Work vehicle

Abstract

The present invention comprises an outer cover (3) for protecting equipment on a vehicle body (2). The outer cover (3) is provided with a plurality of sheet-metal processed members (30, 31). The sheet-metal processed members (30, 31), which are adjacent to each other, have cover sections (300, 310) facing the equipment, and lap joint sections (301, 311) contiguous to the cover sections (300, 310). The lap joint section (311) of one sheet-metal processed member (31) has: a contact region (311a) which makes contact with the lap joint section (301) of another sheet-metal processed member (30) and which includes a connection section (320) that is partially connected to the lap joint section (311) of the other sheet-metal processed member (31); and a non-contact region (311b) which, next to the contact region (311a), faces the lap joint section (311) of the other sheet-metal processed member (30) with an interval therebetween, and in which is formed a gap (330) that makes it possible to interpose a resin material between the lap joint section (311) and the lap joint section (301) of the other sheet-metal processed member (30).

Description

Work vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle equipped with an exterior cover that connects adjacent sheet metal processed members together.

[0002] Conventionally, work vehicles such as tractors have been equipped with exterior covers such as hoods to protect equipment. This type of exterior cover is made up of multiple sheet metal processed members, and the edge portions (so-called lap joints) of the multiple sheet metal processed members are overlapped with the edge portions (lap joints) of adjacent sheet metal processed members and partially connected by spot welding (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The exterior cover is treated to be rust-proof by painting the multiple sheet metal processed members connected by spot welding or the like.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-35420

[0004] However, because the edges of two adjacent sheet metal processed members are partially connected while overlapping, they are in surface contact with each other except for the connected portions. As a result, paint cannot penetrate between the edges of the two overlapping sheet metal processed members, leaving the edges of the sheet metal processed members unpainted (with the base metal exposed). As a result, rust may form near the boundary between the adjacent sheet metal processed members, degrading their appearance and quality.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a work vehicle that can more reliably prevent rusting of the sheet metal processed members that make up the exterior cover.

[0006] The work vehicle of the present invention comprises a drivable vehicle body and an exterior cover that protects equipment placed on the vehicle body from the outside, the exterior cover including a plurality of sheet metal processed members arranged side by side in a predetermined direction, and two adjacent sheet metal processed members among the plurality of sheet metal processed members have a cover portion that faces the equipment and a lap joint portion that is continuous with the cover portion, and the lap joint portion of at least one of the two sheet metal processed members has a contact area that contacts the lap joint portion of at least another of the two sheet metal processed members, the contact area including a connecting portion that is partially connected to the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member, and a non-contact area adjacent to the contact area and facing the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member with a gap therebetween that allows a resin material to be interposed between the non-contact area and the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member.

[0007] The connecting portion may be a welded portion where the contact region of the one sheet metal processed member and the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member are partially fused together.

[0008] The contact region of the lap joint portion of the one of the processed sheet metal members may be located closer to the other processed sheet metal member than the non-contact region of the lap joint portion.

[0009] The lap joint portion of the one of the processed sheet metal members may have a plurality of contact regions and a plurality of non-contact regions, and the contact regions and the non-contact regions may be arranged alternately.

[0010] The lap joint portion may extend from an edge of the cover portion, and the contact region and the non-contact region may be arranged alternately in the direction in which the edge of the cover portion extends.

[0011] The lap joint portion may be bent from the edge of the cover portion toward the accessory.

[0012] The contact area may include a tip of the lap joint portion opposite the edge of the cover portion.

[0013] The contact area may include a rectangular area in plan view, one side of which is defined by the tip.

[0014] The contact area may include a semicircular area in a plan view with the tip as a chord.

[0015] The gap may be filled with a resin material.

[0016] The resin material may be a paint that forms a coating film on the outer surface of the sheet metal processed member, and may be filled into the gap in a continuous state with the coating film and adhered to the non-contact areas of each of the two sheet metal processed members.

[0017] The exterior cover may be a hood that protects a prime mover that is the equipment.

[0018] The hood may include a top plate disposed above the equipment and a pair of side plates disposed below the top plate and on either side of the equipment, wherein one of the pair of side plates and the top plate are the two adjacent sheet metal members, and the other of the pair of side plates and the top plate are the two adjacent sheet metal members.

[0019] According to the present invention, rust prevention of the processed sheet metal members that make up the exterior cover can be more reliably achieved.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a work vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the work vehicle according to the embodiment with the hood (exterior cover) removed. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the body (body frame) of the work vehicle according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support frame and auxiliary cover of the work vehicle according to the embodiment, with the auxiliary cover disassembled. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support frame and auxiliary cover of the work vehicle according to the embodiment, with the auxiliary cover assembled. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view for explaining the support frame and hinge of the work vehicle according to the embodiment, showing the periphery of the support frame as viewed obliquely from above on the front side. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the hood of the work vehicle according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a cross section of a main portion around a connecting portion where sheet metal processed members of the hood of the work vehicle according to the embodiment are welded together. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the top plate of the hood of the work vehicle according to the embodiment, as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a side plate of a hood of a work vehicle according to the embodiment, viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when welding the top plate and side plate (sheet metal processed members) of the hood of the work vehicle according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of a paint film formed when painting the top plate and side plate (sheet metal processed members) of the hood of the work vehicle according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of a paint film formed when painting the top plate and side plate (sheet metal processed members) of the hood of the work vehicle according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of a paint film formed when painting the top plate and side plate (sheet metal processed members) of a hood (exterior cover) of a work vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of a paint film formed when painting the top plate and side plate (sheet metal processed members) of a hood (exterior cover) of a work vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of a paint film formed when painting is applied to the top and side plates (sheet metal processed members) of a hood (exterior cover) of a work vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] A work vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the straight-ahead direction (forward / reverse direction) of the work vehicle 1 will be referred to as the "first direction," and the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the up-down direction (vehicle width direction) will be referred to as the "second direction." In addition, in the first direction, the forward direction of the work vehicle 1 will be referred to as the "front side" or "forward," and the backward direction of the work vehicle 1 will be referred to as the "rear side" or "rear." In line with these definitions, the up-down direction will be referred to as the "third direction."

[0022] The work vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a tractor to which a work implement according to the purpose and application of agricultural work is coupled. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the work vehicle 1 comprises a drivable body 2 and an exterior cover 3 that protects equipment arranged on the body 2. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the work vehicle 1 comprises a prime mover 4, the body 2 that supports the prime mover 4, a traveling device 5 that supports the body 2 so that it can travel, a steering device 6 that steers the traveling device 5, and a drive transmission device 7 that transmits drive from the prime mover 4 to the traveling device 5. As described above, the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a tractor to which a work implement (not shown) is coupled, and therefore comprises a coupling device 8 (see Figure 3) for coupling the work implement.

[0023] An internal combustion engine or an electric motor is employed as the prime mover 4. In this embodiment, the prime mover 4 is an internal combustion engine. More specifically, the prime mover 4 is a diesel engine, and in this embodiment, it is a diesel engine with a supercharger (turbo). Note that instead of a diesel engine, the prime mover 4 may be a gasoline engine, a hydrogen fuel engine, a natural gas engine, or the like.

[0024] The drive transmission device 7 is a transmission mechanism operatively connected to the output shaft of the prime mover 4, and includes a transmission mechanism that transmits rotation of the output shaft of the prime mover 4 to the traveling device 5, and a casing 7a that houses the transmission mechanism. In the drive transmission device 7 of this embodiment, multiple mechanisms (devices) are operatively connected. As a result, the multiple mechanisms are mechanically connected to form a transmission mechanism.

[0025] 3 , the drive transmission device 7 includes a flywheel device 70 connected to the prime mover 4, a clutch device 71 connected to the flywheel device 70, and a transmission device 72 connected directly or indirectly to the clutch device 71. The drive transmission device 7 of this embodiment includes an intermediate casing 73 disposed between the clutch device 71 and the transmission device 72, and connecting the clutch device 71 and the transmission device 72.

[0026] The flywheel device 70 has a rotating shaft connected to the output shaft of the prime mover 4, and a wheel case 700 that houses a flywheel attached to the rotating shaft. The flywheel device 70 is disposed rearward in the first direction relative to the prime mover 4. The wheel case 700 is connected to the prime mover 4.

[0027] The clutch device 71 includes a primary rotating shaft that receives (inputs) power (rotation), a secondary rotating shaft, a clutch mechanism that is switchable between a state in which the rotation of the primary rotating shaft is transmitted to the secondary rotating shaft and a state in which the transmission of the rotation of the primary rotating shaft to the secondary rotating shaft is released (interrupted), and a clutch case 710 that houses the clutch mechanism. The clutch device 71 is disposed rearward in the first direction relative to the flywheel device 70. In the clutch device 71, the primary rotating shaft is connected to the rotating shaft of the flywheel device 70, and the clutch case 710 is connected (bolted) to the wheel case 700.

[0028] The transmission device 72 includes an input rotation shaft connected to the secondary rotation shaft of the clutch device 71, an output rotation shaft, a group of gears that transmits the rotation input to the input rotation shaft to the output rotation shaft, and a transmission case 720 that houses the group of gears. The transmission device 72 is disposed rearward of the clutch device 71 in the first direction. In this state, the transmission case 720 is directly or indirectly connected to the clutch case 710. In this embodiment, a hollow intermediate casing 73 is disposed between the clutch case 710 and the transmission case 720, and the clutch case 710 and the transmission case 720 are connected to the intermediate casing 73. In other words, the clutch case 710 and the transmission case 720 are indirectly connected via the intermediate casing 73. Accordingly, the input rotation shaft of the transmission device 72 and the secondary rotation shaft of the clutch device 71 are connected within the intermediate casing 73. The transmission device 72 has a pair of output shafts extending to one side and the other side in the second direction, and to which the driving force from the clutch device 71 is transmitted via a group of gears.

[0029] As a result, in the drive transmission device 7, the transmission mechanism is made up of a series of flywheel, clutch mechanism, and gear group, and the casing 7a is made up of a series of wheel case 700, clutch case 710, intermediate casing 73, and transmission case 720. Needless to say, in the drive transmission device 7, the flywheel device 70, clutch device 71, intermediate casing 73, and transmission device 72 are lined up in this order from the front side to the rear side in the first direction.

[0030] The vehicle body 2 has a body frame 20 extending in a first direction. In this embodiment, the body frame 20 includes a front frame 200 disposed on the front side in the first direction, and a casing 7a of the drive transmission device 7. Specifically, the body frame 20 is composed of the front frame 200 as a structural body, and the casing 7a that houses the transmission mechanism of the drive transmission device 7 and is connected directly or indirectly to the front frame 200.

[0031] The prime mover 4 is disposed on the front frame 200. The prime mover 4 is fixed to the front frame 200. In this embodiment, the casing 7a of the drive transmission device 7 is connected to the prime mover 4, and is therefore indirectly connected to the front frame 200 via the prime mover 4, and is disposed rearward in the first direction relative to the front frame 200. Also disposed on the front frame 200 are a radiator 10 for cooling the prime mover 4, an oil cooler 11 for cooling hydraulic oil that operates hydraulic equipment of the work equipment, an intercooler 12 for cooling air compressed by the turbocharger, and the like. That is, the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with equipment such as the radiator 10, oil cooler 11, and intercooler 12, in addition to the prime mover 4, as accessories disposed on the vehicle body 2.

[0032] The radiator 10, oil cooler 11, and intercooler 12 are disposed on a front frame 200 of the body frame 20, and are disposed in front of the engine 4 in the first direction. In this embodiment, the intercooler 12, oil cooler 11, radiator 10, and engine 4 are disposed in this order from front to rear.

[0033] In this embodiment, the connecting device 8 is a three-point link mechanism that raises and lowers the working device, and is connected to a transmission case 720 located at the rearmost end of the vehicle body 2 (vehicle frame 20).

[0034] In this embodiment, the traveling device 5 is a wheeled (tired) traveling device 5. The traveling device 5 includes a pair of front wheels 50F, 50F that support the front side of the vehicle body 2 in the first direction, and a pair of rear wheels 50R, 50R that support the rear side of the vehicle body 2 in the first direction.

[0035] The pair of front wheels 50F, 50F are disposed on both sides of the body frame 20 in the second direction, and the pair of rear wheels 50R, 50R are disposed on both sides of the body frame 20 in the second direction. That is, the body 2 (body frame 20) extending in the first direction is located between the pair of front wheels 50F, 50F and between the pair of rear wheels 50R, 50R. In this embodiment, the pair of front wheels 50F, 50F are attached to a steering knuckle 60 (described later) of the steering device 6, and the pair of rear wheels 50R, 50R are attached to a pair of output shafts of the transmission device 72. As a result, the pair of front wheels 50F, 50F function as steering wheels, and the pair of rear wheels 50R, 50R function as drive wheels.

[0036] The steering device 6 is fixed to the front frame 200. Specifically, the steering device 6 includes a pair of steering knuckles 60 that support the front wheels 50F, 50F rotatably about an axis extending in a direction intersecting the third direction, each of the pair of steering knuckles 60 rotatable about an axis extending in the third direction; a steering mechanism that rotates the pair of steering knuckles 60 about the axis extending in the third direction in response to an operation (rotation operation) of a steering wheel disposed in the driver's seat DS; and a steering case that houses the steering mechanism and supports the steering knuckles 60. In this embodiment, the steering mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism. The steering case is connected to the lower surface of the front frame 200, and the pair of steering knuckles 60 are disposed on both sides of the vehicle body 2 (front frame 200) in the second direction. Accordingly, the pair of front wheels 50F, 50F are also disposed on both sides of the vehicle body 2 (front frame 200) in the second direction.

[0037] The work vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a passenger work vehicle 1. Accordingly, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle body 2 has a driver's seat DS in which a worker sits. The vehicle body 2 also has a protection mechanism 9 that protects the driver's seat DS (the worker seated in the driver's seat DS).

[0038] The driver's seat DS is supported by the body frame 20. In this embodiment, the driver's seat DS is disposed above the casing 7 a of the drive transmission device 7 that constitutes the body frame 20, and is fixed to a transmission case 720 that constitutes the body frame 20.

[0039] The work vehicle 1 (protection mechanism 9) includes a windshield FG disposed in front of the driver's seat DS. The protection mechanism 9 of this embodiment is a cabin 9 that covers the entire driver's seat DS and defines a driver's compartment DR where the worker (driver) stays. Because the protection mechanism 9 of this embodiment is a cabin 9 that covers the entire driver's seat DS, it has a windshield FG at the front and a rear window RG at the rear.

[0040] More specifically, the protection mechanism 9 includes a roof 90 disposed above the driver's seat DS and support pillars that support the roof 90. The protection mechanism 9 of this embodiment includes, as support pillars, a pair of front support pillars 91, 91 disposed on the front side in the first direction and a pair of rear support pillars 92, 92 disposed on the rear side in the first direction. The pair of front support pillars 91, 91 are disposed at a distance from each other in the second direction, and the pair of rear support pillars 92, 92 are disposed at a distance from each other in the second direction.

[0041] A windshield FG is disposed between the pair of front support pillars 91, 91, and a rear glass RG is disposed between the pair of rear support pillars 92, 92. An openable / closable door D is disposed between one of the front support pillars 91, 91 on one side in the second direction and one of the rear support pillars 92, 92 on one side in the second direction. In this embodiment, an openable / closable door D is also disposed between the other of the front support pillars 91, 91 on the other side in the second direction and the other of the rear support pillars 92, 92 on the other side in the second direction. In this way, the protection mechanism 9 surrounds the driver's seat DS and defines a driver's cab DR where the operator stays.

[0042] The protection mechanism 9 configured as described above is disposed on the rear half region in the first direction of the body frame 20. In other words, the protection mechanism 9 is disposed above the casing 7a of the drive transmission device 7.

[0043] In this embodiment, the exterior cover 3 is a hood 3 that protects at least the prime mover 4. The hood 3 defines an equipment housing compartment MR that houses the prime mover 4. The hood 3 is disposed in front of the cabin 9. In this embodiment, the hood 3 is disposed at a distance from the cabin 9 in the first direction. Accordingly, the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment is provided with an auxiliary cover 100 that protects equipment disposed between the hood 3 and the cabin 9. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the work vehicle 1 is provided with a support frame 250 that supports the hood 3 (exterior cover 3) and the auxiliary cover 100. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of lower side covers 350, 350 that are disposed on both sides in the second direction of the lower part of the equipment disposed on the vehicle body 2, and are provided below the hood 3 (exterior cover 3).

[0044] 4 and 5 , in this embodiment, the support frame 250 is a plate-shaped frame that stands on the body frame 20 and extends in the second and third directions on the body frame 20. The support frame 250 is disposed at the boundary between the area where the hood 3 is disposed and the area where the auxiliary cover 100 is disposed (see FIG. 3 ).

[0045] The auxiliary cover 100 includes a top cover 100a disposed above the body frame 20 and a pair of side covers 100b, 100b disposed at intervals in the second direction and positioned below both ends of the top cover 100a in the second direction. In this embodiment, the top cover 100a and the pair of side covers 100b, 100b are each molded from resin. The top cover 100a and the pair of side covers 100b, 100b are each disposed with their front ends in the first direction aligned with the outer edge of the support frame 250.

[0046] The front ends of each of the pair of side covers 100b, 100b in the first direction are fixed to the support frame 250 with screws, and the top cover 100a is fixed by claw engagement to the top cover 100a fixed to the support frame 250. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the front ends of each of the pair of side covers 100b, 100b are provided with protrusions 101 that protrude inward in the second direction and are superimposed on the front surface of the support frame 250. The protrusions 101 are provided with through holes H1 through which bolts are inserted in the first direction. Accordingly, the support frame 250 is provided with screw holes SH through which bolts are screwed at positions corresponding to the through holes H1 of the protrusions 101.

[0047] In addition, engagement claws 102 are protruded from both ends of the top cover 100a in the second direction, and correspondingly, engagement holes 103 are provided at the upper end of the side cover 100b, into which the engagement claws 102 can engage.

[0048] 5 , with the protruding pieces 101 of the side covers 100b overlapping the surface facing forward or rearward in the first direction of the support frame 250 (the surface facing forward in this embodiment), the pair of side covers 100b are fixed to the vehicle body frame 20 via the support frame 250 by threading bolts B inserted through the through holes H1 of the protruding pieces 101 into the screw holes SH of the support frame 250. In this state, the engaging claws 102 protruding from both ends of the top cover 100a in the second direction engage with the engaging holes 103 provided at the upper ends of the side covers 100b, thereby connecting the top cover 100a to the side covers 100b. The auxiliary cover 100 (the top cover 100a and the pair of side covers 100b) is fixed in place, closing the space between the hood 3 and the cabin 9.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6 , a hinge 110 to which the hood 3 is connected is attached to the support frame 250. The hinge 110 has a support shaft 110a extending in the second direction and serving as a rotation axis of the hood 3. In this embodiment, the hinge 110 is attached to the upper end of the surface facing the front of the support frame 250. In this embodiment, a mounting bracket 111 to which the hood 3 (exterior cover 3) is attached is connected to the hinge 110. The mounting bracket 111 is formed to fit the inner shape of the hood 3 (exterior cover 3). That is, the mounting bracket 111 includes a first portion 111a that extends along the inner surface of a top plate 30 (described later) of the hood 3 and extends in the second direction, and a pair of second portions 111b that extend along the inner surfaces of side plates 31 (described later) of the hood 3 and hang downward from both ends of the first portion 111a. The bonnet 3 is arranged so as to cover the mounting bracket 111 from the outside and is connected to the mounting bracket 111.

[0050] As a result, the rear end of the hood 3 in the first direction is supported by the hinge 110 (support shaft 110a), and the hood 3 is rotatable around the support shaft 110a extending in the second direction. In other words, the hood 3 is configured to be openable and closable, and allows access from the outside to the equipment such as the prime mover 4 in the open state, while covering and protecting the equipment such as the prime mover 4 in the closed state.

[0051] Each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350 is fixed to the front frame 200. As a result, each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350, 350 stands upright in the third direction (see FIG. 1). The shape of each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350 when viewed from the second direction is formed into a predetermined shape that takes design into consideration.

[0052] Each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350 is provided with a vent hole. In this embodiment, the vent hole of each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350 is formed in a mesh shape. This allows each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350 to allow ventilation between the inside of the hood 3 (inside the equipment housing chamber MR) and the outside. The upper edge of each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350 is formed in accordance with the shape of the lower edge of the hood 3 (side plate 31, described later) disposed above. In other words, the shape (form) of the upper edge of each of the pair of lower side covers 350, 350 is set so that the lower edge of the hood 3 (the hood 3 in a state protecting equipment) that defines the equipment housing chamber MR and the upper edge of the lower side cover 350 are aligned or approximately aligned.

[0053] In this embodiment, the bonnet 3, which is the exterior cover 3, includes a plurality of sheet metal processed members 30, 31 arranged side by side in a predetermined direction, as shown in Fig. 7. That is, the bonnet 3 includes a plurality of sheet metal processed members 30, 31 arranged side by side in at least one of the third direction and a direction intersecting the third direction.

[0054] 8 to 10, of the plurality of sheet metal processed members 30, 31, two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 have cover portions 300, 310 that face accessories such as the prime mover 4, and lap joint portions 301, 311 that are continuous with the cover portions 300, 310. The lap joint portions 301, 311 of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 are connected in an overlapping state. More specifically, the lap joint portion 311 of at least one of the two sheet metal processing members 30, 31 has a contact area 311a that contacts the lap joint portion 301 of at least the other of the two sheet metal processing members 30, 31, the contact area 311a including a connecting portion 320 that is partially connected to the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processing member 30, and a non-contact area 311b that is adjacent to the contact area 311a and faces the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processing member 30 with a gap 330 in which a resin material can be interposed between the non-contact area 311b and the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processing member 30.

[0055] 11 and 12 , the bonnet 3 includes, as sheet metal processed members 30, 31, a top plate 30 disposed above the equipment such as the prime mover 4, and a pair of side plates 31 disposed below the top plate 30 and on both sides of the equipment such as the prime mover 4. In addition to the top plate 30 and the pair of side plates 31, the bonnet 3 also includes a front mask 32 disposed in front of the equipment.

[0056] In this embodiment, the top plate 30 and the side plates 31 are sheet metal processed members 30, 31 formed by press-molding (sheet metal processing) metal plates and are connected to each other. That is, one of the pair of side plates 31, 31 and the top plate 30 are two sheet metal processed members 30, 31 arranged adjacent to each other in the third direction, and the other of the pair of side plates 31 and the top plate 30 are two sheet metal processed members 30, 31 arranged adjacent to each other in the third direction.

[0057] The top plate 30 and the side plate 31 each have cover portions 300, 310 that face accessories such as the engine 4, and lap joint portions 301, 311 that are continuous with the cover portions 300, 310. In contrast, the front mask 32 is a resin molded product and includes electrical components such as headlights. The front mask 32 is connected to the top plate 30 and the side plate 31 via mounting members attached to the top plate 30 and the side plate 31.

[0058] 11 , the top panel 30 is formed by press-molding a metal plate to form a main body 302 extending in the first and second directions and a pair of hanging portions 303, 303 hanging from both ends of the main body 302 in the second direction. In this embodiment, the rear end of the main body 302 of the top panel 30 in the first direction is connected to a hinge 110 attached to the support frame 250. This allows the hood 3 to be opened and closed with the support shaft 110a of the hinge 110 as a fulcrum (center of rotation).

[0059] A bent ridgeline is formed at the boundary between main body portion 302 and hanging portions 303, 303. In this embodiment, main body portion 302 of tabletop 30 is formed to be curved in the second direction so as to convex outward in the third direction. In contrast, pair of hanging portions 303, 303 are curved in the third direction so as to be convex outward in the second direction, and are positioned outward in the second direction as they move from their upper end to their lower end. Main body portion 302 and hanging portions 303, 303 form cover portion 300 that faces the equipment. Accordingly, lap joint portion 301 of tabletop 30 extends from the lower ends of hanging portions 303, 303. In this embodiment, lap joint portion 301 of tabletop 30 is a strip-shaped region formed longitudinally in the first direction. In tabletop 30 of this embodiment, lap joint portion 301 is bent from the edge of hanging portions 303, 303, which are cover portion 300, toward the equipment. Accordingly, the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 has a surface facing downward. That is, the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 has an opposing surface facing downward that faces the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31.

[0060] Each of the pair of side plates 31 is also formed by press-molding a metal plate and has a cover portion 310 and a lap joint portion 311, as shown in FIG. 12 . The cover portion 310 of each of the pair of side plates 31 is designed with a concave-convex shape. In this embodiment, a ventilation opening 315 is formed in each of the cover portions 310 of the pair of side plates 31. The ventilation opening 315 is formed to allow outside air to be taken in for heat exchange in heat exchangers such as the radiator 10, intercooler 12, and oil cooler 11 on the vehicle body frame 20 (front frame 200). That is, the ventilation opening 315 is positioned to allow ventilation between the equipment housing chamber MR defined by the hood 3 and the outside. In this embodiment, the side plate 31 also has another opening 316 formed in front of the ventilation opening 315. A decorative resin part P is placed in this opening 316, and the opening 316 is closed (see FIG. 7 ).

[0061] The upper end of each cover portion 310 of the pair of side plates 31 is formed to fit along the lower end of the hanging portions 303, 303 (the hanging portions 303, 303 located on the upper side) of the top plate 30. The lower end of each cover portion 310 of the pair of side plates 31 is formed to fit along the upper edge of the lower side cover 350 located below.

[0062] The lap joints 301, 311 of the pair of side plates 31 are bent from the upper ends of the cover parts 300, 310 toward the equipment. Accordingly, the lap joints 311, 311 of the pair of side plates 31 have surfaces facing upward. That is, the lap joints 311, 311 of the pair of side plates 31 have opposing surfaces facing upward that face the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30.

[0063] 11, the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 is formed in a flat plate shape. That is, the opposing surfaces of the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 are formed in a flat or substantially flat shape extending in the first and second directions over the entire area.

[0064] In contrast, as shown in Figure 12, each of the lap joint portions 311, 311 (opposing surfaces) of the pair of side plates 31 has a contact area 311a that contacts the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30, and a non-contact area 311b that is adjacent to the contact area 311a and faces the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 with a gap therebetween, forming a gap 330 between the non-contact area 311b and the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate (the other sheet metal processed member) 30, through which a resin material can be interposed.

[0065] Accordingly, the lap joint portions 311 of each of the pair of side plates 31 are partially connected to the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30. That is, the contact region 311a includes a connecting portion 320 that connects the lap joint portions 301, 311 to each other. In this embodiment, the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 and the contact region 311a of the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31 are connected by spot welding. Accordingly, a circular weld portion 320 (weld mark) is formed within the contact region 311a as the connecting portion 320, where the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 and the lap joint portion 311 (contact region 311a) of the side plate 31 are fused together.

[0066] More specifically, the contact region 311a of the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31, which is one of the sheet metal processed members 31, is located closer to the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30, which is the other of the sheet metal processed members 30, than the non-contact region 311b of the lap joint 311. The lap joint 311 of the side plate 31, which is one of the sheet metal processed members 31, has a plurality of contact regions 311a and non-contact regions 311b, and the contact regions 311a and non-contact regions 311b are arranged alternately. In this embodiment, in the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31, the contact regions 311a and non-contact regions 311b are arranged alternately in the first direction.

[0067] The lap joint portion 311 extends from the edge (upper end) of the cover portion 310, and the contact region 311a and the non-contact region 311b are alternately arranged in the direction in which the edge (upper end) of the cover portion 310 extends. That is, the contact region 311a of the side plate 31 is a convex portion protruding toward the top plate 30, which is the mating portion, when viewed from the second direction, and the non-contact region 311b is a concave portion away from the top plate 30, which is the mating portion, when viewed from the second direction. Note that, because the side plate 31 is formed by press-molding a metal plate, the back side of the convex portion (contact region 311a) protruding toward the top plate 30, which is the mating portion, when viewed from the second direction, is a concave portion, and the back side of the concave portion (non-contact region 311b) away from the top plate 30, which is the mating portion, when viewed from the top plate 30 side, is a convex portion. That is, the convex portion on the opposing surface is in a front-back relationship with the concave portion on the back side, and the concave portion on the opposing surface is in a front-back relationship with the convex portion on the back side.

[0068] Accordingly, concaves and convexes are alternately formed in the first direction on the front and back in the thickness direction of the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31. As a result, a gap 330 formed between the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 and the non-contact portion of the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31 is formed in a penetrating state in the second direction. In other words, the gap 330 is formed in a penetrating state in directions perpendicular to both the direction in which the lap joints overlap and the direction in which the concaves and convexes are arranged.

[0069] The contact region 311a includes the tip end of the lap joint 311 opposite the base end. In other words, the outline (outer edge) defining the contact region 311a includes the tip end of the lap joint 301, 311 opposite the base end of the lap joint 301, 311 that coincides with the edge of the cover portion 300, 310. In this embodiment, the tip end of the lap joint 301, 311 is formed linearly. Accordingly, the contact region 311a includes a rectangular region in plan view with one side being the tip end in the extension direction of the lap joint 301, 311, or a semicircular region in plan view with the tip end as a chord.

[0070] In this embodiment, the contact area 311a is a rectangular area in a plan view. Accordingly, of the four sides of the outer periphery (outer periphery) defining the contact area 311a, except for one side that is the tip of the lap joints 301, 311, a step portion 311c is formed on the remaining three sides, creating a difference in height from the surrounding area. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 , when the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30 and the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31 are overlapped and the contact area 311a of the side plate 31 is spot welded to the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30, a pair of welding electrode tips T, T or a torch can be placed from the side without the step portion (the tip side of the lap joints 301, 311). In other words, when placing the pair of welding electrode tips T, T or a torch in the contact area 311a of the side plate 31, there is no need to overcome the step portion, which improves workability in the manufacturing process.

[0071] The work vehicle 1 is provided with a resin material interposed in a gap 330 formed between the non-contact region 311b of the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31 and the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30. The resin material interposed in the gap 330 is in close contact with the opposing surface of the non-contact region 311b of the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31 and the opposing surface of the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30. In other words, the resin material covers the opposing surface of the non-contact region 311b of the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31 and the opposing surface of the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30. In this embodiment, the resin material is paint that forms a coating film 340 on the outer surfaces of the processed sheet metal members 30, 31.

[0072] More specifically, the hood 3 of the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment is painted after the top plate 30 and the side plates 31 are joined (by spot welding in this embodiment).

[0073] Specifically, the unpainted, bare bonnet 3 (top plate 30 and side plate 31) is immersed in liquid paint 340 stored in a paint 340 tank, and then the bonnet 3 is lifted out of the paint 340 in the paint 340 tank, a process known as immersion painting (also called hot-dip painting or dipping painting).

[0074] In the dip coating, the bonnet 3 is immersed in the paint 340, so that the paint 340 adheres to the bare surface of the bonnet 3, and the bonnet 3 is pulled out of the paint 340 tank, so that the excess paint 340 is removed (dropped off), and thus the coating film 340 is formed on the bare surface.

[0075] In particular, in this embodiment, the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31 (one of the sheet metal processed members 31) of the top plate 30 and the side plate 31 (two sheet metal processed members 30, 31) has a contact area 311a that contacts the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 (the other sheet metal processed member 30), and the contact area 311a includes a connecting portion 320 that is partially connected to the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 (the other sheet metal processed member 30). 11a, and a non-contact area 311b that faces the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 (the other sheet metal processing member 30) at a distance, and forms a gap 330 between the non-contact area 311b and the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 (the other sheet metal processing member 30), allowing a resin material to be sandwiched between the non-contact area 311b and the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 (the other sheet metal processing member 30).Therefore, when the bonnet 3 is immersed in the liquid paint 340 as described above, the paint 340 enters the gap 330.

[0076] In this embodiment, as described above, the gap 330 through which the paint 340 enters is formed in a penetrating state in a direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction of the lap joints 301, 311 and the alignment direction of the concave and convex portions (the alignment direction of the contact area 311a and the non-contact area 311b). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17 , when the paint 340 enters the gap 330, the air in the gap 330 is pushed out and replaced with the paint 340. As a result, the paint 340 adheres to the entire opposing surfaces of the lap joints 301, 311. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the size of the gap 330 (the distance between the non-contact area 311b of the lap joint 311 of the side panel 31 and the lap joint 301 of the top panel 30) is set according to the viscosity of the paint 340 used for painting.

[0077] In other words, the size of the gap 330 (the distance between the non-contact area 311b of the lap joint portion 311 of the side panel 31 and the lap joint portion 301 of the top panel 30) is set larger the higher the viscosity of the paint 340 used for painting, and smaller the lower the viscosity of the paint 340 used for painting, assuming that the paint 340 can flow into the gap 330.

[0078] Even if the excess paint 340 is removed after the paint 340 has flowed into the gap 330, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the paint 340 adheres to the non-contact area 311b of the opposing surface of the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31 and the opposing surface of the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30, forming a coating film 340, so that anti-rust treatment is performed even in this state.

[0079] 16 and 17 , the paint 340 may be maintained in a state where it is filled (full or nearly filled) in the gap 330 and solidify as a lump in close contact with both the non-contact region 311b of the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31 and the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30. Even in this case, the paint 340 covers the opposing surfaces of the non-contact region 311b of the lap joint 311 of the side plate 31 and the lap joint 301 of the top plate 30, so that the entire lap joint 311 of the side plate 31 and the entire lap joint 301 of the top plate 30 are subjected to rust prevention treatment.

[0080] Therefore, in the exterior cover 3 (bonnet 3) of the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, there are no exposed parts of the metal base of the sheet metal processed members 30, 31 (top plate 30, side plate 31), so rust prevention of the sheet metal processed members 30, 31 that make up the exterior cover 3 can be more reliably achieved.

[0081] The above embodiment has been described above, and the present invention (preferable embodiments thereof) provides a work vehicle 1 described in the following items (items 1 to 13).

[0082] (Item 1) A vehicle includes a vehicle body 2 capable of travelling, and an exterior cover 3 for protecting equipment arranged on the vehicle body 2 from the outside. The exterior cover 3 includes a plurality of sheet metal processed members 30, 31 arranged side by side in a predetermined direction. Of the plurality of sheet metal processed members 30, 31, two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 have cover portions 300, 310 facing the equipment and lap joint portions 301, 311 continuous with the cover portions 300, 310. The lap joint portion 311 of at least one of the two sheet metal processed members 30, 31 is formed by joining the two sheet metal processed members 30, 31. The work vehicle (1) has a contact area (311a) that comes into contact with the lap joint portion (301) of at least one of the other sheet metal processed members (30, 31), the contact area (311a) including a connecting portion (320) that is partially connected to the lap joint portion (301) of the other sheet metal processed member (30), and a non-contact area (311b) that is adjacent to the contact area (311a) and faces the lap joint portion (301) of the other sheet metal processed member (30) at a distance, the non-contact area (311b) forming a gap (330) that allows a resin material to be interposed between the non-contact area (311b) and the lap joint portion (301) of the other sheet metal processed member (30).

[0083] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 1, of the multiple sheet metal processing members 30, 31 included in the exterior cover 3, two adjacent sheet metal processing members 30, 31 (sheet metal processing members 30, 31 connected to each other) have cover portions 300, 310 and lap joint portions 301, 311, and the lap joint portion 311 of at least one of the sheet metal processing members 31 has a contact area 311a that contacts the lap joint portion 301 of at least the other of the two sheet metal processing members 30, 31, and has a contact area 311a that includes a connecting portion 320 that is partially connected to the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processing member 30, so that the two adjacent sheet metal processing members 30, 31 can be firmly connected to each other. Furthermore, the lap joint 311 of one of the sheet metal processed members 31 has a non-contact region 311b adjacent to the contact region 311a that faces the lap joint 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30 at a distance, and the non-contact region 311b forms a gap 330 between the lap joint 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30 and the lap joint 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30, allowing the resin material to be interposed between the non-contact region 311b and the lap joint 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30. The resin material interposed in the gap 330 adheres to the opposing surfaces of the overlapped lap joints 301, 311 of the two overlapped sheet metal processed members 30, 31. As a result, the resin material covers the opposing surfaces of the lap joints 301, 311 that face each other, thereby preventing rust in those areas.

[0084] (Item 2) The work vehicle 1 according to item 1, wherein the connecting portion 320 is a welded portion 320 where the contact region 311 a of one sheet metal processed member 31 and the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30 are partially fused together.

[0085] In the work vehicle 1 of item 2, the two adjacent sheet metal processing members 30, 31 are connected by a partially fused weld 320 within the contact area 311a, so that the connection strength connecting the two adjacent sheet metal processing members 30, 31 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0086] (Item 3) The work vehicle 1 according to item 1 or 2, wherein the contact area 311 a of the lap joint portion 311 of one of the sheet metal processed members 31 is positioned closer to the other sheet metal processed member 30 than the non-contact area 311 b of the lap joint portions 301, 311.

[0087] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 3, the contact area 311a of the lap joint portion 311 of one sheet metal processing member 31 is located closer to the other sheet metal processing member 30 than the non-contact area 311b of the lap joint portion 311, and therefore, when the contact area 311a is connected in contact with the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processing member 30, the non-contact area 311b of the lap joint portion 311 is positioned away from the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processing member 30, and therefore a gap 330 through which resin material is interposed is reliably formed.

[0088] (Item 4) The work vehicle (1) according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the lap joint portion (311) of one of the sheet metal processed members (31) has a plurality of contact regions (311a) and non-contact regions (311b), and the contact regions (311a) and the non-contact regions (311b) are arranged alternately.

[0089] In the work vehicle 1 of item 4, the contact areas 311a and the non-contact areas 311b are alternately arranged, so that both sides of the non-contact area 311b are supported by the contact area 311a. As a result, a gap 330 is stably formed between the lap joint 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30 and the non-contact area 311b, allowing the resin material to be interposed therebetween. Furthermore, the gap 330 formed between the lap joint 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30 and the non-contact area 311b is formed penetrating in a direction intersecting the direction in which the contact areas 311a and the non-contact areas 311b are aligned. As a result, when the resin material intervenes, air within the gap 330 is pushed out and replaced with the resin material. Therefore, the resin material is reliably adhered to the opposing surfaces of the overlapping lap joints 301, 311 (the non-contact area 311b and the mating lap joint 301).

[0090] (Item 5) The work vehicle 1 according to Item 4, wherein the lap joint portion 311 extends from an edge of the cover portion 310, and the contact regions 311a and the non-contact regions 311b are arranged alternately in the direction in which the edge of the cover portion 310 extends.

[0091] In the work vehicle 1 of item 5, the contact areas 311a and the non-contact areas 311b are alternately arranged in the direction in which the edge of the cover portion 310 extends, so that both sides of the non-contact area 311b are supported by the contact area 311a. As a result, a gap 330 in which a resin material can be interposed is stably formed between the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30 and the non-contact area 311b. Furthermore, the gap 330 formed between the lap joint portion 301 of the other sheet metal processed member 30 and the non-contact area 311b is formed penetrating in a direction intersecting the direction in which the contact areas 311a and the non-contact areas 311b are aligned (the direction in which the edge of the cover portions 300, 310 extend). As a result, when the resin material intervenes, air in the gap 330 is pushed out and replaced with the resin material. Therefore, the resin material is reliably adhered to the opposing surfaces of the overlapped lap joints 301, 311 (the non-contact area 311b and the mating lap joints 301, 311).

[0092] (Item 6) The work vehicle 1 according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the lap joints 301, 311 are bent from the edge of the cover 300, 310 toward the equipment.

[0093] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 6, the lap joints 301, 311 are bent from the edge of the cover parts 300, 310 toward the equipment side, so that the lap joints 301, 311 that are connected to each other are hidden, resulting in a good appearance.

[0094] (Item 7) The work vehicle 1 according to item 5, wherein the contact region 311 a is a tip of the lap joint portion 301 , 311 and includes a tip on the opposite side to the edge of the cover portion 300 , 310 .

[0095] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 7, since the contact region 311a is the tip of the lap joint portion 301, 311 and includes the tip opposite the edge of the cover portion 300, 310, it is easy to position a jig (e.g., a spot welding electrode) within the contact region 311a when positioning the connecting portion 320 within the contact region 311a. That is, due to the difference in position between the contact region 311a and the non-contact region 311b, a step is formed at the boundary between the contact region 311a and the non-contact region 311b, but since the contact region 311a is the tip of the lap joint portion 301, 311 and includes the tip opposite the edge of the cover portion 300, 310, no step is formed at the position corresponding to the tip of the lap joint portion 301, 311. This allows the jig (the spot welding electrode) to be positioned at the position corresponding to the contact region 311a without having to overcome the step.

[0096] (Item 8) The work vehicle 1 according to Item 7, wherein the contact area 311a includes an area that is rectangular in plan view, with one side extending to a tip.

[0097] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 8, the contact area 311a includes a rectangular area in a plan view, with one side at the tip, making it easy to position a jig (e.g., an electrode for spot welding) within the contact area 311a.

[0098] (Item 9) The work vehicle 1 according to Item 7, wherein the contact area 311a includes a semicircular area in a plan view with a tip that forms a chord.

[0099] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 9, the contact area 311a includes a semicircular area in a plan view with the tip of the lap joint portion 311 as a chord, making it easy to position a jig (e.g., an electrode for spot welding) within the contact area 311a.

[0100] (Item 10) The work vehicle 1 according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising a resin material filled in the gap 330.

[0101] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 10, since the gap 330 is filled with resin material, the resin material present in the gap 330 adheres to the opposing surfaces of the overlapping lap joints 301, 311 of the two overlapping sheet metal processed members 30, 31. As a result, the resin material covers the opposing surfaces of the opposing lap joints 301, 311, and rust prevention can be achieved in those areas.

[0102] (Item 11) The work vehicle 1 according to Item 10, wherein the resin material is paint 340 that forms a coating film 340 on the outer surfaces of the sheet metal processed members 30, 31, the resin material is filled in the gap 330 in a state continuous with the coating film 340, and is in close contact with the non-contact regions 311 b of each of the two sheet metal processed members 30, 31.

[0103] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 11, the resin material is paint 340 that forms a coating film 340 on the outer surfaces of the sheet metal processed members 30, 31, and is filled into the gap 330 in a state continuous with the coating film 340, thereby adhering closely to the base materials of the lap joints 301, 311 of the two sheet metal processed members 30, 31. As a result, the exterior cover 3 is painted without leaving any unpainted areas. This prevents rust from forming on the entire exterior cover 3.

[0104] (Item 12) The work vehicle 1 according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the exterior cover 3 is a bonnet 3 that protects the prime mover 4 that is an accessory.

[0105] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 12, the exterior cover 3 is the bonnet 3 that protects the prime mover 4, which is an accessory, and therefore provides rust prevention and a good appearance.

[0106] (Item 13) The work vehicle 1 described in Item 12, wherein the hood 3 includes a top plate 30 disposed above the equipment, and a pair of side plates 31 disposed below the top plate 30 and on either side of the equipment, one of the pair of side plates 31 and the top plate 30 being two adjacent sheet metal members, and the other of the pair of side plates 31 and the top plate 30 being two adjacent sheet metal members.

[0107] According to the work vehicle 1 of item 13, the equipment can be reliably supported, and furthermore, the appearance is improved while preventing rust.

[0108] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0109] In the above embodiment, of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31, the top plate 30 and the side plate 31, the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 is formed in a flat plate shape, while the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31 has a contact region 311 a and a non-contact region 311 b, and the opposing surfaces are formed in an uneven shape, but this is not limited to this. For example, of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31, the top plate 30 and the side plate 31, the lap joint portion 311 of the side plate 31 may be formed in a flat plate shape, while the lap joint portion 301 of the top plate 30 may have a contact region 311 a and a non-contact region 311 b, and the opposing surfaces may be formed in an uneven shape. Also, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the lap joint portions 301, 311 of the top plate 30 and the side plate 31, which are two adjacent sheet metal processing members 30, 31, may have contact areas 301a, 311a and non-contact areas 301b, 311b, and the opposing surfaces may be formed in an uneven shape.

[0110] In this case, as shown in Fig. 18, the contact areas 301a, 311a of both may face each other, or as shown in Fig. 19, the contact areas 301a, 311a may be misaligned and each contact area 301a, 311a may contact the other's non-contact area 301b, 311b. However, when the contact area 311a is brought into contact with the other's non-contact area 311b, it goes without saying that the contact areas 301a, 311a are formed smaller than the non-contact areas 301b, 311b to ensure a gap 330, and are formed so as to contact a portion of the non-contact areas 301b, 311b. In either case, it goes without saying that the connecting portion 320 is disposed (formed) within the contact areas 301a, 311a.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the overlapping lap joints 301, 311 are spot-welded to each other to form the welded portion 320 as the connecting portion 320 in a circular shape, but this is not limiting. The overlapping lap joints 301, 311 may be partially welded to each other regardless of their shapes.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the overlapping lap joints 301, 311 are spot-welded to each other, thereby placing the connecting portion 320 (welded portion 320) within the contact region 311a, but the connecting portion 320 is not limited to the welded portion 320. For example, the overlapping lap joints 301, 311 may be riveted to each other, thereby placing the connecting portion 320 (rivet) within the contact region 311a.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the hood 3 that protects equipment such as the prime mover 4 is exemplified as the exterior cover 3 including a plurality of sheet metal processed members 30, 31, but is not limited thereto. The exterior cover 3 may be another exterior cover 3 in addition to or instead of the hood 3. For example, the roof 90 that constitutes the protection mechanism 9 functions as the exterior cover 3 that constitutes the exterior and protects equipment such as devices disposed in the driver's cab DR. Therefore, when the roof 90 (exterior cover 3) is constituted by a plurality of sheet metal processed members 30, 31, similar to the hood 3 in the above embodiment, the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 have cover portions 300, 310 and lap joint portions 301, 311, and the lap joint portion 311 of at least one of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 may have a contact region 311a and a non-contact region 311b.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the entire contact region 311a is set to a rectangular region in a plan view, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the contact region 311a may be set to a region including a rectangular region in a plan view having one side defined by the tip of the lap joint 301, 311. Specifically, the contact region 311a may have a shape that combines a rectangular region in a plan view having one side defined by the tip of the lap joint 311 with a semicircular region in a plan view having a chord on a side opposite to the side defined by the tip of the lap joint 301, 311 (a side opposite to the side defined by the tip of the lap joint 301, 311). Furthermore, the contact region 311a may have a shape that combines a rectangular region in a plan view having one side defined by the tip of the lap joint 301, 311 with a triangular region in a plan view having a base on a side opposite to the side defined by the tip of the lap joint 301, 311 (a side opposite to the side defined by the tip of the lap joint 301, 311). Furthermore, contact area 311a may be set to a semicircular area in a plan view, with a chord formed at the tip of lap joint portions 301, 311. However, it goes without saying that in either of the above cases, contact area 311a is set to a size that allows placement of a welding electrode for welding (spot welding).

[0115] In the above embodiment, after spot welding the top plate 30 and the side plate 31 together, the hood 3 is dip-coated to allow the paint 340 to flow into the gap 330 and interpose (fill) the paint 340 in the gap 330, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 20 , after spot welding the top plate 30 and the side plate 31 together, a sealer 345, which is a resin material, may be filled into the gap 330 to tightly adhere and coat the non-contact region 311b on the opposing surface of one lap joint 311 and the opposing surface of the other lap joint 301, and then painting (dip painting) may be performed. That is, because gap 330 is formed to allow a resin material to be interposed therebetween, sealer 345 can be introduced (intervened) into gap 330, and sealer 345 that has entered (intervened) into gap 330 adheres to and coats non-contact region 311b on the opposing surface of one lap joint 311 and the opposing surfaces of the other lap joints 301, 311, thereby preventing rust on each opposing surface. Furthermore, by painting the entire exterior cover 3, rust prevention can be reliably achieved.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the lap joints 301, 311 of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 are bent relative to the cover portions 300, 310, but this is not limiting. For example, the lap joints 301, 311 of one of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 may be bent relative to the cover portions 300, 310, and the lap joints 301, 311 of the other of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 may be formed continuously without being bent relative to the cover portions 300, 310. The lap joints 301, 311 of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 may be formed continuously without being bent relative to the cover portions 300, 310.

[0117] Even in this case, the lap joint 301, 311 of one of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 may be formed in a flat plate shape, while the lap joint 301, 311 of the other of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 may have contact regions 301a, 311a and non-contact regions 301b, 311b, and the opposing surfaces may be formed in an uneven shape. Alternatively, the lap joint 301, 311 of each of the two adjacent sheet metal processed members 30, 31 may have contact regions 301a, 311a and non-contact regions 301b, 311b, and the opposing surfaces may be formed in an uneven shape.

[0118] Furthermore, even in this case, the contact areas 301a, 311a of both may face each other, or the contact areas 301a, 311a may be misaligned and each contact area 301a, 311a may contact the other non-contact area 301b, 311b. However, when the contact areas 301a, 311a are brought into contact with the other non-contact areas 301b, 311b, it goes without saying that the contact areas 301a, 311a are formed smaller than the non-contact areas 301b, 311b to ensure a gap 330, and are formed so as to contact a portion of the non-contact areas 301b, 311b. In either case, it goes without saying that the connecting portion 320 is disposed (formed) within the contact areas 301a, 311a.

[0119] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1: Work vehicle 2: Vehicle body 3: Exterior cover 3: Bonnet 4: Motor 30: Top plate 30: Sheet metal processed member 31: Sheet metal processed member 31: Side plate 300: Cover portion 301: Joint portion 301a: Contact area 301b: Non-contact area 310: Cover portion 311: Joint portion 311a: Contact area 311b: Non-contact area 320: Connection portion 320: Welded portion 330: Gap 340: Paint 340: Paint film

Claims

1. A work vehicle comprising: a drivable vehicle body; and an exterior cover that protects equipment placed on the vehicle body from the outside, the exterior cover including a plurality of sheet metal processed members arranged side by side in a predetermined direction, two adjacent sheet metal processed members of the plurality of sheet metal processed members having a cover portion that faces the equipment and a lap joint portion that is continuous with the cover portion, the lap joint portion of at least one of the two sheet metal processed members having a contact area that comes into contact with the lap joint portion of at least another of the two sheet metal processed members, the contact area including a connecting portion that is partially connected to the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member, and a non-contact area that is adjacent to the contact area and faces the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member with a gap therebetween that allows a resin material to be interposed between the non-contact area and the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member.

2. A work vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is a welded portion where the contact area of ​​the one sheet metal processed member and the lap joint portion of the other sheet metal processed member are partially fused together.

3. A work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the contact area of ​​the lap joint portion of the one sheet metal processed member is located closer to the other sheet metal processed member than the non-contact area of ​​the lap joint portion.

4. A work vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the lap joint portion of one of the sheet metal processed members has a plurality of contact areas and non-contact areas, and the contact areas and non-contact areas are arranged alternately.

5. A work vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the lap joint portion extends from an edge of the cover portion, and the contact areas and the non-contact areas are arranged alternately in the direction in which the edge of the cover portion extends.

6. A work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the lap joint portion is bent from the edge of the cover portion toward the accessory.

7. A work vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the contact area is a tip of the lap joint portion and includes a tip of the cover portion opposite the end edge.

8. A work vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the contact area includes a rectangular area in plan view, one side of which is the tip.

9. A work vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the contact area includes a semicircular area in a plan view with the tip as a chord.

10. A work vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a resin material filled in the gap.

11. A work vehicle as described in claim 10, wherein the resin material is a paint that forms a coating on the outer surface of the sheet metal processed member, is filled into the gap in a state continuous with the coating, and is in close contact with the non-contact areas of each of the two sheet metal processed members.

12. A work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exterior cover is a hood that protects the prime mover that is the equipment.

13. A work vehicle as described in claim 12, wherein the hood includes a top plate disposed above the equipment and a pair of side plates disposed below the top plate and on either side of the equipment, one of the pair of side plates and the top plate being the two adjacent sheet metal members, and the other of the pair of side plates and the top plate being the two adjacent sheet metal members.

Images