Work vehicle

Abstract

In a work vehicle, if a breather is provided at the lubrication point of the case, the breather is prevented from detaching from the lubrication point of the case and the orientation of the breather is prevented. [Solution] The breather section 14 has a lid section 15, a first pipe section 16a, and a second pipe section 16b. The breather section 14 allows lubricating oil to be supplied from the oil section 13 to the case when the lid section 15 is removed from the oil section 13. A fixing member 17 is provided that prevents the lid section 15 from detaching when attached to the oil section 13, and allows the lid section 15 to detach from the oil section 13 when removed from the oil section 13. A holding part 17c is provided on the fixing member 17 that can hold the orientation of the second pipe section 16b relative to the lid section 15 and the first pipe section 16a in a predetermined orientation A1 set in advance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a configuration of a breather portion provided in a case in which lubricating oil is stored in a work vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In a work vehicle, when a breather portion is provided in a case in which lubricating oil is stored, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a configuration in which the breather portion includes a lid portion attached to an oil filling portion of the case and a bent pipe portion.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, with the breather portion attached to the oil filling portion of the case, air circulates between the inside and outside of the case through the oil filling portion of the case and the breather portion (lid portion and pipe portion). When the breather portion is removed from the oil filling portion of the case, it becomes possible to supply lubricating oil from the oil filling portion of the case to the inside of the case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, since the breather portion (lid portion) is attached by being inserted into the oil filling portion of the case, there is a possibility that the breather portion may be detached from the oil filling portion of the case due to vibrations during traveling or the like.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that due to vibrations during traveling or the like, the breather portion may rotate with respect to the oil filling portion of the case, and the orientation of the pipe portion of the breather portion may change. If the orientation of the breather pipe changes and the end of the breather pipe is positioned above an area where lubricant adhesion is undesirable (e.g., the transmission belt), then if lubricant from inside the case is ejected from the breather pipe, there is a possibility that the lubricant may adhere to the transmission belt or other parts.

[0007] The present invention aims to prevent the breather section from detaching from the lubrication section of the case and to prevent changes in the orientation of the breather section when a breather section is provided in the lubrication section of the case of a work vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The work vehicle of the present invention comprises a case for storing lubricating oil, and an oil dispensing section provided in the case, The oiling section is provided with a breather section, the breather section having a lid that can be attached to and removed from the oiling section, a first pipe section extending upward from the lid, and a second pipe section extending laterally from the upper part of the first pipe section, the breather section allowing air to pass between the inside and outside of the case via the lid, the first pipe section and the second pipe section when the lid is attached to the oiling section, and allowing lubricating oil to be supplied from the oiling section to the inside of the case when the lid is removed from the oiling section, a fixing member is provided that prevents the lid from detaching from the oiling section when attached to the oiling section, and allows the lid to detach from the oiling section when removed from the oiling section, and a holding portion is provided on the fixing member that can hold the orientation of the second pipe section relative to the lid and the first pipe section in a predetermined orientation when the fixing member is attached to the oiling section.

[0009] According to the present invention, the breather unit is attached to the lubrication section of the case, allowing air to circulate between the inside and outside of the case via the breather unit (lid, first pipe, and second pipe). In this case, the fixing member is attached to the lubrication section of the case to prevent the breather unit (lid) from detaching from the lubrication section of the case. By removing the fixing member from the case's lubrication port and the breather unit from the case's lubrication port, it becomes possible to supply lubricating oil from the case's lubrication port to the inside of the case.

[0010] According to the present invention, when the breather unit is attached to the lubrication part of the case and the fixing member is attached to the lubrication part of the case, the holding part of the fixing member holds the orientation of the second pipe portion of the breather unit in a predetermined orientation, thereby preventing the orientation of the second pipe portion of the breather unit from changing due to vibrations during driving, etc. In this case, when the lubricating oil inside the case is ejected from the breather section, a predetermined orientation is set in advance so that the lubricating oil does not fall onto parts where lubricating oil adhesion is undesirable, thereby preventing the lubricating oil from adhering to those parts.

[0011] According to the present invention, the detachment of the case from the lubrication part in the breather section is prevented, while the orientation of the breather section is also prevented, thereby preventing lubricant from adhering to parts where lubricant adhesion is undesirable, and improving the functionality of the breather section. According to the present invention, since the holding portion is provided on the fixing member, the fixing member also serves as a member that supports the holding portion, thus simplifying the structure.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the holding portion has a recess into which the second pipe portion enters from above, thereby holding the orientation of the second pipe portion relative to the lid portion and the first pipe portion in the predetermined orientation.

[0013] According to the present invention, when the breather unit and the fixing member are attached to the lubrication part of the case, and the breather unit (lid) is prevented from detaching from the lubrication part of the case, the breather unit will not move upward from the lubrication part of the case. As a result, the second pipe section of the breather unit fits into the recess of the retaining unit from above, and the orientation of the second pipe section of the breather unit is effortlessly held in the predetermined direction by the recess of the retaining unit, thus achieving the objective with a simple retaining unit structure.

[0014] In the present invention, the case is a transmission case that houses a transmission mechanism inside, and is equipped with a transmission belt that transmits power from the driving unit to the transmission mechanism, and the predetermined orientation is preferably set such that the end of the second pipe portion is located away from the position above the transmission belt.

[0015] According to the present invention, a transmission case is provided that houses a power transmission mechanism, and a power transmission belt is provided that transmits power from the driving unit to the power transmission mechanism. The orientation of the second pipe of the breather unit is set such that the end of the second pipe of the breather unit is located away from the position above the power transmission belt (a predetermined orientation). This prevents lubricant from adhering to the transmission belt, thus preventing slippage and deterioration of the transmission belt, and thus improving the durability of the transmission belt.

[0016] In the present invention, the case is a transmission case that houses a power transmission mechanism inside, and the driving unit that supplies power to the power transmission mechanism and the transmission case are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction, and the predetermined orientation is preferably set such that the second pipe section faces away from the lid section and the first pipe section toward the opposite side of the driving unit.

[0017] According to the present invention, the driving unit and the transmission case housing the transmission mechanism are arranged side by side along the front-to-back direction. The orientation of the second pipe of the breather unit is set to face the opposite side of the driving unit (a predetermined orientation). This prevents the lubricating oil from adhering to the driving part, thereby preventing malfunctions of the driving part caused by the adhesion of the lubricating oil.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a left side view of the combine. [Figure 2] It is a left side view near the engine and the transmission case. [Figure 3] It is a plan view near the engine and the transmission case. [Figure 4] It is a front view of the oil filling part, the breather part, and the fixing member. [Figure 5] It is a left side view of the oil filling part, the breather part, and the fixing member. [Figure 6] It is a longitudinal left side view of the oil filling part, the breather part, and the fixing member.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Figures 1 to 6 show a conventional combine which is an example of a work vehicle. In Figures 1 to 6, F indicates the front direction, B indicates the rear direction, U indicates the upward direction, D indicates the downward direction, R indicates the right direction, and L indicates the left direction.

[0020] (Overall Configuration of the Combine) As shown in Figure 1, a crawler-type traveling device 2 is provided on the machine body frame 1, a cabin 3 is provided at the right part of the front of the machine body frame , and an operation part 4 is provided inside the cabin 3. A threshing device 5 is provided on the left part of the machine body frame 1, a grain tank 6 is provided on the right part of the machine body frame 1, and a crop discharging device 7 is attached to the rear part of the grain tank 6.

[0021] A conveying device 8 is attached to the front part of the threshing device 5 so as to be swingable up and down, and extends forward from the threshing device 5. A cutting part 9 is attached to the front part of the conveying device 8, and the cutting part 9 and the conveying device 8 can be lifted and lowered integrally.

[0022] As the combine harvester moves forward, the crops in the field are cut by the cutting unit 9. The cut crops are then supplied from the cutting unit 9 to the conveying device 8, which transports them backward, and from the conveying device 8 to the threshing device 5. The crops are threshed in the threshing device 5, and the threshed and collected crops are stored in the grain tank 6. When the grain tank 6 is full, the crops in the grain tank 6 are discharged by the discharge device 7.

[0023] (Configuration of the front part of the aircraft frame 1) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the engine 10 is located on the right side of the front of the aircraft frame 1, below the rear of the cabin 3 (driver's compartment 4).

[0024] The transmission case 11 is located in the central left-right portion of the aircraft frame 1, in the area in front of the engine 10, and the engine 10 and the transmission case 11 are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction. The transmission case 11 houses a transmission mechanism (not shown) and stores lubricating oil inside.

[0025] An output pulley 10a is provided on the left side of the engine 10, and an input pulley 11a is provided on the upper left side of the transmission case 11. A transmission belt 12 is attached across the output pulley 10a of the engine 10 and the input pulley 11a of the transmission case 11.

[0026] The power from the engine 10 is transmitted via the transmission belt 12 to the transmission mechanism of the transmission case 11, and then transmitted from the transmission mechanism of the transmission case 11 to the running gear 2, which drives the running gear 2.

[0027] (Configuration of the lubrication section 13 of the transmission case 11) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a pipe-shaped lubrication section 13 is provided on the upper part of the transmission case 11, to the right of the transmission belt 12. In a plan view, the lubrication section 13 extends upward from the transmission case 11 between the left side of the cabin 3 (driver's section 4) and the right side of the conveying device 8 (transmission belt 12).

[0028] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, an opening 13a, slightly larger in diameter than the rest of the lubrication section 13, is provided at the upper end of the lubrication section 13, facing upward. A mounting section 13b with an internal thread formed on its inner surface is attached to the side of the opening 13a.

[0029] (Configuration of the breather unit 14) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the breather unit 14 is attached to the opening 13a of the lubrication unit 13. As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the breather unit 14 has a lid 15 and a ventilation pipe 16.

[0030] The lid portion 15 has a first ring-shaped portion 15a with a larger diameter than the opening 13a of the lubrication portion 13, a second pipe-shaped portion 15b with a smaller diameter than the first portion 15a, and a third pipe-shaped portion 15c with a smaller diameter than the second portion 15b, and multiple ring-shaped protrusions are formed on the outer circumference of the second portion 15b. The entire lid portion 15 is made of hard rubber or synthetic resin.

[0031] The ventilation pipe 16 is constructed from a metal pipe formed in a semicircular shape. The ventilation pipe 16 is attached to the lid 15 by being inserted into the third portion 15c of the lid 15.

[0032] In the ventilation pipe 16, the portion inserted into the third portion 15c of the lid portion 15 is the first pipe portion 16a that extends upward from the lid portion 15. The arc portion of the ventilation pipe 16 is the second pipe portion 16b, which extends laterally from the upper part of the first pipe portion 16a.

[0033] The end of the ventilation pipe 16 is a third pipe section 16c that extends downward from the end of the second pipe section 16b. A small-diameter opening 16d is provided at the lower end of the third pipe section 16c.

[0034] The state shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 is one in which the second portion 15b of the lid portion 15 of the breather portion 14 is inserted into the opening 13a of the lubrication portion 13, and the breather portion 14 (lid portion 15 and ventilation pipe 16) is attached to the lubrication portion 13.

[0035] Air is allowed to pass between the inside and outside of the transmission case 11 via the lid portion 15 of the breather portion 14 (first portion 15a, second portion 15b, and third portion 15c), the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather portion 14 (first pipe portion 16a, second pipe portion 16b, third pipe portion 16c, and opening 16d), and the lubrication portion 13.

[0036] (Configuration of the fixing member 17 and the holding part 17c) As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, a metal plate is bent to form the fixing member 17. The fixing member 17 has a mounting portion 17a, a pressing portion 17b, and a holding portion 17c.

[0037] The mounting portion 17a is formed in a flat plate shape and has an opening. The retaining portion 17b is formed in a flat plate shape and has a semicircular notch, and extends laterally from the upper part of the mounting portion 17a.

[0038] The retaining portion 17c is formed in a flat plate shape and extends upward from the side of the mounting portion 17a, beyond the pressing portion 17b. A semicircular recess 17d that opens upward is provided at the upper end of the retaining portion 17c, and a receiving member 18 made of hard rubber or synthetic resin is attached along the recess 17d.

[0039] (Mounting status of fixing member 17) - 1 The state shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 is one in which the breather section 14 (lid section 15 and ventilation pipe 16) is attached to the lubrication section 13, and the fixing member 17 is attached to the lubrication section 13. The mounting portion 17a of the fixing member 17 is fitted against the mounting portion 13b of the lubrication section 13, and the bolt 19 is attached across the mounting portion 17a of the fixing member 17 and the mounting portion 13b of the lubrication section 13.

[0040] The retaining portion 17b of the fixing member 17 is pressed against the first portion 15a of the lid portion 15 of the breather portion 14 from above, so that the second portion 15b of the lid portion 15 of the breather portion 14 cannot be pulled out upward from the opening 13a of the lubrication portion 13.

[0041] The second pipe section 16b of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14 is inserted from above into the recess 17d (receiving member 18) of the holding section 17c of the fixing member 17. In this state, the breather section 14 (lid section 15 and ventilation pipe 16) is unable to rotate around the axis P1 along the longitudinal direction of the opening 13a of the lubrication section 13. The orientation of the second pipe section 16b of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14 relative to the lid section 15 and the first pipe section 16a is maintained in a predetermined orientation A1.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the predetermined orientation A1 is oriented opposite to the transmission belt 12 in the left-right direction in a plan view (away from the transmission belt 12), and opposite to the engine 10 in the front-rear direction in a plan view (away from the engine 10). The position of the mounting portion 13b of the lubrication portion 13 shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 is set so that the predetermined orientation A1 is the orientation shown in Figure 3.

[0043] In the state shown in Figure 3, the opening 16d of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14 is located in a position away from the position above the transmission belt 12 in the left-right direction, and in a position away from the engine 10 in the front-rear direction, in a plan view.

[0044] As a result, even if lubricating oil inside the transmission case 11 is ejected from the opening 16d of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14, the lubricating oil that falls from the opening 16d of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14 will not adhere to the transmission belt 12, nor will it adhere to the engine 10.

[0045] (Mounting status of fixing member 17) - 2 As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the worker can remove the bolt 19 and detach the fixing member 17 to the lubrication section 13, thereby pulling out the second portion 15b of the lid 15 of the breather section 14 into the opening 13a of the lubrication section 13, and removing the breather section 14 (lid 15 and ventilation pipe 16) from the opening 13a of the lubrication section 13. The worker can then supply lubricating oil into the transmission case 11 through the opening 13a of the lubrication section 13 via the lubrication section 13.

[0046] When the worker has finished supplying lubricating oil to the transmission case 11, the worker inserts the second portion 15b of the lid 15 of the breather unit 14 into the opening 13a of the oiling unit 13, thereby attaching the breather unit 14 (lid 15 and ventilation pipe 16) to the oiling unit 13.

[0047] Next, the worker inserts the second pipe portion 16b of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14 into the recess 17d of the holding portion 17c of the fixing member 17, and presses the pressing portion 17b of the fixing member 17 against the first portion 15a of the lid portion 15 of the breather section 14 from above.

[0048] Next, while maintaining the aforementioned state, the worker rotates the breather unit 14 (lid unit 15 and ventilation pipe 16) and the fixing member 17 around the axis P1 so that the mounting portion 17a of the fixing member 17 is positioned on the mounting portion 13b of the lubrication unit 13. The worker then attaches the bolt 19 across the mounting portion 17a of the fixing member 17 and the mounting portion 13b of the lubrication unit 13.

[0049] As a result, the orientation of the second pipe section 16b of the breather section 14's ventilation pipe 16 from the lid section 15 and the first pipe section 16a is maintained in the predetermined orientation A1 shown in Figure 3, returning to the state shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6.

[0050] (First alternative embodiment of the invention) In the breather section 14, the ventilation pipe 16 may be formed by bending it into a channel shape rather than a semicircular shape.

[0051] (Second alternative embodiment of the invention) In the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14, the third pipe section 16c may be eliminated, and an opening 16d may be provided at the end of the second pipe section 16b. In this configuration, the ventilation pipe 16 may be formed in a quarter-circular shape rather than a semi-circular shape, or it may be formed in an angle shape.

[0052] (Third alternative embodiment of the invention) In the transmission case 11, the lubrication section 13 may be configured not as a pipe, but as an opening (not shown) in the transmission case 11.

[0053] According to the above configuration, it is preferable that the breather section 14 (lid section 15 and ventilation pipe 16) be inserted into and installed in the opening (lubrication section 13) of the transmission case 11. The fixing member 17 is preferably configured to be attached with bolts 19 to a portion of the transmission case 11 near the opening (lubrication section 13). In this case, the portion of the transmission case 11 near the opening (lubrication section 13) becomes part of the lubrication section 13.

[0054] (Fourth alternative embodiment of the invention) In the fixing member 17, the holding portion 17c may be made of a separate component from the fixing member 17. With this configuration, the worker attaches the breather unit 14 (lid 15 and ventilation pipe 16) to the lubrication unit 13, attaches the fixing member 17 to the lubrication unit 13, and then rotates the breather unit 14 (lid 15 and ventilation pipe 16) around the axis P1 to set the orientation of the second pipe section 16b of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather unit 14 from the lid 15 and the first pipe section 16a to a predetermined orientation A1. After this, the worker can attach the retaining portion 17c to the fixing member 17 while inserting the second pipe portion 16b of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather portion 14 into the recess 17d of the retaining portion 17c of the fixing member 17.

[0055] (Fifth alternative embodiment of the invention) In the holding portion 17c of the fixing member 17, the recess 17d may be eliminated, and a band member (not shown) may be provided on the holding portion 17c of the fixing member 17. In this configuration, the first pipe section 16a or the second pipe section 16b of the ventilation pipe 16 of the breather section 14 is preferably fixed to the holding section 17c of the fixing member 17 by a band member.

[0056] (Sixth alternative embodiment of the invention) The engine 10 and the transmission case 11 may be arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, with the engine 10 at the front and the transmission case 11 at the rear.

[0057] (Seventh alternative embodiment of the invention) Instead of the engine 10, an electric motor (not shown) may be provided as the driving unit, or a hybrid type driving unit combining an electric motor and the engine 10 may be provided.

[0058] (Eighth alternative form of the invention) In addition to the transmission case 11, a transmission case (not shown) may be provided as a case, which houses a transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits power to the discharge device 7 and other devices (not shown).

[0059] (Comparison with the claims)-1 Engine 10 corresponds to the driving unit. The transmission case 11 corresponds to the case.

[0060] (Comparison with claims)-2 The system includes a case (transmission case 11) in which lubricating oil is stored, an oil injection section 13 provided in the case (transmission case 11), and a breather section 14 provided in the oil injection section 13.

[0061] The breather section 14 includes a lid section 15 that can be attached to and removed from the lubrication section 13, a first pipe section 16a extending upward from the lid section 15, and a second pipe section 16b extending laterally from the upper part of the first pipe section 16a.

[0062] The breather section 14 allows air to pass between the inside and outside of the case (transmission case 11) via the lid 15, the first pipe section 16a, and the second pipe section 16b, when the lid 15 is attached to the lubrication section 13, and when the lid 15 is removed from the lubrication section 13, it enables the supply of lubricating oil from the lubrication section 13 to the inside of the case (transmission case 11).

[0063] A fixing member 17 is provided that, when attached to the lubrication section 13, prevents the lid 15 from detaching from the lubrication section 13, and when removed from the lubrication section 13, allows the lid 15 to detach from the lubrication section 13.

[0064] With the fixing member 17 attached to the lubrication section 13, the fixing member 17 is provided with a holding section 17c that can hold the orientation of the second pipe section 16b relative to the lid section 15 and the first pipe section 16a in a predetermined orientation A1 that has been set in advance. The holding portion 17c has a recess 17d into which the second pipe portion 16b enters from above, thereby holding the orientation of the second pipe portion 16b relative to the lid portion 15 and the first pipe portion 16a in a predetermined orientation A1.

[0065] (Comparison with claims) -3 The case (transmission case 11) is a transmission case 11 that houses the transmission mechanism inside. It is equipped with a transmission belt 12 that transmits power from the driving unit (engine 10) to the transmission mechanism. The driving unit (engine 10) that supplies power to the transmission mechanism and the transmission case 11 are arranged side by side along the front-to-back direction.

[0066] The predetermined orientation A1 is set such that the end of the second pipe section 16b (the third pipe section 16c and the opening 16d) is located away from the position above the transmission belt 12. The predetermined orientation A1 is set such that the second pipe section 16b faces away from the lid section 15 and the first pipe section 16a to the opposite side of the driving unit (engine 10). [Industrial applicability]

[0067] This invention can be applied not only to combine harvesters, but also to other work vehicles such as tractors, and other construction work vehicles such as backhoes and wheel loaders. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10. Engine (Driving Unit) 11. Transmission case (case) 12 Power transmission belts 13 Lubricating part 14 Breather section 15 Lid 16a First pipe section 16b Second pipe section 17 Fixing member 17c Holding part 17d recess A1 Designated orientation

Claims

1. Cases in which lubricating oil is stored, The case includes an oiling section, The oiling section is provided with a breather section, The breather section has a lid that can be attached to and removed from the lubrication section, a first pipe section extending upward from the lid, and a second pipe section extending laterally from the upper part of the first pipe section. The breather section, by having the lid attached to the lubrication section, allows air to pass between the inside and outside of the case via the lid, the first pipe section, and the second pipe section, and by removing the lid from the lubrication section, it enables the supply of lubricating oil from the lubrication section to the inside of the case. A fixing member is provided which, when attached to the lubrication section, prevents the lid from detaching from the lubrication section, and when removed from the lubrication section, allows the lid to detach from the lubrication section. A work vehicle in which, with the fixing member attached to the lubrication section, a holding part is provided on the fixing member that can hold the orientation of the second pipe section relative to the lid section and the first pipe section in a predetermined orientation set in advance.

2. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion has a recess into which the second pipe portion enters from above, thereby holding the orientation of the second pipe portion relative to the lid portion and the first pipe portion in the predetermined orientation.

3. The aforementioned case is a transmission case that houses a transmission mechanism inside, A transmission belt is provided to transmit the power from the driving unit to the transmission mechanism. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined orientation is set such that the end of the second pipe portion is located away from the position above the transmission belt.

4. The aforementioned case is a transmission case that houses a transmission mechanism inside, The driving unit that supplies power to the transmission mechanism and the transmission case are arranged side by side along the front-to-back direction. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined orientation is set such that the second pipe portion faces away from the lid portion and the first pipe portion to the opposite side of the drive unit.

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