Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle including a console box.
Background Art
[0002] There has been known a work vehicle including console boxes disposed laterally to
a driver's seat. Patent Literatures 1 and 2 (hereinafter, referred to as PTLs 1 and
2, respectively) disclose this type of work vehicle.
[0003] PTL 1 discloses a construction machine including an engine hood configured to open
and close both of an opening on the upper side and an opening on the rear side of
an engine room. The engine hood turns about a hinge attached to the front end of the
engine hood. The engine hood includes an upper side portion having an upper surface
on which a console box is disposed in such a manner that the console box is turnable
together with the engine hood.
[0004] PTL 2 discloses a small construction machine including box covers turnable about
an axis being at the upper edge of the front side of a main body cover. The box covers
support their corresponding control boxes. Each of the box covers has a back surface
to which a first end of a supporting column is attached via a bearing. A second end
of the supporting column is fastened at a fastening hole in the main body cover. With
this configuration, by lifting up the box covers and supporting rear ends of the box
covers with the supporting columns, an opening for inspection and maintenance can
be secured on the back surface sides of the box covers.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0005]
PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-265582
PTL 2: Japanese Patent No. 3610840
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0006] According to the configuration of PTL 1, however, if the console box is caused to
turn toward the rear side of the engine hood with the engine hood opened, e.g., for
the purpose of maintenance work, the engine hood may potentially be closed unintentionally
as a result of the turning of the console box.
[0007] According to the configuration of PTL 2, the opening for inspection and maintenance
secured by lifting up the box covers with the supporting columns is partial and limited.
For the purpose of effective maintenance on devices placed in the engine room through
the opening, devices requiring maintenance need to be arranged to be exposed in the
opening. Namely, PTL 2 involves the limitation on the layout of the devices, disadvantageously.
[0008] In addition, according to the configuration of PTL 2, maintenance on the engine and/or
the like should be performed after the upper portion of the main body cover is entirely
opened. However, according to the configuration of PTL 2, the top panel of the main
body cover and the left and right box covers are independent of each other. Therefore,
it is troublesome to open all the covers, and thus it is difficult to perform maintenance
effectively. Thus, improvements have been required for the configuration of PTL 2
in terms of ease of maintenance.
[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object
to provide a work vehicle with ease of maintenance.
Solution to Problem and Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0010] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next,
the following will describe solutions to this problem and effects achieved by the
solutions.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, a work vehicle including the following
features is provided. That is, the work vehicle includes a revolving frame, an engine
hood, a console box, and a hydraulic hose. In the revolving frame, an engine is disposed.
The engine hood is supported by a first shaft disposed in the rear of the engine such
that the engine hood is turnable about the first shaft, and the engine hood is configured
to turn relative to the revolving frame to be opened or closed. The console box is
supported by a second shaft disposed above the engine hood, is turnable about the
second shaft, and is configured to turn relative to the engine hood to be changed
between a first posture and a second posture. The hydraulic hose is connected to the
console box. The console box includes a work manipulation lever whose manipulation
is enabled while the console box is in the first posture and whose manipulation is
disabled while the console box is in the second posture. A direction in which the
engine hood is caused to turn to be opened coincides with a direction in which the
console box is caused to turn to be changed from the first posture to the second posture.
The hydraulic hose is arranged to extend along an inner wall of the revolving frame
and an inner wall of the engine hood and to be partially close to the first shaft
and the second shaft.
[0012] With this configuration, even when the engine hood is opened and then the console
box is caused to turn to disable manipulation of the work manipulation lever, it is
possible to prevent a phenomenon that the opened engine hood is closed unintentionally,
since the center of gravity of the entire turning configuration including the engine
hood and the console box is shifted in the opening direction of the engine hood. Consequently,
it is possible to perform maintenance work free from care. In addition, since the
hydraulic hose is positioned such that the hydraulic hose hardly interferes with the
maintenance work, maintenance can be easily performed with the engine hood opened.
[0013] The work vehicle described above preferably includes the following features. That
is, the hydraulic hose is fixed to the revolving frame or the engine hood with fixing
members arranged at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the hydraulic hose.
In a state where the engine hood is closed, a portion of the hydraulic hose which
portion is located close to the first shaft and which is interposed between adjacent
ones of the fixing members has slack.
[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to secure an extension allowance of the hydraulic
hose at the location close to the first shaft, which is the rotation shaft of the
engine hood, thereby making it possible to prevent a phenomenon that the hydraulic
hose pulls the engine hood to hinder opening operation of the engine hood. Consequently,
it is possible to open the engine hood smoothly.
[0015] Preferably, in the work vehicle described above, the hydraulic hose has a portion
curved downward such that a side of the portion farther from the console box than
is the first shaft faces downward, and the portion thus curved is partially close
to the engine.
[0016] With this configuration, it is possible to arrange both of the engine and the hydraulic
hose in a small space inside the engine hood.
[0017] The work vehicle described above preferably includes the following features. That
is, the engine includes an output pulley, a fan pulley, and a belt. The output pulley
is configured to receive rotation transmitted from an output shaft. The fan pulley
is configured to drive a blower fan. The belt is wound around the output pulley and
the fan pulley. The hydraulic hose has a portion that is close to the belt while extending
in parallel with the belt.
[0018] With this configuration, it is possible to employ a short hydraulic hose, while preventing
contact between the belt and the hydraulic hose.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0019]
[FIG. 1] A side view illustrating an overall structure of a work vehicle according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 2] A perspective view showing hydraulic hoses that are disposed inside an engine
hood and that are connected to work manipulation levers in console boxes.
[FIG. 3] A perspective view showing the hydraulic hoses viewed from a side different
from that of FIG. 2.
[FIG. 4] A perspective view showing a state where an engine hood is opened and the
console boxes are in a second posture.
Description of Embodiments
[0020] The following will describe embodiments of the present invention with reference to
the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an overall structure of a revolving
work vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective
view showing hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R that are disposed inside an engine hood 38
and that are connected to work manipulation levers 37 in console boxes 52. FIG. 3
is a perspective view showing the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R viewed from a side different
from that of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the engine
hood 38 is opened and the console boxes 52 are in a second posture.
[0021] The expressions "front", "rear", "left", and "right" in the following description
respectively mean the front, rear, left, and right for an operator sitting on a driver's
seat 39 in a state where both of a lower traveling body 11 and an upper revolving
body 12 (each will be described later) face the front.
[0022] The revolving work vehicle (work vehicle) 1 of the present embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 1 includes the lower traveling body 11 and the upper revolving body 12.
[0023] The lower traveling body 11 includes left and right paired crawler traveling devices
21 and hydraulic motors (not illustrated) configured to drive the crawler traveling
devices 21. By individually driving the left and right crawler traveling devices 21
in various directions at various speeds, it is possible to drive the lower traveling
body 11 so that the lower traveling body 11 travels in various ways, e.g., travels
straight forward or backward or makes a turn.
[0024] The upper revolving body 12 includes a revolving frame 31, an engine 33, a hydraulic
pump unit 34, the engine hood 38, a steering unit 35, and a work device 13.
[0025] The revolving frame 31 is disposed above the lower traveling body 11. The revolving
frame 31 is supported by the lower traveling body 11 such that the revolving frame
31 is turnable about a vertical axis. By a revolving motor (not illustrated), the
revolving frame 31 can be driven to turn relative to the lower traveling body 11.
The engine 33 is a diesel engine, for example. The engine 33 is disposed in a rear
portion of the revolving frame 31. The hydraulic pump unit 34 is driven by the engine
33 to generate hydraulic force that the revolving work vehicle 1 requires to travel
and to perform work.
[0026] The engine hood 38 covers and protects an upper surface and the like of the engine
33. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the engine hood 38 has a rear portion coupled to the
revolving frame 31 via a hinge portion 45, which is attached to a rear portion of
the revolving frame 31.
[0027] The hinge portion 45 includes a base member 46 and left and right paired brackets
47. The base member is fixed to the rear portion of the revolving frame 31 with a
fixing member (not illustrated). Each of the brackets 47 is thin and elongated in
a top-bottom direction, and is fixed to an inner wall of the rear portion of the engine
hood 38.
[0028] This configuration makes the engine hood 38 turnable about a rotation shaft (first
shaft) 71, which is disposed in the rear of the engine 33 and extends in a left-right
horizontal direction, relative to the revolving frame 31. Specifically, by causing
the engine hood 38 to turn upward and rearward, it is possible to open the engine
hood 38. Meanwhile, by causing the engine hood 38 to turn in a reverse direction,
it is possible to close the engine hood 38.
[0029] The steering unit 35 includes various manipulation members. As illustrated in FIG.
1, the manipulation members include left and right paired traveling manipulation levers
36 and left and right paired work manipulation levers 37. In the present embodiment,
the work manipulation levers 37 correspond to the manipulation levers. The operator
can manipulate these manipulation members to give various instructions to the revolving
work vehicle 1.
[0030] The work device 13 includes a boom 41, an arm 42, and a bucket 43. The boom 41, the
arm 42, and the bucket 43 are respectively coupled to hydraulic cylinders. By expanding
and contracting the hydraulic cylinders, it is possible to perform various kinds of
work, such as excavation with the bucket 43.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the driver's seat 39, on which the operator can sit, is
disposed at the center in a left-right direction of an upper surface of the upper
revolving body 12. The driver's seat 39 is sandwiched by the left and right paired
console boxes 52. In FIG. 2, the driver's seat 39 and the console boxes 52 are illustrated
with the dashed lines in order to clearly show the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R (described
later) and other elements. The driver's seat 39 and the console boxes 52 are disposed
on an upper surface of the engine hood 38 of the upper revolving body 12.
[0032] The structures of the left and right console boxes 52 are symmetric to each other,
and thus are substantially identical to each other. Each of the console boxes 52 supports
a corresponding one of the work manipulation levers 37 and a corresponding one of
the lock levers 56.
[0033] The work manipulation levers 37 are disposed in upper portions of the console boxes
52 such that the work manipulation levers 37 protrude obliquely forward and upward.
The operator can manipulate the work manipulation lever(s) 37 to give an instruction
regarding an operation of the work device 13 or revolving of the upper revolving body
12.
[0034] The work manipulation levers 37 are connected to remote control valves (operation
valves) 62 disposed inside the console boxes 52, respectively. Each of the remote
control valves 62 has one input port and four output ports. The input ports of the
remote control valves 62 are connected to pumps in the hydraulic pump unit 34 via
the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R (described later). The output ports of the remote control
valves 62 are connected to a control valve 84, which is disposed in a front portion
of the upper revolving body 12, via the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R. Each of the remote
control valves 62 opens or closes a space between the input port and the output ports
according to operator's manipulating a corresponding one of the work manipulation
levers 37 in a front-rear direction and/or a left-right direction. When the output
ports are opened, operating oil is supplied from a corresponding one(s) of the remote
control valves 62 to the control valve 84.
[0035] The control valve 84 includes a plurality of spools (not illustrated) for driving
or stopping the hydraulic actuators of the work device 13 and the like. The spools
of the control valve 84 are displaced by pilot pressures of streams of operating oil
from the remote control valves 62. This can actuate the hydraulic actuators to cause
the upper revolving body 12 to revolve and/or to cause the work device 13 to perform
various kinds of work.
[0036] The lock levers 56 are disposed in lower portions of front surfaces of the console
boxes 52 such that the lock levers 56 protrude obliquely forward and upward. The lock
levers 56 are manipulated to change the postures of the console boxes 52.
[0037] Specifically, the console boxes 52 are supported such that the console boxes 52 are
turnable about hinge shafts (second shafts) 72 disposed in the rear of the console
boxes 52. The operator can manipulate the lock levers 56 to change the postures of
the console boxes 52 between a normally-used first posture, which is indicated by
the solid lines in FIG. 1, and a second posture, which is indicated by the dotted
lines in FIG. 1, in a manner indicated by the hollow arrow in FIG. 1. The first posture
is a normal posture allowing the operator to manipulate the work manipulation levers
37. The second posture is achieved as a result of upward and rearward movement of
the console box from the first posture. For example, the second posture is selected
to temporarily retract the console boxes 52 into an upward and rearward space so that
the operator can get on or off the revolving work vehicle 1.
[0038] A direction in which the closed engine hood 38 is caused to turn to be opened coincides
with a direction in which the console boxes 52 are caused to turn to be changed from
the first posture to the second posture. Thus, in a case where the console boxes 52
are caused to turn from the first posture to the second posture after the engine hood
38 is opened, the center of gravity of the entire turning configuration including
the engine hood 38 and the console boxes 52 is shifted in the opening direction of
the engine hood 38. Consequently, it is possible to keep the engine hood 38 opened
in a stable manner.
[0039] The revolving work vehicle 1 includes a hydraulic circuit having a lock function
that disables manipulation of the work manipulation levers 37 while the console boxes
52 are in the second posture. Thus, even if the operator's hand or the like unintentionally
comes into contact with the work manipulation lever(s) 37 of the console box(es) 52
being in the second posture, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon that an unexpected
operation is executed in response to the contact. For example, the lock function can
be achieved by controlling supply of operating oil to the remote control valves 62
in the following manner. That is, if a sensor and/or the like detects that the console
boxes 52 are in the second posture, the supply of the operating oil to the remote
control valves 62 is interrupted.
[0040] The paired hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R are disposed on the left side and the right
side, and have flexibility. Each of the left and right hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R includes
four hoses connected to the output ports of a corresponding one of the remote control
valves 62. The following will describe details of the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R.
[0041] The hydraulic hose 5L on the left side has a first end connected to the remote control
valve 62 inside the console box 52 on the left side. The hydraulic hose 5L has a portion
which extends from the connection with the remote control valve 62, which is curved
in a substantial S-shape, and which is followed by a portion close to a hinge shaft
72. Following the portion close to the hinge shaft 72, a portion of the hydraulic
hose 5L extends through an opening (not illustrated) in a lower surface of the console
box 52 and an opening (not illustrated) at a left end of the upper surface of the
engine hood 38. Following the portion extending through the openings, a portion of
the hydraulic hose 5L is disposed inside the engine hood 38.
[0042] The portion of the hydraulic hose 5L inside the engine hood 38 is bent toward the
rear side at a location just below the opening in the engine hood 38. Following the
bent portion, a portion of the hydraulic hose 5L extends obliquely rightward and rearward
substantially along the ceiling surface of the engine hood 38. A portion of the hydraulic
hose 5L which portion is close to the hinge portion 45 is bent substantially at a
right angle. Following the bent portion, a portion of the hydraulic hose 5L extends
downward along a longitudinal direction of the bracket 47 on the left side. To the
bracket 47, holding members (fixing members) 8 arranged in a top-bottom direction
are fixed. The holding members 8 are each made of a round-bar-shaped member curved
in a C-shape or a hook shape. A portion of the hydraulic hose 5L extends through a
space defined by inner sides of the holding members 8. This portion of the hydraulic
hose 5L is partially close to a rotation shaft 71.
[0043] This portion of the hydraulic hose 5L further extends to a location below the rotation
shaft 71. Following the portion below the rotation shaft 71, a portion of the hydraulic
hose 5L extends forward and downward so as to be slightly inclined leftward, so that
the portion of the hydraulic hose 5L extends through a location below the left side
of the engine 33. This portion of the hydraulic hose 5L, which portion is close to
the engine 33, is curved substantially in a V-shape protruding downward. From this
portion (referred to as a curved portion 9), a portion of the hydraulic hose 5L extends
substantially forward to a location below the left side of the control valve 84. Following
this portion, a portion of the hydraulic hose 5L is bent upward as appropriate so
as to be connected to the control valve 84.
[0044] The hydraulic hose 5R on the right side has a first end connected to the remote control
valve 62 inside the console box 52 on the right side. A portion of the hydraulic hose
5R extending from the remote control valve 62 to a rotation shaft 71 at the hinge
portion 45 is substantially laterally symmetric to that of the hydraulic hose 5L on
the left side, which has been described above. Therefore, explanation of this portion
is omitted here.
[0045] Following the above-described portion, a portion of the hydraulic hose 5R extends
to a location below the rotation shaft 71. Following this portion, a portion of the
hydraulic hose 5R extends forward and downward so as to be inclined rightward, so
that the portion of the hydraulic hose 5R extend through a location below the right
side of the engine 33 and a location below the right side of the hydraulic pump unit
34. Following this portion, a portion of the hydraulic hose 5R extends leftward, and
further extends forward to the location below the left side of the control valve 84.
Following this portion, a portion of the hydraulic hose 5R is bent upward as appropriate
so as to be connected to the control valve 84.
[0046] In this manner, the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R are arranged along the inner wall of
the revolving frame 31 and the inner wall of the engine hood 38. With this configuration,
the space surrounded by the revolving frame 31 and the engine hood 38 can be secured
large. Consequently, various kinds of devices can be arranged in the space effectively.
[0047] Each of the left and right hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R has multiple portions which
reside along its longitudinal direction and around which cable ties (fixing members)
7 are wound. With the cable ties 7, each of the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R is fixed
to the revolving frame 31, the engine hood 38, or the like. Some of the cable ties
7 are fixed at locations where the holding members 8 of the brackets 47 reside.
[0048] In a state where the engine hood 38 is closed as illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3, a
portion of each of the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R which portion is interposed between
a portion fixed with a holding member 8 close to a corresponding one of the rotation
shafts 71 and a portion fixed with a cable tie 7 located the closest to this holding
member 8 from among cable ties 7 above or below this holding member 8 is slightly
curved and has slack. Thanks to the curved portions, it is possible to secure extension
allowances of the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R during opening operation of the engine
hood 38, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Consequently, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon
that the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R pull the engine hood 38 to hinder the opening operation.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an output pulley 76 is fixed to a crankshaft on the left
side of the engine 33. In addition, a fan pulley 77 and a tension pulley 78 are disposed
at appropriate portions on a surface of the left side of the engine 33. Around the
output pulley 76, the fan pulley 77, and the tension pulley 78, an endless belt 79
is wound. In the present embodiment, the curved portion 9 of the hydraulic hose 5L
on the left side includes a portion that is close to a portion of the belt 79 interposed
between the output pulley 76 and the tension pulley 78 while extending in parallel
with this portion of the belt 79. With this configuration, it is possible to arrange
the engine 33 and the hydraulic hose 5L in a small space while preventing a phenomenon
that the belt 79 gets tangled with the hydraulic hose 5L, for example.
[0050] As described above, the revolving work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment includes
the revolving frame 31, the engine hood 38, and the console boxes 52. In the revolving
frame 31, the engine 33 is disposed. The engine hood 38 is supported by the rotation
shafts 71, which are disposed in the rear of the engine 33, so as to be turnable about
the rotation shafts 71. The engine hood 38 is configured to turn relative to the revolving
frame 31 to be opened or closed. Each of the console boxes 52 is supported by the
hinge shaft 72, and is turnable about the hinge shaft 72, which is disposed above
the engine hood 38. Each of the console boxes 52 is configured to turn relative to
the engine hood 38 to be changed between the first posture and the second posture.
The console boxes 52 respectively include the work manipulation levers 37 whose manipulation
is enabled while the console boxes 52 are in the first posture and whose manipulation
is disabled while the console boxes 52 are in the second posture. The direction in
which the engine hood 38 is caused to turn to be opened coincides with the direction
in which the console boxes 52 are caused to turn to be changed from the first posture
to the second posture. The hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R, which are connected to the console
boxes 52, are arranged to extend along the inner wall of the revolving frame 31 and
the inner wall of the engine hood 38 and to be partially close to the rotation shafts
71 and the hinge shafts 72.
[0051] With this configuration, even when the engine hood 38 is opened and then the console
boxes 52 are caused to turn to disable manipulation of the work manipulation levers
37, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon that the opened engine hood 38 is closed
unintentionally, since the center of gravity of the turning configuration including
the engine hood 38 and the centers of gravity of the console boxes 52 is shifted in
the opening direction of the engine hood 38. Consequently, it is possible to perform
maintenance work free from care. In addition, since the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R
are positioned such that the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R hardly interfere with maintenance
work, maintenance can be easily performed with the engine hood 38 opened.
[0052] In the revolving work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the hydraulic hoses 5L
and 5R are fixed to the revolving frame 31 or the engine hood 38 with the cable ties
7 or the holding members 7 arranged at intervals along the longitudinal directions
of the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R. In a state where the engine hood 38 is closed, the
portion of each of the hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R which portion is located close to
a corresponding one of the rotation shafts 71 and which is interposed between adjacent
ones of the cable ties 7 or adjacent ones of the holding members 7 has slack.
[0053] With this configuration, it is possible to secure extension allowances of the hydraulic
hoses 5L and 5R at the locations close to the rotation shafts 71 of the engine hood
38, thereby making it possible to prevent a phenomenon that the hydraulic hoses 5L
and 5R pull the engine hood 38 to hinder opening operation of the engine hood 38.
Consequently, it is possible to open the engine hood 38 smoothly.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the revolving work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment,
the hydraulic hose 5L on the left side has a portion curved downward such that a side
of the portion farther from the console box 52 than is the rotation shaft 71 faces
downward, and the portion thus curved (curved portion 9) is partially close to the
engine 33.
[0055] With this configuration, it is possible to arrange both of the engine 33 and the
hydraulic hose 5L in a small space inside the engine hood 38.
[0056] In the revolving work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the engine 33 includes
the output pulley 76, the fan pulley 77, and the belt 79. The output pulley 76 is
configured to receive rotation transmitted from an output shaft. The fan pulley 77
is configured to drive a blower fan. The belt 79 is wound around the output pulley
76 and the fan pulley 77. The hydraulic hose 5L has a portion that is close to the
belt 79 while extending in parallel with the belt 79.
[0057] With this configuration, it is possible to employ a short hydraulic hose 5L, while
preventing contact between the belt 79 and the hydraulic hose 5L.
[0058] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However,
the configurations described above can be modified as below, for example.
[0059] The routes along which the left and right hydraulic hoses 5L and 5R extend may be
changed as appropriate, as long as the routes extend along the inner wall of the revolving
frame 31 and the inner wall of the engine hood 38 and are partially close to the rotation
shafts 71 and the hinge shafts 72. Here, the inner walls encompass not only the inner
surfaces of the side walls but also the lower surfaces of the ceiling walls and the
upper surfaces of the floor walls.
[0060] Instead of the work manipulation levers 37 configured to be manipulated in the front-rear
direction and the left-right direction, work manipulation levers 37 configured to
be manipulated solely in a front-rear direction or a left-right direction may be employed.
[0061] Instead of the configuration including the left and right paired console boxes 52,
a configuration including a single console box 52 disposed only on a left or right
side may be employed.
[0062] The present invention is applicable not only to the revolving work vehicle but also
to work vehicles having other various configurations and other various purposes.
Reference Signs List
[0063]
- 1
- revolving work vehicle (work vehicle)
- 5L, 5R
- hydraulic hose
- 7
- cable tie (fixing member)
- 8
- holding member (fixing member)
- 31
- revolving frame
- 33
- engine
- 37
- work manipulation lever (manipulation lever)
- 38
- engine hood
- 52
- console box
- 71
- rotation shaft (first shaft)
- 72
- hinge shaft (second shaft)