Hose protector

Abstract

To provide a hose protector capable of more appropriately protecting a hydraulic hose used in a working machine.SOLUTION: A protector (hose protector) protects a hydraulic hose 15 used in a hydraulic excavator (work machine). The protector includes a linear portion 22 extending along the X direction of the hydraulic hose 15, and a plurality of annular portions 24A extending from the linear portion 22 so as to wrap around the outer circumferential surface of the hydraulic hose 15. With this configuration, even if the hydraulic hose 15 moves in accordance with the swinging of the working device 10 (the boom 11) with respect to the upper slewing body 4, the linear portion 22 extending along the X direction expands and contracts following the hydraulic hose 15. The plurality of annular portions 24A only change in position in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the linear portion 22, and for example, compared to a helical protector, it is possible to suppress a state in which the adjacent annular portions 24A overlap each other and do not return.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hose protector for protecting a hydraulic hose used in a work machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques related to hose protectors that protect hydraulic hoses used in work machines. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a spiral composite formed by winding a resin strip in a spiral shape, which serves as a protector for protecting hydraulic hoses in heavy machinery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-059235 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because hydraulic hoses move in conjunction with the operation of the work equipment, in a protector such as that described in Patent Document 1, the spiral portion moves in response to the movement of the hydraulic hose. As a result, adjacent spiral portions may overlap each other and not return to their original position, which could result in a situation where part of the hydraulic hose is not covered by the protector.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hose protector that can more appropriately protect hydraulic hoses used in work machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the hose protector of the present invention is a hose protector that protects a hydraulic hose used in a work machine, and is characterized by comprising a straight portion extending along the axial direction of the hydraulic hose, and a plurality of annular portions extending from the straight portion so as to wrap around the outer peripheral surface of the hydraulic hose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the hose protector of the present invention, hydraulic hoses used in work machines can be more appropriately protected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a hydraulic excavator as a work machine equipped with hydraulic hoses. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a connection portion between the upper rotating body and the boom. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a protector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the protector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a hydraulic hose and a protector. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a protector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a tip of an annular portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the annular portions have moved so as to overlap each other. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a tip of a ring-shaped portion of a protector according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an end portion of a protector according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [First embodiment] 1 is a side view showing a hydraulic excavator as a work machine equipped with hydraulic hoses. The hydraulic excavator 1 is a work machine used for excavating earth and sand, for example, and is equipped with a lower traveling body 2, an upper rotating body 4, and a work device 10.

[0011] The undercarriage 2 includes crawlers 3 driven by a hydraulic traveling motor (not shown) as a drive device for traveling the hydraulic excavator 1. The upper rotating body 4 is rotatably mounted on the undercarriage 2 and rotates by being driven by a hydraulic swing motor (not shown). An operator's cab 5 for an operator is provided at the front of the upper rotating body 4. A machine room 6 defined by a plate-shaped cover member is provided at the rear of the upper rotating body 4. The machine room 6 is equipped with an engine (internal combustion engine) as a prime mover, a hydraulic pump (not shown) driven by the engine, and a control valve 9 ( FIG. 2 ) to which hydraulic oil is supplied from the hydraulic pump. The control valve 9 controls the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump to operate the hydraulic traveling motor, the hydraulic swing motor, and each component of the work device 10. Furthermore, a counterweight 7 is provided at the rear end of the upper rotating body 4 and is used to maintain balance of the hydraulic excavator 1 during operation.

[0012] The working device 10 includes a boom 11 swingably attached to the upper rotating body 4, an arm 12 swingably attached to the tip of the boom 11, and a bucket 13 as a working tool swingably attached to the tip of the arm 12. The working device 10 also includes a boom cylinder 11a that drives the boom 11, an arm cylinder 12a that drives the arm 12, and a bucket cylinder 13a that drives the bucket 13 using hydraulic pressure supplied from the control valve 9 via a plurality of hydraulic hoses 15 (FIG. 2).

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a connection portion between the upper rotating body 4 and the boom 11. FIG. 2 illustrates a frame of the upper rotating body 4 to which the boom 11 is attached. As indicated by the arc-shaped arrow, the boom 11 is attached at its base 111 to the front of the upper rotating body 4 so as to be swingable up and down. That is, the boom 11 is attached to the upper rotating body 4 so as to be swingable around an axis extending in the left-right direction indicated by the dashed-dotted line. A plurality of tubular hydraulic hoses 15 that supply hydraulic oil from the control valve 9 to the boom cylinder 11a, arm cylinder 12a, and bucket cylinder 13a are routed so as to extend along the upper surface of the boom 11. These hydraulic hoses 15 swing up and down as the working device 10 operates, and there is a risk that they may rub against each other or interfere with other equipment, the frame, or the like. For this reason, in this embodiment, the hydraulic hoses 15 are protected, and hose protectors (hereinafter referred to as "protectors") that cover the outer surfaces of the hydraulic hoses 15 are provided.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a protector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the protector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a hydraulic hose and a protector. As shown in the figure, the protector 20A includes a linear portion 22 and a plurality of annular portions 24A. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the protector 20A will be referred to as the "X direction," and the radial direction of the protector 20A perpendicular to the X direction will be referred to as the "Y direction." The X direction coincides with the axial direction of the hydraulic hose 15. The Y direction also coincides with the thickness direction of the protector 20A, i.e., the thickness directions of the linear portions 22 and annular portions 24A described below.

[0015] The linear portion 22 is a long portion extending in the X direction, i.e., along the axial direction of the hydraulic hose 15. The linear portion 22 is formed of a material that is more elastic than the annular portion 24A, such as an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of recesses 25 are formed at intervals along the X direction on the surface of the linear portion 22 that abuts against each annular portion 24A. Note that the linear portion 22 may be formed with flange portions 22f (illustrated only in FIG. 3) that extend along part of the first gap D1 between the annular portions 24A. This allows the linear portion 22 to be reinforced.

[0016] The multiple annular portions 24A extend from the straight portion 22 in a curved annular shape and cover the outer circumferential surface of the hydraulic hose 15. The annular portions 24A are formed of a material having better abrasion resistance than the straight portion 22, such as a thermoplastic plastic, such as polypropylene or polyamide. As shown in FIG. 4, the multiple annular portions 24A are arranged along the X direction, intersecting with the straight portion 22, with a first gap D1 (FIG. 3) between them. Each annular portion 24A has multiple recesses 26 formed in its longitudinal center, and is positioned relative to the straight portion 22 by fitting the recesses 25 into the recesses 26. The annular portions 24A are fixed to the straight portion 22 by welding. A second gap D2 is formed between the tips 241 of the annular portions 24A. That is, the annular portions 24A are formed in a C-shape when viewed from the X direction. As a result, the protector 20A can be easily attached to and detached from the hydraulic hose 15 by sliding the protector 20A in the Y direction (radial direction) while manually widening the second gap D2.

[0017] The protector 20A configured as described above is disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the hydraulic hose 15, and is fixed to the hydraulic hose 15 with, for example, adhesive tape or a cable tie. At this time, the protector 20A is attached to the hydraulic hose 15 so that the straight portions 22 cover an upper portion 151 or a lower portion 152 of the outer peripheral surface, and the annular portions 24A cover left and right portions 153 of the outer peripheral surface, as shown in FIG. 5. That is, the protector 20A is attached to the hydraulic hose 15 so that, when viewed from the X direction, the straight portions 22 overlap the vertical center line L1 of the hydraulic hose 15, and the annular portions 24A overlap the horizontal center line L2. Note that in FIG. 5, the hydraulic hose 15 and the straight portions 22 and annular portions 24A of the protector 20A are schematically illustrated with gaps provided between them to distinguish them from each other, but the hydraulic hose 15 and the protector 20A abut against each other.

[0018] As described above, the protector (hose protector) 20A of the first embodiment protects the hydraulic hose 15 used in the hydraulic excavator (work machine) 1. The protector 20A includes a straight portion 22 extending along the X direction of the hydraulic hose 15, and a plurality of annular portions 24A extending from the straight portion 22 so as to wrap around the outer circumferential surface of the hydraulic hose 15.

[0019] With this configuration, even if the hydraulic hose 15 moves in accordance with the swing of the work implement 10 (boom 11) relative to the upper revolving body 4, the linear portions 22 extending along the X direction expand and contract to follow the hydraulic hose 15. At this time, the multiple annular portions 24A only undergo positional changes in response to the expansion and contraction of the linear portions 22, and compared to, for example, a spiral protector, this prevents adjacent annular portions 24A from overlapping and becoming unable to return to their original position. In other words, it is possible to prevent a state in which only a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the hydraulic hose 15 is covered, leaving a portion exposed. Therefore, the protector 20A of the embodiment can more appropriately protect the hydraulic hose 15.

[0020] Furthermore, the linear portion 22 has higher flexibility than the multiple annular portions 24A, and the multiple annular portions 24A have higher abrasion resistance than the linear portion 22. This configuration allows the linear portion 22 to smoothly follow the movement of the hydraulic hose 15. Furthermore, abrasion of the multiple annular portions 24A can be suppressed, and the outer peripheral surface of the hydraulic hose 15 can be more appropriately protected.

[0021] In addition, a first gap D1 is formed between adjacent annular portions 24A. This configuration can more effectively prevent adjacent annular portions 24A from overlapping with each other. Also, the stretchability of the entire protector 20A can be ensured.

[0022] Furthermore, the multiple annular portions 24A are C-shaped when viewed from the X direction. That is, a second gap D2 is formed between the tips 241 of the annular portions 24A. This configuration allows the protector 20A to be easily attached to and detached from the hydraulic hose 15. Also, the flexibility of the entire protector 20A can be ensured.

[0023] It is preferable that the first gap D1 and the second gap D2 are set to a size that covers as much of the outer circumferential surface of the hydraulic hose 15 as possible, while taking into consideration the stretchability of the protector 20A, the prevention of overlapping of the annular portions 24A, and the ease of attaching and detaching the protector 20A to the hydraulic hose 15. The first gap D1 and the second gap D2 may be omitted. When the second gap D2 is omitted, it is preferable that the tips 241 of the annular portions 24A are connected to each other by the linear portion 22.

[0024] Moreover, the linear portion 22 and the annular portion 24A fit together at recesses formed on both sides. This configuration makes it easy to position each annular portion 24A relative to the linear portion 22. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the inner peripheral surface of the protector 20A can be made flush.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, the hydraulic hose 15 is routed around the base 111 of the working device 10 (boom 11) provided on the hydraulic excavator 1 so that it can swing freely in the vertical direction, and the straight portion 22 extends along the upper portion 151 or the lower portion 152 of the hydraulic hose 15, and the multiple annular portions 24A extend along the left and right portions of the hydraulic hose 15.

[0026] The hydraulic hose 15 moves so as to swing up and down in response to the operation of the working device 10. Therefore, the upper portion 151 and the lower portion 152 are the portions that stretch the most, but they also come into contact with adjacent other hydraulic hoses 15, other equipment, frames, etc., and are therefore relatively less likely to wear. In contrast, the left and right portions 153 often rub against adjacent other hydraulic hoses 15, other equipment, frames, etc., and are therefore more likely to wear. Therefore, by forming the straight portions 22 that cover the upper portion 151 and the lower portion 152 from a material that is relatively stretchable, and by forming the left and right portions 153 from a material that is relatively wear-resistant, it is possible to appropriately achieve both stretchability and wear resistance for the protector 20A.

[0027] [Second embodiment] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a protector according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the tip of an annular portion according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the annular portions have moved to overlap each other. As shown in the figure, a protector 20B according to the second embodiment has a plurality of annular portions 24B instead of the plurality of annular portions 24A. The annular portions 24B are formed wider than the annular portions 24A, and adjacent annular portions 24B abut against each other, thereby eliminating the first gap D1. As shown by the end surface of the tip 241 in FIG. 7, both ends in the X direction of each annular portion 24B are tapered portions 242 that extend obliquely in the X direction from the outside toward the inside in the Y direction.

[0028] With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the multiple annular portions 24A move toward each other in accordance with the movement of the hydraulic hose 15, adjacent tapered portions 242 smoothly slide against each other and overlap. As a result, wear on the multiple annular portions 24B can be suppressed. Also, it can be suppressed that the adjacent annular portions 24B overlap each other and cannot return to their original position. Furthermore, since these effects can be expected even without forming almost any gaps between the multiple annular portions 24B, it is possible to form the multiple annular portions 24B wider and protect a wider outer surface of the hydraulic hose 15. The tapered portion 242 may be applied to the annular portion 24A of the first embodiment.

[0029] [Third embodiment] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the tip of an annular portion of a protector according to the third embodiment. A protector 20C according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of annular portions 24C instead of the plurality of annular portions 24A. Like the annular portion 24B, the plurality of annular portions 24C are formed wider than the annular portion 24A. However, a recessed portion 243 recessed from the outside toward the inside in the Y direction is formed in the center of the annular portion 24C in the X direction. With this configuration, even if the plurality of annular portions 24A move toward each other in accordance with the movement of the hydraulic hose 15, each annular portion 24A is deformed so as to be crushed in the X direction at the recessed portion 243. As a result, overlapping between adjacent annular portions 24B is suppressed, and wear and overlapping that cannot be restored can be suppressed.

[0030] [Fourth embodiment] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an end portion of a protector according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, a protector 20D according to the fourth embodiment has an outer annular recess 27 and an inner annular recess 28. The outer annular recess 27 is formed at one end portion 201 of the protector 20D in the X direction. The outer annular recess 27 is an annular recessed portion of the outer peripheral surface of the protector 20D at the one end portion 201. The outer annular recess 27 is formed with a protrusion 271 that protrudes in the Y direction. Meanwhile, the inner annular recess 28 is formed at the other end portion 202 of the protector 20D in the X direction, as shown by the hatched area in the figure. The inner annular recess 28 is an annular recessed portion of the inner peripheral surface of the protector 20D at the other end portion, and is formed to be able to fit with the outer annular recess 27. The inner annular recess 28 is formed with a hole 281 into which the protrusion 271 fits.

[0031] With this configuration, the protectors 20D can be easily connected to each other by fitting the outer annular recess 27 and the inner annular recess 28 together and fitting the protrusion 271 into the hole 281. As a result, multiple protectors 20D can be easily connected together depending on the length of the hydraulic hose 15. It is preferable that the outer annular recess 27 and the inner annular recess 28 are surrounded by, for example, a cable tie. Also, if a sufficient thickness of the protector 20D can be ensured, the inner annular recess 28 may be omitted and the outer annular recess 27 may be fitted into the inner circumferential surface of the protector 20D.

[0032] Although the description of the embodiment has been completed above, the aspects of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the object to be protected is the hydraulic hose 15 used in the hydraulic excavator 1, but the object to be protected may be, for example, a hydraulic hose used in various types of work machines, a tubular electric cable (harness) that houses a signal line, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1. Hydraulic excavator (work machine) 10 Work equipment 11. Boom 15 Hydraulic hoses 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Protector (Hose Protector) 22 Straight section 24A, 24B, 24C Annular section

Claims

1. A hose protector for protecting a hydraulic hose used in a work machine, a linear portion extending along the axial direction of the hydraulic hose; a plurality of annular portions extending from the linear portion so as to be wound around an outer circumferential surface of the hydraulic hose; A hose protector comprising:

2. The linear portion has higher elasticity than the plurality of annular portions, The plurality of annular portions have higher wear resistance than the linear portions.

2. The hose protector according to claim 1.

3. 2. The hose protector according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between the adjacent annular portions.

4. The hose protector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of annular portions are C-shaped when viewed in the axial direction.

5. 2. The hose protector according to claim 1, wherein the linear portion and the annular portion are fitted together in recesses formed in both portions.

6. 2. The hose protector according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the annular portion in the axial direction are formed with tapered portions that extend obliquely from the outer side toward the inner side in the radial direction.

7. The hose protector according to claim 1, wherein a recessed portion recessed from the outside toward the inside in the radial direction is formed in the axial center portion of the annular portion.

8. 2. The hose protector according to claim 1, further comprising an outer annular recess formed on an outer peripheral surface of the one axial end portion and adapted to fit into an inner peripheral surface of the other axial end portion.

9. The hydraulic hose is routed around a base of a working device provided on the working machine so as to be able to swing freely in the up and down direction, the straight portion extends along an upper or lower portion of the hydraulic hose; The plurality of annular portions extend along left and right portions of the hydraulic hose.

9. A hose protector according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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