Vehicles and construction machinery

Abstract

To provide a traveling body that is able to easily position a traveling unit and an axle when the traveling body is extended in width, a traveling body for a construction machine that is able to easily fix the traveling unit and the axle, and a construction machine that is able to easily extend the traveling body in width.SOLUTION: An embodiment of the present invention is a traveling body for a construction machine including a pair of left and right traveling units and an axle supporting the pair of left and right traveling units such that a width therebetween can be extended / shortened. In the traveling body, the traveling units respectively have frames in which the axle is inserted and mounted. The axle has: an axle body that obtains a shortened width of the pair of traveling units by inserting and mounting both ends of the axle into the respective frames; and extension portions provided so as to be extendable from both the ends of the axle body and that obtain an extended width of the pair of traveling units by their being inserted and mounted in the frames. This traveling body includes cylinder units respectively disposed between the frames and the extension portions in order to fix the axle and the traveling units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a traveling body and a construction machine. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, construction machinery such as cranes, hydraulic excavators, and pile drivers is known that includes a running body including a pair of running parts having crawlers or the like, and a rotating body that is rotatably mounted on the running body and has a boom or the like that can be raised or lowered attached thereto.

[0003] In such construction machines, it is preferable that the pair of running sections be wide in order to ensure stability during operation. On the other hand, since the construction machine is sometimes transported loaded onto a trailer or the like, it is preferable that the pair of running sections be narrow in width during transportation. In order to satisfy these conflicting requirements, a running body for construction machines that is capable of expanding and contracting the width of the pair of running sections has been proposed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3615720). This running body has rotatable extension beams on both ends of an axle that is located between the frames of the pair of crawler units (running sections).

[0004] The running body folds the extension beam so that it is parallel to the frame, and both ends of the axle are fixed to the fitting holes of the frame, thereby reducing the width of the pair of crawler units. The running body rotates the extension beam so that the length of the axle is extended, and the ends of the extension beam are fixed to the fitting holes of the frame, thereby increasing the width of the pair of crawler units. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3615720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the widened state of the traveling body, the axle is positioned and fixed to the frame by inserting pins into fixing holes formed in the extension beam and fixing holes formed in the frame. When transitioning from the narrowed state to the widened state, an operator must align the fixing holes in the extension beam with the fixing holes in the frame and insert the pins into the two positioned fixing holes. There is a demand for an easy way to position and fix the axle and crawler unit in the widened state without performing such complicated work.

[0007] The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a running body in which the running section and axle can be easily positioned when the running body is widened, a running body in which the running section and axle can be easily fixed, and a construction machine in which the running body can be easily widened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention made to solve the above problem is a running body of a construction machine which comprises a pair of left and right running sections and axles which support the pair of left and right running sections so that the width of the pair of left and right running sections can be expanded or contracted, wherein the running sections have a frame into which the axles are inserted and attached, and the axles have an axle body whose both ends are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve a contracted width state of the pair of running sections, and extension sections which are arranged so as to be extendable from both ends of the axle body and which are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve an expanded width state of the pair of running sections, and further comprises a cylinder unit which is arranged between the frame and the extension section in the expanded width state.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a running body of a construction machine which has a pair of left and right running sections and axles that support the pair of left and right running sections so that the width of the pair of left and right running sections can be expanded or contracted, wherein the running sections have a frame into which the axles are inserted and attached, and the axles have an axle body whose both ends are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve a contracted width state of the pair of running sections, and extension sections that are extendable from both ends of the axle body and that are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve an expanded width state of the pair of running sections, and the extension sections have a rotatable engaging member that includes a protruding portion that engages with a part of the frame in the expanded width state.

[0010] Yet another aspect of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a construction machine including the above-mentioned traveling body and a rotating body supported by the traveling body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The running body of the present invention can easily position the running section and the axle when widened. Also, the other running body of the present invention can easily fix the running section and the axle when widened. The construction machine of the present invention can easily widen the running body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of a construction machine having a running body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the traveling body of the construction machine of FIG. 1 in a plan view. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an extension of the axle of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the extension of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [Description of the embodiments of the present invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following description, "front and rear" refers to the traveling direction of the vehicle, "left and right" refers to the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle in a plan view (the vehicle width direction), and "up and down" refers to the vertical direction of the traveling surface (ground, etc.) of the vehicle.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is a running body of a construction machine which comprises a pair of left and right running sections and axles which support the pair of left and right running sections so that the width of the pair of left and right running sections can be expanded or contracted, wherein the running sections have a frame into which the axles are inserted, and the axles have an axle body whose both ends are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve a contracted width state of the pair of running sections, and extension sections which are extendable from both ends of the axle body and which are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve an expanded width state of the pair of running sections, and further comprises a cylinder unit which is arranged between the frame and the extension section in the expanded width state.

[0015] When the pair of running sections of the construction machine's running body (hereinafter simply referred to as "running body") are in a retracted state, both ends of the axle body of the axle are inserted into the frame of the running section, connecting the running section and the axle. When the pair of running sections are in an expanded state, the extension of the axle is inserted into the frame of the running section, connecting the running section and the axle. The running body is equipped with a cylinder unit disposed between the frame and the extension. By inserting the extension into the frame and extending the cylinder unit disposed therebetween, the axle and the running section can be easily fixed together.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is a running body of a construction machine which includes a pair of left and right running sections and axles that support the pair of left and right running sections so that the width of the pair of left and right running sections can be expanded or contracted, wherein the running sections have a frame into which the axles are inserted, and the axles have an axle body whose both ends are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve a contracted width state for the pair of running sections, and extension sections that are extendable from both ends of the axle body and that are inserted and attached to the frame to achieve an expanded width state for the pair of running sections, and the extension sections have a rotatable engaging member that includes a protruding portion that engages with a part of the frame in the expanded width state.

[0017] The extensions of the running body have rotatable engaging members that can engage with a portion of the frame. When the pair of running bodies are in an expanded state and the extensions are connected to the frame, the engaging members rotate, and a portion of the frame engages with a protruding portion of the engaging member. In this way, the running bodies and the axle can be easily positioned. Furthermore, the engagement between the protruding portion and the portion of the frame can restrict movement of the running bodies relative to the axle.

[0018] It is preferable that the running body includes both the cylinder unit and the engaging member, which makes it easy to both position and fix the axle and the running part.

[0019] It is preferable that the traveling body further includes a rotating member connected to the engaging member for rotating the engaging member, thereby making it easier to transition from the reduced width state to the increased width state.

[0020] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a construction machine including the above-described traveling body and a rotating body supported by the traveling body.

[0021] Since the construction machine is equipped with the running body, the pair of running sections can be easily put into an expanded state, allowing for efficient construction work.

[0022] [Details of the embodiment of the present invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic illustrations of the configuration of the present invention, and the shape and scale of each component (each member) in each drawing may differ from the actual ones.

[0023] [Construction machinery] The running body of the present invention is used, for example, in a crane 1 as shown in Fig. 1. Crane 1 mainly comprises a running body 2 and a rotating body 3 supported by this running body 2. The rotating body 3 is supported so as to be rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the traveling surface (e.g., the ground) of running body 2. Crane 1 of this embodiment further comprises a crane attachment 4 attached to the rotating body 2 so as to be able to rise and fall.

[0024] <Rotating body> The rotating body 3 is equipped with an operator's cabin, a hoisting device for raising and lowering the crane attachment 4, an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, and the like.

[0025] <Crane attachment> The crane attachment 4 is configured, for example, by attaching a hook 5 to the tip of a lattice boom. The crane attachment 4 lifts and lowers loads such as construction materials.

[0026] <Running body> As shown in Figure 2, the running body 2 includes a pair of left and right running sections, an axle 21 that supports the pair of left and right running sections so that the width of the pair of left and right running sections can be expanded or contracted, and a cylinder unit. In this embodiment, the running sections are crawler units 24. The running body 2 provides the crane 1 with self-propelling capability, enabling it to move within a work site, for example. Note that the direction of arrow F in Figure 2 is the traveling direction (forward direction) of the running body 2.

[0027] The traveling body 2 is equipped with an expansion / contraction device 22 that expands / contracts the width of the pair of crawler units 24. The traveling body 2 also has a support part 25 that supports the revolving body 3. The support part 25 is a frame that supports the revolving body 3, and has a revolving bearing and the like for rotating the revolving body 3.

[0028] [Crawler unit] The pair of left and right crawler units 24 are disposed apart from each other. Each crawler unit 24 includes a crawler frame 241 (frame) and crawlers 242 disposed on the crawler frame 241. In FIG. 2, as an example, the left crawler unit 24 is shown in a reduced width state, and the right crawler unit 24 is shown in an expanded width state. The pair of crawler units 24 are normally used with both crawler units 24 in a reduced width state or both crawler units 24 in an expanded width state. The "reduced width state" refers to a state in which the width (separation distance) of the pair of crawler units 24 is reduced, and the "expanded width state" refers to a state in which the width of the pair of crawler units 24 is expanded.

[0029] The crawler frames 241 each have two fitting holes 241a at the front and rear. The axles 21, which will be described later, are inserted into the fitting holes 241a. The fitting holes 241a are through-holes that are approximately rectangular in side view. As shown in FIG. 3, the fitting holes 241a have an upper surface recessed portion 241b on the upper surface that engages with the upper surface of a piston 232 of a cylinder unit 23, which will be described later. In addition, the fitting holes 241a have a lower surface recessed portion 241c on the lower surface that engages with a protruding portion 213a of an engaging member 213, which will be described later.

[0030] The crawler frame 241 has a drive sprocket (not shown), an idler 241d, and a roller 241e for rolling the crawler 242.

[0031] [Axle] The axles 21 support the pair of crawler units 24 so that the width of the pair of crawler units 24 can be expanded or contracted. The axles 21 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction in a plan view is approximately perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling body 2. In this embodiment, the traveling body 2 includes the pair of axles 21 in the front-rear direction of the support portion 25.

[0032] The axle 21 has an axle body 211 whose both ends are inserted into the crawler frame 241 to achieve a reduced width state for the pair of crawler units 24, and extension portions 212 that are extendable from both ends of the axle body 211 and that are inserted into the crawler frame 241 to achieve an expanded width state for the pair of crawler units 24.

[0033] (Axle body) In the width-reduced state, both ends of the axle body 211 fit into the fitting holes 241a of the crawler frame 241. The outer shape of the axle body 211 in a side view substantially matches the fitting holes 241a of the crawler frame 241.

[0034] (extension) The extensions 212 are rotatably provided at both ends of the axle body 211. In the width-reduced state, the extensions 212 are rotated and stored so as to be approximately parallel to the crawler frame 241. In this stored state, the extensions 212 are preferably formed so as not to protrude outward in the left-right direction of the crawler frame 241 (toward the side where the pair of crawler units 24 do not face each other). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the extensions 212 have a rotation shaft 212a and are configured to be rotatable between the left-right direction and the front-rear direction around this rotation shaft 212a. In the width-reduced state, as shown on the right side of FIG. 2, the extensions 212 are rotated in the left-right direction so as to be approximately perpendicular to the crawler frame 241, and in the width-reduced state, as shown on the left side of FIG. 2, the extensions 212 are rotated in the front-rear direction so as to be approximately parallel to the crawler frame 241.

[0035] When the extension 212 is inserted into the fitting hole 241a in a plan view (widened state), the thickness (width) of the extension 212 in the front-rear direction is configured to be smaller than the width of the axle body 211. Reducing the width (thinning) of the extension 212 to reduce its weight makes it easier to rotate the extension 212. On the other hand, the thickness (height) of the extension 212 in the up-down direction is configured to be approximately the same as the height of the axle body 211 in order to stabilize the support parts 5 that support the rotating bed 3 and the crane attachment 4. In other words, the height of the extension 212 in the up-down direction is approximately the same as the height of the fitting hole 241a. When the extension 212 is in the widened state in a plan view, the thickness (length) of the extension 212 in the left-right direction is formed to be long enough so that the tip (the end part on the side away from the central axis 212a) does not protrude from the fitting hole 241a.

[0036] In order to reduce the weight of the extension 212, a thin portion 212e is formed by removing weight from the center portion in the height direction.

[0037] In the expanded state, the extension 212 has an upper contact surface 212b that contacts the upper surface of the fitting hole 241a, and a lower contact surface 212c that contacts the lower surface of the fitting hole 241a. The extension 212 mainly supports the weight of the rotating bed 3 and the crane attachment 4 with the lower contact surface 212c via the support portion 25 and the axle 21. For this reason, the area of ​​the lower contact surface 212c is formed larger than the area of ​​the upper contact surface 212b.

[0038] The extension portion 212 further has, at its tip end, a mounting surface 212d on which the cylinder unit 23 (described later) is mounted.

[0039] (Engagement member) The extension portion 212 has a rotatable engaging member 213. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the engaging member 213 is arranged on one side surface in the width direction of the extension portion 212 via an attachment member 214. The attachment member 214 has a central shaft 214a that rotatably holds the engaging member 213. The axial direction of this central shaft 214a is approximately parallel to the width direction of the extension portion 212. That is, in the widened state, the axial direction of the central shaft 214a is approximately parallel to the front-rear direction of the running body 2.

[0040] The mounting member 214 and the engaging member 213 may be configured to be detachable from the extension portion 212, or may be fixed to the extension portion 212 in a non-detachable manner.

[0041] The engaging member 213 is, for example, a substantially cylindrical block member, and has a protruding portion 213a that protrudes radially from a portion thereof. The tip of this protruding portion 213a engages with a lower surface recessed portion 241c formed in the fitting hole 241a. For this reason, the engaging member 213 is attached to the extension portion 212 so that the tip of the protruding portion 213a can be positioned below the lower abutment surface 212c.

[0042] A rotating member 215 is connected to the protruding portion 213a of the engaging member 213 so that the operator can rotate the engaging member 213 as desired. The rotating member 215 is, for example, a string-like member. One end of the rotating member 215 is connected to the protruding portion 213a of the engaging member 213. The other end of the rotating member 215 is disposed on the tip side of the extension portion 212 so that the operator can grasp it. The mounting member 214 has an insertion hole 214b for leading out the other end of the rotating member 215 to the tip side.

[0043] The inner sidewall surface (the side where the pair of crawler units face each other) of the lower recessed portion 241c of the fitting hole 241a is formed to be approximately perpendicular to the lower surface of the fitting hole 241a. The outer sidewall surface of the lower recessed portion 241c is formed as a slope so that the angle between this outer sidewall surface and the inner sidewall surface is an acute angle.

[0044] To change the spacing between the pair of crawler units 24 from a narrowed state to a widened state, the extensions 212 of the pair of axles 21 are rotated left and right to extend the axles 21. One of the crawler units 24 is moved outward by the expansion / contraction device 22. At this time, the tip of the protruding portion 213a of the engaging member 213 faces downward due to its own weight. Therefore, an operator grasps the other end of the rotating member 215 and pulls the tip of the protruding portion 213a away from the lower surface of the fitting hole 241a. Furthermore, one of the crawler units 24 is moved outward until the tip of the protruding portion 213a enters the fitting hole 241a, rendering the engaging member 213 rotatable. The tip of the protruding portion 213a moves along the lower surface of the fitting hole 241a and abuts against the inner vertical sidewall surface of the lower surface recess 241c, restricting the movement of the one of the crawler units 24. In this way, it is possible to position one crawler unit 24 in the widened state and the axle 21. After one crawler unit 24 is set to the widened state, the other crawler unit 24 is set to the widened state in the same manner.

[0045] To change the spacing between the pair of crawler units 24 from the widened state to the narrowed state, one of the crawler units 24 is moved inward by the expansion / contraction device 22. At this time, the tip of the protruding portion 213a of the engagement member 213 moves along the outer, inclined side wall surface of the lower surface recessed portion 241c, so the movement of the one of the crawler units 24 is not restricted. One of the crawler units 24 is further moved inward to remove the extension portion 212 from the fitting hole 241a. Next, the extension portion 212 of the pair of axles 21 is rotated in the front-rear direction to bring one of the crawler units 24 into the narrowed state. Thereafter, the other of the crawler units 24 is brought into the narrowed state in the same manner.

[0046] When separating the axle 21 and crawler unit 24 from the widened state, one of the crawler units 24 is moved inward by a predetermined amount to separate the tip of the protruding portion 213a of the engagement member 213 from the inner vertical side wall surface of the lower surface recessed portion 241c. Next, the worker pulls the other end of the rotating member 215 to separate the tip of the protruding portion 213a from the lower surface of the fitting hole 241a. Next, by moving one of the crawler units 24 outward, the extension portion 212 can be removed from the crawler frame 241.

[0047] [Cylinder unit] The traveling body 2 includes a cylinder unit 23 disposed between the crawler frame 241 and the extension portion 212. The cylinder unit 23 is extendable and includes a bottomed cylindrical cylinder 231, and a piston 232 disposed inside the cylinder 231 and movable by fluid pressure in the axial direction of the cylinder 231. The cylinder unit 23 may be manually extendable or may be automatically extendable.

[0048] Specifically, in the expanded state, the cylinder unit 23 is arranged so as to extend and retract between the mounting surface 212d of the extension portion 212 and the upper surface of the fitting hole 241a. The extension portion 212 is inserted into the fitting hole 241a and placed at a predetermined position, and the cylinder unit 23 in the contracted state is extended to engage the upper end of the piston pin 232 with the upper surface recessed portion 241c of the fitting hole 241a. In this way, the positioning of one crawler unit 24 and the axle 21 in the expanded state can be determined.

[0049] When the cylinder unit 23 is further extended, the lower abutment surface 212c of the extension portion 212 is pressed against the lower surface of the fitting hole 241a. In this way, play (backlash) in the up-down direction of the extension portion 212 in the fitting hole 241a is eliminated, and the axle 21 can be fixed to the crawler unit 24.

[0050] The cylinder unit 23 may be arranged on the mounting surface 212d of the extension portion 212 in the widened state, or may be arranged on the mounting surface 212d in the widened and contracted states. That is, the crawler unit 24 may have a storage section for storing the cylinder unit 23, and in the widened state, an operator may remove the cylinder unit 23 from the storage section and place it on the mounting surface 212d, and store it in the contracted state again in the storage section. The cylinder unit 23 may be fixed to the extension portion 212 and rotate integrally with the extension portion 212 in the widened and contracted states.

[0051] [Expansion / reduction device] The expansion / contraction device 22 moves the crawler frame 241 in the left-right direction to expand or contract the width of the pair of crawler units 24. In this embodiment, the expansion / contraction device 22 is a pair of hydraulic cylinder units that are joined at one end to the support part 24 and at the other end to the crawler frame 241 and are extendable and contractible in the left-right direction.

[0052] [advantage] The traveling body 2 has a lower surface recessed portion 241c formed in the fitting hole 241a of the crawler unit 24 and an engaging member 213 including a protruding portion 213a that engages with the lower surface recessed portion 241c, which makes it easy to position the axle 21 relative to the crawler unit 24. Furthermore, the engagement between the lower surface recessed portion 241c and the protruding portion 213a makes it possible to restrict the crawler unit 24 from moving inward.

[0053] The traveling body 2 includes the cylinder unit 23 that engages with the upper surface recessed portion 241b formed in the fitting hole 241a of the crawler unit 24, so that the crawler unit 24 and the axle 21 can be positioned and fixed.

[0054] The crane 1 is provided with a running body 1 that can be easily expanded, and therefore can perform construction work efficiently.

[0055] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiments do not limit the configuration of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiments may include omissions, substitutions, or additions of components based on the description in this specification and common general technical knowledge, and all of these should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the traveling body 2 has both the cylinder unit 23 and the engaging member 213. However, the present invention also contemplates a traveling body having only a cylinder unit or only an engaging member. In these traveling bodies, the spacing between the pair of crawler units can be easily increased.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the rotating member 215 is operated by an operator, but the rotating member may be operable by the operator of the crane 1 via the control unit.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the crane attachment 4 is described as a hook attached to the tip of a lattice boom, but this is not limited to this and may be an extendable boom or may have a bucket or the like attached to the tip. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The running body of the construction machine of the present invention can be suitably used in construction machines because the spacing between the crawler units can be easily expanded or contracted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Construction machinery 2. Running body 21 axle 211 Axle body 212 Extension 212a Rotation axis 212b Upper contact surface 212c Lower contact surface 212d Placement surface 212e Thin section 213 Engagement member 213a Protruding part 214 Mounting member 214a Central axis 214b Insertion hole 215 Rotating member 22 Expanding device 23 Cylinder unit 231 cylinder 232 Piston pin 24 Crawler unit 241 Crawler Frame 241a Fitting hole 241b Top concave part 241c Bottom concave part 241d Idler 241e Laura 242 Crawler 25 Support part 3 Rotating body 4 Crane attachment 5 Hooks F Direction of travel of the vehicle (forward direction)

Claims

1. A running body of a construction machine having a pair of left and right running parts and an axle that supports the pair of left and right running parts so that the width of the pair of left and right running parts can be expanded or contracted, the running section has a frame into which the axle is inserted, The axle has an axle body whose both ends are inserted into the frame to achieve a reduced width state of the pair of running sections, and extension sections that are provided so as to be extendable from both ends of the axle body and that are inserted into the frame to achieve an expanded width state of the pair of running sections, The extension portion has a rotatable engaging member including a protruding portion that engages with a part of the frame in the expanded state.

2. The traveling body according to claim 1 , further comprising a cylinder unit disposed between the frame and the extension portion in the expanded state.

3. 3. The traveling body according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating member connected to the engaging member for rotating the engaging member.

4. A traveling body according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A rotating body supported by the traveling body; Construction machinery equipped with:

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