Work machine

Abstract

To provide a working machine capable of efficiently mounting a hydrogen tank.SOLUTION: A work machine 1 of the present invention includes a lower travelling body 10, an upper slewing body 20 slewably provided with respect to the lower travelling body 10, a power source 41 provided in the upper slewing body 20 and using hydrogen as fuel, one or more hydrogen tanks 50 provided in the lower travelling body 10, and a hydrogen supply line HL for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 50 to the power source 41. For example, the work machine 1 includes the hydrogen filling port 51 provided in the lower travelling body 10 and configured to fill the hydrogen tank 50 with hydrogen, and the pressure reducing valve 52 provided in the lower travelling body 10 and configured to reduce the pressure of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 50, and hydrogen whose pressure has been reduced by the pressure reducing valve 52 is supplied to the upper slewing body 20 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A work machine is known in which at least a part of an energy storage system including a fuel cell is installed as part of a counterweight (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Specifically, an energy storage system including a fuel cell is provided at a counterweight provided on the upper rotating body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-9589 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, if the fuel cell is a hydrogen fuel cell, the energy source is hydrogen, but since hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen tank in the form of a high-pressure gas, its energy density per volume is lower than that of diesel fuel, etc.

[0006] This means that hydrogen requires a larger storage space than light oil or the like, and if part of the counterweight is used as a mounting location for the hydrogen tank, the amount of hydrogen that can be stored will be insufficient to operate the work machine for an extended period of time.

[0007] Therefore, if part of the counterweight is used as a place to mount a hydrogen tank, the hydrogen tank will need to be filled with hydrogen frequently, which will reduce work efficiency.

[0008] On the other hand, in addition to the counterweight, the upper rotating body is equipped with structures (such as a driver's seat, a mounting portion for the work attachment, a pump that supplies pressurized oil to hydraulic actuators of the work attachment, etc., an electric motor that drives the pump, a fuel cell device that supplies power to the electric motor, and a cooling device for cooling the fuel cell device).

[0009] For this reason, it is difficult to secure space on the upper rotating body other than the counterweight to mount another hydrogen tank to make up for the lack of hydrogen.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a work machine that can efficiently mount a hydrogen tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is realized by the following configuration. The work machine of the present invention comprises: a lower running body; an upper rotating body that is rotatably provided with respect to the lower traveling body; a hydrogen-fueled power source provided on the upper rotating body; one or more hydrogen tanks provided on the undercarriage; and a hydrogen supply line for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to the power source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, a work machine capable of efficiently mounting a hydrogen tank can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a work machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a work machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]1 is a block diagram for explaining a drive system of a work machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the mounting state of a hydrogen tank and the like in the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a hydrogen supply line according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a work machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining a work machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the unitization of the hydrogen tank and other components according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same elements are denoted by the same numbers or symbols throughout the description of the embodiments.

[0015] However, please note that in consideration of the ease of viewing the drawings, not all of the same elements are numbered or marked, and some elements are not numbered or marked.

[0016] <<First Embodiment>> A working machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. In the first embodiment, the work machine 1 is shown as a crawler-type shovel, but the work machine 1 does not have to be limited to a shovel and may be other heavy machinery (for example, a demolition machine, a loading machine, an agricultural machine, etc.).

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of a work machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Note that Figure 1 is a left side view of the side of the work machine 1 that is on the left side when looking at the upper rotating body 20 from the rear, with the side where the operator's cab 21 of the upper rotating body 20 is located being the front and the opposite side being the rear.

[0018] In the following description of the upper rotating body 20, the side where the operator's cab 21 is located will be referred to as the front, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear. When looking at the upper rotating body 20 from the rear, the left side will be referred to as the left, and the right side will be referred to as the right.

[0019] It should be noted that since the upper rotating body 20 rotates relative to the lower traveling body 10, the definition of the direction of the upper rotating body 20 and the definition of the direction of the lower traveling body 10 may not coincide with each other.

[0020] Therefore, in the following description of the lower traveling structure 10, the direction will be explained based on the traveling direction during normal traveling operation.

[0021] Specifically, the forward direction during normal running operation of the lower running body 10 will be referred to as the forward direction (forward direction forward, forward side, etc.), and conversely, the backward direction will be referred to as the backward direction (backward direction forward, backward side of the forward direction, etc.).

[0022] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the work machine 1 of the first embodiment according to the present invention, as seen from the right side of FIG. In FIG. 2, the working mechanism 30 is not shown.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the work machine 1 comprises a lower running body 10, an upper rotating body 20 that is rotatably mounted relative to the lower running body 10, and a work mechanism 30 that is mounted on the upper rotating body 20 so as to be capable of raising and lowering, and has an attachment 33 at its tip.

[0024] As will be explained later, the work machine 1 also includes a hydrogen-fueled power source 41 provided on the upper rotating body 20, one or more hydrogen tanks 50 (see Figure 4) provided on the lower running body 10, and a hydrogen supply line HL (see Figures 4 and 5) that supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen tanks 50 to the power source 41.

[0025] The hydrogen tank 50 may suitably be a lightweight hydrogen tank made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and glass fiber reinforced plastic, which are used in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the like.

[0026] [Undercarriage 10] In the first embodiment, the lower traveling body 10 is of a crawler type. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower traveling body 10 includes a frame 11 and a traveling mechanism 12 (the mechanism itself is not shown) provided on the frame 11.

[0027] The lower running body 10 is provided with a hydrogen tank 50 (see FIG. 4) and the like, which will be described in detail later.

[0028] (Frame 11) The frame 11 includes a central frame 11A located in the center and a pair of spaced apart crawler frames 11B arranged in a direction (also referred to as a first direction) perpendicular to the traveling direction of the lower traveling body 10.

[0029] Specifically, the crawler frames 11B are integrally provided on both ends of the central frame 11A in the first direction.

[0030] (Traveling mechanism 12) Although not specifically shown, the traveling mechanism 12 is a mechanism for traveling provided on a general crawler-type lower traveling body 10.

[0031] For example, the running mechanism 12 includes a front idler provided on the front side of the crawler frame 11B in the forward direction, a sprocket provided on the rear side of the crawler frame 11B in the forward direction, an upper roller provided between the front idler and the sprocket on the upper side of the crawler frame 11B, a lower roller provided between the front idler and the sprocket on the lower side of the crawler frame 11B, and a rubber crawler provided to surround the front idler, sprocket, upper roller, and lower roller.

[0032] [Upper rotating body 20] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper rotating body 20 includes an operator's cab 21 provided in front of the upper rotating body 20 and a machine room 22 provided in the rear of the operator's cab 21.

[0033] The operator's cab 21 is provided with an operation unit (not shown) for an operator to sit in and perform various operations.

[0034] The machine room 22 also includes a power source 41 (see Figure 3) described below, a hydraulic pump 42 (see Figure 3) described below, a hydraulic oil tank 42A (see Figure 3) described below, a control valve 43 described below, and a swing motor 44A described below.

[0035] [Working mechanism 30] The working mechanism 30 comprises a boom 31 whose base end is capable of being raised and lowered relative to the upper rotating body 20, an arm 32 whose base end is rotatably mounted relative to the tip of the boom 31, and an attachment 33 (in this example, a bucket) whose base end is rotatably mounted to the tip of the arm 32.

[0036] The working mechanism 30 also includes a boom cylinder 31A for raising and lowering the boom 31 relative to the upper rotating body 20, an arm cylinder 32A for rotating the arm 32 relative to the boom 31, and an attachment cylinder 33A for rotating the attachment 33 relative to the arm 32.

[0037] The boom cylinder 31A, the arm cylinder 32A, and the attachment cylinder 33A are all hydraulic cylinders.

[0038] Next, an overview of the hydraulic drive system 40 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a drive system 40 of the work machine 1 of the first embodiment according to the present invention. Please note that Figure 3 is an illustration for making the hydraulic flow easier to understand, and does not necessarily correspond to the actual arrangement.

[0039] [Drivetrain 40] As shown in FIG. 3, the drive system 40 includes a power source 41, a working pump 42, a control valve 43, and a drive unit 44.

[0040] (Power source 41) The power source 41 is provided in the machine room 22 of the upper rotating body 20 and is a mechanism that generates power for driving the operating pump 42.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the power source 41 includes a hydrogen fuel cell 41A that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen supplied as fuel from a hydrogen tank 50 with oxygen in the air, and an electric motor 41B that is driven by the electricity generated by the hydrogen fuel cell 41A. The power source 41 may further include a secondary cell (a so-called battery) or the like.

[0042] The rotary shaft of the electric motor 41B is connected to the rotary shaft of the working pump 42, and the working pump 42 is driven by the driving of the electric motor 41B.

[0043] The electric motor 41B is, for example, a three-phase motor, and is integrally provided with an inverter that performs current control for rotation control.

[0044] The inverter converts the direct current from the hydrogen fuel cell 41A into a three-phase alternating current, which is supplied to the electric motor 41B, causing the electric motor 41B to rotate.

[0045] The power source 41 may be a hydrogen engine or the like that operates as an internal combustion engine that burns hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen tank 50 as fuel, instead of the configuration of the hydrogen fuel cell 41A and the electric motor 41B. In this way, the power source 41 does not need to be limited to the configuration of the first embodiment, and may be any mechanism that generates power for driving the actuation pump 42 using hydrogen as fuel.

[0046] (Operating pump 42) The hydraulic pump 42 is provided in the machine room 22 of the upper rotating body 20 and is a hydraulic pump that sends hydraulic oil from a hydraulic oil tank 42A provided in the machine room 22 of the upper rotating body 20 to the control valve 43. In other words, the hydraulic pump 42 is a mechanism that generates hydraulic pressure that is controlled by the control valve 43 .

[0047] (Control valve 43) The control valve 43 is provided in the machine room 22 of the upper rotating body 20, and is a valve that controls the supply of hydraulic oil to the drive unit 44 and the return of hydraulic oil from the drive unit 44 in accordance with the operation (operation by the operator) of an operating unit (not shown) for performing various operations provided in the driver's cab 21.

[0048] (Driver 44) The drive unit 44 includes a swing motor 44A, which is a hydraulic motor provided on the upper swing body 20, a work mechanism cylinder 44B, which is a hydraulic cylinder provided on the work mechanism 30, and a travel motor 44C, which is a hydraulic motor provided on each of the pair of travel mechanisms 12.

[0049] The swing motor 44A, the working mechanism cylinder 44B, and the traveling motor 44C are driven in accordance with the state of the hydraulic pressure (working oil) controlled by the control valve 43.

[0050] The swing motor 44A is a motor for swinging the upper swing body 20 relative to the lower traveling body 10, and the working mechanism cylinder 44B is the boom cylinder 31A, arm cylinder 32A, and attachment cylinder 33A shown above. The travel motor 44C is a motor for driving the crawler for travel.

[0051] Next, the hydrogen supply system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the mounting state of the hydrogen tank 50 and the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the hydrogen supply line HL of the first embodiment according to the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. In FIG. 5, the working mechanism 30 is not shown, and the parts other than those related to hydrogen, including the hydrogen supply line HL, are indicated by dotted lines.

[0053] 5, a high-pressure gas pipe 60 forming a hydrogen supply line HL extending from the hydrogen tank 50 rearward in the forward direction of the lower running body 10 is visible.

[0054] However, the high-pressure gas piping 60 not only has an extended piping section extending rearward in the direction of travel, but also has a high-pressure gas piping 60 (see Figure 4) section extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel, connecting multiple extended piping sections lined up toward the back of the paper at the position of the hydrogen filling port 51.

[0055] [50 hydrogen tanks and other equipment installed] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the work machine 1 is equipped with one or more cylindrical hydrogen tanks 50 provided on the lower running body 10, a hydrogen filling port 51 provided on the lower running body 10 for filling hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 50, and a pressure reducing valve 52 provided on the lower running body 10 for reducing the pressure of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 50.

[0056] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the work machine 1 is provided with a storage space 11C that is provided within the frame 11 (more specifically, the central frame 11A) of the lower running body 10 and that stores a hydrogen tank 50, and the storage space 11C has an opening on the rear side in the forward direction of the lower running body 10 that opens the storage space 11C to the outside, and one or more hydrogen tanks 50 are arranged within the storage space 11C so that the length direction of the hydrogen tank 50 is along the forward direction of the lower running body 10, and high-pressure gas piping 60 that forms a hydrogen supply line HL connecting the hydrogen tanks 50 is located on the opening side of the storage space 11C.

[0057] Since the hydrogen tanks 50 are filled with high-pressure hydrogen gas at a pressure of approximately 70 MPa, the high-pressure gas piping 60 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL connecting the hydrogen tanks 50 is required to have high strength (high pressure resistance), and it is also necessary to consider that deformation or breakage will not occur when stress, etc. is applied.

[0058] Therefore, it is preferable to use, for example, stainless steel piping of 3 / 8 inch or more for the high-pressure gas piping 60 forming the hydrogen supply line HL connecting the hydrogen tanks 50.

[0059] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the work machine 1 also has a storage space door 11C1 that is provided at the opening of the storage space 11C (see Figure 4), can be opened and closed, and when opened, allows access to the hydrogen supply line HL connected to the hydrogen tank 50 (see Figure 4). Therefore, when the storage space door 11C1 is closed and in the closed state, it is possible to prevent mud, dust, and water such as rainwater from entering the storage space 11C.

[0060] The hydrogen supply line HL located inside the accommodation space 11C (see FIG. 4) is a high-pressure gas before pressure reduction, so it is preferable to prevent anyone other than a serviceman in charge of maintenance from touching it. For this reason, the storage space door 11C1 may be designed to be lockable.

[0061] As described above, the hydrogen tanks 50 are positioned so that the hydrogen supply line HL connecting the hydrogen tanks 50 faces the opening side of the storage space 11C. Therefore, by simply opening the storage space door 11C1, it is possible to check from outside the storage space 11C through the opening of the storage space 11C for any abnormalities in the high-pressure gas piping 60 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL, and it is also possible to check for any abnormalities in the connection between the hydrogen tanks 50 and the high-pressure gas piping 60, etc.

[0062] Although not shown, the work machine 1 is provided with a hydrogen detector in the accommodation space 11C (see FIG. 4) above the hydrogen tank 50 and the like, for detecting hydrogen leakage.

[0063] When the hydrogen detector detects a hydrogen leak, it alerts nearby workers and the operator operating the work machine 1 to the hydrogen leak by sounding an alarm or the like.

[0064] Also, although not shown in the figure, the work machine 1 is equipped with a storage space door open / close detection unit (e.g., a proximity sensor) that detects the open / close state of the storage space door 11C1, and a storage space door interlock mechanism that restricts the operation of the work machine 1 when the storage space door open / close detection unit detects the open state of the storage space door 11C1.

[0065] The storage space door interlock mechanism is realized by a control unit (not shown) that manages the control relationships of the work machine 1.

[0066] The storage space door interlock mechanism prevents the electric motor 41B from being driven when the storage space door open / close detection unit detects that the storage space door 11C1 is open, even if an operation to start the electric motor 41B (such as turning on the switch or the key) is performed.

[0067] In this way, by preventing the electric motor 41B from being driven, the operating pump 42, which generates the hydraulic pressure necessary to drive the drive unit 44, will not operate, making it possible to prevent situations in advance that could lead to an accident, such as the work machine 1 accidentally moving during maintenance.

[0068] On the other hand, the interlocking method performed by the storage space door interlock mechanism does not need to be limited to the method of not operating the electric motor 41B.

[0069] For example, another possible interlocking method is to permit the electric motor 41B to be started but restrict the drive unit 44 from being driven.

[0070] In other words, the storage space door interlock mechanism may allow the electric motor 41B to be started when the storage space door opening / closing detection unit detects that the storage space door 11C1 is open, but may restrict the drive unit 44 from being driven even if an operating unit (not shown) for performing various operations provided in the driver's cab 21 is operated.

[0071] This also provides an interlock effect similar to that achieved by preventing the electric motor 41B from being driven.

[0072] In addition, when the storage space door open / close detection unit detects that the storage space door 11C1 is open while the electric motor 41B is running, the storage space door interlock mechanism stops the operation of the electric motor 41B or restricts the drive unit 44 from being driven even if an operating unit (not shown) for performing various operations provided in the driver's cab 21 is operated.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4, the work machine 1 is provided with a filling port accommodating section 11D that is provided within the frame 11 (more specifically, the central frame 11A) of the lower running body 10 and that accommodates the hydrogen filling port 51, and a filling port door 11D1 that is provided in the filling port accommodating section 11D and can be opened and closed, and that is opened when accessing the hydrogen filling port 51, thereby enabling access to the hydrogen filling port 51 from outside the filling port accommodating section 11D.

[0074] Therefore, when filling port door 11D1 is closed and in the closed state, it is possible to prevent mud, dust, and water such as rainwater from entering the interior of filling port accommodating section 11D.

[0075] Furthermore, the work of filling the fuel, hydrogen, will be carried out by a person other than a serviceman, such as an operator who operates the work machine 1, as appropriate, depending on the work history and work plan of the work machine 1, and access to the hydrogen filling port 51 is required for this filling work.

[0076] Furthermore, by providing a dedicated filling port door 11D1 that allows access only to the hydrogen filling port 51, operators and the like can be prevented from coming into contact with the hydrogen supply line HL (high-pressure gas piping 60) that connects the hydrogen tanks 50.

[0077] Also, although not shown in the figure, the work machine 1 is equipped with a filling port door open / close detection unit (e.g., a proximity sensor) that detects the open / close state of the filling port door 11D1, and a filling port interlock mechanism that restricts the operation of the work machine 1 when the filling port door open / close detection unit detects the open state of the filling port door 11D1.

[0078] Specifically, the filling door interlock mechanism, like the storage space door interlock mechanism, is realized by a control unit (not shown) that manages the control relationships of the work machine 1, and the content of the interlock is the same as that described for the storage space door interlock mechanism.

[0079] [Hydrogen supply line HL] The hydrogen supply line HL is a line formed by piping members, connecting members, etc., for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 50 to the power source 41.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, the hydrogen supply line HL includes a high-pressure gas pipe 60 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL connecting the hydrogen tanks 50 described above, as well as a high-pressure gas pipe 61 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL connecting the hydrogen filling port 51 and the pressure reducing valve 52.

[0081] The pressure applied to the high-pressure gas pipe 61 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL connecting this hydrogen filling port 51 and the pressure reducing valve 52 is the same as the pressure applied to the high-pressure gas pipe 60 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL connecting the hydrogen tanks 50. Therefore, like the high-pressure gas pipe 60, it is preferable to use stainless steel pipes of 3 / 8 inch or more for the high-pressure gas pipe 61.

[0082] The hydrogen supply line HL also includes a gas pipe 62 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL passing through a swivel joint SJ attached to the lower running body 10 to supply hydraulic pressure to the lower running body 10 side, and a gas pipe 63 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL connecting the end (also referred to as one end) of the gas pipe 62 on the lower running body 10 side (also referred to as the upstream side) to the pressure reducing valve 52.

[0083] The swivel joint SJ is attached to the lower traveling body 10 so that the central axis of the swivel joint SJ is aligned with the rotation center RT of the upper rotating body 20.

[0084] Furthermore, since the gas pipes 62 and 63 only pass hydrogen gas after being depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 52, they do not need to have the pressure resistance described above.

[0085] On the other hand, the hydrogen supply line HL is provided at the end (also referred to as the other end) on the upper rotating body 20 side (also referred to as the downstream side) of the gas piping 62 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL passing through the swivel joint SJ, and is equipped with a rotary joint RJ that can rotate around the rotation center RT of the upper rotating body 20.

[0086] That is, the work machine 1 is provided on the hydrogen supply line HL and is equipped with a rotary joint RJ that is rotatable around the rotation center RT of the upper rotating body 20 as the rotation center. The rotary joint RJ may be a rotary joint or a swivel joint.

[0087] The hydrogen supply line HL includes a gas pipe 64 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL, connecting the rotary joint RJ and the power source 41 (more specifically, the hydrogen fuel cell 41A).

[0088] In this way, in the first embodiment, hydrogen is supplied to the upper rotating body 20 side after being depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 52, and hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 50 is supplied to the power source 41 side via the rotary joint RJ.

[0089] In addition, the gas pipe 64 also only carries hydrogen gas after being decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 52, and therefore does not need to have the same pressure resistance as mentioned above.

[0090] Therefore, flexible hydrogen pipes or the like whose surfaces are protected by wire braid or the like can be used for the gas pipes 63 and 64, which makes it easy to handle the gas pipes when they are installed.

[0091] It goes without saying that the gas pipes 63 and 64 may be made of stainless steel pipes having high rigidity.

[0092] In the working machine 1 of the first embodiment as described above, the hydrogen tank 50 is provided on the lower traveling body 10, so the hydrogen tank 50 can be mounted efficiently.

[0093] In the first embodiment, five hydrogen tanks 50 are shown to be mounted, but the number of hydrogen tanks 50 to be mounted can be determined as needed, and the case where only one hydrogen tank 50 is provided is not excluded.

[0094] For example, if it is desired to provide one large hydrogen tank 50, this may be done.

[0095] In the first embodiment, the hydrogen tanks 50 are arranged so that the hydrogen supply line HL (high-pressure gas piping 60) connecting the hydrogen tanks 50 is located behind the lower traveling body 10 in the forward direction. However, the orientation of the hydrogen tank 50 does not need to be limited to this.

[0096] Specifically, the installation state of one or more hydrogen tanks 50 may be rotated 90 degrees horizontally so that the length direction of the hydrogen tanks 50 is perpendicular to the forward direction of the lower running body 10, and the hydrogen tanks 50 may be arranged so that the hydrogen supply line HL (high-pressure gas piping 60) connecting the hydrogen tanks 50 is located on either side of the crawler frame 11B.

[0097] However, in this case, the crawler frame 11B makes it difficult to access the hydrogen supply line HL (high-pressure gas piping 60) connecting the hydrogen tanks 50, so it is preferable to position the hydrogen tanks 50 so that the hydrogen supply line HL (high-pressure gas piping 60) connecting the hydrogen tanks 50 is located rearward in the forward direction of the lower running body 10, as in the first embodiment.

[0098] <<Second embodiment>> Next, a working machine 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Since the second embodiment has the same basic configuration, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of similarities with the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0099] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a working machine 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 6, the hydrogen tank 50, the hydrogen supply line HL, the power source 41, the pressure reducing valve 52, etc. are not shown.

[0100] In the work machine 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the filling port door 11D1 provided in the filling port accommodation section 11D is accessed from the rear side in the forward direction of the undercarriage 10.

[0101] In this case, since the upper rotating body 20 is located overhead, the operator or the like must enter under the upper rotating body 20 to perform the work of filling hydrogen, which is not easy to do.

[0102] Therefore, in the work machine 1 of the second embodiment, the hydrogen fill port 51 is provided so that it is accessible from the outer surface of one of the pair of crawler frames 11B.

[0103] Specifically, as can be seen from the fact that the filling port door 11D1 is visible in Figure 6, the working machine 1 of the second embodiment is equipped with a filling port accommodating section 11D (not shown) arranged within one of the crawler frames 11B so as to open to the outer surface of that crawler frame 11B, and a filling port door 11D1 arranged in the filling port accommodating section 11D and which can be opened and closed when accessing the hydrogen filling port 51 from the outer surface side of that crawler frame 11B.

[0104] The hydrogen filling port 51 is accommodated in a filling port accommodation section 11D (not shown) that is provided so as to open to the outer surface of the crawler frame 11B.

[0105] Therefore, with the work machine 1 of the second embodiment, there is no need to enter under the upper rotating body 20 to fill with hydrogen, and the efficiency of the work of filling with hydrogen is improved.

[0106] In the work machine 1 of the second embodiment, as in the work machine 1 of the first embodiment, the hydrogen tank 50 (not shown) is provided on the lower traveling body 10, so that the hydrogen tank 50 can be mounted efficiently.

[0107] <<Third Embodiment>> Next, a working machine 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0108] The third embodiment also has similar features to the first embodiment, and the following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment, and may omit a description of the similarities with the first embodiment.

[0109] FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining a working machine 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG.

[0110] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the unitized state of the hydrogen tank 50 and the like in the third embodiment according to the present invention, and shows the state when the unitized hydrogen tank 50 and the like are provided on the lower running body 10, as viewed from the right side (rear side in the forward direction) of FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the lower traveling body 10, the upper rotating body 20, etc. are omitted from the illustration.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 7, the working machine 1 of the third embodiment is provided with a connection part CP that is provided on the hydrogen supply line HL between the pressure reducing valve 52 and the rotary coupling RJ and that connects and disconnects the hydrogen supply lines HL (between the hydrogen supply line HL1 and the hydrogen supply line HL2).

[0112] Specifically, the connection part CP is provided midway along the gas pipe 63 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL, which connects one end of the gas pipe 62 that forms the hydrogen supply line HL passing through the swivel joint SJ to the pressure reducing valve 52.

[0113] The connection part CP is used to connect and disconnect the downstream hydrogen supply line HL1 (gas pipe 63-1) and the upstream hydrogen supply line HL2 (gas pipe 63-2), as will be described later.

[0114] The connection part CP may be a so-called coupler for general hydrogen gas, which has a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted. For example, a socket or plug may be provided at the upstream end of the downstream hydrogen supply line HL1 (gas pipe 63-1), and a plug or socket may be provided at the downstream end of the upstream hydrogen supply line HL2 (gas pipe 63-2). By inserting a plug into the socket, the downstream hydrogen supply line HL1 (gas pipe 63-1) and the upstream hydrogen supply line HL2 (gas pipe 63-2) are connected. Furthermore, by removing the plug inserted into the socket, the downstream hydrogen supply line HL1 (gas pipe 63-1) and the upstream hydrogen supply line HL2 (gas pipe 63-2) are disconnected from each other.

[0115] In the third embodiment, a gas blocking coupler that blocks gas from being ejected when the connection is released (when the plug is removed from the socket) is used as the connection part CP.

[0116] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the work machine 1 of the third embodiment is provided with a housing CS that houses a hydrogen tank 50, a hydrogen filling port 51, and a pressure reducing valve 52, and the hydrogen tank 50, the hydrogen filling port 51, and the pressure reducing valve 52 are unitized by the housing CS.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 8, similar to the first embodiment, the housing CS has a storage space 11C for storing a hydrogen tank 50, and a storage space door 11C1 that provides access to a hydrogen supply line HL (high-pressure gas piping 60) connected to the hydrogen tank 50 in the storage space 11C.

[0118] As shown in Figure 8, the housing CS, like the first embodiment, is provided with a filling port accommodating section 11D that accommodates the hydrogen filling port 51, and a filling port door 11D1 that is provided in the filling port accommodating section 11D, is openable and closable, and is opened and placed in an open state when accessing the hydrogen filling port 51.

[0119] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the hydrogen supply line HL2 (gas piping 63-2) connected to the pressure reducing valve 52 is led out of the housing CS for connection to and disconnection from the downstream hydrogen supply line HL1 (gas piping 63-1).

[0120] In the work machine 1 of the third embodiment, the hydrogen tank 50, hydrogen filling port 51, and pressure reducing valve 52 are housed in a housing CS and are provided on the lower traveling body 10 as a unit.

[0121] Therefore, in the work machine 1 of the third embodiment, when the connection between the hydrogen supply lines HL (between the hydrogen supply line HL1 and the hydrogen supply line HL2) is disconnected at the connection part CP and the hydrogen tank 50, the hydrogen filling port 51, and the pressure reducing valve 52 are removed from the lower running body 10, the hydrogen tank 50, the hydrogen filling port 51, and the pressure reducing valve 52 can be removed as a unit.

[0122] Furthermore, since the connection part CP is provided on the hydrogen supply line HL whose pressure is reduced by the pressure reducing valve 52, the operation of disconnecting the connection can be carried out safely.

[0123] In the third embodiment, the hydrogen tank 50, hydrogen filling port 51, and pressure reducing valve 52 are unitized in the housing CS, but the hydrogen tank 50, hydrogen filling port 51, and pressure reducing valve 52 may also be unitized using a frame (also called an integrated frame) that integrates the hydrogen tank 50, hydrogen filling port 51, and pressure reducing valve 52.

[0124] A space for accommodating the housing CS and the integrated frame may be provided in the frame 11 (more specifically, the central frame 11A) of the lower running body 10, and the housing CS and the integrated frame may be placed therein, or the housing CS and the integrated frame may be attached to the frame 11 (more specifically, the central frame 11A) of the lower running body 10 so that they are positioned rearward in the forward direction of the frame 11 (more specifically, the central frame 11A) of the lower running body 10.

[0125] With the work machine 1 of the third embodiment described above, the hydrogen tank 50, hydrogen filling port 51, and pressure reducing valve 52 can be easily removed as a unit, so that hydrogen can be filled not only at the work machine 1, but also at another location after removal.

[0126] Furthermore, if a spare unit equipped with a hydrogen tank 50 filled with hydrogen is prepared, when the amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 50 in the unit mounted on the work machine 1 decreases due to hydrogen consumption in the power source 41, the unit mounted on the work machine 1 can be replaced with the spare unit, making it possible to continue operating the work machine 1.

[0127] Although the present invention has been described above based on specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0128] For example, the working machine 1 described in the first and second embodiments may also be provided with the connection part CP provided on the working machine 1 described in the third embodiment.

[0129] As described above, the present invention also includes modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the invention, and this will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1 working machine, 10 lower running body, 11 frame, 11A central frame, 11B crawler frame, 11C storage space, 11C1 storage space door, 11D filling port storage section, 11D1 filling port door, 12 running mechanism, 20 upper rotating body, 21 operator's cab, 22 machine room, 30 working mechanism, 31 boom, 32 arm, 33 attachment, 31A boom cylinder, 32A arm cylinder, 33A attachment cylinder, 40 drive system, 41 power source, 4 1A···Hydrogen fuel cell, 41B···Electric motor, 42···Operating pump, 42A···Hydraulic oil tank, 43···Control valve, 44···Drive unit, 44A···Swing motor, 44B···Work mechanism cylinder, 44C···Travel motor, 50···Hydrogen tank, 51···Hydrogen filling port, 52···Reducing valve, 60, 61···High-pressure gas piping, 62, 63, 63-1, 63-2, 64···Gas piping, CS···Housing, CP···Connection part, HL, HL1, HL2···Hydrogen supply line, RJ···Rotating joint, RT···Swing center, SJ···Swivel joint

Claims

1. A work machine, The work machine includes: a lower running body; an upper rotating body that is rotatably provided with respect to the lower traveling body; a hydrogen-fueled power source provided on the upper rotating body; one or more hydrogen tanks provided on the undercarriage; a hydrogen supply line that supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to the power source.

2. The work machine includes: a hydrogen filling port provided on the lower traveling body for filling the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank; a pressure reducing valve provided on the undercarriage to reduce the pressure of the hydrogen from the hydrogen tank, 2. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen is supplied to the upper rotating body side after being depressurized by the pressure reducing valve.

3. the work machine includes a rotary coupling that is provided on the hydrogen supply line and is rotatable around the rotation center of the upper rotating body, 3. A work machine according to claim 2, wherein hydrogen from said hydrogen tank is supplied to said power source side via said rotary coupling.

4. 4. The work machine according to claim 3, further comprising a connection part provided on the hydrogen supply line between the pressure reducing valve and the rotary joint for connecting and disconnecting the hydrogen supply line.

5. The frame of the lower traveling body includes a pair of spaced apart crawler frames provided in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction, 3. The work machine according to claim 2, wherein the hydrogen filling port is provided so as to be accessible from an outer surface of one of the crawler frames.

6. The work machine includes: a filler port accommodating section provided within a frame of the lower traveling body and accommodating the hydrogen filler port; 6. The working machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a fill port door provided in the fill port accommodating section, the fill port door enabling access to the hydrogen fill port.

7. The work machine includes: a filling port door open / close detection unit that detects the open / close state of the filling port door; 7. A work machine according to claim 6, further comprising a filling port door interlock mechanism that limits operation of the work machine when the filling port door open / close detection unit detects that the filling port door is open.

8. the hydrogen tank, the hydrogen filling port, and the pressure reducing valve are unitized, 5. The working machine according to claim 4, wherein when the connection between the hydrogen supply lines is released at the connection portion, the hydrogen tank, the hydrogen filling port, and the pressure reducing valve are removable as a unit.

9. The work machine includes: an accommodation space provided within the frame of the lower traveling body and configured to accommodate the hydrogen tank; 3. The working machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a hydrogen detector provided above the accommodation space for detecting leakage of the hydrogen.

10. The work machine according to claim 9, further comprising an accommodation space door that allows access to the hydrogen supply line connected to the hydrogen tank in the accommodation space.

11. The work machine includes: a storage space door open / close detection unit that detects the open / close state of the storage space door; 11. The work machine according to claim 10, further comprising: a storage space door interlock mechanism that restricts operation of the work machine when the storage space door open / close detection unit detects that the storage space door is open.

12. the work machine includes a housing that houses the hydrogen tank, the hydrogen filling port, and the pressure reducing valve, or an integrated frame that houses the hydrogen tank, the hydrogen filling port, and the pressure reducing valve; The work machine according to claim 2 , wherein the housing or the integrated frame is provided on the undercarriage.

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