FRONT LOADER

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-015225 filed on Feb. 3, 2023 and is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2024/000847 filed on Jan. 15, 2024. The entire contents of each application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to front loaders mounted on working vehicles such as tractors.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a technique related to a front loader mounted on a working vehicle such as a tractor has been known. For example, JP 5975743 B2 describes such a technique.

The front loader described in JP 5975743 B2 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 based on a positional relationship between the bent portion and the stay.

Here, since the worker often checks the attitude of the bucket during work, there is a demand for a technique of an indicator capable of easily checking the attitude of the bucket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide front loaders each capable of easy checking of a rocking state of a working tool.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

A front loader according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a boom to which a working tool is coupled, a working tool cylinder to rock the working tool with respect to the boom, and an indicator to display a rocking state of the working tool, wherein the indicator includes a first structural assembly that is not relatively movable with respect to the working tool cylinder, and a second structural assembly that is relatively movable with respect to the first structural assembly along with rocking of the working tool to display the rocking state of the working tool according to a relative positional relationship with the first structural assembly.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the rocking state of the working tool can be easily checked.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the second structural assembly includes an interlock that is movable along with rocking of the working tool, and a display provided on the interlock so as to be adjustable in position and to indicate a relative positional relationship with the first structural assembly.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the position of the display can be adjusted according to the type of the working tool, an assembly error of each part of the front loader, and the like.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the interlock has a shaft shape, and the display is slidable in a longitudinal direction of the interlock and fixable to the interlock at an arbitrary position.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the second structural assembly can have a simple configuration.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the display includes a rotation regulator to regulate rotation about an axis of the interlock.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, since the rotation of the display is regulated, the display can be easily positioned about the axis of the interlock.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the interlock is rockably supported by the working tool through a rocking coupler, the indicator further includes a rocking regulator to regulate rocking of the interlock, and the rocking regulator is closer to the rocking coupler than the first structural assembly.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, since a length of the interlock can be shortened, the aesthetic appearance can be improved, and the strength of the interlock can be improved.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the rocking regulator is provided in a middle portion in an axial direction of the working tool cylinder.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the interlock can be shortened.

An example embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a rocking shaft that rockably couples the working tool cylinder to the boom, in which the first structural assembly is supported by the rocking shaft.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, since the rocking shaft that supports the working tool cylinder can also be used to support the first structural assembly, the configuration can be simplified.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the first structural assembly is restricted from rotating in a circumferential direction about an axis of the rocking shaft by abutting on the working tool cylinder.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation of the first structural assembly can be regulated using the working tool cylinder, and the configuration can be simplified.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the interlock is attachable to a plurality of the displays.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, convenience can be improved.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an attitude retainer to maintain an attitude of the working tool by operating according to rocking of the boom is attachable to the boom, and the indicator is installable in a state where the attitude retainer is attached to the boom.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, since the indicator can be used in a state where the attitude retainer is attached to the boom, convenience can be improved.

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 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 on the first structural assembly.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the rocking state of the working tool can be easily checked based on the positional relationship between the plate portions.

According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, the rocking state of the working tool can be easily checked.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an overall configuration of a tractor including a front loader according to a first example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the front loader.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a boom and an indicator.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged side view illustrating the vicinity of a distal end portion of an indicator rod. FIG. 5B is a view of the vicinity of the distal end portion of the indicator rod as viewed from a direction of an arrow A1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of the distal end portion of the indicator rod.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the front loader in which a bucket is rocked.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged side view illustrating the vicinity of the distal end portion of the indicator rod in a state of FIG. 7. FIG. 8B is a view of the vicinity of the distal end portion of the indicator rod as viewed from the direction of the arrow A1 in the state of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a front loader according to a second example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged side view illustrating the vicinity of a distal end portion of an indicator rod. FIG. 10B is a view of the vicinity of the distal end portion of the indicator rod as viewed from a direction of an arrow A2.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the front loader in which the boom is rocked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, 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.

Hereinafter, the entire configuration of a tractor 1 including a front loader 10 according to a first example embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, 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 structure including a combination of a plurality of panels. The machine body frame 2 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The machine body frame 2 has 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 (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 provided. In the living space, the steering wheel 9 to adjust a turning angle of the front wheels 5, various operation tools, a seat on which the worker sits, and the like, are provided.

The front loader 10 is mounted to a front portion of the tractor 1. Hereinafter, the configuration of the front loader 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, 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 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 extends 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 defines a main structural body of the boom 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side plate 12b has a substantially plate shape, and is provided in a front-rear middle portion of the boom frame 12a. Furthermore, the side plates 12b are provided on the left and right of the boom frame 12a, respectively.

The bucket 13 illustrated in FIG. 2 opens 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. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, 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. Furthermore, 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 located 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 16a and a second link 16b. The first link 16a is rockably coupled to the front end portion of the boom 12. The second link 16b is rockably coupled to the bucket 13. The lower end portion of the bucket cylinder 15, the first link 16a, and the second link 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. As a result, the worker can perform desired work, for example, earth and sand transportation work. Here, 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.

Therefore, the front loader 10 of the present example embodiment is provided with the indicator 17 to display the attitude of the bucket 13. The indicator 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 17, and can efficiently perform the work. Note that, in the present example 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 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 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”.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the indicator 17 is provided on the boom 12 on the right side. Note that a structural element provided with the indicator 17 is not limited to the boom 12 on the right side. For example, the indicator 17 may be provided on the boom 12 on the left side. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the indicator 17 includes the first structural assembly 20, the second structural assembly 30, and a rocking regulator 40.

The first structural assembly 20 defines and functions as a reference when the worker checks the attitude of the bucket 13. The first structural assembly 20 is configured by a substantially plate-shaped structure. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first structural assembly 20 includes an attachment portion 21, an abutting portion 22, a connection portion 23, and a marking portion 24. Note that FIG. 5B is a view of the first structural assembly 20 and the second structural assembly 30 as viewed from a direction of an arrow A1 illustrated in FIG. 5A.

The attachment portion 21 attaches the first structural assembly 20 to the rocking shaft 15c. The attachment portion 21 has 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 positioned with the bucket cylinder 15 interposed therebetween. As indicated by a solid line in FIG. 5A, the attachment portion 21 on the right side has a substantially C shape in a side view. Furthermore, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5A, the attachment portion 21 on the left side has a substantially annular shape in a side view.

The abutting portion 22 abuts on the bucket cylinder 15. The abutting portion 22 has a substantially plate shape. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the abutting portion 22 extends over the left and right attachment portions 21.

The connection portion 23 connects the abutting portion 22 and the marking portion 24. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the connection portion 23 extends upward from the abutting portion 22.

The marking portion 24 defines and functions as a mark of the attitude of the bucket 13. The marking portion 24 has a substantially plate shape. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the marking portion 24 has a lateral width that is larger than that of the connection portion 23, and the left end portion is located on the left side (second structural assembly 30 side) of the left end portion of the connection portion 23.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first structural assembly 20 is supported by the rocking shaft 15c. More specifically, the first structural assembly 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.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, 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. As a result, the first structural assembly 20 is restricted from rotating about an axis of the rocking shaft 15c. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the attachment portion 21 is sandwiched between the side plate 12b and the bucket cylinder 15, such that the movement of the first structural assembly 20 along the axis of the rocking shaft 15c is regulated. In this manner, the first structural assembly 20 is relatively immovable with respect to the bucket cylinder 15. The marking portion 24 protrudes 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 higher than the side plate 12b and the bucket cylinder 15 (see FIG. 5A).

The second structural assembly 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is capable of displaying the rocking state of the bucket 13 according to a relative positional relationship with the first structural assembly 20. The second structural assembly 30 is located immediately to the left of the first structural assembly 20. The second structural assembly 30 includes a coupling plate 31, an indicator rod 32, and a display 33.

The coupling plate 31 is provided to couple the indicator rod 32 and the bucket 13. The coupling plate 31 has a substantially plate shape. Furthermore, the coupling plate 31 has 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 movable along with the rocking of the bucket 13. The indicator rod 32 has a shaft shape. The indicator rod 32 of the present example embodiment has a substantially round rod shape. The indicator rod 32 inclines 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 located 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. As will be described later, the display 33 is attached to a portion of the indicator rod 32 where the flat surface portion 32a is located. The flat surface portion 32a of the present example embodiment extends over a predetermined range in the axial direction of the indicator rod 32 so that a plurality of the displays 33 can be attached (see FIG. 5B).

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). In the present example embodiment, the lower end portion of the indicator rod 32 is welded to the coupling plate 31. Thus, 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 extends through the left side of the side plate 12b and the marking portion 24 of the first structural assembly 20.

Note that the indicator rod 32 is restricted from rocking beyond a predetermined range about the rocking shaft 16c by the rocking regulator 40 described later. As a result, the indicator rod 32 can move relative to the first structural assembly 20 in the axial direction of the indicator rod 32 while rocking along with the rocking of the bucket 13.

The display 33 is configured to indicate a relative position with respect to the first structural assembly 20. The display 33 includes a flexible material such as resin. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the display 33 includes a marking portion 33a and an insertion portion 33b.

The marking portion 33a defines and functions as a mark of a relative position with respect to the first structural assembly 20. The marking portion 33a has a substantially plate shape. The marking portion 33a has its plate surface oriented in the same direction as the marking portion 24 of the first structural assembly 20. A pair of the marking portions 33a 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 structural assembly 20 (see FIG. 5B).

The insertion portion 33b connects the pair of marking portions 33a to each other. The insertion portion 33b has a substantially cylindrical shape. More specifically, the insertion portion 33b has 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 has 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 provided in the insertion portion 33b so as to correspond to the flat surface portion 32a of the indicator rod 32.

The display 33 is attached to the upper end portion of the indicator rod 32. In the present example embodiment, the display 33 is attached such that the position of the marking portion 33a of the display 33 is aligned with the position of the marking portion 24 of the first structural assembly 20 in a case where the bucket 13 placed on the ground is in the horizontal state (state illustrated in FIG. 2). Specifically, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 5B, when the indicator 17 is viewed from the direction of the arrow A1 in FIG. 5A, the display is attached such that the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the marking portion 24 of the first structural assembly 20 coincide with the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the marking portion 33a of the display 33. Note that the direction of the arrow A1 is perpendicular to the marking portion 33a of the display 33.

The rocking regulator 40 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is configured to regulate the rocking of the indicator rod 32. The rocking regulator 40 is provided in a middle portion of the bucket cylinder 15. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rocking regulator 40 includes a plate-shaped structure 41 and an connector 42.

The plate-shaped structure 41 has its plate surface oriented in the same direction as the contact portion 22 of the first structural assembly 20. The plate-shaped structure 41 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the bucket cylinder 15 (main body portion 15a). The left end portion of the plate-shaped structure 41 is provided on the left side of the bucket cylinder 15. The plate-shaped structure 41 includes an insertion portion 41a.

The insertion portion 41a extends forward and upward from the left end portion of the plate-shaped structure 41. A through hole 41b is provided in the insertion portion 41a. The through hole 41b has a substantially circular shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the indicator rod 32.

The connector 42 attaches the plate-shaped structure 41 to the bucket cylinder 15. The connector 42 has a substantially U shape in front view.

The connector 42 is externally fitted to a middle portion of the bucket cylinder 15 from below, and is fastened to the plate-shaped structure 41 with a nut. As a result, the rocking regulator 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 structure 41. The rocking regulator 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. In the present example embodiment, the rocking regulator 40 is fixed slightly forward and downward from the center of the main body portion 15a. In this way, the rocking regulator 40 is closer to the rocking fulcrum (rocking shaft 16c, coupling plate 31) of the indicator rod 32 than the first structural assembly 20.

As a result, the rocking regulator 40 can support the indicator rod 32 along the axial direction of the bucket cylinder 15 at the lower front of the first structural assembly 20. Furthermore, the rocking regulator 40 can allow the indicator rod 32 to move along the axial direction. As described above, in the present example embodiment, the rocking regulator 40 supporting the indicator rod 32 and the first structural assembly 20 serving as the reference of the attitude of the bucket 13 are separate structural elements.

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 regulator 40 along the axial direction, and moves relative to the first structural assembly 20.

Therefore, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, in a case where the bucket 13 placed on the ground is not horizontal to the ground, the position of the marking portion 33a of the display 33 is shifted with respect to the marking portion 24 of the first structural assembly 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.

Here, the first structural assembly 20 of the present example 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 above the side plate 12b and the bucket cylinder 15 (see FIG. 8A). Furthermore, the first structural assembly 20 is closer to a cabin 8 side (worker side) than the rocking regulator 40 (see FIG. 7). As a result, since the first structural assembly 20 can be disposed at a position easily seen from the seat, the visibility of the first structural assembly 20 can be improved.

Furthermore, the second structural assembly 30 is located on the left side of the first structural assembly 20, that is, inside the right and left booms 12. As a result, the boom 12 is less likely to interfere when the second structural assembly 30 is viewed from the seat, so that the visibility of the second structural assembly 30 can be improved.

Furthermore, since the positional relationship between the first structural assembly 20 and the marking portions 24 and 33a of the display 33 can be easily checked by improving the visibility of the first structural assembly 20 and the second structural assembly 30, the attitude of the bucket 13 can be easily grasped.

Furthermore, the rocking regulator 40 that regulates rocking of the indicator rod 32 is located in front of and below the first structural assembly 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 regulator 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.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower end portion of the indicator rod 32 is fixed to the inner surface of the coupling plate 31. Accordingly, the lower end portion of the indicator rod 32 can be protected by the coupling plate 31. In particular, in the present example embodiment, the lower end portion of the indicator rod 32 is welded to the coupling plate 31, so that the weld bead can be protected by the coupling plate 31. As a result, it is possible to reduce or prevent the occurrence of defects (cracks and the like) of the weld bead.

Furthermore, since the various structural elements of the indicator 17 of the present example embodiment are separate from the structural elements of the boom 12, the bucket 13, and the like (structural elements that are not integrally formed by welding or the like), the indicator 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 17 is equipped as standard and the front loader 10 to which the indicator 17 can be optionally equipped, it is possible to easily manage parts in the manufacturing factory of the front loader 10.

A procedure for attaching the display 33 to the indicator rod 32 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, the worker inserts the indicator rod 32 through the insertion portion 33b of the display 33. In the present example embodiment, since the flat surface portions 32a and 33c are provided in the indicator rod 32 and the display 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 33 about the axial direction of the indicator rod 32 is regulated, so that the circumferential positioning of the display 33 can easily be performed.

Furthermore, the worker can adjust the position of the marking portion 33a of the display 33 with respect to the marking portion 24 of the first structural assembly 20 by sliding the insertion portion 33b in the axial direction of the indicator rod 32. By this position adjustment, the position of the display 33 is appropriately adjusted according to an assembling error of the front loader 10 or the like.

When the position adjustment of the display 33 is completed, the worker fastens the bolt B to the pair of marking portions 33a to elastically deform the display 33 so as to close the insertion portion 33b, and fixes the display 33 at the adjusted position. Here, since the display 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 33 of the present example embodiment is fixed to the indicator rod 32 by the bolt B for manual fastening. Consequently, the display 33 can be attached to the indicator rod 32 without using a tool, and the work of attaching the display 33 can efficiently be performed.

As described above, the indicator rod 32 is configured such that the plurality of displays 33 can be attached. Therefore, the worker can grasp the plurality of attitudes of the bucket 13 using the indicator 17 by attaching the plurality of displays 33 so as to correspond to each of the plurality of attitudes of the bucket 13. For example, by adding another display 33 to the indicator 17 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, 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.

As described above, the front loader 10 according to the present example embodiment 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 17 that displays a rocking state of the bucket 13, in which the indicator 17 includes the first structural assembly 20 that is not relatively movable with respect to the bucket cylinder 15, and the second structural assembly 30 that is relatively movable with respect to the first structural assembly 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 structural assembly 20.

With this configuration, the position of the first structural assembly 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 structural assembly 20 and the second structural assembly 30) can be easily checked.

Furthermore, the second structural assembly 30 includes the indicator rod 32 (interlock) that is movable along with rocking of the bucket 13, and the display 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 structural assembly 20.

With this configuration, the position of the display 33 can be adjusted according to an assembly error or the like of each part of the front loader 10.

Furthermore, the indicator rod 32 has a shaft shape, and the display 33 is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the indicator rod 32 and to be fixable to the indicator rod 32 at an arbitrary position.

With such a configuration, the second structural assembly 30 can have a simple configuration.

Furthermore, the display 33 includes the flat surface portion 33c (rotation regulator) that regulates the rotation about an axis of the indicator rod 32 (see FIG. 6).

With this configuration, the display 33 can be easily positioned about the axis of the indicator rod 32.

Furthermore, the indicator rod 32 is rockably supported by the bucket 13 through the coupling plate 31 (rocking coupler), the indicator 17 further includes the rocking regulator 40 that regulates rocking of the indicator rod 32, and the rocking regulator 40 is closer to the coupling plate 31 than the first structural assembly 20 (see FIG. 4).

With this configuration, the length of the indicator rod 32 can be shortened. As a result, the aesthetic appearance can be improved, and the strength of the indicator rod 32 can be improved.

Furthermore, the rocking regulator 40 is provided in a middle portion in the axial direction of the bucket cylinder 15.

With this configuration, the length of the indicator rod 32 can be shortened.

Furthermore, the front loader 10 further includes the rocking shaft 15c that rockably couples the bucket cylinder 15 to the boom 12, and the first structural assembly 20 is supported by the rocking shaft 15c.

With this configuration, the rocking shaft 15c that supports the bucket cylinder 15 can also be used to support the first structural assembly 20, so that the configuration can be simplified.

Furthermore, the first structural assembly 20 is restricted from rotating in the circumferential direction about an axis of the rocking shaft 15c is regulated by abutting on the bucket cylinder 15.

With this configuration, the rotation of the first structural assembly 20 can be regulated using the bucket cylinder 15, and the configuration can be simplified.

Furthermore, the indicator rod 32 is configured to be capable of attaching a plurality of the displays 33 (see FIG. 5B).

With this configuration, convenience can be improved.

Furthermore, the display 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) provided on the first structural assembly 20.

With this configuration, the rocking state of the bucket 13 can be easily checked based on the positional relationship between the marking portions 24 and 33a.

Note that the bucket 13 according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of a working tool according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the bucket cylinder 15 according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of a working tool cylinder according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the indicator rod 32 according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of an interlock according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the flat surface portion 33c according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of a rotation regulator according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the coupling plate 31 according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of a rocking coupler according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the marking portion 24 according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of a first plate portion according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the marking portion 33a according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of a second plate portion according to the present invention.

Although the first example embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

For example, although the bucket 13 is coupled to the boom 12, the working tool coupled to the boom 12 is not limited to the bucket 13 and can be arbitrarily changed. For example, a pallet fork, a grapple, or the like may be coupled to the boom 12. Furthermore, in a case where the worker changes the working tool, the worker can check the attitude of the changed working tool with the indicator 17 by changing the attaching position of the display 33 with respect to the indicator rod 32 to a position according to the working tool. In this way, since the display 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 17, and thus, versatility can be improved.

Note that a plurality of the displays 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 33 every time the working tool is changed, so that convenience can be improved.

Furthermore, the indicator 17 of the present example embodiment can check that the bucket 13 placed on the ground is in an attitude horizontal to the ground. However, the indicator 17 can be configured such that an arbitrary attitude can be checked by adjusting the position of the display 33.

Furthermore, although 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. In this case, 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. Furthermore, 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).

Furthermore, although the first structural assembly 20 is supported by the rocking shaft 15c, the configuration thereof is not particularly limited as long as the first structural assembly is provided so as not to be relatively movable with respect to the bucket cylinder 15. For example, the first structural assembly 20 may be fixed to the bucket cylinder 15 by welding or the like.

Furthermore, although the second structural assembly 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 structural assembly moves relative to the first structural assembly 20 along with the rocking of the bucket 13.

Furthermore, although the indicator rod 32 is configured such that the plurality of displays 33 can be attached (see FIG. 5B), the number of the displays 33 that can be attached is not particularly limited. That is, the indicator rod 32 may be configured such that only one display 33 can be attached.

Furthermore, although the coupling plate 31 has 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.

Furthermore, although the rotation of the display 33 with respect to the indicator rod 32 is regulated by the flat surface portion 33c, the configuration to regulate the rotation is not particularly limited. For example, the rotation of the display 33 may be regulated by a key groove, spline fitting, or the like.

Furthermore, it is sufficient that the rocking regulator 40 can regulate the rocking of the indicator rod 32, and the configuration thereof is not limited to the present example embodiment. For example, although the rocking regulator 40 is disposed in front of and below the first structural assembly 20 (see FIG. 7), the positional relationship with the first structural assembly 20 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, although the rocking regulator 40 is fixed to the bucket cylinder 15, the structural element to which the rocking regulator 40 is fixed is not particularly limited, and for example, the rocking regulator 40 may be fixed to the boom 12 or the like.

Next, a front loader 110 according to a second example embodiment will be described.

The front loader 110 according to the second example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 is different from the front loader 10 according to the first example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 in that the front loader includes an attitude retainer 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 example embodiment will be described focusing on the configuration related to the attitude retainer 50.

A side frame 11 illustrated in FIG. 9 is configured so that the attitude retainer 50 can be attached. Specifically, the side frame 11 includes a frame-side insertion hole 11a. The frame-side insertion hole 11a penetrates the side frame 11 in the left-right direction. The frame-side insertion hole 11a is located at a position different from a rocking portion 11b that rockably supports a boom 12.

The boom 12 is attachable to the attitude retainer 50. Specifically, the boom 12 includes a boom-side insertion hole 12c. The boom-side insertion hole 12c extends through a boom frame 12a and a side plate 12b in the left-right direction.

The attitude retainer 50 includes a first link 51 and a second link 52. The first link 51 is rockable with respect to the boom 12. A pair of the left and right first links 51 is provided with one boom 12 interposed therebetween. The first link 51 has an elongated shape extending substantially in the front-back direction. A rear end portion of the first link 51 is located 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 51 and the frame-side insertion hole 11a. As a result, the first link 51 can rock with respect to the side frame 11 with the left-right direction as an axial direction.

The second link 52 is coupled to a bucket cylinder 15 and the first link 51. A pair of the left and right second links 52 is provided with the boom 12 and the bucket cylinder 15 interposed therebetween. The second link 52 has a plate shape with a plate surface facing substantially the left-right direction. The second link 52 has a substantially triangular shape in a side view. A lower end portion of the second link 52 is located on the side of the boom-side insertion hole 12c. Furthermore, front end portions 52e of the pair of left and right second links 52 protrude forward from the boom 12. The front end portions 52e of the pair of left and right second links 52 are bent inwardly to the left and right so as to be close to each other (see FIG. 10B).

A second rocking shaft 52a whose axial direction is the left-right direction is inserted through the second link 52 and the boom-side insertion hole 12c. As a result, the second link 52 can rock with respect to the boom 12 with the left-right direction as the axial direction. Furthermore, a rear end portion of the second link 52 and the first link 51 are rockably coupled to each other through a coupling shaft 52b. Furthermore, the front end portion 52e of the second link 52 and the bucket cylinder 15 are rockably coupled to each other through a coupling shaft 52c.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, an indicator 17 is installable in a state where the attitude retainer 50 is attached. Specifically, an attachment portion 21 of a first structural assembly 20 is provided inside the left and right second links 52 and is attached to the coupling shaft 52c. Note that FIG. 10B is a view of an upper end portion of an indicator rod 32 as viewed from a direction of an arrow A2. Furthermore, the direction of the arrow A2 is perpendicular to a marking portion 33a of a display 33.

The attachment portion 21 is sandwiched between the second link 52 (a boss portion 52d through which the coupling shaft 52c is inserted) and the bucket cylinder 15. Furthermore, similarly to the first example embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an abutting portion 22 extends over the left and right attachment portions 21 and abuts on the bucket cylinder 15. As a result, the first structural assembly 20 is attached to the coupling shaft 52c so as not to be movable relative to the bucket cylinder 15. Note that a connection portion 23 and a marking portion 24 are configured similarly to the first example embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Furthermore, the marking portion 24 protrudes 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 structural assembly 30 is coupled to a rocking shaft 16c of a link mechanism 16 through the coupling plate 31, and is aligned with the second link 52 on the left side in the left-right direction (see FIG. 10B). The indicator rod 32 extends immediately to the side of the front end portion 52e of the second link 52 on the left side.

Furthermore, the display 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 52).

In this manner, in the indicator 17 of the present example embodiment, various structural elements are positioned so as not to interfere with the attitude retainer 50.

Hereinafter, the operation of the attitude retainer 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 51 and the second links 52 are rocked along with the rocking of the boom 12. The attitude retainer 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.

Here, since the first structural assembly 20 is configured to be immovable relative to the bucket cylinder 15, the first structural assembly 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 structural assembly 30 does not move relative to the first structural assembly 20 even if the boom 12 rocks. Therefore, in the present example 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, merely by attaching one display 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.

As described above, in the second example embodiment, the attitude retainer 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 17 can be installed in a state where the attitude retainer 50 is attached to the boom 12.

With such a configuration, the indicator 17 can be used in a state where the attitude retainer 50 is attached to the boom 12, and convenience can be improved.

Example embodiments of the present invention can be used for a front loader mounted on a working vehicle such as a tractor.

While example embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.