Patent Description:
Examples of the working vehicle known in the related art include hydraulic excavators and track loaders equipped with a travel unit and a working unit driven by an engine (internal combustion engine). Such a working vehicle is shown in <CIT>.

Working vehicles driven by an electric motor instead of the engine of the related art are also developed in recent years (see Patent Literature <NUM>: <CIT>).

In working vehicles, various types of liquid required for an operation of equipment mounted on a vehicle body are stored in storage parts or other locations for use. Examples of the liquid include hydraulic oil and cooling water. The liquid is filled through a filler port when decreased or when replacement is necessary.

Whether a drive source is an engine or an electric motor, reduction in size of the vehicle body of the working vehicle is always an issue.

In particular, in a configuration of the working vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a drive source, a rechargeable battery (such as a large battery cell) is mounted on the vehicle body in addition to the electric motor. This makes it more difficult to secure a mounting space than in the working vehicles equipped with the engine of the related art, resulting in an issue of increase in size of the vehicle body.

In addition, since the engine that serves as a heat source is not mounted, a liquid heater for heating cooling water (cooling water (liquid) for a cab heater) to be flowed through a heater core is mounted correspondingly when the cab heater for heating a cab is provided. This makes it more difficult to secure the mounting space.

In view of such circumstances described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a working vehicle which implements a simply-configured filler port that can be moved in position without the use of tools, can be stored in a small space, and can be pulled out to supply liquid when filling, thereby achieving reduction in size of a vehicle body.

The present invention has been accomplished under the solutions as disclosed below.

The working vehicle according to an embodiment is a working vehicle having a vehicle body, a travel unit, and a hydraulically operated working unit, including: a filler port for supplying liquid required for operating equipment mounted on the vehicle body, wherein the filler port includes a resiliently deformable hose in communication with a storage part of the liquid, a lid mechanism mounted to an upper end of the hose and configured to open and close the filler port, and a moving mechanism configured to move the position of the lid mechanism and the hose continuing from the lid mechanism, the moving mechanism includes: a fixing part which is pivotably coupled to the vehicle body and to which the lid mechanism or the hose is fixed; an operating part pivotably coupled to the fixing part and including a knob to be held by an operator; a slide support fixed to the vehicle body and including a sliding hole configured to slidably insert the knob therethrough and define a sliding range and a locking recess opening upward; and a locking projection provided on the fixing part or the operating part and configured to be engaged with and disengaged from the locking recess.

According to the configuration described above, a simply-configured liquid filler port that can be moved in position without the use of tools is implemented. Storage of the filler port is achieved only by securing a space having at least a size equivalent to a profile of the lid mechanism and the hose, and the lid mechanism and the hose can be pulled out from inside to outside of the vehicle body to supply liquid when filling. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large space for the entry of a filler nozzle and container above the filler port, thereby achieving reduction in size of the vehicle body.

The hose is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent material that provides visibility of liquid level of the liquid.

Preferably, the lid mechanism and the hose continuing from the lid mechanism are stored in a state of being pushed into the vehicle body from the outside toward the inside, and the fixing part, the operating part, and the slide support of the moving mechanism mounted to the vehicle body are positioned so that, in a state in which the operator lifts the knob upward and the locking projection is disengaged from the locking recess, the lid mechanism and the hose continuing from the lid mechanism move from the inside toward the outside of the vehicle body either by an operator holding and pulling out the lid mechanism or the hose continuing from the lid mechanism, or by a resilient force of the hose or a gravitational force acting on a center of gravity of the lid mechanism.

As an example, the working vehicle includes an electric motor serving as a drive source for the travel unit or the working unit, the liquid is cooling water for the cab heater, and the lid mechanism includes a plug for the hose and a plug fixing part having a threaded hole to which the plug for the hose is screwed.

As another example, the working vehicle includes an engine serving as a drive source for the travel unit or the working unit, and the liquid is at least one of fuel and engine oil.

As another example, the liquid is at least one of hydraulic oil or windscreen washer fluid.

According to the present invention, the filler port that can be moved in position without the use of tools, can be stored in a small space and can be pulled out to supply liquid when filing is implemented. Therefore, the reduction in size of the vehicle body is achieved.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail. <FIG> is a schematic view (perspective view from the left rear) illustrating an example of a working vehicle <NUM> according to the embodiment. Note that, for convenience of description, up and down, left and right, and front and rear directions may be indicated by arrows in the drawings. Throughout the drawings used in describing the embodiment, the same reference sign will be given to members having the same function, and repeated description thereof will be omitted in some cases.

First, a general configuration of the working vehicle <NUM> will be described. The working vehicle <NUM> will be described with an example of a hydraulic excavator. However, the working vehicle <NUM> is not limited to the hydraulic excavator.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the working vehicle <NUM> includes a vehicle body, which includes a lower body <NUM> and an upper body <NUM> disposed on the lower body <NUM> (note that the lower body <NUM> and the upper body <NUM> may have a one-piece configuration).

The working vehicle <NUM> includes working units <NUM>, <NUM> mounted to the lower body <NUM> or the upper body <NUM> and operated hydraulically (hydraulic oil having a predetermined pressure). The lower body <NUM> includes a travel unit <NUM> configured to travel. The upper body <NUM> includes a cab <NUM> at the front, where an operating unit to be used by an operator getting therein for traveling or manipulating the work. As an example, without limitation, the cab <NUM> is sealed.

An example of the travel unit <NUM> includes a pair of crawlers (tracks) <NUM> on the left and right. The travel unit <NUM>, however, is not limited to the crawlers <NUM>. As another example, the working vehicle <NUM> may be configured to have wheels instead of the crawlers <NUM> (not illustrated). The crawlers <NUM> are driven (traveled) by a traveling hydraulic motor (not illustrated).

As an example of the working unit <NUM>, a blade <NUM> is provided. The blade <NUM> is attached to the lower body <NUM> in such a way as to be able to swing upward and downward (including forward and backward components). The blade <NUM> is driven by a hydraulic cylinder (blade cylinder) <NUM>. However, the working unit <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration.

As an example of the working unit <NUM>, a boom <NUM>, an arm <NUM>, and an attachment (in this embodiment, a bucket) <NUM> are provided. However, the attachment <NUM> is not limited to the bucket. The boom <NUM> is attached to the upper body <NUM> in such a way as to be able to swing upward and downward (including forward and backward components). In this embodiment, a boom bracket (not illustrated) is provided between the upper body <NUM> and the boom <NUM>. The boom bracket enables the boom <NUM> to swing to the left and right (including forward and backward components) in relation to the upper body <NUM>. The boom bracket may be omitted. The arm <NUM> is attached to the boom <NUM> in such a way as to be able to swing upward and downward (including forward and backward components). The attachment <NUM> is attached to the arm <NUM> in such a way as to be able to swing upward and downward (including forward and backward components). The boom <NUM> is driven by a hydraulic cylinder (boom cylinder) <NUM>. The arm <NUM> is driven by a hydraulic cylinder (arm cylinder) <NUM>. The attachment <NUM> is driven by a hydraulic cylinder (bucket cylinder) <NUM>. However, the working unit <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration.

A drive mechanism for driving the above-described traveling hydraulic motor and each hydraulic cylinder includes, for example, a hydraulic pump, a control valve, etc., driven by a drive source <NUM>. The operator operates the operating unit and activates the control valve to control the supply of the hydraulic oil at a predetermined pressure delivered from the hydraulic pump to a traveling hydraulic motor and each hydraulic cylinder. This allows the travel by the travel unit <NUM> and work by the working units <NUM>, <NUM>. One or more hydraulic pumps that constitute the drive mechanism are provided depending on the configurations and the loads of the working units <NUM>, <NUM> and the travel unit <NUM>.

Note that other mechanisms for the travel and work of the working vehicle <NUM> of the embodiment are the same as those in the known working vehicles (hydraulic excavators), so detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The working vehicle <NUM> includes an electric motor as the above-described drive source <NUM>. One or more of the electric motors that constitute the drive source <NUM> are provided depending on the number, the rated output, etc., of the above-described hydraulic pumps. As another example of the drive source <NUM>, an engine (internal combustion engine that burns fuel) may be provided instead of or together with the electric motor (not illustrate).

The working vehicle <NUM> includes an on-board charger that supplies power to the electric motor <NUM>, rechargeable battery, conversion devices (inverter, etc.), and a control unit (not illustrated).

The working vehicle <NUM> includes a cab heater (not illustrated) for heating the cab <NUM>. In the embodiment, since the electric motor is provided as the drive source <NUM> (that is, the engine that is used as the drive source and the heat source is not provided), the cab heater includes a heater core and a liquid heater for heating liquid (cooling water (liquid) for the cab heater) that flows through the heater core.

The working vehicle <NUM> also includes a storage part in which the liquid required for operating equipment mounted on the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) is stored, and a filler port for filling the liquid. Examples of the liquid include hydraulic oil stored mainly in a hydraulic oil tank and used for driving the traveling hydraulic motor and each hydraulic cylinder. Examples of the liquid also include windscreen washer fluid stored mainly in a washer fluid tank and used for washing a windscreen of the cab <NUM>. Examples of the liquid also include cooling water for the cab heater stored in a cooling water storage part and used as heat medium of the cab heater. The cooling water storage part according to the embodiment has a configuration having no dedicated tank but storing (and circulating) liquid within equipment in which the liquid flows through (the liquid heater, the heater core for the cab heater, and hoses connected thereto, etc.). Note that a configuration including the dedicated tank is also applicable (not illustrated).

As an example, a configuration of the filler port <NUM> for filling cooling water for the cab heater will be described in detail. <FIG> is a perspective view (perspective view from the left rear) illustrating the positions of the filler port <NUM> and the storage section <NUM> of the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) (the left side cover is not illustrated). <FIG> is a perspective view of the filler port <NUM> (stored in the storage section <NUM>). <FIG> is a perspective view of the filler port <NUM> (pulled out from the storage section <NUM>).

The filler port <NUM> includes a resiliently deformable hose <NUM> which communicates, either directly or via a relay hose, with the liquid storage part (in the embodiment, the liquid heater, the heater core for the cab heater, and the hose connected thereto, etc.). The filler port <NUM> includes a lid mechanism <NUM> mounted to an upper end of the hose <NUM> for opening and closing the port. The filler port <NUM> includes a moving mechanism <NUM> configured to move the position of the lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM>.

The lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM> are stored in the storage section <NUM> provided in the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) in a state of being pushed into the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) from the outside toward the inside.

As an example, the lid mechanism <NUM> includes a plug for the hose <NUM> and a plug fixing part <NUM> having a threaded hole (a through hole with a female thread formed in an inner wall) 68a in which the plug for the hose <NUM> is screwed. The plug fixing part <NUM> is mounted to the upper end of the hose <NUM>. By engaging and disengaging the plug for the hose <NUM> with the screw hole 68a, the upper end of the hose <NUM> can be opened and closed.

As in the embodiment, the working vehicle <NUM> driven by the electric motor is not equipped with a radiator for cooling the engine such as the working vehicle driven by the engine, and thus is not configured to use cooling water for the radiator also as cooling water for the cab heater. Therefore, as described above, the liquid heater for heating the cooling water for the cab heater is provided. Both of the temperature and the pressure of the cooling water for the cab heater heated by the liquid heater may be set to be lower than those for the engine-driven working vehicle in which the cooling water for the radiator is used also as the cooling water for the cab heater. Therefore, the lid mechanism <NUM> does not require a pressure cap and can be configured with a simple mechanism.

As an example, the hose <NUM> is formed by using transparent or translucent material (for example, silicone rubber) that provides visibility of the liquid level of the liquid (cooling water for the cab heater). In this configuration, a liquid amount can be confirmed at a hose portion without providing a dedicated indicator or a measuring device.

As an example, the moving mechanism <NUM> includes a fixing part <NUM> which is coupled pivotably with respect to the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) and to which the lid mechanism <NUM> (or may be the hose <NUM>) is secured. Note that a reference numeral <NUM> in the drawing denotes a pivotal shaft member which allows the fixing part <NUM> to pivot with respect to the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>). The moving mechanism <NUM> includes an operating part <NUM> that is coupled pivotably with respect to the fixing part <NUM> and having a knob <NUM> that is held by the operator. The moving mechanism <NUM> is fixed to the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) and includes a slide support <NUM> having a sliding hole (first sliding hole) <NUM> that slidably inserts the knob <NUM> therethrough to define a sliding range, and an upwardly opening (that is, in a U-shape in side view) locking recess <NUM>. The sliding range of the sliding hole (first sliding hole) <NUM> defines the movable range of the lid mechanism <NUM> (and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM>).

Furthermore, the moving mechanism <NUM> includes a locking projection <NUM> configured to be engaged with and disengaged from the locking recess <NUM> of the slide support <NUM>. In the embodiment, the locking projection <NUM> is configured to be fixed to the fixing part <NUM>, and thus an insertion hole (first insertion hole) <NUM>, which rotatably receives an insertion of the locking projection <NUM>, is formed through the operating part <NUM>. Therefore, if the operating part <NUM> is lifted, the locking projection <NUM> rises. As another example, the locking projection <NUM> may be configured to be fixed to the operating part <NUM>, and thus an insertion hole (second insertion hole), which rotatably receives an insertion of the locking projection <NUM> may be formed through the fixing part <NUM> (not illustrated). In this configuration as well, if the operating part <NUM> is lifted, the locking projection <NUM> rises.

Note that a reference numeral <NUM> in the drawing denotes a support plate that moves in association with the fixing part <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> is provided with a sliding hole (second sliding hole) <NUM> that slidably receives an insertion of the locking projection <NUM>. A configuration without the support plate <NUM> is also applicable (not illustrated).

According to the moving mechanism <NUM> described above, the filler port <NUM> that can be moved in position without the use of tools is implemented with a simple configuration. Since the filler port <NUM> can be moved, storage of the filler port <NUM> is achieved only by securing a space having at least a size equivalent to a profile of the lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> in the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>). In addition, when filling, the lid mechanism <NUM> (and the hose <NUM> extending continuously therefrom) can be pulled out from the inside to the outside of the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) to supply liquid (the cooling water for the cab heater in the embodiment). Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large space for the entry of a filler nozzle and container above the filler port <NUM>, thereby achieving reduction in size of the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>).

Referring now to <FIG>, an operation to move the filler port <NUM> of the working vehicle <NUM> will be described. Note that all of <FIG> are drawings corresponding to the position V in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM> are stored in the storage section <NUM> provided in the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) in the state of being pushed into the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) from the outside toward the inside. In this condition, the locking projection <NUM> engages the locking recess <NUM> of the slide support <NUM>. Accordingly, the lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM> are restricted from moving. Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the operator lifts the knob <NUM> of the operating part <NUM>, the locking projection <NUM> rises and is disengaged from the locking recess <NUM>. In other words, the lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM> are not restricted from moving. Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the state in which the locking projection <NUM> is disengaged from the locking recess <NUM>, the lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM> are moved from the inside toward the outside of the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) by the operator holding and pulling out the lid mechanism <NUM> and the hose <NUM> continuing from the lid mechanism <NUM> as one example, or by one or both of the resilient force of the hose <NUM> and the gravitational force acting on the center of gravity of the lid mechanism <NUM> as another example. In the embodiment, the fixing part <NUM>, the operating part <NUM> and the slide support <NUM> mounted to the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) are positioned so that such move is enabled. Accordingly, a state in which the filler port <NUM> can be moved from an inner part to an outer part of the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) is achieved by the operator without the use of tools, but simply by lifting the knob <NUM> of the operating part <NUM> upward to unlock.

In contrast, to store the filler port <NUM> into the storage section <NUM>, the operator pushes the lid mechanism <NUM> or the hose <NUM> into the vehicle body (upper body <NUM>) to move from the outside toward the inside.

As described thus far, according to the present invention, the filler port <NUM> that can be moved in position without the use of tools, can be stored in a small space, and can be pulled out to supply liquid at the time of filling is implemented. Therefore, reduction in size of the vehicle bodies <NUM>, <NUM> is achieved.

With the cooling water for the cab heater as an example of the liquid required for operating equipment mounted on the vehicle bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, the configuration of the filler port <NUM> for filling the cooling water for the cab heater has been described. The configuration of the filler port <NUM> is not limited to this example. The configuration of the filler port <NUM> may be applied to a filler port for supplying hydraulic oil used for operating the traveling hydraulic motor and each hydraulic cylinder. The configuration of the filler port <NUM> may be applied to a filler port for supplying windscreen washer fluid used for operating a windscreen washing mechanism.

A working vehicle using an electric motor as a drive source is exemplified as the working vehicle <NUM>. The configuration of the filler port <NUM> is not limited to this example, and may be applied to the working vehicles that uses an engine (internal combustion engine) as a drive source. The configuration of the filler port <NUM> may be applied to a filler port for supplying fuel used for operating engines. The configuration of the filler port <NUM> may be applied to a filler port for supplying engine oil used for operating engines. The configuration of the filler port <NUM> may be applied to a filler port for supplying the cooling water for the radiator used for operating radiators.

The present invention is not limited to the working vehicle described above (hydraulic excavator). The present invention may be applied to other working vehicles (such as track loaders, tracked dumper, etc.).

Claim 1:
A working vehicle (<NUM>) having a vehicle body (<NUM>, <NUM>), a travel unit (<NUM>), and a hydraulically operated working unit (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a filler port (<NUM>) for supplying liquid required for operating equipment mounted on the vehicle body (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the filler port (<NUM>) includes a resiliently deformable hose (<NUM>) in communication with a storage part of the liquid,
wherein a lid mechanism (<NUM>) mounted to an upper end of the hose (<NUM>) and configured to open and close the filler port (<NUM>), and a moving mechanism (<NUM>) configured to move the position of the lid mechanism (<NUM>) and the hose (<NUM>) continuing from the lid mechanism (<NUM>),
characterised in the moving mechanism (<NUM>) comprises:
a fixing part (<NUM>) which is pivotably coupled to the vehicle body (<NUM>, <NUM>) and to which the lid mechanism (<NUM>) or the hose (<NUM>) is fixed;
an operating part (<NUM>) pivotably coupled to the fixing part (<NUM>) and including a knob (<NUM>) to be held by an operator;
a slide support (<NUM>) fixed to the vehicle body (<NUM>, <NUM>) and including a sliding hole (<NUM>) configured to slidably insert the knob (<NUM>) therethrough and define a sliding range and a locking recess (<NUM>) opening upward; and
a locking projection (<NUM>) provided on the fixing part (<NUM>) or the operating part (<NUM>) and configured to be engaged with and disengaged from the locking recess (<NUM>).