JP2006046233A - Reserving tank of construction machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reserving tank of a construction machine into which cooling water can be replenished easily. <P>SOLUTION: A transparent or semi-transparent tank body 30a having a supply port 30b at its upper portion is inclinedly secured at a position where an ancillary equipment disposed above the tank body 30a does not obstruct the supply of the cooling water when replenishing the cooling water into the tank body 30a from the supply port 30b. Water level indication means indicating the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level of the cooling water by a point marker are formed on a side face of the tank body 30a at a position across which the water surface of the cooling water received in the tank body 30a to the upper limit thereof always extends, and at a position across which the water surface of the cooling water decreased to the lower limit of the tank body 30a always extends. Since the cooling water can be supplied into the tank body 30a without being obstructed by the ancillary equipment 20 disposed above the reserve tank 30, it is possible to perform the operation of supplying the cooling water easily and in a short period of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a reserve tank of a construction machine that can be easily supplied with cooling water.

Since most construction machines are equipped with a water-cooled engine, a reserve tank is provided for supplying cooling water to the engine cooling system.
In a conventional reserve tank, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a radiator a is installed together with an engine (not shown) in an engine room provided in a vehicle body, and cooling is performed (heat radiation) by the radiator a. Water is circulated through the engine, and the engine is cooled by the cooling water.
The cooling water that has cooled the engine is circulated again to the radiator to dissipate heat. However, while the engine is in use for a long time, part of the cooling water evaporates or decreases due to water leakage. A is connected to a reserve tank c via a water supply pipe b made of a flexible pipe such as a hose. When the water in the cooling system is insufficient, the water in the reserve tank c is automatically sent via the flexible pipe b. Thus, the radiator a is replenished from the upper part of the radiator a.
Furthermore, the reserve tank c is normally attached to the inner side of the inner wall d surrounding the engine room by an attachment member e, and a display f such as “HIGH” or “LOW” is attached to the side surface of the reserve tank c. The water level display means g is provided, and when the cooling water in the reserve tank c decreases to the LOW display, it is instructed to supply the cooling water to the HIGH display.
For this reason, the water supply port i closed by the removable cap h is provided in the upper part of the reserve tank c, and when the cooling water in the reserve tank c runs short, the cap h is removed and the reserve tank from the water supply port i is removed. Cooling water can be supplied into c.

On the other hand, since a vehicle such as a construction machine often works on rough terrain, the vehicle body often tilts during the work, and therefore the cooling water stored in the reserve tank c may leak.
In order to prevent this, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a reserve tank support structure that prevents the coolant in the reserve tank from leaking even when the vehicle body is inclined.
The reserve tank support structure described in Patent Document 1 supports the reserve tank in a swingable manner by the support body, and provides a weight at the center of gravity below the reserve tank so that the reserve tank can be used even when the vehicle body is inclined. By always being supported horizontally, the cooling water in the reserve tank is prevented from leaking.
JP 2002-275937 A

However, when the construction machine is a small swing hydraulic excavator or the like, the space in the engine room is limited, so many auxiliary equipment k such as engine accessories are installed on the inner wall of the engine room and the periphery of the reserve tank c. It is often done.
Therefore, in the case where the reserve tank c is attached to the inner wall of the engine room as in the conventional reserve tank c shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the cooling water is supplied from the water supply port i when the reserve tank c is provided at the upper part of the reserve tank c. In this case, the accessory device k provided above the reserve tank c may obstruct replenishment as shown in FIG. 8, and it may take time to replenish the cooling water, or a part of the cooling water may spill, When antifreeze or the like is mixed in the cooling water, there is a problem that the periphery of the reserve tank c is soiled by the antifreeze or the like.
Further, if the water supply port i is provided on the side of the reserve tank c, the above-mentioned problem at the time of water supply is solved to some extent, but the reserve tank c having the water supply port i on the side surface is not compatible with other construction machines. For this reason, there is a problem that the cost of parts is increased because the reserve tank c must be newly manufactured and cannot be diverted to other construction machines.

On the other hand, in the reserve tank support structure described in Patent Document 1, since the reserve tank can be swung when replenishing the cooling water, the replenishment of the cooling water becomes easy, but a scale indicating the water level is displayed on the assumption of the horizontal position. Therefore, when the cooling water is replenished by tilting the reserve tank, the replenishing amount of the cooling water cannot be accurately confirmed from the scale.
For this reason, if a little cooling water is replenished, it is necessary to return the reserve tank to the horizontal position to check whether the replenishment amount is proper, and there is a problem that replenishment work is troublesome and takes time.
In addition, because the reserve tank swings, it can be used for construction machinery with a relatively large space around the reserve tank, but a small swing hydraulic excavator or ultra-small swing that does not allow space around the reserve tank to allow swinging. In addition to the fact that it cannot be used in hydraulic excavators, the support structure of the reserve tank is complicated, so there are also problems such as increased component costs.

  The present invention has been made to remedy the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reserve tank for a construction machine that can be easily replenished with cooling water with a simple configuration at low cost.

  A reserve tank for a construction machine according to the present invention is a reserve tank for a construction machine that replenishes cooling water to a cooling system of a water-cooled engine installed in an engine room, and is a transparent or translucent tank body having a water supply port at the top When replenishing cooling water into the tank body from the water supply port, the accessory device installed above the tank body is tilted and fixed at a position where it does not interfere with cooling water replenishment. Regardless of the level of the cooling water stored up to the upper limit in the tank body, and the water level display that displays the upper and lower cooling water levels with point marks at the position where the cooling water level that has decreased to the lower limit always crosses. The means is formed on the side surface of the tank body.

With the above-described configuration, water can be supplied into the tank body without being disturbed by the auxiliary equipment provided above the reserve tank, so that the cooling water can be supplied easily and in a short time, and the cooling water can be spilled. Therefore, the engine compartment will not be polluted by antifreeze, etc., and when the coolant level in the tank body reaches the upper limit water level display consisting of point marks, the tank body is tilted by stopping the supply of coolant. Even if it is attached, a predetermined amount of cooling water can always be accurately supplied into the reserve tank.
In addition, since the tank body only needs to be tilted and installed, even a small swing hydraulic excavator or a very small swing hydraulic excavator with little space around the reserve tank can be installed easily and with a simple structure. The reserve tank can be fixed to the inner wall of the engine room, etc., and the tank body with a water supply port at the top is compatible with other construction machines, so it can be easily transferred to other construction machines. Compared with the case where the reserve tank is manufactured, the cost of parts can be greatly reduced.

  In the reserve tank of the construction machine of the present invention, the water level display means is formed by point marks such as a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon.

  Even if the tank main body is inclined and attached by the said structure, the water level of the cooling water in a tank main body can be confirmed easily.

  A reserve tank for a construction machine according to the present invention includes a self-propelled traveling body, a revolving body provided on the traveling body so as to be able to swivel, and a water-cooled engine installed in an engine room provided on the revolving body. A reserve tank for a construction machine that replenishes the cooling system of the engine of a construction machine with a transparent or translucent tank body having a water supply port at the top, and supplies the coolant to the tank body from the water supply port At the same time, the accessory installed above the tank body is tilted and fixed at a position where it does not interfere with the cooling water supply, and the cooling water stored up to the upper limit in the tank body regardless of the inclination angle of the tank body. Water level display means for displaying the upper and lower water levels of the cooling water with point marks on the side of the tank body at the position where the water level must cross and the level of the cooling water that has decreased to the lower limit. Are those that form.

With the above-described configuration, water can be supplied into the tank body without being disturbed by the auxiliary equipment provided above the reserve tank, so that the cooling water can be supplied easily and in a short time, and the cooling water can be spilled. The engine body will not be polluted by antifreeze, etc., and the tank body will be tilted by stopping the replenishment of the cooling water when the coolant level in the tank body reaches the upper limit water level display consisting of a small point. Even if it is attached, a predetermined amount of cooling water can always be accurately supplied into the reserve tank.
In addition, since the tank body only needs to be tilted and installed, even a small swing hydraulic excavator or a very small swing hydraulic excavator with little space around the reserve tank can be installed easily and with a simple structure. The reserve tank can be fixed to the inner wall of the engine room, etc., and the tank body with a water supply port at the top is compatible with other construction machines, so it can be easily transferred to other construction machines. Compared with the case where the reserve tank is manufactured, the cost of parts can be greatly reduced.

  According to the reserve tank of the construction machine of the present invention, water can be supplied into the tank body without being obstructed by the accessory device provided above the reserve tank, so that the cooling water can be supplied easily and in a short time. Since the tank body with the water inlet at the top is compatible with other construction machines, it can be easily diverted to other construction machines, so the parts cost is lower than when a new reserve tank is manufactured. Can be greatly reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 is a side view of a construction machine including a small swing hydraulic excavator, FIG. 2 is a plan view of an engine compartment, FIG. 3 is a side view of the engine compartment, FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a reserve tank, and FIG. 5 is a reserve tank. FIG.

The small turning hydraulic excavator shown in FIG. 1 includes a traveling body 1 that is self-propelled and a revolving body 2 that is rotatably installed on the traveling body 1.
The traveling body 1 has a track frame 3 including a center frame 3a and a pair of side frames 3b provided on both sides of the center frame 3a. An idler 4 is provided at one end of each side frame 3b. A sprocket 6 that is movably supported and is rotationally driven by a traveling motor 5 made of a hydraulic motor is provided on the other end side.
An endless crawler belt 7 is provided between the idler 4 and the sprocket 6, and the crawler belt 7 is driven by the sprocket 6 so that the traveling body 1 can self-propel and the side frame 3b. A plurality of rolling wheels 8 are rotatably supported on the upper and lower portions.

The revolving structure 2 installed on the center frame 3 a of the track frame 3 so as to be able to swivel is constituted by a vehicle body frame 10 at the bottom, and a work machine 11 is mounted at the front center of the vehicle body frame 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the work machine 11 has a base end pivotally attached to the vehicle body frame 10, a boom 12 that can be raised and lowered by a boom cylinder 13, a base end side pivotally attached to the tip of the boom 12, and an arm cylinder 14. The arm 15 is configured to be pivotable by the arm 15, and the bucket 17 is pivotally attached to the tip of the arm 15 and is pivotable by the bucket cylinder 16.
A driver's cab 19 is installed on the left side of the work machine 11 at the front of the vehicle body frame 10, and an engine chamber 18 covered with a bonnet cover 18 a is installed at the rear of the vehicle body frame 10. A power engine (not shown) is accommodated therein, and a counterweight 20 is attached to the rear end of the body frame 10.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the small turning hydraulic excavator allows the outer periphery of the counterweight 20 installed behind the engine chamber 18 to turn within the vehicle width of the traveling body 1 in order to enable the turning body 2 to turn. It is curved around the turning center O so that it can be made.
Further, the inner peripheral surface of the counterweight 20 is also curved around the turning center O as shown in FIG. 2 so that a sufficient space can be secured in the engine compartment 18 even if the turning radius of the turning body 2 is reduced. In addition, in the engine chamber 18, an accessory device 29 such as an engine auxiliary machine is installed in addition to a power engine and a hydraulic pump (not shown) driven by the engine.

An intake port 18b is opened on one side of the engine chamber 18, and outside air is sucked into the engine chamber 18 by a cooling fan (not shown) driven by the engine. The oil cooler 23, the radiator 24, the intercooler 25, and the engine peripheral part installed in the engine room 18 are cooled by the air sucked into the engine room 18. The gas is discharged from an exhaust port (not shown) opened on the other side surface of 18.
An oil cooler 23 that cools hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump and supplied to actuators such as the travel cylinder 5 and the boom cylinder 13 of the work machine 11, a radiator 24 that cools the engine cooling system, and an engine intake system. The intercooler 25 is arranged in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the line connecting the intake port 18b and the exhaust port of the engine compartment 18, and the battery 26 is disposed on the floor 18c of the engine compartment 18 and above the battery 26. Is provided with an air cleaner 27 for purifying intake air taken into the engine.

The front and rear surfaces of the engine compartment 18 are sealed by inner walls 18d and 18e except for the intake port 18b and the exhaust port, and the battery relay 29 and the reserve tank 30 are attached to the rear inner wall 18e so as to be spaced apart from each other. ing.
The reserve tank 30 is for replenishing cooling water to the engine cooling system, and is composed of a substantially rectangular tube-shaped tank body 30a blow-molded with a transparent or translucent resin, and is detachable from the upper surface of the tank body 30a. A water supply port 30b closed by a cap 31 is provided.
When the tank body 30a supplies water into the tank body 30a from the water inlet 30b using the water supply container 32, the accessory device 29 including the battery relay 29 provided above the reserve tank 30 does not interfere with the water supply. As shown in FIG. 4, it is inclined in advance to the water supply side and attached to the inner surface of the inner wall 18 e of the engine compartment 18 by the attachment member 33.
The inclination angle θ of the tank main body 30a is such that when the water supply container 32 is easy to supply water from the water supply port 30b and a predetermined amount of cooling water is supplied into the tank main body 30a, the cooling water in the tank main body 30a leaks from the water supply port 30b. The angle is not set.
On one side surface of the tank main body 30a, water level display means 34 for confirming the water level of the cooling water stored in the tank main body 30a is provided so as to be separated from each other in the vertical direction.

The water level display means 34 is formed by, for example, a point mark consisting of a small circular point, and when the tank body 30a is blow-molded, the side surface of the tank body 30a bulges into a small circle, or after the tank body 30a is molded, It is formed by sticking a transparent or translucent small circular seal or the like.
The upper limit water level display 34a provided on the upper side of the water level display means 34 displays the upper limit level of the cooling water to be replenished in the tank main body 30a, and the upper limit in the tank main body 30a regardless of the inclination angle of the tank main body 30a. Is formed at a position where the water surface of the cooling water is surely crossed, and a character display 34c of “HIGH” indicating an upper limit is provided in the vicinity of the upper limit water level display 34a, and a lower limit provided on the lower side. The water level display 34b displays a lower limit water level of the cooling water stored in the tank body 30a, and a position where the cooling water level reduced to the lower limit in the tank body 30 always crosses regardless of the inclination angle of the tank body 30a. In the vicinity of the lower limit water level display 34b, a character display 34d indicating "LOW" indicating the lower limit is provided.

The attachment member 33 that fixes the tank body 30a to the inner wall 18e of the engine chamber 18 in an inclined state is made of, for example, steel strip, and is interposed between the upper limit water level display means 34a and the lower limit water level display means 34b of the tank body 30a. A wound narrow portion 33a and attachment portions 33b provided at both ends of the narrow portion 33a. The attachment portion 33a is fixed to the inner surface of the cover member 18e by a fastener 35 such as a bolt. It is attached to the inner wall 18e of the chamber 18 in an inclined state.
A cap 31 that closes the water supply port 30 b of the reserve tank 30 is connected to one end of a water supply pipe 36 and a drain pipe 37 made of a flexible pipe such as a hose, and the other end of the water supply pipe 36 is connected to the upper portion of the radiator 24. The other end of the drain pipe 37 is suspended downward from the engine compartment 18.

Next, the operation of the constructed reserve tank of the construction machine will be described.
Normally, cooling water is accommodated in the tank body 30a of the reserve tank 30 up to the vicinity of the upper limit water level display 34a, and the tank body 30a is attached to the inner wall 18e of the engine chamber 18 with an angle θ inclined in advance. The water level of the cooling water stored in the main body 30a has an angle with respect to the upper and lower sides of the tank main body 30a, but the upper limit water level display means 34a formed on the side surface of the tank main body 30a is made of a small circular point in advance. Since the water surface of the cooling system in the tank main body 30a crosses the upper limit water level display 34a at one constant water level as shown in FIG. 4, if the water level crosses the upper limit water level display 34a. A predetermined amount of cooling water is accommodated in the tank body 30a.
If a part of the cooling water evaporates or a water leak occurs while the construction machine is operating for a long time, the cooling water in the cooling system gradually decreases, but the reduced amount is supplied from the reserve tank 30. Since the radiator 24 is automatically replenished via the pipe 36, there is no shortage of cooling water, but the cooling water level in the reserve tank 30 is lowered.

The construction machine inspects each part before starting the operation. When the water level of the cooling water in the reserve tank 30 at the time of inspection is reduced to near the lower limit water level display 34b, the cooling water is replenished.
In replenishment, the cap 31 that closes the water supply port 30b of the tank body 30a is removed, and the cooling water is replenished from the water supply port 30b by the water supply container 32 as shown in FIG. 5, but the tank body 30a is inclined at an angle θ in advance. Since it is attached to the inner wall 18e of the engine chamber 18, the water can be supplied without being disturbed by the accessory device 22 provided above the reserve tank 30, and the water supply operation can be performed easily and in a short time. Therefore, the engine compartment 18 is not soiled by antifreeze or the like.
Further, when the coolant level in the tank body 30a reaches the upper limit water level display 34a, the supply of the coolant is stopped, so that a predetermined amount of coolant can always be accurately supplied into the tank body 30a.

In the above embodiment, the water level display means 34 provided on the side surface in the tank main body 30a is formed with a point mark consisting of a small circular point. However, the water level of the cooling water in the tank main body 30a is easily visible from the outside. As long as it can be confirmed, the shape of the point mark is not limited, and for example, it may be a point mark composed of small points such as an ellipse, a square, a triangle, and a polygon.
Moreover, although the example implemented in the small turning hydraulic excavator was demonstrated in the said embodiment, it can be employ | adopted by all the construction machines carrying a water-cooled engine.

It is a side view of the construction machine which employ | adopted the reserve tank which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the engine room interior of the construction machine which employ | adopted the reserve tank which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the engine interior part of the construction machine which employ | adopted the reserve tank which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged front view of the reserve tank which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the reserve tank which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the conventional reserve tank. It is a front view of the conventional reserve tank. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the conventional reserve tank.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Traveling body 2 Revolving body 18 Engine chamber 18e Inner wall 29 Accessory equipment 30 Reserve tank 30a Tank main body 30b Water supply port 33 Attachment member 34 Water level display means 34a Upper limit water level display 34b Lower limit water level display

Claims (3)

A reserve tank of a construction machine for replenishing cooling water to a cooling system of a water-cooled engine installed in an engine room, wherein a transparent or translucent tank body having a water supply port at an upper portion thereof is disposed in the tank body from the water supply port. When replenishing cooling water to the tank body, the accessory device installed above the tank body is tilted and fixed at a position where it does not interfere with cooling water replenishment. The tank main body is provided with a water level display means for displaying the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level by means of point marks at a position where the water level of the cooling water accommodated up to the upper limit of the water always crosses and a position where the water level of the cooling water reduced to the lower limit always crosses. A reserve tank for construction machinery, characterized in that it is formed on the side of the machine. The reserve tank for a construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the water level display means is formed by a point mark such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. Cooling of the engine of a construction machine comprising: a self-propelled traveling body; a revolving body provided on the traveling body so as to be turnable; and a water-cooled engine installed in an engine room provided on the swivel body. A reserve tank of a construction machine for replenishing cooling water to a system, wherein a transparent or semi-transparent tank body having a water supply port on the upper side is provided, and when the cooling water is supplied into the tank body from the water supply port, the tank body The auxiliary equipment installed above is tilted and fixed at a position where it does not interfere with the cooling water supply, and the water level of the cooling water stored up to the upper limit in the tank body regardless of the inclination angle of the tank body. A water level display means for displaying the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level by means of point marks on the side of the tank body at the position where the coolant level that has been reduced to the lower limit and the level where the coolant level must be crossed. Construction machinery of the reserve tank which is characterized in that form.

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