Work machine

Abstract

To provide a work machine comprising a cooling water tank preventing leakage of cooling water with a small size and a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A work machine comprises: an engine; a radiator for returning cooling water which has cooled the engine to the engine after heat exchange between the cooling water and cooling wind; and a cooling water tank connected to the engine and the radiator. The cooling water tank has an air discharge port for discharging air in an inside space of the cooling water tank. The cooling water tank comprises: a water storage portion for storing the cooling water; and a water supply portion provided above the water storage portion and having a cap. The water storage portion has: a first communication hole formed above the water storage portion and making the water storage portion communicate with the water supply portion; and a first cylinder body extending to an inside of the water storage portion from the first communication hole. A diameter of the first communication hole is smaller than an inner diameter of the first cylinder body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a working machine that prevents leakage of cooling water.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, working machines typified by hydraulic excavators and wheel loaders include an engine, a radiator that exchanges heat between cooling air and cooling water that cools the engine and then returns the cooling water to the engine again, and a cooling water tank connected to the engine and the radiator.

[0003] In such a working machine, when the vibration becomes large during traveling, the cooling water inside the cooling water tank may splash up and leak out to the outside through the air bleeding hose. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling water tank in which a cylinder body constituting a water supply port for replenishing cooling water and a cylinder body to which the air bleeding hose is attached are independently formed on the top wall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide two cylinder bodies on the top wall of the cooling water tank. Therefore, there is a problem that the cooling water tank becomes large in the horizontal direction and the structure becomes complicated.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described actual situation, and an object thereof is to provide a working machine including a cooling water tank that prevents leakage of cooling water with a small and simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention includes an engine, a radiator that exchanges heat between cooling water that cools the engine and cooling air and then returns the cooling water to the engine again, and a cooling water tank connected to the engine and the radiator. to obtain In a working machine, the cooling water tank includes a water storage portion that stores cooling water, and a water supply portion provided above the water storage portion. to be able to And a water supply portion. having The water storage portion is formed above the water storage portion. a ceiling wall that defines A first communication hole that communicates the water storage portion and the water supply portion, attached to the ceiling wall and extending from the ceiling wall And a first cylindrical body extending inside the water storage portion. 、 The diameter of the first communication hole is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical body. The first cylindrical body is disposed at a position surrounding the first communication hole, and the water supply unit includes a second cylindrical body having an air discharge port for discharging air in the internal space of the cooling water tank, and a connection space connecting the second cylindrical body and the water storage unit This is a feature.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a working machine having a cooling water tank with a small and simple configuration that prevents leakage of cooling water can be obtained. In addition, problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the wheel loader 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present specification, the front, rear, left, and right are based on the perspective of an operator who rides on and operates the wheel loader 10, unless otherwise specified. Note that the specific example of the work machine is not limited to the wheel loader 10, and may be a hydraulic excavator, a dump truck, a crane, or the like.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of the wheel loader 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel loader 10 has a vehicle body composed of a front frame 11 and a rear frame 12. The front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 are rotatably connected in the left - right direction by a center pin 13. Further, the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 are connected by a pair of left - right steering cylinders 14L and 14R. The pair of steering cylinders 14L and 14R expand and contract by receiving the supply of hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump (not shown).

[0012] By extending one of the pair of steering cylinders 14L and 14R and retracting the other, the front frame 11 bends in the left - right direction with respect to the rear frame 12 around the center pin 13. As a result, the relative mounting angle between the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 changes, and the vehicle body bends and turns. That is, this wheel loader 10 is an articulated type in which the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 are bent around the center pin 13.

[0013] The front frame 11 supports a pair of left - right front tires 15L and 15R and a front work implement 16. The front work implement 16 is composed of a lift arm 17, a bucket 18, a pair of lift - arm cylinders (not shown), a bucket cylinder 19, and a bell crank 20.

[0014] The lift arm 17 is attached to the front frame 11 at a distance in the width direction (left - right direction) of the wheel loader 10. Also, the lift arm 17 extends in the front - rear direction. More specifically, the front end of the lift arm 17 is rotatably connected to the bucket 18, and the rear end is rotatably connected to the front frame 11. And the lift arm 17 rotates (pitches) in the vertical direction by the extension and contraction of a pair of lift arm cylinders.

[0015] The bucket 18 has a concave - shaped space capable of accommodating luggage (such as earth and sand). Also, the bucket 18 is supported rotatably (tilted or dumped) at the front end of the lift arm 17. More specifically, the bucket 18 rotates in the vertical direction as the bell crank 20 rotates with the extension and contraction of the bucket cylinder 19.

[0016] The rear frame 12 supports a pair of left and right rear tires 21L, 21R, a cab 22 (driver's cab), and an engine housing 23 (housing).

[0017] An internal space for an operator to operate the wheel loader 10 is formed in the cab 22. Inside the cab 22, a seat (not shown) on which the operator sits and an operating device (not shown) operated by the operator sitting on the seat are arranged. When the operator boarding the cab 22 operates the operating device, the wheel loader 10 travels and the front working machine 16 operates.

[0018] The engine housing 23 is disposed behind the cab 22. The engine housing 23 has an internal space surrounded by a pair of side covers 24L and 24R, a top cover 25, and a rear cover 26. The pair of side covers 24L and 24R are erected at a distance in the left-right direction and define the left-right ends of the engine housing 23. The top cover 25 is spanned over the upper ends of the pair of side covers 24L and 24R and defines the upper end of the engine housing 23. The rear cover 26 is spanned over the rear ends of the pair of side covers 24L and 24R and the top cover 25 and defines the rear end of the engine housing 23. Further, the side covers 24L and 24R and the rear cover 26 are provided with ventilation openings.

[0019] The internal space of the engine housing 23 houses the engine 27, the radiator 28, the cooling fan 29, the cooling water tank 30, and the like. Although not shown, the internal space of the engine housing 23 houses a purification device for purifying exhaust gas, a hydraulic circuit (for example, a hydraulic oil tank, a hydraulic pump) for operating the front working machine 16, a transmission for traveling, and the like.

[0020] The engine 27 generates a driving force for operating the wheel loader 10. When the driving force of the engine 27 is transmitted, the front tires 15L and 15R and the rear tires 21L and 21R rotate. Thereby, the wheel loader 10 travels. The radiator 28 supplies cooling water to the engine 27, exchanges heat between the cooling water discharged from the engine 27 and the cooling air, and returns the heat-exchanged cooling water to the engine 27 again. Further, the engine 27 drives a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic oil to a hydraulic motor and rotationally drives the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is connected to the cooling fan 29 and rotationally drives the cooling fan 29. That is, the cooling fan 29 rotates by the driving force of the engine 27 via the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump and supplies cooling air to the radiator 28.

[0021] The cooling water tank 30 stores a part of the cooling water circulating between the engine 27 and the radiator 28. In other words, the cooling water tank 30 functions as a buffer for adjusting the amount of cooling water circulating between the engine 27 and the radiator 28. More specifically, when the cooling water expands due to the heat of the engine 27, the overflowed cooling water from the engine 27 and the radiator 28 flows into the cooling water tank 30. Also, when the cooling water contracts due to a temperature drop, the cooling water insufficient in the engine 27 and the radiator 28 is supplied from the cooling water tank 30. Furthermore, the bubbles (air) generated in the engine 27 and the radiator 28 are discharged through the cooling water tank 30.

[0022] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, the configuration of the cooling water tank 30 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the internal space of the engine building 23. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling water tank 30. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cooling water tank 30 at the position of the first communication hole 49. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cooling water tank 30 at the position of the second communication hole 50. FIG. 6 is a perspective view and a plan view of a cross section of the cooling water tank 30.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooling water tank 30 is composed of a water storage part 37 and a water supply part 54. The water storage part 37 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape composed of a top wall 31, side walls 32, 33, 34, 35, and a bottom wall 36. More specifically, the cooling water tank 30 is configured by combining a member in which the top wall 31, the side wall 33, and the bottom wall 36 are integrated, and a member in which the side walls 32, 34, 35 are integrated. And the water storage part 37 has an internal space for storing cooling water. However, the shape and the forming method of the cooling water tank 30 are not limited to the above example.

[0024] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the cooling water tank 30 has a first inlet 38, a second inlet 39, a cooling water discharge port 40, an air discharge port 41, a remaining amount sensor 42, a first cylinder 43, a connection space defining member 44, a second cylinder 45, an upper partition 46, a lower partition 47, and a cap 48. The connection space defining member 44, the second cylinder 45, and the cap 48 constitute an example of the water supply section 54. That is, the water supply section 54 is provided above the water storage section 37.

[0025] The first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39 are cylindrical members attached to through holes penetrating the side wall 32. A hose 38a extending from the engine 27 is connected to the first inlet 38. A hose 39a extending from the radiator 28 is connected to the second inlet 39. Then, the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39 allow the cooling water and air discharged from the engine 27 and the radiator 28 to flow into the internal space of the water storage section 37 through the hoses 38a and 39a.

[0026] The cooling water discharge port 40 is a cylindrical member attached to a through hole penetrating the side wall 35 below the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39. A hose 40a connected to the cooling water discharge port 40 is connected to the engine 27. Then, the cooling water stored in the internal space of the water storage section 37 is supplied to the engine 27 through the hose 40a connected to the cooling water discharge port 40.

[0027] The air discharge port 41 is a cylindrical member attached to a through hole penetrating the side surface of the second cylinder 45. That is, the air discharge port 41 is disposed above the top wall 31. Also, the other end of the drain tube 41a connected to the air discharge port 41 is open to the outside. Then, when the pressure in the internal space of the water storage section 37 increases, the air in the internal space of the water storage section 37 is discharged to the outside through the drain tube 41a connected to the air discharge port 41.

[0028] The remaining amount sensor 42 is provided on the side wall 32 below the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39 and above the cooling water discharge port 40. The remaining amount sensor 42 detects the remaining amount of the cooling water stored in the internal space of the water storage portion 37 and outputs the detection result to a controller (not shown). The remaining amount sensor 42 can be realized by a well-known sensor such as a contact type sensor or an optical type sensor.

[0029] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a first communication hole 49, and second communication holes 50 and 51 are formed in the top wall 31 (that is, the upper side of the water storage portion 37) of the water storage portion 37. The first communication hole 49 and the second communication holes 50 and 51 penetrate the top wall 31 in the thickness direction. The first communication hole 49 is provided at the center of the top wall 31. The second communication holes 50 and 51 are provided at positions symmetric with respect to the center of the first communication hole 49. However, the positions and the number of the second communication holes 50 and 51 are not limited to the example of FIG. 3. Also, the diameters of the second communication holes 50 and 51 are set smaller than the diameter of the first communication hole 49.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the first cylinder 43, the connection space defining member 44, and the second cylinder 45 are arranged so as to surround the first communication hole 49 of the top wall 31. And the first cylinder 43, the connection space defining member 44, and the second cylinder 45 serve to supply cooling water to the water storage portion 37, discharge air from the internal space of the water storage portion 37, and prevent leakage of the cooling water stored in the internal space of the water storage portion 37.

[0031] The first cylinder 43 has a cylindrical outer shape. The upper end of the first cylinder 43 is attached to the lower surface of the top wall 31 at a position surrounding the first communication hole 49 and inside the second communication holes 50 and 51. Also, the first cylinder 43 extends downward from the top wall 31 toward the internal space of the water storage portion 37. And the top wall 31 projects inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder 43 and is continuous in the circumferential direction. In other words, the inner diameter D1 of the first cylinder 43 is set larger than the diameter D2 of the first communication hole 49 (D1>D2).

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connection space defining member 44 is attached to the upper surface of the top wall 31 at a position surrounding the first communication hole 49 and the second communication holes 50 and 51. The connection space defining member 44 is composed of an upper wall 44a extending parallel to the top wall 31 and leg walls 44b, 44c, 44d, and 44e extending from the outer edge of the upper wall 44a toward the top wall 31. Further, a third communication hole 44f penetrating the upper wall 44a in the thickness direction is formed in the connection space defining member 44. That is, the third communication hole 44f is formed above the connection space 52. Also, the third communication hole 44f is set to have a diameter equal to or smaller than that of the first communication hole 49.

[0033] Then, at a position surrounding the first communication hole 49 and the second communication holes 50 and 51, by bringing the leg walls 44b to 44e into contact with the upper surface of the top wall 31, a connection space 52 is defined between the top wall 31 of the water storage portion 37 and the connection space defining member 44. The connection space 52 is a space communicating with the internal space of the water storage portion 37 through the first communication hole 49 and the second communication holes 50 and 51.

[0034] The second cylinder 45 has a cylindrical outer shape. The lower end of the second cylinder 45 is connected to the third communication hole 44f of the connection space defining member 44. Also, the second cylinder 45 extends upward from the top wall 31 (more specifically, the upper wall 44a of the connection space defining member 44) toward the outside of the water storage portion 37. An air discharge port 41 is attached to the side surface of the second cylinder 45. Further, the upper end of the second cylinder 45 is opened and closed by a detachable cap 48.

[0035] As a result, the internal space of the first cylinder 43 and the internal space of the second cylinder 45 communicate with each other through the first communication hole 49 and the connection space 52. As a result, the cooling water poured from the upper end of the second cylinder 45 with the cap 48 removed is supplied to the internal space of the water storage portion 37 through the second cylinder 45, the connection space 52, the first communication hole 49, and the first cylinder 43.

[0036] Further, the internal space of the water storage part 37 and the connection space 52 communicate with each other through second communication holes 50 and 51 formed outside the outer peripheral surface of the first cylinder body 43. Thereby, when the pressure in the internal space of the water storage part 37 rises, the air in the internal space of the water storage part 37 is discharged to the outside of the cooling water tank 30 through the second communication holes 50 and 51, the connection space 52, the second cylinder body 45, the air discharge port 41, and the drain tube 41a.

[0037] Also, when the water surface of the cooling water drops below the lower end of the first cylinder body 43 due to vibrations of the wheel loader 10 or the like, the air in the internal space of the water storage part 37 enters the first cylinder body 43. This air is discharged to the outside of the cooling water tank 30 through the first cylinder body 43, the first communication hole 49, the connection space 52, the second cylinder body 45, the air discharge port 41, and the drain tube 41a.

[0038] Furthermore, due to vibrations of the wheel loader 10 or the like, the cooling water in the water storage part 37 may jump up inside the first cylinder body 43. This cooling water is blocked from passing through the first communication hole 49 by the top wall 31 that projects inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder body 43 at the upper end of the first cylinder body 43. Also, the cooling water that has passed through the first communication hole 49 spreads in the connection space 52 and is blocked from passing through the third communication hole 44f. Further, even if the cooling water enters the connection space 52, the cooling water in the connection space 52 is returned to the internal space of the water storage part 37 through the first communication hole 49 and the second communication holes 50 and 51.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper partition wall 46 is disposed in the internal space of the water storage part 37. Also, the upper partition wall 46 is disposed above the lower end of the first cylinder body 43. Further, the upper partition wall 46 is disposed above the water surface of the cooling water stored in the water storage part 37. And the upper partition wall 46 is composed of a lower wall 46a and side walls 46b.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower wall 46a is connected to the inner surface of the side wall 33 of the water storage portion 37 below the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39. The side wall 46b extends upward from the end of the lower wall 46a at a position facing the side wall 33. Further, the side wall 46b is connected to the lower surface of the top wall 31. Thereby, the internal passage 53 is defined by the top wall 31, the side wall 33, the lower wall 46a, and the side wall 46b. Also, the side wall 46b separates the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39 from the second communication holes 50 and 51.

[0041] On the other hand, a gap is formed between the side wall 34 and the upper partition wall 46. Thereby, the cooling water and air flowing in from the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39 pass through the internal passage 53 and enter the internal space of the water storage portion 37. Hereinafter, the direction from the side wall 32 side toward the side wall 34 along the internal passage 53 is defined as the "flow direction of the cooling water and air".

[0042] Also, the internal passage 53 gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the cooling water and air. In other words, the interval between the side walls 33 and 46b gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the cooling water and air. And the outlet of the internal passage 53 faces the corner portions of the side walls 33 and 34. As a result, the cooling water passing through the internal passage 53 merges with the cooling water already stored in the internal space of the water storage portion 37 along the corner portions of the side walls 33 and 34.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower partition wall 47 is disposed in the internal space of the water storage portion 37. Also, the lower partition wall 47 is disposed below the remaining amount sensor 42. Further, the lower partition wall 47 is disposed so as to surround the cooling water discharge port 40. And the lower partition wall 47 is composed of an upper wall 47a and side walls 47b.

[0044] The upper wall 47a is connected to the side walls 32 and 35 above the cooling water discharge port 40. The side wall 47b extends downward from the end of the upper wall 47a at a position facing the side wall 32. Also, a gap is formed between the bottom wall 36 and the lower end of the side wall 47b. Thereby, the cooling water stored in the internal space of the water storage part 37 is supplied from the cooling water discharge port 40 to the engine 27 through the gap between the bottom wall 36 and the side wall 47b. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the air in the internal space of the water storage part 37 from being supplied to the engine 27.

[0045] According to the above embodiment, by projecting the top wall 31 inside the inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder body 43, it is possible to prevent the cooling water that has risen inside the first cylinder body 43 from leaking through the first communication hole 49. Further, by having the second cylinder body 45 play both the roles of replenishing the cooling water and discharging the air, it is possible to realize the above-described operational effects with a smaller and simpler configuration compared to the cooling water tank of Patent Document 1.

[0046] Further, according to the above embodiment, by providing the connection space 52 between the first communication hole 49 and the second cylinder body 45, it is possible to more effectively prevent the cooling water that has passed through the first communication hole 49 from reaching the second cylinder body 45. Thereby, it is possible to further prevent the leakage of the cooling water through the air discharge port 41.

[0047] Further, according to the above embodiment, by communicating the internal space of the water storage part 37 and the connection space 52 through the second communication holes 50 and 51, the air in the internal space of the water storage part 37 is discharged through the second communication holes 50 and 51. Thereby, the pressure in the internal space of the water storage part 37 increases, and it is possible to prevent the cooling water from rising inside the first cylinder body 43, so that it is possible to more effectively prevent the leakage of the cooling water.

[0048] Further, according to the above embodiment, an internal passage 53 is formed at a position higher than the lower end of the first cylinder body 43, and the first inlet 38, the second inlet 39, and the second communication holes 50 and 51 are separated by the upper partition wall 46. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the droplets of the cooling water that have flowed in vigorously from the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39 from leaking from the air discharge port 41 through the second communication holes 50 and 51.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by gradually narrowing the width of the internal passage 53 toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the cooling water and the air, the outlet of the internal passage 53 can be separated from the second communication holes 50 and 51, and the cooling water passing through the internal passage 53 can be discharged from a desired position. For example, it is desirable that the cooling water flowing through the internal passage 53 drips along the corners of the side walls 33 and 34. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the generation of bubbles in the cooling water due to the cooling water flowing in from the first inlet 38 and the second inlet 39 falling vigorously onto the water surface of the stored cooling water. Note that the bubbles contained in the cooling water cause corrosion and deterioration in the cooling water path.

[0050] The above-described embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] 10 Wheel loader 11 Front frame 12 Rear frame 13 Center pin 14L, 14R Steering cylinder 15L, 15R Front tire 16 Front work implement 17 Lift arm 18 Bucket 19 Bucket cylinder 20 Bell crank 21L, 21R Rear tire 22 Cab 23 Engine shed (shed) 24L, 24R Side covers 25 Top cover 26 Rear cover 27 Engine 28 Radiator 29 Cooling fan 30 Cooling water tank 31 Ceiling wall 32, 33, 34, 35, 46b, 47b Side walls 37 Water storage part 38 First inlet 38a, 39a, 40a Hoses 39 Second inlet 40 Cooling water outlet 41 Air outlet 41a Drain tube 42 Remaining amount sensor 43 First cylinder 44 Connecting space partitioning member 44a, 47a Upper walls 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e Leg walls 44f Through hole 45 Second cylinder 46 Upper partition wall 47 Lower partition wall 46a Lower wall 48 Cap 49 First communication hole 50, 51 Second communication holes 52 Connecting space 53 Internal passage 54 Water supply part

Claims

1. An engine, A radiator that exchanges heat between the cooling water that has cooled the engine and cooling air and then returns the cooled water to the engine, A work machine comprising the engine and a cooling water tank connected to the engine and the radiator, The cooling water tank, Has a water storage section for storing cooling water, And a water supply section provided above the water storage section, The water storage section, Has a first communication hole formed in the top wall that defines the upper side of the water storage section and that communicates the water storage section with the water supply section, And a first cylindrical body attached to the top wall and extending from the top wall into the interior of the water storage section, The diameter of the first communication hole is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical body, The first cylindrical body is disposed at a position surrounding the first communication hole, The water supply section, Has a second cylindrical body provided with an air discharge port for discharging air in the internal space of the cooling water tank, And a connection space connecting the second cylindrical body and the water storage section, A work machine characterized by the above.

2. In the work machine according to Claim 1, The cooling water tank has a second communication hole formed in the top wall outside the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical body and communicating the water storage section with the connection space of the water supply section, A work machine characterized by the above.

3. In the work machine according to Claim 2, The cooling water tank, Has an inlet that penetrates the side wall of the water storage section and allows the cooling water and air flowing out from the engine and the radiator respectively to flow into the internal space of the water storage section, And a partition wall separating the inlet and the second communication hole, A work machine characterized by the above.

4. In the working machine according to claim 3, it is arranged above the lower end of the first cylinder body and has an internal passage for allowing the cooling water and air flowing in through the inflow port to pass through, and the width of the internal passage gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the cooling water and air A working machine characterized by this.

5. In the working machine according to claim 1, the water supply part is formed above the connection space and has a third communication hole that communicates the connection space and the second cylinder body, and the third communication hole is set to have the same diameter or less than that of the first communication hole A working machine characterized by this.

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