JP2003237619A - Differential lock switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a differential lock switching device for working vehicles, which can improve its maneuverability and working efficiency by simplifying the work of the working vehicle by making it possible to switch automatically the non-operation of a differential device by locking a differential lock device and the operation of the differential device by releasing the differential lock device according to the operation and working condition of the working vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The differential lock switching device in a working vehicle such as a motor grader, which is provided with a differential device with differential lock device and is constituted so as to be able to be bent at a specified articulate angle, comprises a controller for activating an automatic differential lock switching means, which switches the differential lock device automatically by judging the necessity or unnecessity of the activation of the differential lock device based on the detected value of the articulate angle input from an articulate angle detector and the detected value of the articulate angle input from a steering angle detector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applied to a work vehicle such as a motor grader and is provided with a differential device (differential device) and a differential lock device for locking the operation thereof, and the front frame and the rear frame are articulated. The present invention relates to a differential lock switching device in a work vehicle configured to be bendable around a pin.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, in a motor grader, a differential is not used in order to maintain good running performance during work, but the differential function is effective during fine cornering during work or during U-turns. Therefore, a differential lock device (differential lock device) is installed to switch between adopting and rejecting the differential function.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a motor grader equipped with such a differential device (differential device) and a differential lock device (differential lock device) for locking (stopping) the operation of the differential device. In the figure, 109 is a rear axle device mounted on the motor grader, and is equipped with a differential device (differential device) 110 with a diff lock device 114. 1
Reference numeral 20 is an operation panel for controlling the rear axle device 109, 1 is a diff lock switch for switching between operation and non-operation of the diff lock device, 9 is an electromagnetic valve opened and closed by the diff lock switch 1, 13 is an air tank, and 112 is an oil pump. Reference numeral 10 is an air-hydraulic diff lock control valve.

In such a motor grader, the diff lock switch 1 sends a diff lock ON signal to the line 0.
1 is transmitted to the solenoid valve 9, the solenoid valve 9 opens and the air supply pipe 12 and the control air pipe 11 from the air tank 13 are opened.
And are communicated. On the other hand, hydraulic oil is supplied to the differential lock control valve 10 from an oil pump 112. When the solenoid valve 9 is opened, control air is supplied to the diff lock control valve 10 through the control air pipe 11 to open the diff lock control valve 10. When the diff lock control valve 10 is opened, the hydraulic oil from the oil pump 112 is sent to the diff lock device 114 in the rear axle device 109, and the diff lock device 114 locks the operation of the differential device 110.

[0005]

As described above, the motor grader is equipped with the differential device having the differential lock device, and the differential device is not operated by the differential lock device during normal work or traveling to provide the running performance. The differential device is operated by releasing the differential lock device when fine cornering during work or when a U-turn is required during work.

However, in the prior art shown in FIG. 4, the solenoid valve 9 is opened / closed by connecting / disconnecting the manual diff lock switch 1, and the rear axle device is operated via the air-hydraulic diff lock control valve 10. Since the differential lock device 114 in 109 is switched between active and inactive,
In the case of a work mode in which a straight drive or club running with the differential device inoperative and a fine cornering or U-turn during the operation with the differential device repeatedly used during the operation of the motor grader However, the manual diff-lock switch 1 needs to be frequently connected and disconnected, there is a problem in the maneuverability of the work vehicle, and the work is complicated and the work efficiency is reduced.

In view of the above problems of the prior art, the present invention automatically switches between the non-operation of the differential device by the differential lock device and the operation of the differential device after releasing the differential lock device according to the operation and working condition of the work vehicle. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a differential lock switching device for a work vehicle that can simplify the work of the work vehicle and improve maneuverability and work efficiency.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a differential device (differential device) and a differential lock device (differential device) for locking (stopping) the operation of the differential device. Lock device), and the front frame and the rear frame can be bent around the articulate pin (center pin) at a predetermined articulate angle (bending angle). In the automatic diff lock device, a diff lock automatic switching means for automatically switching the diff lock device, an articulate angle detector for detecting left and right articulate angles of the work vehicle, and a steering for detecting left and right steering angles of the work vehicle, respectively. Corner inspection And whether or not the differential lock device is required to operate based on the detected value of the articulate angle input from the articulate angle detector and the detected value of the steering angle input from the steering angle detector. According to the result, there is proposed a differential lock switching device comprising a controller for operating the differential lock automatic switching means.

In the above invention, preferably, in the controller, in the controller, the differential lock automatic switching means is automatically operated (ON), the articulate angle is 20 ° to 30 °, and the steering angle is Is between 30 ° and 40 °, the differential lock device is preferably deactivated and the differential device is activated. By configuring as in claim 6, the articulate angle is in the range of 20 ° to 30 °,
And the steering angle is in the range of 30 ° to 40 °,
Due to the operation of the differential device, running and working in an articulated state without causing malfunctions,
In addition, it becomes possible to smoothly turn.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a concrete structure of the controller, that is, a concrete control means in the controller is provided. In the second aspect of the invention, the controller automatically operates the diff lock automatic switching means ( ON), and when the articulate angle and the steering angle are equal to or greater than the preset fixed angles, the differential lock device is deactivated and the differential device is activated.

In the invention according to claim 3, in the controller, the differential lock automatic switching means is automatically operated (O
N), when the articulate angle and the steering angle are equal to or greater than the preset fixed angles and the articulate and steering curves in the same direction, the differential lock device is deactivated and the differential device is activated. It is composed.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the controller, the differential lock automatic switching means is automatically operated (O
In N), when the articulate and the steering are bent in mutually opposite directions, the differential lock device is operated to stop the operation of the differential device.

In the invention of claim 5, in the controller, the differential lock automatic switching means is automatically operated (ON).
Further, when the articulate and the steering are parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle, the differential lock device is operated to stop the operation of the differential device.

According to this invention, the detected values of the left and right articulate angles from the articulate angle detector and the detected values of the left and right steering angles from the steering angle detector are input to the controller momentarily, and the diff lock device is provided. When an automatic switching command signal for the diff lock device is input to the controller from the diff lock automatic switching means for automatically switching the controller, the controller enters the automatic switching control (automatic operation (ON)) of the diff lock device.

Then, the controller, when the detected values of the articulate angle and the steering angle are equal to or more than the predetermined angles preset in the controller, that is, the front frame and the rear frame of the work vehicle. And are bent around the articulated pin by a certain angle or more and the steering angle of the wheel (steering angle)
Is above the certain angle, especially when the articulate and the steering are bent in the same direction as in the third aspect, the differential lock device is deactivated and the differential device is activated. As a result, the differential device operates, and the work vehicle can smoothly turn at the steering angle while traveling diagonally in the direction of the articulate angle, and can freely perform fine cornering and U-turn during work. It can be done smoothly and smoothly.

Further, in the controller, when the articulate and the steering are bent in opposite directions to each other, that is, the front frame and the rear frame of the work vehicle have a predetermined articulate around the articulate pin. When the vehicle bends in a certain direction due to an angle and the wheel has a steering angle in the opposite direction to the articulate angle, that is, during club running, or when the articulate and the steering travel as in the vehicle. When the vehicle is parallel to the direction, that is, when traveling straight ahead, the differential lock device is operated to stop the operation of the differential device. As a result, the operation of the differential device is locked, and the work vehicle is allowed to travel in a club or straight ahead in the steering direction of the wheels while being bent in a certain direction around the articulate pin at a predetermined articulate angle. Therefore, it is possible to maintain good running performance while traveling.

According to this invention, therefore, when the automatic switching control of the diff lock device is entered, the articulate angle becomes a certain angle or more and the steering angle of the wheels becomes a certain angle or more, and in particular, the articulate and the steering are in the same direction. When the vehicle bends, by releasing the differential lock device and operating the differential device, the work vehicle can be smoothly turned at a predetermined steering angle while diagonally traveling in the direction of a predetermined articulate angle. Fine cornering and U-turns during work can be performed freely and smoothly.

Further, when the work vehicle bends in a certain direction with a predetermined articulate angle and the wheels have a steering angle in a direction opposite to the articulate angle, the vehicle travels or the articulate and steering are carried out by the vehicle. When traveling straight, which is parallel to the traveling direction, the work vehicle is bent in a certain direction around the articulate pin at a predetermined articulate angle by activating the differential lock device to stop the operation of the differential device. Thus, it is possible to travel in a club direction or to travel straight in the steering direction of the wheels, and it is possible to travel the work vehicle while maintaining good running performance.

Thus, the non-operation of the differential device by the differential lock device and the operation of the differential device after releasing the differential lock device are automatically switched by using the detection signals of the articulate angle and the steering angle. Even when the work vehicle is in operation, the differential device can be automatically activated and deactivated depending on the operation and the work state of the work vehicle, and the work of the work vehicle can be simplified. It is possible to improve maneuverability and work efficiency.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto, unless there is a specific description, and are merely illustrative examples. Nothing more.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a differential lock switching device in a motor grader according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of the differential lock switching device, and FIG. 3 is an operation state of the differential lock switching device. It is an operation table shown.

In FIG. 1, which shows the overall structure of the differential lock switching device, 100 is a motor grader, 1
03 is a front frame of the motor grader 100, 1
06 is a rear frame, and the front frame 103 and the rear frame 106 are articulated pins 10
It is connected so as to be bendable at 1. Reference numeral 105 denotes a blade for excavation and leveling work, 104 denotes wheels equipped with a steering mechanism (not shown), and each wheel 104 can be steered around the kingpin 102 for steering with respect to the axle 111.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a blade for excavation and leveling work,
107 is a cockpit (cabin) and 108 is an operator (pilot). Reference numeral 109 denotes a rear axle device mounted on the motor grader 100, which includes a differential device (differential device) 110 with a differential lock (differential lock) device 114. Since the structure of the motor grader 100 itself and the structures of the differential device 110 and the diff lock device 114 provided on the rear axle device 109 are known, detailed description of the structure will be omitted.

In the cockpit 107, there are installed a diff lock switch 1 for switching the diff lock device 114 between operation and non-operation, and a diff lock automatic switch 2 for switching between automatic and manual operation switching of the diff lock device 114, The diff lock switch 1 and the diff lock automatic switch 2 are operated by the operator 108.

Reference numerals 5 and 6 are a right articulate switch and a left articulate switch, which are provided on the right side and the left side of the connecting portion between the front frame 103 and the rear frame 106, respectively. Although not shown, the right articulate switch 5 and the left articulate switch 6 are commonly used touch sensor type switches, and the front frame 103 is on the right side around the articulate pin 101 with respect to the rear frame 106. When bent to a predetermined articulate angle (α ₁ ), the right articulate switch 5 is turned on (switch contact), and the front frame 103 is rotated to the left around the articulate pin 101 with respect to the rear frame 106. The left articulate switch 6 is set to be ON (switch contact) when bent by an angle (α ₂ ).

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the articulate angles (α ₁ ) and (α ₂ ) are in the range of 20 ° to 30 °, the articulate switch 5,
6 outputs an ON (switch contact) detection signal to the controller 7, which will be described later, and outputs an OFF (switch disconnection) detection signal to the controller 7 outside the above range.

Reference numerals 3 and 4 denote a connecting portion between the front wheel axle 111 and the right wheel 104, and the axle 111 and the left wheel 10.
4 is a right-hand steering switch and a left-hand steering switch, which are respectively provided at the connecting portions with 4. The right steering switch 3 and the left steering switch 4 are touch sensor type switches like the articulate switches 5 and 6, and the right wheel 104 is the axle 1.
11 is tilted to the right around the kingpin 102 by a predetermined steering angle (θ ₁ ), the right steering switch 3 is turned on (switch contact), and the left wheel 104 is moved to the left around the kingpin 102 with respect to the axle 111. The left steering switch 4 is set to be ON (switch contact) when tilted by a predetermined steering angle (θ ₂ ).

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the steering angles (θ ₁ ) and (θ ₂ ) are in the range of 30 ° to 40 °, the steering switch 3, 4 is ON (switch contact) detection signal. Is output to the controller 7, which will be described later, and an OFF (switch-off) detection signal is output to the controller 7 outside the above range.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a controller, which is the diff lock switch.
Detection of actuation / non-actuation of diff lock device 114 from switch 1
Signal, the differential lock automatic switch 2 from the differential lock device
The automatic and manual command signals for switching the operation of the unit 114 are respectively
Is entered. In addition, the controller 7 has
-Ticulate switch 5 and left articulation
Switch 6 to right articulate angle (bending angle)
(Α ₁) And the left articulate angle (α_Two) Detection
As each signal is input, the right steering wheel
Switch 3 and left steering switch 4
Tearing angle (θ₁) And left steering (θ_Two)of
Detection signals are input respectively.

Reference numeral 9 is an electromagnetic valve which receives an opening / closing control signal input from the controller 7 through the control line 8 and which is opened and closed as will be described later, 13 is an air tank, 12 is the air tank 13 and the electromagnetic valve 9 Is an air supply pipe connected to the control air inlet of the. Reference numeral 10 denotes an air-hydraulic diff lock control valve, the control air inlet of which is connected to the control air outlet of the solenoid valve 9 via a control air pipe 11. Reference numeral 112 denotes an oil pump, and the hydraulic oil from the oil pump 112 passes through the hydraulic oil supply pipe 115 to cause the differential lock control valve 10
Is connected to the hydraulic oil inlet. Reference numeral 15 is a diff lock operation oil pipe that connects the hydraulic oil outlet of the diff lock control valve 10 and the diff lock device 114. Reference numeral 113 is a drain oil pipe.

In the differential lock switching device of the motor grader having such a configuration, when the operator 108 turns on the diff lock switch 1 and the diff lock automatic switch 2 to input to the controller 7, the diff lock is applied to the controller 7. The automatic switching control state in which the operation and the non-operation of the device 114 can be automatically switched is set.

When the vehicle shown in FIG. 2A goes straight, the articulate angles α ₁ and α ₂ are 0 (zero), and the OFF detection signal from the right articulate switch 5 and the left articulate switch 6 is the controller. 7 are input respectively. Further, the steering angle θ
₁ and θ ₂ are 0 (zero), and OFF detection signals are input to the controller 7 from the right steering switch 3 and the left steering switch 4, respectively.

The controller 7 detects the detection signals (OFF detection signal) from the right articulate switch 5 and the left articulate switch 6 and the detection signals (OFF detection from the right steering switch 3 and the left steering switch 4). Based on the signal), it is determined whether or not the differential lock device 114 needs to be operated. That is, the controller 7 has the articulate angle of 20 ° to 30 ° and the steering angle of 30 ° to 4 °.
At 0 °, the differential lock device 114 is deactivated and the differential device is activated.

When the vehicle is traveling straight ahead, the OFF detection signals are input to the controller 7 from the four switches 5, 6 and 3, 4 as described above.
Receives the detection signal, determines the operation of the diff lock device 114, and outputs an open signal of the control air passage to the solenoid valve 9. As a result, the solenoid valve 9 is opened, and the air supply pipe 12 from the air tank 13 and the control air pipe 11 are communicated with each other.

On the other hand, the differential lock control valve 10 is supplied with hydraulic oil from an oil pump 112. When the solenoid valve 9 is opened, control air is supplied to the diff lock control valve 10 through the control air pipe 11 to open the diff lock control valve 10. By opening the diff lock control valve 10, the hydraulic oil supply pipe 11 from the oil pump 112 is opened.
The hydraulic oil passing through 5 is sent to the differential lock device 114 in the rear axle device 109, and the differential lock device 114 locks the operation of the differential device 110. As a result, the work vehicle can travel straight while maintaining good running performance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2E, the front frame 103 and the rear frame 106 are bent in a certain direction around the articulate pin 101 with a predetermined articulate angle (α) and the wheel 102 is rotated. Is traveling at a steering angle (θ) in the direction opposite to the articulate angle (α), the so-called club traveling of the vehicle, the articulate angles α ₁ and α ₂ are within the range of 20 ° to 30 °. Whether or not the steering angle (θ) is 0 (zero), the right articulate switch 5 and the left articulate switch 6 are
To ON or OFF detection signals are input to the controller 7, and OFF detection signals from the right steering switch 3 and the left steering switch 4 are input to the controller 7, respectively.

In the controller 7, even if any detection signal of ON or OFF is inputted from the right articulate switch 5 and the left articulate switch 6, the detection signal of OFF from the right steering switch 3 and the left steering switch 4 is inputted. Is inputted, the controller 7 receives the detection signal and judges the operation of the diff lock device 114, and the solenoid valve 9
The open signal of the control air passage is output to.

As a result, the solenoid valve 9 is opened, the air supply pipe 12 from the air tank 13 and the control air pipe 11 are communicated with each other, and the control air is supplied to the diff lock control valve 10 through the control air pipe 11 to cause the diff lock. The control valve 10 is opened, hydraulic fluid is sent to the differential lock device 114 in the rear axle device 109, and the differential lock device 114 locks the operation of the differential device 110. As a result, the work vehicle can travel straight while maintaining good running performance.

During steering of the vehicle shown in FIG.
During vehicle articulation shown in (C), and (D)
When traveling in three modes at the minimum turning radius of the vehicle, the articulation angles α ₁ and α ₂ and the steering angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are ranges in which the differential device 110 is operated. When (α ₁ and α ₂ ) is 20 ° to 30 ° and the steering angle (θ ₁ and θ ₂ ) is 30 ° to 40 °, the right articulate switch 5 and the left articulate switch 6 are turned on. Detection signals are input to the controller 7, respectively. Further, ON detection signals are input to the controller 7 from the right steering switch 3 and the left steering switch 4, respectively.

The controller 7 detects the detection signals from the right articulate switch 5 and the left articulate switch 6 (ON detection signal) and the detection signals from the right steering switch 3 and the left steering switch 4 (ON detection). Based on the signal), it is determined whether or not the differential lock device 114 needs to be operated.

When the vehicle travels in these three modes, since the ON detection signals are input to the controller 7 from the four switches 5, 6 and 3, 4 as described above, the controller 7 receives the detection signals. Diff lock device 11
4 It is determined that the solenoid valve 9 is inoperative, and a signal for closing the control air passage is output to the solenoid valve 9. In response to this, the solenoid valve 9 is closed, the air supply pipe 12 from the air tank 13 and the control air pipe 11 are shut off, and the supply of control air to the diff lock control valve 10 through the control air pipe 11 is shut off. The diff lock control valve 10 is closed to cut off the supply of hydraulic oil to the diff lock device 114, the diff lock device 114 is deactivated, and the differential device 110 is activated.

Due to the operation of the differential device 110, the work vehicle has the articulated angle (α).
It is possible to make a smooth turn with the steering angle (θ) while traveling diagonally in the direction of, and it is possible to freely and smoothly perform fine cornering and U-turn during work.

FIG. 3 shows the motor grader 10 as described above.
0 (work vehicle) in various driving modes, the diff lock switch 1 (switch 1), the diff lock automatic switch 2 (switch 2), the right steering switch 3
(Switch 3), left-side steering switch 4 (switch 4), right-side articulate switch 5 (switch 5), left-side articulate switch 6 (switch 6) ON (○ mark), differential device corresponding to OFF (X mark). 110 operation (circle), non-operation (x
Shows a list of (marked) (result output).

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the automatic switching control of the diff lock device is started, the articulate becomes a certain angle or more and the steering angle of the wheels becomes a certain angle or more, and in particular, the articulate and the steering. When the vehicle bends in the same direction, the differential lock device is deactivated and the differential device is activated, so that the work vehicle travels diagonally in the direction of the prescribed articulate angle while smoothly turning at the prescribed steering angle. Therefore, fine cornering and U-turn during work can be performed freely and smoothly.

When the work vehicle is bent in a certain direction at a predetermined articulate angle and the wheels have a steering angle in the opposite direction to the articulate angle, the vehicle travels or the articulate and steering are performed by the vehicle. When traveling straight, which is parallel to the traveling direction, the work vehicle is bent in a certain direction around the articulate pin at a predetermined articulate angle by activating the differential lock device to stop the operation of the differential device. Thus, it is possible to travel in a club direction or to travel straight in the steering direction of the wheels, and it is possible to travel the work vehicle while maintaining good running performance.

Thus, the non-operation of the differential device by the differential lock device and the operation of the differential device after releasing the differential lock device are automatically switched by using the detection signals of the articulate angle and the steering angle. Even when the work vehicle is in operation, the differential device can be automatically activated and deactivated depending on the operation and work state of the work vehicle, and the work of the work vehicle can be simplified and the operation of the work vehicle can be controlled. The workability can be improved as well as the workability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a differential lock switching device in a motor grader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the differential lock switching device.

FIG. 3 is an operation table showing operating states of the differential lock switching device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 diff lock switch 2 differential lock automatic switch 3 Right steering switch 4 Left steering switch 5 Right articulate switch 6 Left articulate switch 7 controller 9 Solenoid valve 10 differential lock control valve 13 Air tank 100 motor grader 101 Articulated Pin 102 Kingpin 103 front frame 104 wheels 105 blade 106 rear frame 107 Cockpit 109 Rear axle device 110 differential device 111 axles 112 oil pump 114 diff lock device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A differential device (differential device) and a differential lock device (differential lock device) for locking (stopping) the operation of the differential device, and the front frame and the rear frame are provided around an articulated pin (center pin). In a differential lock switching device for a work vehicle, such as a motor grader, which is configured to be bendable at a predetermined articulation angle (bending angle), a differential lock automatic switching means for performing an automatic switching operation of the diff lock device, and a left and right side of the work vehicle. An articulate angle detector that detects the articulated angle of each of the above, and a steering angle detector that detects each of the left and right steering angles of the work vehicle,
Based on the detected value of the articulate angle input from the articulate angle detector and the detected value of the steering angle input from the steering angle detector, it is determined whether or not the differential lock device is required to operate, and the determination result indicates that A differential lock switching device, comprising: a controller that operates a differential lock automatic switching means. 2. The differential controller releases the operation of the diff lock device when the diff lock automatic switching means is automatically operated (ON) and the articulate angle and the steering angle are equal to or more than a set predetermined angle. 2. The differential lock switching device according to claim 1, wherein the differential lock switching device is configured to operate the device. 3. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the diff lock automatic switching means is automatically operated (ON), the articulate angle and the steering angle are equal to or more than a set predetermined angle, and the articulate and steering curves in the same direction. At this time, the differential lock switching device according to claim 1, wherein the differential lock device is configured to release the operation of the differential lock device to operate the differential device. 4. The controller actuates the diff lock device to actuate the differential device when the diff lock automatic switching means is automatically actuated (ON) and the articulate and the steering are bent in mutually opposite directions. 2. The differential lock switching device according to claim 1, wherein the differential lock switching device is configured to stop. 5. The controller activates the diff lock device to activate the diff lock device when the diff lock automatic switching means is automatically activated (ON) and the articulate and the steering are parallel to a vehicle traveling direction. 2. The differential lock switching device according to claim 1, wherein the differential lock switching device is configured to stop the operation. 6. The diff lock device according to claim 6, wherein the diff lock automatic switching means is automatically operated (ON), the articulate angle is 20 ° to 30 °, and the steering angle is 30 ° to 40 °. The differential lock switching device according to claim 1, wherein the differential lock switching device is configured to release the operation of the differential lock device to operate the differential device.