Integrated Fuel and Urea Tank for Construction Machine Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled construction machines face challenges in cost-effective production due to limited space and varying exhaust emission regulations, requiring complex adaptations and additional tanks for fuel and additives, leading to increased production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the operating material tank, such as a urea solution tank, into the existing fuel or water tank of the construction machine, allowing for standardization of parts and reduced structural modifications, enabling the use of a single machine frame for different configurations without additional attachments or space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate fuel tank and operating material tank are provided, then exhaust gas treatment function is enabled, but machine dimensions increase and space availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel tank and operating material tank into a single integrated tank structure. The tank has a fuel chamber and an operating material chamber separated by a partition wall, allowing both substances to be stored in one compact unit rather than requiring separate tanks, thus reducing overall machine dimensions while maintaining exhaust gas treatment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The operating material chamber is nested within the fuel tank structure. The partition wall divides the tank interior into two chambers, with the operating material chamber positioned inside the overall tank volume, effectively utilizing the available space without increasing external dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate fuel tank and operating material tank are provided, then exhaust gas treatment function is enabled, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated tank design reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and installed. Instead of producing and mounting two separate tanks with their respective supports and connections, the single integrated tank simplifies the production process and reduces assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single tank structure serves multiple functions: storing fuel, storing operating material (urea solution), and providing structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies production compared to using separate specialized tanks for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional operating material tank is attached to machine frame, then exhaust gas treatment system is supported, but space availability for traffic decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fuel tank and operating material tank into a single integrated unit, the overall footprint and width of the machine are reduced. This allows the machine to maintain exhaust gas treatment functionality while occupying less space on the road, keeping lanes wider for traffic
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled construction machine, comprises a machine frame, on which a working unit is arranged, and comprises a drive unit for driving the working unit. An additive, in particular a urea solution for operating an exhaust gas treatment system, is provided in an operating material tank which is integrated in the fuel tank or water tank of the construction machine. The integration of the operating material tank in the fuel tank or water tank does not necessitate any modifications to the machine frame. The dimensions of the construction machine can also remain unchanged, since the fuel tank does not take up any extra space on the machine frame if the dimensions of the fuel tank or water tank are maintained.