Weed collection system and sweeper

Abstract

Provided are a grass collection system and a sweeper that can suppress a shortage of power for sweeping away grass and the like. **Solution**: The grass collection system includes a grass cutting unit that performs grass cutting, a prime mover that serves as a power source necessary for traveling and a power source for operating the grass cutting unit, a grass cutting traveling device that can travel in a state where the grass cutting unit is operated, a grass collection unit where grass on a traveling path is collected, and a sweeping unit that operates by the transmission of power and sweeps away grass on the traveling path toward the grass collection unit side. The grass collection system also includes a sweeper that travels together with the grass cutting traveling device by being connected to the grass cutting traveling device, and a flexible shaft that connects the prime mover side and the sweeping unit side and is bendable between the grass cutting traveling device and the sweeper, and transmits the power of the prime mover to the sweeping unit side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a grass collection system and a sweeper for collecting cut grass and the like in grass mowing operations.

Background Art

[0002] A grass mowing traveling device that mows grass at a location while traveling in a grassy area is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The grass mowing traveling device (riding lawn mower) described in this Patent Document 1 is provided with a cutting blade that rotates at the bottom of the grass mowing traveling device. By rotating the cutting blade while the grass mowing traveling device travels, it is possible to mow the grass at the location where the grass mowing traveling device has traveled.

[0003] Also, a sweeper for collecting cut grass and fallen leaves by grass mowing is disclosed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). The sweeper described in this Non-Patent Document 1 includes wheels, a brush that rotates using the rotation of the wheels as power, and a grass collection bag in which grass and the like swept away by the brush are collected. When the sweeper is towed by the grass mowing traveling device and the wheels of the sweeper rotate, the brush rotates. Also, grass and the like swept away by the brush are collected in the grass collection bag.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in a configuration in which the rotation of the wheels is used as power to rotate a brush or the like to sweep grass or the like to the grass collection bag side, there may be a case where the grass or the like cannot be sufficiently collected because sufficient power for rotating the brush or the like cannot be obtained.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a grass collection system and a sweeper capable of suppressing insufficient power for sweeping grass or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The grass collection system for solving the above problems includes a mowing unit that performs mowing, a prime mover that serves as a power source necessary for traveling and a power source for operating the mowing unit, a mowing traveling device capable of traveling in a state where the mowing unit is operated, a grass collection unit where grass on the traveling path is collected, and a sweeping unit that operates by the transmission of power and sweeps the grass on the traveling path toward the grass collection unit side. The grass collection system further includes a sweeper that travels together with the mowing traveling device by being connected to the mowing traveling device, and a flexible shaft that connects the prime mover side and the sweeping unit side and is bendable between the mowing traveling device and the sweeper to transmit the power of the prime mover to the sweeping unit side.

[0009] In relation to the above grass collection system, a clutch for the mowing unit is provided between the mowing unit and the prime mover to selectively transmit the power of the prime mover to the mowing unit, and the prime mover side of the flexible shaft may be connected to the mowing unit side rather than the clutch for the mowing unit.

[0010] In relation to the above grass collection system, the rotational axis direction of the portion of the flexible shaft connected to the prime mover side may be oriented in the front-rear direction of the mowing traveling device, and the rotational axis direction of the portion of the flexible shaft connected to the sweeper side may be oriented in the left-right direction of the sweeper.

[0011] In relation to the above-described grass collection system, the sweeping unit is configured to sweep the grass on the traveling path of the sweeper toward the grass collection unit by rotating. On the same axis as the rotation axis of the sweeping unit, a first rotating member that is rotatable integrally with the sweeping unit is provided. At a position offset with respect to the rotation axis of the first rotating member, a second rotating member to which a rotational force is transmitted via the flexible shaft is provided. The first rotating member and the second rotating member may be connected via a sweeping unit side transmission member that transmits the rotational force of the second rotating member to the first rotating member.

[0012] In relation to the above-described grass collection system, the grass cutting traveling device may be provided with a prime mover cover that covers the prime mover, and a shaft connecting member having a shaft connecting portion that rotates by the power of the prime mover and to which the prime mover side of the flexible shaft is connected, and a rotation support portion that rotatably supports the shaft connecting portion may be fixed to the prime mover cover.

[0013] The sweeper for solving the above problems is a sweeper that travels together with the traveling device by being connected to the traveling device, and includes a grass collection unit for collecting grass on the traveling path, and a sweeping unit that operates by the power of a prime mover provided in the traveling device being transmitted via a flexible shaft that can be bent and deformed between the traveling device and sweeps the grass on the traveling path toward the grass collection unit side.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the grass collection system and the sweeper of the present invention, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect of suppressing a shortage of power for sweeping grass and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The grass collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the grass collection system of the present embodiment includes a grass cutting traveling device 10 as a traveling device for cutting grass on a traveling path, and a sweeper 12 towed by the grass cutting traveling device 10. Note that the arrows FR, UP, LH, and RH shown in each figure indicate the front side, upper side, left side, and right side of the grass cutting traveling device 10 and the sweeper 12, respectively. Here, when the grass cutting traveling device 10 turns in the left-right direction or travels on an uneven surface, the directions of the grass cutting traveling device 10 and the sweeper 12 may not match. However, in the following description, it will be described as if the directions of both match. Also, in the following description, when simply referring to the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction, these directions refer to the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction of the grass cutting traveling device 10 and the sweeper 12.

[0018] (Configuration of the grass cutting traveling device 10) The grass cutting traveling device 10 includes a traveling body 18 having left and right front wheels 14 and left and right rear wheels 16, a cockpit 20 installed on the traveling body 18, a prime mover 22 (see FIG. 2) mounted on the rear part of the traveling body 18, and a cutting device 24 as a grass cutting part provided under the traveling body 18. A handle 26 for steering the left and right front wheels 14 is provided on the front side of the cockpit 20. The cutting device 24 includes cutting teeth 28 that rotate with the vertical direction as the axial direction under the traveling body 18. By rotating the cutting teeth 28 while the grass cutting traveling device 10 travels, the grass on the traveling path of the grass cutting traveling device 10 is cut. Note that the cutting teeth 28 are covered by a cutting tooth cover 30.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(A)(B), the prime mover 22 serves as a power source necessary for the traveling of the mowing traveling device 10 and a power source for operating the mowing device 24, and is, for example, an engine which is an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or the like. A prime mover side rotating shaft 32 is provided on the prime mover 22. The prime mover side rotating shaft 32 may be a crankshaft of the engine or an output shaft of the electric motor, or may be a shaft that rotates by transmitting the rotational force of the crankshaft of the engine or the output shaft of the electric motor. The rotational axis direction of the prime mover side rotating shaft 32 is oriented in the front-rear direction. On the lower left side of the prime mover side rotating shaft 32, a cutter bar side rotating shaft 34 connected to the mowing device 24 (cutter teeth 28) via a transmission mechanism (not shown) is provided. The rotational axis of the cutter bar side rotating shaft 34 is parallel to the rotational axis of the prime mover side rotating shaft 32. A prime mover side pulley 36 and a cutter bar side pulley 38 are respectively fixed to the rear end portion of the prime mover side rotating shaft 32 and the rear end portion of the cutter bar side rotating shaft 34. A belt 40 is wound around the prime mover side pulley 36 and the cutter bar side pulley 38. A tension roller 42 for adjusting the tension of the belt 40 is provided between the prime mover side pulley 36 and the cutter bar side pulley 38. By pressing the tension roller 42 against the belt 40, the tension of the belt 40 is increased. On the contrary, by separating the tension roller 42 from the belt 40, the tension of the belt 40 is decreased. Here, the tension roller 42 and the belt 40 constitute a clutch 44 for the mowing unit that selectively transmits a part of the power of the prime mover 22 to the mowing device 24 (cutter teeth 28) side.

[0020] Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(A), when an operation unit for the mowing unit (not shown) provided near the driver's seat 20 is operated, the tension roller 42 is pressed against the belt 40. When the tension roller 42 is pressed against the belt 40, the frictional force between the belt 40 and each pulley (prime mover side pulley 36 and cutter bar side pulley 38) is increased. As a result, the rotational force of the prime mover side pulley 36 is transmitted to the cutter bar side pulley 38 via the belt 40. As a result, a part of the power of the prime mover 22 is transmitted to the mowing device 24, and the cutter teeth 28 rotate.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(B) (illustrations are omitted), when the tension roller 42 is separated from the belt 40 by operating the clutch operating portion for the mowing portion whose illustration is omitted, the frictional force between the belt 40 and each pulley (the prime mover side pulley 36 and the cutting tooth side pulley 38) decreases. As a result, the prime mover side pulley 36 rotates idly with respect to the belt 40, and the rotational force of the prime mover side pulley 36 is not transmitted to the cutting tooth side pulley 38. As a result, a part of the power of the prime mover 22 is not transmitted to the cutting device 24, and the rotation of the cutting teeth 28 stops.

[0022] FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) show a prime mover cover 46 provided at the rear of the mowing traveling device 10 (see FIG. 1). The prime mover cover 46 covers the prime mover 22 (see FIG. 2) from the rear side. The prime mover cover 46 has a three-part structure in the vertical direction and includes a main board portion 48, an upper board portion 50, and a lower board portion 52. The main board portion 48 is formed in a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction as viewed from the rear side. A pair of upper and lower connecting plates 54 to which the sweeper 12 (see FIG. 1) is connected are fixed to the central portion in the left-right direction of the main board portion 48. Here, the main board portion 48 is formed using a plate material thicker than the upper board portion 50 and the lower board portion 52. Thereby, the main board portion 48 has the strength and rigidity capable of functioning as a hitch member for towing the sweeper 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 3(B), a rectangular opening 48A is formed on the left side of the main board portion 48. The upper board portion 50 is formed in a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction as viewed from the rear side. The lower portion of the upper board portion 50 is detachably engaged with the upper portion of the main board portion 48. The lower board portion 52 is formed in a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction as viewed from the rear side. The upper portion of the lower board portion 52 is detachably engaged with the lower portion of the main board portion 48.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3(A), 3(B), and 4, a shaft connection member 56 is fixed to the left side of the main board portion 48 via a bearing unit base 58.

[0024] The bearing unit base 58 includes a plate portion 58A formed in a rectangular plate shape with the longitudinal direction being the left-right direction when viewed from the rear side, and a cylindrical portion 58B fixed to the plate portion 58A. As shown in FIG. 4, a circular opening 58C is formed in the central portion of the plate portion 58A in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. The cylindrical portion 58B is formed in a cylindrical shape with the front-rear direction being the axial direction. The front end portion of the cylindrical portion 58B is fixed to the edge portion of the opening 58C in the plate portion 58A. Then, the bearing unit base 58 is fixed to the main board portion 48 by fixing the outer peripheral portion of the plate portion 58A to the edge portion of the opening 48A in the main board portion 48.

[0025] The shaft connection member 56 is configured to include a bearing unit 60 as a rotation support portion and a shaft connection shaft 62 as a shaft connection portion supported by the bearing unit 60.

[0026] The bearing unit 60 includes a bearing 64 and a bearing support member 66 that supports the bearing 64 from the outer race side. Note that in FIG. 4, the cross section of the bearing 64 is shown in a simplified manner. By attaching the bearing support member 66 to the plate portion 58A of the bearing unit base 58 from the front side, the bearing unit 60 is fixed to the bearing unit base 58. The shaft connection shaft 62 is fixed to the inner race of the bearing 64 in a state where it is inserted. The shaft connection shaft 62 is formed in a columnar shape with the front-rear direction as the rotation axis direction. At the rear end portion of the shaft connection shaft 62, a shaft insertion hole 62A into which one end portion of the inner shaft 148 of the flexible shaft 144 described later is inserted is formed. The shape of the shaft insertion hole 62A as viewed from the rear side is a square shape. In a state where the bearing unit 60 is fixed to the bearing unit base 58, the rear end portion of the shaft connection shaft 62 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 58B through the opening 58C formed in the plate portion 58A. A coupling member 68 connected to the cutter tooth side pulley 38 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the front portion of the shaft connection shaft 62. The portion of the coupling member 68 fixed to the shaft connection shaft 62 is a coupling member side fixing portion 68A formed in a cylindrical shape. The front portion of the shaft connection shaft 62 is inserted inside the coupling member side fixing portion 68A. The coupling member side fixing portion 68A and the front portion of the shaft connection shaft 62 are fixed via a single fixing bolt 150 that penetrates the coupling member side fixing portion 68A and the front portion of the shaft connection shaft 62 in the axial direction. Thereby, the rotational force of the cutter tooth side pulley 38 is transmitted to the shaft connection shaft 62 via the coupling member 68. Note that by removing the upper plate portion 50 (see FIG. 3) from the main board portion 48, the connection work between the cutter tooth side pulley 38 and the coupling member 68 may be facilitated. Further, the fixing bolt 150 for fixing the coupling member 68 to the shaft connection shaft 62 may be a safety bolt that is cut when the rotational force transmitted from the coupling member 68 to the shaft connection shaft 62 exceeds a predetermined rotational force.In this embodiment, the shaft portion 150A of the fixing bolt 150 axially penetrates through the coupling member side fixing portion 68A and the front portion of the shaft connection shaft 62. Therefore, when the rotational force transmitted from the coupling member 68 to the shaft connection shaft 62 exceeds a determined rotational force, two locations on the shaft portion 150A of the fixing bolt 150 are set to shear and break. With this setting, it is avoided that a rotational force exceeding the determined rotational force is input to the inner shaft 148 of the flexible shaft 144, and as a result, it is avoided that the inner shaft 148 of the flexible shaft 144 is cut.

[0027] (Configuration on the sweeper 12 side) As shown in FIGS. 5, 6(A)(B), and 7(A)(B), the sweeper 12 includes a sweeper body 70 having a sweeping portion 80 that sweeps grass on the traveling path rearward. Further, the sweeper 12 includes a towed portion 72 that connects the sweeper body 70 and the grass cutting traveling device 10 (see FIG. 1), and a grass collecting portion 74 where the grass swept away by the sweeper body 70 is collected.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, the sweeper body 70 includes a pair of left and right support frame plates 76, a pair of left and right wheels 78 respectively supported by the pair of left and right support frame plates 76, and a sweeping portion 80 supported by the frame plates 76 in a state of being spanned across the pair of left and right support frame plates 76. Further, the sweeper body 70 includes a brush cover 82 (see FIG. 5) that covers, from above, the front, and both the left and right sides, the portion where a brush 94 and the like, which will be described later, are provided in the sweeping portion 80. Furthermore, the sweeper body 70 includes a sweeper side transmission mechanism 84 that transmits power for rotating the sweeping portion 80 to the sweeping portion 80.

[0029] A pair of left and right support frame plates 76 are arranged at intervals in the left - right direction and extend in the front - rear direction. At the front end of the left support frame plate 76, a left wheel 78 that rotates with the left - right direction as the axial direction is attached. Also, at the rear end of the left support frame plate 76, the left end of a sweep - off shaft 92 that forms part of the sweep - off portion 80 is rotatably supported via a bearing unit 86 (see Fig. 7(B)). The middle portion in the front - rear direction of the right support frame plate 76 is bent in the left - right direction. As a result, the front end of the right support frame plate 76 is offset to the left with respect to the rear end. At the front end of the right support frame plate 76, a right wheel 78 that rotates with the left - right direction as the axial direction is attached. Also, at the rear end of the right support frame plate 76, the right side of the sweep - off shaft 92 that forms part of the sweep - off portion 80 is rotatably supported via a bearing unit 86 (see Fig. 7(B)). As shown in Figs. 5 and 6(A), the front ends of the pair of left and right support frame plates 76 are connected in the left - right direction via a frame - plate connecting member 88. A flexible - shaft support member 90 and the like that support a part of a flexible shaft 144 described later are fixed to the frame - plate connecting member 88.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 8, the sweeping portion 80 includes a columnar (rod-shaped) sweeping shaft 92 with the left-right direction as the rotation axis direction, and four brushes 94 fixed to the sweeping shaft 92. In FIG. 8 and the like, the shape of each brush is depicted as a plate shape, but each brush has a configuration having a plurality of hairs formed using synthetic resin or the like. Each brush 94 is fixed to the sweeping shaft 92 in a state where the tip sides of the plurality of hairs constituting the brush 94 are directed outward in the radial direction of the rotation of the sweeping shaft 92. The two left-side brushes 94 are arranged at an interval of approximately 180° in the circumferential direction of the rotation of the sweeping shaft 92. Also, the two right-side brushes 94 are arranged at an interval of approximately 180° in the circumferential direction of the rotation of the sweeping shaft 92. Further, the positions of the two left-side brushes 94 and the positions of the two right-side brushes 94 are offset by approximately 90° in the circumferential direction of the rotation of the sweeping shaft 92. Disk-shaped members 96 that cover fastening members for fixing bearing units 98 (see FIG. 7(B)) described later to the brush cover 82 are respectively fixed to both sides in the left-right direction of the sweeping shaft 92.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6(B), and 7(A)(B), the brush cover 82 includes an upper wall portion 82A, a front wall portion 82B, and a pair of left and right side wall portions 82C that cover the portion where the four brushes 94 and the two disk-shaped members 96 are provided in the sweeping portion 80 from above, in front, and from both the left and right sides, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7(B), the sweeping shaft 92 penetrates the pair of left and right side wall portions 82C in the left-right direction. Bearing units 98 into which the sweeping shaft 92 is inserted are respectively fixed to the pair of left and right side wall portions 82C. As a result, the brush cover 82 is engaged with the sweeping shaft 92 via the pair of left and right bearing units 98. Consequently, the brush cover 82 can rotate and displace around the sweeping shaft 92.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a sweeper-side transmission mechanism 84 is provided on the right side of the sweeper body 70. The sweeper-side transmission mechanism 84 includes a driven pulley 100 as a first rotating member fixed to the right end of the sweeping shaft 92, and a drive pulley 102 as a second rotating member rotatably provided above and in front of the driven pulley 100 with the left-right direction as the rotation axis direction. Further, the sweeper-side transmission mechanism 84 includes a belt 104 as a sweeping-section-side transmission member that transmits the rotational force transmitted to the drive pulley 102 by being wound around the drive pulley 102 and the driven pulley 100 to the driven pulley 100. Also, the sweeper-side transmission mechanism 84 includes a first fixing member 108 fixed to the support frame plate 76, a second fixing member 110 fixed to the first fixing member 108, and a shaft connection member 112 fixed to the second fixing member 110.

[0033] The rotation axis of the drive pulley 102 is offset upward and forward with respect to the rotation axis of the driven pulley 100 and is parallel to the rotation axis of the driven pulley 100. Also, the outer diameter of the driven pulley 100 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the drive pulley 102.

[0034] The configuration of the shaft connection member 112 is the same as the configuration of the aforementioned shaft connection member 56 (see FIG. 4). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the shaft connection member 112 includes a bearing unit 114 and a shaft connection shaft 116 supported by the bearing unit 114.

[0035] The bearing unit 114 includes a bearing 118 and a bearing support member 120 that supports the bearing 118 from the outer race side. In FIG. 11, the cross-section of the bearing 118 is shown in a simplified manner. The bearing unit 114 is fixed to the second fixing member 110 by attaching the bearing support member 120 to the upper part of the second fixing member 110 from the right side. The shaft connection shaft 116 is fixed to the inner race of the bearing 118 in a state where it is inserted. A shaft insertion hole 116A into which the other end of the inner shaft 148 of the flexible shaft 144, which will be described later, is inserted is formed at the left end of the shaft connection shaft 116. The shape of the shaft insertion hole 116A when viewed from the left side is square. A drive pulley 102 is fixed to the right end of the shaft connection shaft 116. Thus, the rotational force of the flexible shaft 144 is transmitted to the drive pulley 102 via the shaft connection shaft 116.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the middle portion of the first fixing member 108 in the vertical direction is formed in a shape that slopes forward as it goes from the lower side to the upper side when viewed from the right side. Also, the middle portion of the first fixing member 108 in the vertical direction is bent in the left-right direction. As a result, the upper part of the first fixing member 108 is offset to the left with respect to the lower part. The lower part of the first fixing member 108 is fixed to the rear part of the support frame plate 76. As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of boss portions 108A to which fastening members for fixing a pulley cover (not shown) are screwed are fixed to the first fixing member 108. The drive pulley 102, the driven pulley 100, and the belt 104 are covered by the pulley cover. As shown in FIG. 10, a contact plate 108B that contacts an adjustment bolt 124, which will be described later, is fixed to the first fixing member 108.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second fixing member 110 includes a substrate portion 110A formed in a rectangular shape in a left side view, and a flange portion 110B that bends and extends leftward from the lower end of the substrate portion 110A. As shown in FIG. 11, a circular opening 110C is formed at the center in the front-rear direction of the upper portion of the substrate portion 110A. On the left side of the substrate portion 110A, a cylindrical portion 110D formed in a cylindrical shape with the left-right direction as the axial direction is provided. Further, the right end portion of the cylindrical portion 110D is fixed to the edge portion of the opening 110C on the left side surface of the substrate portion 110A. In a state where the bearing unit 114 is fixed to the upper portion of the substrate portion 110A, the left end portion of the shaft connection shaft 116 is disposed in the cylindrical portion 110D through the opening 110C formed in the substrate portion 110A. As shown in FIG. 10, a pair of fastening member insertion holes 110E into which a pair of fastening members 122 for fixing the second fixing member 110 to the first fixing member 108 are respectively inserted are formed in the substrate portion 110A. These fastening member insertion holes 110E are formed in an elongated hole shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. By loosening the pair of fastening members 122, the second fixing member 110 can be slid in the vertical direction with respect to the first fixing member 108. Thereby, it is possible to change the distance between the drive pulley 102 and the driven pulley 100, and to adjust the attachment and replacement of the belt 104 and the tension of the belt 104. An adjustment bolt 124 penetrates the flange portion 110B in the vertical direction. Further, a weld nut 126 to which the adjustment bolt 124 is screwed is fixed to the flange portion 110B. Then, in a state where the pair of fastening members 122 are loosened and the lower end portion of the adjustment bolt 124 is in contact with the contact plate 108B, by adjusting the amount of protrusion of the lower end portion of the adjustment bolt 124 downward with respect to the flange portion 110B, the tension of the belt 104 can be adjusted.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6(A), the towed portion 72 includes a connecting portion 128 that is disposed between a pair of connecting plates 54 (see FIG. 3(A)) and is connected to the pair of connecting plates 54 via a pin or the like (not shown). The connecting portion 128 is rotatable with respect to the pair of connecting plates 54 about the vertical direction as the axial direction. Further, the towed portion 72 includes a pair of left and right connecting bars 130 that branch off from the connecting portion 128 in the left and right direction and extend rearward. Intermediate portions in the front-rear direction of the pair of left and right connecting bars 130 are respectively fixed to left and right side wall portions 82C of the brush cover 82. Further, portions on the rear side of the pair of left and right connecting bars 130 are located on the rear side with respect to the sweeper body 70.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5, the grass collecting part 74 includes a bag frame 132 connected to the rear ends of a pair of left and right connecting bars 130, and a grass collecting bag 134 attached to the bag frame 132. As shown in Figs. 6(A)(B) and 7(A)(B), the bag frame 132 is formed in a substantially U shape with the front side open in plan view and includes an upper frame part 136 and a lower frame part 138 arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Both the left and right sides of the front side part of the lower frame part 138 are bent upward. Also, the left and right front ends of the lower frame part 138 are respectively connected to the left and right front ends of the upper frame part 136. Both the left and right sides of the middle part in the front-rear direction of the upper frame part 136 are connected to the rear ends of a pair of left and right connecting bars 130 via a first connecting shaft member 140. The first connecting shaft member 140 is formed in a rod shape with the left-right direction as the axial direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 7(B), a second connecting shaft member 142 is spanned across both the left and right sides of the front side part of the lower frame part 138. The second connecting shaft member 142 is formed in a rod shape with the left-right direction as the axial direction. Also, the second connecting shaft member 142 is arranged below the rear ends of a pair of left and right connecting bars 130. As shown in Fig. 5, the grass collecting bag 134 is formed in a bag shape with a part thereof open. This grass collecting bag 134 is attached to the bag frame 132 in a state of being expanded between the upper frame part 136 and the lower frame part 138. In a state where the grass collecting bag 134 is attached to the bag frame 132, the open end side of the grass collecting bag 134 is directed forward.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the flexible shaft 144 includes an outer tube 146 that is formed in a tubular shape and can be bent and deformed, and an inner shaft 148 that rotates while being inserted into the outer tube 146. As shown in FIG. 4, one end of the inner shaft 148 is a first insertion portion 148A formed in a prismatic shape. As shown in FIG. 11, the other end of the inner shaft 148 is a second insertion portion 148B formed in a prismatic shape. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the first insertion portion 148A and the second insertion portion 148B are formed using the same material as the shaft connection shafts 62 and 116 and are not bendable. A portion 148C between the first insertion portion 148A and the second insertion portion 148B of the inner shaft 148 is formed by bundling a plurality of linearly formed wires or the like. As a result, the portion 148C between the first insertion portion 148A and the second insertion portion 148B of the inner shaft 148 can be bent and deformed following the bending of the outer tube 146. As shown in FIG. 4, the first insertion portion 148A is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 62A of the shaft connection shaft 62 with its rotation axis direction oriented in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the first insertion portion 148A and the shaft connection shaft 62 are engaged so as to be integrally rotatable. As shown in FIG. 11, the second insertion portion 148B is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 116A of the shaft connection shaft 116 with its rotation axis direction oriented in the left-right direction. Thereby, the second insertion portion 148B and the shaft connection shaft 116 are engaged so as to be integrally rotatable. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, one end and the other end of the outer tube 146 are fixed to the tubular portion 58B and the tubular portion 110D via fixing members (not shown), respectively.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, according to the grass collection system of the present embodiment described above, by operating the mowing device 24 while the grass mowing traveling device 10 travels, the grass on the traveling path of the grass mowing traveling device 10 can be mowed.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2(A), 4, and 11, when the mowing device 24 is operating, the rotational force of the mowing tooth side pulley 38 is transmitted to the shaft connection shaft 62 via the coupling member 68. Further, the rotational force transmitted to the shaft connection shaft 62 is transmitted to the shaft connection shaft 116 via the inner shaft 148 of the flexible shaft 144. As a result, the drive pulley 102 rotates integrally with the shaft connection shaft 116. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotational force of the drive pulley 102 is transmitted to the driven pulley 100 via the belt 104. As a result, the sweeping portion 80 rotates integrally with the driven pulley 100. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 8, when the sweeping portion 80 rotates, the grass on the traveling path of the sweeper 12 is swept toward the grass collecting bag 134 side by the brush 94. As a result, the grass on the traveling path of the sweeper 12 can be collected in the grass collecting bag 134.

[0043] Here, in the grass collecting system of the present embodiment, the sweeping portion 80 is rotated by the power of the prime mover 22 (see FIG. 2) of the grass mowing traveling device 10. In this configuration, for example, compared with a configuration in which the sweeping portion 80 is rotated using the rotation of the wheels 78 of the sweeper 12 as power, it is possible to suppress a shortage of power for sweeping grass and the like.

[0044] Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2(A), 4, and 11, in the present embodiment, the prime mover 22 side (first insertion portion 148A) of the inner shaft 148 of the flexible shaft 144 is connected to the mowing device 24 side rather than the clutch 44 for the mowing portion. In this configuration, the sweeping portion 80 of the sweeper 12 can be rotated in conjunction with the operation of the mowing device 24.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, with the rotational axis direction of the first insertion portion 148A of the inner shaft 148 oriented in the front-rear direction, the first insertion portion 148A and the shaft connection shaft 62 are engaged so as to be integrally rotatable. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, with the rotational axis direction of the second insertion portion 148B of the inner shaft 148 oriented in the left-right direction, the second insertion portion 148B and the shaft connection shaft 116 are engaged so as to be integrally rotatable. Thus, in the present embodiment, even when the rotational axis direction of the power taken out from the prime mover 22 (see FIG. 2) side is different from the rotational axis direction on the sweeper 12 side that receives the power from the prime mover 22 side, by using the flexible shaft 144, the power from the prime mover 22 side can be transmitted to the sweeper 12 side.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, in the present embodiment, the rotational force from the flexible shaft 144 is transmitted to the sweeping-off portion 80 side via the drive pulley 102, the belt 104, and the driven pulley 100. In this configuration, by appropriately setting the outer diameters of the drive pulley 102 and the driven pulley 100, the rotation of the drive pulley 102 can be decelerated (including speed increase) at a desired reduction ratio and transmitted to the driven pulley 100 side.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 3(A)(B) and 4, in the present embodiment, the shaft connection member 56 is fixed to the main board portion 48 via the bearing unit base 58. In this configuration, the connection work of the flexible shaft 144 to the prime mover 22 (see FIG. 2) side can be facilitated on the rear side of the mowing traveling device 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0048] Note that the sweeper 12 described above can also be used by connecting it to a traveling system having a configuration and use different from those of the mowing traveling device 10.

[0049] Further, the grass collection system and the sweeper 12 of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 10 Grass mowing traveling device (traveling device) 12 Sweeper 22 Prime mover 24 Mowing device (grass mowing part) 44 Clutch for grass mowing part 46 Prime mover cover 56 Shaft connection member 60 Bearing unit (rotary support part) 62 Shaft connection shaft (shaft connection part) 74 Grass collecting part 92 Blowing-off part 100 Driven pulley (first rotating member) 102 Drive pulley (second rotating member) 104 Belt (transmission member on blowing-off part side) 144 Flexible shaft

Claims

1. A mowing and traveling device having a mowing unit for mowing grass, a power source necessary for traveling, and a prime mover serving as a power source for operating the mowing unit, and capable of traveling in a state where the mowing unit is in operation; A sweeper having a grass collecting unit for collecting grass on a traveling path, and a sweeping unit that operates by transmitting power to sweep grass on the traveling path toward the grass collecting unit side, and traveling together with the mowing and traveling device by being connected to the mowing and traveling device; A flexible shaft that connects the prime mover side and the sweeping unit side and is bendable between the mowing and traveling device and the sweeper, and transmits the power of the prime mover to the sweeping unit side; A grass collecting system provided with the above.

2. A clutch for the mowing unit is provided between the mowing unit and the prime mover to selectively transmit the power of the prime mover to the mowing unit, The grass collecting system according to Claim 1, wherein the prime mover side of the flexible shaft is connected to the mowing unit side rather than the clutch for the mowing unit.

3. The rotational axis direction of the portion connected to the prime mover side of the flexible shaft is directed in the front-rear direction of the mowing and traveling device, The grass collecting system according to Claim 1, wherein the rotational axis direction of the portion connected to the sweeper side of the flexible shaft is directed in the left-right direction of the sweeper.

4. The sweeping unit is configured to sweep grass on the traveling path of the sweeper toward the grass collecting unit side by rotating, A first rotating member provided coaxially with the rotating shaft of the sweeping unit and rotatable integrally with the sweeping unit is provided, A second rotating member to which a rotational force is transmitted via the flexible shaft is provided at a position offset from the rotational axis of the first rotating member, The grass collecting system according to Claim 1, wherein the first rotating member and the second rotating member are connected via a transmission member on the sweeping unit side that transmits the rotational force of the second rotating member to the first rotating member.

5. The mowing and traveling device is provided with a prime mover cover for covering the prime mover, A grass collection system according to claim 1, wherein a shaft connecting member having a shaft connecting portion that rotates by the power of the prime mover and to which the prime mover side in the flexible shaft is connected, and a rotary support portion that rotatably supports the shaft connecting portion, is fixed to the prime mover cover.

6. A sweeper that travels with the traveling device by being connected to the traveling device, a grass collection portion for collecting grass on the traveling path, a sweeping portion that operates by transmitting the power of a prime mover provided in the traveling device through a flexible shaft that can be bent and deformed between the traveling device and sweeps the grass on the traveling path toward the grass collection portion side, and a sweeper provided with the same.

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