JP7365982B2 - boom sprayer - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to boom sprayers.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as a boom sprayer for spraying chemical liquid, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The boom sprayer described in Patent Document 1 includes a four-bar link device as a lifting device at the front of the vehicle, and a front frame is connected to the front link of the four-bar link device. Vertical members extending in the vertical direction are fixed to both sides of the front frame in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and one end of a link rod is rotatably connected to the upper part of the vertical member on one side in the left-right direction of the vehicle. Further, a stator of the inclined cylinder is rotatably connected to the upper part of the vertical member on the other side in the left-right direction of the vehicle. A center boom extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle is disposed in front of the vehicle, and the other end of the link rod is rotatably connected to one side of the center portion of the center boom in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The movable element of the inclined cylinder is rotatably connected to the other side of the central portion of the center boom in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the link rod and the inclined cylinder form a V-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, a four-side (four-section) link structure is formed by the upper part of the front frame that forms the upper side, the link rod and inclined cylinder that form the oblique side, and the center boom that forms the lower side. It is supported so that it can swing in a pendulum-like manner in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and horizontal control using a four-side link structure allows the center boom to become horizontal due to gravity. In this horizontal state, the movable element of the inclined cylinder is located in a retracted position. Note that horizontal is a direction perpendicular to the direction of Earth's gravity.

In such a boom sprayer, when traveling and working on flat ground (horizontal field), the vehicle does not tilt and is horizontal, and the center boom is parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle and is horizontal. On the other hand, in the case of a sloping field, while the vehicle is tilted, the center boom swings in the left-right direction of the vehicle due to horizontal control by gravity and becomes horizontal. In this case, the movable element of the tilting cylinder is extended, and the center boom becomes parallel to the left-right direction of the tilted vehicle. In this state, the movers of the lock cylinders, which are disposed opposite to each other along the center boom on both sides of the vehicle in the left-right direction and have stators fixed to the center boom, extend and come into contact with the left and right vertical members of the front frame, respectively. By coming into contact with each other, the center boom becomes unable to swing and is fixed (locked). In other words, in the case of a sloping field, the center boom becomes parallel to the lateral direction of the vehicle that is tilted and parallel to the sloping field due to the extension of the mover of the tilting cylinder, and the horizontal control of the center boom by the pendulum is locked. By being locked (stopped) by the cylinder, the center boom does not come into contact with farmland or crops.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-143768

As described above, the boom sprayer of Cited Document 1 requires a pair of lock cylinders in the left-right direction of the vehicle in order to lock the horizontal control of the center boom and fix the center boom in a state parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle. However, the cost was high and a large space was required.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a boom sprayer that can reduce costs, save space, and have a compact design.

A boom sprayer (100) according to the present invention includes a center boom (14) that is disposed on the front or rear side of a vehicle (1), extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and is capable of spraying a chemical solution; A pair of center boom support parts (11) are provided in the left-right direction of the vehicle to support the center boom support part (14), the upper part of which is rotatably connected to the center boom support part (11), and the lower part of which is rotatably connected to the center boom support part (11). (14), and the center boom (14) can swing pendulum-like in the left-right direction of the vehicle with respect to the center boom support (11) so that the center boom (14) becomes horizontal due to gravity. a suspension member (15) supported by the center boom (14); and a lock provided along the longitudinal center of the center boom (14) to lock the center boom (14) and the left-right direction of the vehicle so that they are parallel to each other. a cylinder (21, 31, 41), the lock cylinder (21, 31, 41) is disposed within a single cylinder tube (22) and the cylinder tube (22); Each piston rod (23) is arranged so as to face in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction, and the piston rod (23) simultaneously expands and contracts in opposite directions during operation, and the piston head (23) of the piston rod (23) 26) extend until they respectively abut against the center boom support portions (11), thereby making the center boom (11) parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle and locking the center boom (14).

According to such a boom sprayer (100), while the vehicle (1) is tilted, for example in a sloping field, the center boom (14) swings in a pendulum-like manner in the left-right direction of the vehicle due to horizontal control by gravity, so that the center boom (14) remains horizontal. When the center boom (14) is about to become The piston rods (23) arranged to face in opposite directions simultaneously extend, and the piston heads (26) abut against the center boom support portions (11), respectively, thereby causing the center boom (14) and the vehicle to move in the left-right direction. are parallel and the center boom (14) is locked. In this way, the horizontal control of the center boom (14) by the pendulum can be locked using a single lock cylinder (21), so the number of cylinders can be reduced compared to the conventional technology, resulting in lower costs. At the same time, space is reduced and a compact design becomes possible.

Here, as a structure that preferably exhibits the above-mentioned effect, specifically, a pair of center boom support parts (11) are provided in the left-right direction of the vehicle and extend in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the center boom support parts (11) are provided at the upper part of the hanging member (15). The piston rods (23) of the lock cylinders (21, 31, 41) each extend and come into contact with the lower part of the vertical member (12), and the center boom ( 14) and the vehicle left-right direction are parallel to each other.

Moreover, as a structure that preferably exhibits the above-mentioned effect, specifically, the cylinder tube (22) is provided between the opposing rear end portions (27, 27) of the piston rod (23), and the piston rod (23) is provided with a hydraulic oil supply/drainage space (S) for simultaneously extending/retracting.
(100).

Further, if the lock cylinder (21, 31, 41) has a movement restricting means (24, 30, 40) that restricts the retraction of the piston rod (23), the retraction of the piston rod (23) can be ensured. In addition, a space for supplying/draining hydraulic oil can be secured between the opposing rear end portions (27, 27) of the piston rod (23).

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a boom sprayer that can be designed at a reduced cost and with a reduced space and compact design.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boom sprayer according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed diagonally from above. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the horizontal control device in FIG. 1; 3 is a front view of the horizontal control device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the horizontal control device and lock cylinder shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view of a horizontal control device and a lock cylinder when the boom sprayer shown in FIG. 1 is located in a sloped field where the right side of the vehicle is low and the left side is high. FIG. 2 is a rear view of a horizontal control device and a lock cylinder when the boom sprayer shown in FIG. 1 is located in a sloped field where the right side of the vehicle is high and the left side is low. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the lock cylinder in FIG. 4. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows another example of a lock cylinder. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing still another example of a lock cylinder. FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the boom sprayer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boom sprayer according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed diagonally from above, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the horizontal control device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the horizontal control device. 4 is a rear view of the horizontal control device and lock cylinder, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the horizontal control device and lock cylinder when the boom sprayer is located on a sloped field where the right side of the vehicle is low and the left side is high. 6 is a rear view of the horizontal control device and the lock cylinder when the boom sprayer is located in a sloped field where the right side of the vehicle is high and the left side is low, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the lock cylinder. The boom sprayer of this embodiment sprays a chemical solution, such as an agricultural chemical, while traveling, for example, in a field. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to directions with respect to the boom sprayer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the boom sprayer 100 is self-propelled and includes a travelable vehicle 1 and a boom device 2 for spraying a chemical solution from the vehicle 1.

A driver's seat 4 is provided at the front of the vehicle 1 to form a space where a worker is seated and to perform driving operations using a handle 3, chemical spraying operations, and the like. An engine room 5 that accommodates an engine is provided at the rear of the vehicle 1. A chemical liquid tank 6 is mounted between the driver's seat 4 and the engine room 5 to accommodate the chemical liquid sprayed from the boom device 2. The vehicle 1 includes a pair of front wheels 7 and a pair of rear wheels 8. The front wheels 7 and the rear wheels 8 are rotated by the engine. In this embodiment, the front wheels 7 and rear wheels 8 rotate because of four-wheel drive, but front wheel drive or rear wheel drive may be used.

In front of the driver's seat 4 of the vehicle 1, four-bar link mechanisms 9 are arranged in pairs in the left-right direction of the vehicle so as to extend forward. The boom device 2 is supported by the vehicle 1 via a four-bar linkage mechanism 9. When the four-bar linkage mechanism 9 is operated by the expansion and contraction motion of the electro-hydraulic cylinder (actuator) 10, a front frame 11 as a center boom support connected to the front side of the four-bar linkage mechanism 9 moves up and down.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front frame 11 is provided in a pair in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and has a vertical member 12 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a pair of front frames 11 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and are separated from each other by the vertical members 12 and 12. It includes a horizontal member 13 that connects the upper and lower parts, respectively. The vertical member 12 is configured by extending the front link of the four-bar linkage mechanism 9 further upwards of the vehicle. In addition, although the vertical member 12 and the front link are used here, they may be separate members.

The boom device 2 includes the front frame 11 connected to the four-bar link mechanism 9, a center boom 14 extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and a pair provided in the left-right direction of the vehicle. It includes a pair of hanging members 15 connected in the vehicle left and right direction, and a pair of side booms 16 rotatably connected to both ends of the center boom 14, as shown in FIG.

A nozzle pipe 17 is attached to each of the center boom 14 and the side boom 16, and each nozzle pipe 17 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 18 for spraying a chemical solution along the longitudinal direction. When performing chemical spraying, the side booms 16 are expanded from the state shown in FIG. 1 so as to be in a straight line with respect to the center boom 14. The chemical liquid pressure pump is driven by the engine while traveling, and the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tank 6 is sprayed from the nozzle 18 via the nozzle pipes 17 of the center boom 14 and the side boom 16. When the side boom 16 is not performing chemical spraying, it is folded as shown in FIG. 1 and is stored in a position on the side of the vehicle 1 with the rear raised diagonally.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the center boom 14 is disposed toward the front of the vehicle from the aforementioned front frame 11 and is located below the upper horizontal member 13. The hanging member 15 has an upper part rotatably connected to the front upper part of the vertical member 12, and a lower part rotatably connected to the upper part of the center boom 14, so that the hanging member 15 forms a V-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It is showing.

The pair of vertical members 12, the pair of hanging members 15, and the center boom 14 constitute a four-bar link mechanism, and the center boom 14 supports the hanging member 15 so that the center boom 14 becomes horizontal due to gravity. It is supported via the vertical member 12 so as to be swingable in the left-right direction of the vehicle in a pendulum-like manner. That is, the pair of vertical members 12, the pair of hanging members 15, and the center boom 14 constitute a horizontal control device that makes the center boom 14 horizontal. Here, horizontal means a direction perpendicular to the direction of Earth's gravity.

In addition, in the horizontal control device, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an upright member 19 is installed at the upper part of the center boom 14 in the longitudinal direction, and this upright member 19 is connected to the upper horizontal member. 13 and a regulating member 20 fixed to the transverse member 13 so as to be spaced apart from and parallel to the front of the vehicle. directional movement is restricted, and movement of the center boom 14 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is restricted.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, on the back of the center boom 14, the center boom 14 and the left-right direction of the vehicle are parallel to each other along the longitudinal center position of the center boom 14 in the longitudinal direction. A lock cylinder 21 for locking is provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lock cylinder 21 includes a single elongated cylinder tube 22, and each cylinder tube 22 is arranged within the cylinder tube 22 and is arranged so as to face in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder tube 22. A piston rod 23 is provided.

The inside of the cylinder tube 22 is divided into cylinder chambers 25 on both sides in the longitudinal direction by a partition wall 24 provided at the center in the longitudinal direction, and the piston rod 23 is arranged in each cylinder chamber 25 so as to face in the opposite direction, and the piston head 26 are provided so as to protrude from the left and right ends of the cylinder tube 22. The piston rod 23 has a large diameter portion near the rear end so as to slide in the cylinder chamber 25, and the center of the rear end 27 has a shape that protrudes rearward in a short length.

Ports 28 and 29 for supplying/draining hydraulic oil to each cylinder chamber 25 are provided at the partition wall 24 at the longitudinal center of the cylinder tube 22 and at both longitudinal ends of the cylinder tube 22, respectively. The partition wall 24 is provided with a flow path S that hangs down from a port 28 at the center in the longitudinal direction and extends to both sides of the cylinder tube 22 in the longitudinal direction, with each end communicating with the cylinder chambers 25 on both sides of the cylinder tube 22 in the longitudinal direction. It is being This flow path S is provided between the opposing rear end portions 27 and 27 of the piston rod 23 (provided in the partition wall 24), and supplies/discharges hydraulic oil for simultaneously extending/retracting the piston rod 23. It is said to be an oil space. The partition wall 24 constitutes a movement restricting means that comes into contact with the piston rod 23 when it retracts and restricts the retraction of the piston rod 23.

According to the boom sprayer 100 configured in this way, when the vehicle 1 travels and works on a horizontal farmland where only the running surface is sloped, the vehicle 1 tilts while the horizontal control device As a result, the center boom 14 swings in the left-right direction of the vehicle due to gravity and becomes horizontal. That is, the center boom 14 is not parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle, but is horizontal, and the center boom 14 and side booms 16 do not come into contact with horizontal farmland or crops. On the other hand, when the running surface is a horizontal plane, the vehicle 1 does not tilt, and the center boom 14 is parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle and is horizontal.

On the other hand, when the boom sprayer 100 is located in a sloping field where the right side of the vehicle is low and the left side is high, the vehicle 1 is tilted with the right side down in the left-right direction, and as shown in FIG. 5, the vertical member 12 and the horizontal member 13 are vertical. While the center boom 14 tilts to the right in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the center boom 14 swings counterclockwise so as to be horizontal. Then, the lock cylinder 21 starts operating, for example, due to a switch operation by the driver or detection by a sensor. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, hydraulic oil is supplied to the longitudinally central port 28 and drained from the ports 29, 29 at both longitudinal ends of the cylinder tube 22, so that the piston rod 23 is in the opposite position. As shown in FIG. 4, each piston head 26 extends until it comes into contact with the lower part of the vertical member 12, and the center boom 14 becomes parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle. locked.

Further, when the boom sprayer 100 is located on a sloped field where the right side of the vehicle is high and the left side is low, the vehicle 1 tilts with the left side in the left-right direction downward, and as shown in FIG. 6, the vertical member 12 and the horizontal member 13 are vertically While the center boom 14 tilts to the left in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the center boom 14 swings clockwise so as to be horizontal. Then, the lock cylinder 21 starts operating, for example, due to a switch operation by the driver or detection by a sensor. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, hydraulic oil is supplied to the port 28 at the longitudinal center of the cylinder tube 22 and drained from the ports 29, 29 at both longitudinal ends of the cylinder tube 22, so that the piston The rods 23 simultaneously extend in opposite directions, and as shown in FIG. 4, each piston head 26 extends until it comes into contact with the lower part of the vertical member 12, so that the center boom 14 and the left-right direction of the vehicle become parallel. The center boom 14 is locked.

That is, for example, in a sloping field where the entire field is slanted, even if the vehicle 1 is tilted, the center boom 14 is locked by the single lock cylinder 21 so that the center boom 14 is parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the center boom 14 and the left-right direction of the vehicle are parallel to each other, and the center boom 14 and side booms 16 are prevented from coming into contact with farmland or crops.

Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 reaches a horizontal field, as shown in FIG. Oil is drained from. Then, the piston rods 23 simultaneously retract in the opposite direction (towards the center), and the rear ends 27 of the piston rods 23 abut against the longitudinally central partition wall 24, thereby restricting the retraction of each piston rod 23. Ru. As a result, the horizontal control of the center boom 14 is unlocked, and the center boom 14 swings in the left-right direction of the vehicle due to gravity and becomes horizontal.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 1 is tilted, for example in a sloping field, and the center boom 14 swings in a pendulum-like manner in the left-right direction of the vehicle due to horizontal control by gravity and attempts to become horizontal, the center A lock cylinder 21 provided along the longitudinal center of the boom 14 and having a single cylinder tube 22 is actuated, and the piston rods 23 disposed in the cylinder tube 22 so as to face in opposite directions are simultaneously actuated. When the piston heads 26 extend and abut against the vertical members 12 of the front frame 11, the center boom 14 becomes parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the center boom 14 is locked. Locking of the control can be achieved by a single lock cylinder 21. Therefore, the number of cylinders can be reduced compared to the conventional technology, and costs can be reduced, and the space can be reduced, allowing for a compact design.

Further, since the lock cylinder 21 has a partition wall 24 that restricts the retraction of the piston rod 23, it is possible to reliably restrict the retraction of the piston rod 23, and also to prevent the rear ends 27, 27 of the piston rod 23 from opposing each other. In between, a flow path S can be secured as an oil supply/drainage space for hydraulic oil.

Note that it is preferable that the suspension member 15 on the right side (or the left side) in the left-right direction of the vehicle be an inclined cylinder whose piston rod is extendable and retractable as shown in the figure, so that the inclination angle of the center boom 14 can be changed.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of the lock cylinder. In this lock cylinder 31, instead of the partition wall 24, an annular retainer 30 is used as a movement restricting means for restricting the retraction of each piston rod 23. The retainer 30 is provided in the cylinder chamber 25 so as to come into contact with the peripheral edge of the rear end surface of the large diameter portion of each piston rod 23 when the piston rod 23 retracts. A hydraulic oil supply/drainage space S is formed between the rear end portions 27, 27 of the piston rod 23.

According to such a lock cylinder 31, since it has the retainer 30 that restricts the retraction of the piston rod 23, the retraction of the piston rod 23 can be reliably restricted, and the opposing rear end portions 27, A hydraulic oil supply/drainage space S can be secured between the two.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another example of the lock cylinder. In this lock cylinder 41, instead of the partition wall 24, a cylindrical stopper 40 is used as a movement restricting means for restricting the retraction of the piston rod 23. This stopper 40 is provided on the back surface of each piston head 26, and is provided so as to come into contact with the end surface of the cylinder tube 22 when each piston rod 23 retracts. A hydraulic oil supply/drainage space S is formed between the rear end portions 27, 27 of the piston rod 23.

According to such a lock cylinder 41, since it has the stopper 40 that restricts the retraction of the piston rod 23, the retraction of the piston rod 23 can be reliably restricted, and the opposing rear end portions 27, A hydraulic oil supply/drainage space S can be secured between the two.

Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiments, the lock cylinders 21, 31, 41 are particularly preferred. is assumed to be hydraulic pressure, but any fluid cylinder may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, application to the self-propelled boom sprayer 100 is described, but it can also be applied to a towed boom sprayer that is towed by a vehicle such as a tractor. It can also be applied to on-board boom sprayers mounted on vehicles. In these cases, the center boom 14 is located at the rear of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Vehicle, 11... Front frame (center boom support part), 12... Vertical member, 14... Center boom, 15... Hanging member, 21, 31, 41... Lock cylinder, 22... Cylinder tube, 23... Piston rod , 24... Bulkhead (movement regulating means), 26... Piston head, 27... Rear end portion, 30... Retainer (movement regulating means), 40... Stopper (movement regulating means), 100... Boom sprayer, S... Oil supply/drainage Oil space (flow path).

Claims (4)

A center boom (14) that is disposed on the front or rear side of the vehicle (1), extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and is capable of dispersing a chemical solution;
a center boom support part (11) connected to the vehicle (1) and supporting the center boom (14);
A pair is provided in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the upper part of which is rotatably connected to the center boom support part (11), and the lower part thereof is rotatably connected to the center boom (14), and the center boom a hanging member (15) that supports the center boom (14) in a pendulum-like manner in the left-right direction of the vehicle with respect to the center boom support portion (11) so that the center boom (14) is horizontal due to gravity;
a lock cylinder (21, 31, 41) provided along the longitudinal center of the center boom (14) for locking the center boom (14) so that it is parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle; , comprising:
The lock cylinder (21, 31, 41) is
a single cylinder tube (22);
Each piston rod (23) is disposed within the cylinder tube (22) and is disposed so as to face in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder tube (22),
The piston rod (23) simultaneously expands and contracts in opposite directions during operation;
By extending the piston head (26) of the piston rod (23) until it comes into contact with the center boom support section (11), the center boom (14) becomes parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle. ) is locked. The center boom support portions (11) each include a pair of vertical members (12) provided in the left-right direction of the vehicle, extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and rotatably supporting the upper portion of the hanging member (15),
The piston rods (23) of the lock cylinders (21, 31, 41) each extend and abut the lower part of the vertical member (12), so that the center boom (14) and the left-right direction of the vehicle become parallel. A boom sprayer (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder tube (22) is provided between the opposing rear end portions (27, 27) of the piston rod (23), and contains hydraulic oil for simultaneously extending/retracting the piston rod (23). Boom sprayer (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an oil supply/drainage space (S) is provided. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lock cylinder (21, 31, 41) has a movement restriction means (24, 30, 40) that restricts retraction of the piston rod (23). A boom sprayer (100) according to.

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