Reducing-Agent Tank Arrangement in Construction Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machines with SCR systems face challenges in providing easy access for reducing agent supply while maintaining sufficient space for tools, often resulting in reduced tool box capacity, increased part and cost complexity, and difficult maintenance due to vertical tank arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine design featuring a tool box with an obliquely opening accommodation space and a reducing-agent tank with a supply nozzle positioned within the tool box, allowing easy access and maintenance without requiring additional workspace, and eliminating the risk of tank damage from tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the reducing-agent tank is accommodated in the tool box, then the tool box can house both tools and the tank, but the tool box capacity is reduced and the tank body is likely to be damaged by tool impact
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation space is segmented into two separate locations: the tool box for tools and the engine room for the reducing-agent tank. This separation prevents tools from impacting the tank while ensuring both have adequate space.
Solution Approach 2:
The reducing-agent tank is extracted from the tool box and relocated to the engine room. This removes the harmful interaction between tools and the tank body, resolving the reliability issue while preserving full tool box capacity.
2Reliability
If both first and second accommodation cases are provided, then the reducing-agent tank can be accommodated separately, but the number of parts and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engine room serves multiple functions: it houses the engine and also accommodates the reducing-agent tank. This multi-functional use eliminates the need for a separate dedicated tank accommodation case, reducing part count while ensuring reliable tank placement.
3Volume of stationary object
If the entire construction machine is made large-sized, then accommodation space for both tool box and reducing-agent tank can be secured, but the machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reducing-agent tank is positioned vertically within the engine room, utilizing the vertical space above the engine. This three-dimensional arrangement provides adequate accommodation space without increasing the horizontal footprint of the machine.
4Volume of stationary object
If vertical arrangement of tanks is adopted, then accommodation space can be reduced, but maintenance operation becomes difficult due to operator inaccessibility
Solution Approach 1:
A pump chamber is introduced as an intermediary space between the engine room and the reducing-agent tank. This chamber provides a maintenance access point at a lower, more accessible location, allowing operators to service the tank without needing to reach high vertical positions.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a construction machine having a sufficient space for tool accommodation and allowing reducing agent to be supplied into a reducing-agent tank easily. The construction machine includes an engine, a reducing-agent tank (40) having a tank body (41) and a supply portion (42), and a tool box (30). The tool box (30) includes a box body (31) defining an accommodation space (S) having an opening (31a) which opens the accommodation space (S) outwards and allows a tool to be put into and taken from the accommodation space (S) through the opening, and an opening/closing cover (35) which opens and closes the opening (31a). The tank body (41) is disposed outside the box body (31). The supply portion (42) includes a basal end connected to the tank body (41) and a distal end opposite to the basal end. The distal end is located in the accommodation space (S) at a position making the distal end visible from the outside of the box body (31) through the opening (31a) which is opened.