Work vehicle

Abstract

To provide a work vehicle in which an electric cylinder connected to a rod between a brake pedal and a brake can be easily attached / detached.SOLUTION: A work vehicle comprises: an operation part (6) disposed in a traveling vehicle body (1) which an operator boards; a rod (71) which connects a brake pedal (68) of the operation part (6) with a brake (70) braking a rear wheel (3); an electric cylinder (72) actuating the rod (71) in a direction so that the brake (70) brakes the rear wheel (3) in which the electric cylinder (72) is fixed to the traveling vehicle body (1) through a pin (74C) energized by energizing means (76B); and a gripping part (74D) which is arranged at an end part of the pin (74C) to manually pull out the pin (74C) in resistance to the energizing means (76B).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle that travels in a park or the like to cut grass or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to reduce the burden on the driver, a means has been known in which an electric cylinder is connected to a rod connecting the brake pedal and a brake that controls the output rotation of the rear wheels, thereby assisting the driver in pressing down on the brake pedal (Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a known working vehicle has a battery mounted at the rear of the vehicle, supplies power from the battery to an electric motor, and transmits the output rotation of the electric motor to drive the rear wheels or a working implement such as a mower deck supported at the front of the vehicle so that it can be raised and lowered (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-102978 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-156340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the means of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that malfunctions may occur, such as a wire being broken to prevent power from being supplied to the electric cylinder when the brake is activated, or if the electric vehicle loses power as in Patent Document 2, the work vehicle cannot be moved to the shoulder of the road, which could hinder the movement of other work vehicles.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a work vehicle in which an electric cylinder connected to a rod connecting a brake pedal and a brake can be easily attached and detached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which has solved the above-mentioned problems, is a work vehicle comprising a traveling body (1) having rear wheels (3), and a control section (6) on which a driver sits on the traveling body (1), a brake pedal (68) of the control section (6) and a brake (70) that brakes the rear wheels (3) are connected by a rod (71), and an electric cylinder (72) that operates the rod (71) in the direction in which the brake (70) brakes the rear wheels (3), the electric cylinder (72) is fixed to the traveling body (1) via a pin (74C) biased by a biasing means (76B), and a gripping section (74D) is provided at the end of the pin (74C) for manually pulling out the pin (74C) against the biasing means (76B). [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the electric cylinder (72) in which a malfunction has occurred can be easily detached, and the work vehicle can be moved to the shoulder of the road. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the work vehicle with the bonnet cover in an open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a work vehicle with a part cut away. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear wheels and the main parts of the work machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the rear wheel and the main part of the work machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the electric motor for the rear wheels and the electric motor for the work machine. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery and a battery bracket. [Figure 11]FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a front view of the front wheel, the battery, and the battery bracket. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the main parts of the work vehicle. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the inverter device. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the battery monitoring device. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the brake pedal, the electric cylinder, and the drum brake. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the brake pedal, the electric cylinder, and the drum brake. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an attachment / detachment device for an electric cylinder. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric cylinder attachment / detachment device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, a work vehicle such as a riding lawnmower has a body 1, a pair of left and right front wheels 2 at the front of the body 1, a pair of left and right rear wheels 3 at the rear of the body 1, and a work implement 4 for cutting grass or the like between the front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3 on the underside of the body 1. In addition, a bonnet section 5 is provided at the front of the upper part of the body 1, and a control section 6 on which a driver sits is provided behind the bonnet section 5, and a grass collection container 7 for collecting grass or the like cut by the work implement 4 is provided behind the control section 6.

[0010] 2 and 3, a battery 50 that stores electricity to be supplied to the electric motor 30 that drives the rear wheels 3 and the like are provided in the bonnet section 5, and the battery 50 is covered by a bonnet cover 51. The bonnet cover 51 is supported by a support shaft (not shown) that extends in the left-right direction and is provided at the front of the traveling body 1. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the space formed in the bonnet section 5 and also to suppress differences in the weight balance in the front-to-rear direction of the work vehicle.

[0011] Electrical components 61 are provided below the cockpit 60 of the control section 6. This allows the space formed below the cockpit 60 to be used effectively.

[0012] 4 to 7, an electric motor (referred to as "first electric motor" in claims) 30, such as a synchronous motor or induction motor, which is operated with a three-phase AC voltage waveform and drives the rear wheels 3, is provided below the electrical component 61. An output shaft (referred to as "first output shaft" in claims) 30A formed to extend in the left-right direction of the electric motor 30 is connected to the upper part of a gearbox 31 which reduces the speed of the output rotation transmitted from the output shaft 30A to increase the output torque or to reverse the direction of rotation. The electric motor 30 is provided at a position offset to the left of the center in the left-right direction.

[0013] The output rotation increased or reduced by the gearbox 31 is transmitted to a drive shaft 33 extending in the left-right direction via a differential gear 32 formed by a differential gear or the like, which is provided below the gearbox 31. The output rotation transmitted to the drive shaft 33 is then transmitted to rear wheels 3 supported at both ends of the drive shaft 33.

[0014] An electric motor (referred to as "second electric motor" in the claims) 40, such as a synchronous motor or induction motor, is provided below the electric motor 30 and is operated with a three-phase AC voltage waveform to drive the work machine 4. An output shaft (referred to as "second output shaft") 40A extending in the front-rear direction of the electric motor 40 is connected to the rear of a universal joint 41 also extending in the front-rear direction. The output shaft 40A is provided above the drive shaft 33 and perpendicular to the drive shaft 33. This allows the space below the electric motor 30 to be effectively utilized. Furthermore, the transmission path between the electric motor 40 and the work machine 4 can be shortened, allowing the output rotation of the electric motor 40 to be efficiently transmitted to the work machine 4. The electric motor 40 is provided in a position offset to the left of the center in the left-right direction.

[0015] The front portion of the universal joint 41 is connected to a gearbox 42 that reduces the speed of the output rotation transmitted from the universal joint 41 and increases the output torque. The output rotation transmitted to the gearbox 42 is transmitted to a left cutting blade (not shown) provided in the left discharge passage 45L of the work implement 4 via an output shaft that is formed to extend in the vertical direction of the gearbox 42.

[0016] A connecting member 43 extending in the left-right direction is connected to the right part of the gearbox 42, and the right part of the connecting member 43 is connected to the gearbox 44. The output rotation transmitted to the gearbox 44 is transmitted to a right cutting blade (not shown) provided in the right discharge passage 45R of the work implement 4 via an output shaft formed to extend in the up-down direction of the gearbox 44. The output rotations of the output shafts of the gearbox 42 and gearbox 44 rotate at the same rotational speed but in opposite directions; that is, in a plan view, the output shaft of the gearbox 42 rotates clockwise and the output shaft of the gearbox 44 rotates counterclockwise.

[0017] The discharge outlets of the left discharge passage 45L and the right discharge passage 45R are connected to the inlet of a chute 46 that transports cut grass and the like to the grass collection container 7. The discharge outlet of the chute 46 is connected to the inlet of the grass collection container 7.

[0018] In a plan view, the front of the chute 46 is provided to the right of the universal joint 41, and the rear of the chute 46 is provided to the right of the gearbox 31, and in a rear view, the chute 46 and grass collection container 7 are provided between the gearbox 31 and the right rear wheel 3. This allows a large chute 46 to be provided in the space formed to the right of the universal joint 41 and gearbox 31, and grass and the like cut by the work implement 4 can be efficiently transported to the grass collection container 7.

[0019] In a side view, the upper wall of the chute 46 is formed with an upward slope toward the rear, and the rear portion of the chute 46 is provided extending downward below the electrical component 61. This makes the rear portion of the chute 46 larger, making it possible to prevent the inside of the chute 46 from becoming clogged with grass or the like.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vehicle body 1 is formed of a vehicle body main body 10 that supports the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3, and a steering post 11 that supports the steering shaft 63.

[0021] The vehicle body 10 is formed with a left front-rear frame 10L and a right front-rear frame 10R extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and the lower part of the steering post 11 is formed with a left connecting portion 11L and a right connecting portion 11R extending forward.

[0022] The left connecting portion 11L is fixed to the left front and rear frame 10L by fastening means such as bolts, and the right connecting portion 11R is fixed to the right front and rear frame 10R by fastening means such as bolts, and these are integrated to form the traveling vehicle body 1.

[0023] A left support member 12L is provided at the front of the left front-rear frame 10L, and the connecting portion of the left support member 12L is inclined upward to the left. Also, a right support member 12R is provided at the front of the right front-rear frame 10R, and the connecting portion of the right support member 12R is inclined upward to the right. The left support member 12L and the right support member 12R are made of channel steel.

[0024] A left support member 13L is provided in front of the left connecting portion 11L, and the connecting portion of the left support member 13L is formed with an upward slope to the left. Also, a right support member 13R is provided in front of the right connecting portion 11R, and the connecting portion of the right support member 12R is formed with an upward slope to the right. The left support member 13L and the right support member 13R are made of channel steel.

[0025] At the bottom of the steering post 11, protrusions 14 are formed that protrude forward at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction, and a buffer member 15 made of a rubber material or the like is provided at the tip of the protrusions 14.

[0026] As shown in Figure 10, the lower part of the battery 50 provided inside the bonnet section 5 is fitted into the inner periphery of a battery bracket 52. The battery 50 is formed by connecting multiple high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries in series and parallel, which makes it possible to make effective use of the space formed in the bonnet section 5. Furthermore, because lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, the work vehicle can travel long distances on a single full charge.

[0027] 11, the battery bracket 52 is formed of a left front-rear frame 52L and a right front-rear frame 52R extending in the front-rear direction, a front left-right frame 52A connecting the front portions of the left front-rear frame 52L and the right front-rear frame 52R, and a rear left-right frame 52B connecting the rear portions of the left front-rear frame 52L and the right front-rear frame 52R. The left front-rear frame 52L and the right front-rear frame 52R are formed from angle steel, and the front left-right frames 52A and the rear left-right frames 52B are formed from channel steel.

[0028] The connecting portion of the left front and rear frame 52L is inclined upward to the left, and the connecting portion of the right front and rear frame 52R is inclined upward to the left. In rear view, the connecting portions of the left support member 13L, the left support member 12L, and the left front and rear frame 52L are inclined upward to the left at the same inclination angle, and the connecting portions of the right support member 12R, the right support member 12R, and the right front and rear frame 52R are inclined upward to the right at the same inclination angle.

[0029] A round left vibration-damping member 53L is provided on the underside of the connecting portion of the left front-rear frame 52L at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction, and a round right vibration-damping member 53R is provided on the underside of the connecting portion of the right front-rear frame 52R at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction.

[0030] The left front and rear frame 52L is connected to the left support member 12L of the left front and rear frame 10L and the left support member 13L of the left connecting portion 11L via a left vibration isolating member 53L, and the right front and rear frame 52R is connected to the right support member 12R of the right front and rear frame 10R and the right support member 13R of the right connecting portion 11R via a right vibration isolating member 53R. This prevents vibrations of the traveling vehicle body 10 that occur when the work vehicle is traveling from being transmitted to the battery 50, thereby preventing damage to the battery 50.

[0031] As shown in Figure 12, the connecting portion of the left front and rear frame 52L is arranged perpendicular to a left imaginary line 55L that connects the center of the left vibration-isolating member 53L and the center of the left front wheel 2L on the left side. Similarly, the connecting portion of the right front and rear frame 52R is arranged perpendicular to a right imaginary line 55R that connects the center of the right vibration-isolating member 53R and the center of the right front wheel 2R on the right side. This makes it possible to suppress large vibrations caused by unevenness in the riding surface via the front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3, thereby preventing damage to the battery 50. Reference numeral 57 denotes a front wheel support frame that supports the left and right front wheels 2, and reference numeral 56 denotes a connecting portion between the front wheel support frame and the traveling vehicle main body 10, and indicates the swing axis of the front wheel support frame.

[0032] Additionally, the tip of the buffer member 15 of the steering post 11 is pressed against the rear surfaces of the left and right rear frames 52B of the battery bracket 52. This prevents the battery 50 from moving rearward when the work vehicle starts, thereby preventing damage to the battery 50.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a steering wheel 62 is provided in front of a driver's seat 60 of the control section 6, and the steering wheel 62 is supported on the upper part of a steering shaft 63 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0034] A cleaner lever 65 is provided on the left fender 64L on the left side of the operator's seat 60 to operate the transport of grass clippings remaining inside the chute 46 to the grass collection container 7 at the rear, and an operating lever 66 is provided on the right fender 64R of the operator's seat 60 to operate the raising and lowering of the work implement 4, etc.

[0035] A brake pedal 68 is provided at the front left of a floor 67 on which the operator places his or her foot when operating the vehicle, and the front portion of a rod 71 extending in the front-to-rear direction is connected to the lower portion of the brake pedal 68, and the rear portion of the rod 71 is connected to a brake 70 that brakes the output rotation of the gearbox 31. In addition, a forward accelerator pedal 78 and a reverse accelerator pedal 79 are provided side by side at the front right of the floor 67.

[0036] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the electrical components 61 provided below the cockpit 60 are composed of an inverter device 80 that converts the DC voltage supplied from the battery 50 into AC voltage and generates a three-phase AC voltage waveform that operates the electric motor 30, etc.; a battery monitoring device 81 that monitors the temperature, charge state, voltage protection, and short-circuit state of each cell of the battery 50; an auxiliary battery 82 such as a lead-acid battery that stores electricity to supply to a meter panel (not shown) provided in front of the cockpit 60 that displays the traveling speed, etc.; and a converter device 83 that converts the DC voltage supplied from the battery 50 into DC voltage that is supplied to a sensor that detects the operating position of the cleaner lever 65, etc.

[0037] Inverter device 80 is made up of inverter device 84 that operates electric motor 30 and inverter device 85 that operates electric motor 40. In addition, when regenerative braking is activated, that is, when forward accelerator pedal 78 or reverse accelerator pedal 79 is released and the output shaft 30A rotates due to the inertial force of the traveling vehicle body 1, causing electric motor 30 to operate as a generator, inverter device 84 also functions as a charging device that charges battery 50 with power supplied from electric motor 30 to inverter device 80.

[0038] In a plan view, an inverter device 80 is provided in the front below the driver's seat 60, and a battery monitoring device 81 is provided behind the inverter device 80. An auxiliary battery 82 is provided to the left of the inverter device 80, and a converter device 83 is provided behind the auxiliary battery 82 and to the left of the battery monitoring device 81. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the space formed below the driver's seat 60. Furthermore, by providing the heavy battery monitoring device 81 at the rear, the difference in weight applied to the front and rear of the traveling vehicle body main body 10 can be reduced, thereby improving traveling stability.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 15, round grommets 86 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right walls of the housing 80A of the inverter device 80 at a predetermined distance in the front-to-rear direction. The housing 80A is also connected via the grommets 86 to left and right frames 16 extending in the left-to-right direction and provided at the rear of the traveling vehicle main body 10. This makes it possible to suppress transmission of vibrations of the traveling vehicle main body 10 that occur when the work vehicle is traveling to the inverter device 80, thereby preventing damage to the inverter device 80. Furthermore, electric wires connecting the inverter device 80 and the electric motor 30 can be inserted into the hollow portion formed in the grommet 86, making it easy to route the electric wires.

[0040] 16, round grommets 87 are provided at predetermined intervals in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions on the bottom wall of the housing 81A of the battery monitoring device 81. In addition, the housing 81A is connected via the grommets 87 to the support frame 18, which is connected to the left and right frames 17 provided on the rear side of the left and right frames 16. This makes it possible to suppress transmission of vibrations of the traveling vehicle body 10 that occur when the work vehicle is traveling to the battery monitoring device 81, thereby preventing damage to the battery monitoring device 81. In addition, electric wires connecting the battery monitoring device 81 and the battery 50 can be inserted into the hollow portion formed in the grommet 87, making it easy to route the electric wires.

[0041] 17 and 18, the brake pedal 68 and a brake 70 that brakes the output rotation of the gearbox 31 are connected by a rod 71 that extends in the front-to-rear direction. An electric cylinder 72 that assists depression of the brake pedal 68 is provided on the left side of the rod 71 in the traveling vehicle body 1. The longitudinal direction of the electric cylinder 72 is provided in parallel with the rod 71 along the front-to-rear direction.

[0042] When the brake pedal 68 is depressed, the brake pedal 68 rotates counterclockwise around a support shaft 68A extending in the left-right direction, moving the rod 71 forward. This activates the brake 70, stopping the rotation of the rear wheel 3. Furthermore, when the brake pedal 68 is released, a traction means 69, such as a spring, provided below the brake pedal 68 causes the brake pedal 68 to rotate clockwise around the support shaft 68A, moving the rod 71 rearward. This releases the brake 70, allowing the rear wheel 3 to rotate.

[0043] When a brake switch (not shown) provided on the control unit 6 is turned ON, the rod of the electric cylinder 72 contracts, moving the rod 71 forward. This assists the depression of the brake pedal 68, reducing the burden on the operator. When the brake switch is turned OFF, the rod of the electric cylinder 72 extends, moving the rod 71 rearward, and disengaging the brake 70.

[0044] 19, the rear portion of the rod side of the electric cylinder 72 is connected to the rod 71 via a connecting member 73 extending in the left-right direction. The rear portion of the electric cylinder 72 is rotatably fixed to a cylindrical pin (second pin) 73A formed on the left portion of the connecting member 73.

[0045] The front part of the piston side of the electric cylinder 72 is connected to a fixed member 77 erected on the upper surface of the traveling body 1 via a cylindrical pin (first pin) 74C extending in the left-right direction of the attachment / detachment device 74. The front part of the electric cylinder 72 is rotatably fixed to the pin 74C.

[0046] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the attachment / detachment device 74 is formed from a support plate 74A erected on the upper surface of the running body 1, a roughly C-shaped support body 74B extending leftward from the left surface of the support plate 74A, a pin 74C extending left and right inside the support body 74B, and a handle 74D provided on the left side of the pin 74C.

[0047] The support body 74B is formed from a rectangular front plate 75A, a rectangular rear plate 75B, and a connecting plate 75C that connects the left portions of the front plate 75A and rear plate 75B. The front plate 75A is formed with a guide groove (referred to as a "first guide groove" in the claims) 75D that extends in the left-right direction, and a guide groove 75E that extends in the up-down direction from the left portion of guide groove 75D to the lower end of the front plate 75A. The connecting plate 75C is also formed with an opening 75F through which the pin 74C is inserted.

[0048] A pair of protrusions 76A extending in the outer circumferential direction is formed in the middle of the pin 74C in the left-right direction, and a biasing means 76B such as a spring is fitted on the pin 74C between the connecting plate 75C and the protrusions 76A. This prevents the pin 74C from falling off due to vibrations during travel, and prevents the front part of the electric cylinder 72 from coming off the fixing member 77.

[0049] On the other hand, when removing the front portion of the electric cylinder 72 from the fixed member 77, the handle 74D is pulled to move the protrusion 76A to the left of the guide groove 75D. Next, when viewed from the axis of the pin 74C, the handle 74D is rotated counterclockwise to move the protrusion 76A downward from the upper part of the guide groove 75E, and the protrusion 76A engages with the front engaging portion 75G of the guide groove (the "second guide groove" in the claims) 75E. This allows the front portion of the electric cylinder 72 to be pulled upward and removed from the fixed member 77, making it easy to remove the malfunctioning electric cylinder 72. After removing the snap pin 73B, the rear portion of the electric cylinder 72 can be pulled leftward to remove it from the pin 73A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Running vehicle 2 front wheels 3 rear wheels 4 Work equipment 5. Bonnet 6 Control Unit 7 Grass collection container 30 Electric motor (1st electric motor) 30A output shaft (first output shaft) 31 Gearbox 33 Drive shaft 40 Electric motor (second electric motor) 40A output shaft (second output shaft) 46 Shooter 50 Battery 60 cockpit 68 Brake pedal 70 Brake 71 Rod 72 Electric Cylinder 73 Connecting member 73A pin (2nd pin) 74 Detachable device 74C pin (1st pin) 74D Handle (grip) 75A Front Panel 75B rear plate 75D Guide groove (first guide groove) 75E guide groove (second guide groove) 76A Protrusion 76B Biasing means 77 Fixing member

Claims

1. a vehicle body (1) having rear wheels (3); A control section (6) on which a driver rides is provided on the traveling vehicle body (1), A brake pedal (68) of the steering unit (6) and a brake (70) for braking the rear wheels (3) are connected by a rod (71); an electric cylinder (72) for actuating the rod (71) in a direction in which the brake (70) brakes the rear wheel (3); The electric cylinder (72) is fixed to the traveling vehicle body (1) via a pin (74C) biased by a biasing means (76B), The work vehicle is provided with a grip portion (74D) at the end of the pin (74C) for manually pulling out the pin (74C) against the biasing means (76B).

2. 2. A work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein one end of the electric cylinder (72) is fixed to the traveling vehicle body (1), and the other end is connected to the rod (71).

3. A protrusion (76A) extending from the outer periphery of the pin (74C) is formed, 3. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a first guide groove (75D) that engages with the protrusion (76A) and guides the sliding of the pin (74C) in the axial direction, and a second guide groove (75E) that regulates the sliding of the pin (74C) in the axial direction are formed on at least one of a front plate (75A) and a rear plate (75B) of an attachment / detachment device (74) that supports the pin (74C) so that the pin (74C) can slide in the axial direction.

4. a bonnet portion (5) is provided on the upper surface of the traveling vehicle body (1) in front of a steering portion (6); A work machine (4) for cutting weeds such as grass is provided between the front wheels (2) and the rear wheels (3) on the underside of the traveling body (1), a first electric motor (30) for driving the rear wheels (3) and a second electric motor (40) for driving the working machine (4) are provided on the rear side below a driver's seat (60) of the control section (6); 4. The work vehicle according to claim 3, wherein a battery (50) for storing electric power to be supplied to the first electric motor (30) and the second electric motor (40) is provided in the bonnet portion (5).

5. A first output shaft (30A) of the first electric motor (30) is provided along the left-right direction, and a second output shaft (40A) of the second electric motor (40) is provided along the front-rear direction, A gearbox (31) is provided on one side of the first electric motor (30) to reduce the speed of output rotation of the first output shaft (30A) and to switch the direction of rotation; The rear wheel (3) and the gearbox (31) are connected by a drive shaft (33) extending in the left-right direction, and the first electric motor (30) is provided above the second electric motor (40) in rear view; 5. The work vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the second output shaft (40A) is provided above the drive shaft (33).

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