Remote Forestry Machine Hood Storage Using Drive Waste Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote-controlled forestry machines lack provisions for maintaining operator comfort by keeping food and drinks warm and clothing dry in varying weather conditions, despite their compact design and absence of a driver's workstation.

Innovation Solution

Integrating storage compartments within the hood-like housing that are heated by the waste heat of the drive unit's components, such as the exhaust system and hydraulic pumps, to maintain warmth for food, drinks, and clothing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If storage compartments are added to the work machine for keeping food and drinks warm and clothing dry, then working comfort is improved, but the machine's external dimensions would increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking comfortVSAvoidexternal dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The storage compartments are nested within the existing hood-like housing structure, utilizing the internal space already allocated for the drive unit. This allows the storage compartments to be integrated without increasing the external dimensions of the machine, as they are contained within the existing structural envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hood-like housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the drive unit components and simultaneously houses the storage compartments for food, drinks, and clothing. This multi-functionality allows the same structural space to provide both mechanical containment and operator comfort amenities without requiring additional external volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If storage compartments are integrated within the hood-like housing, then the machine remains compact, but additional heating mechanisms would increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompact designVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage compartments utilize waste heat from the drive unit components (exhaust system, hydraulic pumps, internal combustion engine) for heating. The system is self-service in that it automatically captures and redirects thermal energy that would otherwise be dissipated, eliminating the need for separate heating mechanisms or additional energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The waste heat from the drive unit components, which is normally a harmful byproduct contributing to thermal management challenges, is converted into a beneficial resource for heating the storage compartments. This transforms the thermal waste into a useful function, providing warmth for food, drinks, and clothing without requiring additional energy input or complex heating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of energy

If waste heat from drive unit components is used for heating storage compartments, then energy efficiency is improved, but thermal management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidthermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waste heat from drive unit components is converted into a beneficial resource for heating storage compartments, transforming thermal waste into useful warmth for food, drinks, and clothing without requiring additional energy input or complex heating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Provides enhanced working comfort by keeping food and drinks hot and clothing warm without increasing the machine's external dimensions, using waste heat from the drive unit components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one storage compartment which can be heated by the waste heat of the drive unit is arranged within the hood-like housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaste heat: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a first storage compartment which can be heated by the waste heat of at least one hot component of the drive unit is arranged within the hood-like housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4182177B1Mobile working machine, in particular forestry machine

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SUFFEL FORDERTECHN

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AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile working machine (1), in particular a forestry machine, having a chassis (2) and a drive assembly (M) that has an internal combustion engine (15) and at least one hydraulic pump (16; 17), which is driven by the internal combustion engine (15) and supplies a pressurized medium to a hydraulic system. The internal combustion engine (15) together with the hydraulic pump (16; 17) is arranged in a motor compartment (20) formed within a hood-type housing (4). The working machine (1) does not have a driver work area for an operator and is designed as a working machine (1) which is remotely controlled using a wireless remote control. At least one storage compartment (50; 51) which can be heated by the exhaust heat of the drive assembly (M) is arranged within the hood-type housing (4).