Vertical Sliding Condenser Unit for Truck Cabin Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased cabin height of newer vehicles interferes with the condenser unit of transport refrigeration systems, limiting the rotation of the cabin and access for engine maintenance due to insufficient clearance.
Innovation Solution
A slide mechanism is implemented to move the condenser unit between an operating position and a clearance position, allowing it to be repositioned vertically within support brackets, ensuring sufficient clearance for cabin rotation during maintenance by using slide members and a mechanical or actuator device to adjust the condenser unit's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the condenser unit is positioned at a fixed location above the cabin, then the refrigeration system structure is simple, but the cabin rotation is blocked when the condenser unit intersects with the rotation path
Solution Approach 1:
The slide mechanism converts the static condenser unit into a dynamically adjustable component. The mechanism includes a slide member with engagement features that can lock at different positions, allowing the condenser unit to be easily repositioned between operational modes without complex structural changes to the refrigeration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide mechanism acts as an intermediary device between the condenser unit and the vehicle structure. It provides the necessary movement capability while maintaining secure mounting, serving as a mediator that enables both fixed positioning for operation and movable positioning for maintenance access.
2Ease of operation
If the condenser unit is made movable to clear the cabin rotation path, then access for engine maintenance is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide mechanism provides a relatively simple dynamic solution using a slide member with engagement features that can move along a guide path. The mechanism is designed to be straightforward in construction, allowing the condenser unit to be repositioned without introducing excessive complexity into the overall system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A truck (10) is provided including an engine (12), a cabin, and a conditioned spaced (14) defined by a plurality of adjacent wall members including a front wall member (16). A transport refrigeration unit is configured to control a temperature within the conditioned space include an evaporator unit (20) and a condenser unit (22). The evaporator unit (20) is mounted within the conditioned space (14). The condenser unit (22) is operably coupled to the evaporator unit (20) and is mounted to an exterior surface (24) of the front wall member (16). The condenser unit (22) is configured to move slidably between an operating position and a clearance position.