Work machine

Abstract

It has been desired for a work machine to have a simple configuration while being capable of performing good work without the orientation thereof becoming unstable even when performing work while moving on sloped ground. The present invention comprises a machine body 10, a plurality of ground contacting wheels 11 that support the machine body 10 to be able to move and travel, a work device 12 that is provided to the lower part of the machine body 10 and that performs prescribed work, and a propulsion generation device 17 that generates propulsion such that when the machine body 10 is in an inclined state, an upwardly inclined part is pushed downward, wherein: the propulsion generation device 17 is provided with an arrayed plurality of rotary blades 18 that are driven and rotated, whereby a gas is caused to flow upward and the propulsion is generated; and the peripheries of the plurality of rotary blades 18 are covered by one protective member 21.

Description

Work equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine, such as a grass cutter or a chemical sprayer, that performs work while traveling on a slope.

[0002] In a conventional brush cutter, which is an example of a working machine, a long steering handle is provided that extends outward from the side of the machine body and is supported on the machine body so that it can swing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this configuration, an operator can operate the steering handle while the working machine moves up a slope to perform brush cuts.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-53992

[0004] The conventional configuration described above requires an operator to operate the machine at all times, which is a disadvantage when working on a wide area of ​​slope. Therefore, it is conceivable to make the machine movable without a human operator, but when moving on a slope in this manner, the posture of the machine becomes unstable, which may hinder effective mowing.

[0005] One possible solution to this problem is to increase the distance between the ground-contacting wheels to stabilize their position. However, this requires an actuator and a sliding mechanism for sliding the ground-contacting wheels in the left-right direction, which can lead to a complex structure and high costs.

[0006] Therefore, there has been a demand for a work machine that has a simple configuration yet is capable of performing good work without becoming unstable even when working while moving on slopes.

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the work machine of the present invention is that it comprises a body, a plurality of ground-contacting wheels that support the body so that it can move, a work device that is provided on the bottom of the body and performs a specified task, and a thrust generating device that generates thrust so that the upper part of the inclined body is pushed downward when the body is inclined, and the thrust generating device is provided with a plurality of rotors arranged in a row that are driven to rotate and cause gas to flow upward, generating the thrust, and the periphery of the plurality of rotors is covered by a single protective member.

[0008] According to the present invention, thrust is generated by operating a plurality of aligned rotors, which causes gas to flow upward. This thrust pushes the upper inclined portion of the vehicle downward. As a result, it is possible to prevent the vehicle's attitude from becoming unstable, such as the upper inclined portion of the vehicle lifting up. Furthermore, because the rotors are surrounded by a single protective member, a simple configuration can prevent accidental contact by a person from outside the vehicle. As a result, the simple configuration of rotating the rotors can prevent attitude instability, and the protective structure can also be simplified.

[0009] Therefore, it has become possible to provide a work machine that has a simple configuration and is capable of performing good work without becoming unstable even when working while moving on a slope.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the protective member has a plurality of crosspiece members, a plurality of ventilation openings are formed between each of the crosspiece members to allow the flow of gas generated by the rotor, and the lower portion located below the rotor has fewer crosspiece members than the upper portion located above the rotor.

[0011] According to this configuration, the protective member has multiple crosspieces, which increases rigidity and ensures durability. In addition, the number of crosspieces is reduced in the lower portion, which is less likely to be touched by people, which simplifies the configuration.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the area of ​​the upper portion of the protective member occupied by the plurality of crosspiece members is 1 to 2 percent of the total area of ​​the rotational action region of the rotor blades when viewed in the gas flow direction.

[0013] The gas flow generated by the operation of the rotor is discharged upward through the ventilation portion in the upper part of the protective member. At this time, the crosspieces create airflow resistance. In this case, the area occupied by the multiple crosspieces becomes a problem.

[0014] Experiments conducted by the applicant have confirmed that the attenuation of the gas flow caused by the crosspiece members is very small if the occupied area is 1 to 2 percent. Therefore, in this configuration, the occupied area of ​​the multiple crosspiece members relative to the total area of ​​the rotational action region of the rotor is set to 1 to 2 percent. As a result, airflow resistance is very small, allowing the gas flow generated by the rotor to be used efficiently.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the crosspiece member is narrower in the corresponding area of ​​the protective member that corresponds to the rotational action area of ​​the rotor when viewed in the gas flow direction than in the non-corresponding area that does not correspond to the rotational action area.

[0016] According to this configuration, the width of the crosspiece is narrowed in the corresponding region so that the occupied area is 1 to 2 percent, and the width of the crosspiece is widened in the non-corresponding region because the crosspiece does not attenuate the gas flow. As a result, the airflow resistance is reduced and the rigidity of the entire protective member is increased.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that a vent portion is formed in a lateral portion of the protective member located radially outward of the rotor blade, the vent portion being large enough that the rotor blade cannot pass through.

[0018] This configuration allows gas to flow in through the vents formed in the side sections, maximizing the amount of gas discharged upward. Even if the impeller is damaged during rotation, debris can be prevented from flying out through the vents.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that a support portion for rotatably supporting the rotor blade is provided, and that the support portion is provided below the rotor blade.

[0020] With this configuration, the support parts that support the rotors are located below the rotors, so they do not interfere with the gas flow generated by the rotors when the gas flow is released upward, and therefore the rotors can be rotatably supported by the support parts without reducing efficiency in generating thrust.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the work device performs the grass cutting work while moving along the ground.

[0022] With this configuration, even when working while moving on a slope, the mowing work can be carried out well as the machine moves.

[0023] 1 is a front view of the work system. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the work system. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mower. FIG. 4 is a front view of the mower. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the protective member. FIG. 6 is a side view of the protective member. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the rotational action area of ​​the work propeller. FIG. 8 is a side view of the rotational action area of ​​the work propeller. FIG. 9 is a control block diagram. FIG. 10 is a front view of the mower showing a mowing operation state. FIG. 11 is a front view of the mower showing a mowing operation state of another embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side view of the mower showing a mowing operation state of another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view of the mower showing a mowing operation state of another embodiment.

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of the arrow FR shown in Fig. 2 will be referred to as "front," the direction of the arrow BK will be referred to as "rear," the direction of the arrow LH shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will be referred to as "left," and the direction of the arrow RH will be referred to as "right." The direction of the arrow UP shown in Fig. 1 will be referred to as "up," and the direction of the arrow DW will be referred to as "down."

[0025] 1 and 2 show a work system in which a brush cutter A serving as a work machine is suspended and supported by an unmanned aerial vehicle via a suspending device. The work system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (Abombardier B) known as a drone, and a brush cutter A suspended and supported by the Abombardier B via multiple suspending devices C. The Abombardier B is configured to be able to fly independently. The Abombardier B has a main body 4, multiple flight propellers 5 serving as flight rotors, and multiple arms 6.

[0026] Although the number of flight propellers 5 and arm units 6 is not particularly limited, in this embodiment, there are six flight propellers 5 and six arm units 6. The six arm units 6 extend from the main body 4 to the left front, right front, left rear, right rear, right side, and left side, respectively.

[0027] Each flight propeller 5 is driven by the driving force of an electric motor 7 (see FIG. 9 ). Aircraft B can fly by driving each flight propeller 5. That is, when the flight propeller 5 is driven to rotate, it causes gas to flow downward, generating upward thrust. By driving each flight propeller 5, aircraft B can move in any direction, up and down, forward and backward, and left and right, while floating in the air. By driving each flight propeller 5, aircraft B can fly while stationary.

[0028] [Overall configuration of the grass cutter] The grass cutter A comprises a body 10, a plurality of ground-contacting wheels 11 that support the body 10 so that it can move, and a grass cutting device 12 that is provided on the bottom of the body 10 and serves as a working device for performing grass cutting work as a predetermined ground work. The ground-contacting wheels 11 are provided on both the left and right sides of the front of the body 10 and on both the left and right sides of the rear of the body 10. The four ground-contacting wheels 11 are supported so as to be rotatable around horizontal axes that extend in the left-right direction.

[0029] The grass cutter A according to this embodiment is provided with a total of four ground-contacting wheels 11, one on each of the left and right sides of the front of the body 10 and one on each of the left and right sides of the rear of the body 10. The grass cutter A is towed by the flying vehicle B, which is moving while flying, via four suspenders C, and can move while following the flying vehicle B. When towed, the ground-contacting wheels 11 rotate freely while following the ground, supporting the body 10. The suspenders C are made of wires. The suspenders C are not limited to wires, and may also be ropes, chains, etc.

[0030] A plurality of (four) hanging points J to which hanging devices C are connected on the airframe 10 are provided at intervals so as to surround the center of gravity WP in a plan view. As shown in Figure 3, four hanging points J are provided at intervals in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions of the airframe 10 so as to surround the center of gravity WP of the entire brush cutter A in a plan view. One end of a hanging device C is connected to each hanging point J. The other end of the hanging device C is connected to the main body 4 of the flying vehicle B.

[0031] The state of suspension by the suspending device C can be changed and adjusted. That is, a winch 14 capable of winding up and paying out the suspending device C is provided at the end of the suspending device C on the flying vehicle B side. By operating the winch 14 and adjusting the payout amount of the suspending device C, the relative positions of the connection point on the main body 4 side of the flying vehicle B connected via the suspending device C and the connection point on the brush cutter A side (suspending point J) can be changed.

[0032] For example, the winch 14 is operated in a direction that winds up the two suspending devices C on one side in the left-right direction, making the length of the suspending devices C that are being paid out shorter than the two suspending devices C on the other side in the left-right direction. This allows the brush cutter A to assume a position in which one side in the left-right direction is raised higher than the other side. In this position, the brush cutter A can be towed by the flying vehicle B on sloping work ground in a direction perpendicular to the slope (see FIG. 10 ).

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the distance between the hanging points J is greater than half the overall width of the airframe 10 in the direction in which the hanging points J are arranged. For example, the distance between the hanging points J of the two front hanging devices C is greater than half the overall width of the airframe 10 in the left-right direction, and the distance between the hanging points J of the two rear hanging devices C is greater than half the overall width of the airframe 10 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the distance between the hanging points J of the two right hanging devices C is greater than half the overall width of the airframe 10 in the front-to-rear direction, and the distance between the hanging points J of the two left hanging devices C is greater than half the overall width of the airframe 10 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0034] A plurality of suspension points J are provided on the downstream side of the flying body B in the traveling direction of the grass cutter A and on the upstream side of the flying body B in the traveling direction of the grass cutter A, and the grass cutter A is towed in a state in which the suspension load at the suspension point J on the downstream side in the traveling direction is greater than half of the total suspension load for the grass cutter A. When the suspension load at the suspension point J on the downstream side in the traveling direction is less than half of the total suspension load, the suspension state by the suspension tool C is changed and adjusted so that it is greater than half of the total suspension load.

[0035] A state in which the suspension load at suspension point J on the downstream side in the direction of travel is less than half of the total suspension load means that the suspension load from the two suspension devices C on the downstream side in the direction of travel is less than the suspension load from the two suspension devices C on the upstream side in the direction of travel. Therefore, for example, the length of the two suspension devices C on the downstream side in the direction of travel is shortened, or the length of the two suspension devices C on the downstream side in the direction of travel is lengthened. By doing so, the winch 14 can be operated to change and adjust the suspension state by the suspension devices C so that the suspension load becomes greater than half of the total suspension load.

[0036] The flying vehicle B can support the entire grass cutter A in a state where it is levitated above the ground. When the area to be mowed is far away, the entire grass cutter A can fly and move while being suspended and supported so that it is levitated above the ground. This allows for efficient work.

[0037] The mowing device 12 is equipped with a drive unit 15 for mowing and a rotary blade 16 that is driven to rotate by the drive unit 15 (see Figure 9). The rotary blade 16 rotates at high speed by the power of the drive unit 15, allowing mowing work to be performed. The drive unit 15 may be an engine or an electric motor. The ground-contacting wheels 11 are supported on a support shaft so that they can rotate freely, and when mowing work is performed, the ground-contacting wheels 11 support the machine body 10 by following the ground while rotating freely.

[0038] [Thrust Generating Device] The grass cutter A is equipped with a thrust generating device 17 that generates thrust so that the upper part of the slope is pushed downward when the machine body 10 is tilted. The thrust generating device 17 is provided on the side of the machine body 10. The grass cutter A is often used to cut weeds growing on slopes. When working on slopes, the machine body 10 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the slope to perform the grass cutting work, as shown in Figure 10.

[0039] Depending on the conditions of the work site, the inclination angle of the slope may be large, resulting in a large lateral tilt angle of the machine body 10. If the lateral tilt angle of the machine body 10 becomes large and the machine body 10 tilts further beyond the maximum tilt angle, the upper side (mountain side) of the machine body 10 in the direction of inclination may rise, and the mowing device 12 may rise above the ground. Therefore, in the brush cutter A according to this embodiment, a thrust generating device 17 is provided on the lateral side of the machine body 10 that corresponds to the upper side (mountain side) in the direction of inclination.

[0040] The thrust generating device 17 is equipped with a plurality of work propellers 18 as work rotors, a plurality of electric motors 19 that individually rotate and drive the plurality of work propellers 18, a support frame 20 that supports the plurality of electric motors 19, and a single protective member 21 that covers the periphery of the plurality of work propellers 18.

[0041] The work propellers 18 are driven to rotate by electric motors 19, causing gas (air) to flow upward, generating thrust. A plurality of work propellers 18 are provided and aligned along the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft. An even number of work propellers 18 (specifically, four) are provided, and adjacent work propellers 18 are driven so that they rotate in opposite directions.

[0042] The work propeller 18 generates an upward airflow, which generates a downward thrust that pushes the entire device downward. As a result, when the aircraft 10 is tilted, the thrust generating device 17 can generate a thrust that pushes the upper portion of the tilt downward.

[0043] The support frame 20 includes a frame main body 23 that extends along the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft body and supports four electric motors 19, and a connecting arm 24 that extends from the center of the frame main body 23 in the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft body 10 toward the aircraft body 10 and is connected to the aircraft body 10.

[0044] The thrust generating device 17 is provided with a propeller support portion 25 that rotatably supports the work propeller 18. The propeller support portion 25 is provided below the work propeller 18 and is fixed to the frame main body portion 23 of the support frame 20. The electric motors 19 are supported integrally with the propeller support portion 25. Therefore, four electric motors 19 are supported by the frame main body portion 23.

[0045] A thrust application point Q, at which the thrust generating device 17 applies thrust to the airframe 10, is set between an even number of work propellers 18. The thrust generating device 17 applies thrust to the airframe 10 at a connection point of the support frame 20 to the airframe 10. As shown in FIG. 3 , the connecting arm portion 24 of the support frame 20 is set at an intermediate position among the four work propellers 18 lined up in the fore-and-aft direction of the airframe 10, i.e., between the second and third work propellers 18 from the front. Therefore, the position of this connecting arm portion 24 is set between an even number (four) of work propellers 18. The even number is not limited to four and may be changed to two, six, eight, etc.

[0046] The thrust application point Q is set at a position close to the center of gravity WP of the machine body 10. In the brush cutter A according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the center of gravity WP of the machine body 10 is located in the middle in the front-to-rear direction and closer to the thrust generating device 17. Due to the provision of the thrust generating device 17, the center of gravity WP is shifted laterally to one side from the center position in the left-to-right direction. The connecting arm 24 is connected to the machine body 10 at a position close to the center of gravity WP. Therefore, the thrust application point Q is set at a position close to the center of gravity WP of the machine body 10.

[0047] The thrust generating device 17 is located at a position higher than the center of gravity position WP when the aircraft 10 is tilted at the maximum tilt angle, and generates thrust so that the upper tilted portion is pushed downward.

[0048] When the vehicle 10 moves on a slope, if the vehicle 10 tilts significantly and the center of gravity WP exceeds a limit, there is a risk of the vehicle tipping downward. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, the thrust generating device 17 is provided so as to be positioned higher than the center of gravity WP when the vehicle 10 is tilted to the maximum angle of inclination close to the angle at which tipping may occur.

[0049] When the machine body 10 tilts, there is a risk that the upper part of the slope will lift up due to the tilted posture. However, the thrust generating device 17 generates thrust that pushes the upper part of the slope downward from a point higher than the center of gravity position WP, so that the upper part of the slope is prevented from lifting up and is pushed downward. As a result, the mowing device 12 can be effectively mowed while preventing it from lifting up from the ground.

[0050] [Protective Member] The protective member 21 will now be described. The protective member 21 has a plurality of crosspieces 26, and a plurality of ventilation sections 27 are formed between the crosspieces 26 to allow the flow of gas generated by the work propeller 18. In the upper portion 21A of the protective member 21, the area occupied by the plurality of crosspieces 26 relative to the total area of ​​the rotational action region Y of the work propeller 18 when viewed in the direction of gas flow is 1 to 2 percent, and more preferably 1.4 percent.

[0051] The lower portion located below the work propeller 18 has fewer crosspieces than the upper portion 21A located above the work propeller 18. In this embodiment, the lower portion located below the work propeller 18 is not provided with crosspieces, and the lower side of the work propeller 18 is open. Instead of such an open configuration, the lower portion located below the work propeller 18 may be provided with fewer crosspieces than the upper portion 21A located above the work propeller 18.

[0052] The lateral portion 21B of the protective member 21 located radially outward of the work propeller 18 has a ventilation section 28 formed therein that is large enough that the work propeller 18 rotating by the work propeller 18 cannot pass through.

[0053] The specific configuration of the protective member 21 will be described below. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the protective member 21 includes a frame body 29 that is integrally formed to surround the periphery. The protective member 21 includes an upper portion 21A that is rectangular in plan view and covers the tops of all four work propellers 18, and four side portions 21B that cover the outer peripheries of all four work propellers 18.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the upper portion 21A of the protective member 21 comprises a rectangular upper frame portion 30 that constitutes part of the frame body 29 and is connected continuously along the outer periphery, and a plurality of upper rail members 26 that are installed across the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 30. The upper rail members 26 are arranged in a line at predetermined intervals along the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft body 10. The predetermined intervals are such that a person cannot easily insert their hand into them. The spaces between the upper rail members 26 form ventilation sections 27 that allow gas to flow.

[0055] 8, the number and width of the upper rail members 26 are set so that the area occupied by the multiple upper rail members 26 is 1.4 percent of the total area of ​​the rotational action region Y (circular) of the work propeller 18 when viewed in the vertical direction, which is the gas flow direction. Note that this occupied area is not limited to 1.4 percent, and may be within the range of 1 to 2 percent.

[0056] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lateral portion 21B of the protective member 21 forms part of the frame body 29 and includes a side frame portion 32 that is rectangular when viewed horizontally, and a plurality of lateral crosspiece members 33 that are installed across the upper and lower side portions of the side frame portion 32.

[0057] The multiple lateral rail members 33 are arranged in a line at predetermined intervals along the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft. The spaces between the lateral rail members 33 form ventilation sections 28. The predetermined intervals are narrower than the intervals between the upper rail members 26, and are not large enough for the work propeller 18 to pass through. While allowing gas to be drawn in through the ventilation sections 28 as the work propeller 18 rotates, even if the work propeller 18 is damaged, debris can be prevented from flying outward.

[0058] 2, the work propeller 18 is located within the thrust generation region of the flight propeller 5. Specifically, the work propeller 18 is located within the thrust generation region of the flight propeller 5 that is located on the side where the thrust generating device 17 is provided, among the multiple flight propellers 5 of the aircraft.

[0059] 11, the gas flow direction of the work propeller 18 and the gas flow direction of the flight propeller 5 are both vertical and oriented in the same or approximately the same direction. Aircraft B flies so that the thrust generating region of the flight propeller 5 and the thrust generating region of the work propeller 18 overlap along the gas flow direction. In other words, the flight state of aircraft B is set so that it flies in the fore-and-aft direction of the brushcutter A, with the brushcutter A located directly below it.

[0060] In this configuration, the work propeller 18 causes the gas to flow upward, countering the gas flow caused downward by the flight propeller 5. As a result, the upward thrust of the flight propeller 5 can be supplemented, improving the thrust efficiency of the flight vehicle B. In addition, the flight propeller 5 can supplement the downward thrust of the work propeller 18, improving the thrust efficiency of the thrust generating device 17.

[0061] When the thrust generating regions of the flight propeller 5 and the work propeller 18 overlap along the gas flow direction, the thrust generated by either or both of the flight propeller 5 and the work propeller 18 may be reduced, thereby reducing the required power and fuel and achieving energy conservation.

[0062] [Control Configuration] The brush cutter A is equipped with an attitude detection sensor 35 as an attitude detection means that detects the attitude change state of the machine body 10, and a work control unit 36 ​​as a control unit that controls the operation of the drive unit 15 and the thrust generating unit 17. When the machine body 10 tilts, the work control unit 36 ​​controls the operation of the work propeller 18 of the thrust generating unit 17 based on the detection result of the attitude detection sensor 35 so that air flows upward. Specifically, it controls the operation of the electric motor 19 that drives the work propeller 18. As a result, the upper part of the tilted machine body 10 is pushed downward.

[0063] As shown in Figure 9, the work control unit 36 ​​can transmit information wirelessly to and from a remote control device 37 operated by an operator via the communication unit 36a. The operator issues instructions for the work content by operating the remote control device 37. The work control unit 36 ​​controls the operation of each unit in accordance with the instructions. The work control unit 36 ​​can also transmit information wirelessly to and from a flight control unit 38 of the aircraft B. The flight control unit 38 can transmit information wirelessly to and from the remote control device 37 via the communication unit 38a. The flight control unit 38 controls the operation of the multiple electric motors 19 for driving the propellers and the winch 14 based on commands from the remote control device 37 and the work control unit 36.

[0064] When mowing work is performed with the grass cutter A while flying the flying vehicle B, the operator operates the remote control device 37 to instruct the flying operation of the flying vehicle B, and moves the grass cutter A while towing it with the suspending device C so that it moves toward the grass cutting work area. If the grass cutting work area is far away, the grass cutter A moves while floating above the ground. At this time, if the length of any of the suspending devices C is not appropriate and slack occurs, the winch 14 is operated in response to an instruction from the remote control device 37 to adjust the hanging state of the suspending device C so that the appropriate length is achieved.

[0065] When mowing work is to be performed, the mower 12 is switched to the working state in response to an instruction from the remote control device 37, and with the ground-contacting wheels 11 in contact with the ground, the mower A is towed by the flying aircraft B via the suspending device C. At this time, the mower A is towed so as to move in the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft body. The operator may manually issue a command to perform mowing work while moving, or automatic control may be used to perform mowing work along a preset route.

[0066] In addition, when automatically controlling the mowing operation to follow a set route, the flying vehicle B may be equipped with a satellite positioning device capable of measuring its own current position, and the flight control unit 38 may control the flying vehicle B to fly automatically along a preset route. The satellite positioning device is a well-known device that receives GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals from artificial satellites, generates positioning data indicating the position of the flying vehicle B based on the received signals, and transmits the data to the flying vehicle B control unit. GNSS such as GPS, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou can be used.

[0067] When the mower A is used to cut weeds growing on a slope, the mowing operation is performed while the machine body 10 is being towed so as to move in a direction perpendicular to the slope, as shown in FIG.

[0068] While visually checking the suspension state by the four suspension tools C, when the suspension load at the suspension point J on the downstream side in the traveling direction is smaller than half of the total suspension load, the operator changes and adjusts the suspension state by the suspension tools C so that it becomes larger than half of the total suspension load.

[0069] That is, if the two suspending devices C on the downstream side in the direction of travel are longer than the two suspending devices C on the upstream side in the direction of travel and deflection occurs, the suspension load at the suspension point J on the downstream side in the direction of travel will be smaller. Therefore, the length of the two suspending devices C on the downstream side in the direction of travel is shortened, or the length of the two suspending devices C on the downstream side in the direction of travel is lengthened. By doing so, the winch 14 is operated to change and adjust the suspension state by the suspending devices C so that the suspension load becomes greater than half of the total suspension load.

[0070] Instead of changing or adjusting the suspension state based on the operator's manual judgment, for example, a load detector (not shown) may be provided that detects the traction load associated with multiple suspension devices C, and the flight control unit 38 may automatically change or adjust the suspension state of the suspension devices C based on the detection information from the load detector.

[0071] When the work control unit 36 ​​detects, based on the detection results of the attitude detection sensor 35, that the lateral tilt angle of the machine body 10 has reached a preset tilt angle or greater while working on a slope, it activates the thrust generating device 17. As a result, a thrust is generated that pushes the upper part of the slope downward, preventing the upper part of the slope from being lifted upward due to the tilt of the machine body 10, causing the mowing device 12 to lift off the ground, or preventing the mower A from tipping over.

[0072] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the upper portion 21A of the protective member 21, the area occupied by the multiple crosspiece members with respect to the total area of ​​the rotational action region of the work propeller 18 may be set to be greater than 1 to 2 percent, or may be set to be less than 1 to 2 percent.

[0073] (2) In the protective member 21, the crosspiece members 26 may be configured to have a narrower width in a corresponding region that corresponds to the rotational region of the work propeller 18 as viewed in the gas flow direction, compared to a non-corresponding region that does not correspond to the rotational region. That is, the width of the members 26 is narrowed in the corresponding region so that the occupancy area of ​​the rotational region is 1 to 2 percent of the total area of ​​the rotational region, and the non-corresponding region is wider than the corresponding region. This configuration can increase the rigidity of the entire protective member 21.

[0074] (3) The propeller support portion 25 that rotatably supports the work propeller 18 may be provided above the work propeller 18 .

[0075] (4) The ground-contacting wheels 11 may be running wheels, and the running wheels may be configured to move and perform work by being towed by the suspending device C while in a state where the running wheels are in contact with the ground. In this embodiment, the running wheels are driven and rotated using the power of the drive unit 15 mounted on the aircraft 10. The running wheels are driven and rotated by the flying vehicle B so as to move along the towing direction. In this configuration, the running drive force of the running wheels allows smooth movement on the ground, and grass-cutting work can be performed efficiently.

[0076] (5) As shown in Figure 11, a configuration may be adopted in which thrust generators 17 are provided on both the left and right sides of the machine body 10. In this configuration, when the grass cutter A (working machine) is moving on a slope in a direction perpendicular to the slope, even if the machine body's traveling direction reverses, it is sufficient to operate the thrust generator 17 on both the left and right sides that is located on the upper side of the slope. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thrust generator 17 located on the upper side of the slope may generate thrust to push the upper side of the slope of the machine body 10 downward, and the thrust generator 17 located on the lower side of the slope may generate thrust to push the lower side of the slope of the machine body 10 upward.

[0077] (6) When the grass cutter A is moving along the inclined direction on a slope, at least the thrust generating device 17 located on the upper side of the front or rear of the machine body 10 may be configured to be activated. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, a thrust generating device 17 may be provided on the front of the machine body 10, and the thrust generating device 17 may be activated when the grass cutter A is traveling up a slope. Also, as shown in Fig. 13, a thrust generating device 17 may be provided on each of the front and rear of the machine body 10, and even if the direction of travel of the machine body reverses when the grass cutter A moves along the inclined direction on a slope, the thrust generating device 17 located on the upper side of the front and rear thrust generating devices 17 may be activated.

[0078] (7) The machine body 10 may be configured to have thrust generating devices 17 on both the left and right sides and the front and rear sides. In this configuration, thrust can be generated to push the upper part of the slope downward regardless of the direction of movement, whether the mower A moves on a slope in a direction perpendicular to the slope or moves along the slope.

[0079] (8) Regardless of the change in the attitude of the brush cutter A, the thrust generating device 17 may be activated by manually operating the remote control device 37 .

[0080] (9) The working device is not limited to the mowing device 12, and various types of working devices such as a chemical spraying device that sprays chemicals can be used.

[0081] (10) The flying vehicle B may be a drive system in which the propeller is driven by an internal combustion engine, or may be a parallel hybrid drive system in which the propeller is driven by both the electric motor 19 and the internal combustion engine. Also, a series hybrid drive system in which the internal combustion engine drives a generator and the generated electricity drives the electric motor 19 may be employed.

[0082] (11) The work machine A may be configured to be towed by a running vehicle traveling on the ground, or may be configured to use the ground-contacting wheels 11 as running wheels, and perform work while self-propelled by rotating the running wheels 11.

[0083] The present invention can be applied to a work machine that performs work while traveling on a slope, such as a grass cutter or a chemical sprayer.

[0084] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Airframe 11 Ground-contacting wheels 12 Work device 17 Thrust generating device 18 Work propeller (rotor) 21 Protective member 21A Upper portion 21B Side portion 25 Propeller support portion (support portion) 26 Crosspiece member 27 Ventilation portion

Claims

1. A working machine comprising: a machine body; a plurality of ground wheels that support the machine body so as to be movable; a working device provided below the machine body for performing a predetermined operation; and a thrust generating device that generates a thrust such that a portion on the upper side of the inclination is pushed downward in a state where the machine body is inclined. The thrust generating device is provided with a plurality of rotary wings that generate the thrust by driving and rotating to flow a gas upward, and the periphery of the plurality of rotary wings is covered by a single protective member.

2. The working machine according to claim 1, wherein the protective member has a plurality of cross members, a plurality of ventilation portions that allow the flow of the gas generated by the rotary wings are formed between the cross members, and the number of the cross members in a lower portion located below the rotary wings is smaller than the number of the cross members in an upper portion located above the rotary wings.

3. The working machine according to claim 2, wherein in the upper portion of the protective member, the occupied area by the plurality of cross members with respect to the total area of the rotation action region of the rotary wings in the view of the gas flow direction is 1 to 2 percent.

4. The working machine according to claim 2, wherein in a corresponding region of the protective member corresponding to the rotation action region of the rotary wings in the view of the gas flow direction, the lateral width of the cross members is narrower than that in a non-corresponding region not corresponding to the rotation action region.

5. The working machine according to claim 1, wherein in a lateral portion of the protective member located radially outward of the rotary wings, ventilation portions are formed such that the rotary wings cannot pass through.

6. The working machine according to claim 1, wherein a support portion that rotatably supports the rotary wings is provided below the rotary wings.

7. The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the working device performs a mowing operation while moving along the ground.

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