Work machinery

Abstract

A working machine that facilitates the routing of piping between a control valve and an actuator used together with the working machine. The work machine includes a pair of vertical plates, a work implement disposed between the pair of vertical plates, and a connecting pipe stretched between the pair of vertical plates. One end of the connecting pipe has a first fitting connected to a first hydraulic pipe that supplies oil to an actuator used with the work implement. The other end of the connecting pipe is connected to a control valve that controls the flow of oil to the actuator.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine such as a hydraulic excavator. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of hydraulic hose routing in a hydraulic excavator. In the hydraulic excavator of Patent Document 1, a pair of vertical plates (right vertical plate and left vertical plate) are erected on a rotating frame, and a notch is provided at the bottom end of each of the right and left vertical plates. A hose insertion port is provided above the notch in the right vertical plate, and a hose holding frame is provided near the hose insertion port. Multiple hydraulic hoses extending from a control valve device pass through the notch in the left vertical plate and then the notch in the right vertical plate, then pass through the hose insertion port from the outside of the right vertical plate (the opposite side to the left vertical plate) and enter between the pair of vertical plates, then pass through the inside of the hose holding frame and are led to the upper back side of the boom. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-75042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in an ultra-compact hydraulic excavator (ultra-tight swing machine), the base end of the work equipment (e.g., a boom) is located between a pair of vertical plates erected on a swing frame. Therefore, the boom is positioned so that it passes between the pair of vertical plates. When routing piping including a hydraulic hose for a PTO (Power Take-Off) that supplies hydraulic oil to an attachment (optional actuator) such as a breaker in an ultra-tight swing machine, if the technique of Patent Document 1 is applied, the piping extending from the control valve device (control valve) passes through a notch in the left vertical plate and a notch in the right vertical plate in that order, then passes around the outside of the right vertical plate before entering between the pair of vertical plates, making the routing of the piping complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide a work machine that can easily arrange piping between a control valve and an actuator used with the work machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A work machine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of vertical plates, a work implement arranged between the pair of vertical plates, and a connecting pipe spanning between the pair of vertical plates, wherein the connecting pipe has at one end a first fitting connected to a first hydraulic pipe that supplies oil to an actuator used with the work implement, and the other end of the connecting pipe is connected to a control valve that controls the flow of oil to the actuator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily arrange piping between the control valve and the actuator used together with the work machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a hydraulic excavator, which is an example of a work machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hydraulic excavator with the canopy not shown. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the hydraulic excavator. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the hydraulic excavator. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower boom and a boom cylinder of the hydraulic excavator as viewed from the front left. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the base end portion of the boom cylinder as viewed from the upper right. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the base end of the boom cylinder as viewed from above the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the base end of the boom cylinder, viewed from above the front. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the base end portion of the boom cylinder as viewed from the left front. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration on a revolving frame in a state in which the lower boom and the boom cylinder are not shown. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the base end portion of the boom cylinder with a portion of the left vertical plate not shown. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connecting pipe provided in the hydraulic excavator. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the first joint of the connection pipe. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fixing portion in a state where a piping member of the connection piping is clamped. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fixing portion before clamping the piping member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [1. Construction Machine Configuration] First, the configuration of a hydraulic excavator 1, which is an example of a work machine according to this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the hydraulic excavator 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hydraulic excavator 1 with the canopy 45 not shown. FIG. 3 is a front view of the hydraulic excavator 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the hydraulic excavator 1. For convenience, a boom cylinder cover 31sc (see FIG. 5, etc.), which will be described later, is not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The hydraulic excavator 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called ultra-small swing machine that can swing compactly and is particularly suitable for use in narrow spaces. This hydraulic excavator 1 includes a lower traveling structure 2, a working implement 3, and an upper swing structure 4. The hydraulic excavator 1 may also be referred to as the "machine body."

[0011] For ease of explanation, directions are defined as follows. The direction in which the operator (operator, driver) seated in the driver's seat 41a inside the control section 41 of the upper rotating body 4 faces is defined as the forward direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the rearward direction. Therefore, when the upper rotating body 4 is not rotating relative to the lower running body 2 (swing angle 0°), the fore-and-aft direction of the upper rotating body 4 coincides with the direction in which the lower running body 2 moves forward and backward. Also, the left side as seen from the operator seated in the driver's seat 41a is defined as the "left," and the right side is defined as the "right." Furthermore, the direction of gravity, which is perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction and the left-and-right direction, is defined as the up-and-down direction, with the upstream side of the direction of gravity defined as the "up" and the downstream side defined as the "down." In the drawings, the hydraulic excavator 1 is shown in a state in which the upper rotating body 4 is not rotating relative to the lower running body 2. In addition, in the drawings, where necessary, the following symbols are used to indicate front: "F", rear: "B", right: "R", left: "L", top: "U", and bottom: "D".

[0012] The lower traveling body 2 is driven by power from an engine 40 (see FIG. 4) and causes the hydraulic excavator 1 to travel. The lower traveling body 2 is equipped with a pair of left and right crawlers 21 and a pair of left and right traveling motors 22 (see FIG. 4). Each traveling motor 22 is a hydraulic motor. The left and right traveling motors 22 drive the left and right crawlers 21, respectively, thereby moving the hydraulic excavator 1 forward and backward. The lower traveling body 2 is provided with a blade 23 for performing ground leveling work and a blade cylinder 23a. The blade cylinder 23a is a hydraulic cylinder that rotates the blade 23 up and down. The blade cylinder 23a is covered from above by a blade cylinder cover 23b.

[0013] The work device 3 is driven by power from the engine 40 and performs excavation work to dig up earth and sand. The work device 3 is mounted on a revolving frame 42 of the upper revolving body 4. The work device 3 includes a boom 31 (work machine), an arm 32, and a bucket 33. Excavation work can be performed by independently driving the boom 31, arm 32, and bucket 33.

[0014] The boom 31 has a lower boom 31A, an upper boom 31B, and an arm stay 31C. The lower boom 31A is driven by a boom cylinder 31s. The boom cylinder 31s is located forward of the lower boom 31A. One end, or a tip end, of the boom cylinder 31s is connected to one end, or a tip end, of the lower boom 31A. The other ends, or base ends, of the lower boom 31A and the boom cylinder 31s are rotatably supported on a revolving frame 42 of the upper revolving body 4. Details of the support structure for the base ends of the lower boom 31A and the boom cylinder 31s will be described later. The extension and contraction of the boom cylinder 31s causes the lower boom 31A to rotate up and down relative to the revolving frame 42.

[0015] The base end of the upper boom 31B is connected to the tip end of the lower boom 31A so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction. The base end of an offset cylinder 31t is connected to the side surface of the tip end of the lower boom 31A. The tip end of the offset cylinder 31t is connected to the side surface of the tip end of the upper boom 31B. The arm stay 31C is connected to the tip end of the upper boom 31B so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction. The side surface of the arm stay 31C and the side surface of the tip end of the lower boom 31A are connected by a link rod 31u. As the offset cylinder 31t extends and contracts, the upper boom 31B rotates in the left-right direction relative to the lower boom 31A, and the arm stay 31C moves (offsets) in the left-right direction.

[0016] The base end of the arm 32 is connected to the arm stay 31C so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The tip end of the arm cylinder 32a is connected to the base end of the arm 32. A midpoint between the tip end and base end of the arm cylinder 32a is connected to the arm stay 31C. As the arm cylinder 32a extends and retracts, the arm 32 rotates in the vertical direction relative to the arm stay 31C.

[0017] A bucket 33 is rotatably connected to the tip of the arm 32. The bucket 33 is also connected to the arm 32 via a link mechanism 34. A base end of a bucket cylinder 33a is connected to the base end of the arm 32. The tip of the bucket cylinder 33a is connected to the link mechanism 34. The bucket 33 rotates up and down relative to the arm 32 as the bucket cylinder 33a extends and retracts.

[0018] The boom cylinder 31s, the offset cylinder 31t, the arm cylinder 32a, and the bucket cylinder 33a are configured by hydraulic cylinders.

[0019] The upper rotating body 4 is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower running body 2 via a swivel bearing (not shown). A control unit 41, a swivel frame 42, a swivel motor 43, an engine room 44, a canopy 45, etc. are arranged on the upper rotating body 4. The control unit 41 and the engine room 44 are arranged on the swivel frame 42. The canopy 45 is erected on the floor of the control unit 41 and covers the top of the control unit 41.

[0020] The upper rotating body 4 rotates via a rotation bearing driven by a rotation motor 43, which is a hydraulic motor. Inside the engine room 44, in addition to the engine 40 that provides power to each part, multiple hydraulic pumps (not shown) are arranged.

[0021] Each hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic oil (pressurized oil) to a hydraulic motor (for example, the left and right travel motors 22, the swing motor 43) and a hydraulic cylinder (for example, the blade cylinder 23a, the boom cylinder 31s, the offset cylinder 31t, the arm cylinder 32a, and the bucket cylinder 33a). The hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders that are driven by the supply of hydraulic oil from any hydraulic pump are collectively called hydraulic actuators.

[0022] A driver's seat 41a is arranged in the control section 41 where the operator sits. An operating section 41b (see FIG. 3) is arranged around the driver's seat 41a. The operating section 41b is composed of an operating lever, switch, button, etc. for driving the hydraulic actuator. The operator sits in the driver's seat 41a and operates the operating section 41b to drive the hydraulic actuator. This enables the lower traveling body 2 to travel, ground leveling work by the blade 23, excavation work by the work device 3, lifting work, rotation of the upper rotating body 4, etc.

[0023] [2. Piping arrangement structure] The hydraulic excavator 1 of this embodiment is a PTO-equipped excavator. The PTO specification refers to a specification in which an attachment (optional actuator) such as a breaker can be attached to the tip of the arm 32 instead of the bucket 33, and the attachment can be driven to perform work. As described above, the arm 32 is rotatably connected to the boom 31, and the attachment can be attached to the boom 31 via the arm 32. In the PTO specification, piping including a hydraulic hose for supplying hydraulic oil to the attachment (hereinafter also referred to as PTO piping) is installed. The PTO piping is connected to the PTO section of a control valve CV (see FIG. 3 ) located below the control unit 41 on the upper rotating body 4. The control valve CV is a directional switching valve that controls the flow direction and amount of hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic actuator. When using an attachment, the hydraulic hose on the attachment side is connected to the tip (stop valve) of the PTO piping. The attachment can be driven by supplying hydraulic oil to the attachment via the control valve CV and the PTO piping.

[0024] 5 is a perspective view of the lower boom 31A and boom cylinder 31s of the hydraulic excavator 1 as viewed from the front left. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the control unit 41 is located on the left side of the work implement 3. Therefore, the control valve CV located below the control unit 41 in the upper rotating body 4 is also located on the left side of the work implement 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the control valve CV is located on the left side of the boom 31 (lower boom 31A) and boom cylinder 31s.

[0025] Boom cylinder 31s, which is located forward of lower boom 31A, is covered and protected by a sliding boom cylinder cover 31sc. A hydraulic hose for the PTO is routed as first hydraulic piping 52, which will be described later, on the right side of boom cylinder 31s, i.e., on the opposite side of boom cylinder 31s from the side where control valve CV is located.

[0026] On the other hand, a hydraulic hose (hereinafter also referred to as "boom hose") 61 for driving the boom cylinder 31s is arranged on the left side of the boom cylinder 31s, that is, on the side of the boom cylinder 31s where the control valve CV is arranged.

[0027] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the base end of the boom cylinder 31s as seen from above and to the right. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the base end of the boom cylinder 31s as seen from above and to the front. A pair of vertical plates 71 (see Fig. 7 in particular) are attached by welding to the rotating frame 42. That is, the hydraulic excavator 1 is equipped with a pair of vertical plates 71.

[0028] The pair of vertical plates 71 is composed of a right vertical plate 71a and a left vertical plate 71b. The right vertical plate 71a and the left vertical plate 71b are provided with a predetermined distance between them in the left-right direction. The right vertical plate 71a is located on the opposite side of the left vertical plate 71b from the side where the control valve CV (see FIG. 5) is located. Therefore, the left vertical plate 71b is closer to the control valve CV than the right vertical plate 71a. The left vertical plate 71b is integrated with a rib 72 by welding. The rib 72 extends in a direction intersecting with the left vertical plate 71b (here, the left-right direction). The rib 72 is welded and fixed onto the revolving frame 42. The left vertical plate 71b and the rib 72 are integrated and fixed onto the revolving frame 42, thereby reinforcing the left vertical plate 71b.

[0029] The base end of the lower boom 31A is rotatably connected to a boom support pin 73 (see FIG. 10 in particular). The boom support pin 73 extends in the left-right direction, and both ends thereof are supported by a pair of vertical plates 71, respectively. Therefore, the base end of the lower boom 31A is located between the pair of vertical plates 71. From this, it can be said that the boom 31 having the lower boom 31A passes between the pair of vertical plates 71. In other words, the hydraulic excavator 1 is provided with a boom 31 that is disposed between the pair of vertical plates 71.

[0030] The width of the lower boom 31A in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between the pair of vertical plates 71. Therefore, a space SP-R is created between the right vertical plate 71a and the right side surface 31A-R of the lower boom 31A. Furthermore, a space SP-L is created between the left vertical plate 71b and the left side surface 31A-L of the lower boom 31A. However, since the hydraulic excavator 1 of this embodiment is an ultra-small swing machine, the above-mentioned spaces SP-R and SP-L are very narrow. Note that near the base end of the lower boom 31A, the width of the lower boom 31A in the left-right direction increases, and therefore the above-mentioned spaces SP-R and SP-L become even narrower.

[0031] The base end of the boom cylinder 31s that drives the lower boom 31A is rotatably connected to a cylinder support pin 74 (see FIG. 10). The cylinder support pin 74 extends in the left-right direction, and both ends thereof are supported by a pair of support brackets 75. The pair of support brackets 75 are fixed to the rotating frame 42 by welding. The cylinder support pin 74 is located forward of the boom support pin 73. Therefore, the boom cylinder 31s is located forward of the lower boom 31A.

[0032] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view from above the front showing the vicinity of the base end of the boom cylinder 31s. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the base end of the boom cylinder 31s as seen from the front left. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration on the revolving frame 42, with the lower boom 31A and the boom cylinder 31s not shown. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 10 (the configuration to the right of the left vertical plate 71b). FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the base end of the boom cylinder 31s, with part of the left vertical plate 71b (front member 71b1) not shown.

[0033] The hydraulic excavator 1 is equipped with first piping 50. The first piping 50 is routed around the boom 31. Two systems of first piping 50 are provided corresponding to two hydraulic hoses connected to the hydraulic cylinder on the attachment side. Since the two systems of first piping 50 have the same configuration, the following description will be given of the configuration of the first piping 50 of one system as a representative.

[0034] The first piping 50 includes a connection piping 51, a first hydraulic piping 52 (see FIGS. 5 to 7), and a second hydraulic piping 53 (see FIG. 14). That is, the hydraulic excavator 1 is equipped with the connection piping 51, the first hydraulic piping 52, and the second hydraulic piping 53.

[0035] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the connection pipe 51, Fig. 14 is a front view of the connection pipe 51, and Fig. 15 is a left side view of a first joint 51a (described later) of the connection pipe 51. The connection pipe 51 is bridged between a pair of vertical plates 71. The connection pipe 51 includes a first joint 51a, a piping member 51b, and a second joint 51c.

[0036] The first joint 51a has one end 51a1 and the other end 51a2. The one end 51a1 is formed as an opening that opens toward the left vertical plate 71b. The right end of the piping member 51b is connected to the one end 51a1.

[0037] The other end 51a2 forms a connection portion to which the first hydraulic piping 52 is connected. The first hydraulic piping 52 extends from the first joint 51a (particularly the other end 51a2) toward an optional actuator (e.g., a breaker) attached to the boom 31 (via the arm 32). In this way, the connection piping 51 has, at one end, the first joint 51a connected to the first hydraulic piping 52.

[0038] The first hydraulic piping 52 connected to the first joint 51a is routed along the right vertical plate 71a toward the space SP-R (see FIG. 7) and passes through the space SP-R. The end of the first hydraulic piping 52 opposite the first joint 51a is connected to a stop valve (not shown). When an attachment is in use (attached), the hydraulic hose on the attachment side is connected to the stop valve and communicates with the first hydraulic piping 52.

[0039] The other end 51a2 of the first joint 51a is formed as a protrusion that protrudes in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is a direction facing a midpoint in the vertical motion range (rotation range) of the boom 31, which in this embodiment is a direction diagonally upward toward the front of the machine body. Therefore, the fluid (hydraulic oil (hereinafter also simply referred to as "oil")) that flows into the first joint 51a from one end 51a1 is discharged from the other end 51a2, changing the flow direction of the fluid. From the above, it can be said that the connection portion (other end 51a2) of the first joint 51a with the first hydraulic pipe 52 is disposed toward the front and diagonally upward of the machine body. In this case, the first hydraulic pipe 52 is not forcibly pulled throughout the entire rotation range when the boom 31 rotates in the vertical direction.

[0040] The first joint 51a is fixed to the flat plate member 54 by welding or the like. The flat plate member 54 is fixed to the inner side surface of the right vertical plate 71a (the surface facing the left vertical plate 71b) by bolting. Therefore, it can be said that the first joint 51a is held (fixed) to one of the pair of vertical plates 71. The first joint 51a is located between the boom support pin 73 (see FIG. 11) and the cylinder support pin 74 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0041] In the hydraulic excavator 1, which is an ultra-small swing machine, a narrow space (for example, space SP-R shown in FIG. 7) exists between one of the vertical plates 71 and the side of the boom 31 (lower boom 31A). As in this embodiment, by holding the first joint 51a on one of the vertical plates 71 (right vertical plate 71a), it becomes easy to route the first hydraulic piping 52 through the space, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. It also becomes easy to stably switch the routing direction of the first piping 50 (for example, from horizontal to vertical) between the pair of vertical plates 71.

[0042] The piping member 51b is formed of, for example, a metal pipe. The piping member 51b extends in the horizontal direction (left-right direction). The right end of the piping member 51b is connected to one end 51a1 of the first joint 51a. That is, the piping member 51b is connected to the first joint 51a in the horizontal direction. The piping member 51b passes through an insertion portion 76 (see FIG. 9) provided in the other vertical plate 71 (left vertical plate 71b). Therefore, the left end of the piping member 51b is located to the left of the insertion portion 76 (on the control valve CV side).

[0043] The second joint 51c is connected to the left end of the piping member 51b. The second joint 51c is connected to the second hydraulic piping 53. The second hydraulic piping 53 extends from the control valve CV, which controls the flow of oil to the optional actuator, and is connected to the second joint 51c. In this way, the connecting piping 51 has the second joint 51c, which is connected to the second hydraulic piping 53, at the other end (opposite the first joint 51a).

[0044] In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 51 spanning between the pair of vertical plates 71 has at one end the first joint 51a to which the first hydraulic pipe 52 is connected and at the other end the second joint 51c to which the second hydraulic pipe 53 is connected. This makes it possible to route the PTO pipe (first pipe 50) that supplies oil to the optional actuator from one side of the pair of vertical plates 71 (for example, the left vertical plate 71b side) through the space between the pair of vertical plates 71. In other words, there is no need to route the pipe (a detour) that extends from between the pair of vertical plates 71 to the outside of the pair of vertical plates 71 and then returns to the inside. As a result, it is possible to easily route the PTO pipe between the control valve CV and the optional actuator.

[0045] In this embodiment, as described above, the boom cylinder 31s (see FIGS. 5 to 7), which is a hydraulic cylinder, is supported by the support bracket 75 via the cylinder support pin 74. The support bracket 75 is located between the pair of vertical plates 71 (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 15, the cylinder support pin 74 is located forward of the connection pipe 51. From this, it can be said that the hydraulic excavator 1 of this embodiment is provided with a boom cylinder 31s that is supported by the support bracket 75 (support portion) between the pair of vertical plates 71 and in front of the connection pipe 51, and that rotates the boom 31 serving as a work machine up and down. The effect of this embodiment, which can facilitate the routing of the PTO pipes, is particularly effective in a configuration in which the boom cylinder 31s is supported in front of the connection pipe 51, that is, a configuration in which the PTO pipes are routed rearward of the boom cylinder 31s.

[0046] 15, the connection pipe 51 is disposed above the rear of the support bracket 75. More specifically, the upper surface 75a of the support bracket 75 slopes obliquely downward from the front to the rear, and has a downwardly convex shape that slopes upward near the rear end. The connection pipe 51 is disposed above the lowest part 75a1 located at the rear of the upper surface 75a of the support bracket 75.

[0047] For example, when routing piping for the PTO through the space below the support bracket 75 (in FIG. 15 , the space is formed in front of and below the support bracket 75), the piping has to take a large detour, and the piping needs to be long. In order to enable the piping to be routed over a short path, it is desirable that the connection piping 51 be disposed above the support bracket 75. In particular, in a configuration such as this embodiment in which the cylinder support pin 74 located at the base end of the boom cylinder 31s is located forward of the connection piping 51, it is desirable that the connection piping 51 be disposed above the rear of the support bracket 75.

[0048] From the viewpoint of routing the first hydraulic piping 52 connected to the first joint 51a so that it passes reliably through the narrow space SP-R between one of the pair of vertical plates 71 (for example, the right vertical plate 71a) and the work implement (boom 31), it is desirable that the first joint 51a be positioned between the pair of vertical plates 71.

[0049] In this embodiment, as described above, the left end of the piping member 51b is located to the left of the insertion portion 76 of the left vertical plate 71b (on the control valve CV side), and the second joint 51c is connected to the left end of the piping member 51b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14 , the second joint 51c is located to the left of the left vertical plate 71b. In other words, the second joint 51c is disposed on the opposite side of the left vertical plate 71b from the right vertical plate 71a with respect to the left vertical plate 71b. From the viewpoint of shortening the length of the second hydraulic piping 53 connecting the second joint 51c and the control valve CV and facilitating the routing of the second hydraulic piping 53, it is desirable to dispose the second joint 51c on the opposite side of the right vertical plate 71a from the other left vertical plate 71b, which is different from the right vertical plate 71a (on which the first joint 51a is held), of the pair of vertical plates 71.

[0050] In particular, from the viewpoint of connecting the second hydraulic piping 53 straight to the second joint 51c and further facilitating the routing of the second hydraulic piping, it is desirable that the second joint 51c faces left, that is, toward the side of the aircraft where the control valve CV is located, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0051] [3. Regarding the left vertical plate with the insertion part] The left vertical plate 71b having the insertion portion 76 through which the piping member 51b passes will now be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 9, the left vertical plate 71b is configured by connecting a front member 71b1 and a rear member 71b2 in the fore-and-aft direction of the airframe. In particular, the front member 71b1 is located forward of the rear member 71b2. The front member 71b1 and the rear member 71b2 are connected by welding, for example, but may also be connected by bolts. Furthermore, the front member 71b1 and the rear member 71b2 may be configured as a single, integrated plate.

[0052] The front member 71b1 and the rear member 71b2 may have different thicknesses. For example, the front member 71b1 may have a thinner thickness than the rear member 71b2. The front member 71b1 and the rear member 71b2 may have different heights. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the front member 71b1 may have a lower height than the rear member 71b2.

[0053] The upper rear corner of the front member 71b1 is cut out. As a result, the front member 71b1 faces the rear member 71b2 with a gap therebetween, except for the portion where the front member 71b1 and the rear member 71b2 are connected. The gap between the front member 71b1 and the rear member 71b2 forms an insertion portion 76. Note that the insertion portion 76 may be a hole with a closed periphery. The insertion portion 76 is located between the boom support pin 73 and the cylinder support pin 74 (see FIG. 10) in the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body.

[0054] [4. About the fixing part] The piping member 51b routed so as to pass through the insertion portion 76 is fixed to the rear member 71b2 of the left vertical plate 71b by a fixing portion 80 shown in Fig. 9. The fixing portion 80 will be described in detail below.

[0055] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the fixing part 80 in a state where the piping member 51b of the first piping 50 is clamped. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the fixing part 80 in a state before the piping member 51b is clamped. The fixing part 80 has a mounting seat 81, a clamp member 82, and a pressing bolt 83.

[0056] The mounting seat 81 is a plate-shaped member and has holes 81a. For example, two holes 81a are formed side by side in the vertical direction, but the number of holes 81a is not particularly limited. A thread groove is cut into the inner peripheral surface of the hole 81a to mate with the threads of the fastening bolt B1 shown in FIG. 9. The fastening bolt B1 is inserted from the left side through a through-hole (not shown) in the left vertical plate 71b, fitted into the hole 81a of the mounting seat 81, and rotated, thereby fixing the mounting seat 81 to the left vertical plate 71b.

[0057] The clamp member 82 clamps the (two) piping members 51b between it and the mounting seat 81. The pressing bolt 83 is provided to penetrate the clamp member 82 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and is fitted into a hole 81b provided on the front surface 81F side of the mounting seat 81. A thread groove that engages with the thread of the pressing bolt 83 is cut on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 81b.

[0058] 16, with the piping member 51b passing between the clamp member 82 and the front surface 81F of the mounting seat 81, turning the pressing bolt 83 in the forward direction presses the clamp member 82 toward the front surface 81F of the mounting seat 81, thereby sandwiching the piping member 51b between the clamp member 82 and the mounting seat 81. This fixes the piping member 51b to the left vertical plate 71b to which the mounting seat 81 is fixed. On the other hand, turning the pressing bolt 83 in the reverse direction releases the clamp member 82 from its pressing force, and the piping member 51b is released from its fixation to the left vertical plate 71b.

[0059] From the viewpoint of stably routing the piping member 51b, it is desirable that the hydraulic excavator 1 be provided with the fixing portion 80 described above.

[0060] [5. About the inclined board] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the hydraulic excavator 1 is equipped with an inclined plate 90. The inclined plate 90 is disposed below the boom 31 (lower boom 31A) between a pair of vertical plates 71 (right vertical plate 71a, left vertical plate 71b). The inclined plate 90 is provided with a downward inclination toward the front. The first piping 50 is routed through the front side of the inclined plate 90.

[0061] For example, after excavating earth and sand with bucket 33, when boom 31 is rotated to move bucket 33 upward, some of the earth and sand in bucket 33 may fall near the base end of boom 31 (particularly lower boom 31A). Even in this case, the earth and sand falling from above is guided forward by the inclination of inclined plate 90 and discharged to the outside.

[0062] If the piping member 51b of the first piping 50 is positioned in front of the inclined plate 90 as in this embodiment, there is a risk that the soil and sand discharged along the inclined plate 90 may hit the piping member 51b. However, because the piping member 51b is connected to the first joint 51a, and the first joint 51a is held by one of the vertical plates 71 (the right vertical plate 71a), even if the soil and sand discharged along the inclined plate 90 hits the piping member 51b, the routing of the first piping 50 will not become unstable. Therefore, the configuration of this embodiment in which the first joint 51a is held by one of the vertical plates 71 is very effective in a configuration in which the first piping 50 is routed through the front side of the inclined plate 90.

[0063] [6. Boom cylinder piping arrangement] Next, the arrangement of the piping for the boom cylinder 31s will be described. As shown in Fig. 8, the hydraulic excavator 1 is equipped with the boom cylinder 31s described above and second piping 60. The boom cylinder 31s is a drive unit that drives the boom 31 (particularly the lower boom 31A) serving as a work machine. The second piping 60 is piping connected to the boom cylinder 31s, and is provided in two systems, similar to the first piping 50. Note that the second piping 60 of the two systems has the same configuration, and therefore, the configuration of the second piping 60 of one system will be described below as a representative.

[0064] The second piping 60 includes a boom hose 61 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) and a connecting member 62 (see FIG. 11, etc.). The boom hose 61 is a hydraulic hose that connects the connecting member 62 to the boom cylinder 31s. The connecting member 62 is fixed to the inner side surface of the left vertical plate 71b (the surface facing the right vertical plate 71a) by, for example, bolting. Therefore, it can be said that the second piping 60, which has at least the connecting member 62, is held (fixed) to the other vertical plate 71 (the left vertical plate 71b) of the pair of vertical plates 71.

[0065] The connecting member 62 is an L-shaped (elbow-shaped) mounting portion and has one end 62a (see FIG. 9) and the other end 62b (see FIG. 11). The one end 62a is formed as a protrusion that protrudes toward the left. The one end 62a is inserted from the right side into an insertion hole 71P (see FIG. 9) provided in the front member 71b1 of the left vertical plate 71b and protrudes to the left. Note that in the left vertical plate 71b, the insertion hole 71P is located near (below) the position (fulcrum) of the cylinder support pin 74 (see FIG. 10). The one end 62a is connected to the control valve CV via a hydraulic hose (not shown). The other end 62b is formed as a protrusion that protrudes upward. The boom hose 61 is connected to the other end 62b.

[0066] Therefore, the fluid (hydraulic oil) that flows from the control valve CV through the hydraulic hose into one end 62a of the connecting member 62 from the left side is discharged upward from the other end 62b and supplied to the boom cylinder 31s through the boom hose 61. In other words, the flow direction of the hydraulic oil flowing inside the connecting member 62 changes.

[0067] In order to avoid interference with the first piping 50 held by one of the vertical plates 71, the right vertical plate 71a, it is desirable that the second piping 60 (particularly the connecting member 62) be held by the other vertical plate 71, the left vertical plate 71b, as in this embodiment.

[0068] 10 and 11, a third pipe insertion portion 91 is provided on an inclined plate 90 of the hydraulic excavator 1. The third pipe insertion portion 91 has an insertion hole through which the third pipe can be inserted. As the third pipe, for example, a pipe including a hydraulic hose that supplies hydraulic oil to the arm cylinder 32a and bucket cylinder 33a of the work implement 3 can be considered. The end of the third pipe opposite to the end connected to the arm cylinder 32a, etc. is connected to a control valve CV.

[0069] The third pipe passes from the control valve CV side through an opening 71Q (see Figure 9) provided in the left vertical plate 71b, then passes from above through the insertion hole of the third pipe insertion portion 91, passes under the inclined plate 90, goes around to the back side of the boom 31 (lower boom 31A), and is led to the arm cylinder 32a, etc.

[0070] In this way, by providing the third pipe insertion portion 91 on the inclined plate 90, it becomes possible to route the third pipe from the control valve CV through the third pipe insertion portion 91 and around to the back side of the boom 31.

[0071] [7. Supplementary Information] In this embodiment, a hydraulic excavator 1 in which the control unit 41 is located on the left side of the working device 3 has been described. However, the piping arrangement described in this embodiment can also be applied to a hydraulic excavator 1 in which the control unit 41 is located on the right side of the working device 3 by reversing the left-right positional relationship from this embodiment.

[0072] The hydraulic excavator 1 may be configured to use an electric motor instead of the engine 40 as a power source.

[0073] [8. Notes] The hydraulic excavator 1 described in this embodiment can also be expressed as a work machine described in the following supplementary notes.

[0074] The work machine in Appendix (1) is A pair of vertical boards, A work machine disposed between the pair of vertical plates; a connecting pipe bridged between the pair of vertical plates, The connecting pipe is a first joint at one end to be connected to a first hydraulic pipe extending toward an optional actuator attached to the work machine; The other end has a second fitting that is connected to a second hydraulic line extending from a control valve that controls the flow of oil to the optional actuator.

[0075] The work machine of supplementary note (2) is the work machine of supplementary note (1), A hydraulic cylinder is provided between the pair of vertical plates and in front of the connecting pipe, and is supported by a support portion, for rotating the working machine up and down.

[0076] The work machine of supplementary note (3) is the work machine described in supplementary note (2), The connecting pipe is disposed above the rear of the support portion.

[0077] The work machine of supplementary note (4) is a work machine according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (3), The first joint is disposed between the pair of vertical plates.

[0078] The work machine of supplementary note (5) is a work machine according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (4), A connection portion of the first joint with the first hydraulic pipe is disposed facing forward and diagonally upward of the machine body.

[0079] The work machine of supplementary note (6) is a work machine according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (5), The first joint is held by one of the pair of vertical plates.

[0080] The work machine of supplementary note (7) is the work machine according to supplementary note (6), The second joint is disposed on the opposite side of the other vertical plate from the one vertical plate.

[0081] The work machine of supplementary note (8) is the work machine according to supplementary note (7), The second joint faces the side of the aircraft on which the control valve is disposed.

[0082] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these, and the invention can be expanded or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] The present invention can be used in work machines such as construction machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Hydraulic excavator (work machine) 31 Boom (work equipment) 31s Boom cylinder (hydraulic cylinder) 51 Connecting piping 51a First joint 51a2 Other end (connection part) 51c Second joint 52 First hydraulic piping 53 Second hydraulic piping 71 Vertical board 71a Right vertical board 71b Left vertical board 75 Support bracket (support part) CV control valve

Claims

1. A pair of vertical boards, A work machine disposed between the pair of vertical plates; a connecting pipe bridged between the pair of vertical plates, The connecting pipe is a first coupling at one end connected to a first hydraulic pipe that supplies oil to an actuator used with the work machine; The other end of the connecting pipe is connected to a control valve that controls the flow of oil to the actuator.

2. The work machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic cylinder supported by a support part between the pair of vertical plates and in front of the connecting pipe, for rotating the work implement up and down.

3. The work machine according to claim 2 , wherein the connecting pipe is disposed above a rear portion of the support portion.

4. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein the first joint is disposed between the pair of vertical plates.

5. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein a connection portion of the first joint with the first hydraulic pipe is disposed facing forward and obliquely upward on the machine body.

6. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein the first joint is held by one of the pair of vertical plates.

7. The connecting pipe is 7. The work machine according to claim 6, further comprising a second joint at the other end connected to a second hydraulic pipe extending from the control valve.

8. The work machine according to claim 7 , wherein the second joint is disposed on the other of the pair of vertical plates on an opposite side to the one vertical plate.

9. The work machine according to claim 8 , wherein the second joint faces a side of the machine body on which the control valve is disposed.

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