HVAC on frame of work machine
A compact work machine, such as a compact track loader and/or a compact utility loader, which can carry and operate a wide range of attachments while maintaining a reduced operating footprint.
1 . A loader comprising:
a loader frame that presents a frame compartment and defines a longitudinal loader axis;
an HVAC unit operably supported by the loader frame and located at least partly within the frame compartment; and
an operator cab shiftably connected relative to the loader frame and shiftable into and out of an operating position, in which the operator cab is configured to receive an operator during loader use,
said operator cab including a supply duct operable to receive supply air discharged from the HVAC unit and direct the supply air into the operator cab,
said HVAC unit and said supply duct being in fluid communication with one another via an interface when the operator cab is in the operating position to provide fluid communication between the HVAC unit and the operator cab.
2 . The loader as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a supply plenum operable to discharge supply air from the HVAC unit,
said supply plenum and said supply duct being fluidly engaged in the operating position and being fluidly disengaged when the operator cab is shifted out of the operating position.
3 . The loader as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising:
a manifold attached to a back side of the cab;
said supply plenum and said manifold being in abutting engagement with one another in the operating position to facilitate fluid communication between the supply plenum and the supply duct.
4 . The loader as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a return plenum operable to receive return air from the operator cab,
said operator cab including a return duct operable to receive air from the operator cab and direct return air toward the return plenum.
5 . The loader as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:
a manifold attached to a back side of the cab;
said return plenum and said manifold being in abutting engagement with one another in the operating position to facilitate fluid communication between the return plenum and the return structure.
6 . The loader as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
a supply plenum operable to discharge supply air from the HVAC unit,
said manifold presenting supply air and return air passages that fluidly communicate with the supply plenum and return plenum, respectively.
7 . The loader as claimed in claim 6 ,
said supply plenum and said manifold being in abutting engagement with one another in the operating position to facilitate fluid communication between the supply plenum and the supply duct.
8 . The loader as claimed in claim 1 ,
said operator cab at least partly overlying and positioned adjacent to the frame compartment in the operating position.
9 . The loader as claimed in claim 8 ,
said operator cab being shiftable into and out of an access position in which at least part of the operator cab is shifted away from the loader frame to expose the frame compartment, with the supply plenum and the supply duct being fluidly disengaged from each other along the interface when the operator cab is in the access position.
10 . The loader as claimed in claim 1 ,
said operator cab being swingably attached relative to the loader frame at a cab pivot joint and configured to swing into and out of the operating position.
11 . The loader as claimed in claim 10 ,
said cab pivot joint defining a horizontal pivot axis permitting the operator cab to swing vertically when moving into and out of the operating position.
12 . The loader as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
a supply plenum operable to discharge supply air from the HVAC unit,
said supply plenum and said supply duct being fluidly engaged relative to one another in the operating position and being fluidly disengaged when the operator cab is shifted out of the operating position.
13 . The loader as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising:
a manifold attached to a back side of the cab;
said supply plenum and said manifold being in abutting engagement with one another in the operating position to facilitate fluid communication between the supply plenum and the supply duct.
14 . The loader as claimed in claim 10 ,
said operator cab at least partly overlying and positioned adjacent to the frame compartment in the operating position.
15 . The loader as claimed in claim 14 ,
said operator cab being swingable into and out of an access position in which at least part of the operator cab is shifted away from the loader frame to expose the frame compartment, with the supply plenum and the supply duct being fluidly disengaged from each other along the interface when the operator cab is in the access position.
16 . The loader as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
a return plenum operable to receive return air from the operator cab.
17 . The loader as claimed in claim 16 ,
said operator cab including a return structure operable to receive air from the operator cab and direct return air toward the return plenum.
18 . The loader as claimed in claim 17 ,
said return plenum and said operator cab being in abutting engagement with one another in the operating position to facilitate fluid communication between the return plenum and the return structure.
19 . The loader as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising:
a supply plenum operable to discharge supply air from the HVAC unit,
said operator cab including a manifold that presents supply air and return air passages that fluidly communicate with the supply plenum and return plenum, respectively.
20 . The loader as claimed in claim 19 ,
said supply air and return air passages fluidly communicating with the cab interior via the supply duct and return structure, respectively,
said supply plenum and said supply duct being fluidly engaged relative to one another along the interface when the operator cab is in the operating position to provide fluid communication between the HVAC system and the operator cab.