Rice field work machine

Abstract

To provide a rice field work machine capable of appropriately protecting a protector in a transmission mechanism for transmitting power to a ground levelling body.SOLUTION: A rice field work machine includes a travelling machine body that travels on a rice field surface, a work device supported at the rear part of the travelling machine body, a ground levelling body 20 for levelling a rice field surface in front of the work device, a transmission mechanism 40 for transmitting power to the ground levelling body 20, and a cover 50 for covering the transmission mechanism 40. The cover body 50 covers a cylindrical part 31a that covers a connection shaft 42 connected to the ground levelling body 20 and a protector 45 interposed between the connection shaft 42 and the cylindrical part 31a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paddy field working machine. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the paddy field working machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a ground leveling body (referred to as a "ground leveling device" in the document). The ground leveling body is driven by a transmission mechanism (referred to as a "drive shaft" and a "support member" in the document). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-79 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The transmission mechanism is supplied with lubricating oil, and a protector is provided around the connecting shaft that connects the transmission mechanism to the leveling body to prevent the lubricating oil from leaking out. Although there have been methods for protecting the protector in the past, a dedicated cover for protecting the protector has not existed until now.

[0005] The present invention provides a paddy field working machine that appropriately protects a protective body in a transmission mechanism that transmits power to a soil leveling body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The paddy field working machine according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a running body that runs on the surface of the rice field, a working device supported at the rear of the running body, a ground leveling body that levels the rice field surface in front of the working device, a connecting shaft that connects to the ground leveling body, a cylindrical part that covers the connecting shaft, and a protective body interposed between the connecting shaft and the cylindrical part, a transmission mechanism that transmits power to the ground leveling body, and a cover that covers the protective body and the cylindrical part.

[0007] According to the present invention, a protective body is interposed between the connecting shaft and the cylindrical part, and a cover covers the protective body together with the cylindrical part that covers the connecting shaft. Therefore, even if mud is splashed up by the land leveling body, it is difficult for mud to penetrate into the protective body and its surroundings. This realizes a paddy field working machine that appropriately protects the protective body in the transmission mechanism that transmits power to the land leveling body.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cover is made of resin.

[0009] This configuration allows for greater freedom in molding the cover, and the manufacturing cost of the cover is less than that of a cover made of metal or the like.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cover has an annular first isolation portion that isolates an inner space of the cylindrical portion from a space outside the cylindrical portion.

[0011] According to this configuration, the cover is provided with a first isolation part, and the inner space of the cylindrical part is isolated from the outer space by the first isolation part. This makes it difficult for mud to enter the inner space of the cylindrical part, etc., even if mud is splashed up by the leveling body.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first isolation portion is formed so as to be located closer to the cylindrical portion as it approaches an outer periphery.

[0013] With this configuration, the first isolation portion can easily come into close contact with the wall surface portion of the cylindrical portion.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first isolation portion is formed on the outer circumferential side of a position corresponding to the protection body.

[0015] With this configuration, the risk of mud entering the inner chamber of the cylindrical portion through gaps in the protective body is further reduced.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cover has a side portion in which an insertion hole for the connecting shaft is formed and which covers the protective body from the side where the leveling body is located, and an outer peripheral annular portion which extends from the side portion to the side where the tubular portion is located and covers the tubular portion from the outer circumferential side.

[0017] According to this configuration, the outer peripheral annular portion extends from the side portion toward the cylindrical portion and covers the cylindrical portion from the outer periphery, which makes it more difficult for mud to penetrate into the protective body and its surroundings compared to a configuration in which the outer peripheral annular portion is not provided.

[0018] In the present invention, it is preferable that the side portion is located in the gap between the protective body and the leveling body, the side portion is formed with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the protective body, and the outer peripheral annular portion is arranged at a position corresponding to the outer circumferential side of the protective body.

[0019] With this configuration, even if mud is kicked up by the leveling body, the mud is received by the side portion, making it difficult for the mud to penetrate into the protective body and its surroundings. Also, with this configuration, even if mud is kicked up by the leveling body, the mud is received by the cover over a wide area of ​​the protective body and its surroundings. This makes it even more difficult for mud to penetrate into the protective body and its surroundings.

[0020] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the connecting shaft is formed to be rectangular, and the shape of the insertion hole is formed to be rectangular to match the cross-sectional shape of the connecting shaft.

[0021] This configuration enables the cover to rotate integrally with the connecting shaft.

[0022] In the present invention, it is preferable that the insertion hole is a second isolation portion that engages with the connecting shaft and extends toward the axial core of the connecting shaft further than the inner peripheral edge portion of the protective body, and isolates the space of the inner chamber of the tubular portion from the space outside the tubular portion.

[0023] With this configuration, the inner peripheral portion of the second isolation part extends inward beyond the inner peripheral edge of the protective body, which makes it even more difficult for mud to penetrate into the protective body and its surroundings, and further reduces the risk of mud penetrating into the inner chamber of the tubular part. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a rice transplanter, which is an example of a paddy field working machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the bottom of the seedling planting device. [Diagram 3] 4 is an enlarged view of the main parts showing the transmission mechanism and cover of the leveling body. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a view showing the cover on the side opposite to the side shown in FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] An embodiment illustrating the paddy field working machine of the present invention will be described based on the riding rice transplanter shown in Figures 1 to 6. Note that the direction of the arrow "FW" shown in the figures is the "forward direction of the machine body", the direction of the arrow "BK" shown in the figures is the "rearward direction of the machine body", the direction of the arrow "LH" shown in the figures is the "leftward direction of the machine body", the direction of the arrow "RH" shown in the figures is the "rightward direction of the machine body", the direction of the arrow "UP" shown in the figures is the "upward direction of the machine body", and the direction of the arrow "DW" shown in the figures is the "downward direction of the machine body".

[0026] [Overall configuration of riding rice transplanter] As shown in Fig. 1, the machine is provided with left and right front wheels 1 and left and right rear wheels 2. A traveling body 3 is supported by the left and right front wheels 1 and the left and right rear wheels 2. A driver's seat 6 and a steering wheel 7 are provided on the traveling body 3. An operator steers the front wheels 1 with the steering wheel 7. A support frame 8 extending vertically is connected to each of the right and left parts at the front of the traveling body 3. A spare seedling stand 9 is attached to the support frame 8.

[0027] The seedling planting device 10 is supported at the rear of the traveling body 3 via a link mechanism 4. One end of the hydraulic actuator 5 is rotatably connected to the rear of the traveling body 3, and the other end of the hydraulic actuator 5 is rotatably connected to the link mechanism 4. The link mechanism 4 swings up and down in response to the expansion and contraction of the hydraulic actuator 5, and the seedling planting device 10 rises and falls in response to the swinging of the link mechanism 4. The seedling planting device 10 is an example of a "working device" as defined in the claims.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, the seedling planting device 10 has a seedling carrying table 18 and a soil leveling body 20. The soil leveling body 20 is supported on the front lower part of the seedling planting device 10. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the seedling planting device 10 has a feed case 11, a support frame 12, an intermediate transmission case 13, a planting transmission case 14, a rotating case 15, a planting arm 16, and a soil leveling float 17.

[0029] The feed case 11 is supported at the rear lower part of the link mechanism 4. A square pipe-shaped support frame 12 extends along the lateral direction of the traveling body 3. The left and right central parts of the support frame 12 are connected to the feed case 11. A plurality of planting transmission cases 14 are connected to the support frame 12 and extend rearward. The planting transmission cases 14 support an intermediate transmission case 13 and a seedling carrying table 18. Two rotating cases 15 are rotatably supported at the rear of each planting transmission case 14. Two planting arms 16 are attached to each rotating case 15 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotating case 15.

[0030] Although not shown, an engine is mounted on the traveling body 3, and a reciprocating drive mechanism is provided on the seedling carrying table 18. Power from the engine is distributed to the ground leveling body 20, the reciprocating drive mechanism of the seedling carrying table 18, the rotating case 15, and the planting arm 16 via a transmission shaft 19, an intermediate shaft inside the feed case 11, and an intermediate shaft inside the intermediate transmission case 13. Leveling of the rice field surface by the ground leveling body 20, left-right reciprocating drive of the seedling carrying table 18, rotational drive of the rotating case 15, removal of seedlings from the seedling carrying table 18 by the planting arm 16 and planting the seedlings on the rice field surface are all carried out simultaneously with the forward movement of the traveling body 3.

[0031] In the front-rear direction of the traveling body 3, a plurality of ground leveling floats 17 are provided between the ground leveling body 20 and the planting arm 16. These ground leveling floats 17 are lined up along the lateral direction of the traveling body 3 and follow the ground on the rice field surface.

[0032] [Configuration of the ground leveling body] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a ground leveling body 20 is disposed behind the rear wheels 2. The ground leveling body 20 levels the rice field surface in front of the seedling planting device 10. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the ground leveling body 20 is supported by a transmission case section 31 and a support frame 32. The ground leveling body 20 has a support shaft 21 and a rotor 22 for leveling the ground.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, the transmission case section 31 is connected to the left end of the intermediate transmission case 13, and the support bracket 33 is connected to the right end of the support frame 12. The transmission case section 31 is supported by the intermediate transmission case 13 so as to be vertically swingable about an axis P1 along the lateral direction of the traveling body 3, and extends diagonally forward and downward. The support frame 32 is supported by the support bracket 33 so as to be vertically swingable about the axis P1, and extends diagonally forward and downward. The axis P1 is the same as the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft inside the intermediate transmission case 13.

[0034] Both ends of the support shaft 21 are supported by the front parts of the transmission case part 31 and the support frame 32. The support shaft 21 is hollow and formed with a square cross-sectional shape. The support shaft 21 extends along an axis P2 that extends laterally of the traveling body 3, and is rotatable about the axis P2. The rotating body 22 is fitted onto the support shaft 21 and configured to rotate integrally with the support shaft 21 about the axis P2. The axis P2, the support shaft 21, and the rotating body 22 are located in front of the ground leveling float 17.

[0035] [Configuration of the transmission mechanism] As shown in Fig. 3, a transmission mechanism 40 is mounted inside the transmission case 31. The transmission mechanism 40 has a sprocket 41, an output shaft 42, a ball bearing 43, a ball bearing 44, a protector 45, and an endless rotating chain 46. The sprocket 41 is made up of two sprockets, a driving side that receives power from the intermediate transmission case 13, and a driven side that is connected to the output shaft 42, but Fig. 3 only shows the driven side sprocket 41. The output shaft 42 is an example of a "connecting shaft" as defined in the claims.

[0036] The output shaft 42 is connected to the driven sprocket 41, and the output shaft 42 and the sprocket 41 rotate integrally around the axis P2. In addition, the right side of the output shaft 42 relative to the sprocket 41 is rotatably supported by a ball bearing 43, and the left side of the output shaft 42 relative to the sprocket 41 is rotatably supported by a ball bearing 44.

[0037] The output shaft 42 extends to the right. A connecting portion 42a is formed on the portion of the output shaft 42 that extends to the right, and the connecting portion 42a engages with the support shaft 21. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion 42a is formed to be rectangular, and this rectangular shape matches the rectangular shape of the hollow cylindrical portion of the support shaft 21. As a result, the output shaft 42 and the support shaft 21 are connected and configured to rotate together. In this way, the transmission mechanism 40 transmits power to the ground leveling body 20.

[0038] A cylindrical portion 31a is formed in a portion of the transmission case 31 where the output shaft 42 and the ball bearing 43 are located. The cylindrical portion 31a covers the output shaft 42 and supports the ball bearing 43 from the outer periphery. A protector 45 is attached to the right side of the ball bearing 43.

[0039] The protector 45 may be, for example, an oil seal, a gasket, an O-ring, etc. The protector 45 is interposed between the output shaft 42 and the cylindrical portion 31a, and seals the internal space of the cylindrical portion 31a so that the lubricating oil in the internal space of the transmission case portion 31 does not leak out from a gap in the output shaft 42. A cover 50 is provided to cover the protector 45 and the cylindrical portion 31a.

[0040] [Cover composition] As described above, the protective body 45 seals the space inside the cylindrical portion 31a. However, for example, when rice planting or sowing is performed in a muddy field, the land leveling body 20 may sink deep below the surface of the field. In such a case, the inventors of the present application have found that it is not possible to completely prevent mud from entering the space inside the cylindrical portion 31a through the gaps in the protective body 45. To solve this problem, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a cover 50 is provided on the outer side of the protective body 45 and the cylindrical portion 31a with respect to the space inside the cylindrical portion 31a.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, the cover 50 is formed in a pot shape. The cover 50 is made of resin. The resin includes, for example, thermoplastic resin and thermosetting resin. The resin may include elastic materials such as synthetic rubber, synthetic fibers, adhesives, etc.

[0042] The cover 50 is formed with a side surface portion 51, an outer peripheral annular portion 52, a seal lip 53, and an angular engagement portion 55. An insertion hole 54 is formed in the side surface portion 51. The seal lip 53 is an example of a “first isolation portion” recited in the claims.

[0043] The side portion 51 is located in the gap between the protection body 45 and the ground leveling body 20. The side portion 51 is formed to have a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the protection body 45. The side portion 51 covers the protection body 45 from the side where the ground leveling body 20 is located. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the side portion 51 is formed to have a circular shape when viewed from the side of the machine body. The insertion hole 54 is formed in the center of the side portion 51 when viewed from the side of the machine body. As described above, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion 42a of the output shaft 42 is formed to be angular. Therefore, the shape of the insertion hole 54 is formed to be angular to match the cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion 42a. In addition, a square engaging portion 55 is formed around the insertion hole 54. The square engaging portion 55 is formed to have an uneven shape to match the shape of the extended base end of the connecting portion 42a of the output shaft 42. In other words, the shapes of the insertion hole 54 and the square engaging portion 55 and the shape of the extended base end of the connecting portion 42a of the output shaft 42 are so-called spigot structures. Therefore, when the connecting portion 42a of the output shaft 42 is inserted through the insertion hole 54, the connecting portion 42a engages with the insertion hole 54. As a result, when the output shaft 42 rotates, the output shaft 42 and the cover 50 rotate integrally.

[0044] 3, the rectangular engaging portion 55 engages with the output shaft 42 on the axial center side of the output shaft 42 by a width indicated by d from the inner peripheral edge of the protector 45. In other words, the insertion hole 54 engages with the output shaft 42 and extends toward the axial center side of the output shaft 42 by a width indicated by d from the inner peripheral edge of the protector 45, and separates the space in the inner chamber of the cylindrical portion 31a from the space outside the cylindrical portion 31a. At least one of the insertion hole 54 and the rectangular engaging portion 55 corresponds to a "second separating portion" recited in the claims.

[0045] The outer peripheral annular portion 52 is disposed at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral side of the protective body 45. The outer peripheral annular portion 52 extends from the side portion 51 to the side where the cylindrical portion 31a is located, and covers the cylindrical portion 31a from the outer peripheral side. The outer peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical portion 31a is formed to be circular in cross section, and the inner peripheral surface portion of the outer peripheral annular portion 52 is formed to be circular in cross section. In a region where the cylindrical portion 31a and the outer peripheral annular portion 52 overlap in a plan view or a view in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 31a is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the outer peripheral annular portion 52. Therefore, when the output shaft 42 and the cover 50 rotate together, the outer peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical portion 31a and the outer peripheral annular portion 52 do not come into contact with each other.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, a seal lip 53 is formed on the cover 50. The seal lip 53 is formed in an annular shape on the outer circumferential side of the insertion hole 54 and the square engagement portion 55. As shown in Fig. 3, the seal lip 53 is formed so as to be located on the opposite side to the leveling body 20 side as it approaches the outer circumferential side. In other words, the outer circumferential end of the seal lip 53 abuts against the cylindrical portion 31a from the outer side of the outer circumferential edge of the protector 45. The seal lip 53 is formed on the outer circumferential side of the position corresponding to the protector 45. With this structure, the seal lip 53 separates the space in the inner chamber of the cylindrical portion 31a from the space outside the cylindrical portion 31a. This further reduces the risk of mud entering the internal space of the cylindrical portion 31a through the gap in the protector 45.

[0047] [Another embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the configurations exemplified in the above-described embodiments, and other representative embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0048] (1) In the above embodiment, the seedling planting device 10 is exemplified as the working device. However, the working device is not limited to this embodiment, and may be, for example, a sowing device, a fertilizing device, a drug application device, or the like.

[0049] (2) In the above embodiment, the cover 50 is made of resin. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the cover 50 may be made of, for example, metal, ceramic, natural rubber, or the like.

[0050] (3) In the above embodiment, the seal lip 53 is formed on the outer circumferential side of the position corresponding to the protector 45. This is not limiting, and the seal lip 53 may be formed on the inner circumferential side of the position corresponding to the protector 45. In that case, the cover 50 including the seal lip 53 is located closer to the transmission case 31 than the protector 45 in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0051] (4) In the above embodiment, the outer peripheral annular portion 52 is formed on the cover 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the outer peripheral annular portion 52 may not be formed on the cover 50. In this case, the seal lip 53 may be formed along the outer peripheral edge of the side surface portion 51.

[0052] (5) In the above embodiment, the shape of the insertion hole 54 is formed in a square shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the output shaft 42. This is not limiting, and the shape of the insertion hole 54 may be circular.

[0053] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the protector 45 is interposed between the output shaft 42 and the cylindrical portion 31a, and seals the internal space of the cylindrical portion 31a so that the lubricating oil in the internal space of the transmission case portion 31 does not leak out through a gap in the output shaft 42. Without being limited to this embodiment, for example, the protector 45 may be configured to allow leakage of the lubricating oil from the internal space of the cylindrical portion 31a to the outside, and to prevent muddy water from entering the inside of the cylindrical portion 31a from the outside.

[0054] (7) In the above embodiment, the outer peripheral annular portion 52 is formed on the cover 50. An annular seal lip other than the seal lip 53 may be formed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer peripheral annular portion 52 opposite the side portion 51, or a seal member other than the seal lip 53 may be provided. This makes it difficult for mud and the like to enter between the outer peripheral annular portion 52 and the cylindrical portion 31a. In other words, the first isolation portion may be formed of multiple seal lips.

[0055] (8) In the above embodiment, the first isolation portion is configured by the seal lip 53, but the first isolation portion may be an oil seal, a gasket, an O-ring, etc. In addition, the second isolation portion is configured by at least one of the insertion hole 54 and the rectangular engaging portion 55, but the second isolation portion may be an oil seal, a gasket, an O-ring, etc. that is located inside the insertion hole 54 or the rectangular engaging portion 55.

[0056] The configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction occurs. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The present invention is applicable to paddy field working machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 3: Running body 10: Seedling planting device (work device) 20: Ground leveling body 31a: Cylindrical part 40: Transmission mechanism 42: Output shaft (connecting shaft) 45: Protective body 50: Cover 51: Side part 52: Outer ring 53: Seal lip (first isolation part) 54: Insertion hole (second isolation part) P2: Center of connecting shaft

Claims

1. A traveling machine that travels on the rice field surface, A working device supported on a rear portion of the traveling machine body; A land leveling body for leveling the rice field surface in front of the working device; a transmission mechanism that has a connecting shaft that is connected to the ground leveling body, a cylindrical portion that covers the connecting shaft, and a protective body that is interposed between the connecting shaft and the cylindrical portion, and transmits power to the ground leveling body; A paddy field working machine comprising: a cover that covers the protective body and the cylindrical portion.

2. The paddy field working machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of resin.

3. The paddy field working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the cover has an annular first isolation portion that isolates an inner space of the cylindrical portion from a space outside the cylindrical portion.

4. The paddy field working machine according to claim 3 , wherein the first isolation portion is formed so as to be located closer to the cylindrical portion as it approaches the outer periphery.

5. The paddy field working machine according to claim 3 , wherein the first isolation portion is formed on the outer circumferential side of a position corresponding to the protection body.

6. A paddy field working machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover has a side portion in which an insertion hole for the connecting shaft is formed and which covers the protective body from the side where the leveling body is located, and an outer peripheral annular portion which extends from the side portion to the side where the tubular portion is located and covers the tubular portion from the outer periphery.

7. The side portion is located in the gap between the protection body and the leveling body, The side surface portion is formed to have a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the protection body, The paddy field working machine according to claim 6 , wherein the outer peripheral annular portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral side of the protection body.

8. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting shaft is formed into a square shape, The paddy field working machine according to claim 6, wherein the shape of the insertion hole is formed into a square shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the connecting shaft.

9. The paddy field working machine of claim 6, wherein the insertion hole engages with the connecting shaft and extends toward the axial core of the connecting shaft further than the inner peripheral edge of the protective body, and is a second isolation portion that isolates the space inside the cylindrical portion from the space outside the cylindrical portion.

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