WORK VEHICLE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-051941, filed Mar. 27, 2024. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a work vehicle.

Discussion of The Background

Japanese Patent No. 5336646 describes a work vehicle having both a fuel tank and a reducing agent tank. In this work vehicle, the oil filler port is provided to be inclined upward to one of right and left of the vehicle body, and a reducing agent supply port is provided to be inclined upward on the other side of the right and left of the vehicle body. Japanese Patent No. 6314230 describes a tank having an inner tubular element which is provided in a tubular portion protruding obliquely upward from the tank and which is tiltable with respect to the tubular portion. The inner tubular element has a shape complementary to the nozzle tip and may include a filter inside the inner tubular element.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a work vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a first wheel provided on a left side of the vehicle body frame, a second wheel provided on a right side of the vehicle body frame, the left side being opposite to the right side in a left-right direction, the first wheel and the second wheel being configured to drive the vehicle body frame in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, a tank supported by the vehicle body frame. The tank includes a tank body, a support port, and a filter. The tank is configured to store a liquid. The supply port protrudes from the tank body in an upward direction toward the vehicle body frame from a ground on which the work vehicle is placed, the upward direction being perpendicular to the left-right direction and to the front-rear direction. The filter is provided in the tank body to be connected to the supply port so as to capture foreign matter that enters the tank body through the supply port. The filter has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical axis. The filter has a through hole that extends along the cylindrical axis. The cylindrical axis is inclined from the upper direction toward a leftward or rightward direction which is directed to an outside of the vehicle frame body.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a work vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a first wheel provided on a left side of the vehicle body frame, a second wheel provided on a right side of the vehicle body frame, the left side being opposite to the right side in a left-right direction, the first wheel and the second wheel being configured to drive the vehicle body frame in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, a first tank provided at one of the left side and the right side of the vehicle body frame, and a second tank provided at another of the left side and the right side of the vehicle body frame, the first tank including a first tank body configured to store a first liquid; and a first supply port that protrudes from the first tank body in an upward direction toward the vehicle body frame from a ground on which the work vehicle is placed, the upward direction being perpendicular to the left-right direction and to the front-rear direction, the second tank including a second tank body configured to store a second liquid; and a second supply port that protrudes from the second tank body in a leftward or rightward direction which is directed to an outside of the vehicle frame body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a work vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the work vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the work vehicle.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a first tank and its surroundings.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the first tank.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the first tank.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line VII-VII′ in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filter.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a first supply port.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line X-X′ in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the first supply port.

FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the work vehicle around a second tank.

FIG. 13 is a reference view showing a state where a nozzle is inserted into a first supply port.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals designate corresponding or identical elements throughout the several views.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the work vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body frame 2, a pair of traveling devices 3, a work device 4, and a cabin 5. The vehicle body frame 2 supports the pair of traveling devices 3, the work device 4, and the cabin 5. The pair of traveling devices 3 are rotatably supported by the vehicle body frame 2, and are configured to drive the vehicle body frame 2 in the front-rear direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of traveling devices 3 are crawler type traveling devices. Therefore, each of the pair of traveling devices 3 includes a driving wheel 31, driven wheels 32 and 33, and a rolling wheel 34. The driving wheel 31 can be referred to as a crawler wheel or a wheel. However, the pair of traveling devices 3 is not limited to the crawler type traveling device. The traveling device 3 may be, for example, a front wheel/rear wheel traveling device 3 (including front wheels and rear wheels) or a traveling device 3 having front wheels (including front wheels) and rear crawlers (including crawler wheels). The work device 4 comprises work equipment (bucket) 41 at the distal end of the work device 4. A proximal end of the work device 4 is attached to the vehicle body frame 2. The work device 4 includes a pair of arm assemblies 42 for rotatably supporting the bucket 41 via a bucket pivot shaft 43. Each of the pair of arm assemblies 42 is connected to a lift link 44 and an arm 45.

The lift link 44 is rotatable relative to the vehicle body frame 2 about a fulcrum shaft 46. The arm 45 is rotatable relative to the lift link 44 about a joint shaft 47. The work device 4 further includes a plurality of arm cylinders 48 and at least one equipment cylinder 49. Each of the plurality of arm cylinders 48 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body frame 2 and the arm 45, and moves the lift link 44 and the arm 45 to raise and lower the bucket 41. The at least one implement cylinder 49 is configured to tilt the bucket 41.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cabin 5 is attached to the vehicle body frame 2. In FIGS. 1 to 3, a common rotational axis A_XC defined by the rotation shafts RSL and RSR is shown. The cabin 5 is switchable between a closed state in which the cabin 5 is placed on the vehicle body frame 2 and an open state in which the cabin 5 is separated from the vehicle body frame 2 by pivoting around the rotation shafts RSL and RSR.

In the embodiment according to the present application, a front-rear direction D_FB (forward direction D_F/backward direction D_B) means the front-rear direction (forward direction/backward direction) as viewed from the driver seated on the driver's seat 52 of the cabin 5. A left direction D_L, a right direction D_R, and a width direction D_W respectively mean a left direction, a right direction, and a left-right direction as viewed from the driver. An upward direction D_U, a downward direction D_D, and a height direction D_H mean the upward direction, the downward direction, and the height direction as viewed from the driver. Specifically, the downward direction D_D is a direction from the vehicle body frame 2 toward the ground, which is perpendicular to the forward direction D_F, the backward direction D_B, and the width direction D_W. The upward direction D_U is a direction opposite to the downward direction D_D in the height direction D_H. The front-rear/left-right (width)/up-down (height) directions of the work vehicle 1 respectively coincide with the front-back/left-right (width)/up-down (height) directions as viewed from the driver.

The pair of traveling devices 3 are opposed to each other in the width direction D_W. The work vehicle 1 is substantially symmetrical with respect to a vehicle body center plane M located at the center of the vehicle body frame 2 in the width direction DW. Among the pair of traveling devices 3, the traveling device 3 provided on the left side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a first traveling devices 3L (including a driving wheel 31 or a left wheel), and the traveling devices 3 provided on the right side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a second traveling devices 3R (including a driving wheel 31 or a right wheel). Among the pair of arm assemblies 42, the arm assembly 42 provided on the left side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a first arm assembly 42L, and the arm assembly 42 provided on the right side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a second arm assembly 42R. The lift link 44 provided on the left side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a first lift link 44L, and the lift link 44 provided on the right side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a second lift link 44R. The arm 45 provided on the left side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a first arm 45L, and the arm 45 provided on the right side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a second arm 45R. The fulcrum shaft 46 provided on the left side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a first fulcrum shaft 46L, and the fulcrum shaft 46 provided on the right side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a second fulcrum shaft 46R. The joint shaft 47 provided on the left side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a first joint shaft 47L, and the joint shaft 47 provided on the right side with respect to the vehicle body center plane M is shown as a second joint shaft 47R.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the work vehicle 1 further includes an engine 6 provided on the vehicle body frame 2. The engine 6 is configured to provide a driving force to the traveling device 3 and the work device 4. The engine 6 is provided between the pair of arm assemblies 42 in the width direction D_W of the work vehicle 1. The work vehicle 1 further includes a bonnet cover 54 for covering the engine 6. The work vehicle 1 further includes a rear bonnet cover 56 is provided at the rear end of the vehicle body frame 2. The rear bonnet cover 56 is openable and closable such that a maintenance worker can perform maintenance work of the engine 6 and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the work vehicle 1 includes a first tank 7 and a second tank 9. Referring to FIG. 2, the first tank 7 is supported by the vehicle body frame 2 at a position shifted from the center of the vehicle body frame 2 (vehicle body center plane M) to one first side in the width direction D_W arranged. The second tank 9 is supported by the vehicle body frame 2 at a position shifted from the center of the vehicle body frame 2 (the vehicle body center plane M) toward the other second lateral side in the width direction D_W. In the above embodiment, the first side is the left direction D_L and the second side is the right direction D_R, but the first side may be the right direction D_R and the second side may be the left direction D_L.

Referring to FIG. 1, a part of the first tank 7 is covered with an upper cover 57. The upper cover 57 has a recess 58, and the recess 58 is configured to be openable and closable by an opening and closing door 59. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the first tank 7 and its surroundings in FIG. 1. The opening and closing door 59 is not shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, the first tank 7 includes a first tank body 60, a second tank body 72, a first supply port 70, and a first plug 62. The first tank body 60 is configured to store the first liquid. The first liquid is preferably urea aqueous. The first supply port 70 is engageable with the first plug 62. The first plug 62 is configured to open and close the first supply port 70.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the first tank 7. FIG. 6 is a front view of the first tank 7. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper cover 57 is indicated by a dotted line. The first plug 62 is not shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, the first tank 7 is supported by the vehicle body frame 2. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first tank 7 is connected to the upper cover 57 such that the first plug 62 and a part of the first supply port 70 engaged with the first plug 62 protrude into the recess 58 of the upper cover 57. The upper cover 57 covers the upper portion of the first tank body 60 so that the surface of the first tank body 60 cannot be seen from the inside of the recess 58 of the upper cover 57. Referring to FIG. 5, a hose 64 or the like for sending the first liquid to a selective reduction catalyst device (not shown) is connected to the first tank body 60, but the upper cover 57 covers the side portion of the first tank body 60 so that the hose 64 or the like cannot be seen from the inside of the recess 58 of the upper cover 57.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII′ of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 7, the first plug 62 includes a first projection 62p that is engageable with the first supply port 70. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first supply port 70 includes a second projection 70p engageable with the first projection 70p. In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, the first projection 62p is a projection of a female screw, and the second projection 70p is a projection of a male screw. However, one of the first projection 62p and the second projection 70p may be an engagement claw, one of the first projection 62p and the second projection 70p may be a locking claw, and one of the first projection 62p and the second projection 70p may be a claw receiver that receives the engagement claw.

Referring to FIG. 7, the work vehicle 1 further includes a filter 80 that is connected to the first supply port 70 inside the first tank body 60 and is configured to capture foreign matter entering from the first supply port 70. The foreign matter refers to dust, mud, or the like that enters from the first supply port 70. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the filter 80. Referring to FIG. 8, the filter 80 includes a filter body 81 having a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a center axis (a cylindrical axis) A_X1, and a through hole 83 along the center axis A_X1. The filter 80 has a flange 84 extending from a side surface 82 of a filter body 81 having a cylindrical shape 150 in a radial direction with respect to the center axis A_X1. The filter 80 has a first protrusion 85 protruding from the side surface 82 in the radial direction with respect to the center axis A_X1.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the first supply port 70. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X′ of FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the first supply port 70 protrudes from the first tank body 60 in an upward direction D_U from the ground toward the vehicle body frame 2, the upward direction D_U being perpendicular to the width direction D_W and the front-rear direction D_FB from the first tank body 60. Referring to FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 10, the first supply port 70 includes a supply port main body 70m and a flange 71. The supply port main body 70m has a cylindrical shape along the center axis A_X2 extending along the height direction D_H when connected to the first tank body 60. The flange 71 extends from the supply port main body 70m in the radial direction with respect to the center axis A_X1. The flange 71 is connected to the first tank body 60 by thermal welding.

Referring to FIG. 10, the center axis A_X1 of the filter 80 is inclined by an angle α from the upward direction D_U toward a first side direction in one of the width directions D_W. In the present embodiment, the first side direction is the left direction D_L. When the first tank 7 and the second tank 9 are arranged in a laterally reversed manner, the first side direction may be the right direction D_R. The first supply port 70 is formed such that the center axis A_X1 and the center axis A_X2 are located on the same plane. Therefore, FIG. 7 shows that the center axis A_X1 and the center axis A_X2 are on the same line.

FIG. 10 shows, by a two dot chain line, a movement path of the radially outer end of the flange 84 of the filter 80 with respect to the center axis A_X1 when the filter 80 is moved along the center axis A_X1. Referring to FIG. 9, the inside diameter D of the first supply port 70 is large enough to prevent the flange 84 from contacting the inner surface 70w of the first supply port 70 when the filter 80 is moved along the center axis A_X1.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the first supply port 70. Referring to FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, the first supply port 70 includes a receiving portion 72 configured to support the flange 84. The receiving portion 72 includes a support surface 73, a restricting surface (guide surface) 74, a second protrusion 75a to 75d, and libs 76-79. The support surface 73 supports the flange 84 in the axial direction DAX along the center axis A_X1. The restricting surface 74 is configured to surround the side surface 82 of the filter body 81. The restricting surface 74 is configured to expand in the radial direction with respect to the center axis A_X1 as the restricting surface 74 is separated from the support surface 73.

The second protrusions 75a to 75d protrude from the restricting surface 74 toward the inside of the opening 74_op (see FIG. 11) defined by the restricting surface 74. The second protrusions 75a to 75d protrude to such an extent that they engage with the first protrusions 85 of the filter 80. That is, the first protrusion 85 of the filter 80 can engage with the second protrusions 75a to 75d. Referring to the enlarged view of the region A in FIG. 11 and FIG. 14, the second protrusions 75a to 75d each have a substantially triangular pyramidal shape, and are arranged at positions rotated by 90° with respect to the center axis A_X1. However, the shapes of the second protrusions 75a to 75d are not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, and may be any shape as long as the shape engages with the first protrusion 85.

FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the work vehicle 1 around the second tank 9. In FIG. 9, a part of the vehicle body frame 2, the second traveling device 3R, the second arm assembly 42R, and the like are not shown in order to clarify the structure of the second tank 9. Referring to FIG. 12, the second tank 9 includes a second tank body 90, a second supply port 91, and a second plug 92. The second tank body 90 is configured to store the second liquid. The second liquid is preferably a fuel. The second supply port 91 protrudes from the second tank body 90 in a direction inclined from the upward direction D_U toward the second lateral side. The second supply port 91 is connected to the second tank body 90 via a relay pipe 93 extending substantially in the height direction D_H. The second supply port 91 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the center axis A_X3. The center axis A_X3 extends in a direction inclined from the upward direction D_U toward the second side. In the present embodiment, the second side is the right direction D_R. When the first tank 7 and the second tank 9 are arranged in a laterally reversed manner, the second lateral direction may be the left direction D_L.

Effects of Embodiment

In the work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the first tank 7 includes a first supply port 70 projecting from a first tank body 60, and a filter 80. The filter 80 has a cylindrical shape centered on the center axis A_X1, and includes a through hole 83 along the center axis A_X1. Since the first supply port 70 protrudes in the upward direction D_U, when the water is supplied from the plastic tank containing the urea aqueous by the bellows-shaped nozzle, the nozzle may be naturally suspended, and thus the urea aqueous can be easily supplied. The center axis A_X1 is inclined from the upward direction D_U toward a first side direction in one of the width directions D_W. As a result, as indicated by a reference sign NZ surrounded by a two dot chain line in FIG. 13, when the urea aqueous is supplied by a nozzle having a bent tip like a gasoline supply nozzle, The nozzle can be stably fixed by hooking the tip of the nozzle to the filter 80 and hooking the base end of the nozzle to the first supply port 70. In order to realize this, it is desirable that the inside diameter D_F of the filter 80 is larger than the outer diameter D_N of the nozzle, and the length L_F of the filter 80 is a length that allows the base end portion of the nozzle to be hooked. The second tank 9 further includes a second supply port 91 that protrudes from the second tank body 90 in a direction inclined from the upward direction D_U toward a second lateral side, which is the other side in the width direction D_W, from the second tank body 90. Therefore, the first supply port 70 (supply port of the urea aqueous 151) and the second supply port 91 (oil supply port) can be more easily distinguished.

Modification

In the above-described embodiment, the first tank 7, the first tank body 60, the first supply port 70, the first plug 62, and the first liquid may be simply referred to as the tank 7, the tank body 60, the supply port 70, the plug 62, and the liquid, respectively. In the above-described embodiment, the first liquid is the urea aqueous and the second liquid is the fuel, but the first liquid may be the fuel and the second liquid may be the urea aqueous.

In this application, the word “comprise” and its derivatives are used as open-ended terms to describe the presence of elements but not to exclude the presence of other elements not listed. This applies to “having”, “including” and derivatives thereof.

The terms “member,” “part,” “element,” “body,” and “structure” may have a plurality of meanings, such as a single portion or a plurality of portions.

The ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” are merely terms for identifying the configuration, and do not have other meanings (for example, a specific order). For example, the presence of a “first element” does not imply the presence of a “second element,” and the presence of a “second element” does not imply the presence of a “first element.”

Terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about”, and “approximately” can mean a reasonable amount of deviation such that the end result is not significantly changed, unless the embodiment is specifically described otherwise. All numerical values recited herein may be construed to include terms such as “substantially,” “about,” and “approximately.”

The phrase “at least one of A and B” as used herein should be interpreted to include A alone, B alone, and both A and B.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.