Work Vehicle Cooling Device Lateral Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling devices in work vehicles, such as bulldozers, are prone to performance reduction due to the entry of earth and sand during operation, which affects their cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The cooling device is positioned rearward and on one side of the driving source in the vehicle body, with a cover system allowing maintenance access while preventing earth and sand from entering, and the fuel tank is placed to support the vehicle body frame for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cooling device is disposed at the front end of the vehicle body, then the cooling device can be easily accessed for maintenance, but earth and sand may enter the cooling device during work and reduce its performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is repositioned from the front end to the lateral side of the vehicle body, changing its spatial dimension. This lateral positioning removes it from the direct path of earth and sand during work, while inspection ports maintain accessibility for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
An inspection port is introduced as an intermediary element between the work area and the cooling device. This allows maintenance personnel to access the cooling device through the lateral surface of the vehicle body without requiring direct front access, thus preventing earth and sand ingress while maintaining ease of maintenance.
2Length of moving object
If the cooling device is disposed at the front end of the vehicle body, then the overall vehicle length can be reduced, but the cooling device performance is reduced due to earth and sand entry
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is repositioned to the lateral side of the vehicle body, utilizing the width dimension rather than extending the length. This maintains a compact vehicle length while protecting the cooling device from earth and sand ingress that occurs during work operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cooling device is positioned laterally and rearward, then earth and sand ingress is prevented, but maintenance accessibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
An inspection port is introduced as an intermediary access point on the lateral surface of the vehicle body. This allows maintenance personnel to reach the cooling device from the side without requiring direct access to the work area, thus maintaining ease of maintenance while preventing earth and sand ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle body is segmented with an inspection port that provides independent access to the cooling device. This segmentation allows the cooling device to be positioned in a protected lateral location while still being accessible for maintenance through the dedicated inspection port opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, a travel device, a driving source, and a cooling device. The travel device is provided below the vehicle body. The driving source is disposed in a front part of the vehicle body. The driving source generates driving power for the travel device. The cooling device is disposed on one side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body and rearward of the driving source.