Outboard Radiator Layout for Compact Working Machine Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact working machines with rotatable superstructures face challenges in manoeuvrability and efficiency due to spatial restrictions on construction sites, despite adhering to safety standards such as EN1459-2 and ISO2867.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a radiator panel positioned outboard of the prime mover, allowing for a reduced undercarriage size and improved compactness of the working machine, while maintaining compliance with safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the radiator panel is positioned inboard of the prime mover, then the cooling function is effective, but the undercarriage size increases and manoeuvrability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator panel is repositioned from a conventional inboard location to an outboard location on the prime mover. This spatial reconfiguration in the lateral dimension allows the cooling system to be effective while reducing the fore-aft length of the undercarriage, thereby improving manoeuvrability in confined construction sites without sacrificing cooling performance
2Ease of operation
If the working machine size is reduced to improve compactness, then manoeuvrability improves, but safety standard compliance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the radiator panel to the outboard position, the design reduces the longitudinal dimension of the undercarriage while maintaining transverse dimensions that can accommodate safety requirements. This dimensional optimization allows the machine to meet safety standards for step height and access locations while achieving a more compact overall size for improved manoeuvrability
Solution Approach 2:
The outboard positioning of the radiator panel changes the spatial distribution of components, allowing optimization of the undercarriage footprint. This parameter change enables reduced machine size while maintaining compliance with safety standards by redistributing component locations rather than simply scaling down all dimensions
3Volume of moving object
If the radiator panel is positioned outboard of the prime mover, then compactness is improved, but cooling efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The outboard positioning of the radiator panel creates dedicated space for the cooling system with adequate airflow characteristics. This localized optimization ensures that the radiator receives sufficient air flow for effective cooling while the prime mover is positioned to provide structural support and proximity to the cooling function, maintaining thermal management efficiency despite the unconventional location
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional prime mover positioning is used, then structural stability is maintained, but material costs and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outboard positioning of the radiator panel allows consolidation of the cooling system with the prime mover structure, eliminating the need for separate cooling compartments and reducing overall material requirements. This integration maintains structural stability by using the prime mover housing as part of the cooling system mounting structure, thereby reducing material costs without compromising structural integrity
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 enhances the manoeuvrability and versatility of the working machine, enabling its use on sites with spatial restrictions, while also reducing material costs, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling arrangement configured to cool the prime mover, said cooling arrangement comprising a radiator panel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A working machine includes a front and rear defined by the principal direction of travel, and a cab side and a lifting arm side on either side of a longitudinal axis of the working machine. The working machine is provided with a ground engaging structure, an undercarriage supported on the ground engaging structure and a superstructure rotatably mounted to the undercarriage. A drive arrangement has a prime mover on the undercarriage that is operable to provide motive power to the ground engaging structure. An operator cab mounted to the superstructure in a position offset from the longitudinal axis of the working machine so as to be positioned proximate to the cab side, and a lifting arm extending generally fore-aft for performing work functions and pivotable about a first generally horizontal axis. The working machine includes a cooling arrangement configured to cool the prime mover, said cooling arrangement comprising a radiator panel, wherein the radiator panel is arranged outboard of the prime mover with respect to the longitudinal axis of the working machine.