Tractor Fuel and Reductant Tank Layout for Compact SCR Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tractors, the arrangement of fuel tanks and reductant tanks for exhaust gas purification systems limits the capacity of fuel tanks due to space constraints, requiring sacrifices in vehicle length or operation unit size.
Innovation Solution
The reductant tank is accommodated in a recess at the lower-front portion of one fuel tank, allowing it to be aligned up and down with the fuel tank, and supported by an auxiliary frame, enabling compact arrangement without lengthening the tractor or reducing the operation unit's size, with a recessed front surface to avoid interference with wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the reductant tank is arranged in front of the left fuel tank (prior art configuration), then the SCR denitration device can be mounted, but the fuel tank capacity is limited due to the longitudinal length constraint of the tractor
Solution Approach 1:
The reductant tank is relocated from a longitudinal arrangement (in front of the fuel tank) to a vertical arrangement (below the fuel tank). This dimensional change allows the reductant tank to occupy unused vertical space within the fuel tank's footprint, thereby increasing fuel tank capacity without extending the tractor's longitudinal length.
Solution Approach 2:
The reductant tank is positioned within the spatial envelope defined by the fuel tank's horizontal footprint, effectively nesting the reductant tank storage function within the existing fuel tank mounting area. This allows both tanks to coexist in a compact configuration that maximizes space utilization.
2Quantity of substance
If the reductant tank is arranged in front of the left fuel tank (prior art configuration), then the SCR denitration device can be mounted, but the operation unit size may have to be sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from a longitudinal arrangement to a vertical arrangement, the reductant tank is positioned below the fuel tank rather than in front of it. This preserves the longitudinal space that would otherwise be available for the operation unit, allowing both adequate fuel capacity and sufficient operation unit size.
3Ease of manufacture
If the reductant tank is positioned without a recessed front surface, then the tank structure is simpler, but the front wheel may interfere with the tank during operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire tank structure complex, only the front surface of the reductant tank is recessed. This localized modification creates sufficient clearance between the tank and the front wheel while maintaining the simplicity of the overall tank structure and minimizing manufacturing complexity.
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 allows for increased fuel tank capacity without extending the tractor's length or compromising the operation unit's size, enabling efficient exhaust gas purification while maintaining compactness and operational accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
a case having therein a selectively reducing catalyst (hereinafter, SCR case), as a post-processing device... To remove nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas through a selective catalytic reduction (SCR)
Implementation Method 2
a case having therein a diesel particulate filter (hereinafter, DPF case), as a post-processing device... to purify exhaust gas discharged from a diesel engine
Data Source
AI summary
A tractor comprising a traveling body having an engine; front wheels and rear wheels that support the traveling body; front fenders that cover the front wheels; steps for getting on and off an operation unit on the traveling body; a fuel tanks for supplying fuel to the engine; a post-processing device configured to purify exhaust gas of the engine; and a reducing agent tank that stores a reducing agent to be supplied to the post-processing device, wherein the reducing agent tank is accommodated in a tank recess of the fuel tank, wherein at least a portion of the reducing agent tank and the fuel tank are placed between the front fender and the steps, and wherein the fuel tank extends rearward from between the front fender and the step through the inward of the reducing agent tank in in the width direction of the machine body.