Construction machinery

Abstract

To provide construction machinery that can improve the ease of cleaning net components. [Solution] The hydraulic excavator 1 comprises a fan 9 that generates cooling air, a heat exchanger 10 that is cooled by the cooling air generated by the fan 9, and a net member 11 that is positioned upstream of the heat exchanger 10 in the direction of airflow for the cooling air. The net member 11 has a net-like capturing portion 11L1 that extends in the vertical direction, and a receiving portion 11L2 that extends from the lower part of the capturing portion 11L1 toward the upstream side in the direction of airflow for the cooling air and is formed integrally with the capturing portion 11L1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a construction machine provided with a net member for removing foreign matters from cooling air on the upstream side of a heat exchanger in the ventilation direction of the cooling air.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a construction machine provided with a screen for removing foreign matters from cooling air on the upstream side of a radiator in the ventilation direction of the cooling air. The screen (net member) is detachably attached to a duct through which the cooling air flows. The bottom of the duct is fixed to the duct body by bolts, and by removing the bottom of the duct, foreign matters can be recovered from inside the duct.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the construction machine of the above prior art, in order to clean around the net member, it is necessary to separately remove the net member and the bottom of the duct from the duct. Therefore, when cleaning around the net member, it is conceivable to first remove the bottom of the duct and then remove the net member. In this case, if the foreign matters adhering to the removed net member are peeled off, it is conceivable that they will not be received by the bottom of the duct and will spill into the surroundings where there was originally no need for cleaning, and there is a problem that the cleaning work is troublesome.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a construction machine that can improve the ease of cleaning around a net member, in a construction machine equipped with a net member for removing foreign matter from cooling air on the upstream side of a heat exchanger in the direction of cooling airflow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a construction machine comprising: a fan that generates cooling air; a heat exchanger that is cooled by the cooling air generated by the fan; and a net member disposed upstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of airflow of the cooling air, wherein the net member has a net-like capturing portion that extends in the vertical direction; and a receiving portion that extends from the lower part of the capturing portion toward the upstream side in the direction of airflow of the cooling air and is integrally formed with the capturing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in a construction machine equipped with a net member for removing foreign matter from the cooling air on the upstream side of the heat exchanger in the direction of cooling airflow, the ease of cleaning around the net member can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing an example of the overall structure of the hydraulic excavator according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view from the rear, illustrating an example of the internal structure of a hydraulic excavator's rotating body. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an example of the structure around the net component when the building cover's opening / closing cover is in the open position. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of the structure around the upper net member of the net component. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing an example of the structure around the lower net member of the netting system. [Figure 6]This is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the air intake of the building cover with the netting removed. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing an example of a fixing mechanism for a net component in a released state. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing an example of a fixing mechanism for a net component in a fixed state. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the lower net member. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the lower net member in a modified example in which the receiving portion is formed in a net-like manner. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the lower net member in a modified example in which a frame is provided around the receiving part to prevent foreign objects from falling. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Overall configuration of a hydraulic excavator> In this embodiment, a crawler-type hydraulic excavator is used as an example of construction machinery. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the vehicle 2 moves is defined as the left-right direction. The vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction is defined as the up-down direction. Figure 1 is a side view showing an example of the overall configuration of the hydraulic excavator in this embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the hydraulic excavator 1 comprises a crawler-type vehicle 2 that can move forward and backward, a slewing body 3 that is rotatably mounted on the upper part of the vehicle 2, and a working device 4 that is rotatably mounted on the slewing body 3. The working device 4 comprises a boom 41 that is rotatably mounted on the slewing body 3, an arm 42 that is rotatably mounted on the tip of the boom 41, a bucket 43 that is rotatably mounted on the tip of the arm 42, a boom cylinder 44 that operates the boom 41, an arm cylinder 45 that operates the arm 42, and a bucket cylinder 46 that operates the bucket 43.

[0012] The slewing body 3 is composed of a slewing frame 5, a cab cover 6, a counterweight 7, an operator's cab 8, etc. The slewing frame 5 is the base of the slewing body 3, and by joining a plurality of steel plates and steel materials, it forms a support structure that extends in the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle body. In front of the slewing frame 5, a working device 4 is attached so as to be able to perform pitching motion. The cab cover 6 is located behind the operator's cab 8 and is a cover that covers the engine 12, hydraulic pump 13, etc. (see Fig. 2) mounted on the slewing frame 5. The cab cover 6 has an opening and closing cover 62 with an opening 61 for passing cooling air inside the slewing body 3 on its left side surface. The opening and closing cover 62 is provided so as to be able to open and close. The counterweight 7 is installed behind the slewing frame 5 and serves as a weight for balancing with the working device 4. The operator's cab 8 is mounted on the front left side of the slewing frame 5.

[0013] <Internal Structure of the Slewing Body> Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken from the rear, schematically showing an example of the internal structure of the slewing body 3 of the hydraulic excavator 1.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, a storage room 100 is provided inside the cab cover 6 of the slewing body 3. Inside the storage room 100, a fan 9 for generating cooling air, a heat exchanger 10 cooled by the cooling air, and a net member 11 disposed upstream of the heat exchanger 10 in the ventilation direction VD of the cooling air for removing foreign matter from the cooling air are arranged. Also, inside the storage room 100, an engine 12 with a horizontal posture having a crankshaft in the left-right direction, a hydraulic pump 13 driven by the engine 12, and an exhaust gas purification device 14 for purifying the exhaust gas discharged along with the driving of the engine 12 are provided.

[0015] The fan 9 rotates by the driving force of the engine 12 and generates cooling air for cooling the heat exchanger 10. The fan 9 is a suction-type fan in the example of Fig. 2 and is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger 10 in the ventilation direction VD of the cooling air. Note that the fan 9 may be a discharge-type fan and disposed upstream of the heat exchanger 10.

[0016] The heat exchanger 10 includes a plurality of appropriate heat exchangers, such as an oil cooler, a radiator, an intercooler, etc. The oil cooler cools the hydraulic oil used for driving the working device 4. The radiator cools the cooling water of the engine 12. The intercooler cools the intake air supplied to the engine 12 by a turbocharger (not shown).

[0017] The building cover 6 has a cooling air suction port 63 on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 10 in the ventilation direction VD of the cooling air. The net member 11 is provided on the building cover 6 so as to cover the suction port 63. The net member 11 is, for example, divided into two parts vertically and has an upper net member 11U and a lower net member 11L.

[0018] The building cover 6 has a plurality of openings 64, 65, 66 including the opening 61 of the aforementioned opening / closing cover 62. When the engine 12 starts, the fan 9 directly driven by the engine 12 rotates to generate cooling air. The cooling air is sucked in from the opening 61 of the opening / closing cover 62 and flows into the storage chamber 100. After passing through the net member 11 provided at the suction port 63 and the heat exchanger 10 in this order, it passes around the engine 12 and is discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 100 through the openings 64, 65, 66.

[0019] <Configuration of the net member> Next, the details of the configuration of the net member 11 will be explained using Figures 3 to 9. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure around the net member 11 when the opening / closing cover 62 of the building cover 6 is open. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure around the upper net member 11U of the net member 11. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure around the lower net member 11L of the net member 11. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the intake port 63 of the building cover 6 when the net member 11 is removed. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the fixing mechanism of the net member 11 when it is released. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the fixing mechanism of the net member 11 when it is fixed. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the lower net member 11L. Note that the handles of the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L are not shown in Figure 3.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, when the opening / closing cover 62 of the building cover 6 is open, the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L that constitute the net member 11 are exposed. In this state, the net member 11 can be attached and detached, and the area around the net member 11 can be cleaned. The upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L are attached to the building cover 6 in a position that covers the intake port 63 (see Figure 6) of the building cover 6. When attached, the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L are substantially flush in the vertical direction. In the example shown in Figure 3, the front-to-back dimension of the lower net member 11L is shorter than that of the upper net member 11U. Equipment such as battery cables is placed in the space behind the lower net member 11L.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the upper net member 11U is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and has a net-like net member body 21 with a mesh of a predetermined size and a frame portion 22 surrounding the net member body 21. The frame portion 22 has an upper frame portion 22U, a lower frame portion 22L, a front frame portion 22F, and a rear frame portion 22B, which are the upper, lower, front, and rear sides, respectively, when attached to the building cover 6. Handles 23 are provided on the front frame portion 22F and the lower frame portion 22L, respectively, and the user uses the handles 23 to attach and detach the upper net member 11U to the building cover 6. The handles 23 are formed by bending a metal rod, for example, and are fixed to the front frame portion 22F and the lower frame portion 22L, respectively, by welding. A fixing device 24 is provided on the edge portion 63a of the intake port 63 that corresponds to the rear frame portion 22B (see also Figure 6). The fixing device 24 supports the rear frame portion 22B by sandwiching it between its edge portion 63a and the rear frame portion 22B. In addition, a fixing mechanism 50A is provided on the edge portion 63b (see also Figure 6) of the intake port 63 that corresponds to the front frame portion 22F, and on the front frame portion 22F. The upper net member 11U is slid to the rear and, with the rear frame portion 22B supported by the fixing device 24, the fixing mechanism 50A is fixed, thereby attaching it to the intake port 63 of the building cover 6. The upper net member 11U is slid to the front and, with the fixing mechanism 50A released, the rear frame portion 22B is pulled out from the fixing device 24, thereby removing it from the intake port 63 of the building cover 6. Details of the fixing mechanism 50A will be described later.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, the lower net member 11L has a capture portion 11L1 and a receiving portion 11L2. The capture portion 11L1 and the receiving portion 11L2 are connected at approximately a right angle and are integrally formed, and are attached to and detached from the building cover 6 as a single unit. The capture portion 11L1 is a net-like member that extends vertically when attached to the building cover 6. The receiving portion 11L2 is a member that extends horizontally from the lower part of the capture portion 11L1 toward the upstream side in the direction of cooling airflow when attached to the building cover 6, and is integrally formed with the capture portion 11L1. The receiving portion 11L2 is a closed plate-like member, not a net-like member, and functions as a tray for receiving foreign objects.

[0023] The capture unit 11L1 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape and has a net-like net body 31 with a mesh of a predetermined size and a frame part 32 surrounding the net body 31. The frame part 32 has an upper frame part 32U, a front frame part 32F, and a rear frame part 32B, which become the upper, front, and rear sides, respectively, when attached to the building cover 6. A receiving part 11L2 is connected to the lower end of the capture unit 11L1, so there is no lower frame part. Handles 33 are provided on the front frame part 32F and the rear frame part 32B, respectively, and the user uses the handles 33 to attach and detach the lower net member 11L to the building cover 6. The handles 33 are formed by bending a metal rod, for example, and are fixed to the front frame part 32F and the rear frame part 32B by welding, respectively.

[0024] The receiving portion 11L2 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape and has a plate portion 34 and a frame portion 35 that surrounds the plate portion 34. The frame portion 35 has a front frame portion 35F, a rear frame portion 35B, and a left frame portion 35L, which become the front, rear, and left sides, respectively, when attached to the building cover 6. Since the capture portion 11L1 is connected to the right end of the receiving portion 11L2, a right frame portion is not provided. The right ends of the front frame portion 35F and the rear frame portion 35B of the receiving portion 11L2 are connected to the lower ends of the front frame portion 32F and the rear frame portion 32B of the capture portion 11L1.

[0025] Fixing devices 36 and 37 are provided on the side wall portion 63e, which is erected substantially perpendicular to the edge portion 63c (see Figure 6) corresponding to the rear frame portion 32B of the capture portion 11L1 and the edge portion 63d (see Figure 6) corresponding to the rear frame portion 35B of the receiving portion 11L2, of the edge of the intake port 63. Fixing device 36 supports the rear frame portion 32B by sandwiching it between itself and the edge portion 63c. Fixing device 37 supports the rear frame portion 35B by sandwiching it between itself and the edge portion 63d. In addition, a fixing mechanism 50B is provided on the edge portion 63f (see also Figure 6) and the front frame portion 32F of the capture portion 11L1, of the edge of the intake port 63, which corresponds to the front frame portion 32F. The lower net member 11L is slid to the rear, and with the rear frame portions 32B and 35B supported by the fasteners 36 and 37 respectively, the fixing mechanism 50B is fixed, thereby attaching it to the intake port 63 of the building cover 6. Alternatively, with the fixing mechanism 50B released, the lower net member 11L is slid to the front, and the rear frame portions 32B and 35B are pulled out from the fasteners 36 and 37 respectively, thereby removing it from the intake port 63 of the building cover 6. Details of the fixing mechanism 50B will be described later.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the intake port 63 of the building cover 6 has an opening 63U to which the upper net member 11U is attached, an opening 63L1 to which the capture part 11L1 of the lower net member 11L is attached, and an opening 63L2 to which the receiving part 11L2 of the lower net member 11L is attached. The openings 63U, 63L1, and 63L2 are all connected to form a single intake port 63. The openings 63U and 63L1 are connected in the vertical direction, and the openings 63L1 and 63L2 are connected at approximately a right angle.

[0027] Figures 7 and 8 show an example of the structure of the fixing mechanism 50B. Although not shown in the figures, the fixing mechanism 50A has a similar structure to the fixing mechanism 50B. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the fixing mechanism 50B has a fixing pin 51, a substantially L-shaped fixing piece 52 that protrudes forward from the front frame portion 32F of the capture portion 11L1, and a fixing piece 53 that protrudes to the left from the edge portion 63f of the intake port 63. The fixing pieces 52 and 53 each have a through hole 54 through which the fixing pin 51 can be inserted. As shown in Figure 7, the fixing by the fixing mechanism 50B is released when the fixing pin 51 is pulled out from the through hole 54 of the fixing pieces 52 and 53. This makes it possible to remove the lower net member 11L from the intake port 63. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, the fixing by the fixing mechanism 50B is performed when the fixing pin 51 is inserted into the through hole 54 of the fixing pieces 52 and 53. At this time, the ring 55, which is rotatably provided at the end of the fixing pin 51, is rotated and engages with the tips of the fixing pieces 52 and 53, thereby preventing the fixing pin 51 from coming out of the through hole 54. As a result, the lower net member 11L is attached to the intake port 63.

[0028] Figure 9 shows the removed lower net member 11L. As shown in Figure 9, the capture portion 11L1 and the receiving portion 11L2 of the lower net member 11L are connected at approximately a right angle and are integrally formed. The upper part of the upper frame portion 32U of the capture portion 11L1 is provided with a plate-shaped closing plate portion 38 that protrudes upward. When the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L are attached to the intake port 63, the closing plate portion 38 is inserted into the back of the lower end of the upper net member 11U and closes the gap between the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L.

[0029] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in the hydraulic excavator 1 of this embodiment, the net member 11 has an upper net member 11U and a lower net member 11L, and the lower net member 11L has a net-shaped capture portion 11L1 and a receiving portion 11L2. Foreign matter contained in the cooling air is captured by the capture portion 11L1 of the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L, and the heat exchanger 10 is cooled by the cooling air from which the foreign matter has been removed. While the fan 9 is running, the foreign matter captured by the capture portion 11L1 of the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L is pressed against each net member by the airflow of the cooling air. However, when the fan 9 stops, the cooling air stops, and the captured foreign matter falls to the receiving portion 11L2 at the bottom of the lower net member 11L. In this way, the receiving portion 11L2 can receive the foreign matter.

[0030] In this case, if the size of the foreign object is close to the mesh size of the net component 11, the foreign object may clog the net component 11. When the hydraulic excavator 1 is operated for a long time, such clogging with foreign object may accumulate, obstructing the flow of cooling air and potentially reducing the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 10 due to a decrease in the amount of cooling air. Therefore, the user of the hydraulic excavator 1 needs to periodically remove and clean the net component 11 to remove any clogged foreign object.

[0031] In the hydraulic excavator 1 of this embodiment, the capture portion 11L1 and the receiving portion 11L2 of the lower net member 11L are integrated. This allows the user to remove the capture portion 11L1 and the receiving portion 11L2 from the building cover 6 at the same time when cleaning around the net member, remove foreign objects, and then reattach the capture portion 11L1 and the receiving portion 11L2 to the building cover 6 at the same time. In other words, when removing the lower net member 11L, it is possible to simultaneously carry any foreign objects that have fallen into the receiving portion 11L2 to the outside of the slewing body 3. In this case, even if foreign objects detach from the capture portion 11L1 when removing the lower net member 11L, the integrated receiving portion 11L2 will catch the foreign objects, preventing them from scattering around. Therefore, compared to the case where the net member and the foreign object receiver are configured as separate parts and each is attached to and detached from the building cover 6, the ease of cleaning around the net member can be improved. Furthermore, it reduces the number of parts that need to be attached and detached, making the attachment and detachment process more efficient.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the net member 11 is provided so as to cover the intake port 63 of the building cover 6. This ensures that the cooling air drawn in from the intake port 63 of the building cover 6 reliably passes through the net member 11. Therefore, foreign matter in the cooling air can be efficiently removed.

[0033] Furthermore, foreign matter captured by the capture portion 11L1 of the upper net member 11U and the lower net member 11L is pressed against each net member by the airflow of cooling air. When the cooling air stops, it falls to the receiving portion 11L2 of the lower net member 11L, but when the cooling air is circulated again, it is pressed against the capture portion 11L1 near the receiving portion 11L2. Therefore, the lower net member 11L captures more foreign matter than the upper net member 11U, resulting in a higher cleaning frequency (and consequently, a higher frequency of removal of the lower net member 11L). For this reason, this embodiment shows an example where only the lower net member 11L has the capture portion 11L1 and the receiving portion 11L2, but the upper net member 11U may also have the capture portion and the receiving portion. In addition, the net member 11 may be constructed as a single unit without being divided.

[0034] <Variation> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit and technical concept.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the receiving portion 11L2 of the lower net member 11L was configured as a closed plate-shaped member, but the receiving portion 11L2 may also be formed in a net-like manner, similar to the capturing portion 11L1. An example of the structure of the lower net member 11L in this modified example is shown in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, the receiving portion 11L2 has a net-like net body 39 with a mesh of a predetermined size and a frame portion 35 surrounding the net body 39. The configuration is the same as in the above embodiment except that the receiving portion 11L2 is made of net material. According to this modified example, foreign matter can be removed from the cooling air while reducing the airflow resistance of the fan 9.

[0036] Furthermore, a frame may be provided around the receiving portion 11L2 of the lower net member 11L to prevent foreign objects from falling. An example of the structure of the lower net member 11L in this modified example is shown in Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11, the receiving portion 11L2 of the lower net member 11L has a wall portion 70 that protrudes vertically from the upper part of the front frame portion 35F, the rear frame portion 35B, and the left frame portion 35L. The wall portion 70 is installed so as to surround the peripheral edge of the plate portion 34, excluding the portion connected to the capture portion 11L1. Note that the location where the wall portion 70 is installed is not limited to all of the front frame portion 35F, the rear frame portion 35B, and the left frame portion 35L, but may be only a part of them. In other words, the location where the wall portion 70 is installed is at least a part of the peripheral edge of the receiving portion 11L2, excluding the portion connected to the capture portion 11L1. Furthermore, the extension direction of the wall portion 70 is not limited to the vertical direction; for example, it can be any direction that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, that is, a direction that intersects the extension direction of the receiving portion 11L2 and is on the upper side when attached to the building cover 6.

[0037] According to this modified example, the receiving portion 11L2 of the lower net member 11L has a wall portion 70, which prevents foreign matter from spilling out of the receiving portion 11L2 even when the user tilts the lower net member 11L when removing and carrying it. This further improves the ease of cleaning the net member. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1. Hydraulic excavator (construction machinery) 2. Running body 3. Rotating body 4. Working equipment 6. Building cover 9 Fans 10 Heat exchanger 11 Net components 11L Lower Net Component 11L1 Capture part 11L2 Reception part 11U Upper Net Member 12 Engines 13. Hydraulic pump 63 Inlet 70 Wall 100 storage rooms

Claims

1. A fan that generates cooling air, A heat exchanger that is cooled by the cooling air generated by the fan, A net member positioned upstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of airflow for the cooling air, In construction machinery equipped with, The aforementioned net member is It has a net-like capturing section that extends in the vertical direction, and a receiving section that extends from the lower part of the capturing section toward the upstream side in the direction of airflow for the cooling air and is formed integrally with the capturing section. A construction machine characterized by the following features.

2. In the construction machine described in claim 1, The building cover has an intake port for the cooling air on the upstream side of the heat exchanger, in the direction of airflow for the cooling air. The net member is attached to the building cover at a position that covers the intake port. A construction machine characterized by the following features.

3. In the construction machine described in claim 1, The receiving portion is formed in a net-like manner. A construction machine characterized by the following features.

4. In the construction machine described in claim 1, The receiving portion has a wall portion that protrudes vertically on its peripheral edge. A construction machine characterized by the following features.

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