Work Vehicle Oil Separator and Particulate Filter Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine fluid heating systems for work vehicles, such as those described in JP 2017-129113 A, face challenges in efficiently heating fluid passing through oil and blow-by-gas passages to prevent freezing, particularly during cold starts and engine warming, often requiring multiple heaters which can be inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle design incorporating a particulate filter and an oil separator, where the oil separator is positioned between the engine and the particulate filter, with a blow-by-gas discharge pipe and heater to warm blow-by-gas, reducing the need for multiple heaters by utilizing heat generated by the engine and particulate filter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple heaters are installed in oil and blow-by-gas passages to prevent freezing, then the reliability of fluid heating is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid heating reliabilityVSAvoidheater system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the oil separator and particulate filter into a single integrated assembly, where the oil separator is positioned between the engine and the particulate filter. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating systems for both components, as they can share a common heating approach using the engine's waste heat, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining heating reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the engine's own waste heat to warm the blow-by-gas and oil vapor in the integrated separator-filter assembly. By positioning the oil separator between the engine and particulate filter, the system automatically captures and reheats blow-by-gas that contains oil vapor, using the engine's thermal energy to prevent freezing without requiring additional external heaters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If multiple heaters are used to heat engine fluids during cold starts, then the temperature maintenance is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid temperatureVSAvoidheating energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of cold blow-by-gas that could cause freezing into a beneficial heating source. The blow-by-gas, which contains oil vapor and exits the engine, is captured and redirected through the oil separator positioned between the engine and particulate filter. The engine's waste heat naturally warms this gas, and the system uses this thermal energy to prevent freezing in the fuel tank and passages, transforming a cold harmful flow into a useful heating source without additional energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Volume of moving object

If the oil separator is positioned between the engine and particulate filter, then the space utilization is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine compartment spaceVSAvoidassembly manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested configuration where the oil separator is positioned within the space between the engine and the particulate filter, effectively nesting one component within the spatial envelope of another. The oil separator is connected to the engine via a blow-by-gas discharge pipe and is disposed to overlap with the particulate filter when viewed in the height direction, creating a compact nested arrangement that maximizes space utilization while maintaining straightforward manufacturing and assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effectively prevents moisture in blow-by-gas from freezing, reduces the number of heaters required, and maintains efficiency in heating engine fluids, enhancing operational reliability and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the blow-by-gas discharge pipe is provided with a heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

utilizing heat generated by the engine and particulate filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10907589B2Work vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A work vehicle includes an engine, a particulate filter, and an oil separator. The particulate filter is connected to the engine to collect particulate matters contained in exhaust gas from the engine. The particulate filter is provided to overlap with the engine when viewed in a height direction along a height of the work vehicle. The oil separator is connected to the engine via a blow-by-gas discharge pipe to catch a liquid component in blow-by-gas from the engine. The oil separator is provided between the engine and the particulate filter to overlap with the particulate filter when viewed in the height direction.