Electric tractor

Abstract

This electric tractor comprises: an operation portion that has a floor 38 at the bottom thereof; electric motors 11, 12 that are provided below the floor 38 and that generate power for traveling, or power and hydraulic pressure for operating a mounted work device; and an accommodating frame 5 that is provided below the floor 38 and that accommodates the electric motors 11, 12. The floor 38 is attached to the accommodation frame 5.

Description

electric tractor

[0001] The present invention relates to the configuration of a driving section in an electric tractor.

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, some tractors are provided with an engine as a power source. In Patent Document 1, a driver's section in which an operator sits is provided on a body provided with front and rear wheels. The engine is provided in front of the driver's section, a front axle case to which the front wheels are attached is provided below the engine, and a transmission case to which the rear wheels are attached is provided below the driver's section. A transmission shaft is connected between the engine and the transmission case, and a front wheel transmission shaft is connected between the transmission case and the front axle case.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-88523

[0004] In the field of tractors, electric tractors have been proposed that are equipped with an electric motor that generates power for traveling, and an electric motor that generates power and hydraulic pressure to operate the equipped working equipment. The object of the present invention is to configure an electric tractor so that a driving unit can be installed without difficulty.

[0005] The electric tractor of the present invention comprises a driving section having a floor underneath, an electric motor provided below the floor and generating power for traveling or power and hydraulic pressure for operating an equipped work device, and a storage frame provided below the floor and storing the electric motor, and the floor is attached to the storage frame.

[0006] According to the present invention, the electric motor, which is a heavy object, is placed in a low position below the floor of the driver's section, and is placed near the center of the front and rear of the electric tractor, thereby enabling the electric tractor to have a low center of gravity, achieving a favorable weight balance for the electric tractor and improving the driving performance of the electric tractor.

[0007] According to the present invention, a storage frame for storing an electric motor is provided, and the storage frame is provided below the floor of the driving section. Since the storage frame stores the electric motor, which is a heavy object, it is configured to have sufficient strength. According to the present invention, the floor of the driving section is attached to the storage frame, and the driving section (floor) is supported by the storage frame with sufficient strength.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that right and left rear running devices are attached, a transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the electric motor is provided inside, a transmission case is provided connected to the rear of the accommodating frame, and the driving unit is attached to the transmission case.

[0009] The transmission case is configured to have sufficient strength since the rear traveling device is attached to it. According to the present invention, the transmission case is connected to the rear of the storage frame, and by connecting the storage frame, which has sufficient strength, to the transmission case, which also has sufficient strength, the overall rigidity of the electric tractor is improved. According to the present invention, the driving section is attached to the transmission case, and the driving section (floor) is supported with sufficient strength by the storage frame and the transmission case.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that elastically deformable support parts are provided between the floor and the accommodating frame and between the driving unit and the transmission case, and that the floor is attached to the accommodating frame via the support parts, and the driving unit is attached to the transmission case via the support parts.

[0011] According to the present invention, the driver's section (floor) is supported by the housing frame and the transmission case via an elastically deformable support section, and the transmission of vibrations to the driver's section during driving, etc. is suppressed by the support section, thereby improving the comfort of the worker riding in the driver's section.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that a frame is provided that is connected along the left-right direction across the upper right portion and the upper left portion of the storage frame, and that the support portion between the floor and the storage frame is attached to the frame.

[0013] According to the present invention, the frame is connected in the left-right direction across the upper portion of the right section and the upper portion of the left section of the storage frame, thereby reinforcing the storage frame and improving its rigidity. According to the present invention, the support section is attached to the frame of the storage frame, and the frame of the storage frame also serves as an attachment member for the support section, thereby simplifying the structure.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that a support frame is provided that is attached to the floor and extends upward from the floor, and a steering handle for performing steering operations is attached to the support frame.

[0015] According to the present invention, the support frame is attached to the floor, and the operation handle is attached to the support frame, so that the support frame is supported by the storage frame with sufficient strength, and the operation handle is supported by the storage frame via the support frame with sufficient strength.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that a power steering device for assisting steering operation by the steering handle be attached to a portion of the support frame below the steering handle.

[0017] According to the present invention, the steering handle is attached to the support frame and the power steering device is attached to a portion of the support frame below the steering handle, so that in addition to the steering handle, the power steering device is supported with sufficient strength by the storage frame via the support frame.

[0018] In the present invention, it is preferable that the vehicle is provided with a pillar frame attached to the storage frame and extending upward from the storage frame, and a bonnet provided in front of the pillar frame, and that the bonnet is attached to the pillar frame so as to be openable and closable between a closed position and an open position above the closed position.

[0019] According to the present invention, the pillar frame is attached to the storage frame, and the hood is attached to the pillar frame in an openable and closable manner, so that the pillar frame is supported by the storage frame with sufficient strength, and the hood is supported by the storage frame via the pillar frame with sufficient strength.

[0020] In the present invention, it is preferable that the vehicle is provided with a support frame attached to the floor and extending upward from the floor, a brake for driving, and a brake pedal for operating the brake attached to the support frame.

[0021] According to the present invention, the support frame is attached to the floor, and the brake pedal is attached to the support frame, so that the support frame is supported by the storage frame with sufficient strength, and the brake pedal is supported by the storage frame via the support frame with sufficient strength.

[0022] In the present invention, it is preferable that the vehicle is equipped with a transmission case connected to the rear of the storage frame, to which right and left rear traveling devices are attached and which has a transmission mechanism inside to transmit the power of the electric motor, a brake provided on the transmission case and capable of braking the traveling devices, and a linkage mechanism connected between the brake pedal and the brake, which transmits operation of the brake pedal to the brake and operates the brake, and that the linkage mechanism is provided along the fore-and-aft direction between the floor and the storage frame.

[0023] The transmission case is configured to have sufficient strength since the rear traveling device is attached to it. According to the present invention, the transmission case is connected to the rear of the housing frame, and by connecting the housing frame, which has sufficient strength, and the transmission case, which also has sufficient strength, the overall rigidity of the electric tractor is improved.

[0024] According to the present invention, when the brake is provided on the transmission case, the linking mechanism connected across the brake pedal and the brake is provided along the front-rear direction between the floor of the driver's section and the housing frame, which allows the space between the floor of the driver's section and the housing frame to be effectively used for arranging the linking mechanism, thereby making the arrangement of the linking mechanism more compact.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that a raised portion that bends so as to rise upward above other portions of the floor is formed along the front-to-rear direction in the central left-to-right portion of the floor, and that the linking mechanism is provided along the front-to-rear direction between the raised portion and the storage frame.

[0026] According to the present invention, the raised portion is provided in the center of the left and right of the floor of the driver's section along the front-to-rear direction, and a tunnel-like space is formed along the front-to-rear direction between the raised portion of the driver's section floor and the storage frame. This allows the linking mechanism to be comfortably located between the raised portion of the driver's section floor and the storage frame, which is advantageous in terms of making the location of the linking mechanism more compact.

[0027] When an operator sits in the driver's seat of the driver's section with his or her right and left feet on the floor, or when the operator is standing on the floor of the driver's section, the left-right center portion of the floor of the driver's section is often located between the operator's right and left feet. As a result, even if a raised portion is provided in the left-right center portion of the floor of the driver's section along the front-to-rear direction, the raised portion of the floor of the driver's section will not interfere with the operator's work.

[0028] In the present invention, it is preferable that a first electric motor and a second electric motor are provided, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and housed in the housing frame, the left-right width of the housing frame is greater than the left-right width of the transmission case, the linking mechanism extends from between the raised portion and the housing frame to a position above the transmission case, and the linking mechanism has left and right portions provided across a position above the transmission case and a position above a lateral side of the transmission case, upper and lower portions provided along the up-down direction laterally outside the transmission case across the left and right portions and the lateral side of the transmission case, and front and rear portions connected along the front-rear direction across the upper and lower portions and the brake operating portion.

[0029] According to the present invention, when a first electric motor and a second electric motor are provided, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, so that the first electric motor and the second electric motor are arranged at approximately the same position in the front-to-rear direction and at approximately the same height in the up-to-down direction, which provides a favorable weight balance in the electric tractor and is advantageous in terms of improving the driving performance of the electric tractor.

[0030] According to the present invention, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are housed in the storage frame side by side in the left-right direction, so the length of the storage frame in the front-rear direction is reduced, while the width of the storage frame in the left-right direction is increased.

[0031] According to the present invention, the transmission case to which the rear running device is attached is connected to the rear of the storage frame, which has a large width in the left-right direction, and extends rearward, so that the storage frame can be comfortably installed in front of the rear running device in a side view without interfering with the rear running device.

[0032] According to the present invention, the linking mechanism extends from between the raised portion of the driver's section floor and the accommodation frame to a position above the transmission case, extends above the lateral sides of the transmission case (left and right portions), extends downward along the lateral sides of the transmission case (upper and lower portions), and extends rearward (front and rear portions), and is connected to the brake operating portion. This allows the linking mechanism to be arranged along the accommodation frame and the transmission case, which is advantageous in terms of making the arrangement of the linking mechanism more compact.

[0033] In the present invention, it is preferable that the left-right width of the front part of the transmission case is smaller than the left-right width of the accommodating frame and larger than the left-right width of the rear part of the transmission case, that the linking mechanism extends from between the raised portion and the accommodating frame to a position above the rear part of the transmission case, and that the upper and lower portions are provided behind the front part of the transmission case and laterally outward from the rear part of the transmission case.

[0034] According to the present invention, when the front portion of the transmission case is connected to the rear portion of the accommodation frame, the left-right width of the front portion of the transmission case is greater than the left-right width of the rear portion of the transmission case. This reduces the left-right width of the accommodation frame, the left-right width of the front portion of the transmission case, and the left-right width of the rear portion of the transmission case in that order, thereby improving the rigidity of the connection portion between the accommodation frame and the transmission case (the front portion of the transmission case).

[0035] According to the present invention, the linking mechanism extends from between the raised portion of the driver's section floor and the accommodation frame to a position above the rear of the transmission case, and extends laterally outward from the rear of the transmission case behind the front of the transmission case (upper and lower portions). This allows the linking mechanism to be arranged along the front and rear of the transmission case, which is advantageous in terms of making the linking mechanism more compact.

[0036] In the present invention, it is preferable to provide a right brake capable of braking the right traveling device, a left brake capable of braking the left traveling device, the right brake pedal, the left brake pedal, a right linking mechanism connected between the right brake pedal and the right brake, and a left linking mechanism connected between the left brake pedal and the left brake.

[0037] According to the present invention, right and left brakes, right and left brake pedals, and right and left linkage mechanisms are provided. By stepping on the right brake pedal, the operator can apply the brakes to the right rear traveling device with the right brake, and by stepping on the left brake pedal, the operator can apply the brakes to the left rear traveling device with the left brake. According to the present invention, a configuration suitable for an electric tractor equipped with right and left brakes, right and left brake pedals, and right and left linkage mechanisms is obtained.

[0038] 1 is a left side view of an electric tractor. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric tractor. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the vicinity of the front frame, storage frame and transmission case. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vicinity of the front frame, storage frame and transmission case. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the storage frame. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the storage frame. FIG. 7 is a front view of the storage frame. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the storage frame. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the storage frame. FIG. 10 is a left side view showing a linking mechanism between the brake pedal and the brake. FIG. 11 is a rear view of the vicinity of the support frame to which the operation handle etc. are attached. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a linking mechanism between the brake pedal and the brake. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal front view showing a linking mechanism between the brake pedal and the brake. FIG. 14 is a left side view of an electric tractor equipped with a front loader device. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the vicinity of the front frame, storage frame and transmission case when the front loader device is equipped. FIG. 16 is a left side view of an electric tractor equipped with a front loader device and a backhoe device. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the vicinity of the front frame, storage frame and transmission case when the front loader device and a backhoe device are equipped.

[0039] Figures 1 to 17 show an electric tractor, and in Figures 1 to 17, F indicates the forward direction, B indicates the rearward direction, U indicates the upward direction, D indicates the downward direction, R indicates the rightward direction, and L indicates the leftward direction.

[0040] 1 and 2, right and left front wheels 1 are provided at the front of a machine body 3, and right and left rear wheels 2 are provided at the rear of the machine body 3, and the machine body 3 is supported by the front wheels 1 and the rear wheels 2. In this case, the rear wheels 2 serve as the rear traveling device.

[0041] The machine body 3 has a front frame 4, a storage frame 5, and a transmission case 6. The machine body 3 is constructed by connecting the front frame 4 to a front portion 14 (see FIGS. 5 to 9) of the storage frame 5, and connecting the transmission case 6 to a rear portion 15 (see FIGS. 5 to 9) of the storage frame 5. A first electric motor 11 and a second electric motor 12, which serve as power sources, are housed in the storage frame 5. In this case, the front frame 4 serves as a first front frame.

[0042] A front axle case 7 is attached to the front frame 4, and right and left front wheels 1 are attached to the front axle case 7. Right and left rear wheels 2 are attached to a transmission case 6.

[0043] A driver's section 8, in which an operator sits, is provided across the housing frame 5 and the transmission case 6. A ROP frame 9 is attached to the transmission case 6, extends upward, and is provided behind the driver's section 8. A battery 10 that supplies power to electric motors 11, 12 is attached to the front frame 4, and a hood 13 is provided to cover the battery 10.

[0044] 5 to 9, the storage frame 5 has a front portion 14, a rear portion 15, a right lateral portion 16, a left lateral portion 16, frames 17, 19, 20, 21, etc. In this case, the right and left lateral portions 16 of the storage frame 5 correspond to the right and left portions of the storage frame 5.

[0045] The front section 14 and the rear section 15 are configured as flat plates extending in the up-down and left-right directions. The right and left lateral sections 16 are configured as flat plates extending in the up-down and front-rear directions, but are slightly curved. The front sections of the lateral sections 16 are connected to the right and left sections of the rear surface of the front section 14, and the rear sections of the lateral sections 16 are connected to the right and left sections of the front surface of the rear section 15.

[0046] The frame 17 is connected in the front-to-rear direction across the left-to-right center portion of the upper part of the rear surface of the front section 14 and the left-to-right center portion of the upper part of the front surface of the rear section 15. The frame 19 is connected in the left-to-right direction across the upper parts of the right and left lateral sections 16. A bracket 22 is connected across the frame 17 and the frame 19. In this case, the frame 17 serves as the upper frame of the storage frame 5.

[0047] The right and left frames 20 are connected to the lower portions of the right and left lateral portions 16 in the front-to-rear direction. A frame 21 is connected across the right and left frames 20 in the left-to-right direction. A recess 14a that is open downward and faces upward is provided in the left-to-right center of the lower portion of the front portion 14. An opening 15a is formed in the left-to-right center of the rear portion 15. In this case, the frame 21 serves as the lower frame of the storage frame 5.

[0048] 5 to 8, the electric motors 11, 12 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction inside the storage frame 5 (between the front portion 14 and the rear portion 15, between the right and left lateral portions 16, and between the frames 17, 19 and the frame 21). The electric motors 11, 12 are identical and have the same output.

[0049] A flange portion 11a at the rear end of the electric motor 11 is connected to the left portion of the front surface of the rear portion 15 of the storage frame 5. A flange portion 12a at the rear end of the electric motor 12 is connected to the right portion of the front surface of the rear portion 15 of the storage frame 5. Output shafts 11b, 12b of the electric motors 11, 12 are provided at the positions of the flange portions 11a, 12a of the electric motors 11, 12, extending rearward along the front-to-rear direction.

[0050] Inside the storage frame 5, the electric motor 11 is provided on the left side of the recess 14a in the front part 14 and the opening 15a in the rear part 15 of the storage frame 5. The electric motor 12 is provided on the right side of the recess 14a in the front part 14 and the opening 15a in the rear part 15 of the storage frame 5.

[0051] 3, a flat cover 25 is attached across the lower portions of the right and left lateral portions 16, which are the bottom of the storage frame 5, and across the lower portions of the front portion 14 and rear portion 15 of the storage frame 5. In this case, the cover 25 serves as an electric motor protection member.

[0052] (Configuration of mounting portion and inverter for mounting working device) As shown in Figures 5 to 9, on the right and left horizontal portions 16 of the storage frame 5, upper mounting portions 16a are provided on the upper front portion of the horizontal portion 16, facing diagonally upward, and lower mounting portions 16a are provided on the lower front portion of the horizontal portion 16, facing diagonally downward.

[0053] The right mounting portion 23 is connected across the mounting portion 16 a of the right horizontal portion 16 of the storage frame 5. The left mounting portion 23 is connected across the mounting portion 16 a of the left horizontal portion 16 of the storage frame 5. As will be described later, a working device such as a front loader device 65 (see FIG. 14 ) is attached to the right and left mounting portions 23.

[0054] 1 to 4, the right and left inverters 24 are attached to the right and left lateral portions 16 of the storage frame 5, and are provided rearward of the mounting portion 23. As will be described later, a speed change pedal 35 is provided on the driving portion 8.

[0055] Power from the battery 10 is supplied to the left inverter 24, and based on the operation of the speed change pedal 35, the DC power from the battery 10 is converted to AC power in the left inverter 24 and supplied to the electric motor 11, causing the electric motor 11 to operate in the forward direction (to move the electric tractor forward) and in the reverse direction (to move the electric tractor backward).

[0056] The power of the battery 10 is supplied to the right inverter 24, which converts the DC power of the battery 10 into AC power and supplies it to the electric motor 12, thereby operating the electric motor 12. The electric motor 12 drives a hydraulic pump (not shown) as will be described later, and therefore operates in the forward direction and does not operate in the reverse direction.

[0057] (Configuration of front frame and front axle case) As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, right and left front frames 4 are provided, and the front frames 4 are connected to the upper part of the front surface of the front part 14 of the storage frame 5 (see Figures 5 to 9) and extend forward.

[0058] There are provided right and left front frames 26. At the lower portion of the front surface of the front portion 14 (see FIGS. 5 to 9) of the storage frame 5, the rear portion of the front frame 26 is connected to the lower portion of the front frame 4, and the front portion of the front frame 26 is connected to the front-to-rear intermediate portion of the front frame 4. In this case, the front frame 26 serves as a second front frame.

[0059] A battery 10 is attached to the upper part of the front frame 4, and the rear end of the battery 10 is located forward of the front ends of the electric motors 11, 12. A front axle case 7 (front wheels 1) is attached to the lower front part of the front frame 4 in a rollable manner, and is located below the battery 10 and forward of the electric motors 11, 12.

[0060] A flat cover 27 is attached across the right and left front frames 26. In a side view, the front frames 26 and the cover 27 are tilted upward in a front-upward position, with the front portions of the front frame 26 and the cover 27 higher than the rear portions of the front frame 26 and the cover 27. In this case, the cover 27 serves as a front wheel drive shaft protection member.

[0061] 4, the right and left front frames 4, 26 and the cover 27 have the same width W2 in the left-right direction. The width W1 in the left-right direction of the storage frame 5 is larger than the width W2 in the left-right direction of the right and left front frames 4, 26 and the cover 27.

[0062] In a plan view, the output shaft 11b of the electric motor 11 is located at the position of an imaginary line L1 extending rearward from the left front frame 4, 26. The output shaft 12b of the electric motor 12 is located at the position of an imaginary line L2 extending rearward from the right front frame 4, 26. As a result, the width W2 in the left-right direction between the right and left front frames 4, 26 and the cover 27 is approximately the same as the width (spacing) in the left-right direction between the output shafts 11b, 12b of the electric motors 11, 12.

[0063] 3 and 4, the transmission case 6 has a front portion 6a, a rear portion 6b, and right and left rear axle cases 6c, and the right and left rear wheels 2 are attached to the rear axle cases 6c of the transmission case 6. The front portion 6a of the transmission case 6 is connected to the rear surface of the rear portion 15 of the housing frame 5, and the transmission case 6 is provided rearward of the electric motors 11, 12.

[0064] The left-right width W1 of the housing frame 5 is greater than the left-right widths W3 and W4 of the front portion 6a of the transmission case 6. The left-right widths W3 and W4 of the front portion 6a of the transmission case 6 are greater than the left-right width W5 of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6.

[0065] A hydraulic multi-plate traveling clutch (not shown), an auxiliary transmission (not shown), and a rear wheel differential (not shown) are provided inside the transmission case 6. The auxiliary transmission is configured as a gear-shift type and is capable of changing speeds between high and low speeds. Power from the output shaft 11b of the electric motor 11 is transmitted to the traveling clutch, from the traveling clutch to the auxiliary transmission, and from the auxiliary transmission to the rear wheels 2 via the rear wheel differential. In this case, the hydraulic multi-plate traveling clutch, the auxiliary transmission, and the rear wheel differential form a transmission mechanism.

[0066] Inside the transmission case 6, the power branched off between the sub-transmission device and the rear wheel differential device is transmitted to the front wheel transmission shaft 31 described later, from the front wheel transmission shaft 31 to the front wheel differential device (not shown) inside the front axle case 7, and from the front wheel differential device to the front wheels 1.

[0067] A PTO shaft 28 is provided facing rearward in the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6, and a mid-PTO shaft 29 is provided facing forward in the bottom of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6. A hydraulic multi-plate PTO clutch (not shown) and a PTO transmission system (not shown) are provided inside the transmission case 6. Power from the output shaft 12b of the electric motor 12 is transmitted to the PTO clutch, from the PTO clutch to the PTO transmission system, and from the PTO transmission system to the PTO shaft 28 and mid-PTO shaft 29. In this case, the PTO clutch and PTO transmission system form a transmission mechanism.

[0068] In the electric tractor, when a work implement such as a rotary tiller (not shown) is attached to the rear of the machine body 3, the power of the PTO shaft 28 is transmitted to the work implement. When a work implement such as a mower (not shown) is attached to the lower part of the machine body 3 between the front wheels 1 and the rear wheels 2, the power of the mid-PTO shaft 29 is transmitted to the work implement.

[0069] 3 and 4 , a pipe member 30 is connected in the front-to-rear direction between the rear portion 15 of the accommodating frame 5 and the front axle case 7. The front wheel transmission shaft 31 described above is provided inside the pipe member 30 and is connected between the inside of the transmission case 6 and the front wheel differential device of the front axle case 7.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, in the storage frame 5, the pipe member 30 and the front wheel transmission shaft 31 are provided in a recess 14a in the front part 14 of the storage frame 5, and the front wheel transmission shaft 31 is provided in an opening 15a in the rear part 15 of the storage frame 5.

[0071] A bearing portion 32 is provided in the opening 15a of the rear portion 15 of the storage frame 5. The front wheel transmission shaft 31 is supported by the bearing portion 32 and is supported by the rear portion 15 of the storage frame 5 via the bearing portion 32. The rear end portion of the pipe member 30 is attached to the bearing portion 32.

[0072] 3, 4, 7, and 8, the pipe member 30 and the front wheel transmission shaft 31 are disposed between the right and left front frames 4, 26 in a plan view, and are disposed above the cover 27. The pipe member 30 and the front wheel transmission shaft 31 are disposed between the output shaft 11b of the electric motor 11 and the output shaft 12b of the electric motor 12 in a plan view, and are disposed in the left-right center of the storage frame 5 and directly below the frame 17 of the storage frame 5.

[0073] The pipe member 30 and the front wheel transmission shaft 31 are provided at a height that overlaps with the electric motors 11, 12 in a side view. Specifically, the pipe member 30 and the front wheel transmission shaft 31 are provided between the output shafts 11b, 12b of the electric motors 11, 12 and the lower ends of the electric motors 11, 12 in a side view, and are provided above the frame 21 of the storage frame 5.

[0074] (Configuration of Driving Section) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the driving section 8 is provided with a steering wheel 33 for steering the front wheels 1, a driver's seat 34, the aforementioned speed change pedal 35, right and left brake pedals 36, 37, a floor 38, etc.

[0075] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, right and left support parts 39 made of elastically deformable rubber are provided on the right and left parts of the frame 19 of the storage frame 5, and the support parts 39 are provided between a floor 38 provided below the driving unit 8 and the storage frame 5 (frame 19).

[0076] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, right and left support parts 40 made of elastically deformable rubber are provided on the right and left parts of the rear part 6b of the transmission case 6, and the support parts 40 are provided between the rear of the driver's section 8 and the rear part 6b of the transmission case 6.

[0077] 3, 4, 12, and 13, a floor 38 is attached to a support portion 39, which is attached to and supported by the housing frame 5 via the support portion 39, and the speed change pedal 35 is provided on the right side of the floor 38. The rear portion of the driver's section 8 is attached to a support portion 40, which is attached to and supported by the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6 via the support portion 40.

[0078] 1 and 2 , a footstep 41 is attached to the left side of the floor 38, and an operator mainly gets on and off the driver's section 8 from the left side of the machine body 3. The storage frame 5 and the electric motors 11, 12 are provided below the floor 38. The battery 10 is provided forward of the driver's section 8 so that the rear end of the battery 10 is located forward of the front ends of the electric motors 11, 12.

[0079] 10 and 11, the support frame 42 is attached to the floor 38 and extends upward from the floor 38. The support frame 42 has a partition wall portion 42a, a pillar portion 42b, and support plates 42c and 42d.

[0080] In the support frame 42, the partition wall portion 42a is formed in a flat plate shape and attached to the front part of the floor 38, separating the inside of the hood 13, the battery 10, and the driver's section 8. The pillar portion 42b is formed in an arch shape when viewed from the front, and is connected to the outer periphery of the partition wall portion 42a.

[0081] In the support frame 42, the support plate 42c is formed in a vertically long flat plate shape and is connected to the left-right central portion of the lower part of the partition wall portion 42a. The support plate 42d is formed in a flat plate shape and is connected to the left-right central portion of the partition wall portion 42a and extends rearward.

[0082] (Configuration of the steering handle, power steering device, and display unit on the support frame) As shown in Figure 11, the base of the steering handle 33 is attached to the upper part of the support plate 42c and the support plate 42d of the support frame 42, and the steering handle 33 is attached to the support frame 42.

[0083] A fully hydraulic power steering device 43 is attached to the lower part of the support plate 42c of the support frame 42, and the power steering device 43 is attached to a portion of the support frame 42 below the steering handle 33. A steering shaft 33a extending downward from the base of the steering handle 33 is connected to the power steering device 43.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a steering cylinder 44 is attached to the front axle case 7, and hydraulic oil is supplied to the steering cylinder 44 from the power steering device 43.

[0085] When the steering handle 33 is operated, the power steering device 43 is operated by the steering shaft 33a of the steering handle 33, hydraulic oil is supplied from the power steering device 43 to the steering cylinder 44, and the steering cylinder 44 is activated to steer the front wheels 1.

[0086] 2 and 11, the display unit 45 is attached to the upper portion of the support plates 42c and 42d of the support frame 42. The display unit 45 is configured with a liquid crystal panel, and various information is displayed on the display unit 45.

[0087] (Configuration of Pillar Frames and Bonnet) As shown in Figures 10 and 12, pillar frames 18 are provided that are configured in an arch shape when viewed from the front, and the pillar frames 18 are provided adjacent to the front side of the support frame 42.

[0088] 5, 9, and 12, right and left brackets 16b are provided on the front portions of the upper parts of the right and left horizontal portions 16 of the storage frame 5. The right and left lower portions of the pillar frames 18 are connected to the right and left brackets 16b of the storage frame 5 (horizontal portions 16), and the pillar frames 18 extend upward from the storage frame 5.

[0089] In this case, no support parts 39, 40 are provided between the lower part of the pillar frame 18 and the bracket 16b of the storage frame 5 (horizontal part 16), and the lower part of the pillar frame 18 is directly connected to the bracket 16b of the storage frame 5 (horizontal part 16).

[0090] 1 and 2, the hood 13 is attached to the upper part of the pillar frame 18 so as to be swingable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The hood 13 can be opened and closed between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position above the closed position.

[0091] 10 to 13, a pipe member 46 is connected along the left-right direction to an upper portion of the support plate 42d of the support frame 42. A fulcrum shaft 47 is attached to the pipe member 46 so as to be rotatable about an axis P1 that extends along the left-right direction, and a left portion of the fulcrum shaft 47 is rotatably supported by a bracket 42e connected to the partition wall portion 42a of the support frame 42.

[0092] A boss portion 36a is connected to the upper portion of the right brake pedal 36, and the boss portion 36a of the right brake pedal 36 is connected to the left portion of the fulcrum shaft 47, and the right brake pedal 36 extends downward from the fulcrum shaft 47. The right brake pedal 36 and the fulcrum shaft 47 swing integrally around the axis P1.

[0093] A boss portion 37a is connected to the upper portion of the left brake pedal 37, and the boss portion 37a of the left brake pedal 37 is rotatably attached to the left portion of the fulcrum shaft 47, and the left brake pedal 37 extends downward from the fulcrum shaft 47. The left brake pedal 37 swings about the axis P1 independently of the right brake pedal 36 and the fulcrum shaft 47.

[0094] An operator seated in the driver's seat 34 depresses the right and left brake pedals 36, 37 forward with their left foot from the position shown in Figure 10. Return springs 48 are attached to the boss portions 36a, 37a of the right and left brake pedals 36, 37. When the operator releases their left foot from the right and left brake pedals 36, 37, the return springs 48 return the right and left brake pedals 36, 37 to the position shown in Figure 10.

[0095] 10, 11, and 12, a right brake 50 capable of braking the right rear wheel 2 and a right brake 51 capable of braking the left rear wheel 2 are provided on the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6. A right linking mechanism 52 is connected between the right brake pedal 36 and the right brake 50 as described below. A left linking mechanism 53 is connected between the left brake pedal 37 and the left brake 51 as described below.

[0096] The right linking mechanism 52 has a right linking rod 54, a pipe member 56, a right linking rod 57, a pipe member 59, a right crank member 60, a right linking rod 61, and a right linking rod 62. In this case, the pipe member 59 is the left and right part, the linking rod 61 is the top and bottom part, and the linking rod 62 is the front and back part.

[0097] The left linking mechanism 53 has a left linking rod 54, a linking shaft 55, a left linking rod 57, a linking shaft 58, a left crank member 60, a left linking rod 61, and a left linking rod 62. In this case, the linking shaft 58 is the left-right part, the linking rod 61 is the upper and lower part, and the linking rod 62 is the front-rear part.

[0098] The bracket 49 is connected to the frame 19 of the storage frame 5, and two pipe members 63 are connected to the brackets 22, 49 of the storage frame 5 at a distance in the left-right direction. A linking shaft 55 is attached to the pipe member 63 so as to be rotatable about an axis P2 extending in the left-right direction. An arm 55a is connected to the left end of the linking shaft 55, and an arm 55b is connected to the left-right center of the linking shaft 55 (the portion between the two pipe members 63).

[0099] A pipe member 56 is attached to the right portion of the linking shaft 55 so as to be rotatable about the axis P2 independently of the linking shaft 55. An arm 56a is connected to the right end of the pipe member 56, and an arm 56b is connected to the left end of the pipe member 56.

[0100] The right linking rod 54 is connected between the arm 47a of the fulcrum shaft 47 and the arm 56a of the pipe member 56. The left linking rod 54 is connected between the arm 37b of the left brake pedal 37 and the arm 55a of the linking shaft 55.

[0101] (Configuration of linkage mechanism connecting brake pedal and brake)-2 As shown in Figures 10 to 13, two pipe members 64 are connected to the upper side of the rear part 6b of the transmission case 6 with a gap between them in the left-right direction. A linkage shaft 58 is attached to the pipe members 64 so as to be rotatable about an axis P3 that runs along the left-right direction. An arm 58a is connected to the left end of the linkage shaft 58, and an arm 58b is connected to the left-right center of the linkage shaft 58 (the part between the two pipe members 64).

[0102] A pipe member 59 is attached to the right portion of the linking shaft 58 so as to be rotatable about the axis P3 independently of the linking shaft 58. An arm 59a is connected to the right end of the pipe member 59, and an arm 59b is connected to the left end of the pipe member 59.

[0103] The right linking rod 57 is connected across the arm 56b of the pipe member 56 and the arm 59b of the pipe member 59. The left linking rod 57 is connected across the arm 55b of the linking shaft 55 and the arm 58b of the linking shaft 58.

[0104] In the floor 38 of the driving section 8, a raised portion 38a is formed in the central left and right part of the floor 38, which is curved so as to rise upward more than other parts of the floor 38, and the raised portion 38a is provided along the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the floor 38.

[0105] The right and left linking rods 57 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and in the front-rear direction between the raised portion 38a of the floor 38 and the housing frame 5. The right and left linking rods 57 extend to a position (linking shaft 58 and pipe member 59) above the rear portion 5b of the transmission case 6.

[0106] 10 and 12, the right portion of the linkage shaft 58 and the pipe member 59 extend laterally outward to the right from the center of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6, and extend to above the right side of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6. The left portion of the linkage shaft 58 extends laterally outward to the left from the center of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6, and extend to above the left side of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6.

[0107] Right and left crank members 60 are attached to the right and left lateral sides of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6 so as to be swingable about an axis P4 along the left-right direction. A right linking rod 61 is connected between the arm 59a of the pipe member 59 and the right crank member 60. A left linking rod 61 is connected between the arm 58a of the linking shaft 58 and the left crank member 60.

[0108] The right linking rod 61 is provided along the vertical direction behind the right portion of the front part 6a of the transmission case 6 and laterally outward from the right lateral side of the rear part 6b of the transmission case 6. The left linking rod 61 is provided along the vertical direction behind the left portion of the front part 6a of the transmission case 6 and laterally outward from the left lateral side of the rear part 6b of the transmission case 6.

[0109] The right linking rod 62 is connected in the front-rear direction between the right crank member 60 and the operating portion 50a of the right brake 50. The left linking rod 62 is connected in the front-rear direction between the left crank member 60 and the operating portion 51a of the left brake 51.

[0110] (Brake operation state by brake pedal) As shown in Figures 10 to 13, when the right brake pedal 36 is depressed forward, the fulcrum shaft 47 is operated in the clockwise direction in Figure 10, the right linkage rod 54 is operated upward, and the pipe member 56 is operated in the clockwise direction in Figure 10.

[0111] When the pipe member 56 is operated clockwise in Figure 10, the right linking rod 57 is operated forward, the pipe member 59 is operated counterclockwise in Figure 10, the right linking rod 61 is operated upward, the right crank member 60 is operated counterclockwise in Figure 10, the right linking rod 62 is operated rearward, the operating part 50a of the right brake 50 is operated rearward, and the right brake 50 is operated to brake.

[0112] When the left brake pedal 37 is depressed forward, the left linking rod 54 is operated upward, and the linking shaft 55 is operated clockwise in Fig. 10. When the linking shaft 55 is operated clockwise in Fig. 10, the left linking rod 57 is operated forward, the linking shaft 58 is operated counterclockwise in Fig. 10, the left linking rod 61 is operated upward, the left crank member 60 is operated counterclockwise in Fig. 10, the left linking rod 62 is operated rearward, the operating portion 51a of the left brake 51 is operated rearward, and the left brake 51 is operated to apply braking.

[0113] (Configuration of Front Loader Apparatus) As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, an electric tractor may be equipped with a front loader apparatus 65, which is a working apparatus.

[0114] The front loader device 65 has right and left bases 66 , right and left booms 67 , a bucket 68 , right and left boom cylinders 69 , and right and left bucket cylinders 70 .

[0115] Booms 67 are attached to the upper end of the base 66 so as to be able to swing up and down, and boom cylinders 69 that operate to swing the booms 67 up and down are connected between the base 66 and the booms 67. Buckets 68 are attached to the front ends of the right and left booms 67 so as to be able to swing up and down, and bucket cylinders 70 that operate to swing the buckets 68 up and down are connected between the booms 67 and the buckets 68.

[0116] 16 and 17, an electric tractor may be equipped with a front loader device 65, which is a working device, and a backhoe device 75, which is also a working device. The front loader device 65 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0117] The backhoe device 75 has a base 76, a work seat 77, an operating lever 78, right and left outriggers 79, a swing bracket 80, a boom 81, an arm 82, a bucket 83, right and left outrigger cylinders 84, a swing cylinder 85, a boom cylinder 86, an arm cylinder 87, and a bucket cylinder 88.

[0118] An operator seat 77 and an operating lever 78 are provided on a frame-shaped base 76. Right and left outriggers 79 are attached to the base 76 so as to be able to swing up and down, and an outrigger cylinder 84 that swings the outriggers 79 up and down is connected between the base 76 and the outriggers 79.

[0119] A swing bracket 80 is attached to the base 76 so as to be swingable left and right, and a swing cylinder 85 that swings the swing bracket 80 left and right is connected between the base 76 and the swing bracket 80.

[0120] A boom 81 is attached to the swing bracket 80 so as to be able to swing up and down, and a boom cylinder 86 that swings the boom 81 up and down is connected between the swing bracket 80 and the boom 81.

[0121] An arm 82 is attached to the boom 81 so as to be swingable back and forth, and an arm cylinder 87 that swings the arm 82 back and forth is connected between the boom 81 and the arm 82. A bucket 83 is attached to the arm 82 so as to be swingable back and forth, and a bucket cylinder 88 that swings the bucket 83 back and forth is connected between the arm 82 and the bucket 83.

[0122] (Configuration when front loader device and backhoe device are mounted on electric tractor) As shown in Figures 14 to 17, when a front loader device 65 is mounted, in the front loader device 65, the lower part of the right base 66 is connected to the outer lateral surface part of the right mounting part 23 of the storage frame 5, and the lower part of the left base 66 is connected to the outer lateral surface part of the left mounting part 23 of the storage frame 5.

[0123] When only the front loader device 65 is installed, right and left front and rear frames 73 are used as shown in Figures 14 and 15. When the front loader device 65 and the backhoe device 75 are installed, right and left front and rear frames 74 are used as shown in Figures 16 and 17.

[0124] As described above, with the base 66 of the front loader device 65 connected to the mounting portion 23 of the storage frame 5, the front ends of the right front and rear frames 73, 74 are connected to the outer lateral surface of the right base 66 of the front loader device 65, and the rear ends of the right front and rear frames 73, 74 are connected to the right rear axle case 6c of the transmission case 6, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17.

[0125] The front ends of the left front and rear frames 73, 74 are connected to the outer lateral surface of the left base 66 of the front loader device 65, and the rear ends of the left front and rear frames 73, 74 are connected to the left rear axle case 6c of the transmission case 6. In this case, the right and left rear axle cases 6c of the transmission case 6 are the portions of the transmission case 6 to which the right and left traveling devices (rear wheels 2) are attached.

[0126] The base 66 of the front loader device 65 is sandwiched between the mounting portion 23 and the front ends of the front and rear frames 73, 74, and the mounting portion 23, the front ends of the front and rear frames 73, 74 and the base 66 of the front loader device 65 are fastened together.

[0127] 16 and 17 , right and left rear mounting portions 74a are provided at the rear of the right and left front-rear frames 74. When a backhoe device 75 is installed, a base 76 of the backhoe device 75 is attached to the rear mounting portions 74a of the front-rear frames 74.

[0128] (Operational configuration of the front loader device and the backhoe device) As shown in Figures 14 to 17, a control valve unit 71 provided with a plurality of electromagnetically operated control valves is attached to the front of the right front and rear frames 73, 74. An operation lever 72 for operating the control valve unit 71 is provided on the right side of the driving section 8. In this case, the control valve unit 71 serves as the control valve.

[0129] A hydraulic pump (not shown) is driven by the electric motor 12, and hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump is supplied to a control valve unit 71, which then supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the boom cylinder 69 and bucket cylinder 70 of the front loader device 65. The hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump is also supplied to hydraulic equipment (not shown) such as a power steering device 43 (see FIG. 11) equipped on the electric tractor, and the hydraulic equipment such as the power steering device 43 is operated by the supplied hydraulic oil.

[0130] An operator in the driver's seat 34 can operate the control valve of the control valve unit 71 by operating the operation lever 72 , thereby operating the boom 67 and bucket 68 of the front loader device 65 .

[0131] When operating the backhoe device 75, the worker switches the hydraulic pump so that hydraulic oil is supplied to the backhoe device 75. The worker sits in the work seat 77 of the backhoe device 75 and lowers the right and left outriggers 79 to touch the ground. The worker in the work seat 77 can operate the swing bracket 80, boom 81, arm 82, and bucket 83 of the backhoe device 75 by operating the operation lever 78 to operate the control valve (not shown) of the backhoe device 75.

[0132] 14 to 17, the front and rear frames 73, 74 are formed in a crank shape in plan view. The widths (spacing) W6, W8 in the left-right direction of the front portions of the right and left front and rear frames 73, 74 are greater than the widths (spacing) W7, W9 in the left-right direction of the rear portions of the right and left front and rear frames 73, 74. The widths (spacing) W7, W9 in the left-right direction of the rear portions of the right and left front and rear frames 73, 74 are approximately the same as the width W1 in the left-right direction of the storage frame 5 (see FIG. 4).

[0133] The right front and rear frames 73, 74 are provided along the front-rear direction, laterally outward to the right of the right inverter 24 and laterally outward to the right of the transmission case 6, and the control valve unit 71 is attached to the front of the right front and rear frames 73, 74. The left front and rear frames 73, 74 are provided along the front-rear direction, laterally outward to the left of the left inverter 24 and laterally outward to the left of the transmission case 6. The right and left front and rear frames 73, 74 are provided at a height that overlaps with the inverter 24, the housing frame 5, and the transmission case 6 in a side view.

[0134] The widths (intervals) W7, W9 in the left-right direction of the rear parts of the right and left front and rear frames 73, 74 are smaller than the widths (intervals) W6, W8 in the left-right direction of the front parts of the right and left front and rear frames 73, 74, so that the rear parts of the right and left front and rear frames 73, 74 do not interfere with the rear wheel 2.

[0135] (First alternative embodiment of the invention) Since electric motor 12 may require a larger output than electric motor 11, which generates power for traveling, electric motor 12 may be configured to have a larger output than electric motor 11.

[0136] (Second Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The PTO shaft 28 and the mid-PTO shaft 29 may be eliminated. With this configuration, only implements that are operated by hydraulic oil can be equipped on the electric tractor.

[0137] When a work implement is installed, the hydraulic oil of the hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor 12 is supplied to the work implement and hydraulic equipment such as the power steering device 43 installed on the electric tractor. When a work implement is not installed, the hydraulic oil of the hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor 12 is supplied to the hydraulic equipment such as the power steering device 43 installed on the electric tractor.

[0138] (Third Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The electric motor 12 may be configured to transmit power to the PTO shaft 28 and the mid-PTO shaft 29, but not to drive the hydraulic pump.

[0139] According to this configuration, the hydraulic pump may be configured to be driven by an electric motor (not shown) separate from the electric motors 11 and 12. The hydraulic pump may be configured to be driven by the electric motor 11. In this case, the control valve unit 71 may be attached to the left front and rear frames 73 and 74.

[0140] (Fourth Modification of the Invention) The fully hydraulic power steering device 43 and the steering cylinder 44 may be eliminated.

[0141] According to this configuration, a rack-and-pinion or pitman arm type steering mechanism (not shown) is provided as a mechanism for steering the front wheels 1, and a steering shaft 33a extending from the steering handle 33 is preferably connected to the steering mechanism. As a result, the operating force of the steering handle 33 is transmitted directly to the front wheels 1 via the steering shaft 33a and the steering mechanism, thereby steering the front wheels 1. In this case, a power steering device (not shown) may be provided to assist the operation of the steering handle 33.

[0142] (Fifth alternative embodiment of the invention) In the right and left linking mechanisms 52, 53, the left linking rod 57 may be provided along the front-to-rear direction between the raised portion 38a of the floor 38 and the storage frame 5, and the right linking rod 57 may be provided along the front-to-rear direction between the right portion of the floor 38 and the right lateral portion 16 of the storage frame 5.

[0143] In the right and left linking mechanisms 52, 53, the right linking rod 57 may be provided along the front-to-rear direction between the raised portion 38a of the floor 38 and the storage frame 5, and the left linking rod 57 may be provided along the front-to-rear direction between the left portion of the floor 38 and the left lateral portion 16 of the storage frame 5.

[0144] In the right and left linkage mechanisms 52, 53, the right linkage rod 57 may be provided along the front-to-rear direction between the right part of the floor 38 and the right lateral part 16 of the storage frame 5, and the left linkage rod 57 may be provided along the front-to-rear direction between the left part of the floor 38 and the left lateral part 16 of the storage frame 5.

[0145] Sixth Modification of the Invention The raised portion 38a of the floor 38 may be eliminated, and the entire surface of the floor 38 may be formed flat.

[0146] (Seventh Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The right and left brakes 50, 51 may be eliminated, and a single brake (not shown) capable of braking both the right and left rear wheels 2 may be provided.

[0147] According to this configuration, the right and left brake pedals 36, 37 are eliminated, and one brake pedal (not shown) is attached to the right part of the support frame 42, and the left linkage mechanism 53 is eliminated.

[0148] (Eighth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) When the electric motors 11, 12 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the electric motor 11 may be arranged on the right and the electric motor 12 may be arranged on the left. The battery 10, the electric motors 11, 12, and the housing frame 5 may be arranged so that the rear end of the battery 10 is located slightly rearward of the front ends of the electric motors 11, 12.

[0149] (Ninth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) One electric motor 11 may be housed in the housing frame 5. With this configuration, the left-right width W1 of the housing frame 5 and the left-right width W3 of the front portion 6a of the transmission case 6 may be substantially the same. In this case, the electric motor 12 may be attached to a location separate from the housing frame 5.

[0150] (Tenth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) Two electric motors 11 may be housed side by side in the left-right direction in the housing frame 5. In this configuration, one electric motor 11 serves as the first electric motor 11, and the other electric motor 11 serves as the second electric motor 11. In this case, the electric motor 12 may be attached to a location separate from the housing frame 5.

[0151] (Eleventh Alternative Embodiment) One electric motor 12 may be housed in the housing frame 5. With this configuration, the left-right width W1 of the housing frame 5 and the left-right width W3 of the front portion 6a of the transmission case 6 may be substantially the same. In this case, the electric motor 11 may be attached to a location separate from the housing frame 5.

[0152] (Twelfth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) Two electric motors 12 may be housed side by side in the left-right direction in the housing frame 5. In this configuration, one electric motor 12 serves as the first electric motor 12, and the other electric motor 12 serves as the second electric motor 12. In this case, the electric motors 12 may be attached to a location separate from the housing frame 5.

[0153] (Thirteenth Alternative Embodiment) The front portions of the electric motors 11, 12 may be connected to the front portion 14 of the storage frame 5. With this configuration, the casings of the electric motors 11, 12 become part of the storage frame 5, thereby improving the rigidity of the storage frame 5.

[0154] (Fourteenth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) When the front loader device 65 and the backhoe device 75 are not installed, the front and rear frames 73, 74 may be connected across the mounting portion 23 of the storage frame 5 and the rear axle case 6c of the transmission case 6.

[0155] When the front loader device 65 is not installed and the front and rear frames 74 are connected between the mounting portion 23 of the storage frame 5 and the rear axle case 6c of the transmission case 6, the backhoe device 75 may be attached to the rear mounting portion 74a of the front and rear frames 74.

[0156] (Fifteenth Alternative Embodiment) The vehicle may be configured as a two-wheel drive vehicle instead of a four-wheel drive vehicle. In this configuration, the pipe member 30, the front wheel transmission shaft 31, the bearing 32, the opening 15b in the rear portion 15 of the storage frame 5, and the recess 14a in the front portion 14 are eliminated.

[0157] Sixteenth Modification of the Invention Instead of the rear wheels 2, crawler-type right and left traveling devices (not shown) may be attached to the transmission case 6.

[0158] The electric tractor may not only be equipped with the electric motors 11 and 12 as a power source, but may also be configured as a hybrid type electric tractor equipped with an engine (not shown) and the electric motors 11 and 12 as a power source.

[0159] (Correspondence to Claims) -1 With the above configuration, a driving section 8 having a floor 38 underneath is provided. Electric motors 11, 12 are provided below the floor 38 and generate power for traveling or power and hydraulic pressure to operate the installed work devices (front loader device 65 and backhoe device 75). A storage frame 5 is provided below the floor 38 and stores the electric motors 11, 12. The floor 38 is attached to the storage frame 5.

[0160] The vehicle is equipped with right and left rear traveling devices (rear wheels 2), a transmission mechanism for transmitting power from electric motors 11 and 12, and a transmission case 6 connected to the rear part 15 of the housing frame 5. A driving section 8 is attached to the transmission case 6.

[0161] Elastically deformable support portions 39, 40 are provided between the floor 38 and the storage frame 5 and between the driver's section 8 and the transmission case 6. The floor 38 is attached to the storage frame 5 via the support portion 39, and the driver's section 8 is attached to the transmission case 6 via the support portion 40. A frame 19 is provided that connects the upper portion of the right section (right horizontal portion 16) and the upper portion of the left section (left horizontal portion 16) of the storage frame 5 along the left-right direction. The support portion 39 between the floor 38 and the storage frame 5 is attached to the frame 19.

[0162] (Correspondence to Claims)-2 With the above configuration, a support frame 42 is provided that is attached to the floor 38 and extends upward from the floor 38.

[0163] A steering handle 33 for steering is attached to the support frame 42. A power steering device 43 for assisting steering operation by the steering handle 33 is attached to the support frame 42 below the steering handle 33.

[0164] The vehicle is provided with pillar frames 18 attached to the storage frame 5 and extending upward from the storage frame 5. The vehicle is provided with a hood 13 provided in front of the pillar frames 18. The hood 13 is attached to the pillar frames 18 so as to be openable and closable between a closed position and an open position above the closed position.

[0165] (Correspondence to Claims) -3 With the above configuration, brakes 50, 51 for driving are provided, and brake pedals 36, 37 for operating the brakes 50, 51 are attached to the support frame 42. The brakes 50, 51 are provided on the transmission case 6 and can brake the driving device (rear wheels 2).

[0166] Linking mechanisms 52 and 53 are provided which are connected across the brake pedals 36 and 37 and the brakes 50 and 51 and transmit the operation of the brake pedals 36 and 37 to the brakes 50 and 51 to operate the brakes 50 and 51.

[0167] Linking mechanisms 52, 53 (linking rod 57) are provided along the front-rear direction between the floor 38 and the storage frame 5. A raised portion 38a is formed along the front-rear direction in the center of the left and right sides of the floor 38, and is bent so as to rise higher than other portions of the floor 38. Linking mechanisms 52, 53 (linking rod 57) are provided along the front-rear direction between the raised portion 38a and the storage frame 5.

[0168] (Correspondence to Claims)-4 With the above configuration, the first electric motor 11 and the second electric motor 12 are provided, and the first electric motor 11 and the second electric motor 12 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and housed in the housing frame 5. The left-right width W1 of the housing frame 5 is larger than the left-right widths W3, W4, and W5 of the transmission case 6.

[0169] The linking mechanisms 52, 53 (linking rod 57) extend from between the raised portion 38a and the housing frame 5 to a position above the transmission case 6. The linking mechanisms 52, 53 have left and right portions (linking shaft 58 and pipe member 59) provided across a position above the transmission case 6 and a position above a lateral portion of the transmission case 6, upper and lower portions (linking rod 61) provided along the up and down direction laterally outward of the transmission case 6 across the left and right portions (linking shaft 58 and pipe member 59) and the lateral portion of the transmission case 6, and front and rear portions (linking rod 62) connected along the front and rear direction across the upper and lower portions (linking rod 61) and the operating portions 50a, 51a of the brakes 50, 51.

[0170] The left-right widths W3 and W4 of the front portion 6a of the transmission case 6 are smaller than the left-right width W1 of the housing frame 5, and are larger than the left-right width W5 of the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6. The linking mechanisms 52 and 53 (linking rod 57) extend from between the raised portion 38a and the housing frame 5 to a position above the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6. The upper and lower portions (linking rod 61) are provided behind the front portion 6a of the transmission case 6 and laterally outward from the rear portion 6b of the transmission case 6.

[0171] The vehicle is provided with a right brake 50 capable of braking the right traveling device (rear wheel 2), a left brake 51 capable of braking the left traveling device (rear wheel 2), a right brake pedal 36, and a left brake pedal 37. The vehicle is provided with a right linkage mechanism 52 connected between the right brake pedal 36 and the right brake 50, and a left linkage mechanism 53 connected between the left brake pedal 37 and the left brake 51.

[0172] The present invention can be applied to an electric tractor.

[0173] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Rear wheel (rear traveling device) 5 Storage frame 6 Transmission case 6a Front part of transmission case 6b Rear part of transmission case 8 Driving section 11 Electric motor (first electric motor) 12 Electric motor (second electric motor) 13 Bonnet 15 Rear part of storage frame 16 Side part (right part) (left part) of storage frame 18 Pillar frame 19 Frame 33 Steering handle 36 Brake pedal 37 Brake pedal 38 Floor 38a Raised part of floor 39 Support part 40 Support part 42 Support frame 43 Power steering device 50 Brake 50a Brake operation part 51 Brake 51a Brake operation part 52 Linkage mechanism 53 Linkage mechanism 58 Linkage shaft (left and right parts of linkage mechanism) 59 Pipe member (left and right parts of linkage mechanism) 61 Linking rod (upper and lower parts of linking mechanism) 62 Linking rod (front and rear parts of linking mechanism) 65 Front loader device (working device) 75 Backhoe device (working device) W1 Left and right width of storage frame W3 Left and right width of transmission case (left and right width of front part of transmission case) W4 Left and right width of transmission case (left and right width of front part of transmission case) W5 Left and right width of transmission case (left and right width of rear part of transmission case)

Claims

1. The driver's compartment has a floor at the bottom, An electric motor is provided below the floor and generates power for travel or power and hydraulics to operate the installed work equipment, A housing frame for housing the electric motor is provided below the floor, An electric tractor in which the floor is attached to the housing frame.

2. Right and left rear running gears are attached, a transmission mechanism for transmitting power from the electric motor is provided inside, and a transmission case is provided connected to the rear of the housing frame. The electric tractor according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is attached to the transmission case.

3. A support portion is provided between the floor and the housing frame and between the driver unit and the transmission case, and is elastically deformable. The floor is attached to the housing frame via the support portion. The electric tractor according to claim 2, wherein the operating unit is attached to the transmission case via the support unit.

4. A frame is provided that connects the upper right portion and the upper left portion of the aforementioned housing frame along the left-right direction. The electric tractor according to claim 3, wherein the support portion between the floor and the housing frame is attached to the frame.

5. A support frame is provided which is attached to the floor and extends upward from the floor, The electric tractor according to claim 1, wherein a steering handle for steering operations is attached to the support frame.

6. The electric tractor according to claim 5, wherein a power steering device that assists steering operations using the steering handle is attached to the lower part of the support frame below the steering handle.

7. A pillar frame attached to the aforementioned housing frame and extending upward from the housing frame, A hood is provided in front of the aforementioned pillar frame, The electric tractor according to claim 1, wherein the bonnet is attached to the pillar frame so as to be able to open and close between a closed position and an open position above the closed position.

8. A support frame attached to the floor and extending upward from the floor, It is equipped with brakes for driving, The electric tractor according to claim 1, wherein a brake pedal for operating the brake is attached to the support frame.

9. The right and left rear running gears are attached, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting power from the electric motor is provided inside, and a transmission case is connected to the rear of the housing frame, The transmission case is provided with the brake capable of braking the running gear, A linkage mechanism is provided which is connected between the brake pedal and the brake, and which transmits the operation of the brake pedal to the brake to perform braking operation on the brake. The electric tractor according to claim 8, wherein the linkage mechanism is provided between the floor and the housing frame along the front-rear direction.

10. A raised portion is formed along the front-to-back direction in the left-right central part of the floor, which curves upwards compared to the rest of the floor. The electric tractor according to claim 9, wherein the linkage mechanism is provided between the raised portion and the housing frame, along the front-rear direction.

11. The system is equipped with a first electric motor and a second electric motor, The first electric motor and the second electric motor are housed in the housing frame, arranged side by side along the left-right direction. The width of the aforementioned housing frame in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the aforementioned transmission case in the left-right direction. The aforementioned linkage mechanism extends from between the raised portion and the housing frame to a position above the transmission case, The electric tractor according to claim 10, wherein the linkage mechanism has left and right portions provided extending from an upper position above the transmission case to an upper position above the side of the transmission case, upper and lower portions provided along the vertical direction on the side of the transmission case extending from the left and right portions to the side of the transmission case, and front and rear portions connected along the front and rear direction extending from the upper and lower portions to the brake operating section.

12. The left-right width of the front of the transmission case is smaller than the left-right width of the housing frame, and larger than the left-right width of the rear of the transmission case. The aforementioned linkage mechanism extends from between the raised portion and the housing frame to a position above the rear of the transmission case, The electric tractor according to claim 11, wherein the upper and lower portions are provided behind the front part of the transmission case and laterally outward from the rear part of the rear part of the transmission case.

13. The electric tractor according to claim 9, comprising: a right brake capable of braking the right running gear; a left brake capable of braking the left running gear; a right brake pedal; a left brake pedal; a right linkage mechanism connected across the right brake pedal and the right brake; and a left linkage mechanism connected across the left brake pedal and the left brake.