Patent Application
20240068178
The present invention relates to a work machine that smooths a road surface by rotating blades contacting the road surface.
Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3039124 discloses a rechargeable rotary iron for leveling a concrete surface.
In recent years, in work machines for finishing a concrete surface, electrification has been promoted in order to reduce CO2 emission, and efficiency improvement of finishing work has been studied. For example, at the time of work using a work machine, a work machine having excellent work efficiency is desired from the viewpoint of visibility, ease of operation, and the like of a worker.
In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a work machine with excellent work efficiency.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work machine that smooths a road surface by rotating a blade contacting the road surface, the work machine comprising: a motor that rotates the blade; and a power supply device that includes a battery pack that supplies electric power to the motor, wherein the power supply device is disposed above the motor.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a work machine with excellent work efficiency. By disposing the power supply device above the motor, a region where a worker can visually recognize the inside of the frame is enlarged, and visibility at the time of work can be improved.
The mass balance of the motor and the power supply device is uniform in the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction centering on the rotation shaft of the motor. Thus, when the worker grips the handle, moves the handle in the front-and-rear direction, and swings the frame of the work machine in the XY plane, the frame can be easily swung in the XY plane in both the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction in the XY plane.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention.
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, and limitation is not made an invention that requires all combinations of features described in the embodiments. Two or more of the multiple features described in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant description thereof is omitted.
A finishing work machine 10 of an embodiment will be described. In the respective drawings described below, arrows X, Y, and Z indicate directions orthogonal to each other, an X direction indicates the front-and-rear direction of the finishing work machine 10, a Y direction indicates the left-and-right direction (width direction) of the finishing work machine 10, and a Z direction indicates the up-and-down direction of the finishing work machine 10. In the embodiment, the finishing work machine 10 will also be simply referred to as a work machine 10.
[Configuration Example of Finishing Work Machine]
The finishing work machine 10 of the present embodiment is a finishing work machine that smooths a road surface RS by rotating blades 16C contacting the road surface RS. For example, at a construction site or the like, the finishing work machine 10 presses (contacts) the blades 16C (iron) on the road surface RS of concrete in an uncured state after the concrete is poured while rotating the blades 16C, and thus smooths the road surface RS. Work of smoothing the road surface RS of the concrete is referred to as finishing work, and the finishing work machine 10 of the present embodiment may be referred to as, for example, a trowel.
The finishing work machine 10 (trowel) includes a motor 11, a frame 12 (13, 14), a blade unit 16 (16A, 16B, 16C), an operation member 17, a power supply device 20, and a controller 30 (control device).
The operation member 17 is a shaft-shaped member extending obliquely upward in the Z direction from the frame 12. A handle 18 is formed at a distal end portion of the operation member 17 to be gripped by a worker. When the worker grips the handle 18 and moves the handle 18 in the front-and-rear direction, a force corresponding to movement (handle operation) of the handle 18 by the worker is transmitted to the frame 12 via the operation member 17. The worker performs a handle operation to move the road surface RS of the concrete while swinging the frame 12 of the finishing work machine 10 in the XY plane.
The finishing work machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a motor 11 that rotates the blades 16C, and a power supply device 20 having the battery pack 20A that supplies electric power to the motor 11. Here, the power supply device 20 is disposed above the motor 11.
As illustrated in
The rotation shaft 11B of the motor 11 is rotated by the power supplied from the power supply device 20. A shaft 16A (rotation shaft) of the blade unit 16 is connected to the rotation shaft 11B of the motor 11, and a blade support arm 16B and the blades 16C are rotated according to rotation of the shaft 16A. The frame 12 of the finishing work machine 10 is swung in the XY plane by the worker's handle operation, and the unevenness of the road surface RS in the Z direction is leveled due to the rotation of the blades 16C contacting the road surface RS.
The frame 12 includes a plurality of annular rings 13 (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D) and a plurality of ring support arms 14. In
The annular ring 13B has a smaller diameter than that of the annular ring 13A, and is disposed on the inner circumferential side and the upper side with respect to the annular ring 13A. The annular ring 13C has a smaller diameter than that of the annular ring 13B, and is disposed on the inner circumferential side and the upper side with respect to the annular ring 13B. The annular ring 13D has a smaller diameter than that of the annular ring 13C, and is disposed on the inner circumferential side and the upper side with respect to the annular ring 13C.
The plurality of ring support arms 14 support the plurality of annular rings 13 (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D) in the vertical direction (Z direction). The plurality of ring support arms 14 support the annular rings at different positions in the vertical direction. The plurality of ring support arms 14 support the annular ring 13B at a position higher than the annular ring 13A in the vertical direction, support the annular ring 13C at a position higher than the annular ring 13B in the vertical direction, and support the annular ring 13D at a position higher than the annular ring 13C in the vertical direction.
The motor 11 is held by the motor holding member 11A formed at the upper end of the frame 12, and the blade unit 16 is disposed inside the frame 12. The blade unit 16 includes the shaft 16A, the plurality of blade support arms 16B, and the plurality of blades 16C. The shaft 16A extends upward in the Z direction (vertically upward) with respect to the XY plane and is connected to the rotation shaft 11B of the motor 11. The shaft 16A is rotated by receiving torque provided from the rotation shaft 11B of the motor 11. The plurality of blade support arms 16B are provided in a direction (orthogonal direction) intersecting with an axial direction (Z direction) of the shaft 16A, and the blades 16C are respectively attached to the blade support arms 16B.
As illustrated in
The motor 11 is, for example, a servomotor capable of performing rotation control, and functions as a drive source for rotating the blade unit 16 in the finishing work machine 10. The motor 11 includes a stator and a rotor (not illustrated), and generates power (rotational force) for rotating the rotor and the rotation shaft 11B by energizing a coil provided on one of the stator and the rotor. In the present embodiment, the motor 11 is held by the frame 12 via the motor holding member 11A such that the rotation shaft 11B faces downward in the Z direction.
The shaft 16A (rotation shaft) of the blade unit 16 is connected to the rotation shaft 11B of the motor 11. The blade support arm 16B and the blades 16C are rotated due to the rotation of the shaft 16A connected to the rotation shaft 11B of the motor 11. The lower end side of the blade 16C is in contact with the road surface RS, and the unevenness of the road surface RS in the Z direction is leveled due to the rotation of the blades 16C in a state of being in contact with the road surface RS.
The controller 30 is a control device that controls driving of the motor 11, and includes a processor (CPU), a memory, and an interface, and is configured to be able to communicate with the power supply device 20 via the interface. When the worker inputs an operation via a switch (not illustrated), the controller 30 outputs a control signal corresponding to the input operation. For example, the worker can select an operation mode corresponding to the degree of finishing of the road surface RS of the concrete via the switch, and the controller 30 outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation mode selected by the worker to the motor 11 via a communication cable (not illustrated). The control signal is, for example, a rotational speed signal for controlling a rotational speed (rotational speed) of the motor 11, and the controller 30 outputs a control signal for controlling different rotational speeds according to operation modes. The controller 30 outputs a power control signal corresponding to the selected operation mode to a power conversion circuit 20B via a communication cable (not illustrated), and the power conversion circuit 20B controls power to be supplied to the motor 11 on the basis of the power control signal received from the controller 30.
In the finishing work machine 10 of the present embodiment, the power supply device 20 includes a casing 20C, the battery pack 20A, and the power conversion circuit 20B. The power conversion circuit 20B is a so-called inverter circuit, and converts a direct current supplied from the battery pack 20A into an alternating current for the motor 11. The power supply device 20 is electrically connected to the motor 11 via a cable 20F, and supplies an alternating current to the motor 11. The casing 20C of the power supply device 20 is disposed above the motor 11 via a power supply mounting member 20D having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a schematic shape, for example. The casing 20C may be attached to the motor 11 without the power supply mounting member 20D interposed therebetween.
The battery pack 20A is a portable battery (mobile power pack: MPP) attachable to and detachable from the power supply device 20 (casing 20C), and as shown in
In the finishing work machine 10 of the present embodiment, by using the detachable portable battery (MPP) as the configuration of the battery pack 20A, the finishing work can be continuously performed without waiting for the charging time by replacing a discharged portable battery (MPP) with a charged portable battery (MPP) without performing charging by connecting a power cable to the finishing work machine 10.
A handle 43 is provided on an upper surface 42 of the storage battery case 41. The handle 43 is gripped when the worker carries the battery pack 20A.
An opening 20E through which the battery pack 20A can be mounted to the casing 20C of the power supply device 20 and the battery pack 20A can be taken out from the casing 20C is formed on the casing surface of the power supply device 20 at a position close to the operation member 17 and the handle 18.
As illustrated in
(Disposition Example 1 of Power Supply Device 20)
The battery pack 20A that can be accommodated in the power supply device has a rectangular parallelepiped exterior structure as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Assuming that the mass balance is non-uniform in the disposition of the power supply device 20, partial contact occurs in the contact between the blades 16C and the road surface RS depending on a swing direction of the frame 12, frictional resistance from the road surface RS increases, and this may become a factor that hinders a smooth swing operation of the frame 12.
However, as illustrated in
Thus, when the worker grips the handle 18, moves the handle 18 in the front-and-rear direction, and swings the frame 12 of the finishing work machine 10 in the XY plane, the frame 12 can be easily swung in the XY plane in both the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction in the XY plane.
By making the mass balance uniform in the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction centering on the rotation shaft of the motor 11, partial contact between the blades 16C and the road surface RS is suppressed, and the life of the blades 16C can be extended.
In a case where power supply devices are disposed to be arranged on the side of the motor 11, the power supply devices block the inside of the frame 12. Therefore, there may be a case where it is difficult for the worker to visually recognize a finished state of the road surface RS in the operation state of gripping the handle 18. By disposing the power supply device 20 above the motor 11 as in the disposition example 1, a region where the worker can visually recognize the inside of the frame 12 is enlarged, and visibility at the time of finishing work can be improved.
The position on the rear side of the casing 20C is a position close to the operation member 17 and the handle 18, and is a position that can be easily accessed by the worker from the handle 18 side when the battery pack 20A is mounted in the casing 20C or the battery pack 20A is replaced. As in the disposition example 1, by disposing the power supply device 20 above the motor 11 and providing the opening 20E of the casing 20C on the rear side of the casing 20C, it is possible to improve ease of mounting or replacement of the battery pack 20A.
(Disposition Example 2 of Power Supply Device 20)
In the disposition example 1, the example in which the power supply device 20 is disposed above the motor 11 in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the exterior structure is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction (Z direction) of the rotation shaft 11B of the motor 11 has been described. However, for example, as illustrated in
In the disposition in the inclined state, for example, as illustrated in
As in the disposition example 2, by disposing the power supply device 20 in a state in which the casing 20C is inclined, the position of the center of gravity in the motor 11 and the power supply device 20 can be lowered, and it is possible to improve the ease of mounting or replacement of the battery pack 20A by the worker. Since the rear side of the casing 20C is inclined upward compared with the front side of the casing 20C, the worker can work without bending when mounting or replacing the battery pack 20A. Consequently, a burden on the worker can be reduced, and the ease of mounting or replacement can be improved.
(Disposition Example 3 of Power Supply Device 20)
In the disposition example 1 and the disposition example 2, an example in which one power supply device 20 (battery pack 20A) is disposed above the motor 11 has been described, but a plurality of power supply devices 20 may be disposed above the motor 11. For example, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Since a plurality of types of work using various construction machines are performed in parallel at a construction site or the like, even in a case where charging of the battery pack 20A is required, charging of the battery pack 20A may be restricted. According to the configuration of the disposition example 3, the plurality of battery packs 20A can be mounted on the finishing work machine 10. Consequently, even in a case where continuous operation is performed for a long time, power from a plurality of power supply devices can be stably supplied to the motor 11. It is possible to smoothly perform finishing work even in a power supply environment in a construction site or the like.
According to Configuration 1, it is possible to provide the work machine excellent in the work efficiency. By disposing the power supply device 20 above the motor 11, a region where a worker can visually recognize the inside of the frame 12 is enlarged, and visibility at the time of work can be improved.
The mass balance of the motor and the power supply device is uniform in the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction centering on the rotation shaft of the motor. Thus, when the worker grips the handle, moves the handle in the front-and-rear direction, and swings the frame of the work machine in the XY plane, the frame can be easily swung in the XY plane in both the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction in the XY plane.
According to Configuration 2, it is possible to improve the ease of mounting or replacement of the battery pack 20A by the worker while lowering the center of gravity of the motor 11 and the power supply device 20.
According to Configuration 3, by disposing the power supply device 20 in a state in which the casing 20C is inclined, it is possible to improve the ease of mounting or replacement of the battery pack 20A by the worker while lowering the positions of the center of gravity of the motor 11 and the power supply device 20. Since the rear side of the casing 20C is inclined upward compared with the front side of the casing 20C, the worker can work without bending when mounting or replacing the battery pack 20A. Consequently, a burden on the worker can be reduced, and the ease of mounting or replacement can be improved.
According to Configuration 4, the mass of the power supply device 20 accommodating the battery pack 20A can be concentrated on the rotation shaft of the motor 11. The mass balance of the motor 11 and the power supply device 20 is uniform in the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction centering on the rotation shaft of the motor 11. Thus, when the worker grips the handle 18 and moves the handle 18 in the front-and-rear direction to swing the frame 12 of the work machine 10 in the XY plane, the frame 12 can be easily swung in the XY plane in both the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction in the XY plane.
By making the mass balance uniform in the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction centering on the rotation shaft of the motor 11, partial contact between the blades 16C and the road surface RS is suppressed, and the life of the blades 16C can be extended.
The position on the rear side of the casing 20C is a position close to the operation member 17 and the handle 18, and is a position that can be easily accessed by the worker from the handle 18 side when the battery pack 20A is mounted in the casing 20C or when the battery pack 20A is taken out and replaced.
According to Configuration 5, since the power supply device 20 is disposed above the motor 11 and the opening 20E of the casing 20C is provided on the rear side of the casing 20C, it is possible to improve ease of mounting or replacement of the battery pack 20A.
According to Configuration 6, by using the detachable portable battery (MPP) as a configuration of the battery pack 20A, it is possible to continuously perform work without waiting for a charging time by replacing a discharged portable battery with a charged portable battery without performing charging by connecting a power cable to the work machine 10.
The invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various variations/changes are possible within the spirit of the invention.
