JP2657308B2 - Tractor and work equipment coupling device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Object of the Invention (1) Industrial application field The present invention relates to a first coupler frame connected to a tractor so as to be able to move up and down, and a second coupler frame connected to a work machine. A locking device capable of positioning and connecting the first and second coupler frames to each other, and a meshing mechanism configured between the power take-out shaft with universal joint of the tractor and the input shaft of the work machine, and meshing when the two coupler frames are connected. And a coupling device for a tractor and a working machine, comprising a clutch.

(2) Prior art Such a coupling device is already known, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 62-35288.

(3) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional coupling device, when the axis of the output end of the power take-off shaft does not coincide with the axis of the input shaft due to the coupling error between the first and second coupler frames, the meshing clutch is used. May not normally mesh, and in such a case, it is difficult to perform smooth power transmission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables a simple and effective tractor to normally engage a meshing clutch and obtain a smooth power transmission state even when there is a coupling error between both coupler frames. And a connecting device for a working machine.

B. Configuration of the Invention (1) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a female dog at an output end of a power take-off shaft, and a rear part of the female dog connected to a rear part thereof. A male dog forming a meshing clutch by meshing with the female dog when the two coupler frames are connected to the aligning body connected to the input shaft of the working machine while forming a tapered hole for expanding the diameter; And an inner support ring that rotatably supports the output end of the power take-out shaft via a bearing, and an inner support ring attached to the first coupler frame. The first feature is that a rubber omnidirectionally deformable, which exerts a repulsive force to urge the output end of the power take-out shaft rearward when the two coupler frames are connected, is filled and bound.

According to the present invention, in addition to the first feature, a second feature is that a seal member for covering the front surface of the dog clutch is interposed between the output end of the power take-off shaft and the aligning body. .

(2) Operation According to the first feature, the inner support ring and the outer support ring can be moved in all directions, that is, in the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions due to the deformation of the support rubber. When the frames are connected, the connection errors are absorbed by the movement, and the proper engagement state of the dog clutch can be obtained.

Also, at the time of connection of both coupler frames, due to the interaction between the deformation of the supporting rubber and the fitting of the tapered hole and the tapered portion,
The female dog and the male dog constituting the meshing clutch can be properly meshed. Moreover, when the two coupler frames are connected, the fitted state of the tapered hole and the tapered portion is maintained by the repulsive force caused by the deformation of the support rubber, whereby the meshing clutch can always be maintained in an appropriate meshing state.

Further, according to the second feature, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as earth and sand from entering the dog clutch by the seal member.

(3) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the riding type tractor 1 has a three-point link mechanism 2 at a rear portion thereof. And a working machine 4 such as a rotary cultivator via a connecting device 3.

The link mechanism 2 includes a single top link 5 pivotally supported by the vehicle body 1a of the tractor 1 so as to be vertically swingable, and a pair of left and right pivotally supported by the vehicle body 1a below the top link 5 so as to be vertically swingable. And the lower link 6, 6, the work implement 4 is allowed to move up and down with respect to the tractor 1 and to tilt left and right. A lifting drive shaft 8 parallel to the rotation axis of the left and right rear wheels 7, 7 of the tractor 1 is rotatably supported at the rear of the vehicle body 1a. The lifting drive shaft 8 reciprocates by the operation of a hydraulic cylinder (not shown). It can move. The base ends of a pair of left and right lift arms 9, 9 are fixed to both ends of the lifting drive shaft 8, and their swing ends are lift rods 10, 1,
The lower links 5, 5 are respectively connected to intermediate portions of the lower links 5, 5 via 0 '. Therefore, the work implement 4 can be raised and lowered by the reciprocating rotation of the lifting drive shaft 8. One of the lift rods 10 'is constituted by a hydraulic cylinder 11 so as to be able to expand and contract, and the working cylinder 4 can be tilted left and right by the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 11.

The tractor 1 also has a power take-out shaft 12 for driving the work implement 4 below the top link 5, and the power take-up shaft 12 is provided with a pair of front and rear universal joints 13, 14.

On the other hand, the work machine 4 is provided with a gear box 16 for projecting an input shaft 15 (FIG. 4) connected to the power take-off shaft 12 from the front.
And cylindrical cases 17, 17 'extending from both left and right ends of the gear box 16, and a chain case 18 and support legs 18' extending downward from outer ends of the cylindrical cases 17, 17 ', respectively. A rotary tilling blade unit 19 is rotatably supported at the lower ends of the chain case 18 and the support legs 18 ′, and a transmission device for transmitting power from the input shaft 15 to the rotary tilling blade unit 19 is provided. The gear box 16, the cylindrical case 17, and the chain case 18 are accommodated. Therefore, if the power take-off shaft 12 is rotated by an engine (not shown), the rotary tilling blade unit 19 can be driven to rotate.

Next, the connecting device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the tractor 1 includes a front coupler frame 20 (first coupler frame). The front coupler frame 20 has a gate-shaped main frame 21 having a pair of left and right legs, a cross member 22 having a U-shaped cross section connecting the two legs of the main frame 21, and stands upright from the upper center of the main frame 21. An upper bracket 23 and a lower bracket 24 extending bifurcated rearward from the lower end of each leg of the main frame 21 are provided. The bracket 23 is connected to the top link 5 via an upper pivot 25.
The lower bracket 2 is attached to the rear end of the
Reference numerals 4 and 24 are relatively rotatably connected to the rear ends of the lower links 6 and 6 via lower pivots 26 and 26 arranged coaxially.

The upper bracket 23 is formed with an upper locking portion 27 having a U-shaped engagement groove 27a opened upward, and each lower bracket 24 is provided with a U-shaped engagement groove 28a opened rearward. A lower engaging portion 28 having a hook 29 cooperating therewith is provided. An upper connecting pin 30 described later of the working machine 4 is disengaged from the upper engaging groove 27a by a relative displacement in the vertical direction. Are disengaged by the relative displacement of.

In addition, the lower engaging portion 28 is arranged so that the rear connecting pin 31 engaged with the lower engaging portion 28 is adjacent to the inner end of the lower pivot 26 and is held coaxially therewith.

The hook 29 has a locking position L (FIG. 4) for securing the lower connecting pin 31 in cooperation with the lower locking portion 28, and a lower locking portion.
It is fixed to an operation handle 32 pivotally supported by the lower bracket 24 so as to be rotatable between an unlock position U (FIG. 7) which is separated from the front by 28. A toggle spring 33 is provided between the lower bracket 24 and the hook 29 so as to elastically hold the hook 29 at any of the positions L and U. The locking portions 27, 28, the connecting pins 30, 31, and the hook 29 constitute a locking device of the present invention.

On the other hand, the work machine 4 includes a rear coupler frame 50 (second coupler frame). The rear coupler frame 50 includes a pair of main frames 51, 51 arranged in a C shape, and these main frames 51, 51.
And a pair of auxiliary frames 52 attached to the upper end of the main frame 5
1, 51 are fixed at their lower ends to brackets 53, 53 on the cylindrical cases 17, 17 ', respectively, and the auxiliary frames 52, 52 are fixed at their lower ends to brackets 54, 54 on the gear case 16, respectively. . The upper connecting pins 30 connect the upper ends of the main frames 51, 51 and the auxiliary frames 52, 52. The lower end of each main frame 51 can enter the corresponding forked lower bracket 24 of the front coupler frame 20, and the lower connecting pin 31 is fixed to the lower end.

As shown in FIG. 5, an inner support ring 36 for supporting a boss 34a of a rear yoke 34 of the universal joint 14 via a ball bearing 35, and a center of the cross member 22 surrounding the inner support ring 36 On the surface facing the outer support ring 37 fixed to the part, there is an annular support rubber filled between them.
38 is baked. The support rubber 38 includes two support rings 36 and 37.
Can be deformed in all directions to allow relative displacement in front, rear, left and right and up and down directions.

The rear yoke 34 is an output end of the power take-out shaft 12.

On the inner peripheral surface of the boss 34a of the rear yoke 34, a spline-shaped female dog 39 and a tapered hole 41 connected to the rear of the female dog 39 are formed, and the diameter of the tapered hole 41 increases toward the rear. ing.

An aligning body 45 is spline-coupled to the input shaft 15. The aligning body 45 includes a holding plate 46 fixed to the front end of the input shaft 15 and a seat plate 47 rotatably mounted on the input shaft 15. And is axially held by the coil spring 48 supported by the spring.
Note that the aligning body 45 may be integrally fixed to the input shaft 15.

A window 44 through which the aligning body 44 can pass is opened at a portion of the cross member 22 facing the boss 34a.

A spline-shaped male dog 40 that meshes with the female dog 39 when the coupler frames 20 and 50 are connected to each other is provided on the outer periphery of the aligning body 45.
Then, a tapered portion 42 fitted in the tapered hole 41 is formed. Thus, the female dog 39 and the male dog 40 constitute a meshing clutch 43.

When the tapered hole 41 and the tapered portion 42 are fitted by connecting the coupler frames 20, 50, the supporting rubber 38 is deformed from the free state shown by the chain line in FIG.
To exert a repulsive force to urge the rearward.

The boss 34a of the rear yoke 34 has a meshing clutch 43
A sealing member 49 covering the front of the lip 49a is attached.
When the tapered hole 41 and the tapered portion 42 are fitted together, they are in close contact with the front end face of the aligning body 45.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. 6 and 7 show the tractor 1 and the work implement 4 separated from each other.

In order to connect the tractor 1 and the working machine 4 to each other,
First, the tractor 1 is retracted toward the work equipment 4 and
The upper locking portion 27 of the front coupler frame 20 is connected to the upper connecting pin 30 of the rear coupler frame 50 by the raising / lowering operation of the link mechanism 2.
Then, the link mechanism 2 is moved upward to catch the work implement 4 via the upper connecting pin 30.

Then, the work implement 4 swings forward with the upper connecting pin 30 as a fulcrum due to its own weight, and the lower connecting pin 31 of the rear coupler frame 50 is engaged with the lower engaging portion 28 of the front coupler frame 20. If the hook 29 is shifted to the lock position L by rotating the operation handle 32 rearward after confirming the engagement, the lower connecting pin 31 is secured by the cooperation of the lower locking portion 28 and the hook 29. can do.

On the other hand, while the work machine 4 swings forward until the lower connecting pin 31 engages with the lower connecting portion 28, the aligning body 45 integrated with the input shaft 15 is in the boss 34 a of the rear yoke 34 of the universal joint 14. Into the female dog 39 on the rear yoke 34 and the male dog 40 on the aligning body 45
And the tapered portion 42 is fitted into the tapered hole 41.

At this time, even if the center of the rear yoke 34 and the center of the aligning body 45 are displaced from each other due to a connection error between the coupler frames 20 and 50, the taper hole 41 and the taper portion 42 align with each other, Since the deformable supporting rubber 38 is deformed to absorb the above-mentioned displacement, the dogs 39 and 40 can be reliably engaged with each other.

Moreover, since the support rubber 38 exerts a repulsive force for urging the rear yoke 36 rearward by deformation until the tapered hole 41 and the tapered portion 42 are fitted, the tapered hole 41 and the tapered portion are formed by the repulsive force. 42 mated state, and both dogs 3
The 9,40 engagement state can always be properly maintained.

When the dogs 39 and 40 are properly engaged with each other, the seal member 39 brings the lip 39a into close contact with the front end surface of the aligning body 45, and covers the front surfaces of the dogs 39 and 40. Therefore, the sealing member 49 prevents intrusion of earth and sand between the dogs 39 and 40.

With the above, the connection work of the tractor 1 and the working machine 4 is completed, and the working machine 4 can be moved up and down by operating the link mechanism 2 up and down. Aligned body 45 via both dogs 39, 40,
The power can be transmitted to the input shaft 15 to drive the rotary tilling blade unit 19.

In the drawing, reference numeral 56 denotes a connection peephole formed in the auxiliary frame 52.

C. Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the first feature of the present invention, an inner support ring that rotatably supports an output end of a power take-off shaft via a bearing, and is attached to the first coupler frame. Filling and binding omni-directionally deformable support rubber between the inner support ring and the outer support ring, further connecting a female dog to the output end of the power take-off shaft, A male dog that forms a meshing clutch by meshing with the female dog when the two coupler frames are connected to an aligning body connected to the input shaft of the working machine while forming a tapered hole that expands in diameter toward the working machine; Since the tapered portion that fits into the tapered hole is formed, when the two coupler frames are connected, the connection error can be effectively absorbed by the deformation of the support rubber. Alignment of holes and taper In combination, the female and male dogs can be smoothly carried to the proper meshing state, and thus the proper meshing state of the meshing clutch can be ensured, and the power from the power take-off shaft to the input shaft can be secured. Transmission can be performed smoothly.
Moreover, since the inner and outer support rings are connected via a support rubber to form one part, the structure is simplified and the assembling work is facilitated.

Further, since the support rubber exerts a repulsive force for urging the output end of the power take-off shaft rearward when the two coupler frames are connected, the resilient force of the support rubber allows the tapered hole and the tapered portion to be fitted. State, and hence the proper meshing state of the meshing clutch, can be satisfactorily maintained over a long period of time, and as a result, the vibration of the meshing clutch is prevented. This can greatly contribute to noise generation suppression. Since the supporting rubber also functions as the taper fitting holding means and the coupling error absorbing means between the two coupler frames as described above, the structure is simplified accordingly, which contributes to cost reduction and improvement in assembly workability. obtain.

Further, according to the second feature of the present invention, in particular, the seal member prevents earth and sand from entering the meshing clutch, which can contribute to improving the durability of the clutch.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor and a working machine in a connected state, FIG. 2 is a side view of the same,
Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same, Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged views of main parts of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a side view of a tractor and a working machine in a separated state, and Fig. 7 is a main view of Fig. 6. It is an expanded vertical side view of a part. 1 ... tractor, 2 ... link mechanism, 3 ... connecting device,
4 Work machine, 12 Power take-out shaft, 20 Front coupler frame (first coupler frame), 34 Rear yoke as output end of power take-out shaft, 35 Bearing, 36 ...
Inner support ring, 37 ... Outer support ring, 38 ... Support rubber, 39 ...
... female dog, 40 ... male dog, 41 ... taper hole, 42 ...
Tapered part, 43… Mating clutch, 45… Aligning body, 49…
... Seal member, 49a ... lip, 50 ... Rear coupler frame (second coupler frame)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A first coupler frame (20) coupled to a tractor (1) so as to be able to move up and down, a second coupler frame (50) coupled to a work machine (4), and a first and a second coupler frame. A locking device (27 to 31) for positioning and connecting the two coupler frames (20, 50) to each other, a power take-out shaft (12) with a universal joint of the tractor (1) and an input shaft (15) of the work machine (4). ) And a coupling clutch (43) that meshes when the coupler frames (20, 50) are coupled to each other, the coupling device for a tractor and a working machine, the output end of the power take-off shaft (12). 34) Female dog (39)
And a tapered hole (41) connected to the rear part of the female dog (39) and increasing in diameter rearward, while the working machine (4)
When the coupler frames (20, 50) are connected to the aligning body (45) connected to the input shaft (15), the female dog (39) meshes with the male dog (43) to form a meshing clutch (43). 40),
A taper portion (42) fitted in the tapered hole (41); and an inner support ring for rotatably supporting an output end (34) of the power take-off shaft (12) via a bearing (35). (36)
And the outer support ring (37) attached to the first coupler frame (20) and surrounding the inner support ring (36), when the two coupler frames (20, 50) are connected, the power take-off shaft (12 )
Exerts a repulsive force that biases the output end (34) of the
A coupling device for a tractor and a working machine, characterized by filling and binding a support rubber (38) that can be deformed in all directions. 2. A sealing member (49) for covering a front surface of a dog clutch (43) is provided between an output end (34) of a power take-off shaft (12) and an aligning body (45). The connecting device for a tractor and a working machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: