JP7743248B2 - dump truck - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dump truck .

Transport vehicles such as dump trucks are highly versatile and can be used to transport a variety of loads.

In addition, a technology has been disclosed in which add-on support posts are erected on the sides of the loading platform of a transport vehicle to prevent the load placed on the platform from collapsing (Patent Document 1, etc.).

Patent No. 6892658

The inventors of the present application have noticed that while such transport vehicles are highly versatile in terms of their configuration, various regulations exist for different applications, and there is still room for improvement in fully utilizing the structural characteristics of transport vehicles. For example, in transport vehicles used to transport soil, gravel, crushed stone, concrete rubble, etc. (hereinafter referred to as soil and sand, etc.), the use of devices that can contribute to increasing the load capacity of the loading platform, such as the support posts in Patent Document 1, is not permitted by law. As a result, it is difficult to utilize devices (metal fittings) such as support posts even in situations where the vehicle is not being used to transport soil and sand, etc.

The object of the present invention is to provide a dump truck that can selectively use a tailgate and support fittings while taking advantage of the characteristics of the transport vehicle according to the application, and can be used for transporting both using support fittings and transporting earth and sand, etc.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a dump truck that includes a chassis, a loading platform having a floor panel, left and right side panels, and a tailgate , and a tilting device that tilts the loading platform relative to the chassis , and that is configured so that the upper part of the tailgate rotates around a rotation axis at the lower part and tilts backward from an upright position to a lying position , and that includes a fixing portion for fixing a support post that extends in the vertical direction and is an optional part used when loading a second load that is different in nature from a first load that is loaded and dumped when the tailgate is in an upright state. The support post, when fixed to the fixing parts, extends upward to a height exceeding the upper edges of the left and right side panels, but is configured so that the entire support post does not protrude rearward from the rear edge of the collapsed tailgate, the fixing parts are holes provided in the left and right side panels so as to overlap with or be located rearward of the standing position of the tailgate when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the installation space for the support post fixed by the hole overlaps with the standing position of the tailgate, making it possible to selectively use the tailgate or the support post.

According to the present invention, the tailgate and support brackets can be selectively used, allowing the vehicle to be used for transporting both support brackets (e.g., support posts) and earth and sand. For example, when transporting long lumber, the tailgate can be placed in a collapsed position, allowing the support brackets to be used in the space when the tailgate is in an upright position. In other words, the vehicle can be configured to utilize the support brackets when the intended use is clearly to transport lumber, rather than earth and sand, further improving its versatility as a transport vehicle.

1 is a side view of a dump truck, which is an example of a transport vehicle to which a transport vehicle loading platform according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG. 1 is a rear view of a dump truck, which is an example of a transport vehicle to which a transport vehicle loading platform according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. An explanatory diagram of the dump truck shown in FIG. 1 being used to transport earth and sand, etc. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a side plate of a platform for a transport vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support post, which is an optional part for a platform for a transport vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a side plate of a platform for a transport vehicle according to a modified example of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support post, which is an optional part for a platform for a transport vehicle according to a modified example of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support post, which is an optional part for a platform for a transport vehicle according to another modification of the present invention; Enlarged rear view of part IX in Figure 8

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention using the drawings.

-Transport vehicle-
Fig. 1 is a side view of a dump truck, which is an example of a transporter to which a transporter bed according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2 is a rear view. Fig. 4 is a view showing the state in which the tailgate of the bed of the dump truck shown in Fig. 1 is raised. Hereinafter, the left and right in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the front and rear of the dump truck. Note that the bed according to the present invention is not limited to dump trucks, but can also be applied to trucks and crawler carriers whose beds are stationary.

The dump truck shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a chassis 1, a loading platform 10, a tilting device (not shown), etc. The chassis 1 is the vehicle portion of the dump truck and is composed of a cab 2 and a chassis frame (car frame) 3 connected to the rear of the cab 2. The chassis frame 3 comprises left and right main frames 4 extending in the fore-and-aft direction and multiple cross members 5 (Figure 2) connecting the left and right main frames 4. Although not specifically shown, the chassis 1 is equipped with an engine (prime mover) and a transmission connected to the engine via a clutch, and the driving force of the engine is transmitted via the transmission to the drive system of the drive wheels to enable the vehicle to travel.

The lower rear portion of the loading platform 10 is rotatably connected to the chassis frame 3 via an axle 6. The axle 6 connects the loading platform 10 to the main frame 4 of the chassis frame 3 with its central axis extending left and right. The loading platform 10 and chassis frame 3 are also connected by a tilting device separate from the axle 6. The tilting device's tilting cylinder (not shown) extends and retracts, tilting the loading platform 10 relative to the chassis frame 3 around the axle 6 as a fulcrum, allowing the loading platform 10 to stand diagonally or to lie horizontally as shown in Figure 1. The tilting cylinder extends and retracts using pressurized oil from a hydraulic pump (not shown) mounted on the chassis frame 3.

-Cargo bed-
The loading platform 10 has a floor panel 11, left and right side panels 12, and a tailgate (rear gate) 13. The loading platform 10 can also be fitted with left and right support brackets, specifically support posts 20 extending vertically, as optional parts (genuine products).

The floor plate 11 becomes horizontal when the dump truck is on level ground with the loading platform 10 lying down.

The left and right side panels 12 rise from the left and right edges of the floor panel 11. In the case of the dump truck illustrated in Figure 1, the left and right side panels 12 are each divided into three parts, a front section 15, a rear section 16, and a center section 17. The front section 15 and rear section 16 of each side panel 12 are fixed to the floor panel 11. In contrast, the center section 17 between the front section 15 and rear section 16 of each side panel 12 forms a gate door whose lower part is rotatably connected to the floor panel 11 via a hinge, and which opens outward in the vehicle width direction by releasing the connection between the front section 15 and rear section 16.

The tailgate 13 is configured so that its upper part rotates around a rotation axis at the bottom, allowing it to tilt backward from an upright position (dashed two-dot line in Figure 1) to a collapsed position (solid line in Figure 1). Figure 1 shows the tailgate 13 in the collapsed position, and Figure 3 shows the tailgate 13 in the upright position.

In this embodiment, the upright position of the tailgate 13 (in other words, the tailgate 13 in the upright position shown in Figure 3) is tilted backward from the vertical when viewed from the left and right, as shown in Figure 1. The angle of inclination of the upright position of the tailgate 13 can be changed as appropriate in relation to other elements, and the upright position of the tailgate 13 may also be set vertically.

The rear portions 16 of the left and right side panels 12 are provided with holes 18 as fixing portions for fixing optional support posts 20 (Figure 3). These holes 18 (fixing portions of the support posts 20) are located rearward of the upright position of the tailgate 13 (dashed two-dot line in Figure 1) when viewed from the vehicle width direction (a position that overlaps below the upright position of the rearward-tilted tailgate 13 when viewed from above). However, the position of the holes 18 can also be set to a position that partially or completely overlaps the upright position of the tailgate 13 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, or a position that circumscribes the upright position of the tailgate 13.

-Support post-
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the rear portion 16 of the side panel 12 of the cargo bed 10, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the support post 20. Fig. 5 shows the left support post 20, but the right support post 20 has a symmetrical configuration to the left support post 20.

The support post 20 is composed of a post body 21 and a support 22. The material and shape of the post body 21 and support 22 can be changed as appropriate, but in this embodiment they are made of general-purpose structural steel and are formed into an L-shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction (Figures 1 and 5).

The post body 21 is the main body of the support post 20 and extends linearly up and down (e.g., vertically). In this embodiment, the post body 21 is constructed using an H-shaped steel beam. The support 22 is welded to the lower end of the inner side of the post body 21 in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward (e.g., horizontally). While it is possible to configure the support 22 to extend forward of the post body 21, this embodiment illustrates a configuration in which the support 22 extends rearward so that the support post 20 (at least the support 22) does not overlap the upper surface of the floor panel 11 of the cargo bed 10 when the support post 20 is installed. This is to ensure a large floor area for the cargo bed 10. In this embodiment, the support 22 is constructed using a channel steel beam. The channel steel beam is used in an orientation in which the channel cross-section opens upward (Figure 5). Furthermore, the length of the support 22 is set in accordance with the dimensions of the tailgate 13 so that it does not protrude rearward from the rear edge of the collapsed tailgate 13 when the support post 20 is attached to the side panel 12 of the cargo bed 10.

In this embodiment, the post body 21 has one flange (the outer flange in the vehicle width direction) and web of the H-shaped steel cut and removed a set distance from the bottom end, creating a step between the upper H-shaped section 23 and the flat lower section 24 when viewed from the front and rear (Figure 2). This step corresponds to the shape of the rear section 16 of the side panel 12 of the cargo bed 10, with the lower end surface of the upper section 23 forming seat surface 25, the outer side of the lower section 24 in the vehicle width direction (opposite the support 22) forming seat surface 26, and the lower end surface of the support post 20 (the lower surface of the support 22) forming seat surface 27. Specifically, the distance between seat surfaces 25 and 27 is set to match the distance from the top surface of the floor panel 11 of the cargo bed 10 to the upper end surface of the rear section 16 of the side panel 12.

A hole 28 (Figure 5) is provided in the lower part of the support post 20. The position of this hole 28 is aligned with the position of the hole 18 (Figure 4) in the side panel 12 of the cargo bed 10, and the support post 20 is fixed to the cargo bed 10 with fasteners F (Figure 1), such as bolts and nuts. When fasteners F are bolts and nuts, the support post 20 is fixed to the cargo bed 10 by tightening the nuts onto the bolts passed through holes 18 and 28. When the support post 20 is fixed to the cargo bed 10 in this way, as shown in Figure 2, the seat surface 26 of the support post 20 faces (preferably in surface contact with) the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the rear portion 16 of the side panel 12, the seat surface 25 faces the upper end surface of the side panel 12, and the seat surface 27 faces (preferably in surface contact with) the upper surface of the lowered tailgate 13.

At this time, the cargo bed 10 is configured so that the installation space (corresponding to the space where the support post 20 exists in Figure 1) for the support post 20, which is fixed to the side panel 12 of the cargo bed 10 by fasteners F at holes 18 and 28, overlaps with the tailgate 13 in its upright position (shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1) (see Figure 1). Thus, when the tailgate 13 of the cargo bed 10 is in its upright position, the tailgate 13 interferes and the support post 20 cannot be attached to the side panel 12; therefore, in order to attach the support post 20 to the side panel 12, the tailgate 13 must be in its reclined position (see Figure 1). Conversely, with the support post 20 attached to the cargo bed 10, the tailgate 13 cannot be moved to its upright position; to move the tailgate 13 to its upright position, the support post 20 must be removed. Thus, the cargo bed 10 is configured so that the tailgate 13 and the support post 20 cannot be used simultaneously; use of the tailgate 13 or the support post 20 is selective.

-How to use the loading platform-
(1) When transporting earth and sand When a dump truck is used to transport earth and sand, the tailgate 13 is locked in the upright position as shown in Figure 3. This allows heavy machinery such as a hydraulic excavator to load earth and sand onto the loading platform 10.

(2) When transporting lumber, etc. For example, when a dump truck is used to transport lumber, etc., the tailgate 13 is lowered to the lowered position, and the support posts 20 are attached to the left and right side panels 12 of the loading platform 10, as shown in Figure 1. This prevents the load of lumber, etc. loaded on the loading platform 10 from shifting by the support posts 20, and the load can also be tied down with ropes, wires, etc. using the support posts 20.

-effect-
(1) As described above, when a dump truck is used to load lumber or the like onto the bed 10, the support posts 20 can be attached and used to prevent the load from shifting and to tie down the load. On the other hand, when a dump truck is used to transport earth and sand, the support posts 20 can be removed and the tailgate 13 placed in an upright position, allowing earth and sand to be loaded onto the bed 10. The tailgate 13 and the support posts 20 can only be used selectively, and the tailgate 13 must be folded down to attach the support posts 20. Furthermore, when the tailgate 13 is folded down, the support posts 20 are ineffective and earth and sand cannot be loaded onto the bed 10. In other words, the support posts 20 cannot be used when transporting earth and sand.

In this way, the loading platform 10 of this embodiment can selectively use the tailgate 13 or the support post 20, and can be used for transporting materials using the support post 20 or for transporting earth and sand. Therefore, by clearly distinguishing between different uses, the dump truck's versatility is greatly improved.

(2) In this embodiment, the tailgate 13 is configured to tilt backward when in the upright position. Therefore, by providing holes 18 at or behind (below) the upright position of the tailgate 13, it is possible to use support fittings other than the optional support post 20. For example, even if a support post A (not shown) with a different shape is used as a replacement (non-genuine product) for the optional support post 20, the layout of holes 18 necessitates that the tailgate 13 be tilted. Therefore, even the replacement support post A cannot be used when transporting earth and sand, etc. (when the tailgate 13 is in the upright position). Therefore, the replacement support post A can be used in the same way as the optional support post 20.

(3) If the hole 18 is provided at or behind the raised position of the tailgate 13, when the tailgate 13 is raised, the hole 18 is outside the volume range of the cargo bed 10, so that fine particles of cargo such as soil will not spill out of the hole 18.

(4) The support post 20 faces or comes into surface contact with the upper surface and side panel 12 of the tailgate 13 when it is in the collapsed position due to the seating surfaces 25-27. Therefore, even when the dump truck is traveling, for example, these seating surfaces 25-27 can suppress the swinging of the support post 20 in the forward/backward and left/right directions.

-Modification-
The structure and fixing method of the support post 20 can be modified in design as long as the installation space for the support post 20 overlaps with the upright position of the tailgate 13.

As one example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, an L-shaped lever 29 may be attached to the support post 20, and the hole 18 in the side panel 12 of the loading platform 10 may be replaced with an elongated hole. In this example, the lever 29 is passed through the hole 18, the support post 20 is placed in a predetermined installation space, and when the lever 29 is turned, the support post 20 is restrained and fixed to the side panel 12. Note that Figures 6 and 7 correspond to Figures 4 and 5, and elements in Figures 6 and 7 that are the same as or correspond to those in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the previously mentioned drawings, and their description will be omitted.

Another example is the configuration shown in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 5, and Figure 9 is an enlarged view of section IX in Figure 8 from the rear. The support post 20 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is configured by connecting left and right post bodies 21 with a cross member 30 extending laterally, with a support 22 connected to the rear of the cross member 30. The lower parts of the left and right post bodies 21 are provided with pins 31 that can move outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the post bodies 21. These pins 31 are inserted into holes 18 (Figure 4) in the left and right side panels 12 of the loading platform 10 to secure the support post 20. The pin 31 shown in Figure 9 has an L-shaped handle located between the flanges of the H-beam that make up the post body 21. Operating this handle allows the pin 31 to move back and forth relative to the post body 21, as indicated by arrow X in Figure 9, or the handle can be rotated a predetermined angle around the central axis of the pin 31, as indicated by arrow θ in Figure 9, to restrict the movement of the pin 31 in the forward and backward directions.

In addition, the layout of the holes 18 can be modified as appropriate depending on the configuration of the support post 20, as long as the installation space for the support post 20 meets the condition that it overlaps with the upright position of the tailgate 13. Furthermore, the fixing portion of the support post 20 is not necessarily limited to the holes 18, and other forms such as protrusions and recesses that engage with the support post 20 can also be used. Furthermore, the shape of the support fitting is not limited to a shape that extends vertically (post-shaped support post 20), but may be any shape suitable for use on a dump truck.

10... Bed (cargo platform for transport vehicle), 11... Floor panel, 12... Side panel, 13... Tailgate, 18... Hole (fixing part), 20... Support post (support bracket)

Claims (2)

A dump truck comprising a chassis, a loading platform having a floor panel, left and right side panels, and a tailgate , and a tilting device for tilting the loading platform relative to the chassis , wherein the tailgate is configured so that an upper portion thereof rotates around a rotation axis at a lower portion thereof, and the tailgate is tilted backward from an upright position to a lying position,
The tailgate is provided with a fixing portion for fixing a support post extending in the vertical direction, which is an optional part used when loading a second load having properties different from the first load that is loaded and dumped with the tailgate in an upright position ,
the support post extends upward to a height exceeding the upper edges of the left and right side panels when fixed to the fixing portion, but is configured so as not to protrude entirely rearward from the rear edge of the tailgate when it is laid down,
the fixing portions are holes provided in the left and right side plates so as to overlap with or be positioned rearward of the upright position of the tailgate as viewed in the vehicle width direction,
A dump truck characterized in that the installation space of the support post fixed by the hole overlaps with the upright position of the tailgate, making it possible to selectively use the tailgate and the support post. The dump truck of claim 1,
The support post is provided.
The dump truck is characterized in that the support post is configured to be in surface contact with the upper surface or the side panel of the tailgate when in the collapsed position.