tractor

Abstract

To provide a tractor capable of improving workability on work in a house or work on the edge of the field.SOLUTION: A tractor includes a bonnet 11 and headlights 21. The bonnet 11 is provided on a front part of a traveling machine body 5 and includes notch parts 23 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The headlights 21 are each provided on each of the notch parts 23. An outer end surface 21a and a front end surface 21c in the vehicle width direction of the headlight 21 are arranged inside in the vehicle width direction from an outermost end in the vehicle width direction of the bonnet 11 at a height direction of an upper end 21b of the headlight 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tractor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a tractor having a hood with cutouts on each of the left and right sides, and headlights provided in the cutouts on the left and right sides for illuminating the front is known. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of tractor.

[0003] In the tractor of Patent Document 1, cutouts are formed on the front part of the hood on the left and right sides. Headlights are provided in each of the cutouts on the left and right sides so as to be able to be exposed to the outside. The headlights are configured to protrude outward in the left-right direction of the hood.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the configuration of the above Patent Document 1, the headlights protruded from the hood to the outside of the machine body near the height position (vertical position) of the upper end of the headlights. In other words, a part of the headlights was located outside the machine body with respect to the hood. Therefore, there was a risk that the headlights would contact objects around the tractor during turning while working. Specifically, when the tractor working in the house turns, the headlights may contact the pillars of the house. Also, when the tractor working at the edge of the ridge turns, the headlights may contact the utility poles arranged outside the field.

[0006] Therefore, tractor drivers tend to be cautious when turning, fearing that their headlights might come into contact with obstacles, which often leads to decreased work efficiency.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a tractor that can improve workability when working inside a greenhouse or at the edge of a field. Means and effects for solving the problem

[0008] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and next, the means for solving these problems and their effects will be explained.

[0009] In view of the present invention, a tractor having the following configuration is provided: the tractor comprises a bonnet and headlights. The bonnet is provided at the front of the machine body and has notches on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The headlights are provided in each of the notches. The outer end face and front end face of the headlights in the vehicle width direction are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost end of the bonnet in the vehicle width direction at the height of the upper end of the headlights. Of the front end surfaces of the headlight, the end that connects to the outer end surface in the vehicle width direction is formed such that it becomes further forward as it approaches the bottom from the top in the vertical direction.

[0010] This allows the headlights to be positioned so that they do not pass the outermost edge of the tractor when it is turning. Therefore, the driver's concern about the headlights hitting objects around the tractor when attempting to turn it is reduced. As a result, the tractor can be turned more easily, improving work efficiency.

[0011] In the aforementioned tractor, it is preferable that the front end surface of the headlight is inclined to move forward as it approaches the center from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] This design makes it possible to create a shape where the headlights are less likely to be positioned on the outermost edge when the tractor is turning. Therefore, the aforementioned concerns that may arise for the driver when attempting to drive the tractor can be reduced.

[0013] In the aforementioned tractor, the following configuration is preferable. That is, the notch is located at the front of the bonnet. The front of the bonnet is configured such that its length in the vehicle width direction decreases from the rear end to the front end.

[0014] As a result, the front surface of the headlight is sloped to follow the tapered front of the hood, making it easy to suppress the amount the headlight protrudes from the hood. Therefore, when the tractor is in motion, it is less likely that the headlight will come into contact with objects around the tractor.

[0015] In the aforementioned tractor, when the tractor is turned with the minimum radius, it is preferable that the turning trajectory traced by the outer end face and front end face in the vehicle width direction of the headlights is located on the inner circumference side, closer to the turning center, than the turning trajectory of the foremost end of the machine body.

[0016] This prevents the headlights from moving along the outermost edge of the tractor when it turns. Consequently, the headlights are less likely to come into contact with objects around the tractor during this time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Left side view of a tractor relating to ADD. [Figure 2] A side view of the front of the vehicle. [Figure 3] Front view of the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the hood, taken along the arrow AA. [Figure 5] A perspective view of the headlight. [Figure 6] Front view of the headlights. [Figure 7] A partial cross-sectional view of the assembly portion of the decorative components in the headlight. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a left side view of a tractor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the left side with respect to the direction in which the tractor 1 advances is referred to as "left", and the right side is referred to as "right". The left-right direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction of the tractor 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the tractor 1 includes a traveling body (body) 5 constituted by a body frame 3 and the like. The traveling body 5 is supported by left and right front wheels 7 and left and right rear wheels 9. The traveling body 5 is configured such that a working machine can be detachably attached to its rear part. As the working machine, for example, various working machines such as a tiller, a plow, a fertilizer applicator, a lawn mower, a seeder, etc. can be selected.

[0020] A bonnet 11 is disposed at the front part (front part of the body) of the traveling body 5 of the tractor 1. The bonnet 11 is provided so as to be openable and closable so that its interior can be exposed. Inside the bonnet 11, an engine 12 or the like as a drive source is disposed. In the present embodiment, the engine 12 is constituted by a diesel engine, but other types of engines may be used.

[0021] A headlight 21 is provided at the front part of the bonnet 11. The detailed configuration of the headlight 21 will be described later.

[0022] An attachment bracket 13 is provided at the front end of the body frame 3. A front weight (not shown) is detachable with respect to the attachment bracket 13. The front end of the attachment bracket 13 is located in front of the front end 51 of the bonnet 11. Therefore, the front end of the attachment bracket 13 or the front weight attached to the attachment bracket 13 can constitute the foremost end of the traveling body 5. The attachment bracket 13 can also be omitted. In this case, the front end 51 of the bonnet 11 constitutes the foremost end part of the traveling body 5.

[0023] The driver's compartment 15 of the tractor 1 is located behind the bonnet 11. The driver's compartment 15 is equipped with a driver's seat 17 and a steering wheel 19. The driver of the tractor 1 can sit in the driver's seat 17. The steering wheel 19 is located in front of the driver's seat 17. The driver can operate the tractor 1, such as driving it, using the controls provided near the driver's seat 17 and the steering wheel 19.

[0024] In tractor 1, the engine 12 located in the bonnet 11 generates power. In response to the driver's driving operation, this power is transmitted to the rear wheels 9, or to the rear wheels 9 and front wheels 7, via a transmission case (not shown) located behind the engine 12. This allows tractor 1 to move. When tractor 1 is moving, the steering wheel 19 can be operated to turn tractor 1 to the left or right. As a result, the direction of travel of tractor 1 can be changed.

[0025] Next, the headlights 21 provided on the bonnet 11 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 4. Figure 2 is a side view of the front of the vehicle body 5. Figure 3 is a front view of the front of the vehicle body 5. Figure 4 is a top view of the front of the vehicle body 5.

[0026] The headlights 21 can illuminate the area in front of the bonnet 11 (the front of the vehicle body 5). As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the headlights 21 are provided on both the left and right sides of the front of the bonnet 11. More specifically, notches 23 are provided on both the left and right sides of the front of the bonnet 11. The left and right notches 23 are located in the middle of the upper and lower parts of the bonnet 11 on both the left and right sides of the front of the bonnet 11.

[0027] The left and right cutouts 23 are formed at the front of the bonnet 11 by cutting out the left and right sides, respectively, so that they open forward and to the side, and extend in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the side. Each cutout 23 is formed so that its vertical length decreases as it moves from the front end of the bonnet 11 towards the rear. Therefore, each cutout 23 opens larger towards the front.

[0028] The bonnet 11 is formed in an elongated shape, with its longitudinal direction being the front-to-back direction. The bonnet 11 defines the outermost edge in the vehicle width direction of the front of the vehicle body 5, as well as the foremost edge of the vehicle body 5, in the portion above the upper end of the front wheel 7. The front part of the bonnet 11 (particularly the upper portion 11a above the cutout 23) is formed such that its length in the vehicle width direction decreases from the rear end to the front end in a plan view. Specifically, when the front end 51 of the bonnet 11 is referred to as the tip, the front part of the bonnet 11 is formed to taper towards the front in a plan view, as shown in Figure 4.

[0029] The headlights 21 are provided so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from each of the left and right notches 23. The headlights 21 are positioned so that at least a portion of them is exposed to the outside of the bonnet 11 through the notches 23. Since the front part of the running body 5 on which the headlights 21 are provided is substantially symmetrical, the following description will mainly focus on the configuration of the left side of the front of the running body 5.

[0030] Next, the headlight 21 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the headlight 21. Figure 6 is a front view of the headlight 21.

[0031] The headlight 21 is fixed to the bonnet 11 while being installed in the notch 23. Specifically, a mounting portion 35 is provided on the housing 25 side of the headlight 21. A mounting portion (not shown) is provided on the bonnet 11 side around the notch 23 of the bonnet 11. The headlight 21 is attached to the bonnet 11 via the mounting portion 35 on the headlight 21 side and the mounting portion on the bonnet 11 side. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the headlight 21 is positioned so as to illuminate the front of the vehicle body 5. In addition, the outermost end of the headlight 21 in the vehicle width direction is positioned closer to the center of the vehicle width than the outermost end of the front of the bonnet 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] The headlight 21 comprises a housing 25, a decorative member 27, and a bulb 29.

[0033] The housing 25 is attached to the bonnet 11 so as to fit into the notch 23. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the housing 25 has a main body 31 having a shape corresponding to the notch 23 and a recess 33 that opens toward the front. The main body 31 is formed so as to be able to close the notch 23. The recess 33 is provided at the front end of the main body 31 over an appropriate length in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The housing 25 defines the external shape of the headlight 21. Therefore, the outermost end of the housing 25 that is located furthest out in the vehicle width direction coincides with the outermost end of the headlight 21 that is located furthest out in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] Here, we consider a cross-section obtained by cutting the hood 11 with a virtual horizontal plane located at the height of the upper end 21b of the headlight 21. As shown in Figure 4, the outer end surface 21a of the headlight 21 in the vehicle width direction is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction by a length L1 from the outermost end (first end 37) of the hood 11 in the vehicle width direction in this cross-section.

[0036] Similarly, the front end surface 21c of the headlight 21 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost end (first end 37) of the bonnet 11 in the vehicle width direction in the cross-section described above.

[0037] Furthermore, the foremost end 21d of the headlight 21 is positioned a length L2 rearward from the second end 38, which is the foremost end of the mounting bracket 13.

[0038] In this embodiment, the front end surface of the headlight 21 is inclined so that it moves forward from the outside in the vehicle width direction towards the center. Therefore, with respect to the headlight 21, most of the inside of the recess 33 of the housing 25 is visible even from the left side of the vehicle body 5.

[0039] The decorative member 27 is attached to the front of the housing 25. The decorative member 27 is positioned inside the recess 33 of the housing 25 such that its front end is located behind the center of the housing 25 in the left-right direction. The decorative member 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the decorative member 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a curved surface on its outer circumference. The decorative member 27 is positioned so that its axial direction is substantially aligned with the front-rear direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the decorative member 27 is assembled to the housing 25 using an interlocking structure, as shown in Figure 7. The decorative member 27 is fixed to the housing 25 by fitting its rear end 41 into a projection 43 provided on the bottom side of a recess 33 in the housing 25, and fastening a part of the decorative member 27 to the housing 25 with fastening members 45 such as screws. By adopting this interlocking structure, it is possible to prevent misalignment of the decorative member 27 relative to the housing 25 during assembly.

[0041] The bulb 29 is assembled into the housing 25. The bulb 29 is positioned so that its front end is exposed toward the front of the traveling body 5. The bulb 29 is also positioned inside the decorative member 27. The bulb 29 is capable of generating light. The bulb 29 is composed of any type of light source. Examples of light sources include halogen lamps or HID lamps.

[0042] The front portion of the valve 29 is positioned inside the recess 33 of the housing 25, with its periphery covered by the decorative member 27. The front portion of the valve 29 is positioned inside the recess 33 of the housing 25, near the center of the recess 33. Furthermore, the front end of the valve 29 is positioned behind the front end of the decorative member 27. In other words, the valve 29 is designed so as not to protrude outward (forward) from the decorative member 27 and, consequently, from the housing 25.

[0043] With this configuration, when the bulb 29 generates light, the light from the bulb 29 passes through the front inner part of the decorative member 27 and then shines towards the front of the housing 25. Therefore, the left and right headlights 21 can each illuminate the area in front of the bonnet 11. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the design while realizing the illumination function of each of the left and right headlights 21.

[0044] Next, we will explain the case when tractor 1 turns. In the following explanation, we will use the case where tractor 1 turns to the right as an example, but the same applies when turning to the left.

[0045] The tractor 1 can turn left or right in response to the operation of the steering wheel 19. When the steering wheel 19 is turned to its limit to turn the tractor 1 to the right, as shown in Figure 4, the first turning trajectory t1 traced by the outermost turning portion of the left headlight 21 is located closer to the turning center on the inner circumference side than the second turning trajectory t2 traced by the outermost turning portion (i.e., the left end of the front) 39 of the mounting bracket 13.

[0046] If the mounting bracket 13 is not provided at the front end of the tractor 1, the foremost end of the traveling body 5 will be the front end 51 of the bonnet 11. In this case, the first turning trajectory t1 will be located closer to the turning center and on the inner circumference than the third turning trajectory t3 traced by the front end 51 of the bonnet 11.

[0047] As a result, the headlights 21 do not pass the outermost edge of the tractor 1 when the tractor 1 is turning. Therefore, the risk to the driver of the tractor 1 of the headlights 21 coming into contact with objects around the tractor 1 at this time is reduced. Thus, the driver can quickly perform turns with the tractor 1.

[0048] Examples of objects surrounding the tractor 1 include the pillars of a greenhouse when the tractor 1 is used inside the greenhouse, and utility poles on the side of a field when the tractor 1 is used at the edge of a field (a relatively narrow field).

[0049] As described above, the tractor 1 of this embodiment includes a bonnet 11 and headlights 21. The bonnet 11 is provided at the front of the running machine body 5 and has notches 23 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The headlights 21 are provided in each notch 23. The outer end surface 21a and the front end surface 21c of the headlights 21 in the vehicle width direction are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost end (first end 37) of the bonnet 11 in the vehicle width direction at the height of the upper end 21b of the headlights 21.

[0050] This allows the headlights 21 to be moved so that they do not pass the outermost edge of the tractor 1 when the tractor 1 is turning. Therefore, when the operator of the tractor 1 attempts to turn the tractor 1, such as when working inside a greenhouse or at the edge of a field, the risk of the headlights 21 coming into contact with objects around the tractor 1 can be reduced. As a result, the tractor 1 can be turned more easily, improving work efficiency.

[0051] Furthermore, in the tractor 1 of this embodiment, the front end surface 21c of the headlight 21 is inclined to move forward as it approaches the center from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] This makes it possible to achieve a shape in which the headlights 21 are less likely to be positioned on the outermost edge when the tractor 1 is turning. Therefore, the aforementioned concerns that may arise for the driver when attempting to drive the tractor 1 can be reduced.

[0053] Furthermore, in the tractor 1 of this embodiment, the notch 23 is located at the front of the bonnet 11. The front of the bonnet 11 (particularly the upper portion 11a, which is above the notch 23) is configured such that its length in the vehicle width direction decreases from the rear end to the front end.

[0054] As a result, the front end surface 21c of the headlight 21 is inclined to follow the front of the tapered bonnet 11, making it possible to suppress the amount of protrusion of the headlight 21 relative to the bonnet 11. Therefore, when the tractor 1 is in motion, it is less likely that the headlight 21 will come into contact with objects around the tractor 1.

[0055] Furthermore, when the tractor 1 of this embodiment is turned at the minimum radius, the first turning trajectory t1 traced by the outer end surface 21a and front end surface 21c of the headlight 21 in the vehicle width direction is located on the inner circumference side, closer to the turning center, than the second turning trajectory t2 traced by the foremost end (mounting bracket 13) of the traveling body 5.

[0056] As a result, when the tractor 1 turns, the headlights 21 will no longer move along the outermost edge of the tractor 1. Therefore, the headlights 21 are less likely to come into contact with objects around the tractor 1 at this time.

[0057] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above configuration can be modified as follows, for example.

[0058] The configuration of the headlight 21 is not particularly limited. For example, in the above embodiment, the headlight 21 is configured to expose the bulb 29 directly to the outside, but it may also be configured so that the bulb 29 is not directly exposed to the outside by covering it with a light-transmitting headlight cover.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the front end surface 21c of the headlight 21 is inclined to follow the front of the tapered bonnet 11. However, the orientation of the front end surface 21c is arbitrary. For example, the front end surface 21c may be configured as a surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0060] The shape of the hood 11 (including the shape of the cutout 23) is also arbitrary and can be changed to various shapes.

[0061] Given the teachings described above, it is clear that the present invention can take many forms of modification and alteration. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention may be implemented in ways other than those described herein, within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 tractor 5. Mobile Unit (Aircraft) 11 Hood 11a Upper part 13 Mounting bracket 21 Headlights 21a Outer end surface in the vehicle width direction 21b Top edge 21c Front end surface 23 Cut section 37. First end (the outermost edge of the hood in the vehicle width direction at the height of the upper end of the headlight) t1 First turning trajectory (the turning trajectory traced by the outer and front end faces of the headlight in the vehicle width direction) t2 Second turning trajectory (the turning trajectory of the foremost part of the aircraft)

Claims

1. A bonnet located at the front of the aircraft, with notches on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle, A headlight is provided in each of the aforementioned cutouts, Equipped with, The outer end surface and front end surface of the headlight in the vehicle width direction are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost edge of the bonnet in the vehicle width direction at the height of the upper end of the headlight. Of the front end surfaces of the headlight, the end that connects to the outer end surface in the vehicle width direction is formed such that it becomes further forward as it approaches from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction. A tractor characterized in that the outer end surface in the vehicle width direction is the outermost end in the vehicle width direction at the end that connects to the front end surface of the headlight.

2. A tractor according to claim 1, A tractor characterized in that the front end surface of the headlight is inclined to become forward as it approaches the center from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

3. A tractor according to claim 2, The aforementioned cutout is located at the front of the hood, A tractor characterized in that the front part of the bonnet is configured such that its length in the vehicle width direction decreases from the rear end to the front end.

4. A tractor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A tractor characterized in that, when the tractor is turned at the minimum radius, the turning trajectory traced by the outer end face and front end face in the width direction of the headlight is located on the inner circumference side, closer to the turning center, than the turning trajectory of the foremost end of the machine body.

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