Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
  • E02F9/26—Indicating devices
  • E02F9/267—Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/34—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets with bucket-arms, i.e. a pair of arms, e.g. manufacturing processes, form, geometry, material of bucket-arms directly pivoted on the frames of tractors or self-propelled machines
  • E02F3/3405—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets with bucket-arms, i.e. a pair of arms, e.g. manufacturing processes, form, geometry, material of bucket-arms directly pivoted on the frames of tractors or self-propelled machines and comprising an additional linkage mechanism
  • E02F3/3408—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets with bucket-arms, i.e. a pair of arms, e.g. manufacturing processes, form, geometry, material of bucket-arms directly pivoted on the frames of tractors or self-propelled machines and comprising an additional linkage mechanism of the parallelogram-type

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a technique of a front loader mounted on a working vehicle such as a tractor.
• Patent Literature 1 describes such a technique.
• the front loader described in Patent Literature 1 includes an indicator rod for a worker to recognize the attitude (rocking state) of a bucket.
• a bent portion is formed in a middle portion of the indicator rod.
• the indicator rod is inserted into a stay fixed to a boom, and can slide with respect to the stay as the bucket rocks. The worker can check the attitude of the bucket on the basis of a positional relationship between the bent portion and the stay.
• Patent Literature 1 JP 5975743 B2
• One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a front loader capable of easy checking a rocking state of a working tool
• One aspect of the present disclosure includes: a boom to which a working tool is coupled; a working tool cylinder that rocks the working tool with respect to the boom; and an indicator device that displays a rocking state of the working tool, in which the indicator device includes: a first member that is not relatively movable with respect to the working tool cylinder; and a second member that is relatively movable with respect to the first member along with rocking of the working tool, and capable of displaying the rocking state of the working tool according to a relative positional relationship with the first member.
• the rocking state of the working tool can be easily checked.
• the second member includes: an interlocking member that is movable along with rocking of the working tool; and a display member that is provided on the interlocking member so as to be adjustable in position and indicates a relative positional relationship with the first member.
• the position of the display member can be adjusted according to the type of the working tool, an assembly error of each part of the front loader, and the like.
• the interlocking member is formed in a shaft shape
• the display member is provided so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction of the interlocking member and to be fixable to the interlocking member at an arbitrary position.
• the second member can have a simple configuration.
• the display member includes a rotation regulation portion that regulates rotation about an axis of the interlocking member.
• the display member since the rotation of the display member is regulated, the display member can be easily positioned about the axis of the interlocking member.
• the interlocking member is rockably supported by the working tool through a rocking coupling portion
• the indicator device further includes a rocking regulation member that regulates rocking of the interlocking member, and the rocking regulation member is disposed at a position closer to the rocking coupling portion than the first member.
• a length of the interlocking member can be shortened, the aesthetic appearance can be improved, and the strength of the interlocking member can be improved.
• the rocking regulation member is provided in a middle portion in an axial direction of the working tool cylinder.
• the length of the interlocking member can be shortened.
• An aspect of the present disclosure further includes a rocking shaft that rockably couples the working tool cylinder to the boom, in which the first member is supported by the rocking shaft.
• the rocking shaft that supports the working tool cylinder can also be used for supporting the first member, the configuration can be simplified.
• the first member is regulated from rotating in a circumferential direction about an axis of the rocking shaft by abutting on the working tool cylinder.
• the rotation of the first member can be regulated using the working tool cylinder, and the configuration can be simplified.
• the interlocking member is configured to be capable of attaching a plurality of the display members.
• an attitude maintenance mechanism that maintains an attitude of the working tool by operating according to rocking of the boom is attachable to the boom, and the indicator device is configured to be installable in a state where the attitude maintenance mechanism is attached to the boom.
• the indicator device can be used in a state where the attitude maintenance mechanism is attached to the boom, convenience can be improved.
• the display member includes a second plate portion capable of displaying a rocking state of the working tool according to a relative positional relationship with a first plate portion formed on the first member.
• the rocking state of the working tool can be easily checked on the basis of the positional relationship between the plate portions.
• the rocking state of the working tool can be easily checked.
• directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in the drawings are defined as an upward direction, a downward direction, a forward direction, a backward direction, a left direction, and a right direction, respectively.
• the tractor 1 mainly includes a machine body frame 2, an engine 3, a transmission case 4, front wheels 5, rear wheels 6, a bonnet 7, a cabin 8, a steering wheel 9, and the front loader 10.
• the machine body frame 2 is a frame-shaped member formed by appropriately combining a plurality of panel members.
• the machine body frame 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view.
• the machine body frame 2 is disposed with its longitudinal direction oriented in a front-back direction.
• the engine 3 is fixed to a back portion of the machine body frame 2.
• the transmission case 4 is fixed to a rear portion of the engine 3.
• a front portion of the machine body frame 2 is supported by the pair of left and right front wheels 5 through a front axle mechanism (not illustrated).
• a rear portion of the transmission case 4 is supported by the pair of left and right rear wheels 6 through a rear axle mechanism (not illustrated).
• the engine 3 is covered with the bonnet 7.
• Power of the engine 3 can be transmitted to the front wheels 5 through the front axle mechanism and can be transmitted to the rear wheels 6 through the rear axle mechanism after being shifted by a transmission device (not illustrated) accommodated in the transmission case 4.
• the front wheels 5 and the rear wheels 6 are rotationally driven by the power of the engine 3, and the tractor 1 can travel.
• the cabin 8 is provided behind the engine 3. Inside the cabin 8, a living space on which a worker boards is formed. In the living space, the steering wheel 9 for adjusting a turning angle of the front wheels 5, various operation tools, a seat on which the worker sits, and the like are disposed.
• the front loader 10 is mounted to a front portion of the tractor 1.
• the configuration of the front loader 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 3 .
• the front loader 10 includes a side frame 11, a boom 12, a bucket 13, a boom cylinder 14, a bucket cylinder 15, a link mechanism 16, and an indicator device 17.
• the side frame 11 is detachably provided on a vehicle body (the machine body frame 2 and the transmission case 4) of the tractor 1.
• the side frames 11 are provided on the left and right of the vehicle body, respectively.
• the booms 12 are rockably supported by the left and right side frames 11, respectively. Each of the booms 12 is disposed so as to extend forward and downward from an upper portion of each of the side frames 11.
• the boom 12 includes a boom frame 12a and a side plate 12b.
• the boom frame 12a forms a main structural body of the boom 12.
• the side plate 12b is formed in a substantially plate shape, and is provided in a front-rear middle portion of the boom frame 12a.
• the side plates 12b are provided on the left and right of the boom frame 12a, respectively.
• the bucket 13 illustrated in Fig. 2 is formed to open forward.
• the bucket 13 is rockably coupled to a front end portion of the boom 12.
• the boom cylinder 14 rocks the boom 12 with respect to the side frame 11.
• the boom cylinder 14 is provided on each of the left and right booms 12.
• the boom cylinder 14 is rockably coupled to the side frame 11 and the boom 12.
• the bucket cylinder 15 rocks the bucket 13 with respect to the boom 12.
• the bucket cylinder 15 includes a main body portion 15a and a rod 15b that can expand and contract with respect to the main body portion 15a.
• the bucket cylinder 15 is provided on each of the left and right booms 12.
• the upper end portion of the main body portion 15a of the bucket cylinder 15 is rockably coupled to the side plate 12b through a rocking shaft 15c whose axial direction is oriented in the left-right direction.
• the lower end portion of the rod 15b of the bucket cylinder 15 is rockably coupled to the bucket 13 through the link mechanism 16.
• the bucket cylinder 15 is disposed in front of the boom frame 12a with the right and left positions aligned with respect to the boom frame 12a (see Figs. 2 and 4 ).
• the link mechanism 16 includes a first link member 16a and a second link member 16b.
• the first link member 16a is rockably coupled to the front end portion of the boom 12.
• the second link member 16b is rockably coupled to the bucket 13.
• the lower end portion of the bucket cylinder 15, the first link member 16a, and the second link member 16b are rockably coupled to each other through a rocking shaft 16c whose axial direction is oriented in a left-right direction.
• the worker can rock the boom 12 and the bucket 13 by extending and contracting the boom cylinder 14 and the bucket cylinder 15.
• desired work for example, earth and sand transportation work.
• the worker performs work while checking the attitude of the bucket 13 (rocking state with respect to the boom 12), but when the worker tries to visually recognize the bucket 13 from the seat of the cabin 8, the bonnet 7 becomes an obstacle.
• the front loader 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the indicator device 17 for displaying the attitude of the bucket 13.
• the indicator device 17 can display the attitude of the bucket 13 at a position where the bonnet 7 does not become an obstacle Therefore, the worker can easily grasp the attitude of the bucket 13 by visually recognizing the indicator device 17, and can efficiently perform the work. Note that, in the present embodiment, it is possible to grasp whether or not the bucket 13 placed on the ground is in an attitude horizontal to the ground.
• a configuration of the indicator device 17 will be described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 6 . Note that, in the state illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6 , the configuration of the indicator device 17 will be described assuming that the bucket 13 is placed in a horizontal attitude on the ground. Furthermore, hereinafter, this state is referred to as a "horizontal state”.
• the indicator device 17 is provided on the boom 12 on the right side. Note that a member provided with the indicator device 17 is not limited to the boom 12 on the right side. For example, the indicator device 17 may be provided on the boom 12 on the left side. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 , the indicator device 17 includes the first member 20, the second member 30, and a rocking regulation member 40.
• the first member 20 is a member serving as a reference when the worker checks the attitude of the bucket 13.
• the first member 20 is configured by a substantially plate-shaped member. As illustrated in Fig. 5 , the first member 20 includes an attachment portion 21, an abutting portion 22, a connection portion 23, and a marking portion 24. Note that Fig. 5(b) is a view of the first member 20 and the second member 30 as viewed from a direction of an arrow A1 illustrated in Fig. 5(a) .
• the attachment portion 21 is a portion for attaching the first member 20 to the rocking shaft 15c.
• the attachment portion 21 is formed in a plate shape with a plate surface facing the left-right direction (an axial direction of the rocking shaft 15c).
• a pair of left and right attachment portions 21 is formed with the bucket cylinder 15 interposed therebetween.
• the attachment portion 21 on the right side is formed in a substantially C shape in a side view.
• the attachment portion 21 on the left side is formed in a substantially annular shape in a side view.
• the abutting portion 22 is a portion that abuts on the bucket cylinder 15.
• the abutting portion 22 is formed in a substantially plate shape. As illustrated in Fig. 5(b) , the abutting portion 22 is formed over the left and right attachment portions 21.
• connection portion 23 is a portion that connects the abutting portion 22 and the marking portion 24. As illustrated in Fig. 5(a) , the connection portion 23 is formed so as to extend upward from the abutting portion 22.
• the marking portion 24 is a portion serving as a mark of the attitude of the bucket 13.
• the marking portion 24 is formed in a substantially plate shape. As illustrated in Fig. 5(b) , the marking portion 24 is formed such that the lateral width is larger than that of the connection portion 23, and the left end portion is located on the left side (second member 30 side) of the left end portion of the connection portion 23.
• the first member 20 is supported by the rocking shaft 15c. More specifically, the first member 20 is supported by the rocking shaft 15c inside the left and right side plates 12b by the rocking shaft 15c being inserted through the (annular) attachment portion 21 on the left side and the (substantially C-shaped) attachment portion 21 on the right side being hooked on the rocking shaft 15c.
• the abutting portion 22 abuts on an outer peripheral surface of the bucket cylinder 15 at an upper end portion of the bucket cylinder 15.
• the first member 20 is regulated from rotating about an axis of the rocking shaft 15c.
• the attachment portion 21 is sandwiched between the side plate 12b and the bucket cylinder 15, whereby the movement of the first member 20 along the axis of the rocking shaft 15c is regulated. In this manner, the first member 20 is provided so as to be relatively immovable with respect to the bucket cylinder 15.
• the marking portion 24 is disposed so as to protrude from the upper end portion of the bucket cylinder 15 in the axial direction of the bucket cylinder 15. In the state illustrated in Fig. 2 , the marking portion 24 is disposed at a position higher than the side plate 12b and the bucket cylinder 15 (see Fig. 5(a) ).
• the second member 30 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is a member capable of displaying the rocking state of the bucket 13 according to a relative positional relationship with the first member 20.
• the second member 30 is disposed immediately to the left of the first member 20.
• the second member 30 includes a coupling plate 31, an indicator rod 32, and a display member 33.
• the coupling plate 31 is for coupling the indicator rod 32 and the bucket 13.
• the coupling plate 31 is formed in a substantially plate shape. Furthermore, the coupling plate 31 is formed in a substantially inverted J shape in front view including a first plate portion 31a extending vertically and a second plate portion 31b extending rightward from an upper end portion of the first plate portion 31a.
• the coupling plate 31 (first plate portion 31a) is rockably supported by the rocking shaft 16c of the link mechanism 16.
• the indicator rod 32 is a member that is movable along with the rocking of the bucket 13.
• the indicator rod 32 is formed in a shaft shape.
• the indicator rod 32 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially round rod shape.
• the indicator rod 32 is disposed so as to incline forward and downward. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 , the indicator rod 32 includes a flat surface portion 32a.
• the flat surface portion 32a is a flat portion including a plate surface facing a predetermined direction (right direction in Fig. 6 ).
• the flat surface portion 32a is formed at an upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the indicator rod 32.
• the flat surface portion 32a is formed by cutting the outer peripheral surface of the indicator rod 32 by, for example, milling or the like.
• the display member 33 is attached to a portion of the indicator rod 32 where the flat surface portion 32a is formed.
• the flat surface portion 32a of the present embodiment is formed over a predetermined range in the axial direction of the indicator rod 32 so that a plurality of the display members 33 can be attached (see Fig. 5(b) ).
• a lower end portion of the indicator rod 32 illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4 is fixed to the coupling plate 31 (a lower surface of the second plate portion 31b).
• the lower end portion of the indicator rod 32 is welded to the coupling plate 31.
• the indicator rod 32 is rockably coupled to the bucket 13 through the coupling plate 31 and the link mechanism 16.
• the indicator rod 32 extends rearward and upward from the coupling plate 31 and is disposed so as to pass through the left side of the side plate 12b and the marking portion 24 of the first member 20.
• the indicator rod 32 is regulated from rocking beyond a predetermined range about the rocking shaft 16c by the rocking regulation member 40 described later. As a result, the indicator rod 32 can move relative to the first member 20 in the axial direction of the indicator rod 32 while rocking along with the rocking of the bucket 13.
• the display member 33 is a member for indicating a relative position with respect to the first member 20.
• the display member 33 is configured by a flexible member such as resin. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 , the display member 33 includes a marking portion 33a and an insertion portion 33b.
• the marking portion 33a is a portion serving as a mark of a relative position with respect to the first member 20.
• the marking portion 33a is formed in a substantially plate shape.
• the marking portion 33a is disposed with its plate surface oriented in the same direction as the marking portion 24 of the first member 20.
• a pair of the marking portions 33a is provided so as to face each other.
• the width of the marking portion 33a (the axial width of the indicator rod 32) is substantially the same as the width of the marking portion 24 of the first member 20 (see Fig. 5(b) ).
• the insertion portion 33b is a portion that connects the pair of marking portions 33a to each other.
• the insertion portion 33b is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. More specifically, the insertion portion 33b is formed in an arc shape connecting the pair of marking portions 33a when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion portion 33b.
• the indicator rod 32 can be inserted into the insertion portion 33b.
• An inner side surface of the insertion portion 33b is formed in substantially the same shape as an outer peripheral surface of the indicator rod 32 (the portion where the flat surface portion 32a is formed).
• a flat surface portion 33c is formed in the insertion portion 33b so as to correspond to the flat surface portion 32a of the indicator rod 32.
• the display member 33 is attached to the upper end portion of the indicator rod 32.
• the display member 33 is attached such that the position of the marking portion 33a of the display member 33 is aligned with the position of the marking portion 24 of the first member 20 in a case where the bucket 13 placed on the ground is in the horizontal state (state illustrated in Fig. 2 ).
• the display member is attached such that the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the marking portion 24 of the first member 20 coincide with the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the marking portion 33a of the display member 33.
• the direction of the arrow A1 is perpendicular to the marking portion 33a of the display member 33.
• the rocking regulation member 40 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is for regulating the rocking of the indicator rod 32.
• the rocking regulation member 40 is provided in a middle portion of the bucket cylinder 15.
• the rocking regulation member 40 includes a plate-shaped member 41 and an attachment member 42.
• the plate-shaped member 41 is disposed with its plate surface oriented in the same direction as the contact portion 22 of the first member 20.
• the plate-shaped member 41 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the bucket cylinder 15 (main body portion 15a).
• the left end portion of the plate-shaped member 41 is disposed on the left side of the bucket cylinder 15.
• the plate-shaped member 41 includes an insertion portion 41a.
• the insertion portion 41a is formed so as to extend forward and upward from the left end portion of the plate-shaped member 41.
• a through hole 41b is formed in the insertion portion 41a.
• the through hole 41b is formed in a substantially circular shape having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the indicator rod 32.
• the attachment member 42 is a member for attaching the plate-shaped member 41 to the bucket cylinder 15.
• the attachment member 42 is formed in a substantially U shape in front view.
• the attachment member 42 is externally fitted to a middle portion of the bucket cylinder 15 from below, and is fastened to the plate-shaped member 41 with a nut.
• the rocking regulation member 40 is fixed to the middle portion of the bucket cylinder 15.
• the indicator rod 32 is inserted into the insertion hole 41c of the plate-shaped member 41.
• the rocking regulation member 40 is fixed to the vicinity of the central portion in the axial direction of the main body portion 15a of the bucket cylinder 15.
• the rocking regulation member 40 is fixed slightly forward and downward from the center of the main body portion 15a. In this way, the rocking regulation member 40 is disposed at a position closer to the rocking fulcrum (rocking shaft 16c, coupling plate 31) of the indicator rod 32 than the first member 20.
• the rocking regulation member 40 can support the indicator rod 32 along the axial direction of the bucket cylinder 15 at the lower front of the first member 20. Furthermore, the rocking regulation member 40 can allow the indicator rod 32 to move along the axial direction. As described above, in the present embodiment, the rocking regulation member 40 supporting the indicator rod 32 and the first member 20 serving as the reference of the attitude of the bucket 13 are separate members.
• the bucket 13 of the front loader 10 configured as described above rocks as the bucket cylinder 15 expands and contracts. Since the indicator rod 32 is supported by the bucket 13 through the rocking shaft 16c, when the bucket 13 rocks, the indicator rod moves in conjunction with the rocking. At this time, the indicator rod 32 slides in the through hole 41b of the rocking regulation member 40 along the axial direction, and moves relative to the first member 20.
• the position of the marking portion 33a of the display member 33 is shifted with respect to the marking portion 24 of the first member 20.
• the worker can grasp whether or not the bucket 13 placed on the ground is in a horizontal state by checking a positional relationship between the mark portions 24 and 33a.
• the first member 20 of the present embodiment is supported by the rocking shaft 15c so as to be relatively immovable by the bucket cylinder 15, and the marking portion 24 is disposed above the side plate 12b and the bucket cylinder 15 (see Fig. 8(a) ). Furthermore, the first member 20 is disposed closer to a cabin 8 side (worker side) than the rocking regulation member 40 (see Fig. 7 ). As a result, since the first member 20 can be disposed at a position easily seen from the seat, the visibility of the first member 20 can be improved.
• the second member 30 is disposed on the left side of the first member 20, that is, inside the right and left booms 12. As a result, the boom 12 is less likely to interfere when the second member 30 is viewed from the seat, so that the visibility of the second member 30 can be improved.
• the attitude of the bucket 13 can be easily grasped.
• the rocking regulation member 40 that regulates rocking of the indicator rod 32 is disposed in front of and below the first member 20 (see Fig. 2 ), so that a distance from a rocking fulcrum (rocking shaft 16c, coupling plate 31) of the indicator rod 32 to the rocking regulation member 40 can be made relatively short. Consequently, the length of indicator rod 32 can be shortened, so that indicator rod 32 is prevented from largely protruding from boom 12, and the aesthetic appearance can be improved. Furthermore, by shortening the length of the indicator rod 32, the strength of the indicator rod 32 can be improved, and the parts management of the indicator rod 32 can be facilitated.
• the various members of the indicator device 17 of the present embodiment are separate members from the boom 12, the bucket 13, and the like (members that are not integrally formed by welding or the like), the indicator device 17 can be installed in a plurality of front loaders 10 of different models, and versatility can be improved. Furthermore, since the boom 12 and the bucket 13 can also be used between the front loader 10 to which the indicator device 17 is equipped as standard and the front loader 10 to which the indicator device 17 can be optionally equipped, it is possible to easily manage parts in the manufacturing factory of the front loader 10.
• the worker inserts the indicator rod 32 through the insertion portion 33b of the display member 33.
• the flat surface portions 32a and 33c are formed in the indicator rod 32 and the display member 33, when the indicator rod 32 is inserted into the insertion portion 33b, the flat surface portions 32a and 33c abut on each other. Consequently, the rotation of the display member 33 about the axial direction of the indicator rod 32 is regulated, so that the circumferential positioning of the display member 33 can easily be performed.
• the worker can adjust the position of the marking portion 33a of the display member 33 with respect to the marking portion 24 of the first member 20 by sliding the insertion portion 33b in the axial direction of the indicator rod 32.
• the position of the display member 33 is appropriately adjusted according to an assembling error of the front loader 10 or the like.
• the worker fastens the bolt B to the pair of marking portions 33a to elastically deform the display member 33 so as to close the insertion portion 33b, and fixes the display member 33 at the adjusted position.
• the display member 33 since the display member 33 has a small size and a relatively small weight, it can be fixed to the indicator rod 32 with a relatively small fastening force. Therefore, the display member 33 of the present embodiment is fixed to the indicator rod 32 by the bolt B for manual fastening. Consequently, the display member 33 can be attached to the indicator rod 32 without using a tool, and the work of attaching the display member 33 can efficiently be performed.
• the indicator rod 32 is configured such that the plurality of display members 33 can be attached. Therefore, the worker can grasp the plurality of attitudes of the bucket 13 using the indicator device 17 by attaching the plurality of display members 33 so as to correspond to each of the plurality of attitudes of the bucket 13. For example, by adding another display member 33 to the indicator device 17 illustrated in Fig. 5 , it is possible to easily grasp the horizontal state and the state in which the bucket 13 is rocked by a predetermined angle from the horizontal state.
• the front loader 10 includes the boom 12 to which the bucket 13 (working tool) is coupled, the bucket cylinder 15 that rocks the bucket 13 with respect to the boom 12, and the indicator device 17 that displays a rocking state of the bucket 13, in which the indicator device 17 includes the first member 20 that is not relatively movable with respect to the bucket cylinder 15, and the second member 30 that is relatively movable with respect to the first member 20 along with the rocking of the bucket 13, and capable of displaying the rocking state of the bucket 13 according to a relative positional relationship with the first member 20.
• the position of the first member 20 can be easily grasped with reference to the position of the bucket cylinder 15 regardless of the rocking of the bucket cylinder 15, so that the rocking state of the bucket 13 (the positional relationship between the first member 20 and the second member 30) can be easily checked.
• the second member 30 includes the indicator rod 32 (interlocking member) that is movable along with rocking of the bucket 13, and the display member 33 that is provided on the indicator rod 32 so as to be adjustable in position and indicates a relative positional relationship with the first member 20.
• the position of the display member 33 can be adjusted according to an assembly error or the like of each part of the front loader 10.
• the indicator rod 32 is formed in a shaft shape, and the display member 33 is provided so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the indicator rod 32 and to be fixable to the indicator rod 32 at an arbitrary position.
• the second member 30 can have a simple configuration.
• the display member 33 includes the flat surface portion 33c (rotation regulation portion) that regulates the rotation about an axis of the indicator rod 32 (see Fig. 6 ).
• the display member 33 can be easily positioned about the axis of the indicator rod 32.
• the indicator rod 32 is rockably supported by the bucket 13 through the coupling plate 31 (rocking coupling portion), the indicator device 17 further includes the rocking regulation member 40 that regulates rocking of the indicator rod 32, and the rocking regulation member 40 is disposed at a position closer to the coupling plate 31 than the first member 20 (see Fig. 4 ).
• the length of the indicator rod 32 can be shortened.
• the aesthetic appearance can be improved, and the strength of the indicator rod 32 can be improved.
• rocking regulation member 40 is provided in a middle portion in the axial direction of the bucket cylinder 15.
• the length of the indicator rod 32 can be shortened.
• the front loader 10 further includes the rocking shaft 15c that rockably couples the bucket cylinder 15 to the boom 12, and the first member 20 is supported by the rocking shaft 15c.
• the rocking shaft 15c that supports the bucket cylinder 15 can also be used to support the first member 20, so that the configuration can be simplified.
• the first member 20 is regulated from rotating in the circumferential direction about an axis of the rocking shaft 15c is regulated by abutting on the bucket cylinder 15.
• the rotation of the first member 20 can be regulated using the bucket cylinder 15, and the configuration can be simplified.
• the indicator rod 32 is configured to be capable of attaching a plurality of the display members 33 (see Fig. 5(b) ).
• the display member 33 includes the marking portion 33a (second plate portion) capable of displaying a rocking state of the bucket 13 according to a relative positional relationship with the marking portion 24 (first plate portion) formed on the first member 20.
• bucket 13 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of a working tool according to the present invention.
• the bucket cylinder 15 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of a working tool cylinder according to the present invention.
• the indicator rod 32 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of an interlocking member according to the present invention.
• the flat surface portion 33c according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of a rotation regulation portion according to the present invention.
• the coupling plate 31 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of a rocking coupling portion according to the present invention.
• the marking portion 24 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of a first plate portion according to the present invention.
• the marking portion 33a according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of a second plate portion according to the present invention.
• the working tool coupled to the boom 12 is not limited to the bucket 13 and can be arbitrarily changed.
• a pallet fork, a grapple, or the like may be coupled to the boom 12.
• the worker can check the attitude of the changed working tool with the indicator device 17 by changing the attaching position of the display member 33 with respect to the indicator rod 32 to a position according to the working tool.
• the display member 33 is configured to be positionally adjustable on the indicator rod 32, it is possible to display the attitudes of a plurality of types of working tools with one indicator device 17, and thus, versatility can be improved.
• a plurality of the display members 33 may be attached to the indicator rod 32 according to the plurality of working tools. As a result, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the display member 33 every time the working tool is changed, so that convenience can be improved.
• the indicator device 17 of the present embodiment can check that the bucket 13 placed on the ground is in an attitude horizontal to the ground.
• the indicator device 17 can be configured such that an arbitrary attitude can be checked by adjusting the position of the display member 33.
• the widths of the marking portions 24 and 33a are substantially the same, a magnitude relationship between the widths of the marking portions 24 and 33a is not particularly limited, and the widths may be different from each other.
• the worker can grasp the attitude of the bucket 13, for example, by checking the positional relationship of reference portions (upper end portion, lower end portion, etc.) in the marking portions 24 and 33a.
• the shape, size, number, and the like of the marking portions 24 and 33a are not particularly limited, and the shape and the like of the marking portions 24 and 33a can be arbitrarily changed as long as the attitude of the working tool can be grasped based on the relative positional relationship between the two (marking portions 24 and 33a).
• first member 20 is supported by the rocking shaft 15c, the configuration thereof is not particularly limited as long as the first member is provided so as not to be relatively movable with respect to the bucket cylinder 15.
• first member 20 may be fixed to the bucket cylinder 15 by welding or the like.
• the second member 30 (indicator rod 32) is supported by the rocking shaft 16c
• the configuration attachment position, shape, etc. is not particularly limited as long as the second member moves relative to the first member 20 along with the rocking of the bucket 13.
• the indicator rod 32 is configured such that the plurality of display members 33 can be attached (see Fig. 5(b) ), the number of the display members 33 that can be attached is not particularly limited. That is, the indicator rod 32 may be configured such that only one display member 33 can be attached.
• the coupling plate 31 is formed in a substantially inverted J shape in front view (see Fig. 4 ), the shape of the coupling plate 31 is not particularly limited as long as it is coupled to the bucket 13.
• the rotation of the display member 33 with respect to the indicator rod 32 is regulated by the flat surface portion 33c
• the configuration for regulating the rotation is not particularly limited.
• the rotation of the display member 33 may be regulated by a key groove, spline fitting, or the like.
• the rocking regulation member 40 can regulate the rocking of the indicator rod 32, and the configuration thereof is not limited to the present embodiment.
• the rocking regulation member 40 is disposed in front of and below the first member 20 (see Fig. 7 )
• the positional relationship with the first member 20 is not particularly limited.
• the rocking regulation member 40 is fixed to the bucket cylinder 15, the member to which the rocking regulation member 40 is fixed is not particularly limited, and for example, the rocking regulation member 40 may be fixed to the boom 12 or the like.
• the front loader 110 according to the second embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9 is different from the front loader 10 according to the first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 in that the front loader includes an attitude maintenance mechanism 50 capable of maintaining the attitude of the bucket 13 even when the boom 12 rocks. Therefore, hereinafter, the front loader 110 of the present embodiment will be described focusing on the configuration related to the attitude maintenance mechanism 50.
• a side frame 11 illustrated in Fig. 9 is configured so that the attitude maintenance mechanism 50 can be attached.
• the side frame 11 includes a frame-side insertion hole 11a.
• the frame-side insertion hole 11a is formed so as to penetrate the side frame 11 in the left-right direction.
• the frame-side insertion hole 11a is formed at a position different from a rocking portion 11b that rockably supports a boom 12.
• the boom 12 is configured to be attachable to the attitude maintenance mechanism 50.
• the boom 12 includes a boom-side insertion hole 12c.
• the boom-side insertion hole 12c is formed so as to pass through a boom frame 12a and a side plate 12b in the left-right direction.
• the attitude maintenance mechanism 50 includes a first link member 51 and a second link member 52.
• the first link member 51 is a member rockable with respect to the boom 12.
• a pair of the left and right first link members 51 is provided with one boom 12 interposed therebetween.
• the first link member 51 is formed in an elongated shape extending substantially in the front-back direction.
• a rear end portion of the first link member 51 is disposed on the side of the frame-side insertion hole 11a.
• a first rocking shaft 51a whose axial direction is the left-right direction is inserted into the first link member 51 and the frame-side insertion hole 11a.
• the first link member 51 can rock with respect to the side frame 11 with the left-right direction as an axial direction.
• the second link member 52 is a member coupled to a bucket cylinder 15 and the first link member 51.
• a pair of the left and right second link members 52 is provided with the boom 12 and the bucket cylinder 15 interposed therebetween.
• the second link member 52 is formed in a plate shape with a plate surface facing substantially the left-right direction.
• the second link member 52 is formed in a substantially triangular shape in a side view.
• a lower end portion of the second link member 52 is disposed on the side of the boom-side insertion hole 12c.
• front end portions 52e of the pair of left and right second link members 52 are formed so as to protrude forward from the boom 12.
• the front end portions 52e of the pair of left and right second link members 52 are formed to be bent inwardly to the left and right so as to be close to each other (see Fig. 10(b) ).
• a second rocking shaft 52a whose axial direction is the left-right direction is inserted through the second link member 52 and the boom-side insertion hole 12c.
• the second link member 52 can rock with respect to the boom 12 with the left-right direction as the axial direction.
• a rear end portion of the second link member 52 and the first link member 51 are rockably coupled to each other through a coupling shaft 52b.
• the front end portion 52e of the second link member 52 and the bucket cylinder 15 are rockably coupled to each other through a coupling shaft 52c.
• an indicator device 17 is configured to be installable in a state where the attitude maintenance mechanism 50 is attached.
• an attachment portion 21 of a first member 20 is disposed inside the left and right second link members 52 and is attached to the coupling shaft 52c.
• Fig. 10(b) is a view of an upper end portion of an indicator rod 32 as viewed from a direction of an arrow A2.
• the direction of the arrow A2 is perpendicular to a marking portion 33a of a display member 33.
• the attachment portion 21 is sandwiched between the second link member 52 (a boss portion 52d through which the coupling shaft 52c is inserted) and the bucket cylinder 15. Furthermore, similarly to the first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 , an abutting portion 22 is formed over the left and right attachment portions 21 and abuts on the bucket cylinder 15. As a result, the first member 20 is attached to the coupling shaft 52c so as not to be movable relative to the bucket cylinder 15.
• a connection portion 23 and a marking portion 24 are configured similarly to the first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 . Furthermore, the marking portion 24 is disposed so as to protrude from the upper end portion of the bucket cylinder 15 in the axial direction of the bucket cylinder 15.
• the indicator rod 32 of a second member 30 is coupled to a rocking shaft 16c of a link mechanism 16 through the coupling plate 31, and is disposed so as to be aligned with the second link member 52 on the left side in the left-right direction (see Fig. 10(b) ).
• the indicator rod 32 is disposed so as to pass immediately to the side of the front end portion 52e of the second link member 52 on the left side.
• the display member 33 is provided such that an insertion portion 33b is inserted into the indicator rod 32, and the marking portion 33a extends leftward (in a direction away from the second link member 52).
• attitude maintenance mechanism 50 along with the rocking of the boom 12 will be described.
• the boom 12 is rocked with respect to the side frame 11 according to the extension and contraction of the boom cylinder 14. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 11 , the first link member 51 and the second link members 52 are rocked along with the rocking of the boom 12.
• the attitude maintenance mechanism 50 rocks the bucket cylinder 15 and the link mechanism 16 along with the rocking, so that the attitude of the bucket 13 can be maintained without extending and contracting the bucket cylinder 15 when the boom 12 rocks.
• the first member 20 is configured to be immovable relative to the bucket cylinder 15, the first member integrally rocks along with the rocking of the bucket cylinder 15. Furthermore, as described above, since the bucket cylinder 15 does not expand or contract when the boom 12 rocks, the second member 30 does not move relative to the first member 20 even if the boom 12 rocks. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the boom 12 is rocked, the relative positional relationship between the marking portions 24 and 33a is maintained. According to this configuration, only by attaching one display member 33 to the indicator rod 32, it is possible to grasp whether or not the bucket 13 is in the horizontal state regardless of the rocking angle of the boom 12, so that convenience can be improved.
• the attitude maintenance mechanism 50 that maintains the attitude of the bucket 13 can be attached to the boom 12 by operating according to the rocking of the boom 12, and the indicator device 17 can be installed in a state where the attitude maintenance mechanism 50 is attached to the boom 12.
• the indicator device 17 can be used in a state where the attitude maintenance mechanism 50 is attached to the boom 12, and convenience can be improved.
• the present invention can be used for a technique of a front loader mounted on a working vehicle such as a tractor.

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• 2023
  • 2023-02-03 JP JP2023015225A patent/JP2024110574A/ja active Pending
• 2024
  • 2024-01-15 EP EP24749926.2A patent/EP4660384A1/fr active Pending
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• 2025
  • 2025-05-15 US US19/208,895 patent/US20250270794A1/en active Pending

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