Tractor Exhaust Control Casing for Heat and Moisture Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tractors face challenges in effectively reducing a large amount of toxic materials in exhaust gas from the engine, particularly due to the susceptibility of control units to heat and moisture in the engine room, which can impair their functionality.

Innovation Solution

The tractor incorporates an exhaust gas cleaning device with a control unit housed in a unit casing protected from heat and moisture, utilizing a rotary fan for cooling and a hood holding frame member as a holder, along with a casing lid design that prevents dust and water ingress, ensuring the control unit can effectively manage the cleaning process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the control unit is disposed in the engine room to control the exhaust gas cleaning device, then the control functionality is improved, but the control unit is exposed to heat and moisture from the engine which can impair its operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidheat and moisture exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is separated from the engine by being housed in a dedicated unit casing, creating a distinct controlled environment that isolates the control unit from harmful heat and moisture while maintaining its control functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unit casing acts as an intermediary barrier between the control unit and the engine environment, protecting the control unit from heat and moisture while allowing it to perform its control functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a dedicated holder for the unit casing is provided, then the control unit is securely mounted, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hood holding frame member is designed to serve dual purposes: both holding the engine hood and providing mounting support for the unit casing, thereby eliminating the need for a separate dedicated holder and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hood holding frame member is given multiple functions - it both supports the engine hood and serves as a mounting structure for the unit casing, making the design more efficient and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the casing lid is fixed and sealed, then the control unit is protected from dust and water, but maintenance access becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust and water protectionVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The casing lid is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be opened for maintenance access and closed for protection, providing dynamic adaptability between operational and maintenance states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures the control unit operates appropriately, effectively reducing toxic materials in exhaust gas by protecting it from engine heat and moisture, while also allowing for easy maintenance and reduced costs through shared components.

Implementation Method 1

a rotary fan disposed forward of the engine and configured to supply engine cooling air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

the unit casing helps prevent the control unit from being wetted or heated due to heat from the engine or in the engine room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4596851A1tractor
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4596851A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596851A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4596851A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tractor includes: an engine room (19) defined by an engine hood (20); an engine (5) in the engine room (19); an exhaust gas cleaning device (25) disposed in the engine room (19) and configured to clean exhaust gas from the engine (5); a control unit (31) disposed in the engine room (19) and configured for cleaning the exhaust gas; and a unit casing (32) containing the control unit (31).