deformation by splitting them into upper and lower components, thereby decreasing their vertical width and resisting deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member is pinched between the radiator and hood to fill clearance, then air flow partitioning is improved, but the seal member deforms after long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The shield portion is divided into a first shield portion fixed to the radiator and a second shield portion fixed to the hood, which contact each other to form the sealing interface. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress from hood opening/closing operations across two separate components rather than concentrating it on a single pinched seal member, thereby improving durability and shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield portions extend in the vertical direction with the first shield portion having a lower end and the second shield portion having an upper end, creating a multi-dimensional sealing structure. This vertical extension provides additional contact area and structural support, reducing deformation under operational loads.
2Ease of manufacture
If the shield portion is made as a single piece, then manufacturing is simpler, but deformation occurs during long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is segmented into first and second shield portions that are manufactured separately and then assembled by bringing them into contact. While this increases assembly steps, each individual shield portion can be optimized for its specific mounting location and load conditions, improving overall durability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
3Ease of operation
If recesses are formed in the shield portions for hoses, then hose routing is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Recesses are formed locally in the shield portions at specific positions where hoses need to pass through. This localized modification provides necessary hose routing access while minimizing the impact on the overall structural strength of the shield portions, as the recesses are confined to specific areas rather than compromising the entire structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle in which deformation of a shield member can be suppressed. The work vehicle includes: a hood that can be opened and closed; a lower shield portion that is fixed to an inside of the hood; and an upper shield portion that is fixed to an inner peripheral face of the hood and, when the hood is closed, comes in contact with the lower shield portion to partition an inner space of the hood together with the lower shield portion.