Tractor Engine Compartment Layout for Battery Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tractor designs position the reducing-agent tank above the battery, making maintenance work on the battery cumbersome due to the need to remove the reducing-agent tank, which increases the vehicle-body front-back-direction length of the engine compartment.

Innovation Solution

The reducing-agent tank and battery are positioned side by side on the vehicle-body front side of the radiator in the engine compartment, with the reducing-agent pump also placed in a side-by-side configuration, allowing for shorter space requirements and facilitating maintenance work while maintaining the reducing-agent tank and pump's functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the reducing-agent tank is positioned above the battery, then the engine compartment length is extended, but maintenance work on the battery becomes cumbersome requiring removal of the reducing-agent tank

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidengine compartment length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (front-back direction) to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement. The reducing-agent tank and battery are positioned adjacent to each other in the width direction, allowing maintenance access to the battery without removing the tank, while keeping the front-back length compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the reducing-agent tank and battery are positioned side by side, then maintenance work is facilitated and engine compartment length is shortened, but space arrangement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidspace arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the engine compartment into distinct zones: the radiator zone, the battery zone, and the reducing-agent tank zone. By segmenting the space and assigning specific functions to each zone, the side-by-side arrangement is achieved without creating overall system complexity, as each component has a dedicated location with clear access paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplifies maintenance work on both the battery and the reducing-agent tank and pump, reducing the engine compartment's length and ensuring efficient space utilization without compromising the capacity or stability of the reducing-agent tank.

Implementation Method 1

a radiator that is provided on a vehicle-body front side of an engine in an engine compartment and cools the engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the radiator serves as a heat-insulating wall positioned between the engine and the reducing-agent tank, the radiator suppresses heat transfer from the engine to the reducing-agent tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4361411A1tractor
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4361411A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4361411A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4361411A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To facilitate maintenance work on a battery while shortening a vehicle-body front-back-direction length of an engine compartment in a tractor providing a reducing-agent tank, together with the battery, on a vehicle-body front side of a radiator in the engine compartment. [Resolution Means] A reducing-agent tank 21 is provided in a side-by-side state with a battery 23 on a vehicle-body front side of a radiator in an engine compartment 15.