EP4644616A1

EP4644616A1 - Work machine

Info

Publication number: EP4644616A1
Application number: EP23911970.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takashi Miura; Junichi Fujiwara
Original assignee: Kubota Corp
Current assignee: Kubota Corp
Priority date: 2022-12-26
Filing date: 2023-12-22
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: WO2024143190A1; JPWO2024143190A1; US20250290279A1

Abstract

Provided is a working machine (1) capable of preventing or reducing heat transferred from a prime mover (91) to an operator's seat (6).

A working machine (1) includes a machine body (2), a prime mover (91) provided in the machine body (2), a hood (14) to cover the prime mover (91), an operator's seat (6) located above the prime mover (91), a cooling fan (100) to take in outside air from an outside of the hood (14) to an inside of the hood (14) and cause the outside air to flow to a surrounding area of the prime mover (91), and a flow regulator (203) to guide a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan (100) to an area above the prime mover (91).

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

A working machine disclosed in PTL 1 is known.
The working machine disclosed in PTL 1 includes a hood that covers a prime mover provided in a machine body, and an operator's seat is located above the hood.

Citation List

Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-85489

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

In the working machine, a mount portion on which the operator's seat is provided becomes hot due to heat remaining above the prime mover in the hood, and the heat is transferred from the mount portion to the operator's seat, which may cause the operator to feel uncomfortable.
In view of the above-described problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a working machine capable of preventing or reducing heat being transferred from a prime mover to an operator's seat.

Solution to Problem

A working machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention includes a machine body, a prime mover provided in the machine body, a hood to cover the prime mover, an operator's seat located above the prime mover, a cooling fan to take in outside air from an outside of the hood to an inside of the hood and cause the outside air to flow to a surrounding area of the prime mover, and a flow regulator to guide a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan to an area above the prime mover.
The hood may include a mount portion on which the operator's seat is provided. The flow regulator may be configured to direct a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan to the mount portion.
The flow regulator may include at least one flow regulating plate located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan as the prime mover and higher than the prime mover.
The flow regulator may include at least one flow regulating plate provided in an inclined manner in which the at least one flow regulating plate is inclined upward with decreasing distance to the prime mover.
The at least one flow regulating plate provided in the inclined manner may include a plurality of flow regulating plates with a space therebetween in an up-down direction.
The flow regulator may include at least one flow regulating plate having a flat plate shape or a curved shape.
The working machine may further include a support frame vertically provided on the machine body inside the hood, to support the hood. The flow regulator may be attached to the support frame.
The support frame may include a first-side pillar portion located on one of opposite sides of the cooling fan in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the cooling fan, and a second-side pillar portion located on the other of the opposite sides of the cooling fan in the horizontal direction. The flow regulator may include at least one flow regulating plate located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan as the prime mover and higher than the prime mover, and a bracket body attached to at least one of the first-side pillar portion or the second-side pillar portion. The flow regulating plate may be fixed to the bracket body by a fastener attached from above.
The flow regulator may include at least one flow regulating plate located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan as the prime mover and higher than the prime mover. The flow regulating plate may include a cutout portion in a portion corresponding to the cooling fan.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the above-described working machine, by guiding the portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan to an area above the prime mover, it is possible to prevent the heat of the prime mover from remaining above the prime mover, and therefore it is possible to prevent or reduce the heat being transferred from the prime mover to the operator's seat.

Brief Description of Drawings

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a working machine.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a left perspective view of a machine body and an operation unit.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine body.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a right perspective view of the machine body and the operation unit.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cover device as viewed from the rear.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of a prime mover room.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a support frame and a flow regulator.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a left side view of the flow regulator, a cooling fan, and the like.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a rear sectional view of the prime mover room.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of an operator's seat and the prime mover room.
[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of an arrangement portion of the flow regulator.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the arrangement portion of the flow regulator.
[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the flow regulator.
[FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a rear sectional view of the arrangement portion of the flow regulator.

Description of Embodiments

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating an overall configuration of a working machine 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a backhoe, which is a turning working machine, is exemplified as the working machine 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the working machine 1 includes a machine body (swivel base) 2, a traveling device 3, and a working device 4. An operator's seat 6 on which an operator is seated and a four-pillar ROPS 15 are provided on the machine body 2. The operator's seat 6 includes a seat portion 6A and a back rest portion 6B. The seat portion 6A is a section on which the operator is seated (the hip and the thighs are placed). The back rest portion 6B is a section on which the seated operator leans his/her back, and is provided at a rear portion of the seat portion 6A so as to extend upward. The ROPS 15 has a canopy specification including a roof 19.
In the present embodiment, a direction toward the front of the operator seated on the operator's seat 6 of the working machine 1 (arrow A1 direction in FIG. 1) is described as a forward side (machine-body forward side), a direction toward the rear of the operator (arrow A2 direction in FIG. 1) is described as a rearward side (machine-body rearward side), and an arrow A3 direction in FIG. 1 is described as a front-rear direction (machine-body front-rear direction). Also, a direction toward the left of the operator (near side in FIG. 1) is described as a leftward side, and a direction toward the right of the operator (far side in FIG. 1) is described as a rightward side.
Also, a horizontal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction A3 is described as a machine-body width direction. A direction from a central portion to a right portion or a left portion in a width direction of the machine body 2 is described as an outward side in the machine-body width direction. That is, the outward side in the machine-body width direction is a direction away from the center in the width direction of the machine body 2 in the machine-body width direction. A direction opposite to the outward side in the machine-body width direction is described as an inward side in the machine-body width direction. That is, the inward side in the machine-body width direction is a direction toward the center in the width direction of the machine body 2 in the machine-body width direction.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the traveling device 3 is a crawler type traveling device that supports the machine body 2 so as to be travelable, and includes a traveling frame 3A, a first traveling device 3L provided leftward of the traveling frame 3A, and a second traveling device 3R provided rightward of the traveling frame 3A. The first traveling device 3L and the second traveling device 3R are driven by a traveling motor M1 including a hydraulic motor (hydraulic actuator). In the present embodiment, the crawler type traveling device 3 is used, but this does not imply any limitation, and a wheel type traveling device or the like may be used. A dozer device 7 is attached to a front portion of the traveling device 3. The dozer device 7 can be driven by a dozer cylinder including a hydraulic cylinder (hydraulic actuator).
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the machine body 2 includes a swivel base plate 5 that is made of a thick plate member and defines a bottom portion of the machine body 2. The swivel base plate 5 is supported on the traveling frame 3A of the traveling device 3 via a turning bearing 8 so as to be turnable about a turning axis X1 that is an axis extending in an up-down direction. The swivel base plate 5 is driven to turn about the turning axis X1 by a turning motor 99 (see FIG. 3). Additionally, the machine body 2 includes, at a front portion thereof, a support bracket 9 and a swing bracket 10 that support the working device 4. The support bracket 9 is provided so as to protrude forward from the machine body 2. Specifically, the support bracket 9 is fixed to a front portion of the swivel base plate 5 and protrudes forward from the swivel base plate 5. The swing bracket 10 is attached to a front portion of the support bracket 9 so as to be swingable about a vertical axis (an axis extending in the up-down direction).
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the working device 4 includes a boom 11, an arm 12, and a bucket 13. A proximal portion of the boom 11 is pivotally attached to an upper portion of the swing bracket 10 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis (an axis extending in the machine-body width direction). The arm 12 is pivotally attached to a distal end portion of the boom 11 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. The bucket 13 is provided at a distal end portion of the arm 12 so as to be capable of performing a shoveling motion and a dumping motion. The shoveling motion is a motion of swinging the bucket 13 in a direction toward the boom 11, and is, for example, a motion of shoveling earth and sand or the like. Also, the dumping motion is a motion of swinging the bucket 13 in a direction away from the boom 11, and is, for example, a motion of dropping (discharging) shoveled earth and sand or the like.
The swing bracket 10 is swingable by extension/contraction of a swing cylinder (not illustrated). The boom 11 is swingable by extension/contraction of a boom cylinder C2. The arm 12 is swingable by extension/contraction of an arm cylinder C3. The bucket 13 is capable of performing the shoveling motion and the dumping motion by extension/contraction of a bucket cylinder C4. The swing cylinder, the boom cylinder C2, the arm cylinder C3, and the bucket cylinder C4 include hydraulic cylinders (hydraulic actuators).
As illustrated in FIG. 2, an operation unit 18 is provided on the machine body 2. The operation unit 18 includes the operator's seat 6, a traveling lever 16 (see FIG. 1) arranged forward of the operator's seat 6, a manipulator (left manipulator) 17L arranged leftward of the operator's seat 6 and a manipulator (right manipulator) 17R arranged rightward of the operator's seat 6, and the like. The traveling lever 16 is an operation member that operates the traveling device 3. The manipulators 17L and 17R are devices that operate the working device 4, the machine body 2, and the like. Specifically, the manipulators 17L and 17R are devices that perform, for example, a swinging operation of the boom 11, a swinging operation of the arm 12, operations of the shoveling motion and the dumping motion of the bucket 13, a turning operation of the machine body 2, and the like. A floor portion 21 that is a portion on which the operator places his/her feet is provided on an upper surface of the machine body 2 and forward of the operator's seat 6. The floor portion 21 is provided by, for example, a floor mat being laid on a step plate that is provided above the swivel base plate 5 with a space and supported by the swivel base plate 5. A weight 25 that balances the weight with the working device 4 is located at a rear portion of the machine body 2. The working machine 1 of the present embodiment is a compact backhoe. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the operator's seat 6 is located above a prime mover 91 (a prime mover room to house the prime mover 91).
The left manipulator 17L includes a console cover 22, a manipulating lever (left manipulating lever) 23L, a remote control valve (not illustrated), an armrest 26L, and an operation lock lever (unloading lever) 30.
The console cover 22 is a member that covers the remote control valve, a frame mechanism of the left manipulator 17L, and the like. The left manipulating lever 23L is located at a front and upper portion of the left manipulator 17L, and is operable to be tilted forward/rearward and leftward/rightward. The remote control valve is a pilot valve that is operated with the left manipulating lever 23L, and is located below the left manipulating lever 23L. The remote control valve is housed in the console cover 22. The armrest 26L is a member on which an elbow and the like of the operator is placed, and is located rearward of the left manipulating lever 23L. The operation lock lever 30 is a lever that switches a hydraulic actuator provided in the working machine 1 between an operable state and an inoperable state.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the right manipulator 17R includes a console cover 34, a manipulating lever (right manipulating lever) 23R, a remote control valve (not illustrated), an armrest 26R, a dozer lever 35, and a plurality of switches 36.
The console cover 34 is a cover that covers a frame of the right manipulator 17R. The frame of the right manipulator 17R is attached to the machine body 2. The right manipulating lever 23R is located at a front and upper portion of the right manipulator 17R, and is operable to be tilted forward/rearward and leftward/rightward. The remote control valve is a pilot valve that is operated with the right manipulating lever 23R, and is located below the right manipulating lever 23R and covered with the console cover 34. The armrest 26R is a member on which an elbow and the like of the operator is placed, and is located rearward of the right manipulating lever 23R. The dozer lever 35 is a lever that operates the dozer device 7. The plurality of switches 36 are arranged at an upper surface of the console cover 34, and are switches that operate various devices provided in the working machine 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, mounted objects such as the prime mover 91, a radiator 92, an oil cooler 93, a battery 94, a hydraulic pump 95, a fuel tank 96, a hydraulic fluid tank 97, a control valve 98, and the turning motor 99 are provided in the machine body 2. The prime mover 91 is, for example, a diesel engine. The prime mover 91 may be a gasoline engine or an electric motor, or may be a hybrid type including an engine and an electric motor. A cooling fan 100 is attached to one side in the machine-body width direction (left portion) of the prime mover 91. The cooling fan 100 is driven by the prime mover 91 and generates cooling air flowing from the left to the right. In other words, the cooling fan 100 is a suction type fan that rotates about an axis (rotation axis 100a) extending in the machine-body width direction to suck air (outside air) from the left of the machine body 2 and causes the air to flow toward the prime mover 91. Specifically, the cooling fan 100 takes in the outside air from the outside of a hood 14 (described later) to the inside of the hood 14, and causes the outside air to flow to the surrounding area of the prime mover 91.
The radiator 92 is a cooler that cools a coolant for cooling the prime mover 91. The oil cooler 93 is a cooler that cools a return hydraulic fluid that returns from a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder or a hydraulic motor. The battery 94 is a storage battery that supplies electric power to an electrical component provided in the working machine 1. The hydraulic pump 95 is driven with power of the prime mover 91, and delivers a hydraulic fluid (pressure fluid) for driving a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic motor or a hydraulic cylinder provided in the working machine 1. Also, the hydraulic pump 95 delivers a pilot pressure for actuating a hydraulic valve and a pressure fluid for a signal. The fuel tank 96 is a tank that stores fuel for the prime mover 91. The hydraulic fluid tank 97 is a tank that stores the hydraulic fluid. The control valve 98 controls the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid that is supplied to the hydraulic actuator that is driven with the hydraulic fluid delivered from the hydraulic pump 95. The turning motor 99 includes a hydraulic motor (hydraulic actuator) and is a motor that turns (rotationally drives) the machine body 2 about the turning axis X1.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the prime mover 91 is located in the rear portion of the machine body 2 and in a middle portion in the width direction of the machine body 2. Also, the prime mover 91 is located below the operator's seat 6. The radiator 92 is located leftward of the prime mover 91 and the cooling fan 100. The oil cooler 93 is located leftward of the radiator 92. The battery 94 is located leftward of the oil cooler 93 and lower than the oil cooler 93. The hydraulic pump 95 is attached to another side in the machine-body width direction (right portion) of the prime mover 91. The fuel tank 96 is located in a right portion of the machine body 2 and in the front portion of the machine body 2. In other words, the fuel tank 96 is located rightward and forward of the operator's seat 6. The hydraulic fluid tank 97 is located rearward of the fuel tank 96 and forward of the hydraulic pump 95. In other words, the hydraulic fluid tank 97 is located in the right portion and in a middle portion in the front-rear direction of the machine body 2. The control valve 98 is located in a front and left portion of the machine body 2. The turning motor 99 is located in the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the machine body 2 and in the middle portion in the width direction of the machine body 2. Also, the turning motor 99 is located forward of the operator's seat 6 and lower than the operator's seat 6.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a cover device 101 is provided above the machine body 2 to cover mounted objects including mounted devices such as the prime mover 91 and mounted members such as the tanks provided in the machine body 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover device 101 covers the prime mover 91, the radiator 92, the oil cooler 93, the battery 94, the hydraulic pump 95, the fuel tank 96, and the hydraulic fluid tank 97. The control valve 98 and the turning motor 99 are arranged inside the machine body 2 (below the floor portion 21).
The cover device 101 includes a plurality of cover bodies 101A to 101D. The plurality of cover bodies 101A to 101D include a cover body (referred to as a first cover body) 101A arranged below the operator's seat 6. The first cover body 101A is provided in a fixed manner with respect to the machine body 2. Also, the first cover body 101A covers the upper side and the front of the prime mover 91. Also, the plurality of cover bodies 101A to 101D include a cover body (referred to as a second cover body) 101B arranged rearward of the first cover body 101A and the prime mover 91. The second cover body 101B openably/closably covers the rear of the prime mover 91. As indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, a right end portion of the second cover body 101B is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the up-down direction with respect to the machine body 2, and therefore the second cover body 101B is openable/closable. Also, the plurality of cover bodies 101A to 101D include a cover body (referred to as a third cover body) 101C arranged leftward of the prime mover 91, the cooling fan 100, the radiator 92, the oil cooler 93, and a shroud 141 (described later). The third cover body 101C openably/closably covers the outer side in the machine-body width direction (left) of the prime mover 91, the cooling fan 100, the radiator 92, the oil cooler 93, the shroud 141, and the like. The third cover body 101C is provided with an outside air intake port 89 for taking in the outside air to the inner side (the inside of the hood 14) (see FIG. 1). The outside air intake port 89 is covered with a member that allows air to pass therethrough, such as a perforated metal 157 (see FIG. 9).
As indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, a front end portion of the third cover body 101C is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the up-down direction with respect to the machine body 2, and therefore the third cover body 101C is openable/closable. Also, the plurality of cover bodies 101A to 101D include a cover body (referred to as a fourth cover body) 101D arranged at the right portion of the machine body 2.
The first cover body 101A, the second cover body 101B, the third cover body 101C, and a rear portion of the fourth cover body 101D define a prime mover room (engine room) that houses the prime mover 91. In other words, the first cover body 101A, the second cover body 101B, the third cover body 101C, and the rear portion of the fourth cover body 101D define the hood 14 that defines the prime mover room. The hood 14 is openable/closable. Specifically, the hood 14 includes the openable/closable cover bodies (the second cover body 101B and the third cover body 101C), and therefore the hood 14 is openable/closable. While the hood 14 includes the plurality of openable/closable cover bodies in the present embodiment, the hood 14 may include one openable/closable cover body. Also, in the present embodiment, a portion of the hood 14 is openable/closable, but the entire hood 14 may be openable/closable. That is, the hood 14 being openable/closable means that a portion or the whole of the hood 14 is openable/closable. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a prime mover room 91A houses the radiator 92, the oil cooler 93, the battery 94, the hydraulic pump 95, and the like, in addition to the prime mover 91.
A lower portion of a rear surface of the prime mover room 91A is defined by the weight 25. Lower portions of left and right side surfaces of the prime mover room 91A include left and right portions of the weight 25 and a machine body cover 107 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 4). The machine body cover 107 is a cover that defines the outer contours of a front surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface of the machine body 2. Also, a lower portion of a front surface of the prime mover room 91A includes a partition wall body 150 (described later, see FIG. 10).
A front portion of the fourth cover body 101D defines a tank room that houses the fuel tank 96 and the hydraulic fluid tank 97. In other words, the front portion of the fourth cover body 101D defines a tank cover portion 103 that defines the tank room (see FIG. 3). That is, it can be also said that the cover device 101 includes the hood 14 and the tank cover portion 103. The tank room communicates with the prime mover room 91A. The fourth cover body 101D is provided rightward of the operator's seat 6 so as to extend forward with respect to the operator's seat 6. That is, the front portion (tank cover portion 103) of the fourth cover body 101D extends forward with respect to the operator's seat 6 from a lateral side of the operator's seat 6.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fourth cover body 101D includes a main cover 104 and a side surface cover (side wall portion) 105. The main cover 104 and the side surface cover 105 are made of metal plate members (sheet metals). The main cover 104 and the side surface cover 105 may be made of plate members such as resin plates. The main cover 104 has an upper wall 104a, a side wall 104b, and a front wall 104c.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side wall 104b defines a right side surface of the fourth cover body 101D. Specifically, the side wall 104b is provided from the front portion to the rear portion of the machine body 2, and defines a right side surface of the tank room and a right side surface of the prime mover room 91A. A discharge port 88 for discharging the air taken into the hood 14 is in a rear portion of the side wall 104b (see FIG. 4). The discharge port 88 is covered with a member that allows air to pass therethrough, such as a perforated metal 157 (see FIG. 9).
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fourth cover body 101D (tank cover portion 103) is provided with a fuel supply port cover 113 that openably closes an opening 108 to expose a fluid supply port of the fuel tank 96 and a fluid supply port of the hydraulic fluid tank 97.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the side surface cover 105 defines an upper portion of a left side surface of the tank room. In other words, the side surface cover 105 defines a side wall portion near the operator's seat 6, of the front portion of the fourth cover body 101D.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the working machine 1 includes a support frame 142 vertically provided on the machine body 2. The support frame 142 is located inside the hood 14 (inside the prime mover room 91A) together with the prime mover 91, the cooling fan 100, the radiator 92, the oil cooler 93, and the like, and vertically provided on the machine body 2 inside the hood 14. Also, the support frame 142 supports the hood 14 and the like.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support frame 142 includes a pair of front pillar portions 143, a pair of rear pillar portions 144, a pair of upper side frame portions 145, a front upper frame 146, a rear upper frame 147, a front attachment plate 148, and a pair of rear attachment plates 149. The configuration of the support frame 142 can be variously changed, and the number of components constituting the support frame 142 is not limited to the number of components in the embodiment.
The pair of front pillar portions 143 are arranged forward of the prime mover 91 with a space therebetween in the machine-body width direction. The pair of front pillar portions 143 include a left front pillar portion (referred to as a first front pillar portion) 143L arranged at the left portion of the machine body 2 (swivel base plate 5), and a right front pillar portion (referred to as a second front pillar portion) 143R arranged at the right portion of the machine body 2 (swivel base plate 5). The pair of rear pillar portions 144 are arranged rearward of the prime mover 91 with a space therebetween in the machine-body width direction. The pair of rear pillar portions 144 include a left rear pillar portion (referred to as a first rear pillar portion) 144L arranged rearward of the first front pillar portion 143L, and a right rear pillar portion (referred to as a second rear pillar portion) 144R arranged rearward of the second front pillar portion 143R.
The pair of upper side frame portions 145 include a left upper side frame portion (referred to as a first upper side frame portion) 145L integrally extending rearward from an upper portion of the first front pillar portion 143L, and a right upper side frame portion (referred to as a second upper side frame portion) 145R integrally extending rearward from an upper portion of the second front pillar portion 143R. A rear portion of the first upper side frame portion 145L abuts on an upper portion of the first rear pillar portion 144L and is fixed to the upper portion. A rear portion of the second upper side frame is located leftward of an upper portion of the second rear pillar portion 144R and fixed to the upper portion.
The front upper frame 146 couples the upper portion of the first front pillar portion 143L and a front portion of the first upper side frame portion 145L to the upper portion of the second front pillar portion 143R and a front portion of the second upper side frame portion 145R. The rear upper frame 147 couples the upper portion of the first rear pillar portion 144L and the rear portion of the first upper side frame portion 145L to the upper portion of the second rear pillar portion 144R and the rear portion of the second upper side frame portion 145R.
The front attachment plate 148 is provided to extend between a lower end portion of the first front pillar portion 143L and a lower end portion of the second front pillar portion 143R, and couples these lower end portions to each other. The front attachment plate 148 is fixed to an upper portion of the partition wall body 150 vertically provided on the swivel base plate 5, by a bolt or the like. The partition wall body 150 is a component constituting the machine body 2 together with the swivel base plate 5, and partitions the lower portion of the front surface of the prime mover room 91A. That is, the partition wall body 150 is a separation wall member that separates the prime mover room 91A from a space located forward of a lower portion of the prime mover room 91A. In the present embodiment, the first front pillar portion 143L and the second front pillar portion 143R are vertically provided on the partition wall body 150 constituting the machine body 2.
The pair of rear attachment plates 149 include a first rear attachment plate 149L fixed to a lower end portion of the first rear pillar portion 144L, and a second rear attachment plate 149R fixed to a lower end portion of the second rear pillar portion 144R. The first rear attachment plate 149L is attached to an upper portion of a first bracket member 151L vertically provided on the swivel base plate 5. The second rear attachment plate 149R is attached to an upper portion of a second bracket member 151R vertically provided on the swivel base plate 5. The first bracket member 151L and the second bracket member 151R are components constituting the machine body 2 together with the swivel base plate 5. In the present embodiment, the first rear pillar portion 144L and the second rear pillar portion 144R are vertically provided on the first bracket member 151L and the second bracket member 151R constituting the machine body 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the shroud 141 that covers the cooling fan 100 is located between the first front pillar portion 143L and the first rear pillar portion 144L of the support frame 142 and below the first upper side frame portion 145L. Thus, the first front pillar portion 143L (front pillar portion) is vertically provided on the machine body 2 in front of the shroud 141 and the cooling fan 100, and the first rear pillar portion 144L (rear pillar portion) is vertically provided on the machine body 2 in rear of the shroud 141 and the cooling fan 100. The first upper side frame portion 145L is located above the shroud 141 and the cooling fan 100. In other words, the support frame 142 includes a first-side pillar portion (first front pillar portion 143L) located on one of the opposite sides (forward) of the cooling fan 100 in a horizontal direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the rotation axis 100a of the cooling fan 100, and a second-side pillar portion (first rear pillar portion 144L) located on the other of the opposite sides (rearward) of the cooling fan 100 in the horizontal direction.
The shroud 141 is a cover that covers the cooling fan 100 to form an air flow so that the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 100 efficiently flows from the outer side in the machine-body width direction (a side where the radiator 92 and the oil cooler 93 are arranged) to the inner side in the machine-body width direction (a side where the prime mover 91 is located). An air-blowing opening 141a corresponding to an outer circumferential circle 100b of the cooling fan 100 is in the shroud 141, to enhance the efficiency of the cooling fan 100, and the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 100 is blown toward the prime mover 91 via the air-blowing opening 141a. In the present embodiment, the shroud 141 is made of resin. Alternatively, the shroud 141 may be made of metal or the like.
The outside shape of the cooling fan 100 includes a columnar central portion 100A having an axis extending in the machine-body width direction, and a plurality of (for example, seven) blades 100B having proximal portions fixed to the outer periphery of the central portion 100A. The cooling fan 100 (central portion 100A) is attached to a fan drive body 191 (see FIG. 9) that is driven with the power of the prime mover 91. The plurality of blades 100B are provided on the outer periphery of the central portion 100A to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference.
The outer circumferential circle 100b of the cooling fan 100 is an outer circumferential locus drawn by outer circumferential ends of the blades 100B (end portions farthest from the rotation axis 100a in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 100a) through rotation of the cooling fan 100.
As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operator's seat 6 is located above the prime mover 91 and the hood 14. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the operator's seat 6 is located above the first cover body 101A (hood 14). Specifically, the first cover body 101A includes a front wall 101Aa located forward of the prime mover 91, and an upper wall 101Ab located above the prime mover 91. The operator's seat 6 is located above the upper wall 101Ab and provided on the upper wall 101Ab via a support device 216. That is, the upper wall 101Ab of the first cover body 101A defines a mount portion on which the operator's seat 6 is provided. In other words, the hood 14 includes a mount portion 101Ab on which the operator's seat 6 is provided. Hereinafter, the upper wall 101Ab is also referred to as the mount portion 101Ab. Alternatively, the operator's seat 6 may be directly provided on the upper wall 101Ab.
As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the prime mover 91 includes a cylinder block 192 including a plurality of cylinders and housing a crankshaft, a cylinder head 193 attached to an upper portion of the cylinder block 192, a head cover 194 covering an upper surface of the cylinder head 193, a transmission case 195 assembled to the left of the cylinder block 192, and an oil pan 196 assembled to the bottom of the cylinder block 192. An upper surface of the prime mover 91 is an upper surface of the head cover 194.
An oil supply pipe 197 for supplying a prime mover oil (engine oil) is assembled to a substantially central portion in the machine-body width direction of the upper surface of the head cover 194. An air cleaner 172 is located above a right portion of the head cover 194. A flywheel housing 199 is assembled to the right of the cylinder block 192, and the hydraulic pump 95 is assembled to the flywheel housing 199. The hydraulic pump 95 is a pump unit including a plurality of pumps. A muffler 200 is located above the flywheel housing 199.
An intake manifold 201 connected to the air cleaner 172 is assembled to the front of the cylinder head 193. An exhaust manifold 202 connected to the muffler 200 is assembled to the rear of the cylinder head 193.
The prime mover 91 is an internal combustion engine that burns fuel therein to extract power. Thus, the prime mover 91 generates heat. When the heat generated by the prime mover 91 remains above the prime mover 91 in the hood 14, the mount portion 101Ab is heated and becomes hot, and the heat is transferred from the mount portion 101Ab to the operator's seat 6, which causes a problem that the operator feels uncomfortable.
Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the working machine of the present embodiment includes a flow regulator 203 that causes a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 to flow (be guided) to an area above the prime mover 91, to prevent the heat from remaining above the prime mover 91 and to prevent or reduce the heat of the prime mover 91 being transferred to the operator's seat 6.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14, the flow regulator 203 includes a flow regulator main body 204 and a pair of bracket bodies 205 that support the flow regulator main body 204.
The flow regulator main body 204 is made of plate members. The flow regulator main body 204 includes two flow regulating plates 206 and a pair of supported portions 207.
The flow regulating plates 206 are members that regulate the flow of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 so as to guide the outside air (to cause the outside air to flow) to an area above the prime mover 91, and are main portions of the flow regulator 203. In the present embodiment, the number of the flow regulating plates 206 is two, but the number of the flow regulating plates 206 may be one, or may be three or more. That is, it is sufficient that the flow regulator 203 (flow regulator main body 204) includes at least one flow regulating plate 206. Also, in the present embodiment, the two flow regulating plates 206 have the same size and the same shape, but this does not imply any limitation, and the two flow regulating plates 206 may have different sizes and/or different shapes.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, each flow regulating plate 206 is made of a plate member that is long in one direction, and arranged with the longitudinal direction thereof aligned with the front-rear direction. In other words, each flow regulating plate 206 is made of a plate member that is long in the front-rear direction. Also, the two flow regulating plates 206 are arranged side by side with a predetermined space therebetween in the up-down direction. A lower flow regulating plate 206A is referred to as a first flow regulating plate, and an upper flow regulating plate 206B is referred to as a second flow regulating plate.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B are arranged on a side near the prime mover 91 of an upper portion of the cooling fan 100. Also, the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B are arranged higher than the prime mover 91. Further, the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B are provided in an inclined manner (obliquely upward toward the right) such that plate surfaces thereof face in the up-down direction and shift upward as extending from the cooling fan 100 toward the prime mover 91. Furthermore, the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B are provided in parallel to each other.
The flow regulating plates 206 are arranged on the side near the prime mover 91 of the upper portion of the cooling fan 100 and higher than the prime mover 91, and therefore the cooling air generated in a region higher than the prime mover 91 of the upper portion of the cooling fan 100 is used to prevent or reduce the heat remaining above the prime mover 91. Thus, the cooling air generated in a region of an intermediate portion and a lower portion in the up-down direction of the cooling fan 100, which contributes to the cooling of the prime mover 91, is used to cool the prime mover 91, and therefore the cooling effect of the prime mover 91 is not significantly reduced by the flow regulator 203 being provided.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14, the two flow regulating plates 206 are arranged such that the height position of an upper end portion in the inclination direction of the second flow regulating plate 206B is substantially the same as the height position of an upper end of the outer circumferential circle 100b of the cooling fan 100. The height position of the upper end portion in the inclination direction of the second flow regulating plate 206B is arranged to be substantially the same as the height position of the upper end of the outer circumferential circle 100b of the cooling fan 100, or the height position of the upper end portion of the second flow regulating plate 206B is located at a position lower than the upper end of the outer circumferential circle of the cooling fan 100. Accordingly, the cooling air blown from the cooling fan 100 can be applied to an upper surface of the second flow regulating plate 206B. However, the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B can be arranged such that the height position of a lower end portion in the inclination direction of the second flow regulating plate 206B is substantially the same as the height position of the upper end of the outer circumferential circle 100b of the cooling fan 100.
Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, lower portions in the inclination direction (near the cooling fan 100) of the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B and corresponding to the cooling fan 100 are cut out upward in the inclination direction (recessed in a direction away from the cooling fan 100). That is, the flow regulating plates 206 have cutout portions 215 provided by portions corresponding to the cooling fan 100 being cut out. Meanwhile, the prime mover 91 is supported by the machine body 2 in a vibration isolating manner and is moved by vibration. Thus, when the flow regulating plates 206 are arranged between the prime mover 91 and the cooling fan 100, it is necessary to consider that the flow regulating plates 206 do not interfere with peripheral devices, members, and the like supported by the prime mover 91, and the cooling fan 100. By providing the cutout portions 215 in the flow regulating plates 206, it is possible to prevent the flow regulating plates 206 from interfering with the cooling fan 100 and to keep the flow regulating plates 206 away from the prime mover 91. By keeping the flow regulating plates 206 away from the prime mover 91, it is possible to avoid the flow regulating plates 206 from interfering with devices, members, and the like in the periphery of the prime mover 91.
The supported portions 207 are members that are attached to the bracket bodies 205. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, the pair of supported portions 207 are connected to the first flow regulating plate 206A. In the present embodiment, the pair of supported portions 207 are provided integrally with the first flow regulating plate 206A by a single plate member being bent. However, this does not imply any limitation, and the supported portions 207 may be provided separately from the first flow regulating plate 206A and fixed to the first flow regulating plate 206A by welding or the like. The supported portions 207 are provided on one end portion and another end portion in the longitudinal direction (a front portion and a rear portion) of the first flow regulating plate 206A. A front supported portion 207A is referred to as a first supported portion, and a rear supported portion 207B is referred to as a second supported portion.
Each supported portion 207 has a first wall portion 207a extending upward from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first flow regulating plate 206A, and a second wall portion 207b extending in the front-rear direction from an upper end of the first wall portion 207a. Specifically, the first supported portion 207A has a first wall portion 207Aa extending upward from a front end of the first flow regulating plate 206A, and a second wall portion 207Ab extending forward from an upper end of the first wall portion 207Aa. The second supported portion 207B has a first wall portion 207Ba extending upward from a rear end of the first flow regulating plate 206A, and a second wall portion 207Bb extending rearward from an upper end of the first wall portion 207Ba. Plate surfaces of the first wall portion 207Aa and the first wall portion 207Ba face in the front-rear direction. Plate surfaces of the second wall portion 207Ab and the second wall portion 207Bb face in the up-down direction.
The first flow regulating plate 206A is provided between lower end portions of the first wall portion 207Aa of the first supported portion 207A and the first wall portion 207Ba of the second supported portion 207B. The second flow regulating plate 206B is located between upper portions of the first wall portion 207Aa of the first supported portion 207A and the first wall portion 207Ba of the second supported portion 207B. A front end of the second flow regulating plate 206B is attached to the first wall portion 207Aa of the first supported portion 207A by welding or the like, and a rear end of the second flow regulating plate 206B is attached to the first wall portion 207Ba of the second supported portion 207B by welding or the like.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the first flow regulating plate 206A, the second flow regulating plate 206B, the first wall portion 207 Aa of the first supported portion 207A, and the first wall portion 207Ba of the second supported portion 207B define a duct structural body that causes a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 to flow to an area above the prime mover 91.
The pair of bracket bodies 205 that support the flow regulator main body 204 are attached to the support frame 142. That is, the flow regulator 203 is attached to the support frame 142.
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the pair of bracket bodies 205 include a bracket body 205A (referred to as a first bracket body) arranged forward of the flow regulator main body 204 and attached to the first front pillar portion (first-side pillar portion) 143L, and a bracket body 205B (referred to as a second bracket body) arranged rearward of the flow regulator main body 204 and attached to the first rear pillar portion (second-side pillar portion) 144L.
That is, the flow regulator 203 is provided to extend between the first front pillar portion (first-side pillar portion) 143L arranged forward of the cooling fan 100 (on one side of the cooling fan 100 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 100a) and the first rear pillar portion (second-side pillar portion) 144L arranged rearward of the cooling fan 100 (on another side of the cooling fan 100 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 100a), and attached to the first front pillar portion 143L and the first rear pillar portion 144L. Alternatively, the flow regulator 203 may be attached to a component of the support frame 142 other than the first front pillar portion 143L and the first rear pillar portion 144L (for example, the first upper side frame portion 145L, the front upper frame 146, the rear upper frame 147, or the like). By attaching the flow regulator 203 to the support frame 142, it is possible to expect an effect that there is no hindrance to the assembly or maintainability of the shroud 141, the radiator 92, and the like. However, the flow regulator 203 may be attached to the shroud 141.
Each bracket body 205 includes a first member 208 that is attached to the support frame 142, and a second member 209 that is attached to the first member 208 and to which the supported portion 207 is attached.
The first member 208 is provided by a rod member (round rod member) being bent. Specifically, the first member 208 has a first section 208a extending in the up-down direction, a second section 208b extending in the front-rear direction from a lower end of the first section 208a, and a third section 208c extending in the machine-body width direction from an end portion of the second section 208b opposite to the first section 208a.
The first member 208 of each bracket body 205 will be described in more detail. A first member 208A of the first bracket body 205A has a first section 208Aa attached to the first front pillar portion 143L by welding or the like, a second section 208Ab extending rearward from a lower end of the first section 208Aa, and a third section 208Ac extending rightward from a rear end of the second section 208Ab.
A first member 208B of the second bracket body 205B has a first section 208Ba attached to the first rear pillar portion 144L by welding or the like, a second section 208Bb extending forward from a lower end of the first section 208Ba, and a third section 208Bc extending rightward from a front end of the second section 208Bb.
Each second member 209 is made of a rectangular plate member, arranged such that plate surfaces thereof face in the up-down direction, and attached to the third section 208c by welding or the like. Specifically, a front portion of a second member 209A of the first bracket body 205A is attached to an upper end of the third section 208Ac of the first bracket body 205A by welding or the like.
A rear portion of a second member 209B of the second bracket body 205B is attached to an upper end of the third section 208Bc of the second bracket body 205B by welding or the like.
Nuts 210 are attached to lower surfaces of the second members 209 of the first bracket body 205A and the second bracket body 205B by welding or the like.
The second wall portion 207Ab of the first supported portion 207A is placed on the second member 209A of the first bracket body 205A. The second wall portion 207Ab is attached to the first bracket body 205A by a bolt 211 that penetrates the second wall portion 207Ab and the second member 209A from above and that is screwed into the nut 210. That is, the flow regulating plates 206 are fixed to the bracket body 205 by the bolt (fastener) 211 that is attached from above.
The second wall portion 207Bb of the second supported portion 207B is placed on the second member 209B of the second bracket body 205B. The second wall portion 207Bb is attached to the second bracket body 205B by a bolt 211 that penetrates the second wall portion 207Bb and the second member 209B from above and that is screwed into the nut 210.
That is, the flow regulator main body 204 (flow regulating plates 206) is provided to extend between the first bracket body 205A and the second bracket body 205B, and can be attached to the first bracket body 205A and the second bracket body 205B (bracket bodies 205) from above. When the flow regulator main body 204 (flow regulator 203) is attached from the front or the rear of the prime mover 91, it is difficult to attach the flow regulator main body 204 because the devices and members in the periphery of the prime mover 91 become hindrances. However, the flow regulator main body 204 can be attached to the bracket bodies 205 from above. Accordingly, the flow regulator 203 can be easily assembled.
Also, a harness 212 (see FIG. 12) is routed in the vicinity of the cooling fan 100. However, the first member 208 of each bracket body 205 is made of the rod member (round rod member). Accordingly, the first member 208 of the bracket body 205 can serve as a guide member that guides the harness 212. That is, when the first member 208 is made of a plate member, there is a concern that an edge of the plate member may come into contact with the harness 212 and damage the harness 212. However, the first member 208 is made of the rod member. Accordingly, the first member 208 can guide the harness 212 without damaging the harness 212.
Also, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a reserve tank 213 and the harness 212 are provided rearward of a left portion of the prime mover 91, and therefore an inspector hardly insert the hand into the cooling fan 100. With the flow regulator 203 provided, a structure is possible in which the inspector further hardly insert the hand into the cooling fan 100.
In the present embodiment, the bracket body 205 includes the pair of bracket bodies 205, and the supported portion 207 includes the pair of supported portions 207, but this does not imply any limitation. For example, the bracket body 205 may include a single bracket body 205, and the supported portion 207 may include a single supported portion 207. In this case, the bracket body 205 is attached to one of the first-side pillar portion 143L and the second-side pillar portion 144L, and the supported portion 207 is provided at a portion of the flow regulating plate 206 that corresponds to the bracket body 205.
Also, in the present embodiment, each flow regulating plate 206 has a flat plate shape, but the shape is not limited to the flat plate shape, and the flow regulating plate 206 may have a curved shape. Specifically, the flow regulating plate 206 may be made of a curved plate that is curved so as to shift upward as extending rightward. In short, it is sufficient that the flow regulating plate 206 has a shape that can cause the cooling air blown from the cooling fan 100 toward the prime mover 91 to flow to an area above the prime mover 91. Also, it is sufficient that the flow regulating plate 206 is positioned so as to cause the cooling air blown from the cooling fan 100 toward the prime mover 91 to flow to an area above the prime mover 91.
The structure of the flow regulator 203 is not limited to the structure of the above-described embodiment.
The present embodiment uses a configuration in which the two flow regulating plates 206 are arranged in parallel to each other, but this does not imply any limitation. For example, the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B may be provided such that the distance therebetween gradually decreases from the cooling fan 100 toward the prime mover 91. In this case, the two flow regulating plates 206 may be arranged so as to be inclined upward toward the right. Alternatively, the first flow regulating plate 206A may be arranged so as to be inclined upward toward the right, and the second flow regulating plate 206B may be arranged in parallel to the machine-body width direction. Alternatively, the first flow regulating plate 206A may be arranged to be inclined upward toward the right, and the second flow regulating plate 206B may be arranged to be inclined downward toward the right.
In the case where the flow regulator main body 204 includes one flow regulating plate 206, the one flow regulating plate 206 is positioned so as to be inclined upward toward the right.
In the flow regulator 203, the cooling air in the region corresponding to the flow regulating plates 206 in the cooling fan 100, of the outside air (cooling air) taken in by the cooling fan 100 and sent toward the prime mover 91, is guided in the upward inclined direction toward the prime mover 91 by the upward inclined upper surfaces of the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B, and the air direction is changed. Accordingly, the cooling air in the region corresponding to the flow regulating plates 206 in the cooling fan 100 is positively caused to flow to an area above the prime mover 91. The cooling air that has flowed to an area above the prime mover 91 passes through the area above the prime mover 91 and is discharged to the outside of the hood 14 from the discharge port 88 or another opening. Accordingly, the heat of the prime mover 91 can be prevented from remaining above the prime mover 91 in the hood 14. By preventing the heat of the prime mover 91 from remaining above the prime mover 91, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the likelihood that the mount portion 100Ab will become hot, and therefore to prevent or reduce the heat of the prime mover 91 being transferred from the mount portion 101Ab to the operator's seat 6.
Also, at least a portion of the cooling air whose direction has been changed to the upward inclined direction toward the prime mover 91 by the flow regulator main body 204 (flow regulator 203) is applied to the mount portion 101Ab. That is, the flow regulator main body 204 (the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B) regulates a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 so as to be applied to the mount portion 101Ab. By directing the cooling air to the mount portion 101Ab, it is also possible to prevent or reduce that the mount portion 100Ab becomes hot, and therefore to prevent or reduce the heat of the prime mover 91 being transferred from the mount portion 100Ab to the operator's seat 6. The cooling air applied to the mount portion 101Ab passes above the prime mover 91 and is discharged to the outside of the hood 14 from the discharge port 88 or another opening.
Also, in the present embodiment, the cooling air flows between the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B. Accordingly, the flow rate of the cooling air can be increased between the first flow regulating plate 206A and the second flow regulating plate 206B, and it is possible to effectively prevent or reduce the heat of the prime mover 91 remaining above the prime mover 91.
Also, there is a fuel-related device (for example, a fuel filter 214 (see FIG. 10)) in the periphery of an upper portion of the prime mover 91. In the present embodiment, the cooling air is actively caused to flow to an area above the prime mover 91 to prevent or reduce the heat remaining above the prime mover 91. Accordingly, the fuel-related device in the periphery of the upper portion of the prime mover 91 can be cooled, and an increase in fuel temperature can be prevented or reduced.
Example embodiments of the present invention provide working machines 1 described in the following items.
(Item 1) A working machine 1 including a machine body 2, a prime mover 91 provided in the machine body 2, a hood 14 to cover the prime mover 91, an operator's seat 6 located above the prime mover 91, a cooling fan 100 to take in outside air from an outside of the hood 14 to an inside of the hood 14 and cause the outside air to flow to a surrounding area of the prime mover 91, and a flow regulator 203 to guide a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 to an area above the prime mover 91.
With the above-described working machine 1 according to item 1, by guiding the portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 to an area above the prime mover 91, it is possible to prevent heat of the prime mover 91 from remaining above the prime mover 91, and therefore to prevent or reduce the heat being transferred from the prime mover 91 to the operator's seat 6.
(Item 2) The working machine according to item 1, wherein the hood 14 includes a mount portion 100Ab on which the operator's seat 6 is provided, and the flow regulator 203 is configured to direct a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 to the mount portion 101Ab.
With the working machine 1 according to item 2, by directing the outside air (cooling air) taken in by the cooling fan 100 to the mount portion 100Ab, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the likelihood that the mount portion 101Ab will become hot, and therefore to prevent or reduce the heat of the prime mover 91 being transferred from the mount portion 101Ab to the operator's seat 6.
(Item 3) The working machine according to item 1 or 2, wherein the flow regulator 203 includes at least one flow regulating plate 206 located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan 100 as the prime mover 91 and higher than the prime mover 91.
With the working machine 1 according to item 3, the cooling air generated in a region of an intermediate portion and a lower portion in an up-down direction of the cooling fan 100 that contributes to the cooling of the prime mover 91 can be used to cool the prime mover 91, and the cooling air generated in a region corresponding to the flow regulator 203 at the upper portion of the cooling fan 100 can be used to prevent or reduce the heat remaining above the prime mover 91.
(Item 4) The working machine according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the flow regulator 203 includes at least one flow regulating plate 206 provided in an inclined manner in which the at least one flow regulating plate 206 is inclined upward with decreasing distance to the prime mover 91.
With the working machine 1 according to item 4, the flow regulating plate 206 can properly change the direction of the air to cause the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 to flow to an area above the prime mover 91.
(Item 5) The working machine according to item 4, wherein the at least one flow regulating plate 206 provided in the inclined manner includes a plurality of flow regulating plates with a space therebetween in an up-down direction.
With the working machine 1 according to item 5, the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 100 flows between the flow regulating plates 206. Accordingly, the flow rate of the cooling air can be increased, and it is possible to effectively prevent or reduce the heat of the prime mover 91 remaining above the prime mover 91.
(Item 6) The working machine according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the flow regulator 203 includes at least one flow regulating plate 206 having a flat plate shape or a curved shape.
With the working machine 1 according to item 6, a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan 100 can be properly guided to an area above the prime mover 91.
(Item 7) The working machine according to any one of items 1 to 6, further including a support frame 142 vertically provided on the machine body 2 inside the hood 14 to support the hood 14, wherein the flow regulator 203 is attached to the support frame 142.
With the working machine 1 according to item 7, by attaching the flow regulator 203 to the support frame 142, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the likelihood that the assembly or maintainability of a shroud 141 covering the cooling fan 100 etc. will be hindered.
(Item 8) The working machine according to item 7, wherein the support frame 142 includes a first-side pillar portion (first front pillar portion 143L) located on one of opposite sides of the cooling fan 100 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a rotation axis 100a of the cooling fan 100, and a second-side pillar portion (first rear pillar portion 144L) located on the other of the opposite sides of the cooling fan 100 in the horizontal direction, the flow regulator 203 includes at least one flow regulating plate 206 located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan 100 as the prime mover 91 and higher than the prime mover 91, and a bracket body 205 attached to at least one of the first-side pillar portion 143L or the second-side pillar portion 144L, and the flow regulating plate 206 is fixed to the bracket body 205 by a fastener attached from above.
With the working machine 1 according to item 8, the attachment of the flow regulating plate 206 can be facilitated.
(Item 9) The working machine according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the flow regulator 203 includes at least one flow regulating plate 206 located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan 100 as the prime mover 91 and higher than the prime mover 91, and the flow regulating plate 206 includes a cutout portion 215 in a portion corresponding to the cooling fan 100.
With the working machine 1 according to item 9, by providing the cutout portion 215, it is possible to prevent the flow regulating plate 206 from interfering with the cooling fan 100 and to keep the flow regulating plate 206 away from the prime mover 91.
While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are considered as examples in all aspects and are not considered as limitations. The scope of the present invention is to be determined not by the foregoing description but by the claims, and is intended to include all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Reference Signs List

1: working machine
2: machine body
6: operator's seat
14: hood
91: prime mover
100: cooling fan
100a: rotation axis
100Ab: mount portion
142: support frame
143L: first-side pillar portion (first front pillar portion)
144L: second-side pillar portion (first rear pillar portion)
203: flow regulator
205: bracket body
206: flow regulating plate
215: cutout portion

Claims

A working machine comprising:
a machine body;

a prime mover provided in the machine body;

a hood to cover the prime mover;

an operator's seat located above the prime mover;

a cooling fan to take in outside air from an outside of the hood to an inside of the hood and cause the outside air to flow to a surrounding area of the prime mover; and

a flow regulator to guide a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan to an area above the prime mover.
The working machine according to claim 1, wherein
the hood includes a mount portion on which the operator's seat is provided, and

the flow regulator is configured to direct a portion of the outside air taken in by the cooling fan to the mount portion.
The working machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow regulator includes at least one flow regulating plate located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan as the prime mover and higher than the prime mover.
The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow regulator includes at least one flow regulating plate provided in an inclined manner in which the at least one flow regulating plate is inclined upward with decreasing distance to the prime mover.
The working machine according to claim 4, wherein the at least one flow regulating plate provided in the inclined manner includes a plurality of flow regulating plates with a space therebetween in an up-down direction.
The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flow regulator includes at least one flow regulating plate having a flat plate shape or a curved shape.
The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
a support frame vertically provided on the machine body inside the hood to support the hood; wherein

the flow regulator is attached to the support frame.
The working machine according to claim 7, wherein
the support frame includes a first-side pillar portion located on one of opposite sides of the cooling fan in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the cooling fan, and a second-side pillar portion located on the other of the opposite sides of the cooling fan in the horizontal direction;

the flow regulator includes at least one flow regulating plate located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan as the prime mover and higher than the prime mover, and a bracket body attached to at least one of the first-side pillar portion or the second-side pillar portion; and

the flow regulating plate is fixed to the bracket body by a fastener attached from above.
The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
the flow regulator includes at least one flow regulating plate located on the same side of an upper portion of the cooling fan as the prime mover and higher than the prime mover; and

the flow regulating plate includes a cutout portion in a portion corresponding to the cooling fan.