Front loaders and work vehicles

Abstract

To provide a front loader capable of preventing malfunctions in a detection section. [Solution] A front loader 20 comprising a first member (side frame 30) and a second member (boom 40) that is rotatable relative to the first member around a predetermined rotation axis (boom rotation axis 34), and further comprising: a first support part 210 fixed to the first member; a second support part 230 fixed to the second member while spaced apart from the first support part 210; a detectable part supported by either the first support part 210 or the second support part 230; and a detection part (sensor body 220) supported by the other of the first support part 210 or the second support part 230, which detects the rotation angle of the detectable part.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of front loaders and work vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the technology for front loaders and work vehicles has been publicly known, as described in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that detects bucket height and angle information and displays it on a front loader screen, allowing the operator to easily check the bucket height and angle.

[0004] Such front loaders are provided with an angle sensor for detecting the rotation angle of a rotating member (e.g., a bucket, a boom, etc.). This angle sensor may include, for example, a detected part (e.g., a magnet) and a detecting part (e.g., a sensor body) that is rotatable relative to the detected part and can detect the rotation angle of the detected part. For example, the detecting part may be fixed to a support frame, and the detected part may be fixed to the boom, and the detecting part may detect the rotation angle of the detected part, thereby detecting the rotation angle of the boom.

[0005] However, when using the angle sensor described above, vibrations from one of the members (for example, the boom) are transmitted to the detecting part via the detected part, which may cause problems such as damage to the detecting part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-169553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a front loader and a work vehicle that are capable of preventing malfunctions in the detection unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The problem to be solved by one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, and next, the means for solving this problem will be described.

[0009] A front loader according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a front loader comprising a first member and a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member around a predetermined rotation axis, and comprising: a first support portion fixed to the first member; a second support portion fixed to the second member while spaced apart from the first support portion; a detectable portion supported by either the first support portion or the second support portion; and a detection portion supported by the other of the first support portion or the second support portion, which detects the rotation angle of the detectable portion. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since the first support portion and the second support portion are spaced apart, it is possible to prevent vibrations or impacts from one of the first member and the second member from being transmitted to the other member, thereby preventing malfunctions such as damage to the detection portion, etc.

[0010] Furthermore, the detected portion according to one aspect of the present disclosure is disposed on the axis of the rotation shaft. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the relative rotation angle between the first member and the second member can be appropriately detected.

[0011] Furthermore, the first member according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a side surface perpendicular to the pivot axis and a boss portion formed to protrude from the side surface and supporting the pivot axis, and the first support portion is positioned to straddle the boss portion. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the detected portion or the detecting portion can be appropriately attached to the first member on which the boss portion is formed.

[0012] Furthermore, the first support portion according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical portion to which either the detected portion or the detecting portion is fixed and which is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an arm portion formed to extend from the cylindrical portion and fixed to the first member. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the detection unit detects the non-detection unit via the cylindrical unit, so that the rotation angle of the detection unit can be detected with high accuracy.

[0013] Furthermore, the second support portion according to one aspect of the present disclosure supports at least a portion of the other of the detected portion and the detecting portion so as to be housed inside the cylindrical portion. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the detected part or the detecting part can be protected by housing the detected part or the detecting part in the cylindrical part.

[0014] A work vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the front loader. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since the first support portion and the second support portion are spaced apart, it is possible to prevent vibrations or impacts from one of the first member and the second member from being transmitted to the other member, thereby preventing malfunctions such as damage to the detection portion, etc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since the first support portion and the second support portion are spaced apart, it is possible to prevent vibrations or impacts from one of the first member and the second member from being transmitted to the other member, thereby preventing malfunctions such as damage to the detection portion, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of a tractor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a front loader provided with a rotation angle detection mechanism. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a rear cross-sectional schematic view showing a rotation angle detection mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In the following description, the directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in the drawings are defined as the upward direction, downward direction, forward direction, backward direction, leftward direction, and rightward direction, respectively. Note that the forward direction is the direction in which the tractor 1 moves forward, and the backward direction is the direction in which the tractor 1 moves backward.

[0018] First, the overall configuration of a tractor 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the tractor 1 mainly comprises a machine frame 2, an engine 3, a transmission case 4, a lifting device 5, front wheels 6, rear wheels 7, a bonnet 9, a cabin 10, a steering wheel 12, and a front loader 20.

[0020] The vehicle frame 2 is a frame-like member formed by appropriately combining a plurality of plate materials. The vehicle frame 2 is formed in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above. The vehicle frame 2 is disposed with its longitudinal direction oriented in the front-to-rear direction. An engine 3 is fixed to the rear of the vehicle frame 2. A transmission case 4 is fixed to the rear of the engine 3.

[0021] A lifting device 5 is provided at the rear of the transmission case 4. Various types of working equipment (for example, a tiller) can be attached to the lifting device 5. The lifting device 5 can raise and lower the attached working equipment by using an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder.

[0022] The front of the vehicle frame 2 is supported by a pair of left and right front wheels 6 via a front axle mechanism (not shown). The rear of the transmission case 4 is supported by a pair of left and right rear wheels 7 via a rear axle mechanism (not shown). The pair of left and right rear wheels 7 are generally covered from above by fenders 8.

[0023] The engine 3 is covered by a hood 9. The power of the engine 3 is changed in speed by a transmission (not shown) housed in a transmission case 4, and then can be transmitted to the front wheels 6 via the front axle mechanism, and can be transmitted to the rear wheels 7 via the rear axle mechanism. The front wheels 6 and rear wheels 7 are driven to rotate by the power of the engine 3, allowing the tractor 1 to travel.

[0024] A cabin 10 is provided behind the engine 3. A living space for an operator is formed inside the cabin 10. In the living space, a steering wheel 12 for adjusting the turning angle of the front wheels 6, a console (not shown) on which various operating tools are provided, and a seat 14 for the operator to sit in are arranged. On the console, for example, operating levers for operating the front loader 20 are arranged.

[0025] A front loader 20 is attached to the front of the tractor 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front loader 20 includes side frames 30, a boom 40, and a bucket 50.

[0026] The side frames 30 are detachably mounted on the body (machine frame 2 and transmission case 4) of the tractor 1. The side frames 30 are mounted on the left and right sides of the body. As shown in FIG. 3, the side frames 30 include a pair of left and right side walls 31, a plurality of connecting portions (for example, connecting portion 32 shown in FIG. 3) connecting the pair of side walls 31, boss portions 33 provided on each of the pair of side walls 31, and a boom rotation shaft 34 fixed to the boss portions 33. The boom rotation shaft 34 is disposed with its axis oriented left and right (directions perpendicular to the side walls 31). The boss portions 33 are disposed so as to protrude laterally from the side walls 31. The left end of the boom rotation shaft 34 is disposed so as to protrude slightly laterally from the boss portions 33.

[0027] 1 and 2 is rotatably supported on the left and right side frames 30 via boom rotation shafts 34. The boom 40 is disposed so as to extend downward and forward from the top of the side frames 30. A boom cylinder 40a is provided on the boom 40. The boom 40 can rotate relative to the side frames 30 by extension and contraction of the boom cylinder 40a.

[0028] The bucket 50 is formed so as to open forward. The bucket 50 is rotatably connected to the front end of the boom 40. A bucket cylinder 50a is provided to the bucket 50 via a link mechanism 60. The link mechanism 60 includes a first link member 61 connected to the boom 40 and a second link member 62 connected to the bucket 50. A link pivot shaft 63 is fixed to the first link member 61, and the first link member 61 is rotatably connected to the boom 40 via the link pivot shaft 63. The bucket 50 can rotate relative to the boom 40 by extension and contraction of the bucket cylinder 50a.

[0029] The operator can operate the front loader 20 by swinging the loader lever back and forth and left and right to extend and retract the boom cylinder 40a and bucket cylinder 50a.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the front loader 20 is provided with a rotation angle detection mechanism 200 that can detect the rotation angle of the boom 40 and the bucket 50. Specifically, the rotation angle detection mechanism 200 is provided on the inner side surface of the right boom 40. The rotation angle detection mechanism 200 (hereinafter referred to as the "rotation angle detection mechanism 200A") that detects the rotation angle of the boom 40 relative to the side frame 30 is provided at the connection portion between the side frame 30 and the boom 40 (near the boom rotation shaft 34). In addition, the rotation angle detection mechanism 200 (hereinafter referred to as the "rotation angle detection mechanism 200B") that detects the rotation angle of the bucket 50 relative to the boom 40 is provided at the connection portion between the boom 40 and the link mechanism 60 (near the link rotation shaft 63).

[0031] The following describes the configuration of the rotation angle detection mechanism 200. Note that since the rotation angle detection mechanisms 200A and 200B have roughly the same configuration, the following description focuses on the rotation angle detection mechanism 200A.

[0032] 3 to 6 detects the rotation angle of the boom 40 relative to the side frame 30. The rotation angle detection mechanism 200A mainly includes a first support portion 210, a sensor main body 220, a second support portion 230, and a magnet 240.

[0033] The first support portion 210 is fixed to the side frame 30 and supports the sensor main body 220, which will be described later. The first support portion 210 mainly includes a cylindrical portion 211 and an arm portion 212.

[0034] The cylindrical portion 211 is a portion to which the sensor main body 220, which will be described later, is fixed. The cylindrical portion 211 is formed in a generally circular tubular shape in side view. A through-hole 211a that passes through the cylindrical portion 211 from left to right is formed in the center of the cylindrical portion 211 in side view (see FIG. 4). The through-hole 211a is formed in a circular shape in side view. The cylindrical portion 211 is disposed to the left of a boss portion 33 provided on the left side wall 31 of the side frame 30. As a result, the cylindrical portion 211 is disposed with a predetermined gap between it and the left end face of the boom rotation shaft 34.

[0035] In this embodiment, an additional member 213 having substantially the same shape (cylindrical shape) as the cylindrical portion 211 is fixed to the left side surface of the cylindrical portion 211. A through-hole 213a is formed in the center of the additional member 213. By fixing the additional member 213 to the left side surface of the cylindrical portion 211, the cylindrical portion 211 of the first support part 210 is formed to have a greater thickness than other parts.

[0036] The arm portion 212 is formed to extend from the cylindrical portion 211 and is fixed to the side frame 30. A pair of arm portions 212 are formed to sandwich the cylindrical portion 211 in a side view (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the arm portion 212 is bent so as to move closer to the side wall 31 from the cylindrical portion 211 while avoiding the boss portion 33. An end of the arm portion 212 is fixed to a boss portion 31a formed on the side wall 31 by a fixing device such as a bolt.

[0037] In this way, the first support portion 210 is arranged to laterally straddle the boss portion 33 that is provided to protrude laterally from the side wall 31. This allows the sensor main body 220, which will be described later, to be appropriately supported without interfering with the boss portion 33 or the boom rotation shaft 34.

[0038] 3, 5, and 6 detects the relative rotation angle of a magnet 240, which will be described later. The sensor main body 220 can detect the rotation angle of the magnet 240 by converting changes in the magnetic field of the magnet 240 into electrical resistance. The sensor main body 220 is fixed to the right side surface of the cylindrical portion 211 of the first support part 210. The sensor main body 220 is arranged so as to cover a through-hole 211a formed in the cylindrical portion 211 from the right side.

[0039] 3 to 6 is fixed to the boom 40 and supports a magnet 240 (described later). The second support part 230 mainly includes a fixing part 231 and an arm part 232.

[0040] 3 and 4 is a portion that is fixed to the boom 40. The fixed portion 231 is formed in a rectangular shape in a side view. The fixed portion 231 is fixed to the left side surface of the boom 40 in front of the boom rotation shaft 34 by a fastener such as a bolt.

[0041] 3 to 6 is a portion to which a magnet 240, which will be described later, is fixed. The arm portion 232 is formed so as to extend rearward from the fixed portion 231. The arm portion 232 is bent leftward from the fixed portion 231 so as to avoid the side frame 30 (boss portion 33). The rear end portion of the arm portion 232 is formed so as to be positioned to the left of the cylindrical portion 211 of the first support portion 210. The arm portion 232 is arranged with a gap between it and the cylindrical portion 211 (first support portion 210) so as not to come into contact with the cylindrical portion 211. In other words, the second support portion 230 is arranged so as to be spaced apart from the first support portion 210.

[0042] The magnet 240 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 generates a magnetic field. The magnet 240 is formed in a disk shape. The magnet 240 is fixed to the arm portion 232 of the second support portion 230. Specifically, the magnet 240 is fixed to the right side surface of the arm portion 232, at a portion facing the sensor main body 220. At least a portion of the magnet 240 is disposed so as to be housed inside (inside the through-holes 211a and 213a) the cylindrical portion 211 disposed to the right of the arm portion 232. In this embodiment, most of the magnet 240 is housed inside the cylindrical portion 211. The outer diameter of the magnet 240 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole 211a of the first support portion 210. Therefore, the magnet 240 is disposed so as not to come into contact with the cylindrical portion 211. The magnet 240 is disposed coaxially with the boom rotation shaft 34.

[0043] The rotation angle of the boom 40 relative to the side frame 30 can be detected using the rotation angle detection mechanism 200A configured in this manner.

[0044] 3 and 4 rotates around the boom rotation shaft 34, the second support part 230 and the magnet 240 also rotate together with the boom 40. Since the magnet 240 is disposed on the same axis as the boom rotation shaft 34, the magnet 240 rotates on the axis of the boom rotation shaft 34.

[0045] This causes relative rotation between the sensor main body 220 and the magnet 240. At this time, the sensor main body 220 converts the change in the magnetic field of the magnet 240 into electrical resistance, thereby detecting the relative rotation angle of the magnet 240. In other words, the sensor main body 220 can detect the rotation angle of the boom 40.

[0046] The first support part 210 that supports the sensor main body 220 and the second support part 230 that supports the magnet 240 are arranged without direct contact (separately). This makes it possible to prevent vibrations and shocks that occur in the boom 40 due to work by the front loader 20, for example, from being transmitted from the second support part 230 (boom 40 side) to the first support part 210 (side frame 30 side). This makes it possible to prevent malfunctions such as damage to the sensor main body 220, etc.

[0047] 5 and 6, in this embodiment, magnet 240 is arranged so that at least a portion of magnet 240 is housed inside cylindrical portion 211. This makes it possible to protect magnet 240. Specifically, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to magnet 240 and magnet 240 from coming into contact with external obstacles.

[0048] While the above embodiment has described the rotation angle detection mechanism 200A that detects the rotation angle of the boom 40, the rotation angle detection mechanism 200B that detects the rotation angle of the bucket 50 can also be configured in a similar manner. That is, the magnet 240 and the sensor main body 220 are arranged on the axis of the link rotation shaft 63 shown in FIG. 2. The first support portion 210 is fixed to the boom 40 while supporting the sensor main body 220, and the second support portion 230 is fixed to the first link member 61 while supporting the magnet 240. This makes it possible to detect the rotation angle of the first link member 61 relative to the boom 40 using the sensor main body 220. Because there is a certain relationship between the rotation angle of the first link member 61 and the rotation angle of the bucket 50 relative to the boom 40, the rotation angle of the bucket 50 can be determined based on the rotation angle of the first link member 61.

[0049] The information detected by the rotation angle detection mechanism 200 (the rotation angles of the boom 40 and the bucket 50) can be used for various purposes. For example, an appropriate display device (monitor, etc.) can be used to notify the operator operating the tractor 1 of the rotation angles of the boom 40 and the bucket 50. It is also possible to adjust (control) the posture of the front loader 20 based on the detected rotation angles of the boom 40 and the bucket 50.

[0050] As described above, the front loader 20 according to this embodiment has the following features: A front loader (20) comprising a first member (side frame (30)) and a second member (boom (40)) that is rotatable relative to the first member about a predetermined rotation axis (boom rotation axis (34)), a first support portion 210 fixed to the first member; a second support portion 230 fixed to the second member in a state spaced apart from the first support portion 210; a detected part (magnet 240) supported by either the first support part 210 or the second support part 230; a detection unit (sensor body 220) that is supported by the other of the first support unit 210 and the second support unit 230 and detects the rotation angle of the detection target unit; It is equipped with the following. With this configuration, the first support portion and the second support portion are spaced apart, which prevents vibrations or shocks from one of the first member and the second member from being transmitted to the other, thereby preventing problems such as damage to the detection portion, etc.

[0051] In addition, the detected part (magnet 240) is It is disposed on the axis of the rotating shaft (boom rotating shaft 34). This configuration makes it possible to properly detect the relative rotation angle between the first member and the second member. That is, since the magnet 240 can be rotated on the same axis as the boom rotation shaft 34, the change in the magnetic field of the magnet 240 can be properly converted into the rotation angle of the boom 40.

[0052] In addition, the first member (side frame 30) is A side surface (side wall 31) perpendicular to the rotation axis (boom rotation axis 34), a boss portion 33 formed to protrude from the side surface and supporting the rotation shaft; Equipped with The first support portion 210 is disposed so as to straddle the boss portion 33 . By configuring in this way, the detected part or the detecting part can be appropriately attached to the first member on which the boss part 33 is formed.

[0053] In addition, the first support portion 210 is a cylindrical portion (cylindrical portion 211, additional member 213) to which either the detected portion (magnet 240) or the detecting portion (sensor body 220) is fixed and which is formed in a cylindrical shape; an arm portion 212 formed to extend from the cylindrical portion 211 and fixed to the first member (side frame 30); It is equipped with the following. With this configuration, the detection unit detects the non-detection unit via the cylindrical unit, so the rotation angle of the detection unit can be detected with high accuracy. That is, since sensor main body 220 and magnet 240 can be arranged facing each other via the hollow portion (through-hole 211a) of cylindrical unit 211, changes in the magnetic field of magnet 240 can be properly detected by sensor main body 220.

[0054] In addition, the second support portion 230 is At least a part of the other of the detected part (magnet 240) and the detecting part (sensor body 220) is supported so as to be housed inside the cylindrical part 211. With this configuration, the detected part or the detecting part can be protected by housing the detected part or the detecting part in the cylindrical part.

[0055] In addition, the work vehicle (tractor 1) according to this embodiment is The front loader 20 is provided. With this configuration, the first support portion and the second support portion are spaced apart, which prevents vibrations or shocks from one of the first member and the second member from being transmitted to the other, thereby preventing problems such as damage to the detection portion, etc.

[0056] The side frame 30 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the first member according to the present invention. The boom rotating shaft 34 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the rotating shaft according to the present invention. The boom 40 according to this embodiment is an embodiment of the second member according to the present invention. The magnet 240 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the detection target part according to the present invention. Moreover, the sensor main body 220 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the detection section according to the present invention. The side wall 31 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the side surface according to the present invention. The tractor 1 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the work vehicle according to the present invention.

[0057] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0058] For example, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the rotation angle of the boom 40 and the bucket 50 is detected using the rotation angle detection mechanism 200, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation angle of any member can be detected using the rotation angle detection mechanism 200.

[0059] 3 and other figures, an example has been shown in which the first support portion 210 (sensor main body 220) is fixed to the side frame 30 and the second support portion 230 (magnet 240) is fixed to the boom 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to reverse the positions of the two and fix the second support portion 230 (magnet 240) to the side frame 30 and the first support portion 210 (sensor main body 220) to the boom 40.

[0060] 6, the present embodiment has shown an example in which magnet 240 is housed inside cylindrical portion 211, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of magnet 240, or in addition to magnet 240, sensor main body 220 can also be disposed inside cylindrical portion 211.

[0061] 6, the present embodiment shows an example in which the thickness of the cylindrical portion 211 is increased by fixing the additional member 213 to the cylindrical portion 211, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to form the entire first support portion 210 from a single plate material and form it to have a uniform thickness overall.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the first support portion 210 and the second support portion 230 are bent as shown in Fig. 3 etc., but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, depending on the dimensions and positional relationship of each portion (the left and right thickness of the boss portion 33, the amount of protrusion of the boom rotation shaft 34 relative to the side wall 31, etc.), the first support portion 210 and the second support portion 230 can also be formed in a flat plate shape.

[0063] Furthermore, the shapes, structures, etc. of the various parts exemplified in the above embodiment are merely examples, and the configuration of each part can be changed as desired.

[0064] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the tractor 1 is used as an example of a work vehicle, but the work vehicle is not limited to this. For example, the work vehicle may be other agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, industrial vehicles, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Tractor 20 Front Loader 30 Side frame 31 Side wall 33 Boss section 34 Boom rotation shaft 40 Boom 200 Rotation angle detection mechanism 210 First support part 211 Cylindrical part 212 Arm section 220 Sensor body 230 Second support part 240 Magnet

Claims

1. A front loader comprising a first member and a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member about a predetermined rotation axis, a first support portion fixed to the first member; a second support portion fixed to the second member in a state spaced apart from the first support portion; a detection target portion supported by either the first support portion or the second support portion; a detection unit supported by the other of the first support unit and the second support unit, and detecting a rotation angle of the detection target unit; A front loader comprising:

2. The detected portion is The rotating shaft is disposed on the axis line of the rotating shaft. The front loader according to claim 1 .

3. The first member is a side surface perpendicular to the pivot axis; a boss portion formed to protrude from the side surface and supporting the rotation shaft; Equipped with The first support portion is disposed so as to straddle the boss portion. The front loader according to claim 1 .

4. The first support portion is a cylindrical portion to which either the detection portion or the detection portion is fixed and which is formed in a cylindrical shape; an arm portion formed to extend from the cylindrical portion and fixed to the first member; Equipped with The front loader according to claim 1 .

5. The second support portion is At least a part of the other of the detected part and the detecting part is supported so as to be accommodated inside the cylindrical part. The front loader according to claim 4.

6. A work vehicle comprising the front loader according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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