JP3505031B2 - Riding lawn mower - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a riding lawn mower having an engine at a front portion of a traveling machine body having front and rear wheels, a continuously variable transmission at a rear portion thereof, and a mower vertically movable at an intermediate position between the front and rear wheels. More specifically, the present invention relates to improvement of a technique for transmitting power to a continuously variable transmission and a mower.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a riding lawn mower configured as described above, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-156672. In this conventional example, the attitude in which the input shaft of a continuously variable transmission is projected forward is known. And a pulley that rotates integrally with the input shaft and is formed by
When the belt is wound around the TO and the pulley provided on the coaxial core, and further, the clutch PTO clutch is provided between the lower pulley and the mid PTO, so that the power from the engine is transmitted to the continuously variable transmission. At the same time, belt transmission system,
It is configured to be able to communicate to Moor via a PTO clutch.

[0003]

In the structure of the conventional example, the input shaft of the continuously variable transmission is arranged at a relatively upper position, and the mid PTO with respect to the mower is arranged at a relatively lower position. To the continuously variable transmission, it is possible to secure a wide space for raising the mower without being obstructed by the transmission shaft.
The driving force from O can drive the mower.

However, in the structure of transmitting the power from the engine directly to the input shaft of the continuously variable transmission as in the conventional example, the portion supporting the input shaft is easily damaged by the vibration of the engine. In particular, as described in the conventional example, in the case where the belt transmission system for transmitting the power from the input shaft to the mid PTO is provided, the input shaft vibrates while the tension of the belt constantly acts on the input shaft. Therefore, the input shaft portion is more likely to be damaged, and there is room for improvement.

An object of the present invention is to reasonably construct a riding lawn mower in which the input shaft portion of a continuously variable transmission is less likely to be damaged.

[0006]

A first feature of the present invention (claim 1) is that an engine is provided at a front portion of a traveling machine body having front and rear wheels.
In a riding lawn mower having a rear wheel drive continuously variable transmission and a mower vertically movable at an intermediate position between front and rear wheels, the power transmitted from the engine is transmitted to the continuously variable transmission and the mower. An intermediate case that branches and is transmitted to
Configured separately from the mission case, the mission case
A mission case that is mounted on a traveling machine body with a space between the rear case and the vehicle, and supports the rear wheels that are disposed below the step on the machine body frame at the location where the intermediate case is arranged in the vertical direction. It is set at a height that overlaps with the rear wheels in the front-rear direction, and the motor is moved from the intermediate case.
The drive system for the
It has been set up and its action is as follows.

A second aspect of the present invention (claim 2) is that the intermediate case is located at an intermediate upper position between the continuously variable transmission and the mower in a side view, and the rear fender and the step are connected. It is located at a position substantially below the part to be operated, and its action is as follows.

A third aspect of the present invention (claim 3) is that the intermediate case has an input shaft projecting forward so that power from the engine is input, and the power from the input shaft is supplied to the intermediate case. The transmission output unit arranged at an upper position of the intermediate case so as to transmit to the continuously variable transmission located rearward of the intermediate case, and the power from the input shaft to transmit the power from the input shaft to the mower located forward of the intermediate case. It is provided with a work output section arranged at a lower position of the intermediate case, and its operation is as follows.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention (claim 4), the intermediate case is configured to include an intermediate shaft in a vertical posture to which power from the input shaft is transmitted, and the traveling output section. Is composed of a traveling pulley connected and fixed to the upper end of the intermediate shaft, and the work output section is composed of a working pulley connected and fixed to the lower end of the intermediate shaft. On the street.

A fifth feature of the present invention (claim 5) is that the intermediate case is provided with a clutch mechanism that can switch between a state in which the power from the intermediate shaft is transmitted to the work pulley and a state in which it is not transmitted. The effect is as follows.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention (claim 6), the intermediate case integrally forms an output pulley for transmitting power from the intermediate shaft to a device outside the body at a position on the upper side of the traveling pulley. It is configured as described above, and its operation is as follows.

[Operation] According to the first feature, the power from the engine is transmitted to the intermediate case, and is also transmitted to the continuously variable transmission and the mower through the intermediate case. As a result, unlike the conventional example, the vibration from the engine is not directly transmitted to the continuously variable transmission, and the input system of the continuously variable transmission is hardly damaged.

According to the above-mentioned second feature, since the intermediate case is provided at an intermediate position between the continuously variable transmission and the mower, a space for raising and lowering the mower is secured above the mower, and no space is provided behind the intermediate case. It is possible to secure a wide space for disposing the gear transmission.

According to the third feature, since the input shaft and the work output portion are arranged in the vertical position, the transmission shaft system for transmitting power from the engine to the input shaft is arranged above the mower. The hoisting space can be secured above the mower without being hindered by the shaft system, and the transmission system that drives the mower can be set to a low height to drive the mower from an appropriate height. The transmission system for the continuously variable transmission from above is formed toward the opposite side of the transmission system, so that the transmission systems do not interfere with each other.

According to the fourth feature, a relatively simple structure in which a transmission system for transmitting the power from the input shaft to the intermediate shaft is formed, and a traveling pulley and a work pulley are provided above and below the intermediate shaft. Thus, the power from the engine can be branched and transmitted to the continuously variable transmission and the mower.

According to the fifth feature, the mower can be driven and stopped by operating the clutch mechanism, and the clutch mechanism is provided in the intermediate case, so that the clutch mechanism can be smoothly interposed in the middle of the transmission system. Becomes

According to the sixth feature, since the output pulley is arranged at the uppermost position, it is possible to take out the power without interfering with other transmission systems.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an engine 3 is arranged in the front part of a traveling machine body having front wheels 1 that can be steered and driven and rear wheels 2 that are driven, and a steering handle is provided in the center part of the machine body. 4 with driver's seat 5 in the rear
Each of which is provided with a rear wheel 2 below the rear position of the traveling machine body.
The riding lawnmower is provided with a hydrostatic stepless transmission device 6 for transmitting power to the vehicle, and further with a mower M vertically movable at an intermediate position between the front wheels 1 and the rear wheels 2.

The engine 3 is of a diesel type and is supported by a pair of left and right machine frames 7 forming a traveling machine body through an elastic material (not shown) such as rubber, and a rear position of the engine 3. A radiator fan 8, a radiator 9, and a battery 10 are disposed in the engine, and a muffler 11 is disposed in front of the engine 3, and an engine hood 12 that can be opened and closed to cover the muffler 11 is provided.
Is equipped with. Further, a steering gear mechanism 14 that is linked to the front wheels 1 (the linkage is not described in detail) is provided at the lower end portion of the handle shaft 13 that is connected to the steering handle 4, and further, the stepless step is provided at the right front portion of step 15. A shift pedal 16 and a brake pedal 17 for shifting the transmission 6 are provided.

The step 15 and the rear fender 18 are formed as an integral body, and the front end of the integral body is connected to the body frame 7 so as to be swingable around a lateral support shaft 19, and The rear end portion is elastically supported by the body frame 7 via a pair of left and right suspension springs 20, and the driver seat 5 is supported at an intermediate position between the left and right rear fenders 18. In this way, the system for supporting the driver's seat 5 with respect to the machine body frame 7 is elastically supported via the suspension spring 20, so that a good riding comfort is exhibited.

A resin fuel tank 21 and a reserve tank 22 are arranged below the driver seat 5, and an elevating lever 23 for moving the mower M up and down is arranged on the right side of the driver seat 5. There is.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mower M has three blades 26 installed therein so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis with respect to the cutting blade housing 25, and the blade 26 at the center position.
The input pulley 27 and the drive pulley 2 are provided above the rotary shaft 26A of the
8, the endless belt 29 is wound around the drive pulley 28 and the drive pulley 28 provided on the rotary shaft 26A of the other two blades 26, and the three blades 26 are driven by the power transmitted to the input pulley 27. It is configured so that they can be driven simultaneously.

Further, the cutting blade housing 25 of the mower M is provided with a roller 30 at the front part and a gauge wheel 31 at the rear part, and the mower M is supported by the machine body frame 7 via a link mechanism L so as to be able to move up and down. ing. This link mechanism L is
As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of left and right main links 34 interposed between a support plate 32 at the front of the machine frame 7 and a bracket 33 at the rear of the cutting blade housing, and a horizontal direction at an intermediate portion of the main links 34. One end of the link piece 36 is supported on the upper surface of the cutting blade housing while the other end is supported by the machine frame 7 while being swingably supported around the shaft 35.
The lifting link 23, which is composed of a balance link 38 supported via a bracket 37 and is connected to the bracket 33 at the rear of the cutting blade housing, and the lifting lever 23 are mechanically linked to each other. It is configured so that it can be raised and lowered by manual operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the continuously variable transmission 6 is integrally formed at a rear position of a transmission case 41 containing a differential device (not shown) for the rear wheels 2, and the continuously variable transmission 6 is provided. Is configured to directly transmit the shift power from the transmission case 41 to the transmission case 41. Further, the power from the engine 3 is applied to the continuously variable transmission 6 at an intermediate position between the mission case 41 and the mower M in a side view and substantially below a connecting portion between the step 15 and the rear fender 18.
And an intermediate case 42 for branching and transmitting to the mower M.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the intermediate case 42 is supported by the machine body frame 7 via a horizontal supporting plate 43 which is fixedly connected across the left and right members of the machine body frame 7. The upper position is provided with an input shaft 44 projecting forward, and the inside is provided with an intermediate shaft 46 in a vertical position in which power from the input shaft 44 is transmitted through a bevel gear mechanism 45. A traveling pulley 47 that transmits power from the upper end of the intermediate transmission 46 to the continuously variable transmission 6 and an output pulley 48 that is integrally formed with the traveling pulley 47 are provided, and a lower end of the intermediate shaft 46 is provided at a lower portion of the intermediate case 42. A work pulley 50 is provided via an electromagnetic clutch 49 so as to transmit the power from the vehicle to the mower M. The electromagnetic clutch 49 is configured to be electrically engaged and disengaged so that the power from the intermediate case 42 is transmitted to the mower M by the engaging operation and the power to the mower M is interrupted by the disengaging operation to stop the mower M. ing. The traveling pulley 47 is an example of the traveling output section D described in claim 3, and the working pulley 50 is an example of the working output section E described in claim 3.

An output shaft 3A (see FIG. 1) is formed on the engine 3 so as to project rearward, and the output shaft 3A is formed.
And the input shaft 44 of the intermediate case 42, a transmission shaft 52 is interposed via a universal joint 51.
Further, in the continuously variable transmission 6, an input pulley 54 and a cooling fan 55 are formed on a vertically oriented input shaft 53, and an endless belt 56 is wound around the input pulley 54 and the traveling pulley 47. ing. An endless belt 57 is wound around the input pulley 27 of the mower M and the work pulley 50.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reserve tank 2
2 is for storing the lubricating oil of the mission case 41, and the reserve tank 22 is used for the mission case 4
1 above, to form a line 58 for replenishing oil,
A pipe line 59 communicating with the stored oil in the intermediate case 42 is formed at a position above the liquid level S of the reserve tank. With this configuration, the liquid level of the stored oil in the mission case 41 can be confirmed in the reserve tank 22, and the reserve tank 22 can have a blazer function for the intermediate case 42.

With this configuration, the power from the engine 3 is transmitted to the upper portion of the intermediate case 42 through the transmission shaft 52 during work, so that the transmission shaft 52 is arranged at a high position and above the mower M. A wide space for raising and lowering the mower M can be secured at the position, and further, the intermediate case 4
By forming a system for transmitting power from the lower part of 2 to the mower M, it is possible to transmit power from an appropriate height close to the mower M. In addition, the intermediate case 42
Is supported by the body frame 7, and the system for transmitting power from the intermediate case 42 to the continuously variable transmission 6 is constituted by a belt, so that the phenomenon of directly transmitting the vibration from the engine 3 to the continuously variable transmission 6 is avoided. Therefore, damage to the continuously variable transmission 6 can be reduced. Further, when an external device such as a grass collecting device or a ground working device is provided outside the machine body, a pulley for input of the external device is provided. An external device can be driven by winding the belt between the output pulley 48 of the intermediate case 42 (not shown) and the output pulley 47 of the intermediate case 41 on the upper side of the traveling pulley. Since it is formed at the position, the belt winding operation can be easily performed and it is difficult for the belt to interfere with other transmission systems.

[Other Embodiments] In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention can also be implemented, for example, in the following case with an intermediate case (note that this other embodiment is the same as the above-mentioned embodiment). Those having functions have the same numbers and reference numerals as in the embodiment).

(B) As shown in FIG. 6, a system for transmitting power from the input shaft 44 in the front-back direction to the intermediate shaft 46 in the vertical position via the bevel gear mechanism 45 is formed, and one of the intermediate shafts 46 is formed. Traveling pulley 47 (an example of the traveling output portion D) that transmits power to the endless portion (lower end in the drawing) of the continuously variable transmission 6, and a work pulley 50 that transmits power to the mower M (working output portion E). An example), the output pulley 48 is formed in the work device outside the machine body. In this configuration, a clutch mechanism or the like that can be switched between a state in which power is transmitted to the mower M and a state in which power is cut off can be arranged on the lower transmission side of the work pulley 50.

(B) As shown in FIG. 7, a system for transmitting power from the input shaft 44 in the front-back direction to the vertically oriented intermediate shaft 46 via the bevel gear mechanism 45 is formed, and at the upper end of the intermediate shaft 46, there is nothing. A traveling pulley 47 (an example of the traveling output section D) that transmits power to the gear transmission 6, an output pulley 48 that transmits power to a work device outside the machine body, and an input shaft 44 are formed.
A work shaft 63 (an example of a work output section E) in a front-back direction for transmitting the power from the power source to the mower M via the gear mechanism 61 and the clutch mechanism 62 is formed. In this configuration, the clutch mechanism 62 is not limited to the electromagnetic clutch, and a wet multi-plate clutch, a dog clutch, and other clutches that are turned on and off by a mechanical operation can be used.

(C) As shown in FIG. 8, a system for transmitting power from the input shaft 44 in the front-back direction to the vertically oriented intermediate shaft 46 via the bevel gear mechanism 45 is formed, and at the upper end of the intermediate shaft 46, there is nothing. A traveling pulley 47 (an example of the traveling output section D) that transmits power to the gear transmission 6 and an output pulley 48 that transmits power to a work device outside the machine body are formed.
Bevel gear mechanism 64 and clutch mechanism 62 at the lower end of
A work shaft 63 (an example of a work output section E) in a front-back direction is formed for transmitting to the mower M via. In this configuration, the clutch mechanism 62 is not limited to the electromagnetic clutch, and a wet multi-plate clutch, a dog clutch, and other clutches that are turned on and off by a mechanical operation can be used.

(D) As shown in FIG. 9, a system for transmitting power from the front-rear posture input shaft 44 to the vertically oriented intermediate shaft 46 through the bevel gear mechanism 45 is formed, and the intermediate shaft 46 has an intermediate portion at the lower end thereof. A work pulley 50 (an example of a work output section E) for transmitting the power from the shaft 46 to the mower M;
An output pulley 48 for transmitting power to a working device outside the machine body is formed, and a traveling shaft 65 for transmitting power to the continuously variable transmission 6 by penetrating the input shaft 44 to the rear of the intermediate case 42.
It also serves as (an example of the traveling output unit D). In this configuration, a clutch mechanism or the like that can be switched between a state in which power is transmitted to the mower M and a state in which power is cut off can be disposed on the lower transmission side of the work pulley 50.

(E) As shown in FIG. 10, a system for transmitting power from the input shaft 44 in the front-back direction to the vertically oriented intermediate shaft 46 via the bevel gear mechanism 45 is formed, and the bevel gear is provided at the upper end of the intermediate shaft 46. A traveling shaft 65 (an example of a traveling output unit D) for transmitting power to the continuously variable transmission 6 via the mechanism 64 is formed, and a bevel gear mechanism 64 and a clutch mechanism are provided at the lower end of the intermediate shaft 46. A work shaft 63 in a front-back orientation for transmitting power to the mower via 62
(One example of the work output section E) is formed. It should be noted that this configuration does not have a system for transmitting power to the work device outside the machine,
The clutch mechanism is not limited to the electromagnetic clutch, and a wet multi-plate clutch, a dog clutch, and other clutches that are turned on and off by a mechanical operation can be used.

[0035]

Therefore, the riding lawn mower in which the input shaft portion of the continuously variable transmission is unlikely to be damaged is rationally constructed (claim 1). Further, a lifting space can be secured above the mower, and the continuously variable transmission can be arranged behind the intermediate case without difficulty (claim 2), and the power from the intermediate case can be transmitted to the continuously variable transmission and the mower without difficulty. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a continuously variable transmission and an intermediate case in which a transmission system for branching and transmitting the power to the mower is simply formed (the fourth aspect), and a clutch mechanism for controlling the mower is exclusively used. It can be installed in a transmission system without using any member (Claim 5),
It became possible to drive a device outside the machine without difficulty (claim 6).

[Brief description of drawings]

1] Overall side view of a riding lawn mower

FIG. 2 is an overall plan view of a riding lawn mower.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a riding lawn mower showing a transmission system.

[Fig. 4] Rear view of a vertical section of a riding lawn mower

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view showing the transmission system of the intermediate case.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transmission system of (a) according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a transmission system of (b) according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a transmission system of (C) according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a transmission system of (d) according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transmission system of (e) according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 front and rear wheels 3 engine 6 continuously variable transmission 15 steps 18 Rear fender 42 Intermediate case 44 input shaft 46 Intermediate shaft 47 Traveling pulley 48 output pulley 49 Clutch mechanism 50 Working pulley D running output E Work output section M Moore

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-7-117500 (JP, A) JP-A-63-110028 (JP, A) JP-A-7-156672 (JP, A) JP-A-60-1029 (JP , A) JP-A-8-42669 (JP, A) Actual development 4-35027 (JP, U) Actual development Sho 63-68560 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB) (Name) B60K 17/04-17/08 B60K 17/28 A01D 34/64 B60K 20/00 B60K 25/00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] The method according to claim 1 Anterior to en <br/> di emissions of vehicle body having the front and rear wheels, comprising a continuously variable transmission for driving the rear wheels in the rear, vertically movably the mower in an intermediate position of the front and rear wheels equipped with a riding mower, the intermediate case convey branches the power transmitted from the engine to said continuously variable transmission and the mower, mission
Separate from the mission case
It is installed on the traveling machine body with a space in between , and supports the rear wheel, which is located below the step on the machine body frame in the vertical direction, where the intermediate case is arranged .
That at the level overlaps with the transmission case, and is set to a position that overlaps with the rear wheel in the longitudinal direction, the drive system to the mower from the intermediate case, the intermediate case
A riding lawn mower characterized by being arranged from the bottom to the front . 2. The intermediate case is set and arranged at an intermediate upper position between the continuously variable transmission and the mower in a side view and at a substantially lower position of a portion where a rear fender and a step are connected. The riding lawn mower according to claim 1. 3. The intermediate case includes an input shaft projecting forward so that power from the engine is input, and the power from the input shaft is transmitted to the continuously variable transmission located rearward of the intermediate case. A traveling output unit arranged at an upper position of the intermediate case and a working output unit arranged at a lower position of the intermediate case so as to transmit power from the input shaft to the mower at a position forward of the intermediate case. The riding lawn mower according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. The traveling case in which the intermediate case comprises a vertically oriented intermediate shaft to which power from the input shaft is transmitted, and the traveling output section is connected and fixed to an upper end of the intermediate shaft. The riding lawn mower according to claim 3, wherein the riding output is a pulley, and the work output portion is a work pulley connected and fixed to a lower end of the intermediate shaft. 5. The riding lawn mower according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate case is provided with a clutch mechanism capable of switching between a state where power from the intermediate shaft is transmitted to the work pulley and a state where it is not transmitted. 6. The passenger compartment according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate case is integrally formed with an output pulley for transmitting the power from the intermediate shaft to a device outside the body at a position above the traveling pulley. Lawn mower.