JP2009064130A - Working vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the bottom surface in every corner of a pool P clean uniformly. <P>SOLUTION: A working vehicle comprises a truck 2 movable forward and backward; right and left front contact sensors 50a, 50b protruded forward from the truck 2 and capable independently advancing and retracting; right and left front lead switches 60a, 60b to be operated through the advance and retract of each sensor 50a, 50b; and a block means 70 for holding a state in which one of the sensors 50a, 50b is protruded in front of the other thereof, and alternatively switching the sensors 50a, 50b to be protruded and held. The block means 70 supports an interference member 71 for alternatively blocking advance and retract of the sensors 50a, 50b by moving them right and left by means of a plurality of rolling members 73a, 73b from below, sets up first notches 74a, 74b and second notches 75a, 75b for positioning at a lower part of the interference member 71 to which circumference faces of the members 73a, 73b are rolled to be contacted and makes the block means 70 function without malfunction thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a work vehicle for performing various operations while moving in a limited area surrounded by walls, and in particular, a bottom surface of a pool or the like (in this specification, the pool is a generic term for holding water). The present invention relates to a work vehicle that can be suitably used for cleaning a vehicle.

  As described in Patent Document 1, conventionally, there is known a vacuum cleaner that cleans the bottom surface evenly while moving the bottom surface of a pool or the like along a V-shaped traveling locus.

  The vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1 is a cart whose water bottom is movable in the front-rear direction by means of a freely rotating wheel, a suction port that extends in the left-right direction on the bottom surface of the cart, and that opens downward. A submersible pump connected to the suction side, a spout connected to the discharge port of the submersible pump by a water conduit and opened toward the front and rear of the carriage, and provided in the conduit and from the discharge port to the front or rear spout The switching valve that switches the flow path to the alternative is the main configuration.

  The switching valve can be switched by sliding in the front-rear direction, and a contact sensor is provided integrally with the switching valve and at the front-rear end. A total of four contact sensors are provided on the left and right of the front and rear sensor rods that extend in the left and right directions and are provided on the front and rear sides. Of the four contact sensors, two on the left or right side are fixed sensors, and the other two are configured as sliding sensors that protrude or immerse more than the fixed sensors.

  The front and rear sensor rods are further provided with sliding rods slidable in the left-right direction. Left and right contact sensors are provided on the left and right ends of the sliding bar so as to protrude left and right. Further, when the left and right contact sensor on the side closer to the sliding sensor is close to the direction of the sliding sensor, there is provided a blocking means for holding the sliding sensor in a protruding state.

  In the above configuration, when electric power is supplied to the submersible pump from a power source (not shown), the operation of the submersible pump sucks and cleans dust from the bottom of the water through the suction port. On the other hand, the pressure water discharged from the submersible pump is discharged from one of the outlets through the discharge port and the water conduit, depending on the state of the switching valve at that time, and the carriage advances by the reaction. When the vacuum cleaner hits the wall, both the left and right sensors hit the wall, but the left sliding sensor remains in the protruding state. First, the vacuum cleaner is turned slightly counterclockwise (was swung from the bottom) ). At the same time, the switching valve is switched by sliding to switch the water jetting outlet, and the cleaner returns with a slight swing. This is automatically repeated to clean the bottom of the water from left to right.

Finally, the right and left contact sensor on the right side contacts the side wall, and the sliding bar slides leftward with respect to the sensor bar. Along with this, the obstruction means is released, and the sliding sensor becomes in a state where it can be immersed. That is, when the sliding sensor hits the wall, the sliding sensor is retracted more than the fixed sensor, and the vacuum cleaner sequentially moves to the left whenever it hits the front and rear walls. In this way, the bottom of the water is cleaned evenly.
Japanese Patent No. 2579599

  In order to clean the bottom of the water evenly with the above vacuum cleaner, hold the sliding bar firmly until the left and right contact sensor contacts the side wall, and slide reliably when the left and right contact sensor contacts the side wall. Thus, it is important that the inhibiting means function without malfunction. However, the sliding rod is slidably supported by the cylindrical sensor rod, and has a structure that holds the position only by sliding resistance, so when the vacuum cleaner is swung, The left and right contact sensor is moved to the side wall, for example, by moving the vacuum cleaner toward the left before bringing it to the right end of the pool, or by clogging foreign matter such as dust in the gap between the sliding bar and the sensor bar. The sliding rod cannot slide despite contact, and for example, the cleaner is repeatedly moved back and forth at the right end of the pool. As described above, in the prior art, there is a problem that the obstructing means is liable to malfunction and lacks reliability in moving uniformly within a limited area surrounded by a wall such as a pool.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a cart that is movable in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right contact sensors that protrude from the cart toward one of the movement directions, and that are independently movable forward and backward, A pair of left and right movement direction switching members that are operated by the advancement and retraction of each contact sensor, and one of the contact sensors is held in a state of projecting from the other toward the one of the movement directions, and the side to project and hold alternately In the work vehicle provided with the blocking means for switching, the blocking means extends in the left-right direction at one end of the carriage from which the contact sensors protrude, and an interference member that prevents the contact sensors from retreating; A pair of left and right sensor passage portions arranged side by side on the interference member such that when one is opposed to one of the contact sensors, the other is displaced with respect to the other contact sensor; A plurality of rolling members that support the interference member from below so that the interference member can be moved in the left-right direction, and a lower surface of the interference member that is in rolling contact with each rolling member. A part of the peripheral side portion of each rolling member is fitted at the first movement position of the interference member where one of the passage portions faces one of the contact sensors, and the interference member is moved to the first movement position. A part of the peripheral side portion of each rolling member is fitted at the second moving position of the interference member where the other of the first notch to be held and the other sensor passing portion faces the other contact sensor. A second notch for holding the interference member in the second movement position; and a pair of left and right contact sensors attached to left and right ends of the interference member protruding toward the left and right sides of the carriage. , Each of the other contact sensors The interference member is configured to reciprocate in the left-right direction between two positions of the first movement position and the second movement position by the contact of-. By adopting this structure, the inhibiting means malfunctions. For example, it is possible to ensure the reliability of moving uniformly within a limited area surrounded by walls such as a pool, and can greatly contribute to the prior art. Is.

  Further, in the present invention, a pair of left and right second contact sensors that protrude toward the other of the moving directions of the carriage and that can move forward and backward integrally, and left and right that are operated by the advance and retreat of the second contact sensors. A pair of moving direction second switching members and left and right ends of sensor mounting arms that extend in the left-right direction at the other end of the carriage from which each of the second contact sensors protrudes and protrude toward the left and right sides of the carriage A pair of left and right second contact sensors attached to the part, wherein the blocking means protrudes in the same direction as one of the other contact sensors on the side close to the one of the contact sensors that is held to protrude. The other other contact sensor on the side close to the other contact sensor that is held in substantially the same protruding position in front of or behind the other second contact sensor and allowed to retreat The other second contact sensor protruding in the direction is held at the protruding position outside or forward of the other second contact sensor, and the movement direction of the carriage is changed from the one to the other in the respective movement directions. By adding a configuration that is performed by any one of the switching members, and switching from the other of the movement directions of the carriage to the one by both of the movement direction second switching members, for example, by a wall such as a pool It is possible to move evenly within the enclosed limited area with a letter-shaped running trajectory.

  In the present invention, the left and right contact sensors, the left and right second contact sensors, and the left and right other second contact sensors are arranged at symmetrical positions with a center line in the front-rear direction of the carriage as a symmetry axis. By adding the configuration, the contact sensor, the second contact sensor, the other second contact sensor, the movement direction switching member and the movement direction second switching member can be shared on the left and right. And cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since the structure and arrangement of the contact sensor, the second contact sensor, the other second contact sensor, the moving direction switching member and the moving direction second switching member are the same on the left and right, Setting can be performed easily.

  Further, in the present invention, a suction port that extends in the left-right direction on the lower surface of the carriage and that opens downward, a submersible pump having a suction side connected to the suction port, and a discharge side of the submersible pump By adding a configuration including a connected filter, it is possible to configure a vacuum cleaner that cleans the bottom surface evenly while moving the bottom surface of a pool or the like.

  In the present invention, the carriage includes a vehicle body frame, a prime mover mounted on the vehicle body frame, a single drive axle that is rotatably mounted on the vehicle body frame and rotated by the prime mover, and the drive Left and right drive wheels that are mounted on an axle and rotate integrally; and left and right driven wheels that are disposed in front of or behind each of the drive wheels and that are rotatably mounted to the body frame via a support shaft that extends in the left-right direction; By adopting a configuration including left and right track strips arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle body frame so as to surround the driving wheel and the driven wheel, high and stable straightness (perpendicular to the axle) is obtained. For example, higher reliability can be ensured with respect to moving uniformly within a limited area surrounded by walls such as a pool.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the inhibiting means can be reliably functioned without malfunction, and for example, reliability can be ensured against universal movement within a limited area surrounded by a wall such as a pool. It has a remarkable effect that it can greatly contribute to the prior art.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an overall side view showing the work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  1 and 2, a work vehicle 1 is extended to a carriage 2 that is movable in the front-rear direction (vertical direction), in the left-right direction (lateral direction) on the lower surface of the carriage 2 for work, and downward. A suction port 3 opened to the suction port, a submersible pump 4 connected to the suction port 3 via a flexible tube 3a, and a filter 5 detachably connected to the discharge side of the submersible pump 4 (for example, water Cleaning that cleans the bottom surface of a rectangular pool P (see FIG. 6) as an example of a limited area surrounded by a wall (an example of work). Make up machine.

  The carriage 2 includes a rectangular frame-shaped body frame 6, a motor 7 as a prime mover mounted in a box 6 a having an opening on the upper surface formed at the rear portion (right side of FIGS. 1 and 2), a body frame A single drive axle 10 that is rotatably mounted at the rear of the box 6 in a state of crossing the box 6a, and is linked to the motor shaft 7a through two large and small reduction transmission gears 8 and 9 in the box 6a. A drive pulley 11 as left and right drive wheels that are attached to the left and right ends of the drive axle 10 projecting to the left and right outer sides of the vehicle body frame 6 and rotate integrally with the drive axle 10, and a front portion of the vehicle body frame 6 (A left side of FIGS. 1 and 2) is rotatably attached to one left and right ends of a support shaft 12 that is horizontally mounted on the left and right and left ends of the body frame 6; Left and right driven wheels arranged in front of the left and right drive pulleys 11 The driven pulley 13, the driving pulley 11 and the driven pulley 12 arranged in the front-rear direction, the rubber belt 14 as the left and right track belts disposed on the left and right outer sides of the body frame 6, the driving pulley 11 arranged in the front-rear direction, and The tension roller 15 is arranged between the driven pulleys 12 and presses the non-grounding side of the rubber belt 14 from above to adjust the tension of the rubber belt 14.

  Further, the upper surface of the opening of the box 6a is closed by the base plate 4a of the submersible pump 4, the packing 16 is disposed between the box 6a and the base plate 4a, and an oil seal (not shown) is inserted in a portion through which the drive axle 10 passes through the box 6a. A shaft seal device such as the above is arranged to prevent water from entering the box 6a. A controller 17 for controlling the traveling and work of the work vehicle 1 is housed in the box 6a that is kept airtight in this way. A seal member is also arranged at a portion where the cable 18 connected to the controller 17 passes through the box 6a.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 19 denotes a pump holder for attaching the submersible pump 4 to the base plate 4a, and 20 denotes a box-like opening that is detachably attached to the upper side of the carriage 2 and covers the submersible pump 4 and the like. The vehicle body cover 21 is a handle that is attached to the upper surface of the pump holder 19 and that protrudes above the vehicle body cover 20. On the upper side of the vehicle body cover 20, the discharge port of the submersible pump 4 that connects the filter 5 is also projected and a cable 18 connected to the controller 17 is also drawn out. Further, the cable 22 of the submersible pump 4 is drawn out from the rear surface of the vehicle body cover 20.

  Further, the work vehicle 1 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the carriage 2, and left and right as a pair of left and right second contact sensors that are integrally movable along the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1. Rear contact sensors 30a, 30b, left and right rear reed switches 40a, 40b as a pair of left and right moving directions operated by the respective rear contact sensors 30a, 30b, and forward from the front end of the carriage 2 The left and right front contact sensors 50a and 50bb as a pair of left and right contact sensors that are projected and independently movable along the longitudinal center line Y of the work vehicle 1 and the forward and backward movements of the front contact sensors 50a and 50b. The left and right front reed switches 60a and 60b as a pair of left and right moving direction switches to be operated and one of the front contact sensors 50a and 50b are directed forward from the other. And the left contact sensors 80a and 90a as a pair of front and rear lateral contact sensors disposed on the left outer side of the carriage 2, and the carriage 2 The right and left contact sensors 80b and 90b as a pair of front and rear lateral sensors disposed on the right outer side of the rear contact sensors 30a and 30b and the rear reed switches are described with reference to FIGS. 40a, 40b, left and right contact sensors 90a, 90b on the rear side will be described. Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, each front contact sensor 50a, 50b and each front reed switch 60a, 60b are described. The obstruction means 70 and the left and right contact sensors 80a and 80b on the front side will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory side view of the contact sensor portion on the rear side of the work vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, each of the rear contact sensors 30a, 30b is a cylinder. Sensor cap 31 and a sensor rod 32 having a piston-like sensor stopper portion 32a slidably fitted in the sensor cap 31 at one end, and projecting from the sensor stopper portion 32a to the outside of the sensor cap 31 32, a sensor spring 33 which is disposed in the sensor cap 31 and biases the sensor rod 32 in the protruding direction via the sensor stopper portion 32a, and a side wall of the pool P to be contacted so as not to be damaged. The contactor 34 is made of a synthetic resin and has a substantially hemispherical contact. The sensor cap 31, the sensor stopper portion 32 a, the sensor rod 32, and the sensor spring 33 are arranged on the same axis and constitute a one-side rod type cylinder structure that expands and contracts along the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1.

  Each of the rear reed switches 40a and 40b is composed of two independent magnet portions 41 and switch portions 42, and the magnetic switches that open and close the contacts 43a and 43b (normally open) of the switch portion 42 by approaching or separating them. Is used, the magnet portion 41 is disposed at the center of the sensor stopper portion 32a of each sensor rod 32, the switch portion 42 is disposed at the inner end of the sensor cap 31 opposite to the rod side, and both are connected to the sensor rod. 32 and the same axis. Thereby, each rear reed switch 40a, 40b is configured to open and close by the advancement and retraction of the sensor rod 32.

  Each of the left and right contact sensors 90a and 90b is a roll that rotates around a vertical axis 91 extending in the vertical direction so as to contact the side wall of the pool P to be contacted without being damaged and to rotate after the contact (rolling contact). A disc-shaped roller made of synthetic resin as a contact member is used.

  The sensor caps 31 are attached to the left and right sides of the rear end of the vehicle body frame 6 (the rear side of the box 2a) with the sensor rods 32 protruding rearward, and the contacts 34 are attached to the tips of the sensor rods 32. The left and right rear contact sensors 30a and 30b projecting rearward from the rear end side of the carriage 2 are configured. The contact 34 and the sensor rod 32 of each rear contact sensor 30a and 30b are connected to the work vehicle. In order to integrally move forward and backward along the center line Y in the front-rear direction, the front end side of each sensor rod 32 is integrally connected to each other by a sensor lateral connecting rod 30 extending in the left-right direction of the carriage 2. With this connection, the sensor lateral connecting rod 30 connected and supported to the rear end of the vehicle body frame 6 through the cylinder structure of each of the rear contact sensors 30 a and 30 b so as to be movable in parallel in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, it extends to the left and right outer sides, and each contactor 34 is attached to the rear side surface of the sensor lateral connecting rod 30 in a state of projecting rearward with a space slightly narrower than the mutual dimension of each rubber belt 14. . Further, the left and right contact sensors 90a and 90b on the rear side are connected to the left and right sides of the sensor lateral connecting rod 30 via the central shaft 91 so that substantially half of the left and right contact sensors 90a and 90b on the rear side are positioned outside the rubber belts 14. The left and right contact sensors 90a and 90b are rotatably attached to the upper ends of both ends, and are extended in the left and right directions at the rear end of the carriage 2 from which the left and right rear contact sensors 30a and 30b protrude. A pair of left and right second contact sensors that are attached to the left and right ends of the sensor attachment arm (sensor lateral connecting rod 30) protruding toward both sides are provided.

  Further, the rear contact sensors 30a and 30b, the rear reed switches 40a and 40b, the rear left and right contact sensors 90a and 90b, and the sensor lateral connecting rod 30 are symmetrical structures with the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1 as the symmetry axis. have.

  Further, the lead wire 44 of each switch part 42 is drawn out from the end of each sensor cap 31 opposite to the rod side into the box 6a of the vehicle body frame 6 and connected to the controller 17, and the controller 17 is connected to each rear lead. The circuit is configured to output to the motor drive circuit a moving direction switching signal for driving the motor 7 in reverse rotation by the AND outputs of the switches 40a and 40b.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory front view of a front contact sensor unit of a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory plan view of a front contact sensor unit of the work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, each of the front contact sensors 50 a and 50 b includes a cylindrical sensor cap 51 and a piston-like sensor that is slidably fitted in the sensor cap 51. A stopper part 52a is provided at the intermediate part in the axial direction, both ends of the sensor cap 52 projecting outward from the both ends of the sensor cap 51, and attached to one end of the sensor rod 52. The contact 53 made of a synthetic resin and a substantially hemispherical surface that abuts on the sensor rod 52 is disposed outside the sensor rod 52 between the sensor cap 51 and the contact 53. And a sensor spring 54 is a coil spring for urging the mounting side in a protruding direction is constituted. The sensor cap 51, the sensor stopper 52a, the sensor rod 52, the contact 53, and the sensor spring 54 are arranged on the same axis and constitute a double-rod type cylinder structure that expands and contracts along the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1. is doing.

  For each of the front reed switches 60a and 60b, the same magnet switch as that of the rear reed switches 40a and 40b is used, and the magnet portion 61 (41) is centered on the other end of the sensor rod 52 on the side opposite to the contact 53 mounting side. The switch part 62 (42) is mounted on the left and right outer sides of the front end of the vehicle body frame 6 via a switch mounting base 65, and both face the sensor rod 52 on the same axis. Thereby, each front reed switch 60a, 60b is configured to open and close as the sensor rod 52 advances and retreats.

  The front left and right contact sensors 80a and 80b use the same rollers as the rear left and right contact sensors 90a and 90b, and rotate about a vertical axis 81 extending in the vertical direction.

  A sensor plate 80 that extends in the left-right direction on the front side of the carriage 2 and passes through the front side of each switch portion 62 and extends to the front of each rubber belt 14 through the left and right ends is provided at the front end of the vehicle body frame 6. The sensor plate 80 is attached via four bolts 100 and spacers 101 with the predetermined distance away from the front side surface of the vehicle body frame 6, and the sensor rod 52 is attached to the left and right ends of the front side surface of the sensor plate 80. The sensor cap 51 is mounted in a state where the contact 53 mounting side protrudes forward. The sensor cap 51 is protruded forward from the front end side of the carriage 2, and the contact 54 and the sensor rod 52 are connected to the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1. The left and right front contact sensors 50a and 50b that are independently advanced and retracted are configured.

  The front contact sensors 50a and 50b are arranged so that the axis thereof coincides with the center line of the contact 34 of the rear contact sensors 30a and 30b in a plan view, and the front contact sensors 50a are disposed on the sensor plate 80. , 50b and the left and right through holes 102a, 102b concentric with the axis of the sensor rod 52, and the other side of the sensor rod 52 opposite to the contact 53 mounting side is provided on the rear side of the sensor plate 80 through the through holes 102a, 102b. The work vehicle 1 is configured to advance and retreat along the center line Y in the front-rear direction, and to open and close contacts 63a and 63b (normally open) (not shown) of the switch unit 62 by approaching or separating the magnet unit 61 and the switch unit 62. Yes.

  The front contact sensors 50a and 50b and the front reed switches 60a and 60b have a left-right symmetric structure with the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1 as the axis of symmetry.

  Further, the lead wires 64 of the switch portions 62 are collectively drawn into the box 6a from the cable holder 103 provided on the front side wall of the box 6a of the vehicle body frame 6 and connected to the controller 17, and the controller 17 is connected to the left and right fronts. The circuit configuration is also such that a moving direction switching signal for driving the motor 7 in reverse rotation is output to the motor drive circuit also by the OR output of the reed switches 60a and 60b.

  The blocking means 70 is disposed in the gap between the vehicle body frame 6 and the sensor plate 80 to selectively prevent the sensor rods 52 from retracting, and passes between the left and right upper spacers 101 and the lower left and right spacers 101. A narrow flat interference member 71 extending in the left-right direction and extending between the magnet portions 61 and the switch portions 62 and extending both left and right ends further to the left and right outside of the rubber belts 14; Each sensor rod 52 includes a pair of left and right through-holes that are slightly larger in diameter than the sensor rods 52 and are arranged in parallel to the interference member 71 with a mutual center line distance different from the mutual distance between the axis lines of each sensor rod 52. Coincides with the axis of one sensor rod 52 and faces the sensor rod 52, the other center line is displaced to the left or right from the axis of the other sensor rod 52. The sensor rod 52 has a pair of left and right sensor passage portions 72a and 72b and a horizontal center shaft 73 pivotally attached to the sensor plate 80 and extending in the front-rear direction, and is centered in the gap between the vehicle body frame 6 and the sensor plate 80. Arranged so as to be rotatable around the shaft 73, a peripheral surface (rotating surface) is brought into contact with the lower part of the interference member 71 inside the sensor passage portions 72a and 72b, and the interference member 71 is supported from below so as to be movable in the left-right direction. A plurality of (two in the present embodiment, left and right) rolling members 73a and 73b made of rolling wheels and the interference member 71 where the peripheral surfaces of the rolling members 73a and 73b are in rolling contact with each other, are provided on the left sensor passage portion 72a. Is inserted into a part of the circumferential side of each of the rolling members 73a and 73b at the first movement position of the interference member 71 facing the left sensor rod 52. The second movement position of the interference member 71 in which the left and right first cutouts 74a and 74b and the right sensor passage portion 73b that hold 1 in the first movement position face the right sensor rod 52. A substantially semi-circular shape (first cutouts 74a, 74b, which hold the interference member 71 in the second movement position by fitting a part of the peripheral side portion of each of the rolling members 73a, 73b at the illustrated position) Left and right second cutouts 75a and 75b of the same shape) and front left and right contact sensors 80a and 80b that are rotatably attached to the upper left and right ends of the interference member 71 via the center shaft 81. The contact member 80a, 80b is configured to reciprocate in the left-right direction between two positions of the first movement position and the second movement position by contacting the side walls of the pool P with the contact sensors 80a, 80b. Here, the member that supports the metal interference member 71 such as stainless steel is made of metal, and the member that supports the metal interference member 71, i.e., the rolling members 73a and 73b, does not come into contact with the metal. Are made of synthetic resin rollers.

  Further, when the interference member 71 is held at the first movement position, the blocking means 70 is parallel to the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1 and passes through the center of the rear left contact sensor 90a. The center of the front left contact sensor 80a is positioned on the left outside of the straight line, and the front left contact sensor 80a is protruded and held on the left outside of the rear left contact sensor 90a. Of the front right contact sensor 80b, which is parallel to the longitudinal center line Y of the work vehicle 1 and to the right outside of a straight line passing through the center of the rear right contact sensor 90b. The center is positioned, and the front right contact sensor 80b is protruded and held to the right outside of the rear right contact sensor 90b. That is, the front side contact sensor 80a or 80b on the side close to the front contact sensor 50a or 50b on the side allowed to retreat protrudes outward from the rear side contact sensor 90a or 90b on the rear side and protruding in the same direction. It is configured to hold.

  Further, when the interference member 71 is held at the first movement position, the blocking means 70 is parallel to the center line Y in the front-rear direction of the work vehicle 1 and passes through the center of the rear right contact sensor 90b. The center of the front right contact sensor 80b is positioned on a straight line, and the front right contact sensor 80b is protruded and held at substantially the same left and right position as the rear right contact sensor 90b. When held at the moving position, the center of the front left contact sensor 80a is positioned on a straight line that is parallel to the center line Y of the work vehicle 1 in the front-rear direction and passes through the center of the rear left contact sensor 90a. The left contact sensor 80a on the front side protrudes and is held at substantially the same left and right position as the left contact sensor 90a on the rear side. That is, the front side contact sensor 80a or 80b on the side close to the front contact sensor 50a or 50b on the side that is prevented from entering and kept in the protruding state is located behind the rear side contact sensor 90a or 90b that protrudes in the same direction. And projecting and holding at substantially the same left-right position.

  In this way, the front left and right contact sensors 80a and 80b whose lateral positions are displaced relative to the rear left and right contact sensors 90a and 90b by the blocking means 70 are used as the front end of the carriage 2 from which the left and right front contact sensors 50a and 50b protrude. The pair of left and right contact sensors are attached to left and right ends of a sensor mounting arm (interference member 71) that extends in the left-right direction and protrudes toward the left and right sides of the carriage 2.

  The operation of the work vehicle 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pool showing the traveling locus of the work vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. The work vehicle 1 is put into the pool P where water is filled, the cables 18 and 22 are connected to a power source (not shown), and the submersible pump 4 and the motor 7 are operated by operating a hand switch and the like. While moving the bottom surface of the pool P by the operation of the motor 7, the operation of the submersible pump 7 sucks the dust on the bottom surface together with water from the suction port 3 on the lower surface of the carriage 2, and separates the water and the waste by the filter 5. Is collected in the filter 5 and the bottom surface of the pool P is cleaned.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the front side of the work vehicle 1 starts from one side wall P1 on the long side of the pool P (the lower side wall in FIG. 6, hereinafter referred to as “lower side wall”). The work vehicle 1 is put into the pool P in a posture facing the other side wall P2 (the upper side wall in FIG. 6, hereinafter referred to as “upper side wall”), and the work vehicle 1 starts to travel forward from its loading position A first. (Initial setting of the controller 17). As a result, the work vehicle 1 moves toward the upper side wall P2 while moving upward from the bottom of FIG. 6, and contacts the left and right front contact sensors 50a and 50b protruding forward from the carriage 1 at the same front-rear position. When the child 53 strikes the upper side wall P2 substantially simultaneously, the sensor rod 52 of one of the front contact sensors 50a or 50b is retracted depending on the state of the blocking means 70 at that time. Alternatively, the rear side of the carriage 2 is swung sideways toward the 50b side, and the posture of the work vehicle 1 is entirely inclined with respect to the upper side wall P2. In the case shown in the figure, since the interference member 71 of the blocking means 70 is held at the second movement position, the sensor rod 52 of the right front contact sensor 50b is retracted, and the rear side of the carriage 2 is swung to the right. (The following operation will be described based on the state of the work vehicle 1). Immediately after this, since the right front reed switch 50b is closed by the sensor rod 52 of the right front contact sensor 50b, the motor 7 is reversely rotated by the output of the right front reed switch 50b, and the moving direction of the work vehicle 1 is changed from the forward direction. Switch to reverse.

  By such a posture change by the contact with the upper side wall P2 and switching of the moving direction, the work vehicle 1 starts reverse traveling after contacting the upper side wall P2, and moves from the top of FIG. Approach the lower wall P1. As a result, among the contacts 34 of the left and right rear contact sensors 30a and 30b protruding rearward from the carriage 1 at the same front-rear direction position, the contact 34 of the left rear contact sensor 30a first hits the upper side wall P2. Therefore, the front side of the carriage 2 is swung to the right side, and the contact 34 of the rear contact sensor 30b on the right side hits the upper side wall P2, so that the posture of the work vehicle 1 is perpendicular to the lower side wall P2. Returned. Immediately after this, both of the sensor rods 32 of the left and right rear contact sensors 30a and 30b are retracted, and both the left and right rear lead switches 40a and 40b are closed. Is reversed, and the moving direction of the work vehicle 1 is switched from reverse to forward, and the work vehicle 1 moves forward again after contacting the lower side wall P2 by such a posture change by switching to the lower side wall P1 and switching of the moving direction. Start running.

  As described above, the work vehicle 1 moves between the lower side wall P1 and the upper side wall P2 by changing the posture and changing the moving direction by contacting the upper side wall P2, and changing the moving direction and changing the posture by contacting the lower side wall P1. The vehicle reciprocates once in a letter-shaped traveling locus that opens downward, and gradually repeats this to gradually approach the right end of the pool P along a zigzag traveling locus R1 as indicated by the solid line in FIG.

  When the work vehicle 1 reaches one side wall on the short side of the pool P, that is, the right side wall P3 (the right side wall in FIG. 6), the work vehicle 1 approaches the right side wall P3 along with the movement. Of the front and rear right contact sensors 80b, 90b protruding rightward from the carriage 2 in the reverse travel process, the rear right contact sensor 90b comes into contact with the right side wall P3 and then comes into rolling contact. The side gradually approaches the right side wall P3, and finally the front right contact sensor 80b comes into contact with the right side wall P3 and is pressed to the left side. As a result, the interference member 71 of the blocking means 70 moves to the left, the second cutouts 75a and 75b are detached from the respective rolling members 73a and 73b, and the first cutouts 74a and 74b are moved to the respective rolling members 73a and 73b. And the blocking means 70 allows the sensor rod 52 of the left front contact sensor 50a to be retracted, and the sensor rod 52 of the right front contact sensor 50b to be retracted. Is held in a protruding state, and the front right contact sensor 80b is protruded and held at substantially the same horizontal position as the rear right contact sensor 90b, and the front left contact sensor 80a is moved from the rear left contact sensor 90a. Also keep protruding out.

  By switching in the transverse direction by such contact with the right side wall P3, the work vehicle 1 rolls the front and rear right contact sensors 80b and 90b that are protruded and held at substantially the same left and right position from the switching position B to the right side wall P3. It moves to the lower side wall P1 along the right side wall P3 while making contact, and contacts the upper side wall P2 at the position C moved to the upper side wall P2 along the right side wall P3 by switching the moving direction by the contact with the lower side wall P1. At this time, the interference member 71 of the blocking means 70 is already held at the first movement position, and the sensor rod 52 of the left front contact sensor 50a is retracted. Since it enters, the rear side of the carriage 2 is swung to the left side. Further, the posture change due to the contact with the upper side wall P2 thereafter changes the posture to shake the rear side of the carriage 2 to the left side, and the posture change due to the contact with the lower side wall P1 changes the posture to shake the front side of the carriage 2 to the left side. It becomes.

  As described above, the work vehicle 1 changes the posture of the lower side wall P1 and the upper side wall P2 by changing the posture and changing the moving direction by contacting the upper side wall P2 from the C position and changing the moving direction and changing the posture by contacting the lower side wall P1. Going back and forth in a letter-shaped travel locus that is open upward, and repeating this, from the C position gradually moves from the right end of the pool P to the left end in a zigzag travel locus R2 as shown by the broken line in FIG. .

  Further, when the work vehicle 1 reaches the other side wall on the short side of the pool P, that is, the left side wall P4 (the left side wall in FIG. 6), the work vehicle 1 approaches the left side wall P4 along with the movement. In the reverse travel process, of the front and rear left contact sensors 80a and 90a projecting leftward from the carriage 2, the rear left contact sensor 90a comes into contact with the left side wall P4 and then comes into rolling contact. The side gradually approaches the left side wall P4, and finally the left contact sensor 80a on the front side contacts the left side wall P4 and is pressed to the right side. Thereby, the interference member 71 of the inhibiting means 70 moves to the right side, the first notches 74a and 74b are detached from the respective rolling members 73a and 73b, and the second notches 75a and 75b are respectively moved to the respective rolling members 73a and 73b. Is held in the second movement position from the first movement position, and the inhibiting means 70 enables the sensor rod 52 of the right front contact sensor 50b to be retracted again, and the sensor rod of the left front contact sensor 50a is retracted. 52 in a protruding state, and the front left contact sensor 80a is protruded and held at substantially the same left-right position as the rear left contact sensor 90a, and the front right contact sensor 80b is rearwardly connected to the rear right contact sensor 90b. Hold protruding beyond the outside.

  By switching in the transverse direction by such contact with the left side wall P4, the work vehicle 1 rolls the front and rear left contact sensors 80a, 90a that are protruded and held at substantially the same left and right position from the switching position D to the left side wall P4. It moves to the lower side wall P1 along the left side wall P4 while making contact, and contacts the upper side wall P2 at the position E moved to the upper side wall P2 along the left side wall P4 by switching the moving direction by the contact with the lower side wall P1. At this time, the interference member 71 of the inhibition means 70 is already held at the second movement position, and the sensor rod 52 of the right front contact sensor 50b is retracted. Since it enters, the rear side of the carriage 2 is swung to the right side. In addition, the posture change due to the contact with the upper side wall P2 thereafter changes the posture to shake the rear side of the carriage 2 to the right side, and the posture change due to the contact with the lower side wall P1 changes the posture to shake the front side of the carriage 2 to the right side. It becomes.

  As described above, the work vehicle 1 has the lower side wall P1 and the upper side wall P2 by changing the posture and changing the moving direction by contacting the upper side wall P2 from the E position and changing the moving direction and changing the posture by contacting the lower side wall P1. A reciprocating travel trajectory opened downward between the two points, while repeating this, gradually moving from the E position toward the right end from the left end of the pool P in the zigzag travel trajectory R1 as shown by the solid line in FIG. go.

  Therefore, the work vehicle 1 can cleanly and clean the entire bottom surface of the pool P by moving endlessly on the bottom surface of the pool P along the travel trajectories R1 and R2 as described above. Since the traveling trajectories R1 and R2 are zigzag, it is difficult to apply a twisting force to the cables 18 and 22, and the traveling of the work vehicle 1 is hindered or stopped due to the entanglement of the cables 18 and 22. It is difficult.

  The traveling direction of the work vehicle 1 at the start of work may be set to either forward or reverse.

  As described above, the work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment includes a carriage 2 that is movable in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right that protrudes from the carriage 2 toward one side of the movement direction and is independently movable forward and backward. One of the contact sensors 50a and 50b, a pair of left and right moving direction switching members 60a and 60b operated by the advance and retreat of each of the contact sensors 50a and 50b, and one of the contact sensors 50a and 50b in one of the moving directions from the other. And hindering means 70 for alternately switching between the projecting and holding sides. The inhibiting means 70 is arranged in the left-right direction at one end of the carriage 2 from which the contact sensors 50a and 50b are projected. And an interference member 71 that prevents the contact sensors 50a and 50b from retracting, and when one of the contact sensors 50a or 50b faces the other. Has a pair of left and right sensor passage portions 72a and 72b arranged in parallel to the interference member 70, and a center shaft 73 extending in the front-rear direction so that the position of the interference sensor is displaced with respect to the other contact sensor 50a or 50b. A plurality of rolling members 73a and 73b that support the member 70 from the lower side so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and a lower surface of the interference member 70 in which the peripheral surfaces of the rolling members 73a and 73b are in rolling contact with each other, the sensor passing portions. One of 72a, 72b is inserted into a part of the peripheral side portion of each of the rolling members 73a, 73b at the first movement position of the interference member 70 facing one of the contact sensors 50a or 50b, and the interference member The other of the first notches 74a and 74b and the sensor passage portions 72a and 72b that hold the 70 in the first movement position is the other contact sensor 5. A part of the peripheral side portion of each of the rolling members 73a and 73b is fitted at the second movement position of the interference member 70 facing a or 50b to hold the interference member 70 at the second movement position. A second notch 75a, 75b and a pair of left and right contact sensors 80a, 80b attached to the left and right ends of the interference member 70 projecting toward the left and right sides of the carriage 2; The interference member 70 is reciprocated in the left-right direction between the first movement position and the second movement position by the contact of the contact sensors 80a and 80b. For example, the contact with the upper and lower side walls P2 and P1. Even if a lateral pressing force acts on the interference member 70 when the posture of the work vehicle 1 is changed due to the change of the posture due to the change of the horizontal direction by contact with the left and right side walls P4, P3, the interference member 70 Roll The position of the contact members 80a, 80b is securely held until the other contact sensors 80a, 80b come into contact with the side walls P3, P4 by the fitting of the beam members 73a, 73b and the first cutouts 74a, 74b or the second cutouts 75a, 75b. In addition, by moving the rolling contact on the rolling members 73a and 73b without sliding the interference member 70, when the other contact sensors 80a and 80b come into contact with the side walls P3 and P4, the interference members 70 are moved reliably. The means 70 can be functioned without malfunction, and reliability (reliability of work performance) can be ensured against the universal movement in the pool P, which can greatly contribute to the prior art. .

  A pair of left and right second contact sensors 30a and 30b that protrude toward the other side of the moving direction of the carriage 2 and that can move forward and backward integrally, and left and right that are operated by the advance and retreat of the second contact sensors 30a and 30b. A pair of moving direction second switching members 40a, 40b and the other end of the carriage 2 from which the second contact sensors 30a, 30b protrude are extended in the left-right direction and protrude toward the left and right sides of the carriage 2. A pair of left and right second contact sensors 90a and 90b attached to the left and right end portions of the sensor attachment arm 30, and the inhibiting means 70 is provided on the side close to the one of the contact sensors 50a or 50b that is protruded and held. One of the other contact sensors 80a or 80b is protruded in the same direction as that of the other second contact sensor 90a or 90b. The other second second sensor projecting in the same direction as the other contact sensor 80a or 80b on the side close to the other contact sensor 50a or 50b, which is held in the projecting position and allowed to enter. One of the moving direction switching members 60a and 60b is used to switch the moving direction of the carriage 2 from the one side to the other side in front of or behind the contact sensors 90a and 90b. This is performed by one side, and the movement direction of the carriage 2 is switched from the other side to the one side by both the movement direction second switching members 40a and 40b. , R2 can be moved evenly, and the bottom surface of the pool P can be thoroughly cleaned cleanly (improvement of work performance).

  The left and right contact sensors 50a and 50b, the left and right second contact sensors 30a and 30b, and the left and right second contact sensors 90a and 90b are symmetrical with respect to the center line of the carriage 2 in the front-rear direction. The contact sensors 50a and 50b, the second contact sensors 30a and 30b, the other second contact sensors 90a and 90b, the movement direction switching members 60a and 60b, and the movement direction first The two switching members 40a, 40b and the like can be shared on the left and right sides, and the cost can be reduced. The contact sensors 50a and 50b, the second contact sensors 30a and 30b, the other second contact sensors 90a and 90b, the moving direction switching members 60a and 60b, the moving direction second switching members 40a and 40b, and the like. Since the structure and arrangement of the left and right are the same, it is possible to easily set the travel trajectories R1 and R2 (improvement in compatibility with various work and use environments).

  The carriage 2 includes a body frame 6, a motor 7 mounted on the body frame 6, a single drive axle 10 that is rotatably mounted on the body frame 6 and rotated by the motor 7, and the drive Left and right drive wheels 11 mounted on the axle 10 and rotating integrally with each other, and disposed in front of or behind each of the drive wheels 11 and rotatably attached to the body frame 6 via a support shaft 12 extending in the left-right direction. It includes left and right driven wheels 13 and left and right track bands 14 disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle body frame 6 so as to surround the drive wheels 11 and the driven wheels 13, and has high and stable straightness (axle). Can be obtained, and higher reliability (reliability of work performance) can be secured for universal movement in the pool P (improvement of work performance and various operations and use) Corresponding improvement to the border).

  As mentioned above, although this embodiment showed one suitable embodiment of the working vehicle of this invention, this invention is not limited to it, Various modifications can be implemented within the range which does not deviate from the summary.

1 is an overall plan view showing a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an overall side view showing a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface explanatory drawing of one contact sensor part of the moving direction of the work vehicle by one embodiment of this invention. It is front explanatory drawing of the other contact sensor part of the moving direction of the work vehicle by one embodiment of this invention. It is plane explanatory drawing of the other contact sensor part of the moving direction of the working vehicle by one embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the limited area enclosed with the wall which shows the driving | running | working locus | trajectory of the working vehicle by one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work vehicle 2 Carriage 3 Inlet 4 Submersible pump 5 Filter 6 Body frame 7 Motor (motor)
10 Drive axle 11 Drive pull (drive wheel)
12 Support shaft 13 Driven pulley (driven wheel)
14 Rubber belt (orbital belt)
30 Sensor side connecting rod (Sensor mounting arm)
30a, 30b Rear contact sensor (second contact sensor)
40a, 40b Rear reed switch (moving direction second switching member)
50a, 50b Front contact sensor (contact sensor)
60a, 60b Front reed switch (moving direction switching member)
70 Inhibiting means 71 Interference member 72a, 72b Sensor passage part 73a, 73b Rolling member 74a, 74b First notch 75a, 75b Second notch 80a, 80b Front left and right contact sensors (other contact sensors)
90a, 90b Rear left and right contact sensors (other second contact sensors)
P pool (limited area surrounded by walls)
P1, P2, P3, P4 Side wall R1, R2 Traveling track

Claims (5)

  A trolley that is movable in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right contact sensors that protrude from the trolley toward one side of the movement direction, and that are independently movable forward and backward, and a pair of left and right that are operated by the advancement and retraction of each contact sensor In the work vehicle provided with the movement direction switching member, and a blocking means for holding one of the contact sensors in a state of protruding from the other toward the one of the movement directions, and alternately switching the protruding and holding side, The obstructing means extends in the left-right direction at one end of the carriage from which each contact sensor protrudes, and when one of the contact sensors faces one of the contact sensors. The interference unit has a pair of left and right sensor passage portions arranged in parallel to the interference member and a central axis extending in the front-rear direction so that the other is displaced with respect to the other contact sensor. A plurality of rolling members that support the rolling movement in the left-right direction, and a lower portion of the interference member in which the peripheral surface of each rolling member is in rolling contact, and one of the sensor passage portions is connected to one of the contact sensors. A first notch for holding a part of the circumferential side portion of each rolling member at the first movement position of the facing interference member and holding the interference member at the first movement position, and the sensors. A part of the peripheral side portion of each rolling member is fitted into the second movement position at the second movement position of the interference member where the other of the passage parts faces the other contact sensor. A second notch to be held, and a pair of left and right contact sensors attached to the left and right ends of the interference member protruding toward the left and right sides of the carriage, and the contact between the other contact sensors Front of interference member Work vehicle, characterized in that reciprocating in the horizontal direction between the two positions of the second movement position and the first movement position.   A pair of left and right second contact sensors that project toward the other of the movement directions of the carriage and that can move forward and backward integrally, and a pair of left and right movement directions that are operated by the advancement and retraction of the second contact sensors. A pair of left and right members that extend in the left and right direction at the other end of the carriage from which the second contact sensor protrudes, and are attached to the left and right ends of the sensor mounting arm that protrudes toward the left and right sides of the carriage. The second contact sensor that protrudes in the same direction as the other contact sensor on the side close to the one contact sensor that is held in a projecting manner. The other of the other contact sensors protruding in the same direction as the other contact sensor close to the other contact sensor that has been allowed to be retracted while being held at substantially the same protruding position in front of or behind the sensor The other second contact sensor is held in a projecting position outside or in front of or behind the second contact sensor, and the movement direction of the carriage is switched from the one to the other by any one of the movement direction switching members. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the work direction of the carriage is switched from the other side to the one side by both of the second movement direction switching members.   The left and right contact sensors, the left and right second contact sensors, and the left and right second contact sensors are arranged at left and right symmetrical positions with a center line in the front-rear direction of the carriage as a symmetry axis. The work vehicle described.   A suction port that extends in the left-right direction on the lower surface of the carriage and opens downward, a submersible pump having a suction side connected to the suction port, and a filter connected to a discharge side of the submersible pump. The work vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The bogie includes a body frame, a prime mover mounted on the body frame, a single drive axle that is rotatably mounted on the body frame and rotated by the prime mover, and is mounted on and integrated with the drive axle. Left and right drive wheels that rotate, left and right driven wheels that are disposed in front of or behind each of the drive wheels and that are rotatably attached to the body frame via support shafts that extend in the left-right direction, and the drive wheels and driven wheels The work vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising left and right track bands disposed on the left and right sides of the body frame so as to surround the vehicle body.

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