Work vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a work vehicle capable of improving convenience.　This work vehicle is provided with: an operation tool (loader operation tool) capable of operating a front loader; and a control unit capable of switching between a front loader operation state in which the front loader can be operated by means of the operation tool, and a vehicle body operation state in which a vehicle body can be operated by means of the operation tool.

Description

Work vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a work vehicle to which a work implement can be attached.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Technology for work vehicles to which a work implement can be attached is well known, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-222999.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a work vehicle equipped with a liftable implement. Generally, such work vehicles are known to be driven (forward or backward) using pedals provided at the feet.

[0004] However, depending on the driver's physique, the driver may be forced into an awkward position when depressing the pedal, making operation difficult, and there is room for improvement in terms of lack of convenience.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-120604

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a work vehicle that can improve convenience.

[0007] The problem to be solved by one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, and next, the means for solving this problem will be described.

[0008] A work vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an operating tool capable of operating a front loader, and a control unit capable of switching between a front loader operating state in which the front loader can be operated using the operating tool and a vehicle body operating state in which the vehicle body can be operated using the operating tool. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, convenience can be improved. That is, the vehicle body can be operated using an operating tool capable of operating the front loader. Generally, the operating tool for a front loader is provided close at hand (near the driver), making it relatively easy to operate the vehicle body.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit is capable of moving the vehicle body forward and backward in response to operation of the operating tool in the vehicle body operation state. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle body can be moved forward and backward using the operating tool.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit is capable of changing the speed of the vehicle body in the vehicle body operation state in accordance with the amount of operation of the operating tool. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the speed of the vehicle body can be changed using the operating tool.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when the front loader is detached from the vehicle body. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the front loader is not in use, the control unit can automatically switch to the vehicle body operation state.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when a predetermined switching operation is performed. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the switching operation can switch to the vehicle body operation state at any timing.

[0013] The control unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when the front loader is detached from the vehicle body and a predetermined switching operation is performed. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit switches to the vehicle body operation state only when the front loader is detached from the vehicle body and a predetermined switching operation is performed, thereby preventing erroneous switching to the vehicle body operation state.

[0014] A work vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure further includes a holding mechanism that can hold the operating tool at an operating position that is moved a predetermined operating amount from a neutral position. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, by holding the operating tool at the predetermined operating position, the vehicle body can be operated in a constant state (for example, at a constant speed).

[0015] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, convenience can be improved.

[0016] The present disclosure relates to a tractor having a loader operating tool, a loader control tool for controlling a loader operation state of a tractor, a loader operation tool for controlling a loader control state of a loader operation tool, and a loader control tool for controlling a loader operation state of a loader operation tool.

[0017] In the following description, the directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, and B in the drawings are defined as the upward direction, downward direction, forward direction, and backward direction, respectively.

[0018] A tractor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0019] The tractor 1 mainly comprises a body frame 2, an engine 3, a transmission case 4, front wheels 5, rear wheels 6, a bonnet 7, a riding section 8, a steering wheel 9, a seat 10, and a front loader 11.

[0020] The vehicle frame 2 is a frame-shaped member formed by appropriately combining a plurality of plate materials. The vehicle frame 2 is arranged with its longitudinal direction facing the front-to-rear direction. An engine 3, which serves as a prime mover, is fixed to the rear of the vehicle frame 2. A transmission case 4 is fixed to the rear of the engine 3. The front of the vehicle frame 2 is supported by a pair of left and right front wheels 5 via a front axle mechanism (not shown). The rear of the transmission case 4 is supported by a pair of left and right rear wheels 6 via a rear axle mechanism (not shown). The engine 3 is covered by a hood 7.

[0021] The power of the engine 3 is changed in speed by a transmission 62 (see FIG. 2) housed in the transmission case 4, and then can be transmitted to the front wheels 5 via the front axle mechanism, and can be transmitted to the rear wheels 6 via the rear axle mechanism. The front wheels 5 and rear wheels 6 are rotated by the power of the engine 3, allowing the tractor 1 to travel.

[0022] A riding section 8 for the driver to ride in is provided behind the engine 3. A steering wheel 9 for adjusting the turning angle of the front wheels 5 and various operating tools are arranged in front of the riding section 8. A seat 10 for the driver to sit in is arranged approximately in the center of the riding section 8.

[0023] A front loader 11, which is an example of a work machine, is attached to the front of the tractor 1. The front loader 11 includes a boom 12, a bucket 13, a boom cylinder 14, a bucket cylinder 15, and the like.

[0024] The boom 12 is disposed so as to extend downward and forward. The bucket 13 is detachably connected to the front end of the boom 12. The boom 12 can be rotated relative to the vehicle body by extending and retracting a boom cylinder 14. The bucket 13 can be rotated relative to the boom 12 by extending and retracting a bucket cylinder 15. In this way, work such as transporting earth and sand can be performed by appropriately rotating the boom 12 and the bucket 13.

[0025] A backhoe 17, which is an example of a work machine, is attached to the rear of the tractor 1 via a lifting device 16. The lifting device 16 is capable of hydraulically raising and lowering the attached work machine (in this embodiment, the backhoe 17). The backhoe 17 includes a base 18, outriggers 19, a swing bracket 20, a boom 21, an arm 22, a bucket 23, a swing cylinder 24, a boom cylinder 25, an arm cylinder 26, a bucket cylinder 27, a control lever 28, and the like.

[0026] The base 18 is attached to the rear of the tractor 1 via the lifting device 16. The top surface of the base 18 forms a floor for the driver to use when operating the backhoe 17. Outriggers 19 are provided on the left and right sides of the base 18. The swing bracket 20 can be rotated left and right relative to the base 18 by extending and retracting a swing cylinder 24. The boom 21 can be rotated up and down relative to the swing bracket 20 by extending and retracting a boom cylinder 25. The arm 22 can be rotated up and down relative to the boom 21 by extending and retracting an arm cylinder 26. The bucket 23 can be rotated up and down relative to the arm 22 by extending and retracting a bucket cylinder 27. A control lever 28 for operating the backhoe 17 is provided on the top of the base 18. By operating the control lever 28, work such as excavating earth and sand can be performed.

[0027] The following describes the configuration of a control system that controls the tractor 1 (particularly, switching between a front loader operation state and a vehicle body operation state, which will be described later). As shown in Figure 2, the control system of the tractor 1 mainly includes a loader operation device 42, a speed change operation device 43, a travel pedal 44, a control state switching operation device 47, a work implement sensor 51, a work implement hydraulic valve 61, a speed change device 62, a display unit 63, and a control unit 70.

[0028] The loader operating tool 42 is used to operate the front loader 11. The loader operating tool 42 is configured, for example, by a joystick that can be tilted in any direction. The loader operating tool 42 is provided at an appropriate position on the riding section 8 (see FIG. 1). The loader operating tool 42 can be operated by the driver's hand.

[0029] The speed change operating device 43 is used to change the gear ratio (number of gears) of the transmission 62. The speed change operating device 43 is provided at an appropriate position on the riding section 8 (see FIG. 1). The speed change operating device 43 can be configured with various operating devices such as a lever or a switch. By changing the speed change operating device 43 to an arbitrary operating position, the speed of the tractor 1 can be adjusted in stages when the travel pedal 44, which will be described later, is operated.

[0030] The travel pedal 44 is used to move the tractor 1 forward and backward. The travel pedal 44 is provided on the floor of the riding section 8 (see FIG. 1). The travel pedal 44 is formed so that it can swing back and forth, for example. By stepping forward or backward on the travel pedal 44, the tractor 1 can be moved forward or backward. Furthermore, the speed of the tractor 1 can be adjusted continuously depending on the amount of operation of the travel pedal 44.

[0031] The control state switching operation device 47 is an operation device for switching between a front loader operation state and a vehicle body operation state, which will be described later. The control state switching operation device 47 is provided at an appropriate position on the riding section 8 (see FIG. 1).

[0032] There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the control state switching operation tool 47. For example, it can be configured using various buttons, switches, touch panels (not shown), etc. provided on the riding section 8.

[0033] The work implement sensor 51 detects the attitude of the work implement. The work implement sensor 51 can detect the attitude (lifted position) of the front loader 11 by detecting the extension amount of the boom cylinder 14 and bucket cylinder 15 of the front loader 11 or the rotation amount of the boom 12 and bucket 13. The work implement sensor 51 is provided on the front loader 11. When the front loader 11 is attached to the body of the tractor 1, the work implement sensor 51 is connected to a control unit 70 (described later) via wiring or the like.

[0034] The specific configuration of the work machine sensor 51 is not particularly limited, and can be changed arbitrarily as long as it can detect the attitude of the work machine.

[0035] The work machine hydraulic valve 61 controls the supply of hydraulic oil (hydraulic pressure) to the work machine. The work machine hydraulic valve 61 can switch the flow direction of hydraulic oil by controlling the operation of a spool in response to an external electrical signal. The work machine hydraulic valve 61 can control the supply of hydraulic oil to the boom cylinder 14 and bucket cylinder 15 of the front loader 11.

[0036] The transmission 62 is for changing the speed of the power from the engine 3. The transmission 62 can change the gear ratio in response to an external electric signal.

[0037] The display unit 63 is for displaying various types of information. The display unit 63 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal monitor, a touch panel, or the like. The display unit 63 is provided at an appropriate position in the riding section 8 (see FIG. 1). The display unit 63 can also be configured integrally with a meter panel provided in the front of the riding section 8.

[0038] The control unit 70 controls each part of the tractor 1. The control unit 70 is composed of an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, etc. The control unit 70 can be disposed at any position on the tractor 1.

[0039] The control unit 70 is electrically connected to the loader operating device 42, the speed change operating device 43, the travel pedal 44, and the control state switching operating device 47, and can detect the operation of the loader operating device 42 and the like.

[0040] The control unit 70 is electrically connected to the work machine sensor 51 and can acquire the detection results of the work machine sensor 51. This allows the control unit 70 to grasp the posture of the front loader 11.

[0041] The control unit 70 is electrically connected to the work machine hydraulic valve 61 and the transmission 62 and can control the operation of the work machine hydraulic valve 61 and the transmission 62 .

[0042] Here, the control unit 70 has a front loader operation state and a vehicle body operation state as control states for controlling the work machine hydraulic valve 61 and the transmission 62. The front loader operation state and the vehicle body operation state will be described below.

[0043] The front loader operating state is a state in which the front loader 11 can be operated using the loader operating tool 42. In the front loader operating state, when the loader operating tool 42 is operated by the driver, the control unit 70 controls the operation of the work equipment hydraulic valve 61 based on the operation of the loader operating tool 42. Specifically, when the loader operating tool 42 is operated, the front loader 11 immediately begins to move up, down, or the like in response to this operation. This allows the driver to move the front loader 11 as desired using the loader operating tool 42.

[0044] Furthermore, in the front loader operating state, when the driver operates the speed changer 43 or the travel pedal 44, the control unit 70 controls the operation of the transmission 62. Specifically, the control unit 70 can change the speed of the tractor 1 steplessly in response to operation of the travel pedal 44 within the gear (speed range) set by the speed changer 43. This allows the driver to move the tractor 1 forward or backward at any speed.

[0045] On the other hand, the vehicle body operation state is a state in which the vehicle body can be operated using the loader operating device 42. In the vehicle body operation state, when the loader operating device 42 is operated by the driver, the control unit 70 controls the operation of the transmission 62 based on the operation of the loader operating device 42. Specifically, the control unit 70 can change the speed of the tractor 1 steplessly in accordance with the operation of the loader operating device 42 within the gear stage (speed range) set by the speed change operating device 43. This allows the driver to move the tractor 1 forward or backward at any speed.

[0046] In this way, in the vehicle body operation state, the tractor 1 can be moved forward or backward using the loader operation tool 42 for operating the front loader 11. Generally, the loader operation tool 42 for operating the front loader 11 is located in a position that is easily accessible to the driver seated in the seat 10, so the driver can travel the tractor 1 without having to assume an awkward posture. Therefore, when there is no need to operate the front loader 11 (for example, when the front loader 11 is detached from the vehicle body), convenience can be improved by switching the control state of the control unit 70 to the vehicle body operation state.

[0047] The control unit 70 displays the current control state (front loader operation state or vehicle body operation state) on the display unit 63. This makes it possible to notify the driver of the current control state.

[0048] A method for switching the control state of the control unit 70 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0049] The control unit 70 determines whether a vehicle body operation state switching condition is satisfied (step S301). Here, the vehicle body operation state switching condition is a condition for switching the control state of the control unit 70 from a front loader operation state to a vehicle body operation state.

[0050] If the control unit 70 determines that the vehicle body operation state switching condition is met (YES in step S301), it switches the control state to the vehicle body operation state (step S302). On the other hand, if the control unit 70 determines that the vehicle body operation state switching condition is not met (NO in step S301), it switches the control state to the front loader operation state (step S303). In this way, the control unit 70 can switch the control state to the vehicle body operation state or the front loader operation state depending on whether the vehicle body operation state switching condition is met.

[0051] Here, the vehicle body operation state switching condition can be set arbitrarily. Specific examples of the vehicle body operation state switching condition will be described below.

[0052] The vehicle body operation state switching condition can be set to be met when the front loader 11 is detached from the vehicle body of the tractor 1. For example, when communication with the work implement sensor 51 provided on the front loader 11 is lost, the control unit 70 can detect that the front loader 11 has been detached from the vehicle body of the tractor 1. However, this is not limiting, and the control unit 70 can detect that the front loader 11 has been detached from the vehicle body of the tractor 1 by any method.

[0053] Furthermore, the vehicle body operation state switching condition can be set to be satisfied when a predetermined switching operation is performed. The control unit 70 can determine that the vehicle body operation state switching condition is satisfied, for example, in response to a switching operation performed by the control state switching operation device 47. Specifically, when an operation to switch from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state is performed by the control state switching operation device 47, the control unit 70 determines that the vehicle body operation state switching condition is satisfied. Furthermore, when an operation to switch from the vehicle body operation state to the front loader operation state is performed by the control state switching operation device 47, the control unit 70 determines that the vehicle body operation state switching condition is not satisfied.

[0054] Furthermore, the vehicle body operation state switching condition can be set so as to be met when a predetermined switching operation is performed together with the front loader 11 being detached from the vehicle body of the tractor 1. In other words, the control unit 70 can determine that the vehicle body operation state switching condition is met only when the front loader 11 is detached from the vehicle body of the tractor 1 and the control state switching operation tool 47 is used to switch to the vehicle body operation state.

[0055] A specific example of a method for operating the vehicle body by the loader operating tool 42 in the vehicle body operating state will be described below.

[0056] In the vehicle body operation state, the tractor 1 can be moved forward or backward by tilting the loader operating tool 42 forward or backward. At this time, for example, the control unit 70 can change the speed of the tractor 1 according to the amount of operation of the loader operating tool 42. In other words, the control unit 70 can increase or decrease the speed of the tractor 1 in proportion to the amount of operation of the loader operating tool 42. This allows the driver to finely change the speed of the tractor 1 by operating the loader operating tool 42.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 70 can also move the tractor 1 forward or backward at a constant speed regardless of the amount of operation of the loader operating device 42. Specifically, when the loader operating device 42 is operated forward, the control unit 70 moves the tractor 1 forward at a preset constant speed regardless of the amount of operation of the loader operating device 42. Furthermore, when the loader operating device 42 is operated backward, the control unit 70 moves the tractor 1 backward at a preset constant speed regardless of the amount of operation of the loader operating device 42.

[0058] In this way, the method of operating the vehicle body using the loader operating tool 42 (the relationship between the operation of the loader operating tool 42 and the speed of the tractor 1) is not particularly limited and can be set arbitrarily.

[0059] A specific example of the configuration of the loader operating tool 42 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0060] 4A, the loader operating tool 42 is configured to be swingable about a rotation fulcrum 42a. For simplicity of explanation, the illustration only shows the loader operating tool 42 swinging back and forth, but the loader operating tool 42 is also configured to be swingable left and right.

[0061] The loader operating device 42 is constantly biased by an appropriate biasing means (for example, a spring, etc.) so as to return to the neutral position N. Therefore, for example, if the driver operates the loader operating device 42 forward or backward and then releases his / her hand from the loader operating device 42, the loader operating device 42 automatically moves to the neutral position N. With such a loader operating device 42, for example, in the vehicle body operating state described above, operating the loader operating device 42 forward or backward can cause the tractor 1 to move forward or backward accordingly. Furthermore, when the driver releases his / her hand from the loader operating device 42, the tractor 1 can be stopped.

[0062] In another example shown in FIG. 4( b), the loader operating tool 42 is provided with a detent mechanism 48. The detent mechanism 48 holds the loader operating tool 42 in a predetermined operating position. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4( b), the detent mechanism 48 can hold the loader operating tool 42 in a forward position F1, which is tilted forward by a predetermined angle from the neutral position N, and in a reverse position R1, which is tilted rearward by a predetermined angle. The detent mechanism 48 can mechanically hold the loader operating tool 42 by engaging an engaging member with the loader operating tool 42 when the loader operating tool 42 reaches the predetermined operating position, for example.

[0063] By providing the detent mechanism 48 in this manner, the loader operating tool 42 can be held in a predetermined operating position even if the driver releases his / her hands from the loader operating tool 42. This allows the tractor 1 to move forward or backward at a constant speed even when the driver releases his / her hands from the loader operating tool 42.

[0064] In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the tractor 1 is moved forward or backward using the loader operating tool 42, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to configure the tractor 1 to turn left or right in response to left or right operation of the loader operating tool 42. For example, the control unit 70 can turn the tractor 1 left or right by controlling the operation of the steering device of the tractor 1 in response to operation of the loader operating tool 42.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engine 3 has been described as an example of a prime mover, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adopt a prime mover other than the engine 3 (for example, a motor, etc.).

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, a tractor 1 has been described as an example of a work vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various other work vehicles (agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, industrial vehicles, etc.).

[0067] As described above, the tractor 1 (work vehicle) according to this embodiment is equipped with an operating tool (loader operating tool 42) capable of operating the front loader 11, and a control unit 70 capable of switching between a front loader operating state in which the front loader 11 can be operated using the operating tool and a vehicle body operating state in which the vehicle body can be operated using the operating tool. This configuration improves convenience. That is, the vehicle body can be operated using the operating tool capable of operating the front loader 11. Generally, the operating tool for the front loader 11 is provided close at hand (near the driver), making it relatively easy to operate the vehicle body.

[0068] In addition, the control unit 70 can move the vehicle body forward and backward in response to the operation of the operating tool in the vehicle body operation state. By configuring in this way, the vehicle body can be moved forward and backward using the operating tool.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 70 can change the speed of the vehicle body in the vehicle body operation state in accordance with the amount of operation of the operating tool. By configuring in this manner, the speed of the vehicle body can be changed using the operating tool.

[0070] Furthermore, the control unit 70 switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when the front loader 11 is detached from the vehicle body. By configuring in this way, it is possible to automatically switch to the vehicle body operation state when the front loader 11 is not in use.

[0071] Furthermore, the control unit 70 switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when a predetermined switching operation is performed. By configuring in this manner, it is possible to switch to the vehicle body operation state at any timing by a switching operation.

[0072] Furthermore, the control unit 70 switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when the front loader 11 is removed from the vehicle body and a predetermined switching operation is performed. With this configuration, the state is switched to the vehicle body operation state only when the front loader 11 is removed from the vehicle body and a predetermined switching operation is performed, so that it is possible to prevent the state from being switched to the vehicle body operation state by mistake.

[0073] The work vehicle according to this embodiment is further equipped with a holding mechanism (detent mechanism 48) that can hold the operating tool at an operating position that is moved a predetermined operating amount from the neutral position N. With this configuration, the operating tool is held at a predetermined operating position, allowing the vehicle body to be operated in a constant state (for example, at a constant speed).

[0074] The tractor 1 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of a work vehicle according to the present invention. The loader operating tool 42 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of an operating tool according to the present invention. The detent mechanism 48 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of a holding mechanism according to the present invention.

[0075] The present invention can be applied to a work vehicle to which a work implement can be attached.

[0076] 1 Tractor 11 Front loader 42 Loader operating tool 48 Detent mechanism 70 Control unit

Claims

1. A work vehicle comprising: an operating device capable of operating a front loader; and a control unit capable of switching between a front loader operating state in which the front loader can be operated using the operating device, and a vehicle body operating state in which the vehicle body can be operated using the operating device.

2. A work vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of moving the vehicle body forward and backward in response to operation of the operating tool in the vehicle body operation state.

3. A work vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of changing the speed of the vehicle body in the vehicle body operation state according to the amount of operation of the operating tool.

4. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when the front loader is detached from the vehicle body.

5. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when a predetermined switching operation is performed.

6. A work vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit switches from the front loader operation state to the vehicle body operation state when the front loader is detached from the vehicle body and a predetermined switching operation is performed.

7. A work vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a holding mechanism capable of holding the operating tool at an operating position moved a predetermined operating amount from a neutral position.

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