Engine compartment side panel with toolless mounting

An engine compartment side panel is configured for toolless mounting and includes a main body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a bottom edge. The side panel further includes at least one tab disposed at a location along a length of the bottom edge of the main body. In addition, a handrail is coupled to an outer surface of the main body at a plurality of handrail mounting locations and at least one mounting arm is coupled to an inner surface of the main body at a respective one of an at least one mounting arm mounting locations. Each mounting arm is configured to be removably coupled to an engine compartment support frame. Further, each of the at least one mounting arm mounting location is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of handrail mounting locations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to agricultural product application equipment or agricultural machines such as self-propelled sprayers and, in particular, to an engine compartment side panel that may be removed and mounted without the use of tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High-clearance sprayers are getting larger and more complex to allow for increasing coverage in a single pass, which improves application efficiency. These high-clearance sprayers require high horsepower engines with numerous engine drive accessories and systems such as exhaust after-treatment systems that need to be mounted near the engine. Inspecting and servicing these accessories and systems can present challenges because of limited space inside of engine compartments.

Current design of the engine enclosure has numerous different panels and covers supported by an outer engine frame. Some of the panels and covers can be individually opened to allow access to different areas within the engine compartment. These include a pair of side covers or panels to allow access into the side portions of the engine compartment. Current side covers include a hydro cover that is hinged mounted and can pivot open at one side of the engine enclosure, with a panel secured by fasteners to the outer engine frame to cover the rest of that side of the engine compartment. At the outer side engine compartment, a panel is bolted through a vertically extending flange at an outer side of the panel to the outer engine frame. The numerous fasteners to secure the panels require time for initial assembly. During use by an operator, the numerous fasteners to secure the panels require time for removal and installation of the panel during inspection or servicing of components behind the panels.

Therefore, it is desired to provide a side panel for the engine compartment that is able to be removed and mounted without the use of numerous fasteners and tools, which would allow quicker and easier access to the components within the engine compartment for service and general maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an engine compartment side panel for an agricultural vehicle. The engine compartment side panel is able to be removed from and mounted to the engine compartment of the agricultural vehicle without the use of tools and, therefore, allowing easy access to the engine compartment of the agricultural vehicle for service and general maintenance.

According to one aspect of the invention, an engine compartment side panel includes a main body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a bottom edge. The side panel further includes at least one tab disposed at a location along a length of the bottom edge of the main body. In addition, a handrail is coupled to an outer surface of the main body at a plurality of handrail mounting locations and at least one mounting arm is coupled to an inner surface of the main body at a respective one of an at least one mounting arm mounting locations. Each mounting arm is configured to be removably coupled to an engine compartment support frame. Further, each of the at least one mounting arm mounting location is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of handrail mounting locations.

In a further aspect of the invention, each mounting arm includes a bracket and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes an inner element, an outer element, and a threaded protrusion configured to pass through a respective slot formed in the engine compartment support frame. An outer contour of the inner element is configured to interlock with an inner contour of the outer element when the inner element is disposed within the outer element. Further, a nut is configured to interfit with the threaded protrusion and removably couple the side panel to the engine compartment support frame.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing an engine compartment side panel includes providing a main body, coupling at least one tab adjacent a bottom edge of the main body, coupling a handrail to an outer surface of the main body at a plurality of outer surface mounting locations, and coupling at least one mounting arm to an inner surface of the main body at at least one inner surface mounting location. The at least one inner surface mounting location is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of outer surface mounting locations. Further, each mounting arm is configured to be removably coupled to an engine compartment support frame.

In a further aspect of the invention, coupling the at least one mounting arm to an inner surface of the main body includes coupling a bracket to the inner surface of the main body, and coupling a locking assembly to the bracket. The locking assembly has a threaded protrusion configured to pass through a respective slot formed in the engine compartment support frame.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, coupling a locking assembly to the bracket includes coupling an inner element to the bracket, and disposing the inner element within an outer element. The inner element has an outer contour configured to interlock with an inner contour of the outer element.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, an engine compartment includes a support frame disposed within the engine compartment and a side panel. The side panel includes a main body, at least one tab disposed adjacent a bottom edge of the main body, a handrail coupled to an outer surface of the main body and including a plurality of mounting portions disposed at a respective one of a plurality of outer surface mounting locations, and at least one mounting arm coupled to an inner surface of the main body at at least one inner surface mounting locations. Each mounting arm is configured to be removably coupled to the support frame. Additionally, the at least one inner surface mounting location aligns with a respective one of the plurality of outer surface mounting locations.

In a further aspect of the invention, the at least one mounting arm includes a bracket coupled to the inner surface of the main body, and a locking assembly coupled to the bracket.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, the locking assembly includes an outer element, an inner element secured within the outer element and coupled to the bracket, a threaded portion disposed within the outer element and extending outward to interfit with a respective slot formed in the support frame, a nut configured to interfit with the threaded protrusion and removably couple the side panel to the support frame. Further, the inner element both include contours configured to interlock with each other when the inner element is disposed within the outer element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and specifically toFIG. 1, aspects of the invention are shown for use with an agricultural machine, for example, but not limited to, an agricultural sprayer. The agricultural sprayer is shown here as a self-propelled agricultural sprayer vehicle or self-propelled sprayer10. Although the sprayer10is shown as a front-mounted boom self-propelled sprayer, it is understood that self-propelled versions of the sprayer10can have either front-mounted or rear-mounted booms, such as those available from CNH industrial, including the Miller Nitro and Condor Series sprayers, and New Holland Guardian Series sprayers.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the sprayer10includes a chassis12having a chassis frame14that supports various assemblies, systems, and components. These various assemblies, systems, and components can include an operator cab16, an engine18, an engine accessory system34, and a hydraulic system20. The hydraulic system20receives power from the engine18and includes at least one hydraulic pump which can be in a hydrostat arrangement for providing hydraulic pressure for operating hydraulic components within the hydraulic system20. For sprayers with hydrostatic drives, hydraulic motors are operably connected to the hydraulic pump(s) for rotating the wheels22. In mechanical drive applications, a mechanical transmission receives power from the engine18and delivers power for rotating the wheels22by way of power-transmitting driveline components such as drive shafts, differentials, and other gear sets in portal, drop boxes, or other housings. A spray system24can include storage containers such as a rinse tank26for storing water or a rinsing solution and a product tank28for storing a volume of product for delivery onto an agricultural field with the sprayer10. A product delivery pump can convey product from the product tank28through plumbing components such as interconnected pieces of tubing and through a boom tubing system for release out of spray nozzles that are spaced from each other along the width of boom30during spraying operations of the sprayer10. Groups or banks of multiple adjacent spray nozzles define multiple spray sections of the spray system. Spray sections are defined along the boom30and selectively deliver product for release onto an agricultural field at locations corresponding to positions of activated spray sections. The boom30is connected to the chassis12with the lift arm assembly32that is configured to move the boom30up and down for adjusting the height of application of the product.

The engine18and the engine accessory system34are housed within an engine compartment36. As shown inFIG. 1, the engine compartment36includes at least one side panel38. While the representative embodiment of the invention depicts the side panel38as disposed on specific side of the engine compartment36, alternative embodiments of the invention may include the side panel38on any side of the engine compartment36or any number of side panels38on any combination of sides of engine compartment36.

The sprayer10may also include a walkway40disposed on the chassis frame14along a side of the sprayer10. As shown inFIG. 1, a ladder42extends from rear end44of the walkway40located adjacent the engine compartment36. The ladder42provides a user with a means to climb onto the walkway40. In turn, the walkway40extends from the engine compartment36to the operator cab16.

FIG. 2illustrates an additional isometric view of the agricultural machine10and specifically focuses on the engine compartment36of the agricultural machine10. As shown, the engine compartment36includes a side panel38and a main hood46. The main hood46includes a side portion48, which in conjunction with the side panel38forms an entire side50of the engine compartment36. The side portion48includes a handle52that interacts with a latching mechanism (to be described in further detail below) to release the side panel38and allow for its removal by a user.

While the representative embodiment of the invention illustrates the handle52as being disposed on the side portion48of the main hood46of the engine compartment36, it is also contemplated that the handle52may be located at any other location on the engine compartment36, including, but not limited to, a location on the side panel38.

Next,FIGS. 3-5illustrate the side panel38, according to an embodiment of the invention. The side panel38includes a main body54having an outer surface56(shown inFIG. 4), and inner surface58(shown inFIG. 5), a bottom edge60, a top edge62, a first side edge64, and a second side edge66. At least one tab68is disposed at the bottom edge60of the main body54and extends downward therefrom. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the side panel38includes two (2) tabs68. However, alternative embodiments of the invention may use more or less than two (2) tabs68.

The bottom edge60extends between the bottom end70of the first side edge64and the bottom end72of the second side edge66. Meanwhile, the top edge62extends between the top end74of the first side edge64and the top end76of the second side edge66. As shown inFIG. 3, the first side edge64is longer than the second side edge66, resulting in the main body54of the side panel38having a non-rectangular shape. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the second side edge66may have any length less than, greater than, or equal to the length of the first side edge64. Further, the main body54and side panel38may be in the form of any shape and is not limited to the non-rectangular shape illustrated inFIG. 3-5.

The edges60,62,64,66of the side panel38are configured to extend perpendicular from the main body54in the direction of the inner surface58of the main body54. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the edges60,62,64,66of the side panel38may independently extend from the main body54at any angle.

The side panel38may also include a flange78extending from the top edge62and the second side edge66of the main body54. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the flange78is depicted as a continuous flange extending perpendicular from the top edge62and the second side edge66. In other embodiments of the invention, the flange78may include a single flange or a series of flanges spaced apart from each other and extending from at least one of the top edge62and the second side edge66at any angle.

The side panel38may also include a handrail80coupled to the outer surface56of the main body54of the side panel38. The handrail80is coupled to the outer surface56at a plurality of handrail mounting locations82. WhileFIGS. 3-5illustrate the use of three (3) handrail mounting locations82, other embodiments of the invention may use any number of handrail mounting locations82more or less than three (3). The handrail80provides a lift point and allows the user to lift and remove the side panel38from the engine compartment36. Additionally, the handrail80provides support for a user using the walkway40and the ladder42, as shown inFIG. 1.

In the representative embodiment of the invention, the main body54of the side panel38may also include a tank portion84and a wall portion86. The tank portion84is a raised area of the main body54that extends outward from the wall portion86and is configured to provide additional volume within the engine compartment36for an associated tank (not shown). The main body54may also include an aperture88formed in the tank portion84of the main body54. In other embodiments of the invention, the aperture88may be formed in the wall portion86of the main body54. The aperture88is configured to allow access to the associated tank (not shown) for activities such as, but not limited to, refilling the tank without having to remove the side panel38. WhileFIGS. 3-5depict the tank portion84being disposed at the lower half of the main body54, it is contemplated that the tank portion84may be located anywhere within the main body54of the side panel38.

As shown inFIG. 5, the tabs68may be coupled to the inner surface58of the main body54of the side panel38at at least one location along or adjacent the bottom edge60of the side panel38. While the representative embodiment of the invention depicts the use of two (2) tabs having two (2) protrusions90each, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the invention may include more or less than two (2) tabs68. Further, each tab68may include more or less than two (2) protrusions90extending beyond the bottom edge60of the side panel38. Further, the representative embodiment of the invention illustrates each tab68having a contoured section92configured to contour around the bottom edge60of the side panel38. In other embodiments of the invention, the bottom edge60of the side panel38may include at least one cutout (not shown) configured to allow a respective tab68to extend through the at least one cutout.

The side panel38includes at least one mounting arm94secured to the inner surface58of the main body54. The configuration of the mounting arm94will be described in further detail later, with respect toFIG. 9-11.

Now referring toFIGS. 6-7, the interfitting of the side panel38and the chassis frame14is shown. For example, the chassis frame14includes at least one slot96formed in a top surface98of the chassis frame14. Each slot96is configured to receive a respective tab68. As such, when the side panel38is mounted, the bottom edge60of the side panel38may be in contact with the top surface98of the chassis frame14. WhileFIG. 6depicts the use of two (2) slots96configured to receive two (2) tabs68, other embodiments of the inventions may use more of less than two (2) slots96configured to receive more or less than two (2) tabs68. In further alternative embodiments of the invention, a plurality of slots96may be formed in the top surface98of the chassis frame14and configured to each receive an individual protrusion90of the tabs68. As a result, it is contemplated that the number of slots96formed in the top surface98of the chassis frame14may correlate to the number of tabs68of the side panel38, the number of protrusions90of the tabs68of the side panel38, or any combination thereof.

Next,FIGS. 8-11depict the interfit between the side panel38and a support frame100within the engine compartment36. In particular,FIG. 8depicts an exploded isometric view of the side panel38and the support frame100. In the representative embodiment of the invention, each handrail mounting location82includes a recessed portion102configured to receive a mounting portion104of the handrail80. A mounting disk106is disposed between each mounting portion104and its respective recessed portion102. As such, the number of mounting portions104and mounting disks106correlates with the number of handrail mounting locations82on the outer surface56of the main body54. Further, each respective mounting portion82and mounting disk86are coupled together and to the main body54via a plurality of fasteners108.

WhileFIG. 9illustrates the use of three (3) fasteners108for each combination of mounting portions104and mounting disks106, any number of fasteners108may be used. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the mounting portions104and mounting disks106may be coupled together and to the recessed portion102of the mounting locations82of main body54by means other than fasteners108. Further, in the representative embodiment of the invention, the mounting portions104of the handrail80, the handrail mounting locations82, and the mounting disks106are each circular in shape. However, it is contemplated that they may be any shape in other embodiments of the invention.

It is further contemplated that in other embodiments of the invention the mounting locations82may not include recessed portions102. In other embodiments of the invention, the mounting portions104of the handrail80may be directly coupled to the mounting locations82of the main body54without mounting disks106disposed therebetween.

As previously mentioned and shown inFIGS. 5-7, the side panel38includes at least one mounting arm94. Each mounting arm94includes a bracket110and a locking assembly112. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the bracket110is in the form of an s-bracket having a number of portions114,116,118. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the bracket110may be in any shape and include any number of portions more or less than three (3). The first portion114of the mounting arm94is configured to be mounted to the inner surface58of the main body54of the side panel38at a respective mounting location120. The second portion116extends from an end122of the first portion114. WhileFIG. 8illustrates the second portion116extending perpendicular from the first portion114, it is contemplated that the second portion116may extend from the first portion114at any angle. The third portion118extends from the second portion1116at an end124opposite the first portion114. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the third portion118extends perpendicular from the second portion116, but in other embodiments of the invention, the third portion118may extend from the second portion116at any angle. The third portion118includes a slot126formed therein and configured to allow the locking assembly112to be coupled to the bracket110to form the mounting arm94. As a result of the configuration described above, the third portion118of the bracket110is spaced apart from the inner surface58of the main body54of the side panel.

The locking assembly112of the mounting arm94is mounted to the bracket110via a fastener128configured to interfit with the slot126of the bracket110. The locking assembly includes a spacer130and a threaded protrusion132extending outward from the spacer130. Additional elements of the locking assembly112will be described with respect toFIG. 11.

As further shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, an outer surface134of the engine compartment support frame100includes at least one slot136formed therethrough. Each slot136is configured to receive the threaded protrusion132of the locking assembly112of a respective mounting arm94. In turn, a respective nut138is configured to interfit with each threaded protrusion132in order to removably couple the side panel38to the engine compartment support frame100. The nut138is able to be removed from the threaded protrusion132quickly and by hand. As a result, no tool is needed to remove each nut138from each threaded protrusion132.

As shown inFIG. 8, each mounting location120on the inner surface58aligns with a respective mounting location82on the outer surface56. As shown in the representative embodiment of the invention, since the mounting arms94are aligned with a respective handrail mounting portion104, each set of fasteners108coupling a hand rail mounting portion104to the outer surface56of the main body54may also couple the aligned mounting arm94. In alternative embodiments of the invention, aligned mounting arms94and handrail mounting portions104may be coupled to the inner and outer surfaces58,56, respectively, via separate sets of fasteners.

While the representative embodiment of the invention illustrates the use of two (2) mounting arms and, as a result (2) mounting locations120in conjunction with three (3) mounting locations82, it is contemplated that the invention may include any number of mounting locations120equal to or less than the number of mounting locations82. As shown inFIG. 8, if the number of mounting locations120is less than the number of mounting locations82, a mounting disk140may or may not be coupled to the inner surface58of the main body54in alignment with the remaining mounting locations82. In addition, the mounting disk140may be coupled to the inner surface58of the main body54by the same set of fasteners108or a different set of fasteners.

Similar to the mounting portions104of the handrail80, a mounting disk140may or may not be disposed between the first portion114of the mounting arm94and the inner surface58of the side panel38.

FIGS. 9 and 10further illustrate each threaded protrusion132extending through its respective slot136in the engine compartment support frame100and interfitting with a nut138. As a result, the side panel38is removably coupled to the engine compartment support frame100.

Now referring toFIG. 11, a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly112of the mounting arm94is shown. The locking assembly112includes a spacer142disposed between the third portion118of the bracket110and the outer surface134of the engine compartment support frame100. The spacer142includes an inner element144coupled to an outer surface146of the third portion118of the bracket110by way of a fastener148. The inner element144is disposed within an outer element150. The outer element150includes an inner contour152configured to interlock with an outer contour154of the inner element144. As a result, when the inner element144is disposed within the outer element150, the inner element144is securely fastened within the outer element150.

The earlier discussed threaded portion132is disposed within the outer element150and extends out therefrom in a direction toward the support frame100.FIG. 11further depicts nut138interfitting with the threaded protrusion132in order to removably couple the side panel38to the support frame100. In some embodiments of the invention, a washer156may be disposed between the nut138and an inner surface158of the support frame100, while other embodiments of the invention may omit the washer156.