Patent Description:
As disclosed in <CIT>, an example of the electric work vehicle is a riding mower that works while traveling with a battery mounted thereon. In <CIT>, a carrier in which a battery can be stored is provided. The electric work vehicle is configured such that the battery is replaced by attaching and removing the carrier to and from the vehicle body.

In <CIT>, an operator operates a front portion of the carrier placed on the ground so as to lift it, and places the front portion of the carrier on a roller of the vehicle body while moving the carrier forward.

The operator then operates a rear portion of the carrier so that it is lifted, causes the carrier to be supported by a guide portion of the vehicle body, and pushes the carrier forward, thus installing the carrier in a carrier storage portion of the vehicle body.

<CIT> is an example of related art (see <FIG>). <CIT> describes an electric work vehicle according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

According to <CIT>, when the operator operates the carrier placed on the ground so as to be lifted, and causes the carrier to be supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body, the height of the carrier needs to be aligned with the height of the guide portion of the vehicle body.

An object of the present invention is to configure an electric work vehicle such that, when an operator operates a carrier placed on the ground so as to be lifted, and causes the carrier to be supported by a guide portion of the vehicle body, the operator can easily perform the operation of aligning the height of the carrier with the height of the guide portion of the vehicle body.

An electric work vehicle according to the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, when the carrier placed on the ground is installed in the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body, the operator operates the carrier placed on the ground so as to be lifted, and causes the support portion of the carrier to be supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body.

According to the present invention, as the operator operates the carrier placed on the ground so as to be lifted, the operation of lifting the carrier is stopped by the positioning portion when the support portion of the carrier has reached a position at which the support portion can be supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body. Accordingly, the operator can easily recognize that the support portion of the carrier has reached a position at which the support portion can be supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body. The operator can easily cause the support portion of the carrier to be supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body in a state in which the operation of lifting the carrier is stopped by the positioning portion.

Thereafter, the operator can install the carrier in the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body by moving the carrier toward the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body in a state in which the carrier is supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body by the support portion.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the operator operates the carrier placed on ground so as to be lifted and causes the carrier to be supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body, the operation of aligning the height of the carrier with the height of the guide portion of the vehicle body (operation of causing the support portion of the carrier to be located at a position at which the support portion can be supported by the guide portion of the vehicle body) can be easily performed, thus making it possible to improve the workability of attachment to the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body in the carrier.

According to the present invention, the guide portion of the vehicle body is a guide rail, and the support portion of the carrier is a support roller. Therefore, this configuration is advantageous in terms of simplification of the structures of the guide portion of the vehicle body and the support portion of the carrier.

According to the present invention, as the operator operates the carrier placed on the ground so as to be lifted, the operation of lifting the carrier is stopped by the positioning portion when the support roller of the carrier has reached the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body.

The operator can easily cause the support roller of the carrier to be supported by the guide rail of the vehicle body from the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body in a state in which the operation of lifting the carrier is stopped by the positioning portion.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the guide rail is formed to be inclined downward from the entrance portion toward the carrier storage portion so as to descend toward the carrier storage portion.

After causing the support roller of the carrier to be supported by the guide rail of the vehicle body as described above, the operator operates the carrier to move along the guide rail of the vehicle body, thus installing the carrier in the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body.

According to the present invention, the guide rail of the vehicle body is formed to be inclined downward from the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body toward the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body. Accordingly, the carrier attempts to move toward the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body under its own weight.

This allows the operator to easily operate the carrier to move along the guide rail of the vehicle body, and install the carrier in the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body.

According to the present invention, when the operator operates the carrier to move from the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body to the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body, and removes the carrier from the vehicle body, the operator needs to operate the carrier to move against a state in which the carrier attempts to move toward the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body under its own weight.

In this case, the operator, who is standing outward of the vehicle body relative to the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body, performs the moving operation while pulling the carrier. For the operator, it is easier to exert a large force on the carrier for pulling than pushing, and therefore the operation of removing the carrier from the vehicle body hardly is of little burden to the operator.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a resistance portion is provided that is configured to, when the carrier is operated to move from the carrier storage portion toward an outer side of the vehicle body and has reached a position immediately in front of the entrance portion, provide resistance to the operation of moving the carrier.

According to the present invention, in the case where the operator operates the carrier to move from the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body to the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body, and removes the carrier from the vehicle body, resistance is generated to the operation of moving the carrier when the carrier has reached a position immediately in front of the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body. Therefore, the operator can easily recognize that the carrier has reached a position immediately in front of the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body.

Accordingly, the operator can operate the support roller of the carrier to move to the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body and separate the support roller from the guide rail of the vehicle body while recognizing the position of the carrier, thus effortlessly removing the carrier from the vehicle body.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the resistance portion is an opening that allows entry and exit of the support roller.

According to the present invention, in the case where the operator operates the carrier to move toward the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body after the support roller of the carrier has entered the opening, resistance is generated when the support roller of the carrier is pulled out from the opening.

Accordingly, a suitable level of resistance that does not impose a burden on the operator can be generated to the operation of moving the carrier. Since the configuration of the resistance portion can be simplified with the opening, this configuration is advantageous in terms of simplification of the structure.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a stopper portion is provided that is configured to, when the carrier is operated to move from the carrier storage portion toward an outer side of the vehicle body and has reached the entrance portion, stop the operation of moving the carrier.

According to the present invention, in the case where the operator operates the carrier to move from the carrier storage portion of the vehicle body to the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body and removes the carrier from the vehicle body, the operation of moving the carrier is stopped when the carrier has reached the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body. Therefore, the operator can easily recognize that the carrier has reached the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body.

Accordingly, the operator can separate the support roller of the carrier from the entrance portion of the guide rail of the vehicle body while recognizing the position of the carrier, thus effortlessly removing the carrier from the vehicle body.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the stopper portion is configured to stop the operation of moving the carrier by abutting against the support roller.

According to the present invention, the configuration of the stopper portion can be simplified by configuring the stopper portion so as to stop the operation of moving the carrier by abutting against the support roller of the carrier that moves along the guide rail of the vehicle body. Therefore, this configuration is advantageous in terms of simplification of the structure.

<FIG> show an electric riding mower as an example of the electric work vehicle. In <FIG>, "F" indicates a forward direction, "B" indicates a backward direction, "U" indicates an upper direction, "D" indicates a downward direction, "R" indicates a rightward direction, and "L" indicates a leftward direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the riding mower includes left and right front wheels <NUM> supported at a front portion of a vehicle body <NUM>, left and right rear wheels <NUM> supported at a rear portion of the vehicle body <NUM>, a mower <NUM> supported between the front wheels <NUM> and the rear wheels <NUM> below the vehicle body <NUM>, a carrier storage portion <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) supported between the left and right rear wheels <NUM> at the rear portion of the vehicle body <NUM>, a driver's seat <NUM> and a ROPS frame <NUM> supported on the upper side of the vehicle body <NUM>, and so forth.

The vehicle body <NUM> includes left and right body frames <NUM> extending along the front-rear direction, and a floor <NUM> coupled to the left and right body frames <NUM> so as to span therebetween. The driver's seat <NUM> is supported by the rear portion of the floor <NUM>. A lower portion of the ROPS frame <NUM> is coupled to the left and right body frames <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the left and right front wheels <NUM> are each configured as a caster wheel that is freely rotatable about an axis extending in the up-down direction. The left and right front wheels <NUM> are supported at a front portion of the left and right body frames <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, left and right support frames <NUM> are downwardly coupled to the rear portions of the body frames <NUM>. Left and right electric motors <NUM> and speed reduction mechanisms <NUM> are coupled to the support frames <NUM>. The rear wheels <NUM> are supported by the speed reduction mechanisms <NUM>. The power of the electric motors <NUM> is transmitted to the rear wheels <NUM> via the speed reduction mechanisms <NUM>. The left and right rear wheels <NUM> are rotated independently.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, left and right fenders <NUM> are provided above the rear wheels <NUM>. Left and right shift levers <NUM> are provided at front portions of the fenders <NUM>. The shift levers <NUM> can be operated from a neutral position to a forward side, which is the front side, and to a backward side, which is the rear side.

When the right shift lever <NUM> is operated to the neutral position, the right electric motor <NUM> is brought into a stopped state. When the right shift lever <NUM> is operated to the forward side, the right electric motor <NUM> is actuated to the forward side. When the right shift lever <NUM> is operated to the backward side, the right electric motor <NUM> is actuated to the backward side. When the left shift lever <NUM> is operated to the neutral position, the forward side, and the backward side, the left electric motor <NUM> is actuated in the same manner as described above.

As described above, as a result of the left and right shift levers <NUM> being operated, the left and right rear wheels <NUM> are rotated independently of each other to the forward side and the backward side, whereby the forward movement, backward movement, and left and right turns of the vehicle body <NUM> are performed.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the mower <NUM> is provided with a mower deck <NUM>, and a cutting blade <NUM> supported so as to be rotatable about an inner vertical axis of the mower deck <NUM>. The cutting blade <NUM> is rotated by an electric motor <NUM>.

The mower <NUM> is supported by the body frames <NUM> such that the mower <NUM> can be elevated and lowered by a link mechanism <NUM>. An electric actuator (not shown) that actuates the link mechanism <NUM> to be elevated and lowered, and an operation pedal <NUM> that actuates the electric actuator are provided.

The electric actuator is actuated by the operation pedal <NUM> being pressed down with a foot, thus allowing the mower <NUM> to be elevated and lowered to a non-work position (see <FIG>) elevated from the ground, and a work position in contact with the ground.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the carrier storage portion <NUM> is formed rearward of the electric motors <NUM> at a rear portion (on the rear side relative to the driver's seat <NUM> and the ROPS frame <NUM>) of the vehicle body <NUM> between the left and right rear wheels <NUM> (speed reduction mechanisms <NUM>) and between the left and right body frames <NUM>.

A flat plate-shaped support frame <NUM> is coupled to lower portions of the left and right support frames <NUM> so as to span therebetween. A flat plate-shaped stopper portion <NUM> is coupled to the support frame <NUM>. Consequently, the carrier storage portion <NUM> is open rearward, downward, and upward.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the left and right first guide rails <NUM> (corresponding to a guide rail) (corresponding to a guide portion) each formed by a flat plate-shaped plate material are coupled to rear inner portions of the body frames <NUM> along the front-rear direction.

Left and right second guide rails <NUM> (corresponding to a guide rail) (corresponding to a guide portion) each formed by a flat plate-shaped plate material are coupled to the rear inner portions of the body frames <NUM> at positions on the upper side of the first guide rails <NUM> along the front-rear direction.

A front end portion of each of the second guide rails <NUM> is bent downward and coupled to a front end portion of the corresponding first guide rail <NUM>. The front end portion of the second guide rail <NUM> forms a stopper portion 22a. A rear end portion of each of the second guide rails <NUM> is bent downward. The rear end portion of the second guide rail <NUM> forms a stopper portion 22b. Two openings 22c and 22d (corresponding to a resistance portion) are open at positions of the second guide rail <NUM> that are located slightly forward of the stopper portion 22b.

A rear end portion of each of the first guide rails <NUM> is disposed forward relative to the stopper portion 22b of the corresponding second guide rail <NUM>. An entrance portion <NUM> is provided between the rear end portion of the first guide rail <NUM> and the stopper portion 22b of the second guide rail <NUM>.

With the above-described configuration, the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> are provided extending from the carrier storage portion <NUM> toward the rear (outer side) of the vehicle body <NUM>, and have the entrance portions <NUM> provided at the rear (outer) end portion of the vehicle body <NUM>.

In a state in which the front wheels <NUM> and the rear wheels <NUM> are in contact with the ground, the body frames <NUM> are parallel (horizontal) to the ground. The first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> are formed to be inclined downward from the entrance portions <NUM> toward the carrier storage portion <NUM> in a side view so as to descend toward the carrier storage portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, left and right holding mechanisms <NUM> are provided at rear end portions of the body frames <NUM>.

Support members <NUM> each having a channel shape in a plan view are coupled to the rear end portions of the body frames <NUM> so as to face backward. A flat plate-shaped support member <NUM> is coupled to each of the support members <NUM>. A recess 27a in the form of an upwardly open cut-out portion is formed in an upper side portion of the support member <NUM>.

A holding pin <NUM> that is bent into an angular shape is supported by each of the support members <NUM> so as to be slidable along the left-right direction. A spring receiving pin 28a and a spring receiving plate 28b are attached to each of the holding pins <NUM>. A spring <NUM> is provided between the support member <NUM> and the spring receiving plate 28b of each of the holding pins <NUM>.

In each holding mechanism <NUM>, the holding pin <NUM> is biased by the spring <NUM> so as to protrude toward the center in the left-right direction of the vehicle body <NUM>. The operator holds an outer portion of the holding pin <NUM>, operates the holding pin <NUM> to slide outward against the spring <NUM>, and rotates the holding pin <NUM> by about <NUM> degrees to place the spring receiving pin 28a of the holding pin <NUM> in the recess 27a of the support member <NUM>, whereby the holding pin <NUM> is held in a state in which it has been operated to the outer side.

As described above, the holding mechanisms <NUM> each include the support members <NUM> and <NUM>, the holding pin <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, and so forth.

In the holding mechanisms <NUM>, left and right support rollers <NUM> are supported at inner portions of the support members <NUM> so as to be rotatable about an axis extending along the left-right direction. Left and right hooks <NUM> for traction each having a U-shape in a rear view are coupled to lower portions of the support members <NUM> so as to face downward.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the carrier <NUM> is configured such that a battery (not shown) can be housed inside a main body portion <NUM> and can be replaced therefrom.

The main body portion <NUM> is configured in a box shape including a bottom portion 33a, a front wall portion 33b, left and right lateral wall portions 33c, a rear wall portion 33d, and a ceiling portion 33e. Left and right brackets <NUM> are coupled to lower rear portions of the respective corresponding lateral wall portions 33c of the main body portion <NUM>. Left and right wheels <NUM> are supported by the respective corresponding brackets <NUM> so as to be freely rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction.

An angular receiving plate <NUM> is coupled to a front portion of the bottom portion 33a of the main body portion <NUM> along the left-right direction. Left and right ground contact portions <NUM> made of hard rubber are attached to left and right portions of the receiving plate <NUM>, and protrude slightly below the receiving plate <NUM>.

An arch-shaped handle <NUM> is coupled to upper front portions of the lateral wall portions 33c of the main body portion <NUM> so as to span therebetween, and disposed above the ceiling portion 33e of the main body portion <NUM>. A handle <NUM> is coupled to left and right portions of the rear wall portion 33d of the main body portion <NUM> so as to span therebetween, and extends rearward from the rear wall portion 33d of the main body portion <NUM>.

Left and right support rollers <NUM> (corresponding to a support portion) are supported at front portions of the respective corresponding lateral wall portions 33c of the main body portion <NUM> so as to be rotatable about an axis extending along the left-right direction.

Left and right angular support arms <NUM> are coupled to upper portions relative to the support rollers <NUM> on the respective corresponding lateral wall portions 33c of the main body portion <NUM>. Left and right positioning rollers <NUM> (corresponding to a positioning portion) are supported by the respective corresponding support arms <NUM> so as to be rotatable about an axis extending along the left-right direction. Each positioning roller <NUM> is disposed slightly upward of the support roller <NUM>, and slightly forward of the support roller <NUM> (on the front wall portion 33b side of the main body portion <NUM>) in a side view.

Left and right support rails <NUM> having a flat plate shape are coupled to rearward portions relative to the support rollers <NUM> on the respective corresponding lateral wall portions 33c of the main body portion <NUM> along the front-rear direction. A front end portion of each of the support rails <NUM> is bent downward. The front end portion of the support rail <NUM> forms a receiving portion 43a.

Left and right holding portions <NUM> are coupled to rear end portions of the support rails <NUM> on the respective corresponding lateral wall portions 33c of the main body portion <NUM>. At a front portion of each of the holding portions <NUM>, an inclined portion 44a is provided over the corresponding lateral wall portion 33c of the main body portion <NUM>, and a pipe portion 44b extending along the left-right direction is provided over the corresponding lateral wall portion 33c of the main body portion <NUM>, at a rearward portion relative to the inclined portion 44a.

Transition to State in which Support Rollers of Carrier Are Supported by First Guide Rails and Second Guide Rails in Installation of Carrier in Carrier Storage Portion.

The state shown in <FIG> is a state in which the carrier <NUM> is placed on the ground located rearward of the vehicle body <NUM> (carrier storage portion <NUM>), and the wheels <NUM> and the ground contact portions <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are in contact with the ground.

From the state shown in <FIG>, the operator operates a front portion of the carrier <NUM> so as to be lifted from the ground while holding the handles <NUM> and <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>, and operates the carrier <NUM> to move forward toward the vehicle body <NUM> (carrier storage portion <NUM>) using the wheels <NUM> so as to place the front portion of the carrier <NUM> between the left and right body frames <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the operator engages each of the receiving portions 43a of the support rails <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> with the corresponding support roller <NUM> while placing the receiving portion 43a between the holding pin <NUM> of the holding mechanism <NUM> and the support roller <NUM>. In the state shown in <FIG>, the support roller <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> is located at a position in proximity to the rear side of the stopper portion 22b of the second guide rail <NUM>, and the positioning roller <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> is located rearward of and higher than the stopper portion 22b of the second guide rail <NUM>.

In the state shown in <FIG>, even if the operator attempts to operate the carrier <NUM> to move forward, the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> abut against the stopper portions 22b of the second guide rails <NUM>, whereby the operation of moving the carrier <NUM> forward is stopped. This stops the transition to a state in which the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are supported by the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the operator operates the rear portion of the carrier <NUM> so as to be lifted from the ground while holding the handles <NUM> and <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. In this case, the receiving portions 43a of the support rails <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are engaged with the support rollers <NUM>, and therefore the rear portion of the carrier <NUM> is operated so as to be lifted from the ground with the support rollers <NUM> serving as a fulcrum. The carrier <NUM> will not move rearward, and the receiving portions 43a of the support rails <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> will not disengage from the support rollers <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the rear portion of the carrier <NUM> is operated so as to be lifted from the ground with the support rollers <NUM> serving as a fulcrum, the support rollers <NUM> and the positioning rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> move downward with the support rollers <NUM> serving as a fulcrum.

As shown in <FIG>, when each of the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> has reached a position (the position of the entrance portion <NUM>) slightly below the stopper portion 22b of the corresponding second guide rail <NUM> through the operation of lifting the rear portion of the carrier <NUM>, the support roller <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> is located at a position at which the support roller <NUM> can be supported by the first guide rail <NUM> and the second guide rail <NUM>.

In the state shown in <FIG>, each of the positioning rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> abuts against an upper surface of the corresponding second guide rail <NUM>, and the operation of lifting the rear portion of the carrier <NUM> is stopped. This allows the transition to a state in which the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are supported by the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in a state in which the transition to a state in which the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are supported by the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> is allowed, the operator holds the handles <NUM> and <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>, and operates the carrier <NUM> to move forward while preventing the positioning rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> from being separated upward from the upper surfaces of the second guide rails <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Consequently, each of the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> enters between the corresponding first guide rail <NUM> and the corresponding second guide rail <NUM> from the entrance portion <NUM>, while the carrier <NUM> is supported by the support rollers <NUM> via the support rails <NUM>.

Even when the rear portion of the carrier <NUM> is to be lowered with the support rollers <NUM> serving as a fulcrum in a state in which the center of gravity of the carrier <NUM> is located rearward of the support rollers <NUM> in a side view, the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> abut against the lower surfaces of the second guide rails <NUM>. Therefore, the rear portion of the carrier <NUM> will not be lowered. Even when the carrier <NUM> attempts to move rearward, the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> abut against the stopper portions 22b of the second guide rails <NUM>. Therefore, rearward movement of the carrier <NUM> is stopped.

Accordingly, in a state in which the center of gravity of the carrier <NUM> is located rearward relative to the support rollers <NUM> in a side view, the carrier <NUM> is supported by the support rollers <NUM> via the support rails <NUM>, and the carrier <NUM> is supported by the support rollers <NUM> via the second guide rails <NUM>.

When the operator operates the carrier <NUM> to move forward from the state shown in <FIG>, the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> enter and exit the openings 22c and 22d (see <FIG> and <FIG>) of the second guide rails <NUM>. Consequently, a small amount of resistance is generated to the operation of moving the carrier <NUM> forward. This allows the operator to easily recognize that the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are supported by the second guide rails <NUM>.

When the center of gravity of the carrier <NUM> is brought into a state of being located forward relative to the support rollers <NUM> in a side view as a result of the operator operating the carrier <NUM> to move forward, the front portion of the carrier <NUM> is brought into a state of being lowered with the support rollers <NUM> serving as a fulcrum. In this state, the carrier <NUM> is supported by the support rollers <NUM> via the support rails <NUM>, and the carrier <NUM> is supported by the support rollers <NUM> via the first guide rails <NUM>.

The first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> are each formed to be inclined downward from the entrance portion <NUM> toward the carrier storage portion <NUM> in a side view (see "Configuration of First Guide Rails and Second Guide Rails" described above).

Accordingly, the carrier <NUM> attempts to move toward the carrier storage portion <NUM> under its own weight, and the operator can easily operate the carrier <NUM> to move forward toward the carrier storage portion <NUM> along the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>.

When the carrier <NUM> is operated to move forward by the operator, and the carrier <NUM> has reached a position in front of the carrier storage portion <NUM>, the inclined portions 44a of the holding portions <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> abut against the holding pins <NUM> of the holding mechanisms <NUM>. The holding pins <NUM> of the holding mechanisms <NUM> are pressed against the springs <NUM> by the inclined portions 44a of the holding portions <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the holding pins <NUM> of the holding mechanisms <NUM> have reached the pipe portions 44b of the holding portions <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>, the springs <NUM> cause the holding pins <NUM> of the holding mechanisms <NUM> to automatically enter the pipe portions 44b of the holding portions <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>.

The state shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> is the state in which the carrier <NUM> is installed and held in the carrier storage portion <NUM>. In this state, the carrier <NUM> that has been operated so as to be lifted from the ground is supported by the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> via the support rollers <NUM> in the state of being lifted from the ground, and the carrier <NUM> is guided from the rear (outer side) of the vehicle body <NUM> toward the carrier storage portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in the state in which the carrier <NUM> is installed and held in the carrier storage portion <NUM>, the carrier <NUM> is supported in the state of being lifted from the ground by the first and second guide rails <NUM> and <NUM> and the support rollers <NUM>, and the support rollers <NUM> and the support rails <NUM>.

The support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are in contact with the stopper portions 22a of the second guide rails <NUM>, and the receiving plate <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> is in contact with the stopper portion <NUM>. The holding pins <NUM> of the holding mechanisms <NUM> enter the pipe portions 44b of the holding portions <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>, and the carrier <NUM> is held in the carrier storage portion <NUM>.

When removing the carrier <NUM> installed in the carrier storage portion <NUM>, the operator holds outer portions of the holding pins <NUM> in the holding mechanisms <NUM>, outwardly slides the holding pins <NUM> against the springs <NUM>, and pulls the holding pins <NUM> out of the pipe portions 44b of the holding portions <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. The operator places the spring receiving pins 28a of the holding pins <NUM> in the recesses 27a of the support members <NUM> by rotating the holding pins <NUM> by about <NUM> degrees, and holds the holding pins <NUM> in the state of being operated outward (see "Configuration of Holding Mechanism Capable of Holding Carrier in Carrier Storage Portion" described above).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the operator operates the carrier <NUM> to move rearward from the carrier storage portion <NUM>. The first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> are formed to be inclined downward from the entrance portions <NUM> toward the carrier storage portion <NUM> in a side view (see "Configuration of First Guide Rails and Second Guide Rails" described above). Therefore, the operator needs to operate the carrier <NUM> to move rearward against the state in which the carrier <NUM> attempts to move toward the carrier storage portion <NUM> under its own weight.

In this case, the operator, who is standing rearward (outward) of the vehicle body <NUM> relative to the carrier storage portion <NUM>, pulls the carrier <NUM> rearward by holding the handle <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. Accordingly, the operation of moving the carrier <NUM> rearward is of little burden to the operator.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the center of gravity of the carrier <NUM> is brought into a state of being located rearward relative to the support rollers <NUM> in a side view, the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> abut against the lower surfaces of the second guide rails <NUM> even when the rear portion of the carrier <NUM> is to be lowered with the support rollers <NUM> serving as a fulcrum.

When the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> have reached positions in front of the stopper portions 22b of the second guide rails <NUM> through the operation of moving the carrier <NUM> rearward performed by the operator (corresponding to the state in which the carrier <NUM> is operated to move from the carrier storage portion <NUM> toward the outer side of the vehicle body <NUM> and has reached a position immediately in front of the entrance portions <NUM>), the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> enter and exit the openings 22c and 22d (see <FIG> and <FIG>) of the second guide rails <NUM>. Consequently, a small amount of resistance is generated to the operation of moving the carrier <NUM> rearward.

This allows the operator to easily recognize that the carrier <NUM> (support rollers <NUM>) has reached a position immediately in front of the entrance portions <NUM> of the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> abut against the stopper portions 22b of the second guide rails <NUM> through the operation of moving the carrier <NUM> rearward performed by the operator (corresponding to the state in which the carrier <NUM> is operated to move from the carrier storage portion <NUM> toward the outer side of the vehicle body <NUM> and has reached the entrance portions <NUM>), the operation of moving the carrier <NUM> rearward is stopped. This allows the operator to easily recognize that the carrier <NUM> (support rollers <NUM>) has reached the entrance portions <NUM> of the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>.

Next, the operator slightly lowers the front portion of the carrier <NUM> while holding the handles <NUM> and <NUM>, and moves the support rollers <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> out of the entrance portions <NUM> so as to be disengaged from the stopper portions 22b of the second guide rails <NUM>, thus bringing the carrier <NUM> into the state shown in <FIG>. Next, the carrier <NUM> is brought into the state shown in <FIG>, and the carrier <NUM> is removed from the vehicle body <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

As described above, the carrier <NUM> is supported in the state of being lifted from the ground by the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> via the support rollers <NUM>, and is guided from the carrier storage portion <NUM> toward the rear (outer side) of the vehicle body <NUM> so as to be removed from the vehicle body <NUM> and be placed on the ground.

It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the carrier storage portion <NUM> is provided between the left and right front wheels <NUM> at the front portion of the vehicle body <NUM>, and the carrier <NUM> can be attached or removed to and from the carrier storage portion <NUM> from the front (outer side) of the vehicle body <NUM>. This configuration allows a work apparatus (not shown) to be supported at the rear portion of the vehicle body <NUM>.

It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> are in a horizontal orientation in a side view in a state in which the front wheels <NUM> and the rear wheels <NUM> are in contact with the ground.

A plurality of support rollers (not shown) may be provided on the vehicle body <NUM> so as to constitute the guide portion, and guide rails (not shown) may be provided on the carrier <NUM> so as to constitute the support portion.

In place of the openings 22c and 22d of the second guide rails <NUM>, small protrusions (not shown) may be provided on the second guide rails <NUM> and the body frames <NUM>, and the protrusions may constitute the resistance portion.

Protrusions (not shown) separate from the rear end portions of the second guide rails <NUM> may be provided on the body frames <NUM>, and the protrusions may constitute the stopper portion.

Claim 1:
An electric work vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body (<NUM>) capable of traveling;
a carrier (<NUM>) in which a battery can be stored and a support portion (<NUM>) is provided;
a carrier storage portion (<NUM>) provided in the vehicle body and capable of holding the carrier;
a guide portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is capable of supporting, via the support portion, the carrier operated so as to be lifted from the ground, in a state in which the carrier is lifted from the ground, and guiding the carrier from an outer side of the vehicle body toward the carrier storage portion, and that guides the carrier from the carrier storage portion toward the outer side of the vehicle body so as to allow a state in which the carrier is removed from the vehicle body and placed on the ground;
a positioning portion (<NUM>) configured to, when the carrier placed on the ground is operated so as to be lifted and the support portion (<NUM>) has reached a position at which the support portion can be supported by the guide portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), stop the operation of lifting the carrier so as to allow transition to a state in which the support portion (<NUM>) is supported by the guide portion (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein
the guide portion is a guide rail (<NUM>,<NUM>) that is provided extending from the carrier storage portion (<NUM>) toward an outer side of the vehicle body (<NUM>), and that has an entrance portion (<NUM>) provided at outer end portion of the vehicle body,
characterized in that
the support portion is a support roller (<NUM>) configured to be supported by the guide rail (<NUM>,<NUM>) in the entrance portion, to be separated from the guide rail in the entrance portion, and to be movable along the guide rail, and
the positioning portion (<NUM>) is configured to, when the carrier placed on the ground is operated so as to be lifted, and the support roller (<NUM>) has reached the entrance portion (<NUM>), stop the operation of lifting the carrier (<NUM>) so as to allow transition to a state in which the support roller (<NUM>) is supported by the guide rail (<NUM>,<NUM>) from the entrance portion (<NUM>).