Tractor

Provided are a vehicle body frame, a support frame that is erected on the vehicle body frame and that supports a hood, a steering wheel, a steering column that is erected on the vehicle body frame and that supports the steering wheel, an instrument panel, an operation panel that is provided below the steering wheel and that has a display window at a position facing the instrument panel, and a connecting member connected at one end to the support frame and connected at the other end to the steering column; wherein the instrument panel is mounted on the connecting member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tractor comprising an operation panel and an instrument panel provided below a steering wheel.

2. Description of the Related Art

The tractor disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2003-2239 (see paragraphs [0014], [0015], FIGS. 1 and 3) is a conventional example of the tractor described above. This tractor comprises a control handle (equivalent to a steering wheel), a first cover (equivalent to an operation panel), and an instrument part (equivalent to an instrument panel).

With this type of tractor, sometimes the operation panel is removed and inspections and repairs are performed on the various apparatuses and devices located on the inside of the operation panel. If the instrument panel is supported on the operation panel in this case, cords and cables are linked to the operation panel via the instrument panel, and troublesome labor is therefore required for removing the instrument panel from the operation panel or for disconnecting the cords and cables so that the operation panel can be removed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tractor in which the operation panel can be removed in a simple operation, and in which the structure can be achieved in a simple manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The tractor according to the present invention comprises a vehicle body frame, a support frame that is erected on the vehicle body frame and that supports a hood, a steering wheel, a steering column that is erected on the vehicle body frame and that supports the steering wheel, an instrument panel, an operation panel that is provided below the steering wheel and that has a display window at a position facing the instrument panel, and a connecting member connected at one end to the support frame and connected at the other end to the steering column; wherein the instrument panel is mounted on the connecting member.

According to this configuration, the instrument panel can be supported on instrument panel support parts of the connecting member and can be left on the vehicle body, and the operation panel can be removed from the support frame independently of the instrument panel.

The support frame and the steering column can be reinforced by the connection with the connecting member, and the connecting member can be used as support means to support the instrument panel so as to keep the instrument panel on the vehicle body.

Therefore, the operation panel can be removed by a simple operation and inspections and repairs can be performed efficiently without the need for labor for separating the instrument panel and the operation panel, or labor for disconnecting cords or cables for the instrument panel. Moreover, it is possible to obtain at low cost a simple structure that uses a connecting member for reinforcing the support frame and the steering column as support means for supporting the instrument panel.

In the configuration described above, it is preferable that the connecting member be provided with a panel support part for fastening and connecting the part of the operation panel in the vicinity of the display window.

According to this configuration, the part of the operation panel in the vicinity of the display window can be pressed against the instrument panel to satisfactorily create a seal between the operation panel and the instrument panel, by fastening the part of the operation panel in the vicinity of the display window to the panel support part.

Therefore, the instrument panel is supported on the connecting member so as to allow the operation panel to be removed independently, and a seal can be satisfactorily created between the operation panel and the instrument panel to prevent water infiltration or the like.

In the configuration described above, it is preferable that the display surface of the instrument panel have a curved surface in which the center in the vertical direction of the instrument panel is concaved inward as seen from the side of the vehicle body.

According to this configuration, the orientation or other characteristics of reflected light can be adjusted by the curvature of the display surface so that the notations are not obscured by the reflected light. Therefore, the display is easily visible, and the display can be observed accurately.

The tractor according to the present invention comprises a hood capable of swinging up and down between a raised open position and a lowered closed position, hood support bodies, pivoting pins provided to either one of the hood or the hood support bodies, pivoting-pin holes provided to the other one of the hood or the hood support bodies, support pins provided to the hood, support pin holes that are provided to the hood support bodies and that have openings for engaging and releasing the support pins, and openings that are formed in the pivoting-pin holes and that engage and release the pivoting pins; wherein the support pins are engaged with the support pin holes in the raised open position, thereby preventing the pivoting pins from detaching from the pivoting-pin holes, and the engagement between the support pins and the support pin holes is released in the lowered closed position, thereby allowing the pivoting pins to detach from the pivoting-pin holes.

According to this configuration, if the hood is lowered below the raised open position, the support pins detach from the support pin holes, the hood support means switch to the operation-released state, and the pivoting pins are detached from the pivoting-pin holes, thereby releasing the pivot support provided to the hood by the pivoting pins and the pivoting-pin holes, and allowing the hood to be removed. When the hood is brought to the raised open position, the support pins fit into the support pin holes, the hood support means switch to the operating state, and the hood is supported in the raised open position.

Therefore, while the hood is pivotably supported to freely swing vertically open and closed, and also while the open hood can be stably supported by the hood support means during inspections and repairs, the pivoting pins can be taken out of and removed from the pivoting-pin holes merely by lowering the hood below the raised open position in order to remove the hood, and the hood can be removed in an easily operable manner without the need for a special operation for releasing the pivot locking.

In the configuration described above, it is preferable that the tractor comprise guides that are provided to be continuous with the openings of the support pin holes and that guide the engaging and disengaging of the support pins.

According to this configuration, the support pins can be smoothly engaged with and disengaged from the support pin holes.

In the configuration described above, it is preferable that urging members be provided for urging the hood to swing to the raised open position.

According to this configuration, when the hood is being opened, the swingable urging of the urging members can be used to gently open the hood.

When urging means are used in a configuration comprising the openings provided to the pivoting-pin holes, the upward urging of the hood by the urging means causes wobbling to readily occur in the pivot support provided to the hood by the pivoting pins and the pivoting-pin holes. However, the hood, having been brought to the raised open position, is stably supported by the hood support means, which has switched to the operating state, and wobbling caused by the urging means does not readily occur.

Therefore, while the hood can be removed in an easily operable manner merely by separating the pivoting pins and the pivoting-pin holes, and also while the swingable urging of the urging means can be used to gently open the hood, the open hood can be stably supported by the hood support means.

6: Vehicle body frame

23: Support frame

31: Operation panel

32: Instrument panel

32a: Display surface of instrument panel

33: Steering column

34: Connecting member

34c: Instrument panel support part

34d: Panel support member

40: Display window

122: Hood support body

130: Hood support means

131: Support pin

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is an overall side view of the tractor according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is an overall plan view of the tractor according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the tractor according to the embodiment of the present invention, a self-propelled vehicle is configured comprising a pair of left and right steerable and drivable front wheels1,1, a pair of left and right drivable rear wheels2,2, a power plant A that is provided at the front of the vehicle body and that has an engine3, and an operation part B that is provided at the rear of the vehicle body between a pair of left and right rear wheel fenders4,4and that has an operation seat5; wherein the tractor is configured comprising a link mechanism10having a pair of left and right lift arms11,11, and a power take-off shaft7at the rear of a vehicle body frame6of the self-propelled vehicle, as shown in the drawings.

The tractor is configured so that a rotary tiller (not shown) is connected to the rear part of the vehicle body via the link mechanism10and the output of the engine3is transmitted from the power take-off shaft7to the rotary tiller, constituting a riding-type cultivator. Thus, with this tractor, various implements are drivably connected to the rear part of the vehicle body, constituting various riding-type work machines.

The vehicle body frame6is configured comprising a power transmission case8connected to the rear part of the engine3, a transmission case9connected to the rear part of the power transmission case8, and a front wheel support frame6aconnected to the bottom part of the engine3, as shown inFIG. 1.

In addition to comprising the engine3, the power plant A also comprises a fuel tank20for the engine, the fuel tank being disposed above the rear part of the engine3, lateral side plates21positioned on the lateral sides of the bottom part of the engine3, and a single hood22positioned extending forward from above the pair of left and right lateral side plates21,21, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3.

The pair of left and right lateral side plates21,21and the hood22form an engine compartment above the front wheel support frame6a. The hood22is supported on a support frame23that is erected on the vehicle body frame6and that has a gate shape as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, via a pair of left and right pivot mechanisms24,24provided extending between the support frame23and the rear end part of the hood22, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 7.

In other words, the hood22vertically swings open and closed around axial centers of pivoting pins25provided to the pair of left and right pivot mechanisms24,24, thus opening and closing the engine compartment.

The fuel tank20is supported on the support frame23via stays26(seeFIG. 4) provided to the support frame23and dispersed around the periphery of the fuel tank20.

In addition to comprising the operation seat5, the operation part B comprises a steering wheel30provided in front of the operation seat5, and an operation panel31and instrument panel32provided below the steering wheel30, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5is a rear view of the part of the operation part B where the operation panel is installed.FIG. 6is a side view of the part of the operation part B where operation panel is installed. The steering wheel30is rotatably supported via a handle shaft30aon a steering column33erected farther to the rear of the vehicle body than the support frame23on the power transmission case8which constitutes the vehicle body frame6, as shown in the drawings.

The steering column33is configured comprising a column proximal part33acomposed of sheet metal to which the bottom end of the power transmission case8is connected, and a column distal end part33bcomposed of a cylinder extending toward the top of the vehicle body from the top end of the column proximal part33a. The column proximal part33acomprises a cylinder shaft part33cinto which the handle shaft30ais fitted.

The support frame23and the steering column33are connected by a connecting member34provided on the inside of the operation panel31and are reinforced so as to increase support strength.

FIG. 4is a rear view of the connecting member34. The connecting member34is configured comprising connecting member main bodies34a,34acomposed of a pair of left and right band plates for connecting the top end of the support frame23and the top end of the column proximal part33aof the steering column33, and a pair of connecting rods34b,34boriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle body for connecting the pair of left and right connecting member main bodies34a,34aat both ends, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 6.

The instrument panel32is disposed on the inside of the operation panel31in a state in which a display surface32aof the instrument panel faces backward and upward in relation to the vehicle body, and the instrument panel32is supported on instrument panel support parts34cprovided at the ends of the pair of connecting rods34b,34bof the connecting member34, as shown inFIG. 6.

The instrument panel32comprises an instrument case35having the display surface32a, an engine tachometer36supported in the middle of the instrument case35in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, a temperature gauge37supported on the instrument case35farther out toward one end than the engine tachometer36, and a fuel gauge38supported on the instrument case35farther out toward the other end than the engine tachometer36, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The engine tachometer36displays the rotational speed of the engine3. The temperature gauge37displays the temperature of the engine-cooling water. The fuel gauge38displays the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank20.

The display surface32aof the instrument panel32is configured by a transparent plate formed so as to have a curved shape, and is a curved surface whose center is concave in the direction from top to bottom of the instrument panel as viewed from the side of the vehicle body, wherein the orientation of reflected light is adjusted so that the visibility of the display is not impeded by reflected light, as shown inFIG. 6.

The operation panel31is configured comprising an operation plate part41having a display window40, a pair of left and right lateral side plate parts42,42, and a top plate part43. The operation panel31is made of a resin and is made by integrally forming the operation plate part41, the lateral side plate parts42, and the top plate part43by molding a resin material. The display window40is made of a through-hole in the operation plate part41. The operation plate part41comprises a steering hole44through which is inserted the column distal end part33bof the steering column33, and a cylindrical cover45for covering the column distal end part33b.

The operation panel31is detachably supported on the support frame23and the steering column33in an assembly in which the display window40faces the display surface32aof the instrument panel32.

Specifically, the operation panel31comprises connecting pieces46provided at the bottom parts of the front ends of the lateral side plate parts42, a connecting hole47provided at the front end of the top plate part43, and a connecting part48provided at the bottom end part of the operation plate part41.

The connecting pieces46of the lateral side plate parts42are disengageably engaged by means of connecting pins51with support pieces50provided to the support frame23. The connecting pins51are formed integrally on the connecting pieces46.

The front end of the top plate part43is disengageably engaged by means of the connecting hole47with a support arm52provided on the support frame23.

The connecting part48of the operation plate part41is detachably connected by means of a connecting screw54to a support plate53provided to the column proximal part33aof the steering column33.

The part of the operation panel31in the vicinity of the upper side of the display window40is fastened and connected by means of a connecting screw55to a panel support part34dprovided by erecting a plate member on a connecting rod34bof the connecting member34, and a seal is created between the operation panel31and the instrument panel32in the part of the operation panel31in the vicinity of the display window40.

FIG. 6is a side view of the operation part B as having the operation panel attached.FIG. 7is a side view of the operation part B as having the operation panel removed. The connecting hole47is locked with the support arm52of the support frame23, the pair of left and right connecting pieces46,46are engaged with the support pieces50of the support frame23by means of the connecting pins51, the connecting part48is connected to the support plate53of the steering column33by means of the connecting screw54, and the part in the vicinity of the display window is connected to the panel support part34dof the connecting member34by means of the connecting screw55, whereby the operation panel31is put into a predetermined state of attachment, as shown in the drawings.

The operation panel31can be removed by releasing the lock of the connecting hole47on the support arm52, releasing the engagement of the pair of left and right connecting pieces46,46on the support pieces50by the connecting pins51, releasing the connection of the connecting part48on the support plate53by the connecting screw54, and releasing the connection of the part in the vicinity of the display window on the panel support part34dby the connecting screw55. Even if the operation panel31is removed, the instrument panel32will still be supported on the instrument panel support parts34cof the connecting member34and will remain on the vehicle body in a predetermined state of attachment.

Other Embodiments

Other embodiments of the present invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8is an overall side view of a work machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The work machine according to the embodiment of the present invention constitutes a self-propelled vehicle comprising a pair of left and right steerable and drivable front wheels101,101, a pair of left and right drivable rear wheels102,102, a power plant104that is provided at the front of the vehicle body and that has an engine103, and an operation part106that is provided at the rear of the vehicle body and that has an operation seat105; wherein the rear of the vehicle body of the self-propelled vehicle is provided with a link mechanism109supported in a vertically swingable manner on a transmission case108constituting the rear part of a vehicle body frame107, and a power take-off shaft108aprotruding toward the rear of the vehicle body from the transmission case108, as shown in the drawing.

This work machine constitutes various riding-type work machines in which various implements are drivably connected to the rear part of a vehicle body in a manner that allows the implements to be raised and lowered, such as a riding-type cultivator configured so that a rotary tiller (not shown) is raisably and lowerably connected to the rear part of the vehicle body of the self-propelled vehicle via the link mechanism109, and the output of the engine103is transmitted from the power take-off shaft108ato the rotary tiller.

FIG. 9is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the power plant104. In addition to comprising the engine103, the power plant104comprises a pair of left and right lateral side plates110,110, a hood111, and a pair of left and right gas springs112each connected at one end to the interior of the hood111.

The pair of left and right lateral side plates110,110and the hood111form a power plant compartment for housing the engine103and an engine fuel tank T positioned behind the engine103, the power plant compartment being formed above a front wheel support frame107aconstituting the front part of the vehicle body frame107.

The pair of left and right lateral side plates110,110are detachably supported on the front wheel support frame107aand on a support frame113that is erected on the vehicle body frame107and that has a gate shape as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

The hood111is supported on the support frame113via a pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120provided extending between the rear end of the hood111and the support frame113.

FIG. 9shows the structure of the hood pivot mechanisms120as seen from the side.FIG. 10is a front view of the pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120. The hood pivot mechanisms120comprise connecting parts111aprovided by appending plate bodies to the rear end of the hood111, oblong pivoting-pin holes121provided in the connecting parts111a, hood support bodies122extending toward the front of the vehicle body from the support frame113, and pivoting pins123configured so as to be rotatably and slidably inserted into the pivoting-pin holes121and provided to the hood support bodies122, as shown in the drawings.

The connecting parts111aof the hood pivot mechanisms120comprises block bodies124appended to one side surface of each connecting part111a, and the connecting parts111aare reinforced by the block bodies124so as to prevent deformation of the pivoting-pin holes121due to contact between the connecting parts111aand the pivoting pins123. The pivoting pin123of the left hood pivot mechanism120and the pivoting pin123of the right hood pivot mechanism120are configured by a single pin member.

In other words, the hood111is pivoted by the pivoting pins123and the pivoting-pin holes121of the pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120, and the hood111swings up and down around an opening and closing axial center P, which is the axial center of the pivoting pins123, and which is positioned at the rear end of the hood111and laterally oriented in relation to the vehicle body; between a raised open position shown by the double-dashed lines inFIG. 8and shown by the solid lines inFIG. 11, and a lowered closed position shown by the solid lines inFIGS. 8 and 9.

The pair of left and right gas springs112,112are configured comprising cylinder bodies112apivotably supported at one end on the hood111, rods112bslidably fitted at one end into the cylinder bodies112aand supported at the other end on brackets114, and gas sealed within the cylinder bodies112aso as to urge the rods112bout of the cylinder bodies112a, wherein the hood111is urged to swing to the raised open position, as shown inFIG. 11. The brackets114are supported on the top part of the engine103.

The pivoting-pin holes121of the pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120are provided with openings125that open towards the rear of the hood at the rear end of the hood in the longitudinal direction, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 13. The pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120are provided with hood support means130having support pins131provided to the connecting parts111aof the hood111.

In addition to the comprising the support pins131, the hood support means130of the hood pivot mechanisms120are configured comprising support pin holes132provided to the hood support bodies122, and openings133provided to the support pin holes132so as to open upward and to the rear in relation to the vehicle body.

FIG. 11shows a side view of the structure of the operating state of the hood support means130. When the hood111goes into the upward raised position, the support pins131are accordingly inserted into the support pin holes132through the openings133, and the hood support means130switch to the operating state. The hood support means130thereupon operate while supported by the hood support bodies122on the connecting parts111avia the support pins131, and the pivoting pins123are thereby positioned at the ends on the opposite sides of the positions of the openings125of the pivoting-pin holes121, whereby the hood111is supported in the raised open position and is unable to detach from the pivoting-pin holes121of the pivoting pins123, and the hood111is supported in the raised open position.

FIG. 9shows a side view of the structure of the operation-released state of the hood support means130. When the hood111is operated to lower from the raised open position, the support pins131accordingly come out of the openings133of the support pin holes132, as shown in the drawing. The hood support means130thereupon switch to the operation-released state, enabling the hood111to swing downward.

In other words, the hood111is operated to swing upward around the opening and closing axial center P in order to open the engine compartment, as shown inFIG. 11. At this time, a gentle raising operation can be performed by the upward urging of the hood111by the pair of left and right gas springs112,112. When the support pins131are inserted into the support pin holes132along with the raising of the hood111, the hood111reaches the raised open position and the engine compartment opens farther upward and forward than the lateral side plates110. At this time, the hood support means130are switched to the operating state by the insertion of the support pins131into the support pin holes132, and the hood111is supported by the hood support means130so that wobbling does not occur as a result of the oblong shape of the pivoting-pin holes121, regardless of the upward urging by the gas springs112.

The hood111is operated to swing downward around the opening and closing axial center P in order to close the engine compartment, as shown inFIG. 9. The support pins131thereupon detach from the support pin holes132, the hood support means130switch to the operation-released state, and the hood111lowers. When the rear end of the hood111lies along the lateral side plates110, the hood111reaches the lowered closed position and the engine compartment is closed.

FIG. 12is a side view of the hood pivot mechanisms120in the process of removing the hood.FIG. 13is a side view of the hood pivot mechanisms120in a state of the hood having been removed. When the hood111is operated to Swing down from the raised open position, the support pins131detach from the support pin holes132, the hood support means130switches to the operation-released state, and the hood111is then pulled toward the front of the vehicle body, as shown in the drawings. The connecting parts111aof the hood111thereupon move toward the front of the vehicle body in relation to the hood support bodies122, the pivoting pins123of the pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120detach from the pivoting-pin holes121, and the hood111separates from the pair of left and right hood support bodies122,122.

The pivoting-pin holes121of the pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120are configured as bent oblong holes that are bent between lead-in parts121a, which have the openings125rand internal parts121b, which are positioned on the opposite side from the openings125. The hood support bodies122of the pair of left and right hood pivot mechanisms120,120are provided with mounting guides140disposed farther upward in relation to the vehicle body than the support pin holes132.

FIGS. 14A,14B, and14C are side views showing the area where the hood111is mounted. When the support pins131are slid downward into lead-in side parts140aof the mounting guides140, the guiding action of the lead-in side parts140acauses the pivoting pins123to enter the lead-in parts121aof the pivoting-pin holes121through the openings125, as shown in the drawings. When the support pins131reach intermediate parts140bof the mounting guides140, the hood111is swung slightly downward around the axial center of the support pins131, the pivoting pins123are thereby moved to the entrance of the internal parts121bof the pivoting-pin holes121, and the support pins131thereupon slide downward into terminal lateral parts140cof the mounting guides140. The guiding action of the terminal lateral parts140cthereupon causes the pivoting pins123to enter all the way into the internal parts121bof the pivoting-pin holes121, and the hood111can be supported on the pair of left and right hood support bodies122.

Instead of the gas springs112of the embodiment described above, upward-urging mechanisms may also be used that have a configuration that uses bendable links connected to the hood111, and winding springs for urging the bendable links to extend. Therefore, the gas springs112, the upward-urging mechanisms, and the like are collectively referred to as urging means112.

Instead of the embodiments described above, a configuration may be used and carried out in which support pins are provided to hood support bodies and support pin holes are provided to the hood. The objects of the present invention can be achieved in this case as well