Work vehicles

Abstract

To provide a work vehicle capable of turning appropriately by driving rear wheels, etc. with high energy efficiency.SOLUTION: A work vehicle is provided with: a right and left pair of front wheels 2 in the front part of a travelling vehicle body 1; a right and left pair of rear wheels 3 in the rear part of the travelling vehicle body 1; a bonnet part 5 formed with a prescribed space on the front side on the top face of the travelling vehicle body 1; and an operation part 6 that an operator gets on, on the rear side of the bonnet part 5. An electric motor 30 is provided for driving the rear wheels 3. A battery 50 for storing electric power to be supplied to the electric motor 30 is provided in the bonnet part 5. A travelling vehicle body main body 10 for supporting the front wheels 2 includes a left front-back frame 10L and a right front-back frame 10R extending in the front-back direction. The battery 50 is connected to the travelling vehicle body main body 10 through a left support member 12L erected in the front part of the left front--back frame 10L and a right support member 12R erected in the front part of the right front-back frame 10R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to A work machine for cutting grass and other vegetation was installed on the underside of the vehicle. a work vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a work vehicle is known to mount an engine in a bonnet portion and transmit the output rotation of the engine to a work implement such as a mower deck that is supported so as to be able to move up and down to the rear wheels or the lower part of the work vehicle for driving. (Patent Document 1) Also, a work vehicle is known to mount a battery at the rear of the work vehicle, supply the power of the battery to an electric motor, and transmit the output rotation of the electric motor to a work implement such as a mower deck that is supported so as to be able to move up and down to the rear wheels or the front part of the work vehicle for driving. (Patent Document 2)

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, with the means of Patent Document 1, there was a risk that the energy efficiency was low because the configuration of the transmission equipment for transmitting the output rotation of the engine to the rear wheels or the work implement was complicated and the number of parts was large.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide In motion a work vehicle that can drive the rear wheels and the like with high energy efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention that has solved the above problems is as follows.

[0008] In other words, the invention described in claim 1 is provided with a pair of left and right front wheels (2) at the front of the vehicle body (1), a pair of left and right rear wheels (3) at the rear of the vehicle body (1), a bonnet section (5) with a predetermined space formed on the front side of the upper surface of the vehicle body (1), and a control section (6) on the rear side of the bonnet section (5) where the driver sits. A work machine (4) for cutting grass such as turf is provided on the underside of the vehicle body (1). In the work vehicle, an electric motor (30) is provided to drive the rear wheels (3), a battery (50) for storing power supplied to the electric motor (30) is provided in the bonnet section (5), the running vehicle body (10) has a left front and rear frame (10L) and a right front and rear frame (10R) extending in the front and rear direction, and the battery (50) is connected to the running vehicle body (10) via a left support member (12L) erected on the front of the left front and rear frame (10L) and a right support member (12R) erected on the front of the right front and rear frame (10R). In a side view, the vehicle body (1) is formed from a vehicle body main body (10) extending in the front-rear direction and a steering post (11) extending in the vertical direction that supports the steering shaft (63) of the control unit (6). A buffer member (15) is provided at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction at the lower part of the front surface of the steering post (11), and the tip of the buffer member (15) is pressed against the rear surface of the battery (50). This is a work vehicle characterized by [specific features].

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is, A battery bracket (52) having a left front and rear frame (52L) and a right front and rear frame (52R) extending in the front and rear direction is fixed to the battery (50), a left support member (12L) provided on the left side of the vehicle body (1) and the left front and rear frame (52L) are connected via a left vibration damping member (53L), and a right support member (12R) provided on the right side of the vehicle body (1) and the right front and rear frame (52R) are connected via a right vibration damping member (53R). In a front view, the connection portion of the left support member (12L) and the connection portion of the left front and rear frame (52L) are formed with an upward slope to the left, and the connection portion of the right support member (12R) and the connection portion of the right front and rear frame (52R) are formed with an upward slope to the right. This is the work vehicle according to claim 1.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is a work vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, in a front view, the connection portion of the left support member (12L) and the connection portion of the left front and rear frame (52L) are formed perpendicular to a left imaginary line (55L) connecting the center of the left vibration damping member (53L) and the center of the left front wheel (2L) of the front wheel (2), and the connection portion of the right support member (12R) and the connection portion of the right front and rear frame (52R) are formed perpendicular to a right imaginary line (55R) passing through the center of the right vibration damping member (53R) and the center of the right front wheel (2R) of the front wheel (2). [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 1, it has high energy efficiency and drives the rear wheel (3). In motion Also, it is possible to effectively utilize the space formed in the bonnet part (5) to prevent rainwater from hitting the battery (50). Furthermore, this prevents the battery (50) from moving backward when the work vehicle starts moving, thereby suppressing damage to the battery (50) from colliding with surrounding components.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to further suppress damage to the battery (50) caused by large left-right vibrations generated in the traveling vehicle body (1) during traveling.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to suppress large vibrations caused by unevenness of the traveling surface via the left front wheel (2L) and the right front wheel (2R), and further suppress damage to the battery 50.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a left side view of the work vehicle. [Figure 2] It is a left side view of the work vehicle with the bonnet cover in the open position. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the main part with a part of the work vehicle broken. [Figure 4] It is a rear view of the work vehicle. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of the main part of the rear wheel and the work implement. [Figure 6] It is a left side view of the main part of the rear wheel and the work implement. [Figure 7] It is a left side view of the motor for the rear wheel and the motor for the work implement. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the traveling vehicle body. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the steering post. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of the battery and the battery bracket. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of the battery bracket. [Figure 12]Front wheel, battery, and front view of battery bracket. [Figure 13] Plan view of the main part with a part of the work vehicle broken. [Figure 14] Perspective view of the electrical components. [Figure 15] Perspective view of the housing of the inverter device. [Figure 16] Perspective view of the housing of the battery monitoring device. [Figure 17] Left side view of the brake pedal, electric cylinder, and drum brake. [Figure 18] Plan view of the brake pedal, electric cylinder, and drum brake.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a work vehicle such as a riding lawn mower includes a traveling vehicle body 1, a pair of left and right front wheels 2 provided at the front of the traveling vehicle body 1, a pair of left and right rear wheels 3 provided at the rear of the traveling vehicle body 1, and a working machine 4 for mowing grass and the like provided between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 on the lower side of the traveling vehicle body 1. Further, a bonnet portion 5 is provided at the front upper side of the traveling vehicle body 1, a control portion 6 on which an operator rides is provided at the rear side of the bonnet portion 5, and a grass collecting container 7 for storing grass and the like cut by the working machine 4 is provided at the rear side of the control portion 6.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a battery 50 for storing electric power supplied to an electric motor 30 or the like for driving the rear wheels 3 is provided in the bonnet portion 5, and the battery 50 is covered with a bonnet cover 51. The bonnet cover 51 is supported by a support shaft (not shown) extending in the left - right direction provided at the front of the traveling vehicle body 1. Thereby, the space formed in the bonnet portion 5 can be effectively utilized, and the difference in the weight balance in the front - rear direction of the work vehicle can be suppressed.

[0019] Electrical components 61 are provided below the driver's seat 60 of the control portion 6. Thereby, the space formed below the driver's seat 60 can be effectively utilized.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4-7, an electric motor 30, such as a synchronous motor or induction motor, which is operated by a three-phase AC voltage waveform that drives the rear wheels 3, is provided below the electrical components 61. The output shaft 30A, which extends in the left-right direction from the electric motor 30, is connected to the upper part of a gearbox 31 that reduces the output rotation transmitted from the output shaft 30A to increase the output torque or reverse the direction of rotation. The electric motor 30 is positioned to the left of the center in the left-right direction. 。 Also, The output rotation, which is increased or decreased in the gearbox 31, is transmitted to the drive shaft 33, which extends in the left-right direction, via a differential gear 32, which is provided at the bottom of the gearbox 31 and is formed by differential gears or the like. The output rotation transmitted to the drive shaft 33 is then transmitted to the rear wheels 3, which are supported at both ends of the drive shaft 33. 。 Below the electric motor 30, there is an electric motor 40, such as a synchronous motor or induction motor, which is operated by a three-phase AC voltage waveform that drives the work implement 4. The output shaft 40A, which extends in the front-rear direction of the electric motor 40, is connected to the rear of a universal joint 41, which also extends in the front-rear direction. The output shaft 40A is also provided above the drive shaft 33, perpendicular to the drive shaft 33. This allows for effective use of the space below the electric motor 30. Furthermore, the transmission path between the electric motor 40 and the work implement 4 can be shortened, allowing for efficient transmission of the output rotation of the electric motor 40 to the work implement 4. The electric motor 40 is positioned to the left of the center in the left-right direction.

[0021] The front of the universal joint 41 is connected to a gearbox 42, which reduces the output rotation transmitted from the universal joint 41 to increase the output torque. The output rotation transmitted to the gearbox 42 is transmitted to the left cutting blade (not shown) located in the left discharge passage 45L of the work implement 4 via an output shaft formed in the vertical direction of the gearbox 42.

[0022] A connecting member 43, which extends in the left-right direction, is connected to the left side of the gearbox 42, and the right side of the connecting member 43 is connected to the gearbox 44. The output rotation transmitted to the gearbox 44 is transmitted to the right cutting blade (not shown) provided in the right discharge passage 45R of the work machine 4 via an output shaft formed by extending the gearbox 44 in the vertical direction. The rotational speeds of the output shafts of the gearbox 42 and the gearbox 44 are the same, but their directions of rotation are opposite; that is, in a plan view, the output shaft of the gearbox 42 rotates clockwise, and the output shaft of the gearbox 44 rotates counterclockwise.

[0023] The outlets of the left discharge passage 45L and the right discharge passage 45R are connected to the inlet of the chute 46, which transports the cut grass and other materials to the grass collection container 7. The outlet of the chute 46 is connected to the inlet of the grass collection container 7.

[0024] In a plan view, the front of the chute 46 is located to the right of the universal joint 41, and the rear of the chute 46 is located to the right of the gearbox 31. In a rear view, the chute 46 and the grass collection container 7 are located between the gearbox 31 and the right rear wheel 3. This allows a large chute 46 to be installed in the space formed to the right of the universal joint 41 and the gearbox 31, enabling efficient transport of grass and other materials cut by the implement 4 to the grass collection container 7.

[0025] In a side view, the upper wall of the chute 46 is formed with an upward slope towards the rear, and the rear of the chute 46 extends downward below the electrical components 61. This makes the rear of the chute 46 larger, preventing clogging of grass and other debris inside the chute 46.

[0026] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the vehicle body 1 is formed from a vehicle body main body 10 that supports the front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3, and a steering post 11 that supports the steering shaft 63.

[0027] The main body of the vehicle 10 has left front and rear frames 10L and right front and rear frames 10R that extend in the front-rear direction, and a left connecting portion 11L and a right connecting portion 11R that extend forward are formed at the lower part of the steering post 11.

[0028] The left connecting portion 11L is fixed to the left front and rear frame 10L by fastening means such as bolts, and the right connecting portion 11R is fixed to the right front and rear frame 10R by fastening means such as bolts, forming a single unit that creates the vehicle body 1.

[0029] A left support member 12L is provided at the front of the left front / rear frame 10L, and the connecting portion of the left support member 12L is formed with an upward slope to the left. Similarly, a right support member 12R is provided at the front of the right front / rear frame 10R, and the connecting portion of the right support member 12R is formed with an upward slope to the right. The left support member 12L and the right support member 12R are made of channel steel.

[0030] A left support member 13L is provided at the front of the left connecting section 11L, and the connecting portion of the left support member 13L is formed with an upward slope to the left. Similarly, a right support member 13R is provided at the front of the right connecting section 11R, and the connecting portion of the right support member 12R is formed with an upward slope to the right. The left support member 13L and the right support member 13R are made of channel steel.

[0031] A protruding portion 14 is formed at the lower part of the steering post 11, projecting forward at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction, and a cushioning member 15 made of rubber or the like is provided at the tip of the protruding portion 14.

[0032] As shown in Figure 10, the lower part of the battery 50, which is installed in the bonnet section 5, is fitted into the inner circumference of the battery bracket 52. The battery 50 is formed by connecting multiple high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries in series and parallel. This makes effective use of the space created in the bonnet section 5. Furthermore, because lithium-ion batteries have high energy density, a single full charge allows the work vehicle to travel long distances.

[0033] As shown in Figure 11, the battery bracket 52 is formed of a left front and rear frame 52L and a right front and rear frame 52R that extend in the front and rear direction, a front left and right frame 52A that connects the front parts of the left front and rear frame 52L and the right front and rear frame 52R, and a rear left and right frame 52B that connects the rear parts of the left front and rear frame 52L and the right front and rear frame 52R. The left front and rear frame 52L and the right front and rear frame 52R are made of angle steel, while the front left and right frame 52A and the rear left and right frame 52B are made of channel steel.

[0034] The connecting portion of the left front and rear frame 52L is formed with an upward slope to the left, and the connecting portion of the right front and rear frame 52R is formed with an upward slope to the left. In a rear view, the upward slope to the left of the connecting portion of the left support member 13L, the connecting portion of the left support member 12L, and the connecting portion of the left front and rear frame 52L are formed at the same angle, and the upward slope to the right of the connecting portion of the right support member 12R, the connecting portion of the right support member 12R, and the connecting portion of the right front and rear frame 52R are formed at the same angle.

[0035] A round left vibration damping member 53L is provided on the lower surface of the connecting portion of the left front and rear frame 52L at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction, and a round right vibration damping member 53R is provided on the lower surface of the connecting portion of the right front and rear frame 52R at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction.

[0036] The left front and rear frame 52L is connected to the left support member 12L of the left front and rear frame 10L and the left support member 13L of the left connecting section 11L via the left vibration damping member 53L, and the right front and rear frame 52R is connected to the right support member 12R of the right front and rear frame 10R and the right support member 13R of the right connecting section 11R via the right vibration damping member 53R. This suppresses the transmission of vibrations from the vehicle body 10 generated when the work vehicle is running to the battery 50, thereby preventing damage to the battery 50.

[0037] As shown in Figure 12, the connecting portion of the left front and rear frame 52L is provided perpendicular to the left imaginary line 55L, which connects the center of the left vibration damping member 53L and the center of the left front wheel 2L. Similarly, the connecting portion of the right front and rear frame 52R is provided perpendicular to the right imaginary line 55R, which connects the center of the right vibration damping member 53R and the center of the right front wheel 2R. This suppresses large vibrations caused by unevenness in the running surface via the front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3, thereby preventing damage to the battery 50, etc. Reference numeral 57 indicates the front wheel support frame that supports the left and right front wheels 2, and reference numeral 56 indicates the connecting portion between the front wheel support frame and the running vehicle body 10, and indicates the pivot axis of the front wheel support frame.

[0038] Furthermore, the tips of the cushioning members 15 of the steering post 11 are pressed against the rear surfaces of the left and right rear frames 52B of the battery bracket 52. This prevents the battery 50 from moving backward when the work vehicle starts, thereby preventing damage to the battery 50.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a steering wheel 62 is provided in front of the cockpit 60 of the control unit 6, and the steering wheel 62 is supported on the upper part of a steering shaft 63 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0040] On the left fender 64L to the left of the cockpit 60, there is a cleaner lever 65 for transporting the mowed grass remaining inside the chute 46 to the rear grass collection container 7, and on the right fender 64R to the cockpit 60, there is an operating lever 66 for raising and lowering the work implement 4. In addition, a brake pedal 68 is provided on the left front of the floor 67 where the operator places their feet when operating the machine, and a forward accelerator pedal 75 and a reverse accelerator pedal 76 are arranged side by side on the right front.

[0041] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the electrical components 61 located below the cockpit 60 consist of an inverter device 80 that converts the DC voltage supplied from the battery 50 into AC voltage to generate a three-phase AC voltage waveform for operating the electric motor 30 and the like; a battery monitoring device 81 that monitors the temperature, charge state, voltage protection, and short-circuit status of each cell of the battery 50; an auxiliary battery 82, such as a lead-acid battery, that stores power for the battery that supplies power to the meter panel (not shown) located in front of the cockpit 60 that displays the driving speed and the like; and a converter device 83 that converts the DC voltage supplied from the battery 50 into a DC voltage supplied to a sensor that detects the operating position of the cleaner lever 65 and the like.

[0042] The inverter device 80 is comprised of an inverter device 84 that operates the electric motor 30 and an inverter device 85 that operates the electric motor 40. Furthermore, the inverter device 84 also functions as a charging device that charges the battery 50 with power supplied from the electric motor 30 to the inverter device 80 when regenerative braking is activated, that is, when the forward accelerator pedal 75 or the reverse accelerator pedal 76 is released and the output shaft 30A rotates due to the inertial force of the vehicle body 1, causing the electric motor 30 to operate as a generator.

[0043] In a plan view, an inverter device 80 is provided at the front of the underside of the cockpit 60, and a battery monitoring device 81 is provided behind the inverter device 80. An auxiliary battery 82 is provided to the left of the inverter device 80, and a converter device 83 is provided to the left of the battery monitoring device 81 and behind the auxiliary battery 82. This allows for effective use of the space created under the cockpit 60. Furthermore, by providing the heavy battery monitoring device 81 at the rear, the difference in weight applied to the front and rear of the vehicle body 10 can be suppressed, thereby improving driving stability.

[0044] As shown in Figure 15, round grommets 86 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right walls of the housing 80A of the inverter device 80, at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. The housing 80A is connected via the grommets 86 to the left and right frames 16 that extend in the left-right direction and are provided at the rear of the vehicle body 10. This suppresses the transmission of vibrations from the vehicle body 10 generated when the work vehicle is running to the inverter device 80, thereby preventing damage to the inverter device 80. In addition, wires connecting the inverter device 80 and the electric motor 30 can be inserted through the hollow portion formed in the grommets 86, making it easy to route the wires.

[0045] As shown in Figure 16, round grommets 87 are provided on the lower wall of the housing 81A of the battery monitoring device 81 at predetermined intervals in the front-rear and left-right directions. The housing 81A is connected via the grommets 87 to a support frame 18 which is connected to the left and right frames 17 located on the rear side of the left and right frames 16. This suppresses the transmission of vibrations from the vehicle body 10 generated when the work vehicle is running to the battery monitoring device 81, thereby preventing damage to the battery monitoring device 81. In addition, wires connecting the battery monitoring device 81 and the battery 50 can be inserted through the hollow portion formed in the grommet 87, making it easy to route the wires.

[0046] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the electric cylinder 70 and the brake 71 provided on the rear wheel 3 are connected by a rod 72 that extends in the front-rear direction. The tip of the rod of the electric cylinder 70 and the rod 72 are connected by a connecting member 73.

[0047] When the brake switch (not shown) located on the control unit 6 is turned ON, the rod of the electric cylinder 70 retracts, moving the rod 72 forward and activating the brake 71, thereby stopping the drive of the rear wheels 3. This allows the electric cylinder 70 to be driven and the work vehicle to be brought to an emergency stop by turning on the brake switch.

[0048] Furthermore, when the brake switch is turned OFF, the rod of the electric cylinder 70 extends, moving the rod 72 to the rear, which stops the operation of the brake 71 and allows the rear wheel 3 to be driven.

[0049] The front end of the rod 72 is connected to the rear end of the brake pedal 68. When the brake pedal 68 is pressed, the brake pedal 68 rotates counterclockwise around a pivot shaft 68A that extends in the left-right direction, moving the rod 72 forward. This allows the brake 71 to be activated by pressing the brake pedal 68 even if the electric cylinder 70 malfunctions, thereby enhancing safety.

[0050] Furthermore, when the brake pedal 68 is released, the brake pedal 68 is rotated clockwise around the pivot shaft 68A by a traction means 69 such as a spring located at the bottom of the brake pedal 68, moving the rod 72 to the rear and stopping the operation of the brake 71, thereby driving the rear wheel 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1. Running vehicle 2 Front wheels 2L left front wheel 2R Right front wheel 3 Rear wheels 4. Work equipment 5. Hood section 6. Control Unit 10. Main body of the running vehicle 11 Steering Post 12L Left support member 12R Right support member 13L Left support member 13R Right support member 15. Cushioning material 30 Electric motor (1st electric motor) 40 Electric motor (second electric motor) 50 batteries 52 Battery bracket (bracket) 53L Left vibration damping component 53R Right vibration damping component 55L Left virtual line 55R Right virtual line

Claims

1. A pair of front wheels (2) are provided at the front of the vehicle body (1), and a pair of rear wheels (3) are provided at the rear of the vehicle body (1). A bonnet portion (5) is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the aforementioned vehicle body (1), with a predetermined space formed therein. A control panel (6) for the driver is provided on the rear side of the bonnet section (5). In a work vehicle equipped with a work machine (4) for cutting grass such as turf on the underside of the aforementioned traveling vehicle body (1), An electric motor (30) is provided to drive the rear wheels (3), A battery (50) for storing power to be supplied to the electric motor (30) is provided in the bonnet section (5). The vehicle body (10) that supports the front wheels (2) has a left front and rear frame (10L) and a right front and rear frame (10R) that extend in the front-rear direction. The battery (50) is connected to the vehicle body (10) via a left support member (12L) erected on the front of the left front and rear frame (10L) and a right support member (12R) erected on the front of the right front and rear frame (10R). In a side view, the vehicle body (1) is formed by a vehicle body main body (10) extending in the front-rear direction and a steering post (11) extending in the vertical direction that supports the steering shaft (63) of the control unit (6). A buffer member (15) is provided at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction on the lower front surface of the steering post (11). A work vehicle characterized by having the tip of the cushioning member (15) pressed against the rear surface of the battery (50).

2. A battery bracket (52) having a left front and rear frame (52L) and a right front and rear frame (52R) extending in the front and rear direction is fixed to the battery (50). The left support member (12L) provided on the left side of the vehicle body (1) and the left front and rear frame (52L) are connected via the left vibration damping member (53L). The right support member (12R) provided on the right side of the vehicle body (1) and the right front and rear frame (52R) are connected via the right vibration damping member (53R). The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in a front view, the connecting portion of the left support member (12L) and the connecting portion of the left front and rear frame (52L) are formed with an upward slope to the left, and the connecting portion of the right support member (12R) and the connecting portion of the right front and rear frame (52R) are formed with an upward slope to the right.

3. In a front view, the connection portion of the left support member (12L) and the connection portion of the left front and rear frame (52L) are formed perpendicular to a left imaginary line (55L) connecting the center of the left vibration damping member (53L) and the center of the left front wheel (2L) of the front wheel (2), and the connection portion of the right support member (12R) and the connection portion of the right front and rear frame (52R) are formed perpendicular to a right imaginary line (55R) passing through the center of the right vibration damping member (53R) and the center of the right front wheel (2R) of the front wheel (2), as described in claim 2.

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