Work vehicles

Abstract

To provide a work vehicle which does not need a special power source and can drive air pressure feeding means with an engine mounted on the work vehicle as a power source.SOLUTION: A work vehicle comprises: a travel vehicle body which has an engine, a transmission case and a travel device for traveling in a farm field; and air pressure feeding means. The air pressure feeding means is configured to receive the power from a live PTO shaft that outputs the power at all times from the transmission case while the engine is operating and feed the sucked air, and is provided with a clutch that turns on / off the power transmission from the live PTO shaft to the air pressure feeding means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle, such as a tractor or a pesticide spraying vehicle, capable of removing soil, chemicals, etc., adhering to the vehicle body. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a work vehicle that runs on a farm field while spraying a chemical solution. Since soil, pollen, chemical solution, etc. from the farm field adhere to such a work vehicle while performing agricultural work on the farm field, it is desirable for the worker to remove the soil, pollen, and chemical solution from the vehicle before moving the vehicle out of the field. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication 2019-115305 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An efficient way to remove soil, pollen, and chemicals that have adhered to a vehicle is to use air pressure delivery means such as an air blower or air compressor to blow the soil or chemicals off or suck them up from the vehicle. However, this requires a separate power source for the air pressure delivery means, which creates the problem of extra labor and space being required.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a work vehicle that does not require a dedicated power source, and can drive an air pumping means when necessary using an engine mounted on the work vehicle as a power source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to a traveling vehicle body having an engine, a transmission case, and a traveling device for traveling in a farm field; and an air pump means. the air pumping means is configured to receive power from a live PTO shaft that constantly outputs power from the transmission case while the engine is operating, and to pump out the sucked air; This object is achieved by a work vehicle characterized in that a clutch is provided for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of power from the live PTO shaft to the air pumping means.

[0007] According to the present invention, power is transmitted to the air pumping means from the live PTO shaft, which constantly outputs power from the transmission case while the engine is running. Therefore, the air pumping means, such as an air blower or air compressor, can be driven when necessary, whether the work vehicle is traveling or stopped.

[0008] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a clutch is provided that switches on and off the transmission of power from the live PTO shaft to the air pumping means, so that the drive of the air pumping means can be stopped when not required, which is convenient and reduces the load on the live PTO shaft that outputs power from the transmission case.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, The air pressure supplying means is disposed in a storage space provided below a driver's seat of the traveling vehicle body, A delivery hose for guiding air delivered from the air pressure delivery means is configured to be retractable from the storage space.

[0010] According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, an air pressure delivery means such as an air blower or an air compressor is disposed in a storage space provided below the driver's seat of the traveling vehicle body, so that the operating noise and vibrations of the air pressure delivery means can be prevented from leaking to the outside.

[0011] Furthermore, according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the delivery hose that guides the air delivered from the air pressure delivery means is configured to be removable from the storage space, so that the delivery hose does not get in the way of the operator when the air pressure delivery means is not in use.

[0012] Furthermore, according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the delivery hose can be removed from the storage space and directed toward the running body 2, including the area near the driver's seat, to blow away and remove soil and chemical solution, thereby preventing the soil and chemical solution from flowing out of the field.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, The air pressure supplying means is disposed in a storage space provided below a driver's seat of the traveling vehicle body, A radiator that radiates heat from the engine is provided with a dustproof net that receives foreign matter; The suction port of an air intake duct connected to the intake section of the air pressure delivery means is positioned near the dustproof net and directed toward the dustproof net, and the air sucked in through the air intake duct by the air pressure delivery means is sent out below the running vehicle body. According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, an air pressure delivery means such as an air blower or an air compressor is disposed in a storage space provided below the driver's seat of the traveling vehicle body, so that the operating noise and vibrations of the air pressure delivery means can be prevented from leaking to the outside.

[0014] Furthermore, according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the suction port of the intake duct connected to the intake section of the air pressure delivery means is positioned near the dustproof net that receives the impurities and is directed toward the dustproof net, so that the impurities adhering to the dustproof net can be sucked up and removed by the air pressure delivery means, thereby preventing the engine from overheating due to clogging of the dustproof net.

[0015] Furthermore, according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air sucked in by the air pumping means is configured to be sent out below the traveling vehicle body, so that the debris can be discharged into the field without exposing the worker to exhaust air containing the debris.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, An engine operation detection means for detecting an operating state of the engine is provided, The air pressure supplying means is disposed in a storage space provided below a driver's seat of the traveling vehicle body, an outlet of a blow-out duct for guiding the air blown out from the air pressure blowing means is directed downwardly to a traveling vehicle body; Power is transmitted to the air pumping means via the clutch on condition that the engine operation detection means detects that the engine is operating.

[0017] According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the engine is running, air is blown from the outlet of the exhaust duct toward the bottom of the vehicle body, so that crops located below the vehicle body can be kept away from the vicinity of the engine, which becomes hot when the engine is operating, and the crops can be prevented from being damaged by radiant heat emitted from the vicinity of the engine, or from being burnt by coming into contact with the vicinity of the engine.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, A travel detection means is provided for detecting whether the work vehicle is traveling or not, The condition for transmitting power to the compressed air feeding means via the clutch further includes the detection by the travel detection means that the work vehicle is stopped.

[0019] According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the engine is running and the work vehicle is stopped, air is blown from the outlet of the delivery duct downwards onto the traveling body of the vehicle, thereby preventing crops at the stopped position from being damaged by the heat of the engine, and also allowing the air pressure delivery means to be stopped while the work vehicle is moving, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, A temperature sensor is provided to detect the temperature of a lower portion of the vehicle body. The condition for transmitting power to the air pressure-feeding means via the clutch further includes that the temperature of the lower part of the traveling vehicle body detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0021] According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, even if the engine is running and the work vehicle is stopped, if the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body is below a predetermined temperature, power is not transmitted to the air pumping means. This prevents the air pumping means from being driven at unnecessary times, thereby further reducing energy consumption. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a work vehicle that can drive an air pumping means when necessary using an engine mounted on the work vehicle as a power source, without requiring a dedicated power source. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a work vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main portion of the work vehicle shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a main portion showing the power transmission mechanism of the work vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the blower shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system, a detection system, an input system and a drive system of the work vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view showing the inside of the bonnet of a work vehicle according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system, a detection system, an input system and a drive system of a work vehicle according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic left side view showing the vicinity of the bonnet of the work vehicle according to the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system, a detection system, an input system and a drive system of a work vehicle according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the drive control of the air pressure-feeding means by the controller according to the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system, a detection system, an input system and a drive system of a work vehicle according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the drive control of the air pumping means by the controller according to the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the steering handle and the cockpit according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 . [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the vicinity of the left opening and closing door of the cabin according to the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic left side view showing how the second handrail shown in FIG. 14 is rotated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a work vehicle 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main portion of the work vehicle 1 shown in FIG.

[0026] In this specification, as shown by the arrow in Figure 1 or Figure 2, the side in the direction of travel of the work vehicle 1 is referred to as the "front", and unless otherwise specified, the left side in the direction of travel of the work vehicle 1 is referred to as the "left" and the opposite side is referred to as the "right".

[0027] In this embodiment, the work vehicle 1 is a chemical solution spraying vehicle that sprays chemical solution onto a farm field, and is equipped with a running body 2, a chemical solution tank 30 attached to the rear of the running body 2, a center boom 50 provided at the front of the running body 2, a pair of left and right side booms 51, 52 rotatably mounted on the left and right of the center boom 50, and a blower 16 (see Figures 3 and 4) that cleans soil, chemical solution, etc. adhering to the running body 2.

[0028] The chemical liquid is stored inside the chemical liquid tank 30, and the chemical liquid stored in the chemical liquid tank is supplied to the field from multiple nozzles 42 provided on the center boom 50 and the pair of side booms 51, 52 using a chemical liquid pump (not shown) provided at the rear of the traveling body 2. Hereinafter, the center boom 50 and the pair of side booms 51, 52 are also referred to as spray booms.

[0029] Each of the pair of side booms 51, 52 is configured to rotate in the vehicle width direction around the pivot point 19 by the extension and contraction of the left and right opening / closing cylinders 18, and further configured so that the rear end portions can be moved up and down by the extension and contraction of the left and right up-down movement cylinders 44, 45.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the running body 2 comprises a main frame 8 which forms the skeleton thereof, a step floor 66 (see FIG. 3) provided above the main frame 8, a cabin 20 provided on the step floor 66 and in which an operator (operator) sits, front wheels 6 and rear wheels 7 which correspond to the "running gear" according to the present invention, an engine 3 provided under the bonnet 12, and a power transmission mechanism.

[0031] Inside the cabin 20, there are provided a steering handle 5 (see Figure 1) for steering the front wheels 6 or rear wheels 7, an HST lever 29 (see Figure 1) for adjusting the vehicle's traveling speed and switching between forward and reverse travel, a cockpit 4 (see Figure 1), a controller 60 (see Figure 2) for controlling the work vehicle 1, and an operating unit 9 (see Figure 2) having various operating switches.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a main part showing the power transmission mechanism of the work vehicle 1 shown in FIG.

[0033] 3 is transmitted to working devices such as the cleaning blower 16, chemical pump, front wheels 6, rear wheels 7, and spray booms 50, 51 via a transmission case 17 that transmits driving power for traveling and driving power for working, as described below. The cleaning blower 16 is disposed in a storage space 31 formed by seat stays 34 that support the operator's seat 4 from below.

[0034] In this embodiment, the transmission case 17 has a split structure and includes a front transmission case 21 and a rear transmission case 22 that are connected to each other. A hydraulic continuously variable transmission 28 that is operated by an HST lever 29 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the rear transmission case 22.

[0035] Power output by an output shaft 10 extending forward from the engine 3 is first transmitted to a front transmission case 21 via an input shaft 14 by an endless belt 15 wound around a pulley 11 attached to the front part of the output shaft 10 and a pulley 13 attached to the front part of an input shaft 14 to a transmission case 17. The power transmitted to the front transmission case 21 is distributed in two directions, one to a live PTO shaft 23, and the other to a hydraulic continuously variable transmission 28 and the rear transmission case 22 via an intermediate shaft 26 provided with a main clutch 24. The main clutch 24 is configured so that the transmission of power is cut off when a clutch pedal (not shown) provided near the steering wheel 5 is depressed.

[0036] The live PTO shaft 23 is configured to constantly output power from the front transmission case 21 and rotate while the engine 3 is operating, that is, while the output shaft 10 is rotating.

[0037] 3, a pulley 36 is attached to the live PTO shaft 23, and a pulley 37 is attached to an input shaft 40 to the blower 16 located below the cockpit 4 via an electromagnetic clutch 39. When the live PTO shaft 23 rotates with the electromagnetic clutch 39 engaged, the input shaft 40 is rotated by an endless belt 38 stretched around the two pulleys 36, 37.

[0038] 4 is an enlarged view of the blower 16 shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4(a) is a schematic perspective view of the blower 16, and FIG. 4(b) is a schematic front view showing the blades of the blower 16.

[0039] 4(a) or 4(b), the blower 16 includes a housing 55 and impellers 14 housed inside the housing 55. The housing 55 includes an intake section 56 for drawing air into the housing 55 and an exhaust section 57 for discharging the drawn air, and a flexible discharge hose 58 for guiding the discharged air is connected to the exhaust section 57.

[0040] On the other hand, the input shaft 40 to the blower 16 is fixed in a state where it is inserted into a square-tube-shaped tubular portion 43 formed in the center of the blades 14 of the blower 16, and when the input shaft 40 shown in Figures 3 and 4(a) rotates, the blades 14 are rotated, and air in the vicinity of the intake portion 56 is sucked from the intake portion 56 into the inside of the housing 55. The air sucked into the inside of the housing 55 is sent by the rotating blades 14 from the exhaust portion 57 to the inside of the delivery hose 58, and then sent out from the outlet 59.

[0041] The storage space 31 is closed by an openable panel (cover) 49 shown in Fig. 3, and by opening the panel 49, it is possible to take in and out one end of a delivery hose 58, the other end of which is connected to an exhaust unit 57, from the storage space 31. Therefore, a worker can clean the traveling vehicle body 2 by taking out the delivery hose 58 from the storage space 31 into the cabin 20 (see Fig. 1) and driving the blower 16.

[0042] Specifically, inside the cabin 20, dirt and dust such as pollen that have accumulated on the step floor 66 shown in Fig. 3, trapped odors, and the like can be blown out of the vehicle. Also, outside the cabin 20, soil and chemical solution adhering to the vehicle 1 can be blown out onto the field by extending the delivery hose 58 to the outside of the cabin 20 through the opening and closing door 25 (see Fig. 1) or the rear window (not shown).

[0043] Here, each time the blower switch 35 (see FIG. 5) of the operation unit 9 provided to the right of the cockpit 4 is pressed, the electromagnetic clutch 39 is switched on and off based on the output signal of the controller 60. In addition, as described above, the live PTO shaft 23 is configured to constantly transmit power while the engine 3 is operating, so that when starting to clean the traveling body 2 using the blower 16 and when finishing cleaning, the worker can press the blower switch 35 to switch on and off the drive of the blower 16 even when the vehicle is stopped. That is, the electromagnetic clutch 39 is a clutch that switches on and off the transmission of power from the live PTO shaft 23 to the blower 16, which is an example of an air pressure delivery means. In this embodiment, a hook (not shown) is provided in the storage space 31 (behind the cockpit 49), and the worker can hang the delivery hose 58 on the hook in a bundled state and store it.

[0044] The live PTO shaft 23 is connected to a chemical pump rearward of the pulley 36, and while the engine 3 is operating, the power transmitted by the live PTO shaft 23, which is constantly rotating, can be used to supply chemical liquid to the center boom 50 and the pair of left and right side booms 51, 52, regardless of whether the vehicle is traveling or stopped.

[0045] On the other hand, the power transmitted to the hydraulic continuously variable transmission 28 and the rear transmission case 22 is transmitted to the front wheels 6 and rear wheels 7 through the transmission shafts 63, 64 shown in Fig. 3, and is also transmitted to work implements such as the spray booms 50, 51 through the PTO shaft 106. The transmission of power to the transmission shafts 63, 64 and the PTO shaft 106 can be cut off using the main clutch 24.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control system, detection system, input system and drive system of the work vehicle 1 shown in FIG.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the control system of the work vehicle 1 includes a controller 60 that controls the operation of the entire work vehicle 1.

[0048] The controller 60 includes a processing unit 61 having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory unit 62 having a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and the memory unit 62 stores various programs and data for controlling the work vehicle 1.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the detection system of the work vehicle 1 includes an encoder 65 which detects the steering angle of the steering wheel 5, an opening / closing angle sensor 53 which is provided near the pivot fulcrum 19 (see Figure 4) and which detects the rotation angle of each side boom 51, 52 centred on the pivot fulcrum 19 (see Figure 2), and an elevation angle sensor 54 which detects the elevation angle θ of each of the left and right side booms 51, 52 which is changed by the left and right up-down cylinders 44, 45 (see Figure 2).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the work vehicle 1 is equipped with an HST lever 29 and an operation unit 9 (see FIG. 2) which function as an input system.

[0051] The operating unit 9 is equipped with a blower switch 35 which switches the electromagnetic clutch 39 on and off and switches the drive of the blower 16 on and off, a left opening / closing switch 91 and a right opening / closing switch 92 which extend and retract the opening / closing cylinder 18 (see Figures 1 and 2) and rotate each of the pair of left and right side booms 51, 52, and a left lifting switch 93 and a right lifting switch 94 which extend and retract the up-and-down movement cylinders 44, 45 (see Figure 2) and raise and lower the free ends (the rear ends in Figure 2) of each of the pair of left and right side booms 51, 52.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the drive system of the work vehicle 1 includes a drive circuit 47 that outputs a current pulse to the electromagnetic clutch 39 shown in FIG. 3, an HST servo motor 48 that adjusts the opening of the trunnion shaft (not shown) in the hydraulic continuously variable transmission 28 to change the forward / reverse movement and vehicle speed of the work vehicle 1, left and right geared motors 27 (see FIG. 2) that extend and retract the left and right opening / closing cylinders 18 (see FIG. 2) that rotate the pair of left and right side booms 51, 52 shown in FIG. 1, and left and right solenoid valves 46 that extend and retract the left and right up-down cylinders 44, 45 (see FIG. 2).

[0053] According to this embodiment, while the engine 3 is operating, power is transmitted from the live PTO shaft 23, which constantly outputs power from the front transmission case 21, to the blower 16, which is an example of an air compression means. Therefore, the blower 16 can be driven whenever necessary, whether the work vehicle 1 is traveling or stopped.

[0054] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an electromagnetic clutch 39 is provided to switch on and off the transmission of power from the live PTO shaft 23 to the blower 16. Therefore, when not required, the blower switch 35 (see FIG. 5) can be pressed to stop the operation of the blower 16, thereby reducing the load on the live PTO shaft 23.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the blower 16 is disposed within the storage space 31 (see FIG. 3) provided below the cockpit 4 of the traveling vehicle body 2, so that the operating noise and vibration of the blower 16 can be prevented from leaking outside the storage space 31, i.e., near the cockpit 4 (soundproofing, vibration proofing).

[0056] In addition, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the delivery hose 58 that guides the air delivered from the blower 16 can be moved in and out of the storage space 31 by opening the panel 49, so that the delivery hose 58 does not get in the way of the worker (or the operator of the work vehicle 1) when the blower 16 is not in use.

[0057] Furthermore, the delivery hose 58 removed from the storage space 31 can be directed onto the field to blow away and remove soil and chemical solution adhering to the traveling body 2, including the area near the driver's seat 4, thereby preventing the soil and chemical solution from flowing out of the field.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view showing the inside of the bonnet 12 of a work vehicle 1 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] 6, the engine 3 is mounted on and fixed to left and right front frames 69 (only the left front frame 69 is shown) provided at the front of the traveling body 2, and is located in an engine room 68 defined above by the bonnet 12 and in front by a front grill 70. In addition to the engine 3, the engine room 68 also contains a cooling fan 72, a radiator 71, and a dustproof net 67 provided on the back of the radiator 71.

[0060] In this embodiment, similarly to the above embodiment, work vehicle 1 is a chemical solution spraying vehicle, and is configured so that, to prevent the chemical solution sprayed from center boom 50 (see FIG. 1) from excessively seeping into the vicinity of radiator 71, cooling fan 72 is driven to draw outside air into the vicinity of radiator 71 and engine 3 in engine compartment 68 from the vicinity of handle post cover 74 that covers handle post 73, as shown by multiple arrows in FIG. 6. In this way, supplying outside air to the vicinity of radiator 71 makes it possible to prevent engine 3 from overheating.

[0061] The outside air supplied to the vicinity of the radiator 71 and the engine 3 contains a large amount of impurities such as pollen, and when the outside air passes through the dustproof net 67 provided behind the radiator 71, these impurities adhere to the dustproof net 67. If the impurities accumulate on the dustproof net 67 and cause clogging, a sufficient amount of outside air will not be supplied to the vicinity of the radiator 71 and the engine 3, which may cause the engine 3 to overheat. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the impurities accumulated on the dustproof net 67 from above the dustproof net 67, but it is troublesome to open the bonnet 12 and frequently clean the dustproof net 67.

[0062] In consideration of such circumstances, in this embodiment, a blower 16 shown in FIG. 4 is used to suck up and remove impurities such as pollen adhering to the dustproof net 67, and discharge them below the traveling vehicle body 2.

[0063] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, an intake port 32, which is one end of an intake duct 75 for sucking in and removing impurities, is located near the dustproof net 67, and this intake duct 75 extends rearward below the step floor 66, and the other end is connected to the intake section 56 of the blower 16 shown in FIG. 4.

[0064] Therefore, while the engine 3 is running, the worker can periodically press the blower switch 35 to drive the blower 16, thereby sucking in and removing contaminants such as pollen adhering to the back surface of the dustproof net 67 through the suction port 32 of the intake duct 75, thereby preventing the engine 3 from overheating. In addition, there is no need to open the hood 12 and directly clean the dustproof net 67, thereby saving manpower.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, the delivery hose 58 (see Figure 4) extending from the exhaust section 57 of the blower 16 is positioned facing downward of the traveling body 2 (under the step floor 66) as shown in Figure 6, so that the impurities can be discharged onto the field without exposing the worker to the exhaust air from the blower 16 containing the impurities sucked in through the dustproof net 67.

[0066] Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of each of the following embodiments, including this embodiment, is the same as the above-mentioned embodiment. In this embodiment, too, power is transmitted from the live PTO shaft (see FIG. 3), which is constantly rotating, to the blower 16 via the input shaft 40 while the engine 3 is operating. Therefore, by turning on the electromagnetic clutch 39, the blower 16 can suck up impurities and discharge them into the field, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or stopped.

[0067] According to this embodiment, as in the above embodiment, the blower 16, which is an example of an air pressure supplying means, is arranged in a storage space 31 provided below the cockpit 4 (although this is a different embodiment, see FIG. 3), so that the operating noise and vibration of the blower 16 can be prevented from leaking to the outside, i.e., near the cockpit 4.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the suction port 32 of the intake duct 75 connected to the intake section 56 of the blower 16 is positioned near the dustproof net 67 that receives the impurities, as shown in FIG. 6, and is directed toward the dustproof net 67. Therefore, the impurities adhering to the dustproof net 67 can be sucked up and removed by the blower 16, thereby preventing the engine 3 from overheating due to clogging of the dustproof net 67.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the air sucked by the blower 16 is configured to be discharged below the traveling body 2, so that the impurities can be discharged onto the field without exposing the operator to exhaust air containing the impurities. In this embodiment, the impurities are discharged below the traveling body 2 using the discharge hose 58 connected to the exhaust part 57 of the blower 16, but it is not always necessary to use the discharge hose 58, and the impurities may be directly discharged below the traveling body 2 from the exhaust part 57 of the blower 16. In this case, by directing the exhaust part 57 below the machine body, it is possible to prevent the impurities from remaining in the storage space 31.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system, a detection system, an input system and a drive system of a work vehicle 1 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic left side view showing the vicinity of the bonnet 12 of the work vehicle 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0071] 7, the work vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an engine operation detection means 76 that detects the operating state of the engine 3 as a detection system in addition to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5. Note that the engine operation detection means 76 is composed of a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the engine 3, but may be configured to detect the operation of the engine 3 by other means.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, instead of the delivery hose 58 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, a delivery duct 77 shown in Figure 8 is connected to the exhaust section 57 of the blower 16 (see Figure 4), and as shown in Figure 8, the outlet 78 of this delivery duct 77 is extended below the traveling body 2, specifically, to below the engine room 68, and when the engine operation detection means 76 detects that the engine 3 is operating, the electromagnetic clutch 39 is turned on based on the output signal of the controller 60, the blower 16 is driven, and air is delivered from the outlet 78 to the underside of the body 2 (below the engine room 68).

[0073] With this configuration, the temperature of the lower part of the vehicle body 2 (the part below the engine compartment 68) can be lowered, and as shown in FIG. 8, the crops located under the belly of the vehicle body 2 can be physically moved away from the vicinity of the engine compartment 68 by the wind, thereby preventing the crops from coming into contact with the lower part of the vehicle body 2, which becomes hot due to the operation of the engine 3, and being burned, or from being damaged by radiant heat.

[0074] In addition, the electromagnetic clutch 39 is turned on and air is sent out below the vehicle body 2 only while the engine 3 is operating, so that energy consumption can be reduced.

[0075] In this embodiment, similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, no duct is connected to the intake section 56, and the air in the storage space 31 is configured to be sent out to a space located below the engine compartment 68, as shown in Figure 8.

[0076] According to this embodiment, when the engine 3 is operating, air is blown downward from the outlet 78 of the exhaust duct 77 to the traveling body 2, so that crops located below the traveling body 2 can be kept away from the vicinity of the engine 3, which becomes hot when the engine 3 is operating, and the crops can be prevented from being damaged by radiant heat emitted from the vicinity of the engine 3 or from being burnt by coming into contact with the vicinity of the engine 3.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system, a detection system, an input system and a drive system of a work vehicle 1 according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing drive control of the air pressurized feeding means by a controller 60 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 9, the work vehicle 1 according to this embodiment further includes, as a detection system, a travel detection means 79 that detects whether the work vehicle 1 is traveling or not, in addition to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Note that in this embodiment, a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the rear wheels 7 is used as the travel detection means, but a GNSS receiver may be used, or the travel clutch that transmits power to the drive wheels may be configured to detect on / off.

[0079] Also, in this embodiment, as in the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, no duct of any kind is connected to the intake section 56, and the outlet 78 (see Figure 8) of the delivery duct 77 connected to the exhaust section 57 (see Figure 4) of the blower 16 is directed downwardly of the traveling vehicle body 2, specifically, downwardly of the engine room 68.

[0080] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, when the engine operation detection means 76 detects that the engine 3 is operating (step s1) and the travel detection means 79 detects that the work vehicle 1 is stopped (step s2), the electromagnetic clutch 39 is turned on (step s3) based on the output signal of the controller 60, and the blower 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), which is an example of an air pressure supplying means, is driven.

[0081] Thus, in this embodiment, the blower 16 is configured to be automatically driven when the requirement that the engine 3 is operating and the work vehicle 1 is not traveling are satisfied, so that it is possible to reduce energy consumption while keeping the crops away from the vicinity of the engine compartment 68 and protecting them from the heat of the engine 3. Simply put, if the engine 3 is operating but the work vehicle 1 is traveling and the time that the crops are in contact with the underbelly portion of the traveling body 2 (the portion below the engine compartment 68) is short, the heat of the engine 3 is not easily transmitted to the crops, so in this embodiment, the blower 16 is configured not to be driven when the work vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0082] According to this embodiment, when the engine 3 is operating and the work vehicle 1 is stopped, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, air is blown downwardly from the outlet 78 of the delivery duct 77 connected to the exhaust section 57 of the blower 16 toward the bottom of the traveling body 2. As in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, this prevents crops at the stopped position from being damaged by the heat of the engine 3, and allows the blower 16, which is an example of an air pressure delivery means, to be stopped while the work vehicle 1 is traveling, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0083] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system, a detection system, an input system and a drive system of a work vehicle 1 according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing drive control of the air pressurized feeding means by a controller 60 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0084] As shown in Figure 11, the work vehicle 1 in this embodiment, in addition to the detection system of the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, further includes a temperature sensor 80 that detects the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body 2 (the underbelly part of the traveling body 2), specifically, the temperature of the part located below the engine room 68 (see Figure 8).

[0085] Also, in this embodiment, as in the cases of each embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 10, no duct of any kind is connected to the intake section 56, and the outlet 78 (see Figure 8) of the delivery duct 77 connected to the exhaust section 57 (see Figure 4) of the blower 16 is directed downwardly of the traveling vehicle body 2, specifically, downwardly of the engine room 68.

[0086] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, when the engine operation detection means 76 detects that the engine 3 is operating (step ss1), and the travel detection means 79 detects that the work vehicle 1 is stopped (step ss2), and the temperature of the lower part of the travelling body 2 (specifically, the part below the engine compartment 68) detected by the temperature sensor 80 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (step ss3), the electromagnetic clutch 39 is turned on based on the output signal of the controller 60 (step ss4), and the blower 16 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), which is an example of an air pressure supply means, is driven.

[0087] Thus, in this embodiment, the blower 16 is configured to be automatically driven when the essential requirement that the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature is satisfied, in addition to the requirement that the engine 3 is operating and the work vehicle 1 is stopped, so that it is possible to effectively reduce energy consumption while keeping the crops away from the vicinity of the engine compartment 68 and protecting them from the heat of the engine 3. In simple terms, even if the engine 3 is operating and the work vehicle 1 is stopped, if the temperature of the essential lower part of the traveling body 2 is not too hot, there is no problem with the crops located below the body, and therefore in such a case, the blower 16 is configured not to be driven in this embodiment.

[0088] According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, even if the engine 3 is operating and the work vehicle 1 is stopped, if the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body 2 is below a predetermined temperature, power is not transmitted to the blower 16, which is an example of an air compression means. This prevents the blower 16 from being driven at unnecessary times, thereby further reducing energy consumption.

[0089] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the steering handle 5, the cockpit 4 and the vicinity thereof according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0090] FIG. 13 shows the vicinity of the steering wheel 5 and the cockpit seat 4 inside the cabin 20 as viewed from the right and diagonally above.

[0091] In this embodiment, an operation box 82 in which a left lift switch 93 and a right lift switch 94 for raising and lowering the free ends of each of the pair of left and right side booms 51, 52 are arranged is provided to the right of the steering handle 5, and the operation box 82 can be moved between the stored position shown in Figure 13 and the use position as described below, so that the operation box 82 does not get in the way, particularly when getting on and off through the right-side opening and closing door 25.

[0092] As shown in Figure 13, an arm 84 having two pivot points 83 and a stay 85 are attached to the handle post cover 74, and the operation box 82 is fixed to one end of the arm 84, the end opposite the end attached to the handle post cover 74.

[0093] The stay 85 is formed with a groove 86 that is substantially L-shaped in side view, and the groove 86 has a vertical extension portion 87 that extends in the vertical direction (up-down direction) of the drawing and a horizontal extension portion 88 that extends in the horizontal direction (front-rear direction) of the drawing. The vertical extension portion 87 and the horizontal extension portion 88 are formed continuously.

[0094] The arm 84 to which the operation box 82 is fixed is fixed in position to the stay 85 using a knob bolt 89 and a nut (not shown) shown in Figure 13, and after turning the knob bolt 89 to loosen the screw engagement with the nut, the operation box 82 can be moved by sliding the threaded portion of the knob bolt 89 along the groove 86 (see dotted line with arrow).

[0095] When using the operation box 82, the operator can operate and control the operation box 82 with his right hand and the steering wheel 5 with his left hand by moving the operation box 82 so that the threaded portion of the knob bolt 89 is located at the rear of the horizontal extension portion 88 (on the driver's seat 4 side) and positioning it in the "use position" shown by the dashed line in Fig. 13. When in the "use position", the operation box 82 is located at approximately the same height as the operation unit 9 (pest control controller), and the arm 84 is located in the position shown by the dashed line.

[0096] On the other hand, when the operation box 82 is not in use, the operation box 82 can be moved so that the threaded portion of the knob bolt 89 is positioned at the top of the vertical extension portion 87, and positioned in the “storage position” shown in FIG. 13, so that the operation box 82 does not get in the way when getting on and off the cabin 20.

[0097] When the operation box 82 is moved to the storage position, as shown in Fig. 13, the arm 84 rotates to place the operation box 82 in a substantially vertical position, and the operation box 82 is not bulky in the front-to-rear direction. On the other hand, when the operation box 82 is moved to the usage position, the arm 84 rotates to place the operation box 82 in a substantially horizontal position, which provides good operability.

[0098] In this embodiment, the arm 84 and the stay 85 are fastened together to the handle post cover 74, thereby saving space.

[0099] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the vicinity of the left opening and closing door 25 of the cabin 20 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, a first handrail 97 and a second handrail 98 rotatably attached to the first handrail 97 are provided near the opening and closing door 25 of the cabin 20.

[0101] The upper end of the first handrail 97 is attached to the door rear frame 81 (see also Figs. 1 and 13) located behind the opening and closing door 25 of the cabin 20, and the lower end is attached to the rear surface of the lower tread 102 of the sub-step 90 provided on the left side of the cabin 20, so that when a worker uses the sub-step 90 to get on and off the cabin 20, he or she can grasp the first handrail 97 and safely get on and off. In this embodiment, the first handrail 97 is made of a pipe, which is easy to grip and lightweight.

[0102] On the other hand, the second handrail 98 is normally positioned to extend in the vertical direction and functions as a reinforcing member for the first handrail 97. When working at height, the second handrail 98 can be rotated around the upper part of the first handrail 97 as described below and used as a handrail extending in the front-to-rear direction.

[0103] FIG. 15 is a schematic left side view showing how the second handrail 98 shown in FIG. 14 is rotated.

[0104] The second handrail 98 comprises a cylindrical handrail main body 105 and an approximately J-shaped hook 99 with part of it inserted inside the handrail main body 105, and is configured so that, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the handrail main body 105 can be switched between a position in which it extends in the vertical direction (shown by solid lines) and a position in which it extends in the approximately front-to-rear direction (see the second handrail 98 shown by dashed lines).

[0105] When the handrail main body 105 is in a position extending in the vertical direction, the hook 99 is hooked onto the upper part of the fixing pipe 100 of the sub-step 90 to the running body 2, and when the handrail main body 105 is switched to a position extending in the approximately fore-aft direction, the left-side opening and closing door 25 is opened by sliding it forward and to the left, and the hook 99 of the second handrail 98 removed from the fixing pipe 100 is hooked onto the pin 95 (see Figure 14) provided on the inside of the cabin 20, thereby fixing the handrail main body 105 in a position extending in the approximately fore-aft direction.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 15, the hook 99 is connected to the handrail main body 105 via a spring 96 provided inside the handrail main body 105, and the length of the portion exposed from the handrail main body 105 can be changed by sliding the hook 99.

[0107] Therefore, when removing the hook 99 of the second handrail 98 from the fixing pipe 100 of the sub-step 90, the worker can easily remove the hook 99 from the fixing pipe 100 by sliding the hook 99 downward. When the hook 99 is removed from the fixing pipe 100, the contraction force of the spring 96 causes the hook 99 to slide into the handrail main body 105, so when the second handrail 98 is rotated forward, the hook 99 does not come into contact with the underside of the pin 95 shown in FIG. 15 and is not crushed.

[0108] On the other hand, when hooking the hook 99 onto the pin 95, the worker temporarily rotates the handrail main body 105 slightly upward from the position indicated by the dashed line in Figure 15, slides the hook 99 forward, and then rotates the handrail main body 105 downward until the straight-line portion of the hook 99 abuts the pin 95, and then returns the hook 99 to the rear (while sliding the hook 99 into the handrail main body 105) while hooking it onto the pin 95, thereby easily fixing the second handrail 98 in a position extending approximately in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0109] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0110] For example, in each embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15, the work vehicle 1 is configured as a pesticide spraying vehicle, but it is not necessarily necessary to configure the work vehicle as a pesticide spraying vehicle, and it may be configured as a transplanter, tractor, etc.

[0111] In addition, in each embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15, the transmission case 17 has a split structure with a front transmission case 21 and a rear transmission case 22, but it is not necessarily required that the transmission case 17 has a split structure.

[0112] Furthermore, in each embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 15, the blower 16 is used as the air pressure delivery means, but an air compressor or a heat circulator may be used to suck and deliver air. For example, when an air compressor is used as the air pressure delivery means, the rotational motion of the input shaft 40 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is used as the driving force to move a piston inside the compressor up and down to compress the air, and an electromagnetic valve may be provided in the air supply path from the air compressor, and the electromagnetic valve may be opened based on the output signal of the controller 60 when necessary to deliver the air. The air pressure delivery means may be disposed below the traveling body 2, and when a heat circulator is used as the air pressure delivery means, the air may be directly delivered from the heat circulator to the underside of the traveling body 2 (specifically, below the engine room 68). In this case, it is necessary to transmit power directly or indirectly from the live PTO shaft 23 shown in Fig. 3 to the heat circulator disposed below the traveling body 2. Furthermore, when the heat circulator is disposed under the traveling body 2, if the engine is running and the work vehicle is stopped, or if the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or if the work vehicle is stopped and the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the heat circulator is configured to be automatically driven based on an output signal from the controller, thereby protecting the crops from the heat of the engine while preventing the heat circulator from being driven when it is not needed, thereby reducing energy consumption. In addition, when the heat circulator is disposed under the traveling body 2, maintenance of the heat circulator is easier than when it is disposed in the storage space 31 shown in FIG. 3.

[0113] Also, in each embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15, the blower 16 is configured to receive power from the live PTO shaft 23 via the input shaft 40, but it may also be configured to receive power directly from the live PTO shaft.

[0114] Furthermore, in each embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 15, as shown in Figure 8, the air is configured to be blown out from above downward using a delivery duct 77 whose outlet 78 is directed downward of the traveling body 2 (specifically, below the engine room 68); however, as long as air can be blown out to a position below the traveling body 2, the direction of the outlet 78 of the delivery duct 77 is not limited to downward, and for example, the outlet 78 of the delivery duct 77 may be directed forward to blow out air from the rear, particularly to a position below the engine room 68.

[0115] In addition, in the embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, as shown in Figure 12, when the engine 3 is running, the work vehicle 1 is stopped, and the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body 2 detected by the temperature sensor 80 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the controller 60 is configured to turn on the electromagnetic clutch 39 and drive the air pumping means. However, the controller 60 may also be configured to turn on the electromagnetic clutch 39 and drive the air pumping means when the engine 3 is running and the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body 2 detected by the temperature sensor 80 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. In this case, it is possible to prevent crops from coming into contact with the underside of the traveling body 2 and being damaged, regardless of whether the work vehicle 1 is stopped or traveling. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1 Work vehicle 2 Running vehicle 3 Engine 4. Cockpit 5 Steering handle 6 Front wheel 7 Rear wheel 8. Mainframe 9 Control section 10 Output shaft 11 Pulley 12. Bonnet 13 Pulley 14 Input shaft (front transmission case) 15 Endless Belt 16 Blower 17 Mission Case 18 Opening and closing cylinder 19 Pivot Point 20 Cabin 21 Front Mission Case 22 Rear transmission case 23 Live PTO shaft 24 Main clutch 25 Opening and closing doors 26 Intermediate shaft 27 Geared motor 28 Hydraulic continuously variable transmission 29 HST lever 30 Chemical tank 31 Storage space 32 Intake port 33 Rear window 34 Seat stay 35 Blower switch 36 Pulley 37 Pulley 38 Endless Belt 39 Electromagnetic clutch 40 Input shaft (blower) 41 Feather 42 Nozzle 43 Cylinder part 44 Left side up / down cylinder 45 Right side up / down cylinder 46 Solenoid valve 47 Drive circuit 48 HST servo motor Panel 49 50 Center boom 51 Left side boom 52 Right side boom 53 Opening and closing angle sensor 54 Elevation Sensor 55 Housing 56 Intake section 57 Exhaust section 58 Delivery hose 59 Air Outlet 60 Controller 61 Processing section 62 Storage section 63 Transmission shaft 64 Transmission shaft 65 Encoder 66 Step Floor 67 Dustproof net 68 Engine Room 69 Front Frame 70 Front Grill 71 Radiator 72 Cooling fan 73 Handle post 74 Handle post cover 75 Intake duct 76 Engine operation detection means 77 Delivery Duct 78 Air Outlet 79 Travel detection means 80 Temperature Sensor 81 Rear door frame 82 Operation box 83 Pivot Point 84 Arm 85 Stay 86 Groove 87 Vertical extension 88 Horizontal section 89 Knob bolt 90 substeps 91 Left opening / closing switch 92 Right opening / closing switch 93 Left lift switch 94 Right lift switch 95 pin 96 Spring 97 First Railing 98 Second Handrail 99 Hook 100 Fixing pipe 101 Upper tread 102 Lower tread 103 Pivot Point 105 Handrail body 106 PTO shaft

Claims

1. A vehicle body having an engine, a transmission case, and a traveling device for traveling in a farm field; and an air pump means. the air pumping means is configured to receive power from a live PTO shaft that constantly outputs power from the transmission case while the engine is operating, and to pump out the sucked air; a clutch is provided for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of power from the live PTO shaft to the air pumping means; The air pressure supplying means is disposed in a storage space provided below a driver's seat of the traveling vehicle body, A radiator that radiates heat from the engine is provided with a dustproof net that receives foreign matter; a suction port of an air intake duct connected to the air intake section of the air pressure delivery means is positioned in the vicinity of the dustproof net and directed toward the dustproof net, and air sucked in through the air intake duct by the air pressure delivery means is sent out below the traveling vehicle body.

2. A vehicle body having an engine, a transmission case, and a traveling device for traveling in a field; and an air pump means. the air pumping means is configured to receive power from a live PTO shaft that constantly outputs power from the transmission case while the engine is operating, and to pump out the sucked air; a clutch is provided for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of power from the live PTO shaft to the air pumping means; An engine operation detection means for detecting an operating state of the engine is provided, The air pressure supplying means is disposed in a storage space provided below a driver's seat of the traveling vehicle body, an outlet of a blow-out duct for guiding the air blown out from the air pressure blowing means is directed downwardly to a traveling vehicle body; A work vehicle characterized in that power is transmitted to said air pressure feeding means via said clutch on the condition that said engine operation detection means detects that the engine is operating.

3. A travel detection means is provided for detecting whether the work vehicle is traveling or not, 3. The work vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the condition for transmitting power to the air pressure supplying means via the clutch further includes the detection by the travel detection means that the work vehicle is stopped.

4. A temperature sensor is provided to detect the temperature of a lower portion of the vehicle body.

4. The work vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the condition for transmitting power to the air pressure supplying means via the clutch further includes that the temperature of the lower part of the traveling body detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

Images