Work vehicle

Abstract

To provide a work vehicle that allows accumulated soils and sands and the like to be easily remove even if the soils and sands and the like enter and accumulate between an idler and a crawler frame.SOLUTION: A work vehicle 1 comprises crawlers 13, crawler frames 20, idlers 30, and tensile force adjustment means 27. The idler 30 is partially accommodated in a space inside the crawler frame 20, and is located movably in a longitudinal direction of the crawler frame 20. The tensile force adjustment means is configured to move the idler 30 in the longer direction so as to adjust a tensile force of the crawler 13. The crawler frame 20 has a hole 22 that allows communication between an exterior and a space S, which is a space inside the crawler frame 20 and formed when the idler 30 is moved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] "Crawler loaders" are known as work vehicles such as construction machinery. Crawler loaders have crawlers (tracks). Crawlers have the advantage that they can run on soft ground because they exert low ground pressure on the ground surface. Crawlers are also widely used in work vehicles because they can handle steep slopes.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a lower body of a crawler loader. Fig. 6 is a diagram shown for explaining the lower body of the work vehicle described in Patent Document 1. The lower body of the work vehicle described in Patent Document 1 includes an idler bracket 941, a crawler frame (side frame) 910, a yoke 918, and an idler 919.

[0004] The idler bracket 941 is provided on one end of the side frame 910 via a partition plate. A pair of guide portions (reference numbers omitted) extending in the left-right direction in FIG. 6 are formed inside the idler bracket 941. The yoke 918 slides in the front-rear direction along the guide portions. The idler 919 is rotatably supported by the yoke 918.

[0005] The lower traveling body includes a crawler (not shown) and a tension adjustment means 924. The tension adjustment means 924 is provided on the side frame 910 to adjust the tension of the crawler, and slides the yoke 918 along the guide portion of the idler bracket 941. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-314678 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the work vehicle described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that soil and sand etc. enter and accumulate between the idler 919 and the idler bracket 941, making it difficult to retract the idler during maintenance work. In the work vehicle described in the prior art document, a soil and sand intrusion prevention cover 945 is provided between the idler 919 and the idler bracket 941 to prevent soil and sand etc. from entering, but this is not sufficient.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a work vehicle that can easily remove accumulated soil and sand even if the soil and sand gets in and accumulates between the idler and the crawler frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] [1] The work vehicle of the present invention comprises a crawler, a crawler frame, an idler, and a tension adjustment means. A portion of the idler is housed in a space inside the crawler frame and is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the crawler frame. The tension adjustment means moves the idler in the longitudinal direction to adjust the tension of the crawler. The crawler frame has a hole that connects the space inside the crawler frame, which is formed by moving the idler, to the outside.

[0010] [2] In the work vehicle of this application example, it is preferable that the work vehicle further has a plurality of track rollers, and that the hole is located at a position above the position at which the track roller, which is located at a position closest to the idler, is located on the crawler frame.

[0011] [3] In the work vehicle of this application example, it is preferable that the track roller has a plurality of flanges. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The work vehicle of the present invention has a crawler frame, and the crawler frame has a hole that connects the space inside the crawler frame, which is formed by moving the idler, to the outside. By injecting water through the hole or inserting a high-pressure washing nozzle and spraying high-pressure water through the hole, soil and sand that has accumulated inside can be washed away.

[0013] In other words, according to the work vehicle of the present invention, a work vehicle can be provided that can easily remove accumulated soil and sand even if the soil and sand gets in and accumulates between the idler and the crawler frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a work vehicle 1 according to an embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram shown for explaining a traveling device 12 of the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an idler 30 has been moved forward in a work vehicle 1 according to an embodiment, with a portion of a crawler frame 20 removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an idler 30 has been moved backward in the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, with a portion of the crawler frame 20 removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram shown for explaining a track roller 50 of the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram shown for explaining a lower traveling body of the working vehicle described in Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The following describes a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment"). The embodiment described below shows a preferred mode for carrying out the invention, and does not limit the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the present invention.

[0016] 1. Embodiment 1.1.Work vehicles First, a work vehicle 1 according to an embodiment will be described. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the side of work vehicle 1 where a bucket (not shown) is attached is referred to as the "front", the side opposite the side where the bucket is attached is referred to as the "rear", the bottom side of work vehicle 1 is referred to as the "bottom" and the side opposite the bottom is referred to as the "top", and the left side of work vehicle 1 when viewed from behind is referred to as the "left" and the right side is referred to as the "right".

[0017] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a work vehicle 1 according to an embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front. As shown in Fig. 1, the work vehicle 1 has a main body frame 11, a pair of left and right traveling devices 12 attached to the main body frame 11 and configured with crawlers (endless tracks) 13, a working device 14 disposed on the main body frame 11, and a cabin 15 provided at the upper center of the main body frame 11.

[0018] The working device 14 comprises an arm 18 arranged on the main body frame 11, a hydraulic cylinder (arm cylinder) 19 attached across the main body frame 11 and the arm 18, and a bucket attached to the tip of the arm 18.

[0019] 1.2.Running gear Fig. 2 is a diagram shown for explaining the traveling device 12 of the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a state when the idler 30 is moved forward in the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, with a part of the crawler frame 20 removed. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state when the idler 30 is moved backward in the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, with a part of the crawler frame 20 removed. Fig. 5 is a diagram shown for explaining the track roller 50 of the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment.

[0020] The work vehicle 1 has a pair of left and right traveling devices 12. The traveling devices 12 each have a crawler 13, a crawler frame 20 attached to the main frame 11 and extending in the front-rear direction, an idler 30, a rear roller 32, a sprocket 40, and a track roller 50.

[0021] The crawler frame 20 has a tension adjustment means 27 inside for adjusting the tension of the crawler 13. The tension adjustment means 27 biases the idler 30 toward the crawler 13 via the slide yoke 25. At this time, the tension of the crawler 13 is adjusted by adjusting the biasing force that biases the idler 30 toward the crawler 13. The tension adjustment means 27 will be described later.

[0022] The crawler frame 20 has a hole 22, as shown in Fig. 2. The hole 22 communicates between the space inside the crawler frame 20, a space S formed by moving the idler 30 (see Fig. 3; hereinafter, "the space inside the crawler frame 20, the space S formed by moving the idler 30" may be simply referred to as "space S"), and the outside. Here, the space S refers to the space S formed inside the crawler frame 20 when the idler 30 is moved forward by the tension adjustment means 27 in order to adjust the tension of the crawler 13.

[0023] The crawler frame 20 has holes 22, which allow it to enter the space S and wash away accumulated soil and sand. The method of washing away soil and sand can be any appropriate method, such as injecting water from the holes 22 or inserting a nozzle for high-pressure washing into the holes 22 and spraying high-pressure water into the space S. When the soil and sand accumulated in the space S is firmly attached, it is effective to insert a nozzle for high-pressure washing into the holes 22 and spray high-pressure water into the space S.

[0024] By washing away the soil and sand accumulated in the space S, the space S for retracting the idler 30 can be secured. This makes it possible to retract the idler 30 and perform work such as replacing the crawler 13.

[0025] The size, shape, etc. of the hole 22 can be provided without any particular limitation so long as it communicates between the space S and the outside of the crawler frame 20. The size of the hole 22 is preferably 30 mm or more in diameter. By having the diameter of the hole 22 be 30 mm or more, it becomes possible to insert a nozzle for high-pressure washing into the hole 22. There is no particular upper limit to the size of the hole 22, but it is preferable that the diameter be 60 mm or less, for example.

[0026] The holes 22 are preferably provided at a position above the position where the track rollers 50 of the crawler frame 20 are disposed. By injecting water from the holes 22 provided at a position above the position where the track rollers 50 are disposed, or by inserting a nozzle for high-pressure washing into the holes 22 and spraying high-pressure water, soil and sand accumulated in the space S can be washed downward from between the idler 30 and the track rollers 50.

[0027] Note that "a position above the position where the track rollers 50 of the crawler frame 20 are arranged" means a position above the position where the track rollers 50 are arranged with reference to the up-down direction of the work vehicle 1. In the strict sense, it does not mean that the hole 22 is arranged in a position directly above the center of the track roller 50 of the crawler frame 20 in the vertical direction.

[0028] When the work vehicle 1 has a plurality of track rollers 50, the position at which the hole 22 is disposed in the crawler frame 20 is a position above the track roller 50 disposed next to the idler 30. The work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment has four track rollers 50. The hole 22 is disposed in a position above the position at which the track roller 50 shown at the leftmost position in the crawler frame 20 is disposed (see FIG. 2).

[0029] One end of the crawler frame 20 functions as a so-called idler bracket (reference number omitted). As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the idler bracket includes a bracket body (reference number omitted) and a pair of guide portions 23a, 23b (see Figures 3 and 4) formed in the bracket body and on which the slide yoke 25 slides.

[0030] The guide parts 23a, 23b are arranged inside the side plates of the bracket body, spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the up-down direction. The guide parts 23a, 23b are also arranged in the front-rear direction in which the crawler frame 20 is arranged. This allows the slide yoke 25 to slide (move) in the front-rear direction within the bracket body 21.

[0031] A bearing 29 is disposed at the tip of the slide yoke 25. The bearing 29 rotatably supports an idler 30. This allows the idler 30 to slide in the front-rear direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the crawler frame 20 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0032] A portion of the idler 30 is housed in a space formed inside the crawler frame 20. Specifically, the rear portion of the idler 30 is housed in the space inside the crawler frame 20, as shown in FIG. 2, and the front portion is exposed from the crawler frame 20.

[0033] The tension adjustment means 27 adjusts the tension of the crawler 13 by moving the idler 30 in the longitudinal direction of the crawler frame 20. As shown in part in Fig. 3, the tension adjustment means 27 is configured to include a spring (reference numbers omitted), and a cylinder, rod, and grease chamber (not shown). The tension adjustment means 27 adjusts the tension of the crawler 13 by biasing the slide yoke 25 and the idler 30 forward with a predetermined force.

[0034] The sprocket 40 rotates by the power of a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic motor (not shown). The sprocket 40 transmits the rotation transmitted from the hydraulic actuator to the crawler 13. The work vehicle 1 moves forward, backward, or rotates as the crawler 13 rotates.

[0035] The work vehicle 1 has track rollers 50. The work vehicle 1 may have a plurality of track rollers 50 on each of the left and right sides. The work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment has four track rollers 50 on each of the left and right crawler frames 20.

[0036] The track roller 50 may have a plurality of flanges. Here, "a plurality" is any integer equal to or greater than 2. The number of flanges that the track roller 50 has can be appropriately selected in consideration of the weight, size, and the like of the work vehicle 1. Note that the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment has three flanges 52, 53, and 54 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0037] The flanges 52, 53, 54 engage with the protrusions 13a, 13b formed on the crawler. This makes it possible to prevent the crawler 13 from coming off the track roller 50 while the work vehicle 1 is traveling. As a result, the traveling stability of the work vehicle 1 can be improved.

[0038] In addition, when the track roller 50 has multiple flanges, the contact area between the track roller 50 and the crawler 13 increases. This increases the amount of soil and sand stirred up by the track roller 50. As a result, soil and sand enter the space S and are more likely to accumulate.

[0039] However, the crawler frame 20 has holes 22. The soil and sand accumulated in the space S can be washed away by pouring water into the holes 22, or by inserting a nozzle for high-pressure washing into the holes 22 and spraying high-pressure water into the space S. Washing away the soil and sand makes it possible to move the idler 30 backward. This makes it possible to perform maintenance work such as replacing the crawler 13.

[0040] 2. Effects of the embodiment A work vehicle 1 according to an embodiment has a crawler frame 20, and the crawler frame 20 has a hole 22 that connects the space S inside the crawler frame 20, which is formed by moving the idler 30, to the outside. By injecting water through the hole 22 or inserting a nozzle for high-pressure washing to spray high-pressure water, soil and sand that has accumulated inside can be washed away.

[0041] This makes it possible to retract the idler 30. By retracting the idler 30, maintenance work such as replacing the crawler 13 can be performed.

[0042] In other words, according to the work vehicle 1 of the present invention, even if soil or sand enters and accumulates in the space S, a work vehicle 1 can be provided that can more easily remove the accumulated soil or sand.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, it further has a plurality of track rollers 50, and the hole 22 is disposed in a position above the position of the track roller 50 that is disposed in the position closest to the idler 30 of the crawler frame 20. According to this embodiment, soil and sand that has accumulated in the space S can be efficiently washed away.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the track roller 50 has multiple flanges. This can improve the running stability of the work vehicle 1. On the other hand, since the track roller 50 has multiple flanges, soil and sand tend to easily enter and accumulate in the space S, but by forming the holes 22, it is possible to provide a work vehicle 1 that can easily remove soil and sand that has accumulated in the space S.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 ... working vehicle, 11 ... main body frame, 12 ... running gear, 13 ... crawler (endless track), 14 ... working gear, 18 ... arm, 19 ... arm cylinder, 20 ... crawler frame, 25 ... slide yoke, 27 ... tension adjustment means, 29 ... bearing, 30 ... idler, 40 ... sprocket, 50 ... track roller

Claims

1. A work vehicle comprising a crawler, a crawler frame, an idler, and a tension adjustment means, The idler is configured such that a portion of the idler is accommodated in a space inside the crawler frame and is movable in a longitudinal direction of the crawler frame, The tension adjusting means adjusts the tension of the crawler by moving the idler in the longitudinal direction, A work vehicle characterized in that the crawler frame has a hole that connects a space inside the crawler frame, which is formed by moving the idler, to the outside.

2. 2. The work vehicle according to claim 1, a plurality of track rollers; A work vehicle comprising: a crawler frame having a track roller, the track roller being positioned closest to the idler, and a hole being positioned above the crawler frame;

3. A work vehicle according to claim 3, A work vehicle characterized in that the track roller has a plurality of flanges.

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