Reducing Agent Pump Air Ducting in Working Machine Layouts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reducing agent pump in large working machines is not sufficiently cooled by simply taking in outside air through the access opening section, leading to potential overheating and deterioration of the liquid reducing agent.

Innovation Solution

A machine body design that incorporates a duct section formed by communicating the access opening section with the cooling package, allowing outside air to be guided through the reducing agent pump and into the cooling package, enhancing cooling efficiency by using the existing ventilation system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the reducing agent pump is disposed midway between the reducing agent tank and the exhaust gas cleaning apparatus to accommodate long layout distances, then the pump can be positioned for maintenance access, but the pump is not sufficiently cooled by simply taking in outside air through the access opening section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidpump cooling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the maintenance access function with the cooling function by integrating the air intake opening into the bottom guard structure. The same opening that allows access to the air cleaner for maintenance also serves as the air intake path for cooling the reducing agent pump, combining two functions into one structural element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a duct as an intermediary component that guides the outside air from the access opening section directly to the reducing agent pump. This duct acts as a mediator that channels the cooling air flow efficiently from the intake opening to the pump, ensuring sufficient cooling while maintaining the maintenance access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If outside air is taken through the access opening section for cooling, then maintenance access is enabled, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess opening utilizationVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The duct serves as an intermediary that improves cooling efficiency by directing the outside air flow precisely to the reducing agent pump. It enhances the productivity of the access opening by ensuring that the air intake effectively cools the pump, transforming the insufficient cooling into adequate cooling through proper air flow guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the air flow parameters by introducing a duct that directs and concentrates the cooling air flow onto the reducing agent pump. This modifies the velocity, direction, and distribution of the air flow to achieve sufficient cooling effect, transforming the inadequate natural convection into effective forced cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design efficiently cools the reducing agent pump, maintaining the quality of the liquid reducing agent and allowing for increased layout flexibility of the exhaust gas cleaning system components, while preventing overheating and maintaining the reducing agent's quality.

Implementation Method 1

a duct section that guides the outside air to the cooling package

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

allowing outside air to be guided through the reducing agent pump and into the cooling package, enhancing cooling efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4115062B1Working machine
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 CATERPILLAR SARL
  • EP4115062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115062B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4115062B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machine body (11) comprises a slewing frame (16) having a bottom plate (16b). The machine body (11) comprises an engine. The machine body (11) comprises an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus that executes reduction treatment on a predetermined oxide in an exhaust gas of the engine by injecting a liquid reducing agent. The machine body (11) comprises a reducing agent tank that stores a liquid reducing agent. The machine body (11) comprises a reducing agent pump (37) that feeds the liquid reducing agent stored in the reducing agent tank to the exhaust gas cleaning apparatus. The machine body (11) comprises a cooling fan (33). The machine body (11) is disposed on the bottom plate (16b) of the slewing frame (16) and comprises an opening section (46) that takes in outside air that cools the reducing agent pump (37) by driving the cooling fan (33). The machine body (11) comprises a duct section (48) that leads the outside air taken from the opening section (46) to the cooling fan (33)