Swiveling Work Machine Control Valve Vertical Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backhoes face challenges in maintaining the control valve unit and minimizing heat influence on the fuel tank, as the control valve unit is not disposed on the same side as the fuel tank and battery, and the fuel tank is subjected to undesirable heat from the work oil tank.
Innovation Solution
A swiveling work machine design where the control valve unit is positioned upwardly of the fuel tank, with a gap between the work oil tank and fuel tank to reduce heat influence, and the battery is supported on a frame that allows for easy maintenance and shields the fuel tank from splashing during maintenance operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the control valve unit is disposed on the same lateral side as the fuel tank and battery, then space utilization is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve unit is repositioned from the lateral plane to the vertical dimension by placing it on the swivel deck above the fuel tank. This spatial reconfiguration allows the control valve unit to be accessible for maintenance while still being disposed on the same lateral side as the fuel tank and battery, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and maintenance accessibility.
2Volume of moving object
If the fuel tank is disposed directly forwardly of the work oil tank, then space utilization is improved, but the fuel tank is subjected to harmful heat influence
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is positioned between the fuel tank and the work oil tank, serving as a thermal barrier. This intermediary placement allows the fuel tank to be disposed forwardly of the work oil tank for optimal space utilization while the battery mitigates the harmful heat influence from the work oil tank on the fuel tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve unit is extracted from the conventional lateral disposal location and repositioned on the swivel deck above the fuel tank. This extraction allows the fuel tank to be disposed directly forwardly of the work oil tank for better space utilization, while the control valve unit maintains accessibility for maintenance through its new vertical position.
3Ease of repair
If the control valve unit is disposed upwardly of the fuel tank, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the accommodating space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve unit is positioned in the vertical dimension on the swivel deck above the fuel tank, utilizing the upward direction for maintenance accessibility. This vertical placement allows the unit to be easily accessible for maintenance operations while the gap between the fuel tank and work oil tank accommodates the battery, effectively managing the overall space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A swiveling work machine includes a swivel deck mounted to be pivotable about a vertical axis and a side cover for covering one lateral side on the swivel deck, an accommodating space capable of accommodating a work machine accessory being provided inside the lateral cover. The accommodating space accommodates, as the implement accessory, a work oil tank, a fuel tank and a control valve unit. The work oil tank is disposed at a fore-and-aft intermediate portion on one lateral side on the swivel deck. The fuel tank is disposed forwardly of the work oil tank with forming a gap relative thereto. The control valve unit is disposed upwardly of the fuel tank and longitudinally along the fore/aft direction.