JP7788992B2 - Work equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a work machine such as a backhoe.

Conventionally, work machines (work machinery, construction machinery) are known, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The work machines disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are equipped with rear lights (rear confirmation lights, illuminating lights) that illuminate the area behind the machine, and a rear camera (rear confirmation camera, rear camera) that captures images of the area behind the machine. With these prior art work machines, even in dark environments such as at night, it is possible to perform work while visually checking the image of the area behind the machine captured by the rear camera.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-202331 Patent No. 6106408

However, all of the above-mentioned prior art relates to large work machines. In the case of large work machines, the rear of the machine body protrudes significantly behind the cabin, and a counterweight is placed on the protruding part to balance the work equipment. The rear camera and rear lighting are mounted as a set on the counterweight at the rear end of the machine body.

For this reason, with the above-mentioned conventional technology, even if the rear lighting can illuminate the imaging area of the rear camera, there is a problem in that the visual range cannot be sufficiently illuminated when the operator inside the cabin looks directly behind.

One aspect of the present invention aims to improve workability in dark environments by appropriately illuminating the area captured by the rear camera and the operator's visual area.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a work machine comprising a machine body, a cabin located on top of the machine body, a rear light located at the rear upper part of the cabin and illuminating the area behind the cabin, above the rear of the machine body, and the area behind the machine body, and a rear camera located at the rear of the machine body and behind the cabin and capturing images of the area behind the machine body.

With the above configuration, the provision of rear lighting improves visibility when using the rear camera even in dark environments, improving workability in dark environments.

Furthermore, in the above configuration, the rear lights are not placed near the rear camera as a set, but are instead deliberately installed separately from the rear camera at the upper rear of the cabin.

This allows the light to be emitted from a higher position than the hood, widening the illumination range behind the aircraft compared to when the rear camera is placed on the hood in combination with the light, further improving workability in dark environments.

In addition, when the operator inside the cabin turns around to look directly at the rear of the aircraft, they will be able to see the rear of the aircraft, including areas higher than the hood, improving direct visibility and further improving workability in dark environments.

In a work machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the rear lighting may be installed so as to illuminate the vicinity of the machine body within the imaging range of the rear camera.

With the above configuration, light is illuminated near the machine within the imaging range of the rear camera, allowing the operator to use the rear camera to check with good visibility the area near the rear end of the machine, which is the area they most want to see. This further improves workability in dark environments.

In a work machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the rear camera may be installed so that the rear end of the machine is within its imaging range.

With the above configuration, the rear end of the aircraft is within the imaging range of the rear camera, making it easier for the operator to grasp the distance between the rear end of the aircraft and obstacles located behind the aircraft.

Furthermore, in a work machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the rear lighting may be installed in the center of the cabin in the left-right direction.

The above configuration allows for appropriate illumination of the visibility range when the operator inside the cabin directly views the rear of the aircraft.

Furthermore, in a work machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the angle formed between a straight line hanging down from the rear lighting lamp and a straight line passing through the rear lighting lamp and the rear camera may be 45° or less in a side view.

With the above configuration, light from the rear lighting installed in the cabin is prevented from being blocked by the hood or other parts of the aircraft that protrude further rearward than the cabin, and the rear lighting installed in the cabin can illuminate the rear of the aircraft from a position close to the aircraft.

Furthermore, in a work machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the distance between the extension of a straight line passing through the rear lighting lamp and the rear camera and the rear end of the machine body may be 50 cm or less in a side view.

With the above configuration, the rear camera can be used to provide excellent visibility of the area near the rear end of the machine, which is the area the operator is most interested in. This further improves workability in dark environments.

Furthermore, a work machine according to one aspect of the present invention may include a hood that opens and closes to cover the rear of the cabin on the machine body, and a counterweight located below the hood, and the rear camera may be located on the hood.

With the above configuration, the area above the hood and the rear of the aircraft can be illuminated by rear lighting installed at the upper rear of the cabin.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the area captured by the rear camera and the operator's visual area can be appropriately illuminated, improving workability in dark environments.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a work machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the work machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic left side view of the work machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of the rear part of the working machine. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of the rear lighting lamp and the imaging range of the rear camera on the ground when the work machine is viewed from above. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of a rear lamp when the work machine is viewed from the left side. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a working machine suitable for a configuration in which rear lighting is provided in the cabin and a rear camera is provided on the hood.

(Outline of work machine 1)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a work machine 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the work machine 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic left side view of the work machine 1. In this embodiment, a backhoe, which is a rotating work machine, is exemplified as the work machine 1.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the work machine 1 comprises a traveling device 2, a machine body 3, and a working device 4. The machine body 3 is supported on the frame of the traveling device 2 via a bearing body so that it can rotate about a vertical axis (an axis extending in the up-down direction). The machine body 3 is equipped with a prime mover 6, a hood 7, a counterweight 8, and the working device 4, etc.

The cabin 5 has a driver's seat inside where the operator sits. In the following description, the front of the worker seated in the driver's seat will be referred to as the front, the rear of the worker, the left side of the worker, and the right side of the worker, as the left. The cabin 5 is installed on the left side of the machine body 3. A forward light 10 is installed in the upper front part of the cabin 5 to illuminate the work area in front of the work machine 1. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, two forward lights 10 are installed, one on the left and one on the right. A rear mirror 22 is installed in the upper rear right part of the cabin 5, and a front left mirror 23 is installed in the upper front left part of the cabin 5.

The prime mover 6 is located at the rear of the aircraft body 3. The prime mover 6 is located on the rear side of the cabin 5. The prime mover 6 is covered by a hood 7. The hood 7 is provided at the rear of the aircraft body 3 and covers the rear of the prime mover 6 in an openable and closable manner. The hood 7 is provided so as to be openable and closable around the front side near the rear of the cabin 5.

The counterweight 8 is a weight used to balance the weight of the work implement 4, and is located below (below) the hood 7. In this way, in a work machine 1 in which the counterweight 8 is located below the hood 7, the rear of the cabin 5 is located at the rear of the machine body 3. Furthermore, in the work machine 1, the rear end of the counterweight 8 protrudes further rearward than the rear end of the hood 7.

The working device 4 is a device that operates using hydraulic oil pressure as a working fluid pressure, and is installed at the front of the machine body 3. The working device 4 includes a first boom 15, a second boom 16, an arm 17, a bucket 18, and other components that are rotated by hydraulic cylinders 11, 12R, 12L, 13, and 14.

(Configuration for checking the rear of the aircraft)
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the main parts of the rear of the work machine 1. As shown in Figure 4, the work machine 1 is equipped with a rear lighting lamp 20 located at the upper rear of the cabin 5 and illuminating the area behind the cabin 5, above the rear of the machine body 3, and the area behind the machine body 3, and a rear camera 21 located at the rear of the machine body 3 and behind the cabin 5 and capturing images of the area behind the machine body 3. Specifically, the rear camera 21 is located on the hood. In other words, in the work machine 1, the rear camera 21 is disposed on the hood 7 to capture images of the area behind the machine body 3 in order to check the area behind the machine body 3, and a rear lighting lamp 20 is disposed at the upper rear of the cabin 5 to illuminate the area behind the cabin 5, above the rear of the machine body 3, and the area behind the machine body 3.

In this way, by providing the rear lighting 20, the work machine 1 can provide light to the area behind the cabin 5, above the rear of the machine body 3, and to the rear of the machine body 3, making it possible to work with good visibility while checking images captured of the area behind the machine body 3, even in dark environments such as at night.

The rear lighting lamp 20 is installed on the frame portion 5b above the rear opening 5a of the cabin 5 so that the main light beam is directed diagonally downward. The rear camera 21 is attached to the center of the hood 7 in the left-right direction. More specifically, the rear camera 21 is installed below an emblem 24 that protrudes rearward from the curved portion of the hood 7 that extends from the top surface to the rear surface.

When installing the rear lights 20, it is possible to place them as a set near the rear camera 21, as in the large work machine of the prior art described above. In other words, the rear lights 20 are attached to the hood 7 together with the rear camera 21. By attaching the rear lights 20 as a set near the rear camera 21, there are advantages such as being able to handle all the wiring required behind the hood 7 in one place.

However, in the work machine 1, the rear lights 20 are installed at the upper rear of the cabin 5, away from the rear camera 21. This arrangement takes advantage of the fact that in a work machine in which the counterweight 8 is located under the hood 7, the rear of the cabin 5 is located at the rear of the machine body 3.

This allows light to be emitted from a position higher than the hood 7, widening the illumination range behind the vehicle 3 compared to when the rear lighting lamp 20 is placed on the hood 7 in combination with the rear camera 21. Specifically, the area behind the vehicle 3 is illuminated, including the top surface of the hood 7, part of the counterweight 8, and the rear end of the running gear 2.

Furthermore, if the rear lighting lamp 20 is placed on the hood 7 together with the rear camera 21, it can only illuminate a position lower than the hood 7. Therefore, if the operator in the cabin 5 turns around and looks directly at the rear of the aircraft 3, the light will only be shining near the ground, and visibility cannot be said to be good.

In contrast, by installing the rear lighting 20 at the upper rear of the cabin 5, light is emitted from a position higher than above the head of the operator inside the cabin 5, and light can also be emitted to high positions behind the aircraft 3 that are far from the ground, including above the hood 7. Therefore, when the operator inside the cabin 5 turns around to directly view the rear of the aircraft 3, they can see the rear of the aircraft 3, including positions higher than the hood 7, thereby improving visibility when viewed directly.

In addition, the rear lamp 20 may be configured to illuminate the engine 6 located inside the hood 7 when it is open, or the engine 6 when the hood 7 is removed. This eliminates the need to provide separate lighting to illuminate the engine 6, improving convenience during maintenance.

The direction of the rear lighting lamps 20 and the angle of the rear mirror 22 installed on the upper right rear of the cabin 5 may be adjusted so that the light from the rear lighting lamps 20 is reflected by the rear mirror 22 and directed toward the motor 6. The light from the rear lighting lamps 20 may also be reflected by the rear mirror 22 to illuminate the rear end of the aircraft 3 within the imaging range of the rear camera 21.

The rear lighting lamp 20 may be installed so that the angle can be adjusted within a predetermined range in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or both, based on the state in which it is installed so that the main light beam is directed diagonally downward.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of the rear lighting lamp 20 and the imaging range of the rear camera 21 on the ground when the work machine 1 is viewed from above. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of the rear lighting lamp 20 when the work machine 1 is viewed from the left side.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rear lighting fixtures 20 are preferably installed so as to illuminate the vicinity of the aircraft 3 within the imaging range RB of the rear camera 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in a side view, the distance (shortest distance) L4 between an extension line L2 of a straight line L1 passing through the rear lighting fixtures 20 and the rear camera 21 and the rear end of the aircraft 3 is preferably 50 cm or less, more preferably 30 cm or less, and it is even more preferable that the extension line L2 intersects with the rear of the aircraft 3. Furthermore, in a side view, the distance L6 on the ground surface 30 between an extension line L2 of a straight line L1 passing through the rear lighting fixtures 20 and the rear camera 21 and a straight line L3 hanging down from the rear end of the aircraft 3 is preferably 1 m or less, more preferably 50 cm or less.

With the above configuration, light is irradiated near the aircraft 3 within the imaging range RB of the rear camera 21. This allows the operator to check with good visibility the condition near the rear end of the aircraft, which is the area of greatest interest to them, when using the rear camera 21 in a dark environment. This further improves workability in dark environments.

In the work machine 1, the illumination range RA on the ground surface of the rear lighting 20 is located within the imaging range RB of the rear camera 21, excluding the portion of the machine body 3 that is forward of the mounting position of the rear camera 21. The illumination range RA is the range in which light of 1 Lx or more is illuminated onto the ground surface 30.

As an example, in the case of the work machine 1, as shown in Figure 6, the rear lighting 20 is set to illuminate the ground surface 30 with light of 1 Lx or more from the rear end of the counterweight 8 (straight line L3), which is the rearmost part of the machine body 3, to a position 5 m rearward (L5 = 5 m). This allows the rear camera 21 to capture an image of the area from the rear end of the counterweight 8 to a position 5 m rearward with good visibility, even in dark environments. Note that the distance L5 = 5 m is merely an example.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, in the work machine 1, the rear camera 21 is preferably installed so that the counterweight 8 (or the rear end of the machine body 3) falls within the imaging range RB. With this configuration, the counterweight 8 is included in the image captured by the rear camera 21, making it easier for the operator to grasp the sense of distance between the rear end of the machine body 3 and any obstacles located behind the machine body 3.

Also, as shown in Figure 1, the rear lighting 20 may be installed in the center of the cabin 5 in the left-right direction. This configuration allows the operator inside the cabin 5 to appropriately illuminate the visibility range when directly viewing the area behind the machine body 3. Furthermore, the rear lighting 20 does not obstruct visibility in the rear mirror 22 installed on the upper right rear of the cabin 5. Furthermore, since it is possible to illuminate the undercarriage area at the rear left side of the machine body 3, where the entrance and exit to the cabin 5 is located, the operator can easily see what is at their feet when getting on and off the work machine 1.

(Configuration suitable for installing rear lighting at the rear upper part of the cabin)
Here, a work machine suitable for a configuration in which rear lighting 20 is disposed in the upper rear portion of the cabin 5 and a rear camera 21 is disposed on the hood 7 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a work machine 1 suitable for a configuration in which rear lighting 20 is disposed in the cabin 5 and a rear camera 21 is disposed on the hood 7.

As shown in FIG. 7 , when viewing the work machine 1 from the side, the angle θ between the line L7 hanging down from the rear lighting lamp 20 and the line L1 passing through the rear lighting lamp 20 and the rear camera 21 is preferably 45° or less, and more preferably 34° or less. This configuration prevents light from the rear lighting lamp 20 installed in the cabin 5 from being blocked by the hood 7 or the like that protrudes further rearward from the vehicle body 3 than the cabin 5, allowing the rear lighting lamp 20 installed in the cabin 5 to illuminate the rear of the vehicle body 3 from a position closer to the vehicle body 3. The smaller the angle θ, the less the light is blocked by the rear of the vehicle body 3, which is preferable.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Work machine 2 Traveling device 3 Machine body 4 Work device 5 Cabin 6 Motor 7 Bonnet 8 Counterweight 10 Front light 20 Rear light 21 Rear camera 22 Rear mirror 30 Ground surface L1 Line L2 passing through the rear light and the rear camera Extension line L3 Line L4 hanging down from the rear end of the machine body Distance L7 Line RA hanging down from the rear light Illumination range RB Imaging range

Claims (6)

The aircraft and
a cabin located on the fuselage;
a rear lighting lamp located at an upper rear portion of the cabin and illuminating an area behind the cabin, an area above the rear portion of the airframe, and an area behind the airframe;
a rear camera located at the rear of the airframe and at the rear of the cabin, the rear camera capturing an image of the rear of the airframe ;
the rear lighting is installed to illuminate the vicinity of the aircraft within the imaging range of the rear camera,
In a side view, the angle formed by a straight line hanging down from the rear lighting lamp and a straight line passing through the rear lighting lamp and the rear camera is 45° or less . The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein the rear camera is installed so that the rear end of the machine body is included in the imaging range. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein the rear lighting lamp is installed at the center of the cabin in the left-right direction. 2. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein, in a side view, a distance between an extension of a straight line passing through the rear lighting lamp and the rear camera and the rear end of the machine body is 50 cm or less. The aircraft and
a cabin located on the fuselage;
a rear lighting lamp located at an upper rear portion of the cabin and illuminating an area behind the cabin, an area above the rear portion of the airframe, and an area behind the airframe;
a rear camera located at the rear of the airframe and at the rear of the cabin, the rear camera capturing an image of the rear of the airframe ;
the rear lighting is installed to illuminate the vicinity of the aircraft within the imaging range of the rear camera,
In a side view, the distance between the extension of a straight line passing through the rear lighting lamp and the rear camera and the rear end of the machine body is 50 cm or less . a hood that opens and closes to cover the rear of the cabin in the aircraft body;
a counterweight located below the bonnet,
6. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the rear camera is disposed on the hood.