vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle which inhibits operation of a pump when a prime mover starts.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes: an engine 6; a pump 7 which is operated by power of the engine 6; a pump clutch lever 63 which switches a power connection state between the engine 6 and the pump 7 between connection or disconnection; a pump clutch checking switch 70 which detects the connection state between the engine 6 and the pump 7; and a start control unit 80 which allows start of the engine 6 when the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected and does not allow start of the engine 6 when the engine 6 and the pump 7 are connected based on a detection result of the pump clutch checking switch 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a self-propelled chemical sprayer. This chemical sprayer travels between furrows with an operator walking behind it. A chemical tank, an engine, a crawler-type traveling device, a pump, and a steering unit are arranged on the body of the chemical sprayer. A nozzle pipe is provided at the front end of the body, and this nozzle pipe is provided with a number of spray nozzles. In this chemical sprayer, the crawler-type traveling device is driven by the engine. Furthermore, the engine drives a pump. The pump pressure-feeds the chemical in the chemical tank to the spray nozzles. The operator walks behind the vehicle to spray the chemical. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-137315 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle having an operating part such as a pump that is operated by the power of a prime mover, such as the above-mentioned chemical spray vehicle, the power from the prime mover to the pump can be switched on and off. In a chemical spray vehicle, when starting the prime mover, an operator can disconnect the power from the prime mover to the pump, thereby managing the pump so that it does not operate when the prime mover is started. However, if the prime mover is started with the power from the prime mover to the pump connected due to, for example, an operator's erroneous operation, the pump will operate simultaneously with the start of the prime mover. In this case, it is possible that the chemical liquid will be sprayed from the nozzle regardless of the operator's intention.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can suppress operation of a pump when a prime mover is started. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle according to the present invention includes a prime mover (6), a pump (7) operated by power of the prime mover (6), a pump clutch operating device (63) that switches the power connection state between the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) between connected and disconnected, a pump sensor (70) that detects the connection state between the prime mover (6) and the pump (7), and a control device (80) that allows the start of the prime mover (6) when the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected and does not allow the start of the prime mover (6) when the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are connected based on the detection result of the pump sensor (70).

[0007] In the above vehicle, the pump sensor (70) detects whether the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are connected or disconnected. The control device (80) that receives the detection result does not permit the start of the prime mover (6) when the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are connected, so that the pump (7) does not operate when the prime mover (6) is started.

[0008] In one example, the pump sensor (70) may detect that the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected, and the control device (80) may permit the start of the prime mover (6) when the pump sensor (70) detects that the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected, and may not permit the start of the prime mover (6) when the pump sensor (70) does not detect that the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected. In this configuration, the start of the prime mover (6) is permitted only when it is confirmed that the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected.

[0009] The pump sensor (70) as an example is a contact sensor that detects contact with an object, and the pump clutch operating device (63) may include a rotating shaft (65), a lever body (63a) connected to the rotating shaft (65) and rotating about the rotating shaft (65), and a contact member (63d) that changes its position from the rotating shaft (65) in response to the rotation of the lever body (63a) and thereby comes into contact with the sensor (70). With this configuration, the rotational position of the pump clutch operating device (63), which switches between connection and disconnection, is detected, and therefore the connection state between the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) can be easily detected.

[0010] The vehicle in one example further includes a traveling section (4) that is operated to travel by the power of a prime mover (6), and a traveling clutch operating device (61) that switches between connection and disconnection of the power connection state between the prime mover (6) and the traveling section (4), and the traveling clutch operating device (61) may rotate about a rotation shaft (65) of the pump clutch operating device (63). In this configuration, the pump clutch operating device (63) and the traveling clutch operating device (61) are disposed adjacent to each other, so that an operator can easily operate the pump clutch operating device (63) and the traveling clutch operating device (61).

[0011] The vehicle in question includes a travel sensor (90) that detects a connection state between the prime mover (6) and the travel clutch operating device (61), and the control device (80) may permit starting of the prime mover (6) when there are inputs from both the pump sensor (70) and the travel sensor (90). In this configuration, the operation of the travel unit (4) is suppressed when the prime mover (6) is started. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a vehicle can be provided in which the operation of the pump is suppressed when the prime mover is started. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is an oblique view of an example of a self-propelled chemical solution spraying vehicle, viewed from the upper right rear. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a side view of an example self-propelled chemical spray vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example clutch lever. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing the operation of an example clutch lever. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an engine control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] An example vehicle will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification, a self-propelled chemical solution sprayer will be described as an example vehicle. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example self-propelled chemical solution sprayer seen from the upper right rear. FIG. 2 is a side view of an example self-propelled chemical solution sprayer. In FIG. 2, a part of the cover of the self-propelled chemical solution sprayer is removed. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined as directions based on the self-propelled chemical solution sprayer vehicle 100, and the traveling direction of the self-propelled chemical solution sprayer vehicle 100 is forward.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the self-propelled chemical solution sprayer 100 comprises a traveling vehicle section 1 and a chemical solution spraying device 2 that sprays chemical solution from the traveling vehicle section 1. The traveling vehicle section 1 comprises a substantially rectangular body 3 that is long in the front-to-rear direction. Traveling devices 4 that enable the body 3 to travel are provided below both sides of the body 3 in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. A chemical solution tank 5 is mounted on the front of the body 3. An engine (prime mover) 6 is mounted on the rear of the traveling vehicle section 1 (see Figure 2). A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (HST: Hydraulic Static Transmission) 19 is provided below the engine 6 and behind the traveling device 4. The engine 6, chemical solution spraying device 2, HST 19, etc. may be fixed to the body 3 via brackets, pipes, etc.

[0016] The traveling device 4 includes traveling wheels and crawlers 15. The traveling wheels include drive wheels (sprocket wheels: drive wheels) 16 arranged on both the left and right sides at the rear of the machine body 3, idler wheels (idler wheels: guide wheels) 17 arranged on both the left and right sides below the front part of the machine body 3, and a plurality of (here, two) traveling rollers (road wheels) 18 on the ground side. The drive wheels 16, idler wheels 17, and traveling rollers 18 are rotatably supported on the machine body 3 side, and the crawlers 15 are stretched across the drive wheels 16, idler wheels 17, and traveling rollers 18.

[0017] The HST 19 includes a hydraulic pump 21 and a hydraulic motor 22 (see FIG. 2). The hydraulic pump 21 includes an input shaft 21a to which rotational force generated by driving the engine 6 is input, and supplies hydraulic pressure generated in hydraulic oil in a freely adjustable manner to the hydraulic motor 22 by changing the rotation of the input shaft 21a and the angle of a variable swash plate. The hydraulic motor 22 converts the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump 21 into rotational force to rotate an output shaft. The rotation speed of the output shaft of the hydraulic motor 22 can be infinitely changed by changing the angle of the variable swash plate. The rotation of the output shaft of the hydraulic motor 22 is transmitted to the drive wheels 16 via a transmission 23 shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] The liquid medicine spraying device 2 is provided at the front end of the body 3. The liquid medicine spraying device 2 includes a support 8 erected at the front end of the body 3, and a nozzle pipe 9 attached to the support 8 so as to extend along the support 8. A number of spray nozzles 10 are arranged in the nozzle pipe 9 along the vertical direction at a distance from each other. The spray nozzles 10 face in the left and right directions, and are capable of spraying the liquid medicine that has flowed through the nozzle pipe 9 in the left and right directions, respectively. The liquid medicine spraying device 2 includes a pump 7 (see FIG. 2). The pump 7 is driven by the engine 6 and pressure-feeds the liquid medicine from the liquid medicine tank 5 to the nozzle pipe 9. An example of the pump 7 is mounted above the engine 6 at the rear of the traveling vehicle section 1.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, in an example of a self-propelled chemical solution sprayer 100, the power of the engine 6 is transmitted via a power transmission mechanism 20 to the HST 19, which drives the traveling device 4, and the pump 7, which drives the chemical solution sprayer 2. That is, the traveling device 4 and the chemical solution sprayer 2 are operated by the power of the engine 6. The example of the power transmission mechanism 20 includes an engine V pulley 25 connected to the output shaft of the engine 6, a traveling V pulley 26 connected to the input shaft 21a of the hydraulic pump 21 of the HST 19, a V-belt 27, a pump V pulley 36 connected to the input shaft 7a of the pump 7, and a V-belt 37. Two rows of V-belt grooves are recessed into the outer circumferential surface of the engine V pulley 25, and V-belt grooves are each recessed into the outer circumferential surface of the traveling V pulley 26 and the pump V pulley 36. The V-belt 27 is hung and attached between one V-belt groove of the engine V-pulley 25 and the V-belt groove of the traveling V-pulley 26. In this way, the power transmission mechanism 20 transmits the rotational force of the engine 6 to the hydraulic pump 21 of the HST 19. In addition, the V-belt 37 is hung and attached between the other V-belt groove of the engine V-pulley 25 and the V-belt groove of the pump V-pulley 36. In this way, the power transmission mechanism 20 transmits the rotational force of the engine 6 to the pump 7.

[0020] The power transmission mechanism 20 also includes a traveling tension clutch 28 and a pump tension clutch 38. Each of the traveling tension clutch 28 and the pump tension clutch 38 includes a tension pulley and a swing shaft that swings the tension pulley. When the tension pulley of the traveling tension clutch 28 contacts the V-belt 27 and the V-belt 27 is in a tensioned state, the engine 6 and the hydraulic pump 21 are connected, and the power of the engine 6 is transmitted to the hydraulic pump 21. When the tension pulley of the traveling tension clutch 28 is separated from the V-belt 27 and the V-belt 27 is in a slack state, the engine 6 and the hydraulic pump 21 are disconnected, and the power of the engine 6 is not transmitted to the hydraulic pump 21. When the tension pulley of the pump tension clutch 38 contacts the V-belt 37 and the V-belt 37 is in a tensioned state, the engine 6 and the pump 7 are connected, and the power of the engine 6 is transmitted to the pump 7. When the tension pulley of the pump tension clutch 38 is separated from the V-belt 37 and the V-belt 37 is in a slack state, the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected and the power of the engine 6 is not transmitted to the pump 7.

[0021] 1, an operation panel 50 for an operator to operate the engine 6, the traveling device 4, the chemical solution spray device 2, etc. is provided on the upper rear part of the traveling vehicle part 1. An example of the operation panel 50 is provided with a start switch 51, a speed change lever 52, a throttle lever 53, a nozzle ball cock 55, a traveling clutch lever 61, and a pump clutch lever 63.

[0022] The start switch 51 is a switch for starting the engine 6. For example, the start switch 51 is switchable between an ON state in which a signal for starting the engine 6 is output, and an OFF state in which a signal for stopping the engine 6 is output.

[0023] The gear shift lever 52 is a lever that switches the drive direction of the HST 19 between forward, stop (neutral), and reverse. The lower end of the gear shift lever 52 is connected to the HST 19 by, for example, a mechanical connecting mechanism. For example, the gear shift lever 52 tilted forward is the forward state, the gear shift lever tilted rearward is the reverse state, and the gear shift lever in the center in the fore-and-aft direction is the stop state.

[0024] The throttle lever 53 is a lever that adjusts the throttle opening of the engine 6, that is, the output of the engine 6. In addition, the pair of nozzle ball cocks 55 adjust the amount of the chemical liquid pressure-fed from the pump 7 to the pair of nozzle pipes 9.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the pump clutch lever 63 and the traveling clutch lever 61. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the pump clutch lever 63. The pump clutch lever (pump clutch operating device) 63 switches the power connection state between the engine 6 and the pump 7 between connection and disconnection. An example of the pump clutch lever 63 includes a rotating shaft 65 and a lever body 63a. The rotating shaft 65 is a shaft fixed to the machine body 3 and extends, for example, in the left-right direction. The lever body 63a is connected to the rotating shaft 65 so as to be freely rotatable. The lever body 63a can be switched between a state tilted forward and a state tilted backward by rotating about the rotating shaft 65.

[0026] The pump clutch lever 63 of one example includes a connection piece 63b and a swing arm 63c. The connection piece 63b is connected to the lever body 63a and rotates together with the lever body 63a around the rotation shaft 65. The connection piece 63b of one example is plate-shaped and includes a protruding portion 63a1 that protrudes in a circumferential direction at a position different from the protruding direction of the lever body 63a when viewed from the axial direction. The swing arm 63c is swingably connected to an end of the protruding portion 63b1 (i.e., an end far from the rotation shaft). A harness 38a (clutch cable) for operating the pump tension clutch 38 is connected to the tip of the swing arm 63c. In the illustrated example, when the lever body 63a is tilted forward, the harness 38a is pulled backward, so that the tension pulley of the pump tension clutch 38 comes into contact with the V-belt 37, and the V-belt 37 is in a tensioned state. That is, the engine 6 and the pump 7 are connected in terms of power transmission, and the power of the engine 6 is transmitted to the pump 7. On the other hand, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 4, when the lever main body 63a is tilted rearward, the harness 38a is slackened, the tension pulley of the pump tension clutch 38 is separated from the V-belt 37, and the V-belt 37 is in a slack state. That is, the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected in terms of power transmission, and the power of the engine 6 is not transmitted to the pump 7.

[0027] Further, the connection piece 63b is provided with an abutment member 63d. The abutment member 63d is a rod-shaped member and protrudes from the connection piece 63b to one side in the left-right direction. In the illustrated example, the abutment member 63d protrudes from the connection piece 63b toward the right side. In one example, the abutment member 63d may be a metal bolt. The position of the abutment member 63d from the pivot shaft 65 changes in response to the rotation of the lever main body 63a. In the illustrated example, when the lever main body 63a moves from a state tilted forward to a state tilted backward, the position of the abutment member 63d in the height direction moves downward.

[0028] The traveling clutch lever 61 is a lever that operates the traveling tension clutch 28 and switches the power connection state between the engine 6 and the traveling device 4 between connection and disconnection. The traveling clutch lever 61 of the example rotates around the rotation shaft 65 of the pump clutch lever 63. The traveling clutch lever 61 of the illustrated example has the same structure as the pump clutch lever 63. That is, the traveling clutch lever 61 includes the rotation shaft 65, a lever body 61a, a connection piece 61b, and an abutment member 61d. The lever body 61a can be switched between a state tilted forward and a state tilted backward by rotating around the rotation shaft 65. The connection piece 61b is connected to the lever body 61a and rotates together with the lever body 61a around the rotation shaft 65 as the rotation center. The connection piece 61b of the example is plate-shaped and has a protruding portion 61b1 that protrudes in a circumferential direction at a position different from the protruding direction of the lever body 61a when viewed from the axial direction. The swing arm 61c is swingably connected to an end of the protruding portion 61b1 (i.e., an end far from the rotation shaft). A harness for operating the traveling tension clutch 28 is connected to the tip of the swing arm 61c. In the illustrated example, when the lever body 61a is tilted forward, the engine 6 and the hydraulic pump 21 are connected in terms of power transmission, and the power of the engine 6 is transmitted to the hydraulic pump 21. On the other hand, when the lever body 61a is tilted rearward, the engine and the hydraulic pump 21 are disconnected in terms of power transmission, and the power of the engine 6 is not transmitted to the hydraulic pump 21. The abutment member 61d is a rod-shaped member and protrudes from the connection piece 61b toward the right. The position of the abutment member 61d from the rotation shaft 65 changes according to the rotation of the lever body 61a. In the illustrated example, when the lever body 61a moves from a state tilted forward to a state tilted rearward, the position of the abutment member 61d in the height direction moves downward.

[0029] In this self-propelled chemical solution sprayer 100, when the engine 6 is driven by an operator, the rotation of the output shaft of the engine 6 is transmitted to the input shaft 21a of the hydraulic pump 21 constituting the HST 19 via the engine V pulley 25, V-belt 27, and traveling V pulley 26 constituting the power transmission mechanism 20, and when the HST 19 is operated, the rotation of the output shaft of the hydraulic motor 22 is transmitted to the drive wheels 16 via the transmission 23, which drives the drive wheels 16 to rotate, enabling forward travel by the traveling device 4. In addition, the drive of the engine 6 operates the pump 7, and the chemical solution in the chemical solution tank 5 is pumped through the nozzle pipe 9 and the connecting pipe 9a to the spray nozzle 10. The operator stands behind the traveling vehicle section 1, holds the handlebars 14, and walks along with the traveling of the self-propelled chemical solution sprayer 100, effectively spraying the chemical solution from the spray nozzle 10 in the left and right directions.

[0030] Next, starting control of engine 6 in self-propelled chemical solution sprayer vehicle 100 will be described. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of an engine control system. In one example of self-propelled chemical solution sprayer vehicle 100, engine 6 can be started when the power connection between engine 6 and pump 7 is disconnected. That is, in self-propelled chemical solution sprayer vehicle 100, engine 6 cannot be started when engine 6 and pump 7 are connected in terms of power transmission.

[0031] For the above-mentioned control, the self-propelled chemical sprayer vehicle 100 is equipped with a pump clutch confirmation switch 70 (pump sensor) and a start control unit (control device) 80. In one example of the self-propelled chemical sprayer vehicle 100, in addition to the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 and the start control unit 80, a traveling clutch confirmation switch 90 (travel sensor) is further included. The pump clutch confirmation switch 70 detects the connection state between the engine 6 and the pump 7. The pump clutch confirmation switch 70 may be a contact sensor that detects contact with an object. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 has a switch body 71 and a movable plate 72 that protrudes forward from the switch body 71. When the movable plate 72 is pressed toward the switch body 71, the movable plate 72 presses a button 73 of the switch body 71, and outputs a signal.

[0032] The pump clutch confirmation switch 70 is fixed to the frame 3a of the machine body 3 so as to output a signal when the pump clutch lever 63 is pulled rearward. That is, when the pump clutch lever 63 is pulled rearward, the movable plate 72 of the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 is pressed downward by the abutment member 63d of the pump clutch lever 63, thereby pressing the button 73 of the switch body 71. In this way, the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 can detect that the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected.

[0033] The traveling clutch check switch 90 detects the connection state between the engine 6 and the hydraulic pump 21. Similar to the pump clutch check switch 70, the traveling clutch check switch 90 has a switch body 91 and a movable plate 92 protruding forward from the switch body 91, and when the movable plate 92 is pressed toward the switch body 91, the movable plate 92 presses a button 93 of the switch body 91, outputting a signal.

[0034] The traveling clutch confirmation switch 90 is fixed to the frame 3a of the machine body 3 so as to output a signal when the traveling clutch lever 61 is pulled rearward. That is, when the traveling clutch lever 61 is pulled rearward, the movable plate 92 of the traveling clutch confirmation switch 90 is pressed downward by the abutment member 61d of the traveling clutch lever 61, thereby pressing the button 93 of the switch body 91. In this way, the traveling clutch confirmation switch 90 can detect that the engine 6 and the hydraulic pump 21 are disconnected.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 5, the starting control unit 80 is connected to the pump clutch confirmation switch 70, the running clutch confirmation switch 90, the starting switch 51, and the ignition device 6a. The starting control unit 80 is, for example, a computer including a CPU which is an arithmetic device, and ROM and RAM which are storage devices. For example, signals output from the pump clutch confirmation switch 70, the running clutch confirmation switch 90, and the starting switch 51 are input to the starting control unit 80, and a signal output from the starting control unit 80 is input to the ignition device 6a. The ignition device 6a is a device provided in the engine 6, and is ignited when the engine 6 is started.

[0036] Based on the detection result of the pump clutch confirmation switch 70, the start control unit 80 does not permit the start of the engine 6 when the power transmission mechanism 20 is connected between the engine 6 and the pump 7. For example, when a signal detecting contact is input from the pump clutch confirmation switch 70, the start control unit 80 may determine that the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected, and output a signal permitting the start of the engine 6 to the ignition device 6a.

[0037] As described above, the self-propelled chemical sprayer vehicle 100 in the illustrated example is equipped with the traveling clutch confirmation switch 90. Therefore, the start control unit 80 may be configured to permit starting of the engine 6 when signals detecting disconnection from the engine 6 are input from both the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 and the traveling clutch confirmation switch 90. In this case, when the detection signals from the pump clutch confirmation switch 70, the detection signal from the traveling clutch confirmation switch 90, and the engine start signal from the start switch 51 are input to the start control unit 80, the start control unit 80 ignites the ignition device 6a of the engine 6.

[0038] Furthermore, when the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 does not detect that the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected, the start control unit 80 controls the ignition device 6a so as not to permit the start of the engine 6, that is, so as not to allow the engine 6 to start. In one example, when a detection signal is not input from at least one of the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 and the running clutch confirmation switch 90, the start control unit 80 does not permit the engine 6 to start. When at least one of the detection signals from the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 and the running clutch confirmation switch 90 is not input, the start control unit 80 does not ignite the ignition device 6a even if an engine start signal from the start switch 51 is input to the start control unit 80. For example, when the ignition device 6a is a magneto type, the start control unit 80 may control the magneto to be shorted so as not to allow the ignition device 6a to be ignited.

[0039] As described above, one example of a self-propelled chemical sprayer vehicle 100 comprises an engine 6, a pump 7 operated by power from the engine 6, a pump clutch lever 63 that switches the power connection state between the engine 6 and the pump 7 between connected and disconnected, a pump clutch confirmation switch 70 that detects the connection state between the engine 6 and the pump 7, and a start control unit 80 that allows the engine 6 to start when the engine 6 and the pump are disconnected and does not allow the engine 6 to start when the engine 6 and the pump are connected based on the detection result of the pump clutch confirmation switch 70.

[0040] In this self-propelled chemical sprayer vehicle 100, pump clutch confirmation switch 70 detects whether the engine 6 and pump 7 are connected or disconnected. When the engine 6 and pump 7 are connected, start control unit 80 receives the detection result and does not allow the engine 6 to start, so that the pump 7 does not operate when the engine 6 is started. Therefore, when an operator starts the engine 6, the pump 7 operates, preventing the chemical sprayer 2 from spraying chemicals.

[0041] When an operator starts the engine 6 of the self-propelled chemical solution sprayer 100, the operator, for example, tilts the travel clutch lever 61 and the pump clutch lever 63 rearward to disconnect the power transmission between the engine 6 and the pump 7 and between the engine 6 and the travel device 4, places the gear shift lever 52 in neutral, and switches the start switch 51 to the ON state. At this time, if the operator, for example, forgets to operate the pump clutch lever 63 and the power transmission between the engine 6 and the pump 7 is connected (if the pump clutch lever 63 is tilted forward), the engine 6 will not start even if the start switch 51 is switched to the ON state.

[0042] In one example, the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 may detect that the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected, and the start control unit 80 may be configured to permit the start of the engine 6 when the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 detects that the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected, and not permit the start of the engine 6 when the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 does not detect that the engine 6 and the pump are disconnected. In this configuration, the start of the engine 6 is permitted only when it is confirmed that the engine 6 and the pump 7 are disconnected.

[0043] The pump clutch confirmation switch 70 in one example is a contact sensor that detects contact with an object, and the pump clutch lever 63 may include a rotating shaft 65, a lever body 63a that is connected to the rotating shaft 65 and rotates about the rotating shaft 65, and an abutment member 63d that contacts the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 by changing its position from the rotating shaft 65 in response to the rotation of the lever body 63a. In this configuration, the state of the pump clutch lever 63 that switches between connection and disconnection is detected, so that the connection state between the engine 6 and the pump 7 can be easily detected. In particular, in the illustrated example, the abutment member 63d is configured to contact the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 when the pump clutch lever 63 is tilted to the rearmost side, so that it is possible to reliably detect that the engine 6 and the pump are disconnected.

[0044] An example of a self-propelled chemical sprayer vehicle 100 includes a traveling device 4 that runs on power from an engine 6, and a traveling clutch lever 61 that switches between connected and disconnected power connection between the engine 6 and the traveling device 4. In this configuration in which the traveling clutch lever 61 rotates about a rotation shaft 65 of the pump clutch lever 63, the pump clutch lever 63 and the traveling clutch lever 61 are disposed adjacent to each other, making it easy for an operator to operate the pump clutch lever 63 and the traveling clutch lever 61.

[0045] The example self-propelled chemical sprayer 100 includes a travel clutch confirmation switch 90 that detects the connection state between the engine 6 and the travel clutch lever 61, and the start control unit 80 may permit starting of the engine 6 when both the pump clutch confirmation switch 70 and the travel clutch confirmation switch 90 are disconnected from the engine 6. In this configuration, operation of the travel device 4 is inhibited when the engine 6 is started.

[0046] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific form of the present invention is not limited to the above example.

[0047] For example, although an example has been shown in which the power transmission between the engine 6 and the pump 7 is switched by a tension clutch, an electromagnetic clutch may be used instead of the tension clutch. In this case, the start control unit may obtain, for example, a detection signal from a sensor that detects whether or not the electromagnetic clutch is energized. The start control unit may permit the start of the engine when it is determined that the power transmission between the engine and the pump is cut off based on the signal from the sensor.

[0048] In addition, if the self-propelled chemical sprayer vehicle 100 is equipped with a sensor that detects whether the power transmission between the engine and the pump is connected, the start control unit may be configured to not allow the engine to be started when it is determined that the power transmission between the engine and the pump is connected, or may be configured to allow the engine to be started only when it is not determined that the power transmission between the engine and the pump is connected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 6...engine (prime mover), 7...pump, 63...pump clutch lever (pump clutch operating device), 70...pump clutch confirmation switch (pump sensor), 80...start control unit (control device), 100...self-propelled chemical sprayer (vehicle).

Claims

1. A prime mover (6), A pump (7) operated by the power of the prime mover (6); a pump clutch operating device (63) for switching between connection and disconnection of a power connection state between the prime mover (6) and the pump (7); a pump sensor (70) for detecting a connection state between the prime mover (6) and the pump (7); a control device (80) that permits the start of the prime mover (6) when the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected based on a detection result of the pump sensor (70) and does not permit the start of the prime mover (6) when the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are connected; Equipped with The pump sensor (70) is a contact sensor that detects contact with an object, The pump clutch operating device (63) is A rotation shaft (65) extending along the left-right direction; A lever body (63a) connected to the pivot shaft (65) and pivoting about the pivot shaft (65); a connection piece (63b) connected to the lever body (63a) and rotating together with the lever body (63a) about the rotation shaft (65); a contact member (63d) which is a rod-shaped member protruding from the connection piece (63b) along the left-right direction and which changes its position relative to the pivot shaft (65) in response to the rotation of the lever body (63a) so as to come into contact with the sensor (70).

2. The pump sensor (70) detects that the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected, 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control device (80) permits starting of the prime mover (6) when the pump sensor (70) detects that the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected, and does not permit starting of the prime mover (6) when the pump sensor (70) does not detect that the prime mover (6) and the pump (7) are disconnected.

3. A running unit (4) that runs by the power of the prime mover (6); a traveling clutch operating device (61) for switching between a connection state and a disconnection state of the power between the prime mover (6) and the traveling unit (4), 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the traveling clutch operating device (61) rotates about the rotation shaft (65) of the pump clutch operating device (63).

4. The vehicle further includes a traveling sensor (90) for detecting a connection state between the prime mover (6) and the traveling clutch operating device (61), 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the control device (80) permits starting of the prime mover (6) when there are inputs from both the pump sensor (70) and the running sensor (90).

Images