JP7391563B2 - Excavators and how to maintain them - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a shovel having a treatment agent tank in which a treatment agent for treating engine exhaust gas is stored, and a method for maintaining the shovel.

Excavators as construction equipment are often equipped with a diesel engine as a power source. In recent years, exhaust gas treatment devices that comply with high-level exhaust gas regulations for diesel engines have been developed. Such exhaust gas treatment devices are also installed on excavators equipped with diesel engines.

Exhaust gas treatment equipment is installed in the exhaust system of a diesel engine and processes the exhaust gas from the diesel engine to convert it into exhaust gas that meets exhaust gas regulations. Specifically, for example, exhaust gas from a diesel engine passes through a NOx reduction catalyst provided downstream of an exhaust pipe and is released into the atmosphere.

As the above-mentioned exhaust gas treatment device, a selective reduction type NOx treatment device using a liquid reducing agent as a treatment agent is often used. A urea aqueous solution (hereinafter referred to as "urea water") as a liquid reducing agent is stored in a urea water tank, and the urea water tank is connected to an exhaust pipe by a supply pipe. Then, the urea water in the urea water tank is supplied to the exhaust pipe of the diesel engine by the supply pump.

International Publication No. 2015/053273

However, the urea water tank is mounted on the upper revolving body. Therefore, when replenishing the urea water tank with urea water, the operator needs to lift the container containing the urea water for replenishment to a high position.

In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a method for maintaining an excavator that makes replenishment of treatment chemicals easier.

A method for maintaining an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower traveling body, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, an engine mounted on the upper rotating body, and an upper rotating body mounted on the upper rotating body. A method for maintaining an excavator, comprising: a treatment agent tank mounted thereon, in which a treatment agent for treating exhaust gas from the engine is stored; and a support section capable of supporting a container containing the treatment agent to be refilled in the treatment agent tank. The method further includes the step of suspending the container from the support portion via a hanging member and lifting the container from a position lower than the processing agent tank to a higher position.

By means of the above-mentioned means, it is possible to provide a method for maintaining an excavator that makes it easier to replenish the treatment agent.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the excavator. It is a top view of an upper revolving structure. It is a figure showing an example of composition of an exhaust gas processing device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the right side of the excavator shown in FIG. 1; It is a flowchart of an example of support processing. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the right side of the excavator shown in FIG. 1;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a right side view of an excavator (shovel 100) that is an example of a construction machine according to an embodiment. The construction machine may be a crane.

As shown in FIG. 1, the excavator 100 includes a lower traveling body 1, an upper rotating body 3, a boom 4, and a cab 10. The upper rotating body 3 is mounted on the lower traveling body 1 via the rotating mechanism 2. A cab 10 is provided at the front left side of the upper revolving body 3. One end of a boom 4 is rotatably attached to the front center of the upper revolving body 3. An arm (not shown) is rotatably attached to the tip of the boom 4, and a bucket (not shown) as an end attachment is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 5. The boom 4, arm, and bucket constitute a digging attachment, which is an example of an attachment. Other end attachments such as breakers or crushers may be attached to the tip of the arm instead of the bucket.

In the example of FIG. 1, the excavator 100 is in a transport position. The transportation attitude is the attitude that the excavator 100 takes when being carried on a loading platform such as a trailer. Typically, the transportation posture is a state in which the arm and the bucket are each in the most closed state, and the tip of the arm is in contact with the loading platform. That is, the transportation attitude is a posture in which the attachment is folded.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the upper revolving body 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, an engine room ER is formed at the rear of the upper revolving structure 3. An engine 11 (diesel engine) is installed in the engine room ER. As shown in FIG. 1, an SCR system 110 (selective reduction catalyst system) is arranged above the engine 11. SCR system 110 includes an exhaust gas treatment device 110a. A hydraulic pump 21 is arranged below the SCR system 110. The engine 11 is provided with a cooling fan 11a, and a heat exchanger unit 13 including a radiator is installed next to the cooling fan 11a.

An air cleaner 63 including an air filter is arranged next to (on the front side) the heat exchanger unit 13. Air cleaner 63 is connected to engine 11 via intake pipe 64. Air filtered by the air cleaner 63 is supplied to the engine 11 through an intake pipe 64.

An exhaust pipe EP for discharging exhaust gas is connected to the engine 11. An exhaust gas treatment device 110a that complies with high-level exhaust gas regulations is installed at the downstream end of the exhaust pipe EP. In this embodiment, a selective reduction type NOx treatment device using urea water as a treatment agent is used as the exhaust gas treatment device 110a.

The cab 10 is arranged at the front left side of the revolving upper structure 3. The "front part" of the revolving upper structure 3 is the part on the side where the boom 4 is attached when viewed from the center of the revolving upper structure 3. The "left side" is the portion of the upper revolving structure 3 that is to the left when facing forward (the direction in which the boom 4 extends).

A hydraulic oil tank 120 is arranged at the rear of the cab 10 to store hydraulic oil used in the hydraulic system. The above-mentioned engine room ER is arranged behind the hydraulic oil tank 120.

On the other hand, a fuel tank 19 for storing diesel engine fuel such as light oil is arranged at the front side of the engine room ER. Diesel engine fuel stored in the fuel tank 19 is supplied to the engine 11 via a fuel supply pipe (not shown).

A processing agent tank (urea water tank 20) is arranged in front of the fuel tank 19 to store a processing agent (urea water) used by the exhaust gas treatment device 110a. The urea water stored in the urea water tank 20 is supplied to the exhaust gas treatment device 110a by a processing agent pump 20q provided in the middle of the processing agent supply pipe 20p. In this embodiment, the treatment agent pump 20q is arranged at a substantially intermediate position between the urea water tank 20 and the exhaust gas treatment device 110a. Note that other processing agents may be used as the liquid reducing agent, and other processing methods may also be used. A space 23 for storing tools and the like is formed in the front side of the urea water tank 20.

The boom 4 is rotatably supported by a boom support frame 17 firmly fixed to the front central part of the revolving frame of the upper revolving structure 3. Specifically, the boom 4 is sandwiched between the right side frame 17R and the left side frame 17L of the boom support frame 17, and has a boom foot provided passing through the right side frame 17R, the boom 4, and the left side frame 17L. Supported by pin FP.

Next, details of the exhaust gas treatment device 110a will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the exhaust gas treatment device 110a. In this embodiment, the exhaust gas treatment device 110a purifies exhaust gas discharged from the engine 11. Engine 11 is controlled by control module 60 .

Exhaust gas discharged from the engine 11 flows through the turbocharger 61 to the exhaust pipe EP. Then, the exhaust gas flows into the exhaust gas treatment device 110a from the exhaust pipe EP, is purified by the exhaust gas treatment device 110a, and then is discharged into the atmosphere.

On the other hand, intake air introduced into the intake pipe 64 through the air cleaner 63 passes through the turbocharger 61 and the intercooler 65 included in the heat exchanger unit 13 and is supplied to the engine 11.

A first exhaust treatment section and a second exhaust treatment section are provided in series in the exhaust pipe EP. In this embodiment, the first exhaust treatment section is a diesel particulate filter 66 that collects particulate matter in exhaust gas. The second exhaust treatment section is a selective reduction catalyst 67 that reduces and removes NOx in the exhaust gas. Note that the first exhaust treatment section may be a diesel oxidation catalyst.

The selective reduction catalyst 67 receives the liquid reducing agent and continuously reduces NOx in the exhaust gas, thereby removing NOx. In this embodiment, urea water is used as the liquid reducing agent from the viewpoint of ease of handling. However, other treatment agents than urea water may be used as long as they can continuously reduce NOx.

A urea water injection valve 68 for supplying urea water to the selective reduction catalyst 67 is provided upstream of the selective reduction catalyst 67 in the exhaust pipe EP. The urea water injection valve 68 is connected to the urea water tank 20 via a urea water supply line 69.

The urea water supply line 69 is provided with a urea water supply pump 70 . A filter 71 is provided between the urea water tank 20 and the urea water supply pump 70. The urea water stored in the urea water tank 20 is supplied to the urea water injection valve 68 by the urea water supply pump 70. Then, the urea water is injected from the urea water injection valve 68 into the exhaust pipe EP at a position upstream of the selective reduction catalyst 67 in the exhaust pipe EP.

The urea water injected from the urea water injection valve 68 is supplied to the selective reduction catalyst 67. The supplied urea water is hydrolyzed in the selective reduction catalyst 67 to generate ammonia. The generated ammonia reduces NOx contained in the exhaust gas within the selective reduction catalyst 67. As a result, the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 11 is purified.

The first NOx sensor 72 is installed upstream of the urea water injection valve 68. The second NOx sensor 73 is installed downstream of the selective reduction catalyst 67. The first NOx sensor 72 and the second NOx sensor 73 detect the concentration of NOx contained in the exhaust gas at their respective installation positions.

A urea water remaining amount sensor 74 is installed in the urea water tank 20. The urea water remaining amount sensor 74 detects the remaining amount of urea water in the urea water tank 20.

The first NOx sensor 72 , the second NOx sensor 73 , the urea water remaining amount sensor 74 , the urea water injection valve 68 , and the urea water supply pump 70 are connected to an exhaust gas controller 75 . The exhaust gas controller 75 injects an appropriate amount of urea water into the exhaust pipe EP using the urea water injection valve 68 and the urea water supply pump 70 based on the NOx concentration detected by the first NOx sensor 72 and the second NOx sensor 73, respectively. The amount of urea water injected is controlled so that it is injected into the inside.

The exhaust gas controller 75 calculates the ratio of the volume of urea water to the total volume of the urea water tank 20 based on the remaining amount of urea water output from the urea water remaining amount sensor 74. In this embodiment, the ratio of the volume of urea water to the total volume of the urea water tank 20 is defined as the urea water remaining amount ratio. For example, a urea water remaining amount ratio of 50% indicates that a volume of urea water that is half the volume of the urea water tank 20 remains in the urea water tank 20.

The exhaust gas controller 75 is connected to a control module 60 that controls the engine 11 through communication means. The control module 60 is connected to the controller 30 by communication means.

Various information about the exhaust gas treatment device 110a that the exhaust gas controller 75 has can be shared by the controller 30. Each of the control module 60, the exhaust gas controller 75, and the controller 30 is configured with a computer including a CPU, a volatile storage device, a nonvolatile storage device, an input/output port, and the like.

A monitor 77 (display device) is connected to the controller 30. The monitor 77 displays information such as warnings and operating conditions.

The exhaust gas treatment device 110a has an antifreeze mechanism that prevents the urea water tank 20 and the urea water supply line 69 from freezing. In this embodiment, the antifreeze mechanism utilizes the engine cooling water of the engine 11 that passes through the pipe 80. Specifically, the engine cooling water immediately after cooling the engine 11 passes through the first portion 80a of the pipe 80 and reaches the second portion 80b while maintaining a relatively high temperature. The second portion 80b is a part of the piping 80 that is in contact with the outer surface of the urea water tank 20. When the engine cooling water flows through the second portion 80b, it supplies heat to the urea water tank 20 and the urea water therein. Thereafter, when the engine cooling water flows through the third portion 80c of the piping 80 installed along the urea water supply line 69, it supplies heat to the urea water supply line 69 and the urea water therein. Thereafter, the engine cooling water, which has released heat and has a relatively low temperature, passes through the fourth portion 80d of the pipe 80 and reaches the heat exchanger unit 13 (see FIG. 2). In this way, the antifreeze mechanism supplies heat to the urea water tank 20 and the urea water supply line 69 using engine cooling water, and prevents the urea water tank 20 and the urea water supply line 69 from freezing.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, an example of a replenishment operation in which an operator replenishes the urea water tank 20 with urea water will be described. In this example, the worker uses the support device 200 to remotely control the shovel 100 to perform replenishment work.

The support device 200 is typically a mobile terminal device, such as a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a smart watch, or a mobile phone that can be carried by the worker. However, the support device 200 may be a fixed terminal device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the right side of the excavator 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the actually invisible urea water tank 20 installed in the upper revolving structure 3 is shown with a dotted line. FIG. 4(A) shows the state of the shovel 100 before replenishment of urea water is started, and FIG. 4(B) shows the state of the shovel 100 after replenishment of urea water is started. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a process in which the support device 200 supports replenishment work (hereinafter referred to as "support process"). The support device 200 executes this support process when a predetermined operation such as starting a predetermined application software is performed.

First, the support device 200 determines whether to start replenishing urea water (step ST1). In this embodiment, the support device 200 displays a text message such as "Do you want to start replenishing urea water?" as well as software buttons "Yes" and "No" on the screen, so that the operator can replenish the water. Check whether you intend to do the work.

In this case, the support device 200 determines that the worker will start replenishing the urea water when the worker presses the "Yes" button, and determines that the worker will start replenishing the urea water when the worker presses the "No" button. It is determined that replenishment of urea water should not be started.

If the operator determines not to start replenishing the urea solution (NO in step ST1), the support device 200 ends the current support process.

If the operator determines to start replenishing the urea solution (YES in step ST1), the support device 200 determines whether there is enough free space in the urea solution tank 20 (step ST2). In this embodiment, the support device 200 communicates with the communication device T1 attached to the cab 10 of the excavator 100 using an attached communication function. Then, the support device 200 acquires information regarding the remaining amount of urea water in the urea water tank 20 detected by the urea water remaining amount sensor 74. Then, when the remaining amount of urea water is less than a predetermined value, the support device 200 determines that there is sufficient free space in the urea water tank 20, and when the remaining amount of urea water is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, It is determined that there is not enough free space in the tank 20.

If it is determined that there is not enough free space in the urea water tank 20 (NO in step ST2), in other words, there is sufficient urea water remaining in the urea water tank 20, so replenishing the urea water tank 20 with urea water is not possible. If it is determined that it is not necessary, the support device 200 outputs a message saying "liquid supply is not necessary" (step ST3). After that, the support device 200 ends the current support process.

In this embodiment, the support device 200 displays a text message such as "Fluid supply is not required" on the screen. However, the support device 200 may output a voice message such as "liquid supply is not required" from an attached speaker.

If it is determined that there is enough free space in the urea water tank 20 (YES in step ST2), that is, there is not enough urea water left in the urea water tank 20, so replenishing the urea water tank 20 with urea water is not possible. If it is determined that it is necessary, the support device 200 determines whether the excavation attachment is in the initial posture (step ST4).

In this embodiment, the support device 200 uses the communication function to acquire information regarding detection values of each of the boom angle sensor, arm angle sensor, and bucket angle sensor mounted on the excavator 100. Then, the support device 200 determines whether or not the posture of the excavation attachment is in the transportation posture as the initial posture, based on the acquired information.

If it is determined that the excavation attachment is not in the initial position (NO in step ST4), the support device 200 outputs a message "Please take the initial position" (step ST5). After that, the support device 200 ends the current support process.

In this embodiment, the support device 200 displays a text message such as "Please take the initial posture" on the screen. However, the support device 200 may output a voice message such as "Please take the initial posture" from an attached speaker.

A worker who is notified of such a message may get into the cab 10 and manually operate the shovel 100 so that the attitude of the excavation attachment becomes the transport attitude as the initial attitude.

Alternatively, the operator who has been notified of such a message may use the support device 200 to remotely operate the excavator 100 so that the attitude of the excavation attachment becomes the transport attitude as the initial attitude. In this case, the support device 200 displays, for example, a text message such as "Do you want to set the excavation attachment to the initial position?" and a "Yes" button and a "No" button as software buttons on the screen. Then, the support device 200 outputs a posture change command to the excavator 100 when the operator presses the "Yes" button. The excavator 100 that receives the attitude change command automatically expands and contracts the boom cylinder, arm cylinder, and bucket cylinder to bring the excavation attachment into the transport attitude. Note that "to automatically expand and contract" means to expand and contract regardless of the amount of operation of the operating lever.

If it is determined that the excavation attachment is in the initial position (YES in step ST4), the support device 200 causes the shovel 100 or the worker to raise the boom (step ST6).

In this embodiment, the support device 200 displays a text message such as "Are you ready for refilling?" as well as software buttons "Yes" and "No" on the screen, and refills the urea solution. Have the worker confirm whether the preparations are complete. At this stage, the operator makes a final confirmation as to whether preparations for replenishing the urea solution are complete.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), urea water for replenishment is typically provided in a flexible container housed in a substantially rectangular cardboard box PK. The flexible container is, for example, a vinyl pack, and the capacity of the vinyl pack is, for example, 20 liters.

In order to prepare for replenishment of urea water, the operator first attaches a part of the hanging member HM to the cardboard box PK, and then attaches another part of the hanging member HM to the support part FK.

The hanging member HM is a member for hanging a container containing urea water. The hanging member HM is, for example, a string, rope, wire, or sling. The hanging member HM may include at least one of a hanging clamp, a turnbuckle, a ring, a fixed pulley, a movable pulley, and the like.

The support part FK is a member that supports a container containing urea water for replenishment. The support portion FK may support the container via the hanging member HM, or may support the container without using the hanging member HM. That is, the support portion FK may directly support a container containing urea water. The support portion FK may be detachably attached to the attachment, or may be attached to the attachment in a non-removable manner. The support part FK is, for example, a hook or an eye bolt. The support part FK may be a gripping device such as a clamp. Alternatively, the support portion FK may have any structure on which the worker can hang the hanging member HM. For example, the support portion FK may be a part of a member constituting the shovel 100, such as the boom top pin shaft support 7S that protrudes to the right from the right side surface of the boom 4.

In the example of FIG. 4, the worker ties the cardboard box PK with a string ST serving as a hanging member HM, and attaches a ring attached to one end of the string ST to a hook serving as a support part FK attached to the right side of the boom 4. hook. As a result, the cardboard box PK is suspended from the support portion FK, as shown in FIG. 4(A).

Then, the operator connects the supply port of the vinyl pack housed in the cardboard box PK and the supply port of the urea water tank 20 with the hose HS. FIG. 4(A) shows a state in which preparations for replenishing urea water are completed. Note that the supply port of the vinyl pack stored in the cardboard box PK hanging from the drilling attachment (boom 4 in the example in FIG. 4) in the initial position is located at a lower position than the supply port of the urea water tank 20. be. Therefore, at this stage, the urea water in the vinyl pack does not flow into the urea water tank 20.

At this stage, the operator presses the "Yes" button displayed on the screen of the support device 200 with a text message such as "Are you ready to refill?" and confirms that preparations for refilling the urea solution are complete. The support device 200 is notified of the presence of the user.

When the support device 200 detects that the "Yes" button has been pressed, the support device 200 uses the communication function to transmit a boom raising command to the excavator 100.

The excavator 100 that has received the boom raising command automatically raises the boom 4 by automatically extending the boom cylinder 7. In this embodiment, the excavator 100 is configured to automatically extend the boom cylinder 7 to a predetermined amount of extension at a predetermined extension speed. Excavator 100 may be configured to start engine 11 upon receiving the boom raising command. FIG. 4(B) shows the state of the excavator 100 when the boom 4 is automatically raised. Specifically, FIG. 4(B) shows the positions of the boom 4, the cardboard box PK, and the hose HS before the boom 4 is raised with dotted lines, the change in the position of the boom 4 is shown with an arrow AR1, and the positions of the boom 4 before the boom 4 is raised are shown with arrow AR1. The change in the position of the box PK is indicated by an arrow AR2.

As shown in FIG. 4(B), when the boom 4 is raised, the supply port of the vinyl pack housed in the cardboard box PK reaches a position higher than the supply port of the urea water tank 20. Therefore, the urea water in the vinyl pack flows into the urea water tank 20.

After that, the support device 200 determines whether there is enough free space in the urea water tank (step ST7). In this embodiment, the support device 200 uses the communication function to acquire information regarding the remaining amount of urea water in the urea water tank 20 detected by the urea water remaining amount sensor 74. Then, the support device 200 determines that there is sufficient free space in the urea water tank 20 when the remaining amount of urea water is less than a predetermined value, and when the remaining amount of urea water exceeds the predetermined value, It is determined that there is not enough free space in the urea water tank 20. The support device 200 repeatedly performs this determination at a predetermined control cycle while the urea water is being replenished.

If it is determined that the urea water tank 20 has sufficient free space (YES in step ST7), that is, if it is determined that the urea water tank 20 has not been sufficiently replenished with urea water, the support device 200: It is determined whether the flow rate of urea water into the urea water tank 20 has become less than a predetermined value TH (step ST8).

In this embodiment, the support device 200 uses the communication function to acquire information regarding the remaining amount of urea water in the urea water tank 20 detected by the urea water remaining amount sensor 74. Then, the support device 200 calculates the flow rate of urea water into the urea water tank 20 based on the temporal change in the remaining amount of urea water.

If it is determined that the flow rate of urea water into the urea water tank 20 is greater than the predetermined value TH (NO in step ST8), the support device 200 determines that the vinyl pack is not empty yet, and returns to step ST7. Execute the following. The predetermined value TH may be, for example, zero.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the inflow rate of urea water into the urea water tank 20 is equal to or lower than the predetermined value TH (YES in step ST8), the support device 200 determines that the vinyl pack is empty, and the shovel 100 or The operator is made to lower the boom (step ST9).

In this embodiment, the support device 200 uses the communication function to transmit a boom lowering command to the excavator 100. Upon receiving the boom lowering command, the excavator 100 automatically lowers the boom 4 by automatically contracting the boom cylinder 7. In this embodiment, the shovel 100 is configured to automatically extend the boom cylinder 7 to a predetermined contraction amount at a predetermined contraction speed. After that, the support device 200 ends the current support process.

When the boom 4 is lowered, the supply port of the vinyl pack housed in the cardboard box PK reaches a position lower than the supply port of the urea water tank 20 again. Therefore, the flow of urea water from the vinyl pack to the urea water tank 20 is stopped.

Even when it is determined that there is not enough free space in the urea water tank 20 (NO in step ST7), the support device 200 determines that the urea water tank 20 is filled with urea water, and sends the excavator 100 or the worker to the boom. The lowering is executed (step ST9).

In the above example, the determination in each of step ST7 and step ST8 is configured to be performed by the support device 200, but may be configured to be performed by the controller 30. In this case, the controller 30 may lower the boom 4 without receiving a boom lowering command from the support device 200.

Further, in the above example, the excavator 100 is configured to operate automatically in response to a boom raising command or a boom lowering command from the support device 200; In other words, it may be configured to not operate automatically. In this configuration, the support device 200 may be configured to instruct the operator of the excavator 100 to start raising the boom when determining that the excavation attachment is in the initial position (YES in step ST4). . For example, the support device 200 may instruct the operator of the excavator 100 to start raising the boom through at least one of a speaker, an indicator, a display, etc. installed in the support device 200. Alternatively, the support device 200 may instruct the operator of the excavator 100 to start raising the boom through a speaker, an indicator, and a display installed in the cab 10. Alternatively, the support device 200 instructs the operator of the shovel 100 to start raising the boom through at least one of a speaker, an indicator, a display, etc. mounted on another support device carried by the operator of the shovel 100. You may.

The same applies to the start of lowering the boom. For example, when the support device 200 determines that there is no free space in the urea water tank 20 (NO in step ST7), that is, when it determines that the urea water tank 20 is filled with urea water, the support device 200 controls the shovel 100. It may be configured to instruct the operator to start lowering the boom. Alternatively, when the support device 200 determines that the inflow rate of urea water into the urea water tank 20 is equal to or lower than the predetermined value TH (YES in step ST8), that is, when it determines that the vinyl pack is empty. , the operator of the excavator 100 may be configured to instruct the operator of the excavator 100 to start lowering the boom.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, another example of the replenishment work in which the operator replenishes the urea water tank 20 with urea water will be described.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the right side of the excavator 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the actually invisible urea water tank 20 installed in the upper revolving structure 3 is shown by a dotted line. FIG. 6(A) shows the state of the shovel 100 before replenishment of urea water is started, and FIG. 6(B) shows the state of the shovel 100 after replenishment of urea water is started.

As in the case of FIG. 4, the replenishing urea water is provided in a vinyl pack, which is a flexible container housed in a substantially rectangular cardboard box PK.

In the example of FIG. 6, the hanging member HM includes a fixed pulley FB, a movable pulley RB, a string ST, and a rope RP. The worker ties the cardboard box PK with the string ST, and hooks the ring attached to one end of the string ST onto the hook attached to the movable pulley RB. Then, the operator can raise the movable pulley RB to the position shown in FIG. 6(A) by pulling the rope RP in the direction shown by the arrow AR3. As a result, the cardboard box PK is suspended from the support portion FK, as shown in FIG. 6(A). The support part FK is attached to a handrail HR installed on the upper revolving body 3. In the example of FIG. 6, the support part FK is a clamp. However, the fixed pulley FB may be tied to the handrail HR with a string.

The supply port of the vinyl pack housed in the cardboard box PK and the supply port of the urea water tank 20 are typically connected with a hose HS before the cardboard box PK is lifted. At the stage shown in FIG. 6(A), the supply port of the vinyl pack stored in the cardboard box PK and the supply port of the urea water tank 20 are connected by the hose HS, and the supply port of the vinyl pack is connected to the supply port of the urea water tank 20. It is located at a lower position than the liquid supply port of the urea water tank 20. Therefore, the urea water in the vinyl pack does not flow into the urea water tank 20.

After that, the operator can raise the movable pulley RB and the cardboard box PK to the position shown in FIG. 6(B) by further pulling the rope RP in the direction shown by the arrow AR3. At the stage shown in FIG. 6(B), the supply port of the vinyl pack housed in the cardboard box PK is located at a higher position than the supply port of the urea water tank 20. Therefore, the urea water in the vinyl pack flows into the urea water tank 20 through the hose HS.

Thereafter, the operator can lower the movable pulley RB and the cardboard box PK to the position shown in FIG. 6(A) by letting out the rope RP in the direction shown by arrow AR4 in FIG. 6(B). Therefore, the operator can stop replenishing the urea water by lowering the cardboard box PK before the urea water overflows from the urea water tank 20.

The shovel 100 may be configured to be able to notify the operator of the timing to lower the movable pulley RB and the cardboard box PK. For example, the controller 30 installed in the excavator 100 acquires information regarding the remaining amount of urea water in the urea water tank 20 detected by the urea water remaining amount sensor 74. Then, when the remaining amount of urea water exceeds a predetermined value, the controller 30 determines that the urea water tank 20 is almost filled with urea water for replenishment, and notifies the operator to that effect. For example, the controller 30 may notify the operator that the urea water tank 20 is almost filled with urea water by blowing a horn. The operator who hears the horn blowing can immediately lower the cardboard box PK by letting out the rope RP in the direction indicated by the arrow AR4 in FIG. 6(B).

As described above, the excavator 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the lower traveling body 1, the upper rotating body 3 rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body 1, and the engine 11 mounted on the upper rotating body 3. , a urea water tank 20 as a treatment agent tank in which urea water as a treatment agent for treating exhaust gas from the engine 11 is stored, which is mounted on the upper revolving body 3; The container is provided with a support part FK that supports the container. The support part FK is arranged at a higher position than the urea water tank 20 when replenishing the urea water.

With this configuration, the shovel 100 allows the operator to more easily replenish the urea water tank 20 with urea water. This is because, with this configuration, the operator does not have to hold up the container containing urea water for replenishment. Further, in this configuration, a liquid supply pump is not used when replenishing the urea water tank 20 with urea water. Therefore, the operator does not need to prepare a power source for driving the liquid supply pump.

The container containing the urea water for replenishment is desirably lifted to a higher position than the urea water tank 20. This is to allow the replenishment urea water contained in the container to flow into the urea water tank 20 due to potential energy. Note that the container containing the replenishing urea water may be supported by the support portion FK via the hanging member HM.

The support part FK may be arranged on the boom 4. With this configuration, the operator can also raise the container suspended from the support part FK by raising the boom 4 as shown in FIG. 4, for example. That is, the operator can easily increase the potential energy of the replenishing urea water. Therefore, the burden on the worker is significantly reduced.

The support part FK may be arranged on a handrail HR installed on the upper revolving body 3. With this configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator can lift the container suspended from the support part FK by operating the hanging member HM including the fixed pulley FB and the movable pulley RB. Also in this configuration, the operator does not have to hold up the container containing the replenishing urea water, and therefore can easily increase the potential energy of the replenishing urea water. Therefore, the burden on the worker is significantly reduced.

Furthermore, the method for maintaining the excavator 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention uses the support part FK to move a container containing urea water to be refilled into the urea water tank 20 from a lower position than the urea water tank 20 to a higher position. It has a lifting step. With this maintenance method, the operator can easily replenish the urea water tank 20 with urea water.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications or substitutions may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, features described separately can be combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

For example, in the example of FIG. 4 described above, the support device 200 extends the boom cylinder 7 to raise the boom 4 in order to lift the cardboard box PK, but the support device 200 does not operate other actuators other than the boom cylinder 7. The cardboard box PK may be raised by For example, when the excavator 100 includes an elevator cab, the support device 200 extends a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the elevator cab to raise the elevator cab, thereby raising the cardboard box PK hanging from the elevator cab. Good too.

1... Lower traveling body 2... Swivel mechanism 3... Upper rotating body 4... Boom 5... Arm 6... Bucket 10... Cab 11... Engine 11a... Cooling Fan 13... Heat exchanger unit 17... Boom support frame 17L... Left side frame 17R... Right side frame 19... Fuel tank 20... Urea water tank 21... Hydraulic pump 28...・Level gauge 60... Control module 61... Turbocharger 63... Air cleaner 64... Intake pipe 65... Intercooler 66... Diesel particulate filter 67... Selective reduction catalyst 68...・Urea water injection valve 69...Urea water supply line 70...Urea water supply pump 71...Filter 72, 73...NOx sensor 74...Urea water remaining amount sensor 75...Exhaust gas controller 76 ... Shovel controller 77... Monitor 80... Piping 80a... First part 80b... Second part 80c... Third part 80d... Fourth part 82 Complex piping 83... Joint part with insulation material 110...SCR system 110a...Exhaust gas treatment device 120...Hydraulic oil tank EP...Exhaust pipe ER...Engine room FP...Boom foot pin

Claims (2)

an undercarriage body, an upper revolving structure rotatably mounted on the lower revolving structure, an engine mounted on the upper revolving structure, and a treatment agent for treating exhaust gas from the engine mounted on the upper revolving structure. A method for maintaining an excavator, comprising: a processing agent tank in which the processing agent is stored; and a support portion capable of supporting a container containing the processing agent to be refilled in the processing agent tank.
suspending the container from the support part via a hanging member, and lifting the container from a position lower than the processing agent tank to a higher position;
How to maintain your excavator. a lower running body;
an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body;
an engine mounted on the upper revolving body;
a processing agent tank mounted on the upper revolving body and storing a processing agent for treating exhaust gas from the engine;
a support part capable of supporting a container containing a processing agent to be replenished to the processing agent tank;
The support part is disposed on a handrail installed in the upper revolving body, and has a shape that allows a hanging member for suspending the container to be attached and detached,
The handrail is located at a higher position than the processing agent tank.
shovel.

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