Working Machine Cooling Layout with Shared Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The arrangement of multiple heat exchangers in working machines limits the layout flexibility and increases the occupancy of cooling systems, necessitating larger heat exchangers and cooling fans, which complicates the design and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A working machine with a first cooling system that exchanges heat between hydraulic fluid and a first cooling medium, a second cooling system that exchanges heat between the first and second cooling media, and a third cooling system that exchanges heat between the first cooling medium and outside air, using compact plate-shaped heat exchangers and a cooling fan to optimize space and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple gas-liquid heat exchangers are provided to cool hydraulic fluid and electric devices, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but arrangement flexibility is limited and occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchangers (first heat exchanger for hydraulic fluid, second heat exchanger for electric device cooling medium, and third heat exchanger for first cooling medium) into an integrated cooling system where they share common piping and spatial arrangement. This merging approach maintains the cooling effectiveness of each individual heat exchanger while improving overall arrangement flexibility and reducing total occupancy compared to separate independent heat exchanger units.
Solution Approach 2:
The first cooling medium serves multiple functions: it is cooled by the third heat exchanger and then used to cool both the hydraulic fluid (via first heat exchanger) and the electric device cooling medium (via second heat exchanger). This multi-functional use of the first cooling medium allows a single cooling system to handle multiple cooling requirements, improving arrangement flexibility while maintaining effective cooling for all components.
2Productivity
If heat exchanger size is increased to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the heat exchangers in a nested or closely integrated configuration where the first heat exchanger, second heat exchanger, and third heat exchanger are positioned to share space and piping infrastructure. This nesting approach allows each heat exchanger to maintain sufficient size for effective heat exchange while the overall system occupancy is reduced through shared boundaries and common cooling medium pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic fluid and liquid cooling media circulated through the heat exchangers to transfer heat efficiently. The use of liquid-based heat transfer systems allows for compact heat exchanger designs compared to air-based systems, as liquids have higher heat capacity and thermal conductivity, enabling effective heat exchange in smaller volumes and reducing overall occupancy.
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
The solution enhances the flexibility and compactness of cooling system arrangements, reducing the size and space requirements of heat exchangers while maintaining effective heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger to exchange heat between the hydraulic fluid and the first cooling medium to cool the hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger to exchange heat between the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium to cool the second cooling medium
Implementation Method 3
a third heat exchanger to exchange heat between the first cooling medium and outside air to cool the first cooling medium
Data Source
AI summary
A working machine includes a working device, a hydraulic system including an actuator, and a hydraulic pump to supply a hydraulic fluid to the actuator, an electric device, a power generator to generate electric power to be directly or indirectly supplied to the electric device, a first cooling system to cool the electric device with a first cooling medium, and a second cooling system to cool the power generator with a second cooling medium. The first cooling system includes a first heat exchanger to cool the hydraulic fluid through heat exchange with the first cooling medium, a second heat exchanger to cool the second cooling medium through heat exchange with the first cooling medium, and a third heat exchanger to cool the first cooling medium through heat exchange with outside air to a temperature lower than temperatures before the heat exchange of the hydraulic fluid and the second cooling medium.