Work Machine Hood Layout for Electrical Device Heat Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The durability of electrical devices, such as auto-idle motors, is compromised when placed on a swivel base plate due to heat generation, and the installation of controllers within the hood can impair the cooling performance of coolers in existing working machines.

Innovation Solution

Positioning electrical devices near the outside air intake port within the hood, with a portion of their projected area higher than the intake port, and locating controllers below manipulators to ensure adequate cooling without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the electrical device is placed on the swivel base plate, then the installation space is utilized, but the temperature increases and durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of electrical deviceVSAvoiddurability of electrical device

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical device is extracted from the hot environment on the swivel base plate and relocated to a cooler position inside the hood near the outside air intake port, where it is covered by the hood structure for thermal protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hood acts as an intermediary structure that provides thermal isolation between the electrical device and the external hot environment, while the outside air intake port provides cooling air flow to the electrical device location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the controller is arranged inside the hood, then the installation space is optimized, but the cooling performance of coolers may be impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation of controllerVSAvoidcooling performance of cooler

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is placed in a specific location inside the hood near the outside air intake port where cooling air flow is available, ensuring that this local area has good cooling properties while other areas can be configured for their specific functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is positioned in the vertical dimension near the outside air intake port, utilizing the three-dimensional space inside the hood effectively, while maintaining horizontal clearance from the coolers to preserve their cooling performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances the durability of electrical devices and maintains cooler cooling performance by optimizing their placement within the hood structure.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling fan to generate the cooling air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4644617A1Work machine

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KUBOTA CORP

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AI summary

To enhance the durability of an electrical device (227) provided in a working machine (1). A working machine (1) includes a machine body (2), a hood (14) to cover a prime mover (91) provided in the machine body (2), and an electrical device (227) provided inside the hood (14). The hood (14) includes an outside air intake port (89) to allow cooling air (F1) for cooling the prime mover (91) to pass into the hood. The electrical device (227) is located in the vicinity of the outside air intake port (89) such that the electrical device is covered with the hood (14).