Pivotable Heat Exchanger Mounting for Tractor Radiator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mounting system for cooler blocks in agricultural vehicles, particularly tractors, is cumbersome for cleaning due to restricted space and requires stays or gas struts to maintain separation, which hinder access and movement.
Innovation Solution
A cooler block design featuring upper and lower linkages that allow the cooler assembly to pivot and rise, with a movable pivot and detent mechanism to retain the assembly in a separated position without stays, utilizing anti-friction bearings for ease of movement and a catch to secure the position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cooler assembly is mounted with a fixed pivot on the radiator, then the mounting structure is simple, but the separation distance between the cooler assembly and radiator is insufficient for cleaning purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot point is made movable rather than fixed. The pivot can translate along an arcuate groove in the bracket, allowing the cooler assembly to achieve greater separation distance from the radiator while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure without additional stays or support mechanisms.
2Reliability
If stays or gas struts are used to maintain the cooler assembly in a separated position, then the separation position is stable, but these components interfere with movement and hinder access for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The stays and gas struts are completely removed from the system. Instead, the pivot's ability to move along the arcuate groove provides inherent stability in the separated position without requiring additional supporting components that would obstruct cleaning access.
3Ease of operation
If the cooler assembly is designed to pivot about a fixed spigot, then the mounting is straightforward, but the separation created is minimal and does not facilitate cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot point is made movable rather than fixed. The pivot can translate along an arcuate groove in the bracket, allowing the cooler assembly to achieve greater separation distance from the radiator while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure without additional stays or support mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler block for an agricultural tractor comprising a cooler assembly mounted on a radiator and coupled to the radiator by upper and lower linkages. The cooler assembly can be moved between a first position in which the cooler assembly lies parallel to the radiator and a second position in which the cooler assembly is inclined relative to the radiator. The cooler assembly is pivotable about a pivot in the upper linkage that is itself movable relative to the radiator. The lower linkage allows the entire cooler assembly to rise and the pivot of the upper linkage to move away from the radiator as the cooler assembly is pivoted from the first to the second position. A detent is incorporated into one of the two linkages to retain the cooler assembly in the second position.