Tank for work equipment and work equipment equipped with the same.

Abstract

To improve the maintainability of work equipment tanks equipped with two or more internal filters. [Solution] The work machine tank comprises a tank body having a tank chamber capable of storing a material, an opening provided in the tank body, a lid that is removablely attached to the tank body and covers the opening, and two or more filters arranged in the tank chamber, the position of which is restricted by the lid when the lid is attached to the tank body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank for a working machine and a working machine equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an operating oil tank provided with two or more filters including a first filter for filtering oil led to an inlet of a pump or the like and a second filter for filtering return oil from hydraulic equipment or the like inside a tank body has been known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, two openings for filter replacement are provided, one for the first filter and one for the second filter. Therefore, two lid bodies are also required to close each opening. For this reason, the maintenance work of the filter has been complicated. In addition, the number of parts and the number of processing steps are large, resulting in high costs.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tank for a working machine and a working machine equipped with the same that can solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A work machine tank and work machine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a tank body having a tank chamber capable of storing a material, an opening provided in the tank body, a lid that is removably attached to the tank body and covers the opening, and two or more filters arranged in the tank chamber, the position of which is restricted by the lid when the lid is attached to the tank body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] With the above configuration of the work machine tank and work machine, the placement of multiple filters can be controlled using a common lid, thus reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs compared to having a separate lid for each filter. In addition, since the attachment and detachment of multiple filters can be performed by removing a single lid, maintainability is improved compared to having a separate lid for each filter. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a left side view of a rotary excavating machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "the machine"). [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the aforementioned work machine with the side bonnet removed. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the hydraulic oil tank and battery mounted on the aforementioned work machine. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the hydraulic fluid tank. [Figure 5] This is a rear cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank showing the two filters inside the tank chamber. [Figure 6] This is a plan cross-sectional view of a hydraulic oil tank showing two filters inside the tank chamber. [Figure 7] This is a rear cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank, showing the lid removed from the tank body and the two filters removed from the lid and each duct. [Figure 8] This is a rear cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank, excluding the lid and the two filters. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the second filter and the position regulating member for the second filter. [Figure 10] This is a rear cross-sectional view of a hydraulic fluid tank including a second filter and a position regulating member for the second filter according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 is a left side view of the implement 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a top view of the implement 1 with the side bonnet 25 removed. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the hydraulic oil tank 2 and battery 53 mounted on the implement 1. In this embodiment, the application of the present invention to a backhoe, which is an example of the implement 1, is described, but the implement 1 is not limited to this, and any implement 1 that has a tank containing two or more filters is acceptable.

[0010] The work machine 1 comprises a traveling body 10, a machine body 20, and a work device 30. The machine body 20 is mounted on the upper part of the traveling body 10 (specifically the traveling frame 11 described later) via a swivel joint having a vertical axis Xv as shown in Figure 1. The machine body 20 can rotate (swivel) horizontally relative to the traveling body 10 around this axis Xv by a hydraulic swivel motor (not shown).

[0011] Furthermore, the entire working device 30, including the boom 31, arm 32, bucket 33, etc., is supported by the machine body 20 via the swing bracket 14. The boom 31, arm 32, and bucket 33 are driven by the boom cylinder (hydraulic cylinder) 34, arm cylinder (hydraulic cylinder) 35, and bucket cylinder (hydraulic cylinder) 36, respectively. The swing bracket 14 is supported by a base portion 29 provided on the machine body 20 via a swing pin (pivot) 14a having an axis in the vertical direction, and the entire working device 30, together with the swing bracket 14, can rotate (oscillate) horizontally relative to the machine body 20 by the swing cylinder (hydraulic cylinder) 39.

[0012] In this embodiment, the direction of arrow A1 in Figures 1 and 2 is the forward direction, the direction of arrow A2 is the backward direction, the direction of arrow B1 in Figure 2 is the left direction, and the direction of arrow B2 is the right direction.

[0013] The traveling body 10 has a traveling frame 11 and a pair of left and right traveling devices 12, and each traveling device 12 is driven by a hydraulic traveling motor (not shown). Further, a dozer 13 is provided at the front part of the traveling body 10. The dozer 13 has a blade 13a disposed in front of the pair of left and right traveling devices 12, an actuator (hydraulic cylinder) 13b for swinging the blade vertically, and the like.

[0014] Various devices are arranged in the machine body 20 in an appropriate layout. For example, as devices for driving (operating) the above-described hydraulic actuators and the like, an engine (internal combustion engine) 50 as a prime mover, a hydraulic pump 51 driven by the engine 50 to discharge hydraulic oil (or pilot pressure oil) to hydraulic drive devices such as hydraulic actuators, a fuel tank 52 for storing fuel supplied to the engine 50, a hydraulic oil tank 2 for storing hydraulic oil supplied to the hydraulic pump 51, a battery 53 as a power source for various electrical devices provided in the work implement 1, and the like are arranged in a space within the machine body 20 in a layout as described below.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an engine 50, a hydraulic pump 51 drivingly connected to the output shaft of the engine 50, and the like are mounted at the rear part of the machine body 20 (main body frame 21) and covered with a rear bonnet 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a fuel tank 52, a battery 53, a hydraulic oil tank 2, and the like are mounted at the right part of the machine body 20 (main body frame 21) and covered with a side bonnet 25.

[0016] Note that the hydraulic oil tank 2 and the battery 53 may be combined via a frame or the like and mounted on the work implement 1 as one unit as shown in FIG. 3. The arrows A1, A2, B1, B2 shown in FIG. 3 correspond to the arrows A1, A2, B1, B2 indicating the front, rear, left, and right of the work implement 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, these arrows show an example of the arrangement of the hydraulic oil tank 2 and the battery 53 in the work implement 1, and do not limit the orientation and direction of the arrangement of the hydraulic oil tank 2 and the battery 53.

[0017] Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the hydraulic oil tank 2 will be described in detail while referring to FIGS. 4 to 10. Regarding the orientation and direction of the hydraulic oil tank 2, it shall correspond to the front, rear, left, and right orientations indicated by the arrows A1, A2, B1, and B2 in FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hydraulic oil tank 2. FIG. 5 is a rear cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank 2 showing the two filters 5 and 6 in the tank chamber Rt. FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank 2 showing the two filters 5 and 6 in the tank chamber Rt. FIG. 7 is a rear cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank 2 showing the lid 4 removed from the tank body 3 and the two filters 5 and 6 removed from the lid 4 and the respective ducts 15 and 16. FIG. 8 is a rear cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank 2 excluding the lid 4 and the two filters 5 and 6. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second filter 6 and the position regulating member 8 for the second filter 6. FIG. 10 is a rear cross-sectional view of the hydraulic oil tank 2 including the second filter 6 and the position regulating member 8 for the second filter 6 according to another embodiment.

[0019] The hydraulic oil tank 2 includes a tank body 3 having a tank chamber Rt inside which can store hydraulic oil as a stored substance, an opening 3a provided in the tank body 3 so as to communicate with the tank chamber Rt and open outward, a lid 4 removably attached to the tank body 3 to cover the opening 3a, and two or more filters 5 and 6 disposed in the tank chamber Rt and whose arrangement positions are regulated by the lid 4 when the lid 4 is attached to the tank body 3.

[0020] In this embodiment, the tank body 3 is a rectangular-shaped member that extends vertically in appearance, as shown in Figures 4 to 9. In other words, the tank body 3 consists of a pair of vertical plate-shaped front and rear side plates 3d extending up, down, left, and right (Figures 4 and 5 show only the rear side plate 3d, and Figures 6 to 8 show only the front side plate 3d), a pair of vertical plate-shaped left and right side plates 3e extending up, down, front, and back (Figure 4 shows only the right side plate 3e, and Figures 6 to 8 show cross-sections of both the left and right side plates 3e), a horizontal plate-shaped top plate 3f extending front, back, left, and right so as to connect the upper ends of the four side plates 3d and 3e (Figure 4 shows the top surface of the top plate 3f, and Figures 6 to 8 show cross-sections of the top plate 3f), and a horizontal plate-shaped bottom plate 3g extending front, back, left, and right so as to connect the lower ends of the four side plates 3d and 3e (Figures 6 to 7 show cross-sections of the bottom plate 3g, and Figure 8 shows the top surface of the bottom plate 3g).

[0021] The raw materials for the tank body 3 are not particularly limited, and metal materials, synthetic resin materials, etc., can be used. Furthermore, the method of manufacturing the tank body 3 is not particularly limited; for example, the individual components may be joined by welding, or they may be constructed by integral molding or bending.

[0022] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, a hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 and a hydraulic fluid inlet duct 16 are provided within the tank chamber Rt, which is the inner cavity of the tank body 3. In this embodiment, in order to accommodate the layout of equipment inside the work machine 1 as shown in Figure 2, the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 and the hydraulic fluid inlet duct 16 are arranged to be distributed to the left and right within the tank chamber Rt, as shown in Figure 8 and other figures.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8, a drain pipe 17 extends downward from the bottom plate portion 3g of the tank body 3 on the outside of the tank body 3, and the upper end of the drain pipe 17 opens in the bottom plate portion 3g of the tank chamber Rt as an inlet 3h to the drain pipe 17, as shown in Figure 6. The bottom end of the drain pipe 17 is normally closed with an oil drain plug 17a, and by removing the oil drain plug 17a, the hydraulic oil stored in the tank chamber Rt can be discharged from the bottom end opening of the drain pipe 17.

[0024] Referring to Figures 3 to 8, the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 consists of a vertical cylinder 15a extending in the vertical direction and a horizontal cylinder 15b branching off from the vertical part of the vertical cylinder 15a and extending rearward horizontally (rearward A2 (see Figure 3)). The horizontal cylinder 15b penetrates the rear side plate portion 3d of the tank body 3 and protrudes rearward and outward from the tank body 3, with its rear end opening as the hydraulic fluid outlet 2a (see Figures 3, 4, etc.). In this embodiment, the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 is configured to penetrate the rear side plate portion 3d of the tank body 3, but it is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured to penetrate other side plate portions, or even the bottom plate portion 3g.

[0025] The hydraulic fluid outlet 2a of the hydraulic fluid tank 2 is connected to the suction port of the hydraulic pump 51 via a hydraulic fluid pipe such as a hose.

[0026] As shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, a flange 15c is provided at the top of the vertical section 15a of the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15, and a protrusion 15d extends upward from the flange 15c, having a slightly smaller outer diameter than the portion of the vertical section 15a below the flange 15c. The upper end of the protrusion 15d (i.e., the upper end of the vertical section 15a) is an open end 15e that serves as the inlet for the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15, and the hydraulic fluid stored in the tank chamber Rt is guided from this open end 15e to the hydraulic fluid outlet 2a and discharged into the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15.

[0027] The lower end of the vertical pipe 15a is joined to the bottom plate portion 3g of the tank body 3, and as shown in Figure 5, etc., it is closed by a shielding plate 15f below the connection point with the horizontal pipe 15b. Therefore, the hydraulic fluid introduced into the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 from the open end 15e, which is the upper end of the vertical pipe 15a, is discharged from the hydraulic fluid outlet 2a, which is the outer end of the horizontal pipe 15b, without leaking from the lower end of the vertical pipe 15a.

[0028] Within the tank chamber Rt, a first filter 5 is provided at the upper end of the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 (vertical cylinder 15a), as shown in Figures 5 to 7. The first filter 5 has a cylindrical filter element portion 5a having an axis in the vertical direction, and a cylindrical portion 5b extending downward from the bottom of the filter element portion 5a.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the first filter 5 is positioned in the tank chamber Rt with its bottom end (the lower end of the cylindrical portion 5b) resting on the flange 15c. At this time, the protrusion 15d is inserted through the cylindrical portion 5b, and the open end 15e is positioned within the filter element portion 5a (i.e., surrounded by the filter element portion 5a). As a result, the hydraulic fluid in the tank chamber Rt is filtered by the first filter 5 and then discharged into the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 via the open end 15e.

[0030] A rod-shaped position-regulating member 7 extends upward from the upper end of the first filter 5. An upward-opening engagement recess 7a is provided at the upper end of the position-regulating member 7. A lid 4 is attached to the upper part of the tank body 3, as described later, and two or more (two in this embodiment) engagement pins 42 are provided on the lid 4 so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the lid 4. The position-regulating member 7 is connected to the lid 4 when one of these engagement pins 42 is fitted into the engagement recess 7a. In this way, the lid 4 attached to the tank body 3, via the position-regulating member 7, regulates the position of the first filter 5, which is provided on the upper part of the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 in the tank chamber Rt, so as not to shift vertically and horizontally from its predetermined position on the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15.

[0031] The position regulating member 7 is a rod-shaped body that is in a straight line vertically from its upper end where the engaging recess 7a is formed to its lower end which is connected to the upper end of the first filter 5, and its vertical axis coincides with the axis of the cylindrical first filter 5. In other words, the position regulating member 7 is positioned coaxially with the vertical axis of the cylindrical first filter 5 (i.e., on the upward extension of the axis of the first filter 5). However, it is not limited to this, and the position regulating member 7 may have a shape in which, for example, the middle part in the vertical direction is bent and positioned non-coaxially (eccentrically) with respect to the vertical axis of the first filter 5.

[0032] The position-regulating member 7 having such a shape or part can be constructed, for example, by bending, molding, welding, etc., of metal materials or synthetic resin materials, but the material and processing method are not particularly limited.

[0033] On the other hand, the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 is an L-shaped bent pipe and has a horizontal cylindrical portion 16a that extends horizontally from left to right (see arrows B1 and B2 in Figure 3) within the tank chamber Rt, and a vertical cylindrical portion 16b that extends upward from the right end of the horizontal cylindrical portion 16a. The left part of the horizontal cylindrical portion 16a penetrates the left side plate portion 3e of the tank body 3 and protrudes outward to the left of the tank body 3, with its left end opening as the hydraulic fluid inlet 2b. In this embodiment, the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 is configured to penetrate the left side plate portion 3e of the tank body 3, but it is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured to penetrate other side plate portions, or even the bottom plate portion 3g.

[0034] When the hydraulic oil tank 2 is installed on the work machine 1, an oil pipe is connected to the protruding end (left end) of the hydraulic oil introduction duct 16 (horizontal cylindrical section 16a) from the tank body 3 to supply the hydraulic oil (return oil) that is discharged from the hydraulic pump 51, circulates through the hydraulic circuit for driving the hydraulic actuator of the work machine 1, etc., and is returned to the hydraulic oil tank 2. In other words, the hydraulic oil inlet 2b is an inlet for introducing this return oil into the hydraulic oil tank 2.

[0035] Within the tank chamber Rt, the upper end of the vertical section 16b of the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 is provided with a flat surface 16c in plan view, which is formed by varying the diameter in a stepped manner. The portion of the vertical section 16b extending upward from the flat surface 16c is a convex portion 16d with a smaller diameter than the portion below the flat surface 16c. The upper end of the convex portion 16d (i.e., the upper end of the vertical section 16b) is an open end 16e. The hydraulic fluid introduced into the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 from the hydraulic fluid inlet 2b flows horizontally through the horizontal section 16a, then flows upward in the vertical section 16b, and overflows into the tank chamber Rt from the open end 16e at the upper end of the vertical section 16b.

[0036] Within the tank chamber Rt, a second filter 6 is provided at the upper end of the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 (vertical section 16b). The second filter 6 has a cylindrical filter element section 6a having a vertical axis, a downward-facing opening recess 6b formed in the portion extending downward from the bottom of the filter element section 6a, and a vertical communication hole 6c that connects the internal space of the recess 6b to the filter element section 6a.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the second filter 6 is positioned inside the tank chamber Rt so as to cover the vertical section 16b of the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16. At this time, the flat surface 16c of the vertical section 16b abuts against the ceiling surface of the recess 6b, and the portion of the vertical section 16b below the flat surface 16c is positioned inside the recess 6b, while the convex section 16d is fitted into the communication hole 6c, and the open end 16e of the upper end of the convex section 16d is positioned at the bottom of the filter element section 6a, facing into the filter element section 6a. As a result, the return oil introduced into the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 from the hydraulic fluid inlet 2b overflows into the filter element section 6a of the second filter 6 from the open end 16e, and is filtered in the process of overflowing from the filter element section 6a into the tank chamber Rt outside.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5 to 7 and Figure 9, a stay 6d having one or more screw holes (or bosses) 6e is fixed (or formed) to the upper end of the filter element portion 6a of the second filter 6. A rod-shaped or strip-shaped position regulating member 8 extending in the vertical direction is arranged on the side (to the right in this embodiment) of the second filter 6.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 to 7 and Figure 9, the position regulating member 8 has a main body portion 8c that extends in the vertical direction, and this main body portion 8c is positioned near the side (near the right side in this embodiment) of the second filter 6 installed in the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16. The position regulating member 8 also has a bottom plate portion 8d that is bent in an L-shape at the bottom end of the main body portion 8c and extends horizontally (to the left in this embodiment). One or more holes 8e corresponding to the screw holes (or bosses) 6e of the second filter 6 are formed in this bottom plate portion 8d.

[0040] The second filter 6 and the position regulating member 8 are fastened together via a bolt-nut 9, which consists of a bolt inserted (screwed) through the screw holes (or bosses) 6e and holes 8e, and a nut screwed onto the bolt, with the upper surface of the stay 6d and the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 8d facing (or in contact with) each other, and each screw hole (or boss) 6e and each hole 8e aligned. In this way, the second filter 6 is attached to the position regulating member 8 in a state that is horizontally offset (from the main body portion 8c of the position regulating member 8).

[0041] An upward-opening engagement recess 8a is provided at the upper end of the vertically extending position regulating member 8. As described above, two or more (two in this embodiment) engagement pins 42 protrude downward from the lid 4 attached to the upper part of the tank body 3, and one of these engagement pins 42 (a different engagement pin 42 from the engagement pin 42 that is fitted into the engagement recess 7a of the position regulating member 7) is fitted into the engagement recess 8a, thereby connecting the position regulating member 8 to the lid 4. In this way, the lid 4 attached to the tank body 3, via the position regulating member 8, regulates the position of the second filter 6, which is provided on the upper part of the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 in the tank chamber Rt, so that it does not shift vertically and horizontally from a predetermined position on the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16.

[0042] In this embodiment, the position regulating member 8 has an upper plate portion 8b that extends horizontally in the opposite direction to the direction in which the bottom plate portion 8d extends, and the upper end of the main body portion 8c that extends vertically is also bent in an L shape. The engaging recess 8a is provided on this upper plate portion 8b in an upwardly extending manner. In other words, the position regulating member 8, which has a main body portion 8c that extends vertically and an upper plate portion 8b and a bottom plate portion 8d that extend horizontally, is a member that is bent in a crank shape when viewed from the rear.

[0043] In other words, the position regulating member 8 is designed to ensure the support strength of the second filter 6 by bringing the main body portion 8c, which extends vertically, close to the second filter 6 (i.e., minimizing the horizontal offset of the second filter 6 from the main body portion 8c as much as possible). At the same time, an engaging recess 8a is provided in the upper plate portion 8b, which extends from the upper end of the main body portion 8c in the opposite direction to the direction in which the bottom plate portion 8d extends from the bottom end of the main body portion 8c. This allows the horizontal distance (i.e., the amount of horizontal offset) of the position regulating member 8 from the upper end (engaging recess 8a), which is detachably connected to the lid 4, to the second filter 6, which is supported by the bottom end (bottom plate portion 8d) of the position regulating member 8, to be increased. This ensures that interference between the first filter 5 and the second filter 6 is reliably avoided, and also allows the first filter 5 and the second filter 6 to be positioned appropriately within the tank chamber Rt, even when the horizontal distance between the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 and the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 in the tank chamber Rt is large.

[0044] Furthermore, in terms of center of gravity balance, the second filter 6 can be said to be attached to the position regulating member 8 with its center of gravity offset horizontally. That is, the entire weight of the second filter 6 is distributed almost evenly across the bottom plate portion 8d of the position regulating member 8 that supports the second filter 6 (in other words, the center of gravity of the second filter 6 is located approximately at the left-right center of the bottom plate portion 8d that extends in the left-right direction), while the weight of the engagement recess 8a, upper plate portion 8b, and main body portion 8c of the position regulating member 8 is borne on the right end portion of the bottom plate portion 8d connected to the main body portion 8c. In this way, the position regulating member 8 so-called cantilever support the second filter 6, with its center of gravity offset horizontally (to the left in this embodiment).

[0045] Furthermore, the position regulating member 8 is attached to the second filter 6, which is offset horizontally in this manner, and cantilever-supports the second filter 6, which is also offset horizontally at the center of gravity. Therefore, it is a complex structure in terms of shape and other aspects, and has considerable support strength. Such a structure can be created, for example, by bending, molding, welding, etc., of metal materials or synthetic resin materials, but the material and processing method of the position regulating member 8 are not particularly limited in this way.

[0046] Furthermore, regarding the mounting position and mounting structure of the position regulating member 8 to the second filter 6, other embodiments such as those shown in Figure 10 are also possible. In this embodiment, the position regulating member 8 has a bottom plate portion that is bent in an L-shape at the bottom end of the main body portion 8c and extends horizontally, forming a bifurcated fork portion 8f. This fork portion 8f is inserted into the gap between the bottom end of the filter element portion 6a of the second filter 6 and the upper end of the recess 6b, and in this gap, it clamps the small-diameter neck portion 6f of the second filter 6, which is formed to surround the communication hole 6c. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 10 as well, the second filter 6 is supported by the position regulating member 8 in a state where the (center of gravity) is offset horizontally.

[0047] To replace the filter, the old filter is removed from the tank chamber Rt inside the tank body 3 to the outside of the hydraulic oil tank 2, and a new filter is inserted into the tank chamber Rt. Therefore, the tank body 3 of the hydraulic oil tank 2 is provided with an opening 3a that connects the tank chamber Rt to the outside of the hydraulic oil tank 2 (tank body 3).

[0048] In this embodiment, the opening 3a is provided in the upper part of the tank body 3, i.e., the top plate portion 3f, in an upward-facing opening. Specifically, a vertically penetrating cylindrical portion 3b is formed so as to extend upward from the top plate portion 3f, and the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 3b is the opening 3a. A flange 3c is also formed on the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 3b.

[0049] The opening 3a is usually closed by a lid 4. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the lid 4 is attached to the tank body 3 so as to cover the opening 3a, by being detachably attached to the flange 3c with fasteners such as bolts 41 at its outer edge. The material of the lid 4 is not particularly limited, and like the tank body 3, metal materials, synthetic resin materials, etc., can be used.

[0050] The lid 4 is provided with an opening that serves as a fuel inlet 4a (see Figures 5 and 7), which is normally closed by a fuel tap 43 (see Figure 4, etc.). When the lid 4 is attached to the tank body 3 so as to cover the opening 3a, the fuel inlet 4a is open toward the opening 3a. When the fuel tap 43 is removed from the lid 4, the fuel inlet 4a opens so as to connect the outside of the tank body 3 with the opening 3a. The hydraulic fluid poured into the fuel inlet 4a of the lid 4 passes through the opening 3a and fills the tank chamber Rt.

[0051] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the lid 4 is provided with two or more (two in this embodiment) engagement pins 42, which protrude downward from the lower surface of the lid 4. On the other hand, the engagement recess 7a at the upper end of the position regulating member 7, which extends upward from the first filter 5, and the engagement recess 8a at the upper end of the position regulating member 8, which regulates the position of the second filter 6, are located within the opening 3a.

[0052] When the lid 4 is placed on the flange 3c in order to be attached to the tank body 3, the two engaging pins 42 that protrude downward from the lid 4 fit into the engaging recesses 7a and 8a, respectively, thereby connecting the position regulating members 7 and 8 to the lid 4. After this, the lid 4 is fastened to the flange 3c with bolts 41 and attached to the tank body 3. The lid 4, thus attached to the tank body 3, regulates the position of the two filters 5 and 6 located in the tank chamber Rt via the position regulating members 7 and 8, preventing them from shifting vertically and horizontally from their respective predetermined positions on the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 and the hydraulic fluid inlet duct 16.

[0053] On the other hand, if you want to remove the filters 5 and 6 from the tank chamber Rt to the outside of the tank body 3 for filter replacement, remove the bolts 41 and lift the lid 4 upward from the flange 3c as shown in Figure 7. This will cause the two engagement pins 42 to disengage from the engagement recesses 7a and 8a, and the upper ends of the position regulating members 7 and 8, which are the engagement recesses 7a and 8a, will be positioned within the opened opening 3a.

[0054] In this state, by the operator holding the engaging recess 7a and pulling up the position regulating member 7, the first filter 5 connected to the position regulating member 7 can be separated from the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 and removed to the outside of the tank body 3 through the opening 3a, as shown in Figure 7. Also, by the operator holding the engaging recess 8a and pulling up the position regulating member 8, the second filter 6 connected to the position regulating member 8 can be separated from the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 and removed to the outside of the tank body 3 through the opening 3a.

[0055] In this embodiment, the radial (horizontal) size of the second filter 6 is larger than the radial size of the first filter 5, but this is not the only option. The radial (horizontal) sizes of the two filters 5 and 6 can be set appropriately considering the respective objects to be filtered.

[0056] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the position regulating member 7 of the first filter 5 is positioned coaxially with the first filter 5 (on the extension of the axis of the first filter 5), while the position regulating member 8 of the second filter 6 supports and regulates the position of the second filter 6 with its center of gravity offset horizontally from the second filter 6 (i.e., horizontally eccentric with respect to the second filter 6).

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, when the tank body 3 is viewed from above in a plan view (viewed from a vertical line of sight) with the lid 4 removed, as described above, the upper ends of the position regulating members 7 and 8 (engaging recesses 7a and 8a) are located inside the opening 3a, that is, inside the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a, which corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 3b.

[0058] On the other hand, the first filter 5, which is positioned coaxially with the position regulating member 7, has a portion that slightly protrudes horizontally outward (to the right in this embodiment) from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a in the plan view described above, and is hidden by the top plate portion 3f of the tank body 3. However, it is visually possible to confirm that the majority of it is positioned inside the opening 3a (inside the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a). Therefore, when removing the first filter 5 from the outside of the tank body 3, the worker can pass the first filter 5 through the opening 3a by pulling the upper end of the position regulating member 7, which is held in the hand, almost straight upward without moving it horizontally.

[0059] Furthermore, by further reducing the radial size of the first filter 5, or by positioning the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 (vertical tube 15a) in the tank chamber Rt, where the first filter 5 is installed, closer to the center of the opening 3a, it is possible to create a structure in which the first filter 5 has no portion that extends horizontally outward from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a in a plan view (i.e., the entire filter is located within the opening 3a). With such a structure, the risk of a part of the first filter 5 getting caught on the top plate 3f when it is pulled up from the tank chamber Rt to the opening 3a can be eliminated.

[0060] Furthermore, the second filter 6, which is supported and positioned by the position regulating member 8 in a horizontally offset state (at a position eccentric from the position regulating member 8), is, in the plan view described above, entirely or largely, hidden by the top plate portion 3f of the tank body 3, as it extends outward (to the left in this embodiment) from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a. In other words, within the tank chamber Rt, the second filter 6 is positioned at a location significantly eccentric from the center of the opening 3a through which the filter must be removed.

[0061] When removing the second filter 6 from the tank body 3, the worker slightly lifts the hand holding the upper end of the position regulating member 8 to pull the second filter 6 away from the hydraulic fluid introduction duct 16 as shown in Figure 7, and then moves the hand horizontally to reduce the portion of the second filter 6 that protrudes from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a in a plan view. Eventually, the portion that protrudes from the outer boundary line C disappears, and the entire second filter 6 is contained within the opening 3a (inside the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a). Then, by pulling the position regulating member 8 upward, the second filter 6 can reach the opening 3a without getting caught on the top plate 3f, and by further pulling the position regulating member 8, the second filter 6 passes through the opening 3a. In this way, the second filter 6 can be removed from the tank body 3 through the opening 3a.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first filter 5 installed in the hydraulic fluid outlet duct 15 within the tank chamber Rt is mostly contained within the opening 3a (inside the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a) in the aforementioned plan view, and the second filter 6 is considerably larger in the radial direction than the first filter 5. As a result, by first removing the first filter 5 to the outside of the tank body 3, and then removing the second filter 6 to the outside of the tank body 3, the removal of filters 5 and 6 can be easily performed while avoiding interference between the first filter 5 and the second filter 6.

[0063] In this embodiment, an example of applying the present invention to a hydraulic oil tank 2 has been described, but the application of the present invention is not limited to hydraulic oil tanks. That is, the tank for work equipment according to the present invention can be applied to any tank in which two or more filters are arranged in the tank chamber within the tank body, and may be a work equipment tank other than a hydraulic oil tank, such as a fuel tank or a cooling water tank. Furthermore, the type of each filter provided in the tank chamber may be appropriately changed depending on the type and use of the liquid contained in the tank.

[0064] Furthermore, the number of filters placed in the tank chamber Rt is not limited to two. For example, three or more filters may be provided in the tank chamber Rt, and two or more of these filters may be positioned using a common cover.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, two or more (two in this embodiment) engaging pins 42 provided on the lid 4 are fitted into engaging recesses 7a and 8a formed on the upper ends of the position regulating members 7 and 8. However, the configuration of the engaging portion (or engaged portion) of the position regulating members 7 and 8 and the engaged portion (or engaged portion) of the lid 4 is not limited to this. For example, a convex portion provided on the upper end of the position regulating member may be fitted into a recess formed on the lid. Alternatively, a screw or bolt that penetrates the lid may be screwed into a screw hole formed on the upper end of the position regulating member.

[0066] Next, we will explain the effects of several configurations of the implement 1 equipped with the implement tank 2, such as the hydraulic oil tank 2 (hereinafter referred to as "implement implement tank 2").

[0067] (Item 1) A work machine tank 2 comprising: a tank body 3 having a tank chamber Rt capable of storing a stored material; an opening 3a provided in the tank body 3; a lid 4 that is removably attached to the tank body 3 and covers the opening 3a; and two or more filters 5, 6 arranged in the tank chamber Rt, the position of which is restricted by the lid 4 when the lid 4 is attached to the tank body 3.

[0068] The work machine tank 2 contributes to simplifying maintenance work on the work machine tank 2, including the replacement of two or more filters 5 and 6 located in the tank chamber Rt. Furthermore, in the work machine tank 2, only one lid 4 is needed to support the two or more filters 5 and 6, reducing the number of parts. In addition, if the opening 3a for filter removal is constructed by welding or other means to a cylindrical member or the like to the tank body 3, having only one opening 3a used for removing two or more filters 5 and 6 reduces the number of welds that could lead to deterioration over time, thereby improving quality in terms of durability, etc.

[0069] (Item 2) A work machine tank 2 according to Item 1, comprising two or more position-regulating members 7, 8 detachably connected to the lid 4, wherein the two or more filters 5, 6 have their placement positions regulated by the lid 4 via each of the two or more position-regulating members 7, 8.

[0070] As a result, even if, for example, the tank body 3 of the work machine tank 2 is elongated vertically, and there is a large gap between two or more filters 5, 6 positioned near the bottom of the tank body 3 and the lid 4 attached to the tank body 3 to cover the opening 3a provided at the top of the tank body 3, the lid 4 can reliably support the two or more filters 5, 6 via the position regulating members 7, 8.

[0071] (Item 3) The tank 2 for a work machine according to Item 2, wherein the opening 3a is provided in an upward-facing opening shape at the top of the tank body 3, the two or more position regulating members 7, 8 are connected to the lid 4 in a state that extends in the vertical direction, and at least one of the two or more filters 5, 6, filter 6 is attached to the position regulating member 8 for the filter 6 in a state that the center of gravity is offset in the horizontal direction.

[0072] In this way, the position regulating member 8 mounts the filter 6, which is the object of its position regulating, with its center of gravity offset horizontally. As a result, within the tank chamber Rt, the filter 6 can be positioned eccentrically with respect to the opening 3a provided in the tank body 3. On the other hand, the portion of the position regulating member 8 that is detachably connected to the lid 4 (the engaging recess 8a) can be positioned inside the opening 3a. When the lid 4 is removed, the portion of the position regulating member 8 can be positioned inside the opening 3a so that it can be easily held by hand when an operator tries to remove the filter 6 from the tank body 3 through the opening 3a and pulls up the position regulating member 8.

[0073] (Item 4) The work machine tank 2 according to Item 2, wherein the opening 3a is provided in an upward-facing opening shape at the top of the tank body 3, and at least one of the two or more filters 5, 6 whose placement position is restricted by the two or more position restricting members 7, 8, has at least a portion of it protruding horizontally outward from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a in a plan view.

[0074] As a result, in a plan view of the tank body 3 (when viewed from a vertical line of sight), at least one of the two or more filters 5, 6 (for example, the second filter 6), at least a part of it, is positioned so that it extends outward from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a. This allows the two or more filters 5, 6 to be arranged within the tank chamber Rt without interfering with each other, and a large volume of the tank chamber Rt can be secured. At the same time, it ensures flexibility in the layout of the ducts 15, 16 (hydraulic oil outlet duct 15, hydraulic oil introduction duct 16) and the storage outlet 2a and storage inlet 2b that communicate with each of the two or more filters 5, 6 within the tank body 3. On the other hand, the opening 3a does not need to be enlarged much in order to serve as a common outlet for multiple filters, and it is possible to avoid making the lid 4 attached to the tank body 3 to cover the opening 3a larger and heavier, thus ensuring advantages such as the lightness, economy (low cost), and ease of handling during maintenance work of the work machine tank (hydraulic oil tank 2).

[0075] (Item 5) A work machine tank 2 comprising: a tank body 3 having a tank chamber Rt capable of storing a stored material; an opening 3a provided in the tank body 3; a lid 4 that is removably attached to the tank body 3 and covers the opening 3a; a filter 6 disposed in the tank chamber Rt; and a position regulating member 8 that is removably connected to the lid 4 and regulates the position of the filter 6, wherein, in a plan view, at least a portion of the filter 6 protrudes horizontally outward from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a.

[0076] As a result, in a plan view of the tank body 3 (when viewed from a vertical line of sight), at least a portion of the filter (e.g., the second filter 6) is positioned so that it extends outward from the outer boundary line C of the opening 3a. This allows the filter 6 to be positioned within the tank chamber Rt without interfering with other filters (e.g., the first filter 5), and a large volume of the tank chamber Rt can be secured. At the same time, it ensures flexibility in the layout of the duct 16 communicating with the filter 6, the storage outlet 2a, or the storage inlet 2b (e.g., the hydraulic oil inlet 2b) within the tank body 3. On the other hand, the opening 3a does not need to be enlarged significantly to serve as the outlet for the filter 6. This avoids increasing the size and weight of the lid 4 attached to the tank body 3 to cover the opening 3a, thus ensuring advantages such as the lightness, economy (low cost), and ease of handling during maintenance of the work machine tank (hydraulic oil tank 2).

[0077] (Item 6) A work machine tank 2 according to any one of Items 1 to 5, comprising a storage outlet 2a and a storage inlet 2b provided on the tank body 3 so as to communicate with the tank chamber Rt, wherein one of the two or more filters 5, 6, filter 5 is provided for filtering the stored material led from the tank chamber Rt to the storage outlet 2a, and the other one of the two or more filters 5, 6, filter 6 is provided for filtering the stored material introduced into the tank chamber Rt from the storage inlet 2b.

[0078] As a result, a work machine tank (hydraulic oil tank 2) with advanced filtration capabilities, which uses two or more filters 5 and 6 to filter the stored material in the tank chamber Rt both at the stage of discharge to the stored material outlet 2a and at the stage of introduction from the stored material inlet 2b, can achieve the effects of item 1 mentioned above, such as easier maintenance, reduced costs due to a reduction in the number of parts, and improved quality in terms of durability due to a reduction in the number of welds.

[0079] (Item 7) The position regulating members 7 and 8 are provided with engaging portions 7a and 8a that engage with the lid 4, and the lid 4 is provided with engaged portions 42 that engage with the engaging portions 7a and 8a, according to any one of items 1 to 6.

[0080] As a result, when the lid 4 is attached to the tank body 3 to cover the opening 3a, the engaging parts 7a and 8a engage with the engaged part 42, easily connecting the position regulating members 7 and 8 to the lid 4, and the filters 5 and 6 are easily positioned via the position regulating members 7 and 8. On the other hand, when the lid 4 is removed from the tank body 3, the engagement between the engaging parts 7a and 8a and the engaged part 42 is released, and the position regulating members 7 and 8 and the lid 4 can be easily separated.

[0081] (Item 8) With the lid 4 attached to the tank body 3, the engaging portions 7a, 8a of the two or more position restricting members 7, 8 that restrict the position of the two or more filters 5, 6 engage with the two or more engaged portions 42 corresponding to the engaging portions 7a, 8a, respectively, thereby restricting the vertical and horizontal movement of the two or more filters 5, 6, as described in Item 7.

[0082] As a result, when the lid 4 is attached to the tank body 3 to cover the opening 3a, the engaging portions 7a and 8a of the two or more position regulating members 7 and 8 engage with each of the two or more engaged portions 42, easily connecting the two or more position regulating members 7 and 8 to the lid 4, and a state in which the vertical and horizontal movement of the two or more filters 5 and 6 is reliably restricted via the two or more position regulating members 7 and 8 can be easily achieved. On the other hand, when the lid 4 is removed from the tank body 3, the engagement between the engaging portions 7a and 8a of the two or more position regulating members 7 and 8 and the two or more engaged portions 42 is released, making it possible to easily separate the two or more position regulating members 7 and 8 from the lid 4.

[0083] (Item 9) A work machine 1 equipped with a work machine tank 2 as described in any of Items 1 to 8.

[0084] As a result, a work machine 1 equipped with a work machine tank 2 having advantages such as the effects of at least one of the above items 1 to 8 can enjoy effects such as easier maintenance of the system that utilizes the contents of the work machine tank 2, reduced cost of the work machine tank 2 due to a reduction in the number of parts and welding points, and improved durability.

[0085] (Item 10) The work machine 1 according to Item 9, comprising a hydraulic device 1 driven by hydraulic fluid, wherein the work machine tank 2 is a hydraulic fluid tank 2 for storing the hydraulic fluid.

[0086] As a result, a work machine 1 equipped with a hydraulic system (hydraulic oil supply) system including a hydraulic oil tank 2 having advantages such as the effects of at least one of the above items 1 to 8, can enjoy effects such as easier maintenance of the hydraulic system, reduced cost and improved durability of the hydraulic oil tank 2 due to a reduction in the number of parts and welding points.

[0087] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Work equipment (excavation equipment) 2. Hydraulic oil tank (tank for work equipment) 3 Tank body 3a opening 4. Lid 5. First filter (filter) 6. Second filter (filter) 7 Position regulating member 8 Position regulating member

Claims

1. A tank body having a tank chamber capable of storing a material, An opening provided in the tank body, A lid that is removablely attached to the tank body and covers the opening, Two or more filters are arranged inside the tank chamber, and their position is restricted by the lid when the lid is attached to the tank body, A tank for work equipment equipped with this feature.

2. The lid is equipped with two or more position regulating members that are detachably connected to the lid, The tank for a work machine according to claim 1, wherein the placement position of the two or more filters is restricted in the lid via each of the two or more position-regulating members.

3. The aforementioned opening is provided in an upward-facing opening shape at the top of the tank body. The two or more position-regulating members are connected to the lid in a state that extends in the vertical direction. The tank for a work machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the two or more filters is attached to the position regulating member for the filter in a state in which the center of gravity is offset in the horizontal direction.

4. The aforementioned opening is provided in an upward-facing opening shape at the top of the tank body. The tank for a work machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the two or more filters whose placement position is restricted by the two or more position restricting members extends horizontally outward from the outer boundary line of the opening in a plan view, at least a portion of which extends horizontally outward.

5. A tank body having a tank chamber capable of storing a material, An opening provided in the tank body, A lid that is removablely attached to the tank body and covers the opening, A filter placed inside the tank chamber, A position regulating member is detachably connected to the cover and regulates the position of the filter, Equipped with, The filter, whose placement position is restricted by the position-restricting member, is a tank for a work machine in which, in a plan view, at least a portion of it protrudes horizontally outward from the outer boundary line of the opening.

6. The tank body is provided with a storage outlet and a storage inlet that communicate with the tank chamber, One of the two or more filters is provided for filtering the stored material that is led from the tank chamber to the stored material outlet. The tank for a work machine according to claim 1, wherein one of the two or more filters is provided for filtering the stored material introduced into the tank chamber from the stored material inlet.

7. The position regulating member includes an engaging portion that engages with the cover, The tank for a work machine according to claim 2, wherein the lid has an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion.

8. The tank for a work machine according to claim 7, wherein, with the lid attached to the tank body, the engaging portion of the two or more position restricting members that restrict the position of the two or more filters engages with the two or more engaged portions corresponding to the engaging portion, thereby restricting the vertical and horizontal movement of the two or more filters.

9. A work machine equipped with a tank for work machines according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A work machine equipped with hydraulic equipment driven by hydraulic fluid, The work machine according to claim 9, wherein the tank for the work machine is a hydraulic oil tank for storing the hydraulic oil.

Images