Partitioned Machine Room Layout for ECU Heat Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing working machines face issues with electronic control units malfunctioning due to heat generated by the prime mover, as they are often placed near the prime mover, leading to increased risk of breakage and malfunction.

Innovation Solution

The working machine is designed with a partitioned structure that separates the prime mover room from the unit room, using a second partition wall to house the electronic control unit, along with heat insulation and air cooling systems to mitigate heat exposure, and sealing mechanisms to protect wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic control unit is provided in the vicinity of the prime mover, then workability in routing of the wire and connection reliability is improved, but the electronic control unit is exposed to heat generated by the prime mover which may cause breakage or malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidheat exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The machine room is divided into a prime mover room and a unit room using a partition wall. The electronic control unit is placed in the unit room, separated from the prime mover in the prime mover room. This segmentation physically isolates the electronic control unit from the heat source while maintaining spatial proximity for efficient wire routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition wall serves as an intermediary structure between the prime mover and the electronic control unit. It provides thermal isolation while allowing controlled passage of wires and signals. The partition wall acts as a mediator that enables close proximity placement without direct thermal exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the electronic control unit is provided away from the prime mover to reduce heat exposure, then the likelihood of breakage and malfunction is reduced, but workability in routing of the wire deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exposureVSAvoidworkability in routing of the wire
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The machine room is segmented into two adjacent rooms: the prime mover room and the unit room. This segmentation allows the electronic control unit to be placed in a thermally protected environment while remaining in close spatial proximity to the prime mover, thereby maintaining ease of wire routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the electronic control unit far away from the prime mover in three-dimensional space, the solution uses the partition wall dimension to achieve thermal separation. The partition wall creates a planar barrier that provides thermal protection while maintaining short wire routing distances within the same machine room envelope.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a partition wall is introduced to separate the prime mover room from the unit room, then heat isolation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat isolationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal isolation between the prime mover room and unit room, acts as a structural support element, and serves as a mounting surface for the electronic control unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall is integrated with the overall machine room structure rather than being a separate add-on component. The electronic control unit is mounted directly on the partition wall, merging the separation function with the mounting function into a single integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively reduces the impact of prime mover heat on the electronic control unit, minimizing the risk of malfunction and ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a partition wall to divide a space above the frame into a prime mover room housing the prime mover and an operator's seat-side space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

an exterior body to cover a machine room including the prime mover room and the unit room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4671450A1Working machine
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4671450A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671450A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671450A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One or more example embodiments of the present invention include a machine body (2) including a frame (21), an operator's seat (10) supported by the frame (21), a prime mover room (MR1a) to house a prime mover (5) supported by the frame (21), the prime mover room (MR1a) and the operator's seat (10) being arranged in a first direction, a unit room (MR1b) to house an electronic control unit (6) to control the prime mover (5), the unit room (MR1b) and the prime mover room (MR1a) being arranged in a second direction which intersects the first direction, a first partition wall (8) to divide a space above the frame (21) into the prime mover room (MR1a) and an operator's seat-side space on the same side of the prime mover room (MR1a) as the operator's seat (10) such that the prime mover room (MR1a) and the operator's seat-side space are arranged in the first direction, and a second partition wall (90), including an edge portion in close contact with the first partition wall (8), to separate the prime mover room (MR1a) from the unit room (MR1b).