Vertical Rear-Mounted Inverter Layout for Mobile Machine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of inverters in mobile machines, such as dozers, poses challenges due to heat generation and the need for external cooling, and there is a desire for uniformity and serviceability across different machine platforms, especially in machines with complex operating equipment arrangements like dozers with both front and rear operations.
Innovation Solution
The inverter is positioned vertically at the rear end of the mobile machine, close to the generator and electric motors, with electric cables connecting to both sides, facilitating easy maintenance and enhanced cooling through a cooling system with a coolant tank and flow lines, allowing for efficient coolant flow and easy access for service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the inverter is positioned at the rear end of the machine in a vertical orientation, then serviceability and maintenance ease are improved, but the machine platform uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter is positioned in a vertical orientation rather than horizontal, utilizing the vertical dimension at the rear end of the machine. This dimensional change allows service personnel to access the inverter from above or the sides, significantly improving serviceability while maintaining a consistent rear-end configuration across different machine platforms.
2Temperature
If the inverter is positioned at the rear end of the machine, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the distance to electric motors increases cable length
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the inverter vertically at the rear end, the design utilizes the vertical space to achieve proximity to both the cooling system (from above) and the electric motors (from the sides), effectively reducing cable lengths while maintaining optimal cooling efficiency.
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 reduces maintenance complexity, enhances cooling efficiency, and allows for shorter electric cables, improving current flow and reducing the need for complex transmissions, thereby extending the inverter's lifecycle and minimizing maintenance requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system with a coolant tank and flow lines, allowing for efficient coolant flow
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile machine includes front and rear ends, a frame, rotatably supported ground engaging mechanisms, and an electrical drive system. The electrical drive system includes a source of electrical energy, an inverter, at least one electric motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ground engaging mechanisms, a plurality of first electric cables electrically coupling the source of electrical energy to the inverter, and a plurality of second electric cables electrically coupling the inverter to the electric motor. The inverter is disposed in the mobile machine in a vertical orientation at the rear end of the machine.