Machinery systems and guide devices for machinery

Abstract

The present invention provides a work machine system and a work machine guide device that prevent the work machine from deviating from its ideal posture and position on the walkway even if slippage occurs between the work machine and the walkway. [Solution] The work machine system (1) comprises a work machine (10) having a lower traveling body (11) and a guide device (40) that can be fixed to a ramp (210A, 210B) having a gradient. The lower traveling body (11) has a pair of left and right crawlers (111), a base (112) supported by the pair of crawlers, and a projection (113) located between the pair of crawlers and protruding from the base. The guide device (40) has wall members (42A, 42B) located above the upper surface of the ramp (210A, 210B) in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface and extending in the direction of travel of the ramp (210A, 210B). When the lower traveling body (11) travels on the ramp (210A, 210B), the projection (113) moves along the wall members (42A, 42B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine system and a guide device for a work machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 shows a device that determines whether a crawler is correctly placed on a tread plate when moving an excavator onto the loading platform of a truck.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional work machine, when moving on a tread plate, if slippage occurs between the work machine and the tread plate, there is a risk that the work machine will deviate from an ideal posture and position on the tread plate.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a work machine system and a guide device for a work machine that are less likely to deviate from an ideal posture and position on a tread plate even if slippage occurs between the work machine and the tread plate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The work machine system according to the present invention includes a work machine having a lower traveling body, a guide device that can be fixed to a tread plate having a gradient, and is provided with The lower traveling body includes a pair of left and right crawlers, a base supported by the pair of crawlers, a protruding portion located between the pair of crawlers and protruding from the base, It has, The guide device is The wall member is located above the upper surface of the aforementioned walkway in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface and extends in the direction of walking of the walkway, When the lower traveling body travels on the walkway, the protruding portion moves along the wall member.

[0007] The guide device for a work machine according to the present invention is A guide device for a work machine having a lower traveling body, which guides the work machine when the work machine travels on a walkway, The device includes a wall member that, when fixed to the aforementioned walkway, is located above the upper surface of the walkway in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the walkway and extends in the direction of walking along the walkway. The wall member is positioned at a height along the protruding portion that extends from the lower part of the lower traveling body when the lower traveling body travels on the walkway. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even if slippage occurs between the work machine and the walkway, the work machine is less likely to deviate from its ideal posture and position on the walkway. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows a working machine and a truck according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the working machine, with (A) being a partially cut side view and (B) being a front view mainly showing the lower traveling body. [Figure 3] These are a plan view (A), a side view (B), and a cross-sectional view (C) of the guide device in its installed state, viewed in the direction of walking. [Figure 4] This is a plan view (A) and a view (B) in the direction of movement, showing the guiding state when the lower traveling body moves on a walkway to which a guide device is attached. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the first three stages (A) to (C) of a work machine moving between the truck bed and the ground. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the forward and backward directions refer to the direction of travel and the reverse direction when the work machine system 1 is moving along the walkways 210A and 210B. The left and right directions refer to the left and right when facing the above-mentioned direction of travel.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a work machine system 1 and a track 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows a cross section of the crawler 111, revealing the structure on the other side. The work machine system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a work machine 10 having a lower traveling body 11, and a guide device 40 that can be fixed to sloped walkways 210A and 210B.

[0012] Figure 2 shows the work machine 10 of Figure 1, where (A) is a partially cut side view and (B) is a front view mainly showing the lower traveling body 11. Figure 2(A) shows the structure on the other side with the central part of the crawler 111 cut away. Various machines can be applied to the work machine 10, such as hydraulic excavators with a lower traveling body 11 and various cranes with a lower traveling body 11, for use in construction work, agricultural work and various industrial work. The work machine 10 has a traveling lower traveling body 11 and an upper slewing body 12 supported by the lower traveling body 11.

[0013] The upper slewing body 12 is equipped with working elements (not shown), such as an arm for an excavator or a boom for a crane, a drive mechanism (not shown), such as a winch or hydraulic cylinder for driving the working elements, a cab for operation by the operator, and a slewing mechanism that rotates relative to the lower traveling body 11. The cab may be omitted, and the work machine 10 may be configured for automatic or remote operation. Alternatively, the slewing mechanism may be omitted, and a non-slewing upper structure may be supported on the lower traveling body 11 of the work machine 10.

[0014] The lower traveling body 11 has a pair of left and right crawlers 111 and a base 112 supported by the pair of crawlers 111. The pair of crawlers 111 are arranged apart from each other left and right, and at least a part of the base 112 is located at a height floating from the ground between the pair of crawlers 111. Note that instead of the crawlers 111, a configuration having two sets of left and right traveling mechanisms in which two or more tires are arranged in a vertical row may be adopted.

[0015] The lower traveling body 11 has a protruding portion 113 protruding from the lower part. The protruding portion 113 protrudes downward from a lower part of the base 112. A plurality (for example, two in the front and rear) of the protruding portions 113 are provided. The protruding portion 113 is located at a height floating from the ground between the pair of left and right crawlers 111.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view (A), a side view (B), and a cross-sectional view (C) seen in the walking direction of the guide device installed on the tread plates 210A and 210B. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 3(C) shows a cross-section taken along the line C-C of the arrow in FIG. 3(A). The guide device 40 includes wall members 42A and 42B that are fixed to the tread plates 210A and 210B and are located above the upper surfaces of the tread plates 210A and 210B in a direction orthogonal to the upper surfaces and extend in the walking direction of the tread plates 210A and 210B. The wall members 42A and 42B guide the protruding portion 113 so that the protruding portion 113 moves along the wall members 42A and 42B when the lower traveling body 11 travels on the tread plates 210A and 210B. Two sets of left and right wall members 42A and 42B are provided. The two sets of left and right wall members 42A and 42B guide the movement of the protruding portion 113 in the walking direction by sandwiching the protruding portion 113 from both the left and right sides.

[0017] The stepping plates 210A and 210B are members that form a sloped path when erected between them when the work machine 10 moves from the ground to the loading platform 202 of the truck 200 or vice versa. The stepping plates 210A and 210B have a long upper surface on one side, and the longitudinal direction of the upper surface is the walking direction. The upper surface may have irregularities or a plurality of holes, etc. so that friction acts. The lower traveling body 11 of the work machine 10 rests on the upper surfaces of the stepping plates 210A and 210B and travels in the walking direction. The set of stepping plates 210A on the left side is configured by arranging two stepping plates 210a and 210a side by side left and right, and the set of stepping plates 210B on the right side is configured by arranging two stepping plates 210b and 210b side by side left and right. Note that one set of stepping plates on either the left or right side may be an integral configuration. Also, the two sets of stepping plates 210A and 210B on the left and right may be configured to be connected at least partially.

[0018] The guide device 40 further has a base portion 44 (see Fig. 3(A)) that supports the wall members 42A and 42B. The base portion 44 may be a frame structure or a block structure. The base portion 44 has two sets of first locking portions 441a and 441b and two sets of second locking portions 442a and 442b (see Fig. 3(C)). The two sets of first locking portions 441a and 441b are respectively locked to the upper surfaces of both the two sets of stepping plates 210A and 210B on the left and right. The two sets of second locking portions 442a and 442b are respectively locked to the opposing side surfaces S1 and S2 of both the two sets of stepping plates 210A and 210B on the left and right. The first locking portion 441a and the second locking portion 442a may be, for example, L-shaped angles having a shape bent at 90 degrees, or may be configured such that separate members are connected via stays or the like. A plurality of sets of the first locking portion 441a and the second locking portion 442a are provided and arranged at intervals in the front and rear. The base portion 44 also has cross members 444, longitudinal members 445, and diagonal members 446 that connect and reinforce the two sets of first locking portions 441a, the two sets of second locking portions 442a, and the wall members 42A and 42B.

[0019] The guide device 40 further includes a support member 46 that extends closer to the ground and contacts the ground. The support member 46 has a longer shape on one side and is positioned to receive the reaction force from the ground in the longitudinal direction when the guide device 40 is pushed downward along the walkway 210A, 210B. The support member 46 is connected to the wall members 42A, 42B so as to be able to rotate by a small angle. The support member 46 may be provided in a removable manner.

[0020] The guide device 40 further includes a wire connector 48 into which one end of a wire w that fixes the guide device 40 to the walkways 210A and 210B is cut, and a winch 49 for winding up the wire w. In Figure 3(C), the wire w is represented by a dashed line. The wire connector 48 and the winch 49 are fixed to the base 44. The winch 49 may be a hand winch that winds up the wire manually, or it may be configured to be driven by electric or hydraulic power.

[0021] The guide device 40 is fixed to the walkways 210A and 210B by a wire w stretched between a wire connector 48 and a winch 49. The wire w is tightened so as to bundle the walkways 210A and 210B and the guide device 40 together, thereby fixing the guide device 40 to the walkways 210A and 210B. The wire w extends in a path that circles around the walkways 210A and 210B and the guide device 40 for more than half a turn in a direction intersecting the direction of walking, and bundles and fixes them together. There may be two or more sets of wire connectors 48 and winches 49, separated front and rear.

[0022] The guide device 40 further has an upper support section 45 that is supported from the upper part on which the walkways 210A and 210B are placed (for example, the loading platform 202 of the truck 200). The upper support section 45 has a pulley 451 on which the wire w2 is hung and a wire connection section 452 to which the wire w2 is connected. The wire connection section 452 is located off-center in the left-right direction, and the pulley 451 is located in the center in the left-right direction. Therefore, the wire w2 extending from the wire connection section 452 through the pulley 451 can support the guide device 40 with a force in the front-rear direction. The wire connection section 452 may be a winch as an adjustment mechanism, and the winch may be located on the truck 200 side. The winch may be a hand winch that winds up the wire manually, or it may be electrically or hydraulically driven. The winch as an adjustment mechanism can adjust the position of the guide device 40 in the walkway direction by winding up or unwinding the wire w2.

[0023] Figure 4 is a plan view (A) and a view in the direction of travel (B) showing the guiding state when the lower traveling body 11 moves on a walkway to which the guide device is attached. In Figure 4(A), the ideal path of the crawler 111 passing over the walkways 210A and 210B is shown by a dashed line. The width of one crawler 111 may be greater than the width of one pair of walkways 210A. The width of the guide device 40 may be set so that the center of each crawler 111 in the width direction rests on the center of each of the two pairs of walkways 210A and 210B.

[0024] The wall members 42A and 42B are positioned with a gap larger than the width of the protrusion 113 of the lower traveling body 11, except for a portion of the upper end. The above-mentioned clearance is set to a size such that the protrusion 113 will come into contact with the wall members 42A and 42B if the lower traveling body 11 is about to deviate from its ideal position.

[0025] With the guide device 40 fixed to the walkways 210A and 210B, the wall members 42A and 42B are located above the upper surface of the walkways 210A and 210B in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface, and extend in the direction of walking along the walkways 210A and 210B. When the lower travel body 11 travels on the walkways 210A and 210B, the wall members 42A and 42B are positioned at a height along the protrusion 113 of the lower travel body 11.

[0026] The wall members 42A and 42B have inclined surfaces S3a and S3b (see Figure 4(A)) that widen towards the end in a portion of the upper end in the direction of walking. These inclined surfaces S3a and S3b ensure that even if the working machine 10 moves from the upper side to the lower side of the walkway 210A and 210B and the protruding portion 113 comes into contact with the wall members 42A and 42B due to a slight deviation in the movement path, the force of contact is dispersed laterally.

[0027] Most of the wall member 42A (the portion where the upper edge extends in a straight line) has an upper edge that slopes at the same gradient as the walkways 210A and 210B. The same applies to the other wall member 42B. When the work machine 10 begins to move onto the walkways 210A and 210B from the ground (from the lower end), the projection 113 of the work machine 10 comes into contact with one end of the wall members 42A and 42B. At this time, the projection 113 is moving in a direction that is closer to horizontal than the slope of the upper edges of the wall members 42A and 42B. Therefore, even if the movement path is slightly off and the projection 113 comes into contact with the wall members 42A and 42B, the force of contact is dissipated diagonally.

[0028] Alternatively, the wall members 42A and 42B may have a curved shape at their lower ends in the direction of walking, such that the curved shape is closer to the walkway boards 210A and 210B as it approaches the ends. This shape ensures that when the work machine 10 moves from the lower to the upper side of the walkway boards 210A and 210B, even if the movement path is slightly off and the protruding portion 113 comes into contact with the wall members 42A and 42B, the force of contact is dissipated diagonally.

[0029] <Usage example> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the first (A) to third (C) stages when the work machine moves between the cargo bed 202 of the truck 200 and the ground. The method for getting the work machine 10 onto and off a transport means such as the truck 200 includes the steps of installing ramps 210A, 210B and a guide device 40 on the transport means, and driving the work machine 10 on the ramps 210A, 210B. In the driving step, the work machine 10 descends from the transport means to a lower point, or ascends from a lower point onto the transport means. Furthermore, in the driving step, the protruding part 113 is guided by the guide device 40. The details of this method of getting on and off are shown below.

[0030] To move the work machine 10 from the ground to the truck bed 202 of the truck 200, or vice versa, the worker first installs walkways 210A and 210B between the truck bed 202 and the ground. Furthermore, the worker installs a guide device 40 between the walkways 210A and 210B. The guide device 40 is secured to the walkways 210A and 210B with a wire w, and the wire w is tightened by a winch 49, thereby firmly fixing it to the walkways 210A and 210B. In addition, the height position of the guide device 40 in the direction along the walkways 210A and 210B is adjusted by winding or unwinding the wire w2 from the wire connection part 452.

[0031] In this state, the work machine 10 travels along the walkways 210A and 210B. Then, the front and rear protrusions 113, 113 of the lower travel body 11 enter between the wall members 42A and 42B of the guide device 40, and in this state, the work machine 10 can be moved between the ground and the loading platform 202. Even if slippage occurs between the work machine 10 and the walkways 210A and 210B during movement, the protrusions 113, 113 are held in place by the wall members 42A and 42B, which prevents the work machine 10 from shifting its posture.

[0032] As described above, the work machine system 1 of this embodiment includes a guide device 40 that is fixed to the walkways 210A and 210B and guides the protruding portion 113 of the lower traveling body 11. Therefore, even if slippage occurs between the work machine 10 and the walkways 210A and 210B, it is possible to prevent the work machine 10 from deviating from its normal posture.

[0033] Furthermore, the guide device 40 is secured to the two sets of walkways 210A and 210B by two sets of first locking parts 441a and 441b and two sets of second locking parts 442a and 442b, so that the distance between the two sets of walkways 210A and 210B does not change significantly. Therefore, workers can easily install the walkways 210A and 210B and the guide device 40.

[0034] Furthermore, the guide device 40 is secured by bundling it with the walkways 210A and 210B using wire w. Therefore, workers can easily and securely fasten the walkways 210A and 210B to the guide device 40.

[0035] Furthermore, the guide device 40 has a support member 46 that extends towards the ground and contacts the ground when fixed to the walkways 210A and 210B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the guide device 40 from sliding down the walkways 210A and 210B when installing the guide device 40.

[0036] Furthermore, the guide device 40 has an upper support portion 45 that is supported from the upper part on which the ramps 210A and 210B are placed (for example, the loading platform 202 of the truck 200). Therefore, this support also prevents the guide device 40 from sliding down the ramps 210A and 210B.

[0037] Furthermore, it has an adjustment mechanism such as a winch that can adjust the distance between the upper support portion 45 and the upper part. Therefore, the height position of the guide device 40 can be adjusted by this adjustment.

[0038] Furthermore, the lower traveling body 11 has a pair of left and right crawlers 111 and a base 112 supported by the pair of crawlers 111, and the protruding portion 113 is located between the pair of crawlers 111 and fixed to the base 112. Therefore, the working machine 10 can be stably guided by the guide of the protruding portion 113.

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the work machine can be various machines used for construction work, agricultural work and various industrial work, such as various types of shovels, various types of cranes, and mobile robots. The lower traveling body is not limited to a configuration that travels by crawlers, but may also be configured to travel by multiple tires. In addition, although the above embodiments show a configuration in which a pair of wall members 42A and 42B are arranged to sandwich two protrusions 113, a configuration in which one wall member guides only one side of the protrusions to prevent them from shifting in one direction may be adopted. In addition, a configuration in which each of the multiple protrusions has a pair of wall members may be adopted. Furthermore, the protrusions are not limited to a form that protrudes downward, but may also protrude diagonally or to the side. In addition, details shown in the embodiments, such as the method of fixing the guide device, can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1. Work Machinery System 10 Working Machines 11 Lower running body 111 Crawler 112 Base 113 Protrusion 12 Upper rotating body 40 Guide device 42A, 42B wall parts S3a, S3b slope 44 Base section 441a, 441b 1st locking part 442a, 442b 2nd locking part 444 Cross member 445 Vertical members 446 Diagonal 45 Upper support part 451 Pulley 452 Wire connection section 46 Support member 48 Wire connectors 49 Winch w, w2 wire 200 trucks 202 Cargo bed 210A, 210B Walkway S1, S2 Opposite sides

Claims

1. A work machine having a lower traveling body, A guide device that can be fixed to a ramp with a slope, Equipped with, The aforementioned lower traveling body is A pair of left and right crawlers, A base supported by the pair of crawlers, A protruding portion located between the pair of crawlers and protruding from the base, Having The guide device is The wall member is located above the upper surface of the aforementioned walkway in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface and extends in the direction of walking of the walkway, When the lower traveling body travels on the walkway, the protruding portion moves along the wall member. A work machine system.

2. The lower traveling body is capable of traveling on two sets of the aforementioned walkways, one on the left and one on the right. The guide device has two sets of first locking parts and two sets of second locking parts. The pair of walkways and the guide device can be fixed together with the two sets of first locking parts each locking onto the upper surfaces of both the left and right sets of walkways, and the two sets of second locking parts each locking onto the opposing sides of both the left and right sets of walkways. The work machine system according to claim 1.

3. The guide device is fixed to the walkway by bundling the walkway and the guide device together via a wire. The wire connects the walkway and the guide device in a path that circles the walkway for more than half a turn in a direction intersecting the walking direction of the walkway. The work machine system according to claim 1.

4. The guide device has a support member that extends towards the ground and contacts the ground when fixed to the walkway. The work machine system according to claim 1.

5. The guide device includes an upper support portion supported from the upper part on which the walkway is placed, and an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the upper support portion and the upper part. Having, The work machine system according to claim 1.

6. A guide device for a work machine having a lower traveling body, which guides the work machine when the work machine travels on a walkway, The device includes a wall member that, when fixed to the aforementioned walkway, is located above the upper surface of the walkway in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the walkway and extends in the direction of walking along the walkway. The wall member is positioned at a height along the protruding portion that extends from the lower part of the lower traveling body when the lower traveling body travels on the walkway. A guide device for industrial machinery.

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