Tractor Console Vent Layout for Electrical Device Heat Release

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional working vehicles face issues with temperature rise in consoles due to heat generation by electrical devices, leading to potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

The console is divided into first and second parts with an air flow port between them, featuring a cover to prevent water and dust entry, and aligned with a blow-out port for conditioned air to release heat effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the console is designed as a single housing to protect electrical devices, then protection is improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electrical devicesVSAvoidinternal temperature of console

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The console is divided into a first console and a second console that are adjacent to each other. The air flow port is formed between these two separated console portions, allowing air to pass through while maintaining protected housing for the electrical device. This segmentation enables both protection and heat dissipation functions to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If the console is divided into multiple parts to enable heat release, then heat dissipation is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat release capabilityVSAvoidconsole structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The console is divided into a first console and a second console that are adjacent to each other. The air flow port is formed between these two separated console portions, allowing air to pass through while maintaining protected housing for the electrical device. This segmentation enables both protection and heat dissipation functions to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the air flow port is positioned at the lower part of the console, then water intrusion is reduced, but heat release efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater intrusion preventionVSAvoidheat release efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow port is positioned at the lower part of the console where water would naturally intrude. By placing the port at this location, the design converts the potential harm of water intrusion into a benefit: air flow for heat dissipation occurs at the lower level where water would naturally accumulate, preventing water from reaching the electrical device while maintaining effective heat release.

Inventive Principle:

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

4Reliability

If the console is covered to prevent water and dust entry, then protection is improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from water and dustVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The console is divided into a first console and a second console that are adjacent to each other. The air flow port is formed between these two separated console portions, allowing air to pass through while maintaining protected housing for the electrical device. This segmentation enables both protection and heat dissipation functions to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover portions are designed to cover specific areas of the console while leaving the air flow port exposed. This local differentiation allows the majority of the console to be protected from water and dust, while the specific region of the air flow port remains open for heat dissipation purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 prevents malfunctions by effectively releasing heat and protecting electrical devices within the console while maintaining design aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

heat in the console can be released through the air flow port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 2

it is possible to prevent water, dust, and the like from entering the console from the air flow port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20260001597A1Working vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A tractor includes an automatic driving device in a cabin, and a left console that houses the automatic driving device and includes an air flow port through which air can flow. In addition, the left console includes a lower console and an upper console adjacent to the lower console and defining the air flow port between the upper console and the lower console.