Tilt Check Tool

Abstract

This tool provides a tilt confirmation system that allows the operator of a construction machine to understand the slope of the ground in the area where the machine is located, without having to get in or out of the cockpit, and to operate the attachment accordingly. [Solution] The tilt confirmation tool 1 comprises a tool body 2, a first detection unit 4 attached to the tool body 2 and capable of detecting tilt in the vertical direction with respect to a predetermined first horizontal direction, and a second detection unit 5 attached to the tool body 2 and capable of detecting tilt in the vertical direction with respect to a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, making it possible to check the tilt state of the bucket of a hydraulic excavator.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an inclination confirmation tool for construction machinery that enables an operator to perform construction work while visually confirming the inclination state of an attachment of the construction machinery when the operator operates the attachment.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when forming a slope beside a road, it is known to perform earth cutting and earth filling using a bucket attached to the tip of the arm of a hydraulic excavator. For example, when performing earth cutting, an operator of a hydraulic excavator performs an operation of cutting the ground with the bucket while maintaining the bucket at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction and moving it obliquely upward or obliquely downward in order to form the slope with a desired gradient.

[0003] When performing this slope forming work using a general protractor, the operator needs to repeat operations such as getting out of the operator's cab of the hydraulic excavator, using the protractor to check the angle of the bucket, and then returning to the operator's cab to operate the bucket. This takes a lot of time for the work and is prone to differences in experience in the operation.

[0004] In order to address this, it is known to perform the work by attaching an inclination confirmation tool that can visually confirm the inclination state of the bucket in a hydraulic excavator from the operator's cab to the bucket. For example, the inclination confirmation tool disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a tool body composed of a frame extending in a substantially L shape in a side view, and first and second rotating bodies having a disk shape with the same rotation axis center. The first and second rotating bodies are attached to the tool body in a state where the rotation axis center extends in the horizontal direction and they are arranged side by side.

[0005] The first rotating body is rotatable relative to the tool body, and has a misalignment indicator mark at a predetermined position on its outer edge, with a weight fixed at a predetermined position near the outer edge. Therefore, even if the orientation of the tool body changes, the first rotating body rotates so that the weight is always directly below the axis of rotation. On the other hand, the second rotating body can change its rotational position around the axis of rotation relative to the tool body, and has a reference indicator mark at a predetermined position on its outer edge.

[0006] For example, when performing excavation work, the bucket's position is changed to an angle corresponding to the slope of the slope to be formed. The tool body is then fixed to the periphery of the bucket's opening so that the rotation axes of the first and second rotating bodies extend in the same direction as the rotation axis of the bucket relative to the arm of the hydraulic excavator, and the misalignment confirmation mark of the first rotating body is visible from the operator's seat. The second rotating body is then rotated so that the reference mark is aligned with the misalignment confirmation mark of the first rotating body. The operator then performs the excavation work by manipulating the bucket so that the misalignment confirmation mark of the first rotating body is aligned with the reference mark of the second rotating body, thereby forming a slope with no variation in gradient. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3224829 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Incidentally, when forming a slope along a road, the general procedure is to first cut out the ground at a predetermined angle with a bucket, then move a hydraulic excavator by its crawler tracks a predetermined distance in the direction of the road so that part of the bucket overlaps the cut-out area, and then cut out the ground at that position. This process is repeated to form a slope along the road.

[0009] However, if the road in the area to be excavated is sloped relative to the direction of travel in the area where excavation work has been performed earlier, even if a tool like the one in Patent Document 1 is used, the bucket may remain tilted in the direction of travel of the road while excavating, which could result in an inability to neatly form a slope in the direction of the road.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to provide a tilt confirmation tool that allows the operator of a construction machine to operate the attachment while being aware of the tilt state of the ground in the area where the construction machine is located, without having to get in and out of the cockpit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the present invention is characterized by a design that allows the operator of a construction machine to perceive the tilt of the attachment in two directions from the cockpit.

[0012] Specifically, the following measures were taken regarding tilt checking tools that can check the tilt status of construction machine attachments.

[0013] In other words, the tilt confirmation tool according to the first invention is characterized by comprising: a tool body having a detachable part that can be attached to and detached from the attachment; a first detection unit attached to the tool body and capable of detecting vertical tilt with respect to a predetermined first horizontal direction; and a second detection unit attached to the tool body and capable of detecting vertical tilt with respect to a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. In this configuration, the tilt-checking tool allows the operator of construction machinery to look at the tool attached to the attachment and check the vertical tilt of the attachment relative to two perpendicular horizontal directions.

[0014] The tilt confirmation tool according to the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the first detection unit comprises a first rotating body configured to be rotatable about a first rotation axis extending in the second horizontal direction and having a first mark attached to a predetermined position on its outer edge, a first weight fixed to a predetermined position near the outer edge of the first rotating body, and a first reference body configured to be rotatable about the first rotation axis and having a first reference mark attached to a predetermined position on its outer edge. The tilt checking tool configured in this way works to allow the tilt of the attachment relative to the first horizontal direction to be checked with a simple mechanism.

[0015] The tilt confirmation tool according to the third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the second detection unit comprises a second rotating body configured to be rotatable about a second rotation axis extending in the first horizontal direction and having a second mark at a predetermined position on its outer edge, a second weight fixed at a predetermined position near the outer edge of the second rotating body, and a second reference body configured to be rotatable about the second rotation axis and having a second reference mark at a predetermined position on its outer edge. The tilt checking tool configured in this way operates in such a way that it is possible to check the tilt not only in the first horizontal direction but also in the second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction using a simple mechanism.

[0016] The tilt confirmation tool according to the fourth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the second detection unit is attached to the tool body so as to be located above the first detection unit. In this configuration of the tilt detection tool, when the tool is fixed to the attachment, the second detection unit is designed to be more visible from the cockpit than the first detection unit.

[0017] The tilt confirmation tool according to the fifth invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the second detection unit comprises a third rotating body which is rotatable about a second rotation axis extending in the first horizontal direction and has a third mark attached to a predetermined position on its outer edge, and a third weight which is fixed to a predetermined position near the outer edge of the third rotating body, and the first detection unit which is arranged to the side of the second detection unit and has the first reference mark located outside the outer edge of the third rotating body. The tilt checking tool configured in this way works to allow checking not only the tilt of the attachment with respect to the first horizontal direction, but also the tilt with respect to the second horizontal direction, with a mechanism even simpler than that of the third invention.

[0018] The tilt confirmation tool according to the sixth invention is characterized in that, in the second or fifth invention, the first reference body has a circular or regular polygonal shape in which its central axis coincides with the first rotation axis, its outer shape is designed to be larger than the outer shape of the first rotating body, the first reference markers are formed in pairs symmetrically on either side of the first rotation axis, and the first markers have a shape that extends in a straight line passing through the first rotation axis, with each end reaching the edge of the first rotating body. In this tilt-checking tool, when adjusting the tilt state of the attachment, the user adjusts the orientation of the attachment while observing two points: the position of one end of the first reference mark corresponding to one of the first reference marks, and the position of the other end of the first reference mark corresponding to the other first reference mark. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The tilt confirmation tool of the first invention allows the operator of a construction machine to check the vertical tilt of the attachment relative to two orthogonal horizontal directions by looking at the tool attached to the attachment. Therefore, the operator of the construction machine can operate the attachment while checking the tilt in two directions without getting in and out of the cockpit, enabling, for example, the precise and efficient formation of wide areas of ground or slopes using construction machinery.

[0020] In the tilt confirmation tool of the second invention, when the tool is attached to the attachment, the first rotating body rotates relative to the tool body so that the first weight is always positioned directly below the axis of rotation of the first rotating body when the attachment changes its vertical tilt relative to the first horizontal direction. Then, by rotating the first reference body so that the first reference mark is aligned horizontally with the first mark on the first rotating body, and by operating the attachment so that the horizontal position of the first mark relative to the first reference mark is maintained, the attachment operates while maintaining a desired tilt in the first horizontal direction. In this way, the tilt of the attachment relative to the first horizontal direction can be confirmed with a simple mechanism, and the tool can be made at a low cost.

[0021] In the tilt confirmation tool of the third invention, when the tool is attached to the attachment, the second rotating body rotates relative to the tool body so that the second weight is always positioned directly below the axis of rotation of the second rotating body when the attachment changes its vertical tilt with respect to the second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. Then, by rotating the second reference body so that the second reference marker is aligned horizontally with the second marker of the second rotating body, and by operating the attachment so that the horizontal position of the second marker with respect to the second reference marker is maintained, the attachment will operate while maintaining the desired tilt in the second horizontal direction. In this way, the tilt of the attachment not only with respect to the first horizontal direction but also with respect to the second horizontal direction can be confirmed with a simple mechanism, so even if the required orientation of the attachment with respect to the horizontal plane is complex, work can be performed while confirming the tilt in two directions with the first and second detection units, and furthermore, the cost of manufacturing the tool can be reduced.

[0022] In the inclination confirmation tool of the fourth invention, when the tool is fixed to the attachment, the second detection unit is more visible from the driver's seat than the first detection unit. Therefore, for example, after checking the inclination in the first horizontal direction of the attachment and correcting the posture of the attachment with respect to the first horizontal direction to an appropriate state, when repeating the operation while setting the inclination of the attachment with respect to the second horizontal direction to a desired state, that is, when the time for operating while checking the posture of the attachment with respect to the second horizontal direction is long, it becomes easier for the operator to operate and the work efficiency can be improved.

[0023] In the inclination confirmation tool of the fifth invention, when the tool is attached to the attachment, when the attachment changes its vertical inclination with respect to the second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction, the third rotating body always rotates with respect to the tool body so as to be positioned directly below the rotation axis of the third rotating body. Then, by rotating the first reference body so that the first reference mark is in a side-by-side position with the third mark of the third rotating body, and operating the attachment so that the side-by-side position of the third mark with respect to the first reference mark is maintained, the attachment can be operated while maintaining a desired inclination in the second horizontal direction. Thus, not only the inclination of the attachment with respect to the first horizontal direction but also the inclination with respect to the second horizontal direction can be confirmed with a simpler mechanism than in the third invention, and the cost of the tool can be further reduced by reducing the number of parts and the manufacturing man-hours for constituting the tool.

[0024] In the inclination confirmation tool of the sixth invention, when adjusting the inclination state of the attachment, the work of changing the posture of the attachment is performed while looking at two positions far from the first rotation axis, that is, the position of one end of the first mark corresponding to one first reference mark and the position of the other end of the first mark corresponding to the other first reference mark. Therefore, the rotation state of the first rotating body can be easily understood from the position of the driver's seat, and it becomes easier for the operator to further perform the operation of changing the inclination of the attachment.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the tilt confirmation tool according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention attached to the bucket of a hydraulic excavator during slope formation work. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the tilt confirmation tool according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the tilt confirmation tool according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a view from arrow IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 3. [Figure 8] This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 3 of Example 2. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view along the IX-IX line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative. [Examples]

[0027] Figure 1 shows a hydraulic excavator 10 (construction machine) performing the work of forming a slope S next to a road R using the tilt confirmation tool 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The hydraulic excavator 10 comprises a crawler-type lower traveling body 11 and a shovel body 12 attached above the lower traveling body 11 via a slewing mechanism, and the shovel body 12 is capable of slewing around a slewing axis that extends in the vertical direction.

[0028] A box-shaped cab 13 is provided on one side in the width direction of the shovel body 12, from which the operator of the hydraulic excavator 10 sits and operates the hydraulic excavator 10.

[0029] On the other side of the shovel body 12 in the width direction, an excavation attachment 14 is provided, and this excavation attachment 14 is equipped with a boom 15, an arm 16, and a bucket 17 in that order from the base end.

[0030] The tilt confirmation tool 1 described above is attached to the opening periphery of the bucket 17. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, this tilt confirmation tool 1 comprises a tool body 2 that is formed by combining elongated strip-shaped frame members and has a roughly inverted T-shape when viewed from the front.

[0031] The tool body 2 comprises a first frame 2a that forms a rectangular frame shape extending vertically, and a pair of second frames 2b that protrude in opposite directions from both sides of the lower end of the first frame 2a. Through holes 2c are provided horizontally opposite each other in the upper half of the vertically extending frame portion of the first frame 2a.

[0032] A disc-shaped magnetic member 3 (attachment part) is attached to the underside of each second frame 2b, and these magnetic members 3 allow the tool body 2 to be attached to and detached from the drilling attachment 14 in a predetermined position.

[0033] A first detection unit 4 capable of detecting the vertical tilt of the first frame 2a with respect to the first horizontal direction H1 extending in the width direction of the first frame 2a is attached to the lower half of the first frame 2a of the tool body 2, while a second detection unit 5 capable of detecting the vertical tilt of the first frame 2a with respect to the opening direction, i.e., the second horizontal direction H2 perpendicular to the first horizontal direction H1, is attached to the upper half of the first frame 2a of the tool body 2.

[0034] In other words, the second detection unit 5 is attached to the tool body 2 so that it is positioned above the first detection unit 4.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the first detection unit 4 is attached to an L-shaped frame 2d that is fixed to extend forward from one of the vertically extending frame portions of the first frame 2a.

[0036] The first detection unit 4 comprises a first bolt B1 positioned so as to extend along the second horizontal direction H2 with its head side away from the first frame 2a, and a first rotating body 6 and a first reference body 7, which have roughly regular dodecagonal shapes of different sizes with their central axes coinciding, wherein the outer shape of the first reference body 7 is designed to be larger than the outer shape of the first rotating body 6.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the first rotating body 6 has a shallow, roughly basin-like shape and comprises a small-diameter plate-like portion 61 that is roughly dodecagonal in shape, and a small-diameter side portion 62 that extends in an annular shape and is continuously provided on the outer peripheral edge of the small-diameter plate-like portion 61.

[0038] A through hole 61a is formed in the center of the small-diameter plate-shaped portion 61, into which the first bolt B1 can be loosely fitted. The first rotating body 6 is attached to the first bolt B1, which is loosely fitted into the through hole 61a, using a first washer W1 and a first nut N1, and is rotatable about the first rotation axis C1.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a first marker 61b is provided on the surface side of the small-diameter plate-like portion 61, extending in a straight line through the center of the small-diameter plate-like portion 61. The shape of this first marker 61b is such that each end reaches the edge of the small-diameter plate-like portion 61. In other words, the first marker 61b is attached to a predetermined position on the outer peripheral edge of the first rotating body 6.

[0040] A weight nut 61c (first weight) is fixed to a predetermined position on the back side of the small-diameter plate-shaped portion 61, close to the small-diameter side portion 62, that is, near the outer peripheral edge of the first rotating body 6. This weight nut 61c is positioned on a straight line perpendicular to both the first marker 61b and the first rotation axis C1. When the first rotating body 6 is rotated to position the weight nut 61c directly below the first rotation axis C1, the first rotating body 6 is configured such that the first marker 61b extends in a straight line in the horizontal direction.

[0041] The first reference body 7 has a shallow, roughly basin-like shape and includes a large-diameter plate-like portion 71 that is roughly dodecagonal in shape, and a large-diameter side portion 72 that extends in an annular shape and is continuously provided on the outer peripheral edge of the large-diameter plate-like portion 71.

[0042] A through hole 71a is formed in the center of the large-diameter plate-shaped portion 71, through which the first bolt B1 can be inserted. The first reference body 7 is attached to the first bolt B1 at its midpoint, which is inserted through the through hole 71a, using a first washer W1 and a first nut N1. The first reference body 7 is attached to the first bolt B1 such that a first rubber pad G1 is interposed between it and the first washer W1, so that its rotational position can be adjusted when it is rotated around the first rotation axis C1.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a pair of first reference markers 71b, which are substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the front, are formed symmetrically on the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the large-diameter plate-like portion 71, with the first rotation axis C1 in between. In other words, the first reference markers 71b are attached to predetermined positions on the outer peripheral edge of the first reference body 7.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the second detection unit 5 includes a second rotating body 8 and a second reference body 9 that have approximately the same shape and coincident central axes.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7, the second rotating body 8 has a deep, roughly basin-like shape and comprises a disc portion 81 with a central shaft support hole 81a into which the second bolt B2 can be loosely fitted, and an annularly extending side wall portion 82 provided continuously with the outer peripheral edge of the disc portion 81.

[0046] The second rotating body 8 is positioned so that its opening faces one of the vertically extending frame portions of the first frame 2a, and is attached to the first frame 2a by screwing a second nut N2 onto a second bolt B2 that is loosely fitted into the axial support hole 81a of the disc portion 81 and the other insertion hole 2c of the first frame 2a, with a second washer W2 interposed between them.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a second marker 82a is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall portion 82 of the second rotating body 8, extending linearly along the central axis of the second rotating body 8 at a predetermined position on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall portion 82. This second marker 82a has a shape in which each end reaches the edge of the side wall portion 82. In other words, the second marker 82a is attached to a predetermined position on the outer circumferential edge of the second rotating body 8.

[0048] A weight nut 81b (second weight) is fixed to a predetermined position on the back side of the disc portion 81, close to the side wall portion 82, that is, near the outer peripheral edge of the second rotating body 8. This weight nut 81b is positioned 1 / 4 turn clockwise from the position of the second marker 82a.

[0049] The second reference body 9 has a deep, roughly basin-like shape that is almost identical in shape to the second rotating body 8, and includes a disc portion 91 with a central shaft support hole 91a into which the second bolt B2 can be loosely fitted, and an annularly extending side wall portion 92 provided continuously on the outer peripheral edge of the disc portion 91.

[0050] The second reference body 9 is positioned so that its opening faces the other frame portion extending vertically on the first frame 2a, and is attached to the first frame 2a by screwing a second nut N2 onto a second bolt B2 that is loosely fitted into the axial support hole 91a of the disc portion 91 of the second reference body 9 and one of the insertion holes 2c of the first frame 2a, with a second washer W2 interposed between them. The second reference body 9 is positioned symmetrically with the second rotating body 8 so that their openings face each other on the second rotation axis C2.

[0051] Furthermore, the second reference body 9 and the first frame 2a are in close contact with the second washer W2 via the second rubber pad G2, so that they can be adjusted to a predetermined rotational position when rotated around the second rotational axis C2.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a second reference mark 92a is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall portion 92, extending linearly across the entire width of the side wall portion 92. In other words, the second reference mark 92a is attached to a predetermined position on the outer circumferential edge of the second reference body 9.

[0053] Next, we will describe in detail the process of forming the slope S beside the road R with a hydraulic excavator 10 using the inclination confirmation tool 1 of the present invention.

[0054] First, the operator of the hydraulic excavator 10 positions the lower traveling body 11 of the hydraulic excavator 10 in a direction aligned with the extension of the road R, as shown in Figure 1.

[0055] Next, the shovel body 12 is rotated 90 degrees relative to the lower traveling body 11 so that the bucket 17 can tilt up and down in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the road R.

[0056] Next, the operator attaches the tilt confirmation tool 1 to the opening edge of the bucket 17. At this time, the tilt confirmation tool 1 is attached to the bucket 17 so that the second rotation axis C2 extends parallel to the rotation axis of the bucket 17 relative to the arm 16.

[0057] Afterward, the operator changes the inclination of the bucket 17 to correspond to the slope S being formed, and then rotates the first reference body 7 around the first rotation axis C1 so that the first reference marker 71b is aligned with the first marker 61b.

[0058] At this time, the operator visually checks the first detection unit 4 of the tilt confirmation tool 1 from the cockpit and adjusts the attitude of the bucket 17 so that each end of the first marker 61b is aligned with each of the first reference markers 71b of the first reference body 7 in order to determine whether or not the bucket 17 is tilted in the second horizontal direction H2.

[0059] Specifically, when the tilt confirmation tool 1 is attached to the bucket 17, the first rotating body 6 rotates relative to the tool body 2 so that when the bucket 17 changes its vertical tilt with respect to the first horizontal direction H1, the weight nut 61c is always positioned directly below the first rotation axis C1 of the first rotating body 6. Then, after rotating the first reference body 7 so that the first reference marker 71b is aligned horizontally with the first marker 61b of the first rotating body 6, the bucket 17 is operated so that the horizontal alignment of the first marker 61b with respect to the first reference marker 71b is maintained, causing the bucket 17 to operate while maintaining the desired tilt in the first horizontal direction H1. In this way, the tilt of the bucket 17 with respect to the first horizontal direction H1 can be confirmed with a simple mechanism.

[0060] Subsequently, the operator controls the bucket 17 to move diagonally upward while maintaining it in a predetermined position, thereby cutting the ground with the bucket 17. At this time, the operator operates the bucket 17 while visually checking the second detection unit 5 of the tilt confirmation tool 1 from the cockpit to confirm that the cutting operation is being performed while the bucket 17 is maintained at the desired tilt in the second horizontal direction H2.

[0061] Specifically, when the bucket 17 changes its vertical inclination with respect to the second horizontal direction H2, the second rotating body 8 rotates relative to the tool body 2 so that the weight nut 81b is always positioned directly below the second rotation axis C2 of the second rotating body 8. Then, after rotating the second reference body 9 so that the second reference marker 92a is aligned with the second marker 82a of the second rotating body 8, the bucket 17 is operated so that the horizontal alignment of the second marker 82a with respect to the second reference marker 92a is maintained, allowing the bucket 17 to operate while maintaining the desired inclination in the second horizontal direction H2. In this way, the inclination of the bucket 17 with respect to the second horizontal direction H2, as well as the first horizontal direction H1, can be confirmed with a simple mechanism.

[0062] After moving the bucket 17 diagonally upward to cut the ground at a predetermined angle and form an inclined surface X1, the operator then moves the hydraulic excavator 10 by a predetermined distance in the direction of travel of the road R using its lower traveling body 11 so that a part of the bucket 17 overlaps with the inclined surface X1.

[0063] Subsequently, at that position, the bucket 17 is moved diagonally upward to cut the ground at a predetermined angle, thereby forming an inclined surface X2. In this way, by repeatedly cutting the ground with the bucket 17 while gradually moving the hydraulic excavator 10 along the road R, a slope S with a desired gradient along the road R is formed.

[0064] As described above, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the operator of the hydraulic excavator 10 can check the vertical tilt of the bucket 17 with respect to two orthogonal horizontal directions (first horizontal direction H1 and second horizontal direction H2) by looking at the tilt checking tool 1 attached to the bucket 17. Therefore, the operator of the hydraulic excavator 10 can operate the bucket 17 while checking the tilt of the bucket 17 in two directions without getting in and out of the operator's seat, and can perform the formation of wide areas of ground or sloped surfaces with high precision and efficiency using the hydraulic excavator 10.

[0065] Furthermore, since the tilt of the bucket 17 with respect to the first horizontal direction H1 can be determined by utilizing the rotational movement of the first rotating body 6 caused by the downward movement of the weight nut 61c attached to the freely rotatable first rotating body 6 due to its own weight, the tilt of the bucket 17 with respect to the first horizontal direction H1 can be checked with a simple mechanism and the tilt checking tool 1 can be made low cost.

[0066] Furthermore, the rotational movement of the second rotating body 8, caused by the downward movement of a weight nut 81b attached to the freely rotatable second rotating body 8, allows for the determination of the inclination of the bucket 17 with respect to the second horizontal direction H2. This makes it possible to check not only the inclination of the bucket 17 with respect to the first horizontal direction H1 but also the inclination with respect to the second horizontal direction H2 with a simple mechanism. Therefore, even if the required posture of the bucket 17 with respect to the horizontal plane is complex, the work can be performed while checking the inclination in two directions using the first detection unit 4 and the second detection unit 5.

[0067] Furthermore, when the tilt confirmation tool 1 is attached to the opening periphery of the bucket 17, the second detection unit 5 is positioned higher than the first detection unit 4, making the second detection unit 5 easier to see from the driver's seat than the first detection unit 4. Therefore, when the operator checks the tilt of the bucket 17 in the first horizontal direction H1, corrects the attitude of the bucket 17 with respect to the first horizontal direction H1 to an appropriate state, and then repeats the work after setting the tilt of the bucket 17 in the second horizontal direction H2 to a desired state, that is, when the operator spends a long time checking the attitude of the bucket 17 in the second horizontal direction H2, the operator can operate the bucket more easily and work efficiency can be increased.

[0068] Furthermore, with respect to the first rotating body 6 and the first reference body 7, whose central axes coincide at the first rotation axis C1, the outer shape of the first reference body 7 is designed to be larger than the outer shape of the first rotating body 6, and a pair of first reference markers 71b are formed symmetrically on either side of the first rotation axis C1, and the first markers 61b extend in a straight line passing through the first rotation axis C1, with each end reaching the edge of the first rotating body 6. As a result, when adjusting the tilt state of the bucket 17, the change in the attitude of the bucket 17 can be performed while observing two locations far from the first rotation axis C1, namely, the position of one end of the first marker 61b corresponding to one of the first reference markers 71b and the position of the other end of the first marker 61b corresponding to the other first reference marker 71b. Consequently, the rotation state of the first rotating body 6 becomes easier to understand from the position of the cockpit, and the operator can perform the tilt change operation of the bucket 17 even more easily. [Examples]

[0069] Figures 8 and 9 show the tilt confirmation tool 1 of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In Embodiment 2, the mounting position of the first detection unit 4 on the tool body 2 and a part of the structure of the second detection unit 5 differ from those of Embodiment 1. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in Embodiment 1, and only the other differing parts will be described.

[0070] In Embodiment 2, the first detection unit 4 is positioned on one side of the vertically extending frame portion in the upper half of the first frame 2a of the tool body 2.

[0071] Furthermore, the second detection unit 5 of Example 2 does not have a second reference body 9 as in Example 1, and a third marker 82b is attached to the side wall portion 82 of the second rotating body 8 of Example 2. This third marker 82b has a shape that extends linearly in the horizontal direction, with each end reaching the edge of the side wall portion 82. For convenience, the second rotating body 8 of Example 2 will be referred to as the third rotating body 8A, and the weight nut 81b will be referred to as the weight nut 81A (third weight).

[0072] The first detection unit 4 is positioned to the side of the second detection unit 5, and the first reference marker 71b is positioned outside the outer edge of the third rotating body 8A.

[0073] As described above, according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, when the tilt confirmation tool 1 is attached to the bucket 17, the third rotating body 8A rotates relative to the tool body 2 so that when the bucket 17 changes its tilt up or down with respect to the second horizontal direction H2 which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction H1, the weight nut 81A is always positioned directly below the second rotation axis C2 of the third rotating body 8A. Then, by rotating the first reference body 7 so that the first reference marker 71b is aligned with the third marker 82b of the third rotating body 8A, and by operating the bucket 17 so that the alignment of the third marker 82b with respect to the first reference marker 71b is maintained, the bucket 17 can be operated while maintaining a desired tilt in the second horizontal direction H2. In this way, the tilt of the bucket 17 not only with respect to the first horizontal direction H1 but also with respect to the second horizontal direction H2 can be checked with an even simpler mechanism than the mechanism in Example 1, and the cost of the tilt checking tool 1 can be further reduced by decreasing the number of parts and manufacturing man-hours that make up the tilt checking tool 1.

[0074] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the L-shaped frame 2d may be made slidable vertically relative to the frame portion extending vertically from the first frame 2a, thereby enabling the positions of both first reference markers 71b to be changed vertically simultaneously.

[0075] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, the tilt confirmation tool 1 is attached to the bucket 17 of the hydraulic excavator 10 and used, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be attached to the front blade of the lower traveling body 11 of the hydraulic excavator 10 when leveling the ground. Also, it is not limited to the hydraulic excavator 10, but can be used when working with other construction machinery while checking the tilt of the attachment. In addition, for example, it can be attached to a culvert creation tool that forms a culvert. When this is done, the distance of the bullet member moving underground from the ground becomes stable when creating a culvert, so the quality of the culvert that is formed is improved. In other words, by using the tilt confirmation tool 1 of the present invention, the movement of the bullet member underground becomes virtually visible on the surface, that is, the "visualization" of the bullet member on the surface is achieved, which can contribute to improving the quality of the culvert that is formed.

[0076] Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, the first revolving body 6 and the first reference body 7 have a substantially regular dodecagonal shape, but the invention is not limited to this, and may have other polygonal shapes or circular shapes.

[0077] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, the tool body 2 can be attached to the attachment of a construction machine by a pair of magnetic members 3, but the invention is not limited to this, and it may be attached to the bucket 17 by other methods. For example, it may be configured to clamp the peripheral edge of the opening of the bucket 17.

[0078] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, a pair of first reference markers 71b are provided around the first rotation axis C1, but the invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on only one of them. [Industrial applicability]

[0079] The present invention is suitable as a tilt confirmation tool for construction machinery, which allows the operator to visually check the tilt state of the attachment while performing construction work by operating the attachment of the construction machinery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1…Tilt confirmation tool 2…Tool body 2a…First frame 2b…Second frame 2c…Through hole 2d…L-shaped frame 3…Magnetic component (detachable part) 4…First detection unit 5…Second detection unit 6…First rotating body 7…First reference body 8…Second rotating body 8A…Third rotating body 9…Second reference body 10…Hydraulic excavator (construction machine) 11…Lower traveling body 12…Excavator body 13…Cab 14…Drilling attachment 15…Boom 16…Arm 17…Bucket 61…Small diameter plate-shaped part 61a…Through hole 61b…First marker 61c…Weight nut (first weight) 62…Small diameter side part 71…Large diameter plate-shaped part 71a…Through hole 71b…First reference marker 72…Large diameter side part 81…Disc part 81A…Weight nut (3rd weight) 81a…Axis support hole 81b…Weight nut (2nd weight) 82…Side wall section 82a…2nd marker 82b…3rd marker 91…Disc section 91a…Axis support hole 92…Side wall section 92a…2nd reference marker B1…1st bolt B2…2nd bolt C1…1st rotation axis C2…2nd rotation axis G1…1st rubber pad G2…2nd rubber pad H1…1st horizontal direction H2…2nd horizontal direction N1…1st nut N2…2nd nut R…Road S…Slope W1…1st washer W2…2nd washer X1…Inclined surface X2…Inclined surface

Claims

1. A tilt checking tool that can check the tilt state of the attachment of construction machinery, A detachable attachment part for the aforementioned attachment, and an attachment tool body, A first detection unit attached to the tool body and capable of detecting vertical tilt with respect to a predetermined first horizontal direction, A tilt confirmation tool characterized by comprising a second detection unit attached to the tool body and capable of detecting vertical tilt with respect to a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

2. In the tilt confirmation tool described in claim 1, The tilt confirmation tool is characterized by comprising: a first detection unit configured to be rotatable about a first rotation axis extending in the second horizontal direction, with a first mark attached to a predetermined position on its outer edge; a first weight fixed to a predetermined position near the outer edge of the first rotation body; and a first reference body configured to be rotatable about the first rotation axis, with a first reference mark attached to a predetermined position on its outer edge.

3. In the tilt confirmation tool described in claim 2, The tilt confirmation tool is characterized by comprising: a second detection unit configured to rotate freely about a second rotation axis extending in the first horizontal direction, with a second mark attached to a predetermined position on its outer edge; a second weight fixed to a predetermined position near the outer edge of the second rotation body; and a second reference body configured to rotate freely about the second rotation axis, with a second reference mark attached to a predetermined position on its outer edge.

4. In the tilt confirmation tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The tilt confirmation tool is characterized in that the second detection unit is attached to the tool body so as to be located above the first detection unit.

5. In the tilt confirmation tool described in claim 2, The second detection unit comprises a third rotating body rotatably configured about a second rotation axis extending in the first horizontal direction, with a third mark marked at a predetermined position on its outer edge, and a third weight fixed at a predetermined position near the outer edge of the third rotating body. The tilt confirmation tool is characterized in that the first detection unit is disposed to the side of the second detection unit, and the first reference mark is positioned outside the outer edge of the third rotating body.

6. In the tilt confirmation tool according to claim 2 or claim 5, The first reference body has a circular or regular polygonal shape with its central axis coinciding with the first axis of rotation, and its outer shape is designed to be larger than the outer shape of the first body of rotation. The first reference markers are formed in pairs symmetrically across the first axis of rotation, The inclination checking tool is characterized in that the first marker has a shape that extends in a straight line passing through the first rotation axis, with each end reaching the edge of the first rotating body.

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