Work machine

Abstract

To provide a novel technology for notifying a user of a fact that a storage unit is full with a target object.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a work machine that collects a target object. The work machine includes: a collection passage in which the target object passes; a storage unit that is connected to the collection passage and stores the target object; a light emission unit arranged in the collection passage; and a light guide unit that has one end arranged in the collection passage and the other end exposed to the outside of the work machine, and guides light emitted by the light emission unit from one end to the other end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a work machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a work machine for collecting objects. This work machine includes a collection passage through which the objects pass, and a storage unit that is connected to the collection passage and stores the objects. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-000127 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a work machine that collects objects, it is not desirable to continue working when the storage unit is full of objects, and therefore it is desirable to notify a user that the storage unit is full of objects.

[0005] Provided herein is a novel technique for notifying a user when a container is full of objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A work machine disclosed in the present specification collects objects. The work machine may include a collection passage through which the objects pass, a storage unit connected to the collection passage and storing the objects, a light emitting unit disposed in the collection passage, and a light guiding unit having one end disposed in the collection passage and the other end exposed to the outside of the work machine, the light guiding unit guiding light irradiated from the light emitting unit from the one end to the other end.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the object that has passed through the collection passage reaches the storage section. If the storage section is not full of the object, the object reaches the storage section, and the object does not accumulate in the collection passage. Therefore, the light irradiated from the light emitting section reaches one end of the light guiding section. The light that has reached one end of the light guiding section is guided to the other end of the light guiding section. The user can know that the storage section is not full of the object by looking at the light at the other end of the light guiding section. On the other hand, if the storage section is full of the object, the object accumulates in the collection passage. As the object accumulates in the collection passage, the light irradiated from the light emitting section does not reach one end of the light guiding section. In this case, the light does not reach the other end of the light guiding section. The user can know that the storage section is full of the object when the light does not reach the other end of the light guiding section. Therefore, the user can be informed that the storage section is full of the collected object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the lawnmower 2 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lawnmower 2 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the left, lower, front. [Diagram 3] 2 is a right cross-sectional view of the lawnmower 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a rear cross-sectional view of the lawnmower 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of a portion relating to a grass collection passage 28 of the lawnmower 2 according to the embodiment, as viewed from the upper left rear. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a state in which the grass collection unit 8 of the lawnmower 2 according to the embodiment is filled with grass. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Representative and non-limiting examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is intended simply to provide those skilled in the art with details for implementing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately or together with other features and inventions to provide further improved working machines.

[0010] In addition, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for implementing the present invention in the broadest sense, but are specifically described only to illustrate representative embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the various features of the following representative embodiments and the various features described in the claims do not have to be combined in the exact manner of the embodiments described herein or in the order listed in order to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] All features described in the specification and / or claims are intended to be disclosed individually and independently of one another as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims, apart from the configuration of features described in the examples and / or claims. Furthermore, all numerical ranges and group or aggregate descriptions are intended to disclose intermediate configurations thereof as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, a work machine collects objects. The work machine may include a collection passage through which the objects pass, a storage unit connected to the collection passage and storing the objects, a light emitting unit disposed in the collection passage, and a light guiding unit having one end disposed in the collection passage and the other end exposed to the outside of the work machine, the light guiding unit guiding light irradiated from the light emitting unit from the one end to the other end.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, at least one of the light emitting portion and the one end of the light guiding portion may be disposed proximate a downstream end of the collection passage.

[0014] When the storage unit is full of objects, the objects accumulate from the downstream end of the collection passage. In the above configuration, the light from the light emitting unit stops reaching the one end of the light guiding unit sooner after the storage unit is full of objects than in a configuration in which at least one of the light emitting unit and one end of the light guiding unit is disposed at a position relatively far from the downstream end of the collection passage. Therefore, the user can be informed early that the storage unit is full of objects.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the light emitter may be flush with a first surface of the collection passage in which the light emitter is disposed.

[0016] Assume a configuration in which the objects are sent to the storage section by air flowing from the collection passage toward the storage section. In such a configuration, if the light-emitting unit protrudes from the first surface of the collection passage into the inside of the collection passage, the light-emitting unit obstructs the flow of air through the collection passage. In this case, the ability of the working machine to collect the objects may decrease. According to the above configuration, since the light-emitting unit is flush with the first surface of the collection passage, the light-emitting unit does not obstruct the flow of air through the collection passage. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the ability of the working machine to collect the objects.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the one end of the light guide may be flush with a second surface of the collection passage in which the one end of the light guide is disposed.

[0018] Assume a configuration in which the object is sent to the storage section by air flowing from the collection passage toward the storage section. In such a configuration, if one end of the light guiding section protrudes from the second surface of the collection passage into the inside of the collection passage, the one end of the light guiding section obstructs the flow of air through the collection passage. In this case, the ability of the working machine to collect the object may be reduced. According to the above configuration, since the one end of the light guiding section is flush with the second surface of the collection passage, the one end of the light guiding section does not obstruct the flow of air through the collection passage. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the ability of the working machine to collect the object.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the working machine may be a lawnmower. The lawnmower may further include a deck having the collection passage and an outer wall defining an inner space communicating with the collection passage, and a cutting blade housed in the inner space and rotating about an axis extending in a vertical direction to cut grass, the outer wall having a substantially cylindrical shape, the collection passage having a first wall connected to the outer wall so as to be substantially parallel to a tangential direction of the outer wall, and a second wall located on the opposite side of the first wall in a specific direction perpendicular to the tangential direction and the vertical direction, and at least one of the light emitting unit and the one end of the light guiding unit may be disposed at a position closer to the first wall than a center portion between the first wall and the second wall in the specific direction.

[0020] When the cutting blade rotates around an axis extending in the vertical direction, an air flow around the axis extending in the vertical direction is generated in the inner space of the deck. In the inner space of the deck, the speed of the air flowing near the outer wall is faster than the speed of the air flowing inside. Since the first wall of the collection passage is connected to the outer wall so as to be approximately parallel to the tangential direction of the outer wall, the air flowing near the first wall flows in. Meanwhile, the air flowing inside the inner space near the outer wall flows in near the second wall. Therefore, the speed of the air flowing on the first wall side is faster than the speed of the air flowing on the second wall side. After rain, wet grass is cut. Wet grass is more likely to adhere to the collection passage than dry grass. Since the speed of the air flowing on the second wall side is slower than the speed of the air flowing on the first wall side, wet grass is more likely to adhere to the second wall side than the first wall side. Assume that at least one of the light emitting unit and one end of the light guiding unit is disposed at a position closer to the second wall than the center between the first wall and the second wall in a specific direction. In this case, before the storage unit is filled with grass, more grass will adhere to the second wall, and the light irradiated from the light emitting unit may not reach the one end of the light guiding unit. According to the above configuration, at least one of the light emitting unit and one end of the light guiding unit is disposed at a position closer to the first wall than the center between the first wall and the second wall in a specific direction. The speed of air flowing on the first wall side is faster than the speed of air flowing on the second wall side. Therefore, wet grass is less likely to adhere to the first wall side compared to the second wall side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light irradiated from the light emitting unit from not reaching the one end of the light guiding unit before the storage unit is filled with grass.

[0021] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1, the lawnmower 2 includes a main body unit 4, a handle unit 6, and a grass collection unit 8. The main body unit 4 includes wheels 10 that come into contact with the ground on the front right, rear right, front left (see FIG. 2), and rear left (see FIG. 2). The grass collection unit 8 is detachably attached to the rear of the main body unit 4. The handle unit 6 is connected to the upper rear part of the main body unit 4. When a user stands behind the lawnmower 2 and grasps the upper part of the handle unit 6 with both hands and pushes it forward, the wheels 10 rotate and the main body unit 4 moves forward along the ground.

[0022] The main unit 4 includes a deck 20, a cowl 22, and a detection unit 24. The deck 20 rotatably supports the axle (not shown) of the wheel 10. The cowl 22 is attached to the upper center of the deck 20.

[0023] The deck 20 includes a blade cover 26 and a grass collection passage 28 (see FIG. 2) connected to the blade cover 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface of the blade cover 26 opens toward the ground. A cylindrical side wall 26A of the blade cover 26 has a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the blade cover 26 defines an inner space 30 of the deck 20. The blade cover 26 surrounds a blade 34 (described later) from above and laterally (horizontally).

[0024] The inner space 30 of the deck 20 accommodates a drive shaft 32, a cutting blade 34, and a blower fan 36. The drive shaft 32 is arranged in the vertical direction. The cutting blade 34 is fixed to the lower end of the drive shaft 32 and extends from the drive shaft 32 in a direction perpendicular to the drive shaft 32 (horizontal in this embodiment). A fin 34B is provided on a cutting edge 34A of the cutting blade 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the fin 34B extends outward from the cutting edge 34A. The fin 34B is inclined so that the side away from the cutting edge 34A faces upward. The blower fan 36 is fixed to the drive shaft 32 above the cutting blade 34. The blower fan 36 generates an air flow that cools a motor 60, which will be described later. The inner space 30 communicates with a grass collection passage 28 (FIG. 2).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the grass collection passage 28 opens toward the rear of the main unit 4. The grass collection passage 28 includes an upper wall 28A, a right wall 28B, a lower wall 28C, and a left wall 28D. The lower surface of the upper wall 28A, the left surface of the right wall 28B, the upper surface of the lower wall 28C, and the right surface of the left wall 28D are flat. As shown in FIG. 2, the right wall 28B is connected to the blade cover 26 so as to be substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the cylindrical side wall 26A of the blade cover 26. That is, the right wall 28B is smoothly connected to the cylindrical side wall 26A of the blade cover 26. The left wall 28D is connected to the blade cover 26 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the tangential direction of the cylindrical side wall 26A of the blade cover 26. When the grass collection unit 8 is attached to the rear of the main unit 4, the inner space 30 of the deck 20 communicates with the grass collection unit 8 via the grass collection passage 28.

[0026] The detection unit 24 in FIG. 4 detects that the grass collection unit 8 is full of grass. The detection unit 24 includes an LED 40 and a light guide 42. The light guide 42 is made of, for example, acrylic. The LED 40 is attached to the lower wall 28C of the grass collection passage 28 so as to be flush with the upper surface of the lower wall 28C of the grass collection passage 28. The LED 40 is disposed at a position closer to the right wall 28B than the center between the right wall 28B and the left wall 28D in the left-right direction. The LED 40 is disposed near the right wall 28B. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the LED 40 is disposed slightly forward of the rear end of the lower wall 28C. That is, the LED 40 is disposed near the rear end of the lower wall 28C. The LED 40 is configured to be constantly lit while the power of the lawnmower 2 is ON. The distance between the center position of the LED 40 and the left surface of the right wall 28B is, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm, and the distance between the center position of the LED 40 and the rear end of the bottom wall 28C is, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the light guide 42 is disposed slightly forward of the rear end of the right wall 28B. That is, the light guide 42 is disposed near the rear end of the right wall 28B. The LED 40 and the light guide 42 are positioned in the front-rear direction substantially the same. As shown in FIG. 4, the light guide 42 is attached to the right wall 28B of the grass collection passage 28 so that one end 42A of the light guide 42 is flush with the left surface of the right wall 28B of the grass collection passage 28. The light guide 42 extends rightward from the right wall 28B of the grass collection passage 28, and then bends upward. The light guide 42 is exposed to the outside of the lawnmower 2 except for the one end 42A. The one end 42A of the light guide 42 is disposed at a position where the light emitted from the LED 40 reaches. In this embodiment, the distance L between the center position of the upper surface of the LED 40 and the center position of the one end 42A of the light guide 42 is about 20 to 30 mm. The distance between the center position of one end 42A of the light guiding section 42 and the lower end of the right wall 28B is, for example, 10 mm to 30 mm, and the distance between the center position of one end 42A of the light guiding section 42 and the rear end of the lower wall 28C is, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm. An indicator 44 is provided at the other end 42B (upper end) of the light guiding section 42. The color of the indicator 44 is, for example, red. In a modified example, the color of the indicator 44 may be green or blue. As shown in FIG. 1, the indicator 44 is disposed above the upper end of the deck 20. The indicator 44 is disposed at a position visible when the user is holding a grip 74 described later. When the light emitted from the LED 40 reaches the indicator 44, the indicator 44 emits light.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 20A having a substantially circular shape is provided on the upper surface of the deck 20. The cowl 22 has a skirt portion 22A that protrudes downward in a substantially cylindrical shape. The cowl 22 is fixed to the upper surface side of the deck 20 so that the skirt portion 22A passes through the opening 20A. The cowl 22 houses a motor 60, a battery 62, and a control board 64. The motor 60 is, for example, a brushless motor. In a modified example, the motor 60 may be a brushed motor. The motor 60 rotates a drive shaft 32. The drive shaft 32 connects the cutting blade 34 and the blower fan 36 arranged in the inner space 30 of the deck 20 to the motor 60 arranged in the cowl 22. The battery 62 is detachably attached to a battery attachment portion 22B of the cowl 22. The battery 62 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. The cowl 22 is provided with an openable battery cover 66 that covers the outside of the battery 62 attached to the battery attachment portion 22B. The control board 64 controls the operation of the motor 60 by controlling the power supplied from the battery 62 to the motor 60 .

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the handle unit 6 is connected to the upper rear part of the deck 20, and includes a lower frame 70 having a generally U-shape extending upward toward the rear, and an upper frame 72 connected to the upper rear part of the lower frame 70. The upper frame 72 has a generally U-shape that extends upward toward the rear and then bends upward toward the front. The upper frame 72 includes a grip 74 that is held by a user, a switch lever 76 disposed forward of the grip 74, a right holding part 80 fixed to the upper frame 72 below and to the right of the grip 74, and a left holding part 82 (see FIG. 2) fixed to the upper frame 72 below and to the left of the grip 74. The switch lever 76 is supported by the right holding part 80 and the left holding part 82 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. The switch lever 76 is biased in a direction away from the grip 74 by a spring (not shown). While holding the grip 74, the user can pull the switch lever 76 with the fingers of the hand holding the grip 74. When the switch lever 76 is pulled, the control board 64 (see FIG. 3) rotates the motor 60. When the switch lever 76 returns to its initial position, the control board 64 (see FIG. 3) stops the rotation of the motor 60.

[0030] 2 to 4, the flow of the grass cut by the cutting blade 34 and sent to the grass collection unit 8 will be described. When the user pulls the switch lever 76 in FIG. 1, the control board 64 (see FIG. 3) rotates the motor 60 (see FIG. 3). When the motor 60 in FIG. 3 rotates, the drive shaft 32 and the cutting blade 34 rotate. The grass on the ground is cut by the rotation of the cutting blade 34. The fins 34B of the cutting blade 34 also rotate by the rotation of the cutting blade 34. This causes an air flow from the lower surface of the cylindrical side wall 26A of the cutting blade cover 26 toward the inner space 30 of the deck 20. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the inner space 30, an air flow in the circumferential direction along the cylindrical side wall 26A of the cutting blade cover 26 is generated. The speed V1 of the air flowing radially outward is faster than the speed V2 of the air flowing radially inward. The grass cut by the cutting blade 34 is sucked up by the air flow caused by the rotation of the fins 34B and sent to the grass collection unit 8 via the inner space 30 of the deck 20 and the grass collection passage 28 (see FIG. 4). The grass passes through the grass collection passage 28 from front to rear. Therefore, the front end of the grass collection passage 28 corresponds to the upstream end, and the rear end of the grass collection passage 28 corresponds to the downstream end. In this way, the grass cut by the cutting blade 34 is sent to the grass collection unit 8.

[0031] 2 to 4, a method for detecting when the grass collection unit 8 is full of cut grass using the detection unit 24 in FIG. 4 will be described. Here, "full" refers to a state in which grass cannot be sent to the grass collection unit 8 using the air flow generated by the rotation of the fins 34B of the cutting blade 34. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, a state in which the grass collection unit 8 is not full of grass can also be considered "full". The amount of grass that corresponds to being full varies depending on the weight of the grass cut by the cutting blade 34, the amount of air generated by the rotation of the fins 34B, and the like. In the following, a state in which the grass collection unit 8 is full of grass will be referred to as a "full state".

[0032] As described above, when the user pulls the switch lever 76 in FIG. 1, the drive shaft 32, the cutting blade 34, and the fins 34B (see FIG. 3) of the cutting blade 34 rotate. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the grass cut by the cutting blade 34 is sucked up by the air flow caused by the rotation of the fins 34B, and is sent to the grass collection unit 8 via the inner space 30 of the deck 20 and the grass collection passage 28 (see FIG. 4). If the grass collection unit 8 is not full, the grass sucked up by the air flow caused by the rotation of the fins 34B is sent to the grass collection unit 8. Therefore, the grass does not accumulate in the grass collection passage 28 (see FIG. 4). As described above, the LED 40 of the detection unit 24 in FIG. 4 is configured to be constantly lit while the power of the lawnmower 2 is ON. Since the cut grass does not accumulate in the grass collection passage 28, the grass does not accumulate on the LED 40. Therefore, the light emitted from the LED 40 reaches one end 42A of the light guide 42. Therefore, the indicator 44 lights up.

[0033] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the grass collection unit 8 becomes full, grass cannot be sent into the grass collection unit 8. In this case, grass accumulates on the lower wall 28C of the grass collection passage 28. That is, grass accumulates on the LED 40 of the detection unit 24. When the amount of grass accumulated on the LED 40 becomes large, the light emitted from the LED 40 does not reach one end 42A of the light guide section 42. As a result, the indicator 44 goes out. In this way, it is detected that the grass collection unit 8 is full. When the indicator 44 goes out, the user can determine that the grass collection unit 8 is full.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the lawnmower 2 (an example of a "working machine") in Figure 1 collects grass (an example of an "object"). As shown in Figure 4, the lawnmower 2 includes a grass collection passage 28 (an example of a "collection passage") through which the grass passes, a grass collection unit 8 (an example of a "storage section") connected to the grass collection passage 28 and storing the grass, an LED 40 (an example of a "light-emitting section") arranged in the grass collection passage 28, and a light-guiding section 42 having one end 42A arranged in the grass collection passage 28 and the other end 42B exposed to the outside of the lawnmower 2, the light-guiding section 42 guiding the light emitted from the LED 40 from the one end 42A to the other end 42B.

[0035] According to the above configuration, the grass that has passed through the grass collection passage 28 reaches the grass collection unit 8. If the grass collection unit 8 is not full of grass, the grass reaches the grass collection unit 8, and the grass does not accumulate in the grass collection passage 28. Therefore, the light irradiated from the LED 40 reaches one end 42A of the light guide 42. The light that has reached the one end 42A of the light guide 42 is guided to the other end 42B of the light guide 42. The user can know that the grass collection unit 8 is not full of grass by looking at the light of the other end 42B of the light guide 42. On the other hand, if the grass collection unit 8 is full of grass, the grass accumulates in the grass collection passage 28. As the grass accumulates in the grass collection passage 28, the light irradiated from the LED 40 does not reach the one end 42A of the light guide 42. In this case, the light does not reach the other end 42B of the light guide 42. That is, the other end 42B of the light guide 42 is turned off. The user can know that the grass collection unit 8 is full of grass when light no longer reaches the other end 42B of the light guiding section 42. Therefore, the user can be notified that the grass collection unit 8 is full of grass.

[0036] Furthermore, after rain, wet grass is cut. Wet grass is more likely to adhere to the grass collection passage 28 than dry grass. For this reason, even when the grass collection unit 8 is not full of grass, grass may accumulate in the grass collection passage 28. When grass accumulates in the grass collection passage 28, the flow of air through the grass collection passage 28 is obstructed. In this case, the ability of the lawnmower 2 to collect grass may decrease. With the above configuration, even when grass accumulates in the grass collection passage 28 when the grass collection unit 8 is not full of grass, the light emitted from the LED 40 does not reach the one end 42A of the light guide 42. Therefore, the user can be notified that grass has accumulated in the grass collection passage 28.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the LED 40 and one end 42A of the light guiding portion 42 are provided near the rear end of the grass collection passage 28 (an example of the "downstream end").

[0038] When the grass collection unit 8 becomes full of grass, the grass accumulates from the rear end of the grass collection passage 28. With the above configuration, compared to a configuration in which at least one of the LED 40 and one end 42A of the light guide 42 is disposed at a position relatively far from the rear end of the grass collection passage 28, the light of the LED 40 stops reaching the one end 42A of the light guide 42 soon after the grass collection unit 8 becomes full of grass. Therefore, the user can be notified early that the grass collection unit 8 is full of grass.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the LED 40 is flush with the upper surface (an example of a "first surface") of the lower wall 28C of the grass collection passage 28 in which the LED 40 is disposed.

[0040] If the LEDs 40 protruded from the bottom wall 28C of the grass collection passage 28 into the inside of the grass collection passage 28, the LEDs 40 would block the flow of air through the grass collection passage 28. In this case, the ability of the lawnmower 2 to collect grass may decrease. With the above configuration, the LEDs 40 are flush with the upper surface of the bottom wall 28C of the grass collection passage 28, so the LEDs 40 do not block the flow of air through the grass collection passage 28. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the ability of the lawnmower 2 to collect grass.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, one end 42A of the light guiding portion 42 is flush with the left surface (an example of a "second surface") of the right wall 28B of the grass collection passage 28 in which one end 42A of the light guiding portion 42 is disposed.

[0042] If one end 42A of the light guiding section 42 protrudes from the right wall 28B of the grass collection passage 28 into the inside of the grass collection passage 28, the one end 42A of the light guiding section 42 will obstruct the flow of air through the grass collection passage 28. In this case, the ability of the lawnmower 2 to collect grass may decrease. With the above configuration, because the one end 42A of the light guiding section 42 is flush with the left surface of the right wall 28B of the grass collection passage 28, the one end 42A of the light guiding section 42 does not obstruct the flow of air through the grass collection passage 28. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the ability of the lawnmower 2 to collect grass.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the lawnmower 2 further includes a deck 20 having a grass collection passage 28 and a blade cover 26 (an example of an "outer wall") that defines an inner space 30 that communicates with the grass collection passage 28, and a blade 34 that is housed in the inner space 30 and rotates around an axis that extends in the vertical direction to cut grass. As shown in FIG. 2, the blade cover 26 has a substantially cylindrical shape when the lawnmower 2 is viewed from below. The grass collection passage 28 has a right wall 28B (an example of a "first wall") that is connected to the blade cover 26 so as to be substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the blade cover 26, and a left wall 28D (an example of a "second wall") that is located opposite the right wall 28B in the left-right direction (an example of a "specific direction"). At least one of the LED 40 and one end 42A of the light guide portion 42 is disposed at a position closer to the right wall 28B than to a center portion between the right wall 28B and the left wall 28D in the left-right direction.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, when the blade 34 rotates around an axis extending in the vertical direction, an air flow around the axis extending in the vertical direction is generated in the inner space of the deck 20. In the inner space 30, the speed V1 of the air flowing near the blade cover 26 is faster than the speed V2 of the air flowing inside the blade cover 26. Since the right wall 28B of the grass collection passage 28 is connected to the cylindrical side wall 26A so as to be approximately parallel to the tangential direction of the cylindrical side wall 26A of the blade cover 26, the air flowing near the right wall 28B flows in. Meanwhile, the air flowing inside the cylindrical side wall 26A in the inner space 30 flows in near the left wall 28D. Therefore, the speed of the air flowing on the right wall 28B side is faster than the speed of the air flowing on the left wall 28D side. As described above, wet grass is more likely to adhere to the grass collection passage 28 than dry grass. Since the speed of air flowing on the left wall 28D side is slower than that of air flowing on the right wall 28B side, wet grass is more likely to adhere to the left wall 28D side than to the right wall 28B side. Assume that at least one of the LED 40 and the one end 42A of the light guide 42 is arranged at a position closer to the left wall 28D than to the center between the right wall 28B and the left wall 28D in the left-right direction. In this case, before the grass collection unit 8 becomes full of grass, more grass adheres to the left wall 28D, and the light irradiated from the LED 40 may not reach the one end 42A of the light guide 42. According to the above configuration, the LED 40 and the one end 42A of the light guide 42 are arranged at a position closer to the right wall 28B than to the center between the right wall 28B and the left wall 28D in the left-right direction. The speed of air flowing on the right wall 28B side is faster than the speed of air flowing on the left wall 28D side. For this reason, wet grass is less likely to adhere to the right wall 28B side than to the left wall 28D side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the LED 40 from not reaching the one end 42A of the light guiding part 42 before the grass collection unit 8 becomes full of grass.

[0045] (First Modification) The "working machine" is not limited to the lawnmower 2, but may be a vacuum cleaner, a dust collector, a scarifier, etc. When a vacuum cleaner or a dust collector is an example of a "working machine", dust is an example of an "object". When a scarifier is an example of a "working machine", grass is an example of an "object".

[0046] (Second Modification) One end 42A of the light guiding section 42 may be disposed on the lower wall 28C of the grass collecting passage 28, and the LED 40 may be disposed on the right wall 28B of the grass collecting passage 28. In another modification, the LED 40 may be disposed on any one of the upper wall 28A, the right wall 28B, the lower wall 28C, and the left wall 28D of the grass collecting passage 28, and the one end 42A of the light guiding section 42 may be disposed on a wall different from the wall on which the LED 40 is disposed.

[0047] (Third Modification) The position of LED 40 in the front-rear direction and the position of one end 42A of light-guiding portion 42 in the front-rear direction may be different.

[0048] (Fourth Modification) At least one of the LED 40 and one end 42A of the light guiding portion 42 may be disposed at a position closer to the front end of the grass collecting passage 28 than to the rear end.

[0049] (Fifth Modification) The LED 40 may protrude from the upper surface of the lower wall 28C of the grass collecting passage 28 to the inside of the grass collecting passage 28.

[0050] (Sixth Modification) One end 42A of the light guiding portion 42 may protrude from the left surface of the right wall 28B of the grass collecting passage 28 toward the inside of the grass collecting passage 28.

[0051] (Seventh Modification) The LED 40 may be disposed at a position closer to the left wall 28D of the grass collection passage 28 than to the right wall 28B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 2: Lawnmower 4: Main unit 6: Handle unit 8: Grass collection unit 10: Wheels 20: Deck 20A:Aperture 22: Cowl 22A: Skirt section 22B: Battery mounting section 24: Detection unit 26: Blade cover 28: Grass collection passage 28A: Upper wall 28B: Right wall 28C: Lower wall 28D: Left wall 30: Inner space 32: Drive shaft 34:Kariblade 34A: Cutting edge 34B: Fin 36: Blower fan 40: LED 42: Light guide section 42A: One end 42B: other end 44: Indicator 60: Motor 62: Battery 64: Control board 66: Battery cover 70: Lower frame 72: Upper frame 74: Grip 76: Switch lever 80: Right side holding part 82:Left side holding part

Claims

1. A work machine for collecting objects, a collection passage through which the object passes; a storage section connected to the collection passage and configured to store the object; A light emitting unit disposed in the collection passage; a light guiding unit having one end disposed in the collection passage and the other end exposed to the outside of the working machine, the light guiding unit guiding the light irradiated from the light emitting unit from the one end to the other end; A work machine comprising:

2. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the light emitting portion and the one end of the light guiding portion is provided near a downstream end of the collection passage.

3. The work machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emitting portion is flush with a first surface of the collection passage in which the light emitting portion is disposed.

4. The work implement according to claim 1 , wherein the one end of the light guiding portion is flush with a second surface of the collection passage in which the one end of the light guiding portion is disposed.

5. The working machine is a lawnmower, The lawnmower further comprises: a deck having the collection passage and an exterior wall defining an interior space communicating with the collection passage; A cutting blade that is housed in the inner space and rotates around an axial direction extending in the vertical direction to cut grass, The outer wall portion has a generally cylindrical shape, the collection passage has a first wall portion connected to the outer wall portion so as to be substantially parallel to a tangential direction of the outer wall portion, and a second wall portion located on an opposite side of the first wall portion in a specific direction perpendicular to the tangential direction and the up-down direction, A work machine described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the light-emitting portion and the one end of the light-guiding portion is positioned at a position closer to the first wall portion than a center portion between the first wall portion and the second wall portion in the specific direction.

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