Electric work vehicle

Abstract

To provide an electric work vehicle that is easy to perform work over a cruising distance.SOLUTION: An electric work vehicle includes: a vehicle body 4 that is supported by travel devices 2, 3; an electric motor 11 that is provided in the vehicle body 4 and drives the travel devices 2, 3; and a battery that is provided in the vehicle body 4 and supplies electric power to the electric motor 11. The electric work vehicle includes an engine generator 20 having: a machine casing 21; a power generation part 22 that is provided inside the machine casing 21; and an engine 23 that is provided inside the machine casing 21 and drives the power generation part 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric work vehicle equipped with an electric motor that drives a traveling device. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, there is an electric work vehicle that is equipped with a body (body frame) supported by traveling gear (front wheels, rear wheels), an electric motor provided on the body to drive the traveling gear, and a battery provided on the body to supply power to the electric motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6810810 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned electric work vehicles, the battery needs to be charged if it is to be driven beyond its cruising range, but charging is generally not possible at the work site due to a lack of power sources. To carry out work beyond the cruising range, the vehicle or battery must be moved or transported to a location where it can be charged.

[0005] The present invention provides an electric work vehicle that makes it easy to perform work beyond the vehicle's cruising range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electric work vehicle according to the present invention comprises: An electric work vehicle is provided with a vehicle body supported by a traveling device, an electric motor provided on the vehicle body to drive the traveling device, and a battery provided on the vehicle body to supply power to the electric motor, and is provided with an engine generator having a machine housing, a power generation unit provided inside the machine housing, and an engine provided inside the machine housing to drive the power generation unit.

[0007] According to this configuration, power can be obtained from the engine generator, so even at work locations where there is no power source, the battery can be charged without having to move or transport the vehicle body or battery to a location where it can be charged, making it easier to work beyond the cruising range. With this configuration, the engine generator can be operated while traveling to charge the battery, allowing work to be continued without interruption. The engine generator can also supply power to other work equipment, such as backhoes and lawnmowers, located at the work site.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that the engine generator be mounted on and removed from the vehicle body.

[0009] According to this configuration, the engine generator can be lowered from the vehicle body to a location where it is easy to work on, making it easy to inspect or repair the engine generator.

[0010] In the present invention, It is preferable that the vehicle body has a loading platform, and the engine generator is installed in the loading platform.

[0011] According to this configuration, the loading platform is used as the installation platform for the engine generator, so there is no need to provide a special installation platform, which is inexpensive.

[0012] In the present invention, It is preferable that the loading platform be capable of changing its position to a dump position in which it swings upward around a loading platform pivot axis located at the rear along the width direction of the vehicle body as a swing fulcrum.

[0013] According to this configuration, by placing the loading platform in the dump position, the loading platform assumes a tilted position with its rear lowered, which makes it easy to load and unload the engine generator.

[0014] In the present invention, It is preferable that a rear gate is provided at the rear of the loading platform, and that the rear gate can be swung open and closed around a gate pivot shaft located at the bottom along the width direction of the vehicle body as a swing fulcrum.

[0015] According to this configuration, by placing the loading platform in a dump position and opening the rear gate, the loading platform, which is in a tilted position with the rear lowered, can be extended toward the ground by the rear gate, making it easy to load and unload the engine generator onto the loading platform.

[0016] In the present invention, It is preferable that a winch is provided at the front of the loading platform.

[0017] According to this configuration, the engine generator can be pulled up onto the loading platform by the winch, and can be lowered from the loading platform while being pulled and supported by the winch, making it easy to load and unload the engine generator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the electric utility vehicle with the engine generator mounted thereon, viewed from the left side. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a side view showing how to load and unload the engine generator onto and from the carrier. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the engine generator. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a transmission system that enables driving of the front and rear wheels. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, with respect to the body of an electric multipurpose vehicle (an example of an "electric work vehicle"), the direction of arrow F shown in Figures 1 and 2 is referred to as the "front of the body," the direction of arrow B shown in Figures 1 and 2 is referred to as the "rear of the body," the direction of arrow U shown in Figures 1 and 2 is referred to as the "upper side of the body," the direction of arrow D shown in Figures 1 and 2 is referred to as the "lower side of the body," the direction toward the front of the paper in Figures 1 and 2 is referred to as the "left side of the body," and the direction toward the back of the paper in Figures 1 and 2 is referred to as the "right side of the body." The left-right direction of the body corresponds to the width direction of the body.

[0020] [Overall configuration of the electric utility vehicle] The electric multipurpose vehicle (electric utility vehicle) shown in FIG. 1 is used for multiple purposes such as transporting luggage and recreation. The electric multipurpose vehicle is equipped with a vehicle body 4 having a vehicle frame 1 and the like. The vehicle body 4 is supported by a pair of left and right front traveling units 2 steerably and drivably provided at the front of the vehicle body frame 1, and a pair of left and right rear traveling units 3 drivably provided at the rear of the vehicle body frame 1. In this embodiment, the front traveling units 2 and the rear traveling units 3 are tires and wheels. A passenger section 5 is provided at the front of the vehicle body 4. The passenger section 5 is provided with a driver's seat 6, a steering wheel 7 for steering the front traveling units 2, and a roof protector 8 that covers the passenger space. A luggage bed 9 and an engine generator 20 are provided at the rear of the vehicle body 4. An electric motor 11 for traveling is provided below the luggage bed 9.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, an electric motor 11 for driving is provided below the loading platform 9, as well as a gear transmission 12, etc., which enable the front traveling device 2 and the rear traveling device 3 to be driven.

[0022] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the electric motor 11 is connected to an inverter 14, and the inverter 14 is connected to a battery 15. The inverter 14 and the battery 15 are provided in the vehicle body 4 below the loading platform 9 or below the driver's seat 6. A gear transmission 12 is connected to the electric motor 11.

[0023] DC power stored in battery 15 is converted to AC power by inverter 14, and the AC power is supplied to electric motor 11 to drive electric motor 11. Power of electric motor 11 is input to gear transmission 12 to generate reverse power and forward power, and the reverse power is transmitted to the left and right rear traveling devices 3 via a rear differential mechanism (not shown) provided in gear transmission 12. Forward power is transmitted to the left and right front traveling devices 2 via a front differential mechanism (not shown) installed inside a front traveling device support case (shown).

[0024] [Charging the battery] As shown in Fig. 1, an engine generator 20 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 4, and power can be obtained from the engine generator 20 to charge the battery 15. In this embodiment, the engine generator 20 is provided on the vehicle body 4 by being installed on the loading platform 9.

[0025] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the engine generator 20 includes a housing 21. The housing 21 is a member separate from the members that make up the vehicle body 4, such as the vehicle body frame 1. A power generation unit 22 and an engine 23 are provided inside the housing 21. In this embodiment, the engine 23 is a diesel engine, but it may also be a gasoline engine. The power generation unit 22 and the engine 23 are connected, allowing the engine 23 to drive the power generation unit 22. An output unit 24 is formed on a side wall of the housing 21. A charging cable 25 is provided on the output unit 24. The charging cable 25 is provided so that it can be reeled out and wound around the output unit 24. A power supply connector 26 is provided at the tip of the charging cable 25.

[0026] In the engine generator 20 , the power generation unit 22 is driven by the engine 23 to generate electricity, and the generated electricity is extracted by the output unit 24 and supplied to the charging cable 25 .

[0027] 4, the battery 15 and the charger 16 are connected, and the charger 16 is provided with a power receiving connector 17. In this embodiment, the power receiving connector 17 is installed at the rear of the vehicle body 4.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, when the engine generator 20 is operated, by connecting the power supply connector 26 of the engine generator 20 to the power receiving connector 17 of the charger 16, the power generated by the engine generator 20 is supplied from the charging cable 25 via the power supply connector 26 and the power receiving connector 17 to the charger 16, and the power is charged into the battery 15.

[0029] [Loading and unloading engine generators] As shown in Figure 1, connecting portions 9a are formed on the left and right lower portions of the rear of the loading platform 9, and the left and right connecting portions 9a are pivotally supported on left and right loading platform support frame portions 1a of the body frame 1. The loading platform 9 is supported by the body frame 1 in a state in which it can swing up and down around a loading platform pivot axis P, which is provided on the left and right connecting portions 9a and runs along the width direction of the vehicle body, as a swing fulcrum. A cylinder 10 is connected to the bottom of the loading platform 9 and the body frame 1. By extending and contracting the cylinder 10, the loading platform 9 can be changed between a dump position (see Figure 2) in which it is tilted downward at the rear by being operated to swing up, and a transport position (see Figure 1) in which it is horizontal by being operated to swing down.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 1, a rear gate 9b is provided at the rear of the loading platform 9. The rear gate 9b is supported by the loading platform 9 in a swingable state around a gate pivot axis X located at the bottom along the width direction of the vehicle body as a swing fulcrum, and can be changed in position between an open position where it swings downward (see Fig. 2) and a closed position where it swings upward (see Fig. 1).

[0031] Guide rails 27 extending in the front-to-rear direction of the loading platform 9 are provided at two locations, left and right, inside the loading platform 9. The left guide rail 27 is configured to engage with wheels 28 rotatably provided at two locations, front and rear, on the lower left side of the chassis 21 of the engine generator 20, to guide the movement of the wheels 28. The right guide rail 27 is configured to engage with wheels 28 rotatably provided at two locations, front and rear, on the lower right side of the chassis 21 of the engine generator 20, to guide the movement of the wheels 28. A winch 29 is provided at the front of the loading platform 9. In this embodiment, the winch 29 is an electric winch.

[0032] The engine generator 20 can be loaded onto and unloaded from the loading platform 9 in accordance with the following loading and unloading procedures. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the bed 9 is changed to a dump position, and the rear gate 9b is changed to an open position, so that the bed 9 in a rear-down position is extended toward the ground G by the rear gate 9b. The winch 29 is driven so that the rope 30 that is unwound from the winch 29 and connected to the engine generator 20 is wound up. The winch 29 then pulls up the engine generator 20, and the engine generator 20 is pulled up from the ground G to the rear gate 9b, and then from the rear gate 9b onto the bed 9. When the engine generator 20 is placed on the bed 9, the wheels 28 engage with the guide rails 27, and the wheels 28 move forward while being guided by the guide rails 27, so that the engine generator 20 is transported forward on the bed 9. When the engine generator 20 is positioned at a predetermined installation location on the bed 9, the wheels 28 engage with and are fixed in recesses (not shown) formed in the guide rails 27, and the engine generator 20 is loaded into the predetermined installation location on the bed 9. In FIG. 2, the side gate 9c of the loading platform 9 (see FIG. 1) is omitted.

[0033] The winch 29 is driven to pay out the rope 30 connected to the engine generator 20 in the opposite manner to loading. Then, because the loading platform 9 and rear gate 9b are in an inclined position with the rear lowered, the engine generator 20 is pulled and supported by the winch 29, while the wheel 28 is guided by the guide rail 27 and moves rearward, and the engine generator 20 is lowered from the loading platform 9 to the rear gate 9b, and then from the rear gate 9b to the ground G.

[0034] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the engine generator 20 is provided in the vehicle body 4 by being installed in the loading platform 9, but this is not limiting. The engine generator 20 may be provided in the vehicle body 4 by being installed in the vehicle body frame 1 in a generator installation space provided, for example, between the passenger section 5 and the loading platform 9 or behind the loading platform 9.

[0035] (2) In the above embodiment, the engine generator 20 can be mounted and removed, but it may also be fixed to the vehicle body 4.

[0036] (3) In the above embodiment, the rear gate 9b can be opened and closed, but it may be configured not to be open and closed.

[0037] (4) In the above embodiment, the loading platform 9 can be changed to a dump position, but this is not limitative, and the loading platform 9 may not be capable of being dumped.

[0038] (5) In the above embodiment, the winch 29 is provided, but the winch 29 may not be provided. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The present invention can be applied to various electric work vehicles such as electric tractors in addition to electric utility vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 2 Running gear (front running gear) 3 Running gear (rear running gear) 4. Body 9 Cargo bed 9b Rear Gate 11 Electric motor 15 Battery 21 Machine case 22 Power Generation Department 23 Engine 29 Winch P Pivot axis of loading platform X-gate pivot axis

Claims

1. An electric work vehicle including a vehicle body supported by a traveling device, an electric motor provided on the vehicle body to drive the traveling device, and a battery provided on the vehicle body to supply power to the electric motor, An electric work vehicle equipped with an engine generator having a machine housing, a power generation unit provided inside the machine housing, and an engine provided inside the machine housing to drive the power generation unit.

2. 2. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engine generator is mounted on and removed from the vehicle body.

3. A loading platform is provided on the vehicle body, 2. The electric work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engine generator is installed on the loading platform.

4. 4. The electric work vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the loading platform is capable of swinging upward and into a dump position around a loading platform pivot axis located at the rear along the width direction of the vehicle body as a swing fulcrum.

5. A rear gate is provided at the rear of the loading platform, 5. The electric work vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the rear gate can be swung open and closed around a gate pivot shaft located at the bottom along the width of the vehicle body as a swing fulcrum.

6. 6. The electric work vehicle according to claim 4, wherein a winch is provided at the front of the loading platform.

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