EP3748089B1 - Shovel and shovel management system - Google Patents
Shovel and shovel management system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3748089B1 EP3748089B1 EP19747825.8A EP19747825A EP3748089B1 EP 3748089 B1 EP3748089 B1 EP 3748089B1 EP 19747825 A EP19747825 A EP 19747825A EP 3748089 B1 EP3748089 B1 EP 3748089B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shovel
- control
- automatic control
- bucket
- boom
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 claims description 43
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 40
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010720 hydraulic oil Substances 0.000 description 92
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 33
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 25
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000011514 reflex Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000012447 hatching Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005352 clarification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013642 negative control Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/42—Drives for dippers, buckets, dipper-arms or bucket-arms
- E02F3/43—Control of dipper or bucket position; Control of sequence of drive operations
- E02F3/435—Control of dipper or bucket position; Control of sequence of drive operations for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like
- E02F3/439—Automatic repositioning of the implement, e.g. automatic dumping, auto-return
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/20—Drives; Control devices
- E02F9/2025—Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/42—Drives for dippers, buckets, dipper-arms or bucket-arms
- E02F3/43—Control of dipper or bucket position; Control of sequence of drive operations
- E02F3/435—Control of dipper or bucket position; Control of sequence of drive operations for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like
- E02F3/437—Control of dipper or bucket position; Control of sequence of drive operations for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like providing automatic sequences of movements, e.g. linear excavation, keeping dipper angle constant
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/30—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets with a dipper-arm pivoted on a cantilever beam, i.e. boom
- E02F3/32—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets with a dipper-arm pivoted on a cantilever beam, i.e. boom working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/08—Superstructures; Supports for superstructures
- E02F9/10—Supports for movable superstructures mounted on travelling or walking gears or on other superstructures
- E02F9/12—Slewing or traversing gears
- E02F9/121—Turntables, i.e. structure rotatable about 360°
- E02F9/123—Drives or control devices specially adapted therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/20—Drives; Control devices
- E02F9/2004—Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/20—Drives; Control devices
- E02F9/22—Hydraulic or pneumatic drives
- E02F9/2278—Hydraulic circuits
- E02F9/2285—Pilot-operated systems
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/24—Safety devices, e.g. for preventing overload
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/26—Indicating devices
- E02F9/267—Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
- E02F9/268—Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles with failure correction follow-up actions
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to shovels and shovel management systems.
- the display device 40 is configured to display various kinds of information.
- the display device 40 may be connected to the controller 30 via a communications network such as a CAN or may be connected to the controller 30 via a dedicated line.
- the information communicating part 53 may notify the operator of the size of the vertical distance between the teeth tips of the bucket 6 and the intended work surface, using intermittent sounds through the audio output device 43. In this case, the information communicating part 53 may reduce the interval between intermittent sounds as the vertical distance decreases.
- the information communicating part 53 may use a continuous sound and may represent variations in the size of the vertical distance by changing the pitch, loudness, or the like of the sound.
- the information communicating part 53 may issue an alarm.
- the alarm is, for example, a continuous sound significantly louder than the intermittent sounds.
- the functional element F6 calculates the boom command value ⁇ * on an as-needed basis even when the boom operating lever 26A is not operated, in order to automatically operate the boom 4. The same is true for the arm 5 and the bucket 6.
- the configuration of FIG. 12 is different in that the functional element F2 generates the intended trajectory based on the output of the space recognition device S7, that the functional element F4 obtains a turning angle ⁇ , and that the functional element F6 calculates a turning command value ⁇ * from, but otherwise equal to, the configuration of FIG. 4 .
- the configuration of FIG. 13 is different in including a functional element associated with automatic control of the turning hydraulic motor 2A from, but otherwise equal to, the configuration of FIG. 5 . Therefore, the description of a common portion is omitted, and differences are described in detail.
- Functional elements F41 through F43 are functional elements associated with the turning command value ⁇ *. Specifically, the functional element F41 outputs a turning current command to a turning proportional valve 31D. The functional element F42 calculates the amount of displacement of a turning spool that is a constituent of the control valve 173 pertaining to the turning hydraulic motor 2A based on the output of a turning spool displacement sensor S14. The functional element F43 calculates the turning angle ⁇ based on the output of the turning angular velocity sensor S5.
- This emergency stop function is executed, for example, in response to the shovel 100 operator's reflexive counterclockwise turning operation when the dump truck DT starts to move while the operator is performing a clockwise turning operation to load the bed of the dump truck DT with soil.
- this emergency stop function is executed, for example, in response to the operator's reflexive counterclockwise turning operation to prevent contact between the shovel 100 and the dump truck DT when the dump truck DT that has been stopped suddenly starts to move backward.
- the operator intends to move the bucket 6 away from the dump truck DT while maintaining the height of the bucket 6 by turning the upper turning body 3 turning clockwise in the opposite counterclockwise direction.
- FIG. 3 discloses a hydraulic operation system including a hydraulic pilot circuit.
- a hydraulic pilot circuit associated with the boom operating lever 26A hydraulic oil supplied from the pilot pump 15 to a remote control valve 27A is supplied to a pilot port of the control valve 175 at a flow rate commensurate with the opening degree of the remote control valve 27A opened by the tilt of the boom operating lever 26A.
- a hydraulic pilot circuit associated with the arm operating lever 26B hydraulic oil supplied from the pilot pump 15 to a remote control valve 27B is supplied to a pilot port of the control valve 176 at a flow rate commensurate with the opening degree of the remote control valve 27B opened by the tilt of the arm operating lever 26B.
- the controller 30 of the shovel 100 may transmit information on at least one of the time, location, etc., of the stoppage of automatic control to the assist device 200, etc.
- the controller 30 may transmit a peripheral image that is an image captured by the image capturing device S6 to the assist device 200, etc.
- the peripheral image may be multiple peripheral images captured within a predetermined period including the time of the stoppage of automatic control.
- the controller 30 may transmit data on the work details of the shovel 100, data on the attitude of the shovel 100, data on the posture of the excavation attachment, etc., within a predetermined period including the time of the stoppage of automatic control to the assist device 200, etc.
Description
- The present disclosure relates to shovels and shovel management systems.
- An excavator that enables selective use of a manual control mode and an automatic control mode has been known, where the manual control mode causes only an arm to operate in response to the operation of an arm operating lever and the automatic control mode causes not only the arm but also a boom and a bucket to operate in response to the operation of the arm operating lever (see Patent Document 1). This excavator can automatically move the attachment such that the bucket moves along an inclined surface having a preset inclination angle in the automatic control mode. Specifically, this excavator can move the leading edge of the bucket in a straight line by automatically operating the boom and the bucket in response to the operation of the arm operating lever.
- Moreover, a control for an excavator is known that controls the position of the bucket cutting edge to a desired depth (see Patent Document 2), and a working machine is known of which an operation can be switched from automatic control to remote control (see Patent Document 3).
-
- Patent Document 1:
Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 7-509294 - Patent Document 2:
European Patent Application EP 0 288 314 A1 - Patent Document 3:
United States Patent Application US 2017 328030 A1 - Normally, however, the excavator is used in various operating environments. Therefore, the operating environment around the excavator may change to an operating environment different from the expected operating environment even when the automatic control mode is in operation. In this case, the above-described excavator continues operation in the automatic control mode even when the operating environment changes. For example, when the operator operates the arm operating lever with the intention to open the arm to press the bucket against an upward inclined surface in an emergency during the automatic control mode, the excavator may automatically raise the boom in accordance with the opening of the arm to move the bucket along the upward inclined surface. In this case, the operator may be unable to press the bucket against the upward inclined surface as intended.
- Therefore, even during automatic control, it is desirable to cause a shovel to perform operation different from the operation of the automatic control when the operating environment of the shovel changes to an operating environment different from the expected operating environment.
- The aforementioned objective is achieved by a shovel and a shovel management system according to the claims.
- A shovel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, an attachment attached to the upper turning body, and a control device mounted on the upper turning body and capable of executing automatic control, wherein the control device is configured to stop the automatic control when information on the movement of the shovel or information on the state of a nearby machine shows an unusual tendency.
- The above-described means makes it possible to cause a shovel to perform operation different from the operation of automatic control when the operating environment of the shovel changes to an operating environment different from the expected operating environment even during the automatic control.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a shovel according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the basic system of the shovel ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a hydraulic system installed in the shovel ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between functional elements associated with the execution of automatic control in a controller. -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the functional element that calculates various command values. -
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the state of the hydraulic system when an arm opening operation has been performed during automatic excavation control in the shovel where an emergency stop function is disabled. -
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the movement of an excavation attachment when an arm opening operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in the shovel where the emergency stop function is disabled. -
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the state of the hydraulic system when an arm opening operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in the shovel where the emergency stop function is enabled. -
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the excavation attachment when an arm opening operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in the shovel where the emergency stop function is enabled. -
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the state of the hydraulic system when a bool lowering operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in the shovel where the emergency stop function is enabled. -
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the excavation attachment when a boom lowering operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in the shovel where the emergency stop function is enabled. -
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the functional elements associated with the execution of automatic control in the controller. -
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating another example configuration of the functional element that calculates various command values. -
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a work site, illustrating the movement of the excavation attachment when a turning operation is performed during automatic complex turning control. -
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the excavation attachment when a counterclockwise turning operation is performed during the clockwise turning of the upper turningbody 3 in the shovel where the emergency stop function is enabled. -
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electric operation system. -
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a shovel management system. -
FIG. 1 is a side view of ashovel 100 serving as an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention. An upper turningbody 3 is turnably mounted on a lower travelingbody 1 of theshovel 100 via aturning mechanism 2. Aboom 4 is attached to the upper turningbody 3. Anarm 5 is attached to the distal end of theboom 4, and abucket 6 serving as an end attachment is attached to the distal end of thearm 5. - The
boom 4, thearm 5, and thebucket 6 form an excavation attachment that is an example of an attachment. Theboom 4 is driven by aboom cylinder 7, thearm 5 is driven by anarm cylinder 8, and thebucket 6 is driven by abucket cylinder 9. - Specifically, the
boom cylinder 7 is driven in response to tilting of a boom operating lever, thearm cylinder 8 is driven in response to tilting of an arm operating lever, and thebucket cylinder 9 is driven in response to tilting of a bucket operating lever. Likewise, a right side travelinghydraulic motor 1R (seeFIG. 2 ) is driven in response to tilting of a right side travel lever, a left side travelinghydraulic motor 1L (seeFIG. 2 ) is driven in response to tilting of a left travel lever, and a turninghydraulic motor 2A (seeFIG. 2 ) is driven in response to tilting of a turning operating lever. Thus, a corresponding actuator is driven in response to the operation of each lever, so that control of theshovel 100 through an operator's manual operation (hereinafter "manual control") is performed. - Furthermore, a boom angle sensor S1 is attached to the
boom 4, an arm angle sensor S2 is attached to thearm 5, and a bucket angle sensor S3 is attached to thebucket 6. - The boom angle sensor S1 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the
boom 4. According to this embodiment, the boom angle sensor S1 is an acceleration sensor and can detect the rotation angle of theboom 4 relative to the upper turning body 3 (hereinafter, "boom angle"). For example, the boom angle is smallest when theboom 4 is lowest and increases as theboom 4 is raised. - The arm angle sensor S2 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the
arm 5. According to this embodiment, the arm angle sensor S2 is an acceleration sensor and can detect the rotation angle of thearm 5 relative to the boom 4 (hereinafter, "arm angle"). For example, the arm angle is smallest when thearm 5 is most closed and increases as thearm 5 is opened. - The bucket angle sensor S3 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the
bucket 6. According to this embodiment, the bucket angle sensor S3 is an acceleration sensor and can detect the rotation angle of thebucket 6 relative to the arm 5 (hereinafter, "bucket angle"). For example, the bucket angle is smallest when thebucket 6 is most closed and increases as thebucket 6 is opened. - Each of the boom angle sensor S1, the arm angle sensor S2, and the bucket angle sensor S3 may alternatively be a potentiometer using a variable resistor, a stroke sensor that detects the stroke amount of a corresponding hydraulic cylinder, a rotary encoder that detects a rotation angle about a link pin, an inertial measurement unit, a gyroscope, a combination of an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope, or the like.
- A
cabin 10 that is a cab is provided and a power source such as anengine 11 is mounted on the upper turningbody 3. Acontroller 30, adisplay device 40, aninput device 42, anaudio output device 43, astorage device 47, anemergency stop switch 48, a body tilt sensor S4, a turning angular velocity sensor S5, an image capturing device S6, a communications device T1, and a positioning device P1 are attached to the upper turningbody 3. - The
controller 30 is configured to operate as a control device to control the driving of theshovel 100. According to this embodiment, thecontroller 30 is constituted of a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. Various functions provided by thecontroller 30 are implemented by the CPU executing programs stored in the ROM, for example. The various functions include, for example, a machine guidance function to guide (give directions to) an operator in manually operating theshovel 100 and a machine control function to automatically assist the operator in manually operating theshovel 100. Amachine guidance device 50 included in thecontroller 30 is configured to be able to execute the machine guidance function and the machine control function. - The
display device 40 is configured to display various kinds of information. Thedisplay device 40 may be connected to thecontroller 30 via a communications network such as a CAN or may be connected to thecontroller 30 via a dedicated line. - The
input device 42 is so configured as to enable the operator to input various kinds of information to thecontroller 30. Theinput device 42 includes, for example, at least one of a touchscreen, a knob switch, a membrane switch, etc., provided in thecabin 10. - The
audio output device 43 is configured to output audio information. Theaudio output device 43 may be, for example, an in-vehicle loudspeaker connected to thecontroller 30 or an alarm such as a buzzer. According to this embodiment, theaudio output device 43 outputs various kinds of audio information in response to a command from thecontroller 30. - The
storage device 47 is configured to store various kinds of information. Examples of thestorage device 47 include a nonvolatile storage medium such as a semiconductor memory. Thestorage device 47 may store the output information of various devices while theshovel 100 is in operation and may store information obtained through various devices before theshovel 100 starts to operate. Thestorage device 47 may store, for example, data on an intended work surface obtained through the communications device T1, etc. The intended work surface may be set by the operator of theshovel 100 or may be set by a work manager or the like. - The
emergency stop switch 48 is configured to operate as a switch for stopping the movement of theshovel 100. Theemergency stop switch 48 is, for example, a switch installed at such a position as to be operable by the operator seated in an operator seat in thecabin 10. According to this embodiment, theemergency stop switch 48 is a foot switch installed at the operator's feet in thecabin 10. When operated by the operator, theemergency stop switch 48 outputs a command to an engine control unit to stop theengine 11. Theemergency stop switch 48 may also be a hand switch installed around the operator seat. - The body tilt sensor S4 is configured to detect the inclination of the
upper turning body 3. According to this embodiment, the body tilt sensor S4 is an acceleration sensor that detects the inclination of theupper turning body 3 relative to a virtual horizontal plane. The body tilt sensor S4 may be a combination of an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope or may be an inertial measurement unit or the like. The body tilt sensor S4 detects, for example, theupper turning body 3's tilt angle about its longitudinal axis (roll angle) and tilt angle about its lateral axis (pitch angle). For example, the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of theupper turning body 3 cross each other at right angles at the shovel center point that is a point on the turning axis of theshovel 100. - The image capturing device S6 is configured to capture an image of an area surrounding the
shovel 100. According to this embodiment, the image capturing device S6 includes a front camera S6F that captures an image of a space in front of theshovel 100, a left camera S6L that captures an image of a space to the left of theshovel 100, a right camera S6R that captures an image of a space to the right of theshovel 100, and a back camera S6B that captures an image of a space behind theshovel 100. - The image capturing device S6 is, for example, a monocular camera including an imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS, and outputs captured images to the
display device 40. The image capturing device S6 may also be configured to operate as a space recognition device S7. The space recognition device S7 is configured to be able to detect an object present in a three-dimensional space around theshovel 100. The object is, for example, at least one of a person, an animal, a shovel, a machine, a building, etc. The space recognition device S7 may also be configured to be able to calculate the distance between the space recognition device S7 or theshovel 100 and an object detected by the space recognition device S7. The space recognition device S7 may be an ultrasonic sensor, a millimeter wave radar, a monocular camera, a stereo camera, a LIDAR, a distance image sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like. - The front camera S6F is attached to, for example, the ceiling of the
cabin 10, namely, the inside of thecabin 10. The front camera S6F may alternatively be attached to the roof of thecabin 10, namely, the outside of thecabin 10. The left camera S6L is attached to the left end of the upper surface of theupper turning body 3. The right camera S6R is attached to the right end of the upper surface of theupper turning body 3. The back camera S6B is attached to the back end of the upper surface of theupper turning body 3. - The communications device T1 is configured to control communications with external apparatuses outside the
shovel 100. According to this embodiment, the communications device T1 controls communications with external apparatuses via at least one of a satellite communications network, a cellular phone network, a short-range radio communications network, the Internet, etc. - The positioning device P1 is configured to be able to measure the position of the
upper turning body 3. The positioning device P1 may also be configured to measure the orientation of theupper turning body 3. The positioning device P1 is, for example, a GNSS compass, and detects the position and orientation of theupper turning body 3 to output detection values to thecontroller 30. Therefore, the positioning device P1 can also operate as an orientation detector to detect the orientation of theupper turning body 3. The orientation detector may be an azimuth sensor attached to theupper turning body 3. Furthermore, the position and orientation of theupper turning body 3 may be measured with the turning angular velocity sensor S5. - The turning angular velocity sensor S5 is configured to detect the turning angular velocity of the
upper turning body 3. The turning angular velocity sensor S5 may also be configured to be able to detect or calculate the turning angle of theupper turning body 3. According to this embodiment, the turning angular velocity sensor S5 is a gyroscope. The turning angular velocity sensor S5 may also be a resolver, a rotary encoder, an inertial measurement unit, or the like. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the basic system of theshovel 100, in which a mechanical power transmission line, a hydraulic oil line, a pilot line, and an electric control line are indicated by a double line, a solid line, a dashed line, and a dotted line, respectively. - The basic system of the
shovel 100 mainly includes theengine 11, aregulator 13, amain pump 14, apilot pump 15, acontrol valve 17, anoperating apparatus 26, adischarge pressure sensor 28, anoperating pressure sensor 29, thecontroller 30, aproportional valve 31, and ashuttle valve 32. - The
engine 11 is a drive source of theshovel 100. According to this embodiment, theengine 11 is a diesel engine that so operates as to maintain a predetermined rotational speed. The output shaft of theengine 11 is coupled to the respective input shafts of themain pump 14 and thepilot pump 15. - The
main pump 14 is configured to supply hydraulic oil to thecontrol valve 17 via a hydraulic oil line. According to this embodiment, themain pump 14 is a swash plate variable displacement hydraulic pump. - The
regulator 13 is configured to control the discharge quantity of themain pump 14. According to this embodiment, theregulator 13 controls the discharge quantity of themain pump 14 by adjusting the swash plate tilt angle of themain pump 14 in response to a command from thecontroller 30. For example, thecontroller 30 receives the outputs of thedischarge pressure sensor 28, the operatingpressure sensor 29, etc., and outputs a command to theregulator 13 to vary the discharge quantity of themain pump 14 on an as-needed basis. - The
pilot pump 15 is configured to supply hydraulic oil to various hydraulic control apparatuses including theoperating apparatus 26 and theproportional valve 31 via a pilot line. According to this embodiment, thepilot pump 15 is a fixed displacement hydraulic pump. Thepilot pump 15, however, may be omitted. In this case, the function carried by thepilot pump 15 may be implemented by themain pump 14. That is, themain pump 14 may have the function of supplying hydraulic oil to theoperating apparatus 26, theproportional valve 31, etc., after reducing the pressure of the hydraulic oil with a throttle or the like, apart from the function of supplying hydraulic oil to thecontrol valve 17. - The
control valve 17 is a hydraulic control device that controls a hydraulic system in theshovel 100. According to this embodiment, thecontrol valve 17 includescontrol valves 171 through 176. Thecontrol valve 17 can selectively supply hydraulic oil discharged by themain pump 14 to one or more hydraulic actuators through thecontrol valves 171 through 176. Thecontrol valves 171 through 176 control the flow rate of hydraulic oil flowing from themain pump 14 to hydraulic actuators and the flow rate of hydraulic oil flowing from hydraulic actuators to a hydraulic oil tank. The hydraulic actuators include theboom cylinder 7, thearm cylinder 8, thebucket cylinder 9, the left side travelinghydraulic motor 1L, the right side travelinghydraulic motor 1R, and the turninghydraulic motor 2A. The turninghydraulic motor 2A may alternatively be a turning electric motor serving as an electric actuator. - The
operating apparatus 26 is an apparatus that the operator uses to operate actuators. The actuators include at least one of a hydraulic actuator and an electric actuator. According to this embodiment, the operatingapparatus 26 supplies hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to a pilot port of a corresponding control valve in thecontrol valve 17 via a pilot line. The pressure of hydraulic oil supplied to each pilot port (pilot pressure) is, in principle, a pressure commensurate with the direction of operation and the amount of operation of theoperating apparatus 26 for a corresponding hydraulic actuator. At least one of theoperating apparatus 26 is configured to be able to supply hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to a pilot port of a corresponding control valve in thecontrol valve 17 via a pilot line and theshuttle valve 32. - The
discharge pressure sensor 28 is configured to detect the discharge pressure of themain pump 14. According to this embodiment, thedischarge pressure sensor 28 outputs the detected value to thecontroller 30. - The operating
pressure sensor 29 is configured to detect the details of the operator's operation using theoperating apparatus 26. According to this embodiment, the operatingpressure sensor 29 detects the direction of operation and the amount of operation of theoperating apparatus 26 corresponding to each actuator in the form of pressure and outputs the detected value to thecontroller 30 as operational data. The operation details of theoperating apparatus 26 may be detected using a sensor other than an operating pressure sensor. - The
proportional valve 31 is placed in a conduit connecting thepilot pump 15 and theshuttle valve 32, and is configured to be able to change the flow area of the conduit. According to this embodiment, theproportional valve 31 is a solenoid valve that operates in response to a control command output by thecontroller 30. Theproportional valve 31 operates as a control valve for machine control. Therefore, thecontroller 30 can supply hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to a pilot port of a corresponding control valve in thecontrol valve 17 via theproportional valve 31 and theshuttle valve 32, independent of the operator's operation of theoperating apparatus 26. - The
shuttle valve 32 includes two inlet ports and one outlet port. Of the two inlet ports, one is connected to theoperating apparatus 26 and the other is connected to theproportional valve 31. The outlet port is connected to a pilot port of a corresponding control valve in thecontrol valve 17. Therefore, theshuttle valve 32 can cause the higher one of a pilot pressure generated by the operatingapparatus 26 and a pilot pressure generated by theproportional valve 31 to act on a pilot port of a corresponding control valve. - According to this configuration, the
controller 30 can operate a hydraulic actuator corresponding to aspecific operating apparatus 26 even when no operation is performed on thespecific operating apparatus 26. - Next, the
machine guidance device 50 included in thecontroller 30 is described. Themachine guidance device 50 is configured to execute the machine guidance function, for example. According to this embodiment, themachine guidance device 50, for example, notifies the operator of work information such as the distance between the intended work surface and the working part of the attachment. Data on the intended work surface are prestored in, for example, thestorage device 47. The data on the intended work surface are expressed in, for example, a reference coordinate system. The reference coordinate system is, for example, the world geodetic system. The operator may set any point at a construction site as a reference point and set the intended work surface based on the relative positional relationship between each point of the intended work surface and the reference point. The working part of the attachment is, for example, the teeth tips of thebucket 6, the back surface of thebucket 6, or the like. Themachine guidance device 50 provides guidance on operating theshovel 100 by notifying the operator of the work information via at least one of thedisplay device 40, theaudio output device 43, etc. - The
machine guidance device 50 may execute the machine control function to automatically assist the operator in manually operating theshovel 100. For example, when the operator is manually performing operation for excavation, themachine guidance device 50 may automatically operate at least one of theboom 4, thearm 5, and thebucket 6 such that the distance between the intended work surface and the position of the leading edge of thebucket 6 is maintained at a predetermined value. - The
machine guidance device 50, which is incorporated into thecontroller 30 according to this embodiment, may be a control device provided separately from thecontroller 30. In this case, for example, like thecontroller 30, themachine guidance device 50 is constituted of a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the like to implement various functions provided by themachine guidance device 50. Themachine guidance device 50 and thecontroller 30 are connected by a communications network such as a CAN to be able to communicate with each other. - Specifically, the
machine guidance device 50 obtains information from at least one of the boom angle sensor S1, the arm angle sensor S2, the bucket angle sensor S3, the body tilt sensor S4, the turning angular velocity sensor S5, the image capturing device S6, the positioning device P1, the communications device T1, theinput device 42, etc. Then, themachine guidance device 50, for example, calculates the distance between thebucket 6 and the intended work surface based on the obtained information, and notifies the operator of theshovel 100 of the size of the distance between thebucket 6 and the intended work surface through at least one of audio and light (image display). - To make it possible to execute the machine control function that automatically assists in manual operation, the
machine guidance device 50 includes aposition calculating part 51, adistance calculating part 52, aninformation communicating part 53, and anautomatic control part 54. - The
position calculating part 51 is configured to calculate the position of a target. According to this embodiment, theposition calculating part 51 calculates the coordinate point of the working part of the attachment in the reference coordinate system. Specifically, theposition calculating part 51 calculates the coordinate point of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 from the respective rotation angles of theboom 4, thearm 5, and thebucket 6. Theposition calculating part 51 may calculate not only the coordinate point of the center of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 but also the coordinate point of the left end of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the coordinate point of the right end of the teeth tips of thebucket 6. In this case, the output of the body tilt sensor S4 may be used. - The
distance calculating part 52 is configured to calculate the distance between two targets. According to this embodiment, thedistance calculating part 52 calculates the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface. Thedistance calculating part 52 may calculate the distance (for example, the vertical distance) between the intended work surface and the coordinate point of each of the left end and the right end of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 so that themachine guidance device 50 can determine whether theshovel 100 is facing straight to the intended work surface. - The
information communicating part 53 is configured to communicate various kinds of information to the operator of theshovel 100. According to this embodiment, theinformation communicating part 53 notifies the operator of theshovel 100 of the size of each of the various distances calculated by thedistance calculating part 52. Specifically, theinformation communicating part 53 notifies the operator of theshovel 100 of the size of the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface, using visual information and aural information. - For example, the
information communicating part 53 may notify the operator of the size of the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface, using intermittent sounds through theaudio output device 43. In this case, theinformation communicating part 53 may reduce the interval between intermittent sounds as the vertical distance decreases. Theinformation communicating part 53 may use a continuous sound and may represent variations in the size of the vertical distance by changing the pitch, loudness, or the like of the sound. Furthermore, when the teeth tips of thebucket 6 are positioned lower than the intended work surface, theinformation communicating part 53 may issue an alarm. The alarm is, for example, a continuous sound significantly louder than the intermittent sounds. - The
information communicating part 53 may display the size of the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface on thedisplay device 40 as work information. For example, thedisplay device 40 displays the work information received from theinformation communicating part 53 on a screen, together with image data received from the image capturing device S6. Theinformation communicating part 53 may notify the operator of the size of the vertical distance, using, for example, an image of an analog meter, an image of a bar graph indicator, or the like. - The
automatic control part 54 is configured to assist the operator in manually operating theshovel 100 by automatically moving actuators. For example, theautomatic control part 54 may automatically extend or retract at least one of theboom cylinder 7, thearm cylinder 8, and thebucket cylinder 9 such that the distance between the intended work surface and the teeth tips of thebucket 6 is maintained at a predetermined value, while the operator is manually performing an arm closing operation. In this case, for example, by only operating the arm operating lever in a closing direction, the operator can close thearm 5 while keeping the distance between the intended work surface and the teeth tips of thebucket 6. This automatic control may be executed in response to the depression of a predetermined switch that is included in theinput device 42. That is, theautomatic control part 54 may switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from a manual control mode to an automatic control mode in response to the pressing of a predetermined switch. The manual control mode means an operating mode in which manual control is performed. The automatic control mode means an operating mode in which automatic control is performed. The predetermined switch is, for example, a machine control switch (hereinafter, "MC switch 42A"), and may be placed at the handle of an operating lever. In this case, the operator may switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the manual control mode by re-pressing theMC switch 42A or may switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the manual control mode by pressing a machine control stop switch (hereinafter, "MC stop switch 42B") that is a switch different from theMC switch 42A. TheMC stop switch 42B may be placed next to theMC switch 42A or may be placed at the handle of another operating lever. Alternatively, theMC stop switch 42B may be omitted. - Such automatic control may be performed while the
MC switch 42A is being pressed. In this case, the operator can close thearm 5 while maintaining the distance between the intended work surface and the teeth tips of thebucket 6 by only operating the arm operating lever in the arm closing direction while pressing theMC switch 42A at the handle of the arm operating lever, for example. This is because theboom cylinder 7 and thebucket cylinder 9 automatically follow and move in response to the arm closing operation caused by thearm cylinder 8. Furthermore, the operator can stop the automatic control by only moving a finger out of contact with theMC switch 42A. In the following, control to automatically operate the excavation attachment while maintaining the distance between the intended work surface and the teeth tips of thebucket 6 is referred to "automatic excavation control" that is one of automatic control processes (machine control functions). - The
automatic control part 54 may automatically rotate the turninghydraulic motor 2A to cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface when a predetermined switch such as theMC switch 42A is pressed. In this case, the operator can cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface by only pressing the predetermined switch or by only operating the turning operating lever while pressing the predetermined switch. Alternatively, by only pressing the predetermined switch, the operator can cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface and start the machine control function, namely, get theshovel 100 ready to perform automatic control. Hereinafter, control to cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface is referred to as "automatic straight facing control" that is one of automatic control processes (machine control functions). According to the automatic straight facing control, themachine guidance device 50 determines that theshovel 100 is facing straight to the intended work surface, for example, when the left end vertical distance between the coordinate point of the left end of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface is equal to the right end vertical distance between the coordinate point of the right end of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface. Themachine guidance device 50, however, may also determine that theshovel 100 is facing straight to the intended work surface when the difference between the left end vertical distance and the right end vertical distance is less than or equal to a predetermined value instead of when the left end vertical distance and the right end vertical distance are not equal, namely, instead of when the difference is zero. - The
automatic control part 54 may also be configured to automatically perform boom raising and turning or boom lowering and turning in response to the pressing of a predetermined switch such as theMC switch 42A. In this case, by only pressing the predetermined switch or by only operating the turning operating lever while pressing the predetermined switch, the operator can start boom raising and turning or boom lowering and turning. Hereinafter, control to automatically start boom raising and turning or boom lowering and turning is referred to as "automatic complex turning control" that is one of automatic control processes (machine control functions). - According to this embodiment, the
automatic control part 54 can individually and automatically operate actuators by individually and automatically controlling pilot pressures acting on control valves corresponding to the actuators. For example, according to the automatic straight facing control, theautomatic control part 54 may operate the turninghydraulic motor 2A based on the difference between the left end vertical distance and the right end vertical distance. Specifically, when the turning operating lever is operated with the predetermined switch being pressed, theautomatic control part 54 determines whether the turning operating lever is operated in a direction to cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface. For example, when the turning operating lever is so operated as to turn theupper turning body 3 in a direction to increase the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface (upward slope), theautomatic control part 54 does not perform the automatic straight facing control. When the turning operating lever is so operated as to turn theupper turning body 3 in a direction to decrease the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface (upward slope), theautomatic control part 54 performs the automatic straight facing control. As a result, it is possible to operate the turninghydraulic motor 2A such that the difference between the left end vertical distance and the right end vertical distance is reduced. Thereafter, when the difference becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value or zero, theautomatic control part 54 stops the turninghydraulic motor 2A. Theautomatic control part 54 may also set a turning angle that causes the difference to be less than or equal to a predetermined value or zero as a target angle and perform turning angle control such that the angular difference between the target angle and a current turning angle (detected value) is zero. In this case, the turning angle is, for example, the angle of the longitudinal axis of theupper turning body 3 to a predetermined reference direction. - The
automatic control part 54 may also be configured to stop automatic control when a predetermined condition is satisfied. "When a predetermined condition is satisfied" may include "when information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency." Hereinafter, a function to stop automatic control when a predetermined condition is satisfied is referred to as "emergency stop function." - The "information on the movement of the
shovel 100" is, for example, "information on operation on theoperating apparatus 26." For example, theautomatic control part 54 may be configured to determine that the "information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency" when theoperating apparatus 26 is rapidly operated. The "information on the movement of theshovel 100" may also be "information on operation on the turning operating lever mounted on theupper turning body 3". In this case, theautomatic control part 54 may be configured to determine that the "information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency," for example, when an operation to turn theupper turning body 3 in a direction opposite to that of turning performed by the automatic straight facing control or the automatic complex turning control as automatic control. Theautomatic control part 54 may also be configured to stop automatic control in response to determining that the "information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency." - "When a predetermined condition is satisfied" may also include "when the
shovel 100 is more unstable" such as "when the tilt of theupper turning body 3 is in a predetermined state." "When the tilt of theupper turning body 3 is in a predetermined state" includes, for example, "when the pitch angle of theupper turning body 3 is a predetermined angle," "when the absolute value of the changing speed (change rate) of the pitch angle is more than or equal to a predetermined value," and "when the amount of change of the pitch angle is more than or equal to a predetermined value." The same is true for the roll angle. In this case, theautomatic control part 54 may also be configured to stop automatic control based on the output of the body tilt sensor S4. Specifically, in response to detecting that the pitch angle of theupper turning body 3 is a predetermined angle based on the output of the body tilt sensor S4, theautomatic control part 54 may stop automatic control and switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the manual control mode. - Furthermore, "when a predetermined condition is satisfied" may also include "when the
emergency stop switch 48, which is a foot switch installed at the operator's feet, is stepped on." - Next, an example configuration of a hydraulic system installed in the
shovel 100 is described with reference toFIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of the hydraulic system installed in theshovel 100 ofFIG. 1 . InFIG. 3 , a mechanical power transmission line, a hydraulic oil line, a pilot line, and an electric control line are indicated by a double line, a solid line, a dashed line, and a dotted line, respectively, the same as inFIG. 2 . - The hydraulic system circulates hydraulic oil from a left
main pump 14L driven by theengine 11 to the hydraulic oil tank via a leftcenter bypass conduit 40L or a leftparallel conduit 42L, and circulates hydraulic oil from a rightmain pump 14R driven by theengine 11 to the hydraulic oil tank via a rightcenter bypass conduit 40R or a rightparallel conduit 42R. The leftmain pump 14L and the rightmain pump 14R correspond to themain pump 14 ofFIG. 2 . - The left
center bypass conduit 40L is a hydraulic oil line that passes through thecontrol valves control valves control valve 17. The rightcenter bypass conduit 40R is a hydraulic oil line that passes through thecontrol valves control valves control valve 17. Thecontrol valves control valve 175 ofFIG. 2 . Thecontrol valves control valve 176 ofFIG. 2 . - The
control valve 171 is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L to the left side travelinghydraulic motor 1L and to discharge hydraulic oil discharged by the left side travelinghydraulic motor 1L to the hydraulic oil tank. - The
control valve 172 is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the rightmain pump 14R to the right side travelinghydraulic motor 1R and to discharge hydraulic oil discharged by the right side travelinghydraulic motor 1R to the hydraulic oil tank. - The
control valve 173 is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L to the turninghydraulic motor 2A and to discharge hydraulic oil discharged by the turninghydraulic motor 2A to the hydraulic oil tank. - The
control valve 174 is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the rightmain pump 14R to thebucket cylinder 9 and to discharge hydraulic oil in thebucket cylinder 9 to the hydraulic oil tank. - The
control valve 175L is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L to theboom cylinder 7. - The
control valve 175R is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the rightmain pump 14R to theboom cylinder 7 and to discharge hydraulic oil in theboom cylinder 7 to the hydraulic oil tank. - The
control valve 176L is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L to thearm cylinder 8 and to discharge hydraulic oil in thearm cylinder 8 to the hydraulic oil tank. - The
control valve 176R is a spool valve that switches the flow of hydraulic oil in order to supply hydraulic oil discharged by the rightmain pump 14R to thearm cylinder 8 and to discharge hydraulic oil in thearm cylinder 8 to the hydraulic oil tank. - The left
parallel conduit 42L is a hydraulic oil line parallel to the leftcenter bypass conduit 40L. When the flow of hydraulic oil through the leftcenter bypass conduit 40L is restricted or blocked by any of thecontrol valves parallel conduit 42L can supply hydraulic oil to a control valve further downstream. The rightparallel conduit 42R is a hydraulic oil line parallel to the rightcenter bypass conduit 40R. When the flow of hydraulic oil through the rightcenter bypass conduit 40R is restricted or blocked by any of thecontrol valves parallel conduit 42R can supply hydraulic oil to a control valve further downstream. - A
left regulator 13L is configured to be able to control the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L. According to this embodiment, theleft regulator 13L controls the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L, for example, by adjusting the swash plate tilt angle of the leftmain pump 14L in accordance with the discharge pressure of the leftmain pump 14L. Aright regulator 13R is configured to be able to control the discharge quantity of the rightmain pump 14R. According to this embodiment, theright regulator 13R controls the discharge quantity of the rightmain pump 14R, for example, by adjusting the swash plate tilt angle of the rightmain pump 14R in accordance with the discharge pressure of the rightmain pump 14R. Theleft regulator 13L and theright regulator 13R correspond to theregulator 13 ofFIG. 2 . Theleft regulator 13L, for example, reduces the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L by adjusting its swash plate tilt angle, according as the discharge pressure of the leftmain pump 14L increases. The same is the case with theright regulator 13R. This is for preventing the absorbed power of themain pump 14 expressed by the product of the discharge pressure and the discharge quantity from exceeding the output power of theengine 11. - A
discharge pressure sensor 28L, which is an example of thedischarge pressure sensor 28, detects the discharge pressure of the leftmain pump 14L, and outputs the detected value to thecontroller 30. The same is the case with adischarge pressure sensor 28R. - Here, negative control adopted in the hydraulic system of
FIG. 3 is described. - A
left throttle 18L is placed between the mostdownstream control valve 176L and the hydraulic oil tank in the leftcenter bypass conduit 40L. The flow of hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L is restricted by theleft throttle 18L. Theleft throttle 18L generates a control pressure for controlling theleft regulator 13L. A leftcontrol pressure sensor 19L is a sensor for detecting the control pressure, and outputs the detected value to thecontroller 30. Aright throttle 18R is placed between the mostdownstream control valve 176R and the hydraulic oil tank in the rightcenter bypass conduit 40R. The flow of hydraulic oil discharged by the rightmain pump 14R is restricted by theright throttle 18R. Theright throttle 18R generates a control pressure for controlling theright regulator 13R. A rightcontrol pressure sensor 19R is a sensor for detecting the control pressure, and outputs the detected value to thecontroller 30. - The
controller 30 controls the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L by adjusting the swash plate tilt angle of the leftmain pump 14L in accordance with the control pressure. Thecontroller 30 decreases the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L as the control pressure increases, and increases the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L as the control pressure decreases. The discharge quantity of the rightmain pump 14R is controlled in the same manner. - Specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 3 , in a standby state where none of the hydraulic actuators is operated in theshovel 100, hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L arrives at theleft throttle 18L through the leftcenter bypass conduit 40L. The flow of hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L increases the control pressure generated upstream of theleft throttle 18L. As a result, thecontroller 30 decreases the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L to a minimum allowable discharge quantity to reduce pressure loss (pumping loss) during the passage of the discharged hydraulic oil through the leftcenter bypass conduit 40L. In contrast, when a hydraulic actuator is operated, hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L flows into the operated hydraulic actuator via a control valve corresponding to the operated hydraulic actuator. The flow of hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L that arrives at theleft throttle 18L is reduced in amount or lost, so that the control pressure generated upstream of theleft throttle 18L is reduced. As a result, thecontroller 30 increases the discharge quantity of the leftmain pump 14L to circulate sufficient hydraulic oil to the operated hydraulic actuator to ensure driving of the operated hydraulic actuator. The same is the case with hydraulic oil discharged by the rightmain pump 14R. - According to the configuration as described above, the hydraulic system of
FIG. 3 can reduce unnecessary energy consumption in each of the leftmain pump 14L and the rightmain pump 14R in the standby state. The unnecessary energy consumption includes pumping loss that hydraulic oil discharged by the leftmain pump 14L causes in the leftcenter bypass conduit 40L and pumping loss that hydraulic oil discharged by the rightmain pump 14R causes in the rightcenter bypass conduit 40R. Furthermore, in the case of actuating hydraulic actuators, the hydraulic system ofFIG. 3 can supply necessary and sufficient hydraulic oil from each of the leftmain pump 14L and the rightmain pump 14R to hydraulic actuators to be actuated. - Next, a configuration for causing an actuator to automatically operate is described. A
boom operating lever 26A is an example of theoperating apparatus 26 and is used to operate theboom 4. Theboom operating lever 26A uses hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to cause a pilot pressure commensurate with the details of an operation to act on pilot ports of thecontrol valves boom operating lever 26A causes a pilot pressure commensurate with the amount of operation to act on the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R. When operated in a boom lowering direction, theboom operating lever 26A causes a pilot pressure commensurate with the amount of operation to act on the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R. - An
operating pressure sensor 29A, which is an example of the operatingpressure sensor 29, detects the details of the operator's operation of theboom operating lever 26A in the form of pressure, and outputs the detected value to thecontroller 30. Examples of the operation details include the direction of operation and the amount of operation (the angle of operation). - Proportional valves 31AL and 31AR constitute a boom
proportional valve 31A, which is an example of theproportional valve 31. Shuttle valves 32AL and 32AR constitute a boom shuttle valve 32A, which is an example of theshuttle valve 32. The proportional valve 31AL operates in response to a current command controlled by thecontroller 30. Thecontroller 30 controls a pilot pressure generated by hydraulic oil introduced to the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R from thepilot pump 15 via the proportional valve 31AL and the shuttle valve 32AL. The proportional valve 31AR operates in response to a current command controlled by thecontroller 30. Thecontroller 30 controls a pilot pressure generated by hydraulic oil introduced to the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R from thepilot pump 15 via the proportional valve 31AR and the shuttle valve 32AR. The proportional valves 31AL and 31AR can control the pilot pressures such that thecontrol valves - According to this configuration, during the automatic excavation control, the
controller 30 can supply hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R through the proportional valve 31AL and the shuttle valve 32AL, independent of the operator's boom raising operation. That is, thecontroller 30 can automatically raise theboom 4. Furthermore, thecontroller 30 can supply hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R through the proportional valve 31AR and the shuttle valve 32AR, independent of the operator's boom lowering operation. That is, thecontroller 30 can automatically lower theboom 4. - An
arm operating lever 26B is an example of theoperating apparatus 26 and is used to operate thearm 5. Thearm operating lever 26B uses hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to cause a pilot pressure commensurate with the details of an operation to act on pilot ports of thecontrol valves arm operating lever 26B causes a pilot pressure commensurate with the amount of operation to act on the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R. When operated in an arm closing direction, thearm operating lever 26B causes a pilot pressure commensurate with the amount of operation to act on the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R. - An
operating pressure sensor 29B, which is an example of the operatingpressure sensor 29, detects the details of the operator's operation of thearm operating lever 26B in the form of pressure, and outputs the detected value to thecontroller 30. - Proportional valves 31BL and 31BR constitute an arm
proportional valve 31B, which is an example of theproportional valve 31. Shuttle valves 32BL and 32BR constitute an arm shuttle valve 32B, which is an example of theshuttle valve 32. The proportional valve 31BL operates in response to a current command controlled by thecontroller 30. Thecontroller 30 controls a pilot pressure generated by hydraulic oil introduced to the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R from thepilot pump 15 via the proportional valve 31BL and the shuttle valve 32BL. The proportional valve 31BR operates in response to a current command controlled by thecontroller 30. Thecontroller 30 controls a pilot pressure generated by hydraulic oil introduced to the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R from thepilot pump 15 via the proportional valve 31BR and the shuttle valve 32BR. The proportional valves 31BL and 31BR can control the pilot pressures such that thecontrol valves - According to this configuration, the
controller 30 can supply hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R through the proportional valve 31BL and the shuttle valve 32BL, independent of the operator's arm closing operation. That is, thecontroller 30 can automatically close thearm 5. Furthermore, thecontroller 30 can supply hydraulic oil discharged by thepilot pump 15 to the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R through the proportional valve 31BR and the shuttle valve 32BR, independent of the operator's arm opening operation. That is, thecontroller 30 can automatically open thearm 5. - Because of this, according to the automatic excavation control, the
arm cylinder 8 and theboom cylinder 7 automatically operate in accordance with the amount of operation of thearm operating lever 26B, so that the speed or position of the working part is controlled. - The
shovel 100 may also be configured to automatically turn theupper turning body 3 clockwise and counterclockwise, be configured to automatically open and close thebucket 6, and be configured to automatically move thelower traveling body 1 forward and backward. In this case, part of the hydraulic system related to the turninghydraulic motor 2A, part of the hydraulic system related to the operation of thebucket cylinder 9, part of the hydraulic system related to the operation of the left side travelinghydraulic motor 1L, and part of the hydraulic system related to the operation of the right side travelinghydraulic motor 1R may be configured the same as part of the hydraulic system related to the operation of theboom cylinder 7, etc. - Next, automatic control executed by the
controller 30 is described in detail with reference toFIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between functional elements F1 through F6 associated with the execution of automatic control in thecontroller 30. - As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , thecontroller 30 includes the functional elements F1 through F6 associated with the execution of automatic control. The functional elements may be constituted of software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. - The functional element F1 is configured to analyze an operation tendency that is the tendency of the operator's manual operation. According to this embodiment, the functional element F1 analyzes the operation tendency based on operational data output by the operating
pressure sensor 29, and outputs the analysis result together with the operational data. Examples of operation tendencies includes an operation tendency to rectilinearly move the teeth tips of thebucket 6 toward the body, an operation tendency to rectilinearly move the teeth tips of thebucket 6 away from the body, an operation tendency to rectilinearly raise the teeth tips of thebucket 6, and an operation tendency to rectilinearly lower the teeth tips of thebucket 6. The functional element F1 outputs whether a current operation tendency matches any of the operation tendencies as the analysis result. - The functional element F2 is configured to generate an intended trajectory. According to this embodiment, the functional element F2 refers to design data stored in the
storage device 47 and generates a trajectory to be followed by the teeth tips of thebucket 6 during slope finishing work. - The functional element F3 is configured to be able to switch the operating mode of the
shovel 100. According to this embodiment, the functional element F3 switches the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the manual control mode to the automatic control mode in response to receiving an ON command from theMC switch 42A, and switches the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the manual control mode in response to receiving an OFF command from theMC stop switch 42B. - Furthermore, the functional element F3 may switch the operating mode of the
shovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the manual control mode based on the analysis result of the operation tendency that is the output of the functional element F1. For example, the functional element F3 may switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the manual control mode in response to determining that the "information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency" as described above based on the analysis result of the operation tendency that is the output of the functional element F1. - When the automatic control mode is selected, the operational data and the analysis result of the operation tendency that are the outputs of the functional element F1 are supplied to the functional element F5. When the manual control mode is selected, the operational data among the outputs of the functional element F1 are supplied to the functional element F6.
- The functional element F4 is configured to calculate a current teeth tips position. According to this embodiment, the functional element F4 calculates the coordinate point of the teeth tips of the
bucket 6 as a current teeth tips position, based on a boom angle α detected by the boom angle sensor S1, an arm angle β detected by the arm angle sensor S2, and a bucket angle γ detected by the bucket angle sensor S3. The functional element F4 may use the output of the body tilt sensor S4 in calculating the current teeth tips position. - The functional element F5 is configured to calculate the next teeth tips position when the automatic control mode is selected. According to this embodiment, when the automatic control mode is selected, the functional element F5 calculates a teeth tips position after a predetermined time as an intended teeth tips position, based on the operational data and the analysis result of the operation tendency output by the functional element F1, the intended trajectory generated by the functional element F2, and the current teeth tips position calculated by the functional element F4.
- The functional element F6 is configured to calculate a command value for operating an actuator. According to this embodiment, when the automatic control mode is selected, the functional element F6 calculates at least one of a boom command value α*, an arm command value β*, and a bucket command value γ* based on the intended teeth tips position calculated by the functional element F5, in order to move the current teeth tips position to the intended teeth tips position.
- Furthermore, when the manual control mode is selected, the functional element F6 calculates at least one of the boom command value α*, the arm command value β*, and the bucket command value γ* based on the operational data in order to achieve the movement of the actuator corresponding to the operational data.
- When the automatic control mode is selected, the functional element F6 calculates the boom command value α* on an as-needed basis even when the
boom operating lever 26A is not operated, in order to automatically operate theboom 4. The same is true for thearm 5 and thebucket 6. - When the manual control mode is selected, the functional element F6 does not calculate the boom command value α* when the
boom operating lever 26A is not operated. This is because according to the manual control mode, theboom 4 is not operated unless theboom operating lever 26A is operated. The same is true for thearm 5 and thebucket 6. - Next, the functional element F6 is described in detail with reference to
FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the functional element F6 that calculates various command values. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5 , thecontroller 30 further includes functional elements F11 through F13, F21 through F23, and F31 through F33 associated with generation of command values. The functional elements may be constituted of software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. - The functional elements F11 through F13 are functional elements associated with the boom command value α*. The functional elements F21 through F23 are functional elements associated with the arm command value β*. The functional elements F31 through F33 are functional elements associated with the bucket command value γ*.
- The functional elements F11, F21, and F31 are configured to generate a current command output to the
proportional valve 31. According to this embodiment, the functional element F11 outputs a boom current command to the boomproportional valve 31A (seeFIG. 3 ), the functional element F21 outputs an arm current command to the armproportional valve 31B (seeFIG. 3 ), and the functional element F31 outputs a bucket current command to a bucketproportional valve 31C. - The functional elements F12, F22, and F32 are configured to calculate the amount of displacement of a spool that is a constituent of a spool valve. According to this embodiment, the functional element F12 calculates the amount of displacement of a boom spool that is a constituent of the
control valve 175 pertaining to theboom cylinder 7 based on the output of a boom spool displacement sensor 511. The functional element F22 calculates the amount of displacement of an arm spool that is a constituent of thecontrol valve 176 pertaining to thearm cylinder 8 based on the output of an arm spool displacement sensor S12. The functional element F13 calculates the amount of displacement of a bucket spool that is a constituent of thecontrol valve 174 pertaining to thebucket cylinder 9 based on the output of a bucket spool displacement sensor S13. - The functional elements F13 through F23 are configured to calculate the rotation angle of a working body. According to this embodiment, the functional element F13 calculates the boom angle α based on the output of the boom angle sensor S1. The functional element F23 calculates the arm angle β based on the arm angle sensor S2. The functional element F33 calculates the bucket angle γ based on the output of the bucket angle sensor S3.
- Specifically, the functional element F11 basically so generates the boom current command to the boom
proportional valve 31A as to eliminate the difference between the boom command value α* generated by the functional element F6 and the boom angle α calculated by the functional element F13. At this point, the functional element F11 so adjusts the boom current command as to eliminate the difference between an intended boom spool displacement amount derived from the boom current command and the boom spool displacement amount calculated by the functional element F12. The functional element F11 outputs the adjusted boom current command to the boomproportional valve 31A. - The boom
proportional valve 31A changes the opening area in accordance with the boom current command to cause a pilot pressure commensurate with the size of the boom current command to act on a pilot port of thecontrol valve 175. Thecontrol valve 175 moves the boom spool in accordance with the pilot pressure to cause hydraulic oil to flow into theboom cylinder 7. The boom spool displacement sensor S11 detects the displacement of the boom spool and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F12 of thecontroller 30. Theboom cylinder 7 extends or retracts according as hydraulic oil flows in to move up or down theboom 4. The boom angle sensor S1 detects the rotation angle of the vertically movingboom 4 and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F13 of thecontroller 30. The functional element F13 feeds the calculated boom angle α back to the functional element F4. - The functional element F21 basically so generates the arm current command to the arm
proportional valve 31B as to eliminate the difference between the arm command value β* generated by the functional element F6 and the arm angle β calculated by the functional element F23. At this point, the functional element F21 so adjusts the arm current command as to eliminate the difference between an intended arm spool displacement amount derived from the arm current command and the arm spool displacement amount calculated by the functional element F22. The functional element F21 outputs the adjusted arm current command to the armproportional valve 31B. - The arm
proportional valve 31B changes the opening area in accordance with the arm current command to cause a pilot pressure commensurate with the size of the arm current command to act on a pilot port of thecontrol valve 176. Thecontrol valve 176 moves the arm spool in accordance with the pilot pressure to cause hydraulic oil to flow into thearm cylinder 8. The arm spool displacement sensor S12 detects the displacement of the arm spool and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F22 of thecontroller 30. Thearm cylinder 8 extends or retracts according as hydraulic oil flows in to open or close thearm 5. The arm angle sensor S2 detects the rotation angle of the opening orclosing arm 5 and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F23 of thecontroller 30. The functional element F23 feeds the calculated arm angle β back to the functional element F4. - Likewise, the functional element F31 basically so generates the bucket current command to the bucket
proportional valve 31C as to eliminate the difference between the bucket command value γ* generated by the functional element F6 and the bucket angle γ calculated by the functional element F33. At this point, the functional element F31 so adjusts the bucket current command as to eliminate the difference between an intended bucket spool displacement amount derived from the bucket current command and the bucket spool displacement amount calculated by the functional element F32. The functional element F31 outputs the adjusted bucket current command to the bucketproportional valve 31C. - The bucket
proportional valve 31C changes the opening area in accordance with the bucket current command to cause a pilot pressure commensurate with the size of the bucket current command to act on a pilot port of thecontrol valve 174. Thecontrol valve 174 moves the bucket spool in accordance with the pilot pressure to cause hydraulic oil to flow into thebucket cylinder 9. The bucket spool displacement sensor S13 detects the displacement of the bucket spool and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F32 of thecontroller 30. Thebucket cylinder 9 extends or retracts according as hydraulic oil flows in to open or close thebucket 6. The bucket angle sensor S3 detects the rotation angle of the opening or closingbucket 6 and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F33 of thecontroller 30. The functional element F33 feeds the calculated bucket angle γ back to the functional element F4. - As described above, the
controller 30 forms a three-stage feedback loop for each working body. That is, thecontroller 30 forms a feedback loop associated with the amount of spool displacement, a feedback loop associated with the rotation angle of a working body, and a feedback loop associated with the teeth tips position. Therefore, thecontroller 30 can control the movement of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 with high accuracy during automatic control. - Next, an effect produced by the emergency stop function is described with reference to
FIGS. 6 through 9. FIGS. 6 through 9 relate to the movement of theshovel 100 when part LP (seeFIG. 7 ) of the ground supporting theshovel 100 collapses during slope finishing work. Specifically,FIGS. 6 through 9 relate to the movement of theshovel 100 when the operator performs an arm opening operation out of reflex to prevent the tipping of theshovel 100 in response to the forward tilting of theshovel 100 due to the collapse of the part LP of the ground under the front end of thelower traveling body 1. The operator intends to stop the forward tilting of theshovel 100 by causing thebucket 6 to contact the slope by opening thearm 5. - More specifically,
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the state of the hydraulic system when an arm opening operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in theshovel 100 where the emergency stop function is disabled, and corresponds toFIG. 3 .FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the excavation attachment when an arm opening operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in theshovel 100 where the emergency stop function is disabled, and corresponds toFIG. 1 . - In the case where the emergency stop function is disabled, when the
arm operating lever 26B is operated in the arm opening direction with theMC switch 42A being pressed as illustrated inFIG. 6 , the hydraulic system increases a pilot pressure that acts on each of the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R in order to retract thearm cylinder 8 to open thearm 5. Therefore, thearm 5 opens as intended by the operator as indicated by arrow AR1 ofFIG. 7 . - At this point, the
controller 30 detects the operation of thearm operating lever 26B in the arm opening direction based on the output of the operatingpressure sensor 29B. As theshovel 100 tilts forward, the teeth tips of thebucket 6 move toward the intended work surface. Therefore, thecontroller 30 performs a boom raising operation to prevent the teeth tips of thebucket 6 from moving down below the intended work surface. Specifically, thecontroller 30 outputs a control command to the proportional valve 31AL to cause a predetermined pilot pressure to act on each of the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R, in order to extend theboom cylinder 7 to raise theboom 4 according as thearm 5 opens. Therefore, contrary to the operator's intention, theboom 4 rises as indicated by arrow AR2 ofFIG. 7 , and the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and an intended work surface TS is maintained at a value D1 against the operator's intention as illustrated inFIG. 7 . That is, the operator cannot support theshovel 100 by causing thebucket 6 to contact the slope. As a result, theshovel 100 further tilts forward as indicated by arrow A3 ofFIG. 7 . - In contrast, in the case where the emergency stop function is enabled, the
controller 30 can prevent the excavation attachment from automatically moving against the operator's intention as described above.FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the state of the hydraulic system when an arm opening operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in theshovel 100 where the emergency stop function is enabled, and corresponds toFIG. 3 .FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the excavation attachment when an arm opening operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in theshovel 100 where the emergency stop function is enabled, and corresponds toFIG. 1 . - In the case where the emergency stop function is enabled, when the
arm operating lever 26B is operated in the arm opening direction as illustrated inFIG. 8 , the hydraulic system increases a pilot pressure that acts on each of the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 176L and the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 176R in order to retract thearm cylinder 8 to open thearm 5, the same as in the case where the emergency stop function is disabled. Therefore, thearm 5 opens as intended by the operator as indicated by arrow AR4 ofFIG. 9 . - At this point, the
controller 30 detects the operation of thearm operating lever 26B in the arm opening direction based on the output of the operatingpressure sensor 29B. Then, thecontroller 30 determines whether a predetermined condition for stopping automatic control is satisfied. For example, thecontroller 30 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the operation speed of thearm operating lever 26B in the arm opening direction exceeds a predetermined speed. In response to determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied, thecontroller 30 stops automatic control. Thus, even during automatic control, thecontroller 30 can switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the manual control mode. - When automatic control is stopped, unlike in the case where the emergency stop function is disabled, the
controller 30 does not output a control command to the proportional valve 31AL. Therefore, thecontroller 30 does not cause a predetermined pilot pressure to act on each of the right pilot port of thecontrol valve 175L and the left pilot port of thecontrol valve 175R. That is, thecontroller 30 does not extend theboom cylinder 7 and does not raise theboom 4 according as thearm 5 opens. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 9 , theboom 4 does not rise contrary to the operator's intention. As a result, the vertical distance between the teeth tips of thebucket 6 and the intended work surface TS is reduced as thearm 5 opens as intended by the operator, and becomes zero when the arm angle reaches a certain angle. That is, the operator can prevent theshovel 100 from further tilting forward by causing the teeth tips of thebucket 6 to contact the slope as illustrated inFIG. 9 . - Next, the same effect produced by the emergency stop function is described with reference to
FIGS. 10 and11 .FIGS. 10 and11 relate to the movement of theshovel 100 when the part LP of the ground supporting theshovel 100 collapses during slope finishing work with an arm closing operation. Specifically,FIGS. 10 and11 relate to the movement of theshovel 100 when the operator performs a boom lowering operation out of reflex to prevent the tipping of theshovel 100 in response to the forward tilting of theshovel 100 due to the collapse of the part LP of the ground under the front end of thelower traveling body 1. The operator intends to stop the forward tilting of theshovel 100 by causing thebucket 6 to contact the slope by lowering theboom 4. - In the case where the emergency stop function is enabled, the
controller 30 can prevent the excavation attachment from automatically moving against the operator's intention when the operator has performed a boom lowering operation out of reflex, the same as in the case where the operator has performed an arm opening operation out of reflex.FIG. 10 illustrates the state of the hydraulic system when a boom lowering operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in theshovel 100 where the emergency stop function is enabled.FIG. 11 illustrates the movement of the excavation attachment when a boom lowering operation has been performed during the automatic excavation control in theshovel 100 where the emergency stop function is enabled. - In response to detecting the operation of the
boom operating lever 26A in the boom lowering direction based on the output of the operatingpressure sensor 29A, thecontroller 30 determines whether a predetermined condition for stopping automatic control is satisfied. For example, thecontroller 30 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the operation speed of theboom operating lever 26A in the boom lowering direction exceeds a predetermined speed. In response to determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied, thecontroller 30 stops automatic control. - When automatic control is stopped, the hydraulic system increases a pilot pressure that acts on the right pilot port of the
control valve 175R in order to retract theboom cylinder 7 to lower theboom 4, in response to the operation of theboom operating lever 26A in the boom lowering direction as illustrated inFIG. 10 . Therefore, theboom 4 lowers as intended by the operator as indicated by arrow AR5 ofFIG. 11 . Thearm 5 does not automatically move as theboom 4 lowers. - As a result, the distance between the teeth tips of the
bucket 6 and the intended work surface TS is reduced as theboom 4 lowers as intended by the operator, and becomes zero when the arm angle reaches a certain angle. That is, the operator can prevent theshovel 100 from further tilting forward by causing the teeth tips of thebucket 6 to contact the slope as illustrated inFIG. 11 . - According to the above-described configuration, the
controller 30 stops automatic control when theboom operating lever 26A or thearm operating lever 26B is rapidly operated. Thecontroller 30, however, may stop automatic control in response to detecting that the pitch angle of theupper turning body 3 is more than or equal to a predetermined angle based on the output of the body tilt sensor S4. Thecontroller 30 may also stop automatic control when theemergency stop switch 48, which is a foot switch installed at the operator's feet in thecabin 10, is stepped on. Thecontroller 30 may also stop automatic control when theMC stop switch 42B is pressed. In these cases as well, the operator can stop the forward tilting of theshovel 100 by causing thebucket 6 to contact the slope by opening thearm 5 or by lowering theboom 4, for example. - Thus, the
shovel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes thelower traveling body 1, theupper turning body 3 turnably mounted on thelower traveling body 1, the excavation attachment serving as an attachment attached to theupper turning body 3, and thecontroller 30 mounted on theupper turning body 3 to serve as a control device that can perform automatic control. Thecontroller 30 is configured to stop automatic control when information on the movement of theshovel 100 or information on the state of a nearby machine shows an unusual tendency. When the information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency corresponds to, for example, when the operator may be unable to press thebucket 6 against an upward inclined surface as intended by the operator. The automatic control may be, for example, the automatic excavation control. The automatic control may also be, for example, control to move the working part along an intended trajectory. This configuration enables theshovel 100 to move as intended by the operator even during automatic control. - The "information on the movement of the
shovel 100" may be, for example, information on the operation of theoperating apparatus 26 mounted on theupper turning body 3. Thecontroller 30 may be configured to determine that the "information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency" when theoperating apparatus 26 is rapidly operated, for example. "When theoperating apparatus 26 is rapidly operated" includes, for example, when the amount of operation per unit time of the arm operating lever serving as theoperating apparatus 26 exceeds a predetermined value. The amount of operation per unit time of the arm operating lever may be, for example, the inclination angle per unit time of the arm operating lever. - The automatic control may be, for example, either the automatic straight facing control or the automatic complex turning control. The "information on the movement of the
shovel 100" may be information on the operation of the turning operating lever mounted on theupper turning body 3. In this case, thecontroller 30 may be configured to determine that the "information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency" when an operation to turn theupper turning body 3 in a direction opposite to that of turning performed by automatic control is performed. - Next, automatic control executed by the
controller 30 is described in detail with reference toFIGS. 12 and13 .FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the functional elements F1 through F6 associated with the execution of automatic control in thecontroller 30, and corresponds toFIG. 4 .FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating another example configuration of the functional element F6 that calculates various command values. - The configuration of
FIG. 12 is different in that the functional element F2 generates the intended trajectory based on the output of the space recognition device S7, that the functional element F4 obtains a turning angle δ, and that the functional element F6 calculates a turning command value δ* from, but otherwise equal to, the configuration ofFIG. 4 . Furthermore, the configuration ofFIG. 13 is different in including a functional element associated with automatic control of the turninghydraulic motor 2A from, but otherwise equal to, the configuration ofFIG. 5 . Therefore, the description of a common portion is omitted, and differences are described in detail. - According to the illustration of
FIGS. 12 and13 , the functional element F2 generates a trajectory to be followed by the teeth tips of thebucket 6 as an intended trajectory, based on object data detected by the space recognition device S7. The object data are, for example, information on an object present in an area surrounding theshovel 100, such as the position, shape, etc., of a dump truck. - The functional element F4 calculates the coordinate point of the
bucket 6 as a current teeth tips position, based on the boom angle α, the arm angle β, the bucket angle γ, and the turning angle δ calculated from the output of the turning angular velocity sensor S5. The functional element F4 may use the output of the body tilt sensor S4 in calculating the current teeth tips position. - When the automatic control mode is selected, the functional element F6 calculates at least one of the boom command value α*, the arm command value β*, the bucket command value γ*, and the turning command value δ* based on the intended teeth tips position calculated by the functional element F5, in order to move the current teeth tips position to the intended teeth tips position.
- Functional elements F41 through F43 are functional elements associated with the turning command value δ*. Specifically, the functional element F41 outputs a turning current command to a turning
proportional valve 31D. The functional element F42 calculates the amount of displacement of a turning spool that is a constituent of thecontrol valve 173 pertaining to the turninghydraulic motor 2A based on the output of a turning spool displacement sensor S14. The functional element F43 calculates the turning angle δ based on the output of the turning angular velocity sensor S5. - The functional element F41 basically so generates the turning current command to the turning
proportional valve 31D as to eliminate the difference between the turning command value δ* generated by the functional element F6 and the turning angle δ calculated by the functional element F43. At this point, the functional element F41 so adjusts the turning current command as to eliminate the difference between an intended turning spool displacement amount derived from the turning current command and the turning spool displacement amount calculated by the functional element F42. The functional element F41 outputs the adjusted turning current command to the turningproportional valve 31D. - The turning
proportional valve 31D changes the opening area in accordance with the turning current command to cause a pilot pressure commensurate with the size of the turning current command to act on a pilot port of thecontrol valve 173. Thecontrol valve 173 moves the turning spool in accordance with the pilot pressure to cause hydraulic oil to flow into the turninghydraulic motor 2A. The turning spool displacement sensor S14 detects the displacement of the turning spool and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F42 of thecontroller 30. The turninghydraulic motor 2A rotates according as hydraulic oil flows in to turn theupper turning body 3. The turning angular velocity sensor S5 detects the rotation angle of the turningupper turning body 3 and feeds the detection result back to the functional element F43 of thecontroller 30. The functional element F43 feeds the calculated turning angle δ back to the functional element F4. - As described above, the
controller 30 according toFIGS. 12 and13 forms a three-stage feedback loop with respect to not only the boom angle α, the arm angle β, and the bucket angle γ, but also the turning angle δ. That is, thecontroller 30 forms a feedback loop associated with the turning spool displacement amount, a feedback loop associated with the rotation angle of theupper turning body 3, and a feedback loop associated with the teeth tips position. Therefore, thecontroller 30 can control the movement of the teeth tips of thebucket 6 with high accuracy during automatic control. - Next, the automatic complex turning control is described with reference to
FIGS. 14 and 15. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the movement of the excavation attachment during the work of loading the bed of a dump truck DT with soil.FIG. 14 is a plan view of a work site.FIG. 15 is a side view of the work site as seen from the +Y side. For clarification,FIG. 15 omits graphical representation of the shovel 100 (except for the bucket 6). - In
FIGS. 14 and 15 , the excavation attachment indicated by a solid line shows the state of the excavation attachment at the completion of an excavating operation, the excavation attachment indicated by a dotted line shows the state of the excavation attachment during a turning operation, and the excavation attachment indicated by a one-dot chain line shows the state of the excavation attachment immediately before performance of a soil dumping operation. - Point P11 indicates the central point of the back surface of the
bucket 6 at the completion of an excavating operation. Point P12 indicates the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 during a turning operation. Point P13 indicates the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 immediately before performance of a soil dumping operation. The thick dashed line connecting Point P11, Point P12, and Point P13 indicates a trajectory followed by the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6. The soil dumping operation is an operation to dump soil in thebucket 6 onto the bed of the dump truck DT. - According to the automatic complex turning control, for example, the
automatic control part 54 automatically extends or retracts at least one of theboom cylinder 7, thearm cylinder 8, and thebucket cylinder 9 such that the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 moves along a predetermined trajectory, while the operator is manually performing a turning operation. The predetermined trajectory is, for example, an intended trajectory calculated based on information on the dump truck DT including the position, shape, etc., of the dump truck DT. The information on the dump truck DT as a nearby machine is obtained based on, for example, the output of at least one of the space recognition device S7, the communications device T1, etc. In this case, by only operating the turning operating lever, the operator can move the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 along the predetermined trajectory. That is, by only operating the turning operating lever, the operator can move thebucket 6 near the ground to a position over the bed of the dump truck DT at a height Hd while preventing contact between the excavation attachment and the dump truck DT. By operating the turning operating lever, the operator can move thebucket 6 over the bed of the dump truck DT at the height Hd to a position near the ground while preventing contact between the excavation attachment and the dump truck DT. A trajectory used during clockwise turning (during boom raising and turning) may be either equal to or different from a trajectory used during counterclockwise turning (during boom lowering and turning). - Next, the emergency stop function associated with the automatic complex turning control is described. This emergency stop function is executed, for example, in response to the
shovel 100 operator's reflexive counterclockwise turning operation when the dump truck DT starts to move while the operator is performing a clockwise turning operation to load the bed of the dump truck DT with soil. Specifically, this emergency stop function is executed, for example, in response to the operator's reflexive counterclockwise turning operation to prevent contact between theshovel 100 and the dump truck DT when the dump truck DT that has been stopped suddenly starts to move backward. In this case, the operator intends to move thebucket 6 away from the dump truck DT while maintaining the height of thebucket 6 by turning theupper turning body 3 turning clockwise in the opposite counterclockwise direction. - For example, when the turning operating lever is rapidly operated in a opposite direction, the
automatic control part 54 determines that the "information on the movement of theshovel 100 shows an unusual tendency" and stops the automatic complex turning control. - When the emergency stop function is disabled, that is, when the automatic complex turning control is not stopped, the
automatic control part 54 moves the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 along the predetermined trajectory even when the turning operating lever is rapidly operated leftward, and therefore lowers thebucket 6 contrary to the operator's intention. The figure indicated by crosshatching inFIG. 15 indicates the position of thebucket 6 whose height is reduced. That is,FIG. 15 illustrates that thebucket 6 at the height of a figure indicated by a dotted line lowers to the height of the figure indicated by crosshatching. - In contrast, when the emergency stop function is enabled, that is, when the automatic complex turning control is stopped, the
automatic control part 54 can cause the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 to deviate from the predetermined trajectory to move thebucket 6 in response to the leftward rapid operation of the turning operating lever. Therefore, theautomatic control part 54 can move thebucket 6 leftward while maintaining the height of thebucket 6 as intended by the operator instead of lowering thebucket 6 against the operator's intention. The figure indicated by oblique line hatching inFIG. 15 indicates the position of thebucket 6 that has been moved leftward while keeping the height. That is,FIG. 15 illustrates that thebucket 6 at the height of a figure indicated by a dotted line moves to the position of the figure indicated by oblique line hatching while remaining at the same height. - Thus, in the case where the emergency stop function is enabled, when the operator performs a counterclockwise turning operation out of reflex, the
controller 30 can prevent the excavation attachment from automatically moving against the operator's operation. - The
controller 30 may be configured to detect the start of the movement (for example, the start of the backward travel) of the dump truck DT based on the output of the space recognition device S7. In this case, after identifying what work a currently performed work is based on the outputs of various sensors, thecontroller 30 obtains information on the normal state of a nearby machine associated with the work, recorded in advance work by work. For example, in the case of having successfully identified that the currently performed work is loading work that loads the bed of the dump truck DT with soil, thecontroller 30 obtains information that the normal state of the dump truck DT that is a nearby machine associated with the loading work is a stopped state. When the dump truck DT starts to move during the loading work, thecontroller 30 can determine that the dump truck DT is in a state different from the normal state. Based on this determination result, thecontroller 30 can stop automatic control. - Furthermore, the operating mode of the
shovel 100 may include a stop mode, apart from the manual control mode and the automatic control mode. According to this configuration, when the teeth tips of thebucket 6 as the working part are in a region other than the region above the bed of the dump truck DT, thecontroller 30 may stop automatic control and thereafter switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the stop mode, in response to detecting the start of the movement of the dump truck DT. During the stop mode, thecontroller 30 may stop the movement of the working part in a space between Point P11, indicating the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 at the completion of an excavating operation, and the dump truck DT, irrespective of whether theoperating apparatus 26 is operated. This is for preventing contact between the working part and the dump truck DT by keeping the working part on standby until the dump truck DT stops, namely, by forcibly arresting the movement of the working part until the dump truck DT stops. - Thus, when detecting the start of the movement of the dump truck DT during the loading work, the
controller 30 may switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the stop mode. - The operating mode of the
shovel 100 may include an avoidance mode, apart from the manual control mode and the automatic control mode. Thecontroller 30 may switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the avoidance mode, for example, when detecting the start of the movement of the dump truck DT during the loading work and the teeth tips of thebucket 6 as the working part are within a region above the bed of the dump truck DT. During the avoidance mode, thecontroller 30 may move the teeth tips of thebucket 6 aside to a space between Point P11, indicating the central point of the back surface of thebucket 6 at the completion of an excavating operation, and the dump truck DT, by automatically moving various hydraulic actuators, irrespective of whether theoperating apparatus 26 is operated. This is for preventing contact between the working part and the dump truck DT by forcing the working part to move from inside and stay outside a region above the bed of the dump truck DT until the dump truck DT stops. - Thus, when detecting the start of the movement of the dump truck DT during the loading work, the
controller 30 may switch the operating mode of theshovel 100 from the automatic control mode to the avoidance mode. - The
shovel 100 may include a switch related to automatic control, such as theMC switch 42A. In this case, thecontroller 30 may be configured to execute automatic control when the switch is operated. - Furthermore, the illustration of
FIG. 3 discloses a hydraulic operation system including a hydraulic pilot circuit. For example, according to a hydraulic pilot circuit associated with theboom operating lever 26A, hydraulic oil supplied from thepilot pump 15 to aremote control valve 27A is supplied to a pilot port of thecontrol valve 175 at a flow rate commensurate with the opening degree of theremote control valve 27A opened by the tilt of theboom operating lever 26A. According to a hydraulic pilot circuit associated with thearm operating lever 26B, hydraulic oil supplied from thepilot pump 15 to aremote control valve 27B is supplied to a pilot port of thecontrol valve 176 at a flow rate commensurate with the opening degree of theremote control valve 27B opened by the tilt of thearm operating lever 26B. - Instead of a hydraulic operation system including such a hydraulic pilot circuit, however, an electric operation system including an electric operating lever may be adopted. In this case, the amount of lever operation of the electric operating lever is input to the
controller 30 as an electrical signal. Furthermore, a solenoid valve is placed between thepilot pump 15 and a pilot port of each control valve. The solenoid valve is configured to operate in response to an electrical signal from thecontroller 30. According to this configuration, when a manual operation using the electric operating lever is performed, thecontroller 30 can move each control valve by increasing or decreasing a pilot pressure by controlling the solenoid valve with an electrical signal commensurate with the amount of lever operation. - When an electric operation system including an electric operating lever is adopted, the
controller 30 can easily switch the manual control mode and the automatic control mode. When thecontroller 30 switches the manual control mode to the automatic control mode, control valves may be independently controlled in response to an electrical signal commensurate with the amount of lever operation of a single electric operating lever. -
FIG. 16 illustrates an example configuration of an electric operation system. Specifically, the electric operation system ofFIG. 16 is an example of a boom operation system, and mainly includes the pilot pressure-operatedcontrol valve 17, theboom operating lever 26A serving as an electric operating lever, thecontroller 30, a solenoid valve for boom raising operation, and a solenoid valve for boom lowering operation. The electric operation system ofFIG. 16 may also be likewise applied to an arm operation system, a bucket operation system, etc. - The pilot pressure-operated
control valve 17 includes the control valve 175 (seeFIG. 2 ) pertaining to theboom cylinder 7, the control valve 176 (seeFIG. 2 ) pertaining to thearm cylinder 8, the control valve 174 (seeFIG. 2 ) pertaining to thebucket cylinder 9, etc. Asolenoid valve 60 is configured to be able to adjust the flow area of a conduit connecting thepilot pump 15 and the raising-side pilot port of thecontrol valve 175. Asolenoid valve 62 is configured to be able to adjust the flow area of a conduit connecting thepilot pump 15 and the lowering-side pilot port of thecontrol valve 175. - When a manual operation is performed, the
controller 30 generates a boom raising operation signal (an electrical signal) or a boom lowering operation signal (an electrical signal) in accordance with an operation signal (electrical signal) output by an operation signal generating part of theboom operating lever 26A. The operation signal output by the operation signal generating part of theboom operating lever 26A is an electrical signal that changes in accordance with the amount of operation and the direction of operation of theboom operating lever 26A. - Specifically, when the
boom operating lever 26A is operated in the boom raising direction, thecontroller 30 outputs a boom raising operation signal (an electrical signal) commensurate with the amount of lever operation to thesolenoid valve 60. Thesolenoid valve 60 adjusts the flow area in accordance with the boom raising operation signal (electrical signal) to control a pilot pressure that acts on the raising-side pilot port of thecontrol valve 175. Likewise, when theboom operating lever 26A is operated in the boom lowering direction, thecontroller 30 outputs a boom lowering operation signal (an electrical signal) commensurate with the amount of lever operation to thesolenoid valve 62. Thesolenoid valve 62 adjusts the flow area in accordance with the boom lowering operation signal (electrical signal) to control a pilot pressure that acts on the lowering-side pilot port of thecontrol valve 175. - In the case of executing automatic control, for example, the
controller 30 generates a boom raising operation signal (an electrical signal) or a boom lowering operation signal (an electrical signal) in accordance with a correcting operation signal (an electrical signal) instead of the operation signal output by the operation signal generating part of theboom operating lever 26A. The correcting operation signal may be either an electrical signal generated by thecontroller 30 or an electrical signal generated by an external control device different than thecontroller 30. - Furthermore, information obtained by the
shovel 100 may be shared with a manager, other shovel operators, etc., through a shovel management system SYS as illustrated inFIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of the shovel management system SYS. The management system SYS is a system that manages theshovel 100. According to this embodiment, the management system SYS is constituted mainly of theshovel 100, anassist device 200, and amanagement apparatus 300. Each of theshovel 100, theassist device 200, and themanagement apparatus 300 constituting the management system SYS may be one or more in number. According to the illustration ofFIG. 17 , the management system SYS includes thesingle shovel 100, thesingle assist device 200, and thesingle management apparatus 300. - The
assist device 200 is typically a portable terminal device, and is, for example, a computer such as a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or a smartphone carried by a worker or the like at a construction site. Theassist device 200 may also be a computer carried by the operator of theshovel 100. Theassist device 200, however, may also be a stationary terminal device. - The
management apparatus 300 is typically a stationary terminal device, and is, for example, a server computer installed in a management center or the like outside a construction site. Themanagement apparatus 300 may also be a portable computer (for example, a portable terminal device such as a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or a smartphone). - At least one of the
assist device 200 and the management apparatus 300 (hereinafter, "assistdevice 200, etc.") may include a monitor and an operating apparatus for remote control. In this case, the operator operates theshovel 100 using the operating apparatus for remote control. The operating apparatus for remote control is connected to thecontroller 30 through, for example, a communications network such as a radio communications network. - According to the shovel management system SYS as described above, the
controller 30 of theshovel 100 may transmit information on at least one of the time, location, etc., of the stoppage of automatic control to theassist device 200, etc. At this point, thecontroller 30 may transmit a peripheral image that is an image captured by the image capturing device S6 to theassist device 200, etc. The peripheral image may be multiple peripheral images captured within a predetermined period including the time of the stoppage of automatic control. Furthermore, thecontroller 30 may transmit data on the work details of theshovel 100, data on the attitude of theshovel 100, data on the posture of the excavation attachment, etc., within a predetermined period including the time of the stoppage of automatic control to theassist device 200, etc. This is for enabling a manager using theassist device 200, etc., to obtain information on a work site as illustrated inFIGS. 9 ,11 ,14 and 15 . That is, this is for enabling the manager to analyze the cause of such an operation as to stop automatic control having been performed, etc., and further for enabling the manager to improve the work environment of theshovel 100 based on the results of the analysis. - Thus, the management system SYS of the
shovel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes theshovel 100 that stores at least one of the time, location, attitude, and peripheral image of the stoppage of automatic control executed by theshovel 100 in thestorage device 47 and transmits the stored at least one of the time, location, attitude, and peripheral image to the outside with desired timing, and themanagement apparatus 300 that receives the at least one of the time, location, attitude, and peripheral image transmitted by theshovel 100 and outputs at least one of the received attitude and peripheral image. The attitude is, for example, at least one of the attitude of theshovel 100 when automatic control is stopped and the posture of the excavation attachment when automatic control is stopped. Themanagement apparatus 300 enables the manager to recognize the attitude of theshovel 100 by, for example, displaying an illustration image on the monitor. Themanagement apparatus 300 may also enable the manager to recognize the attitude of theshovel 100 by, for example, outputting audio information. - A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail above. The present invention, however, is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various variations, substitutions, etc., may be applied to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the separately described features may be suitably combined as long as no technical contradiction is caused.
- For example, according to the above-described embodiment, the
controller 30 causes theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface by automatically operating the turninghydraulic motor 2A. Thecontroller 30, however, may also cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface by automatically operating a turning motor generator. - Furthermore, the operational data, which are generated in accordance with the operating apparatus or the operating apparatus for remote control, may also be automatically generated by a predetermined operation program.
- Furthermore, the
controller 30 may also cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface by operating other actuators. For example, thecontroller 30 may cause theupper turning body 3 to face straight to the intended work surface by automatically operating the left side travelinghydraulic motor 1L and the right side travelinghydraulic motor 1R. - 1 ...
lower traveling body 1L ... left side travelinghydraulic motor 1R ... right side travelinghydraulic motor 2 ...turning mechanism 2A ... turninghydraulic motor 3 ...upper turning body 4 ...boom 5 ...arm 6 ...bucket 7 ...boom cylinder 8 ...arm cylinder 9 ...bucket cylinder 10 ...cabin 11 ...engine 13 ...regulator 13L ... leftregulator 13R ...right regulator 14 ...main pump 14L ... leftmain pump 14R ... rightmain pump 15 ...pilot pump 17 ...control valve 18L ... leftthrottle 18R ...right throttle 19L ... leftcontrol pressure sensor 19R ... rightcontrol pressure sensor 26 ...operating apparatus 26A...boom operating lever 26B ...arm operating lever remote control valve 28 ...discharge pressure sensor 28L ... leftdischarge pressure sensor 28R ... rightdischarge pressure sensor pressure sensor 30 ...controller 31, 31AL, 31AR, 31BL, 31BR ...proportional valve 31A ... boomproportional valve 31B ... armproportional valve 31C ... bucketproportional valve 31D ... turningproportional valve 32, 32AL, 32AR, 32BL, 32BR ... shuttle valve 32A ... boom shuttle valve 32B ...arm shuttle valve 40 ...display device 40L ... leftcenter bypass conduit 40R ... rightcenter bypass conduit 42 ...input device 42A ...MC switch 42B ... MC stop switch 42L ... leftparallel conduit 42R ... rightparallel conduit 43 ...audio output device 47 ...storage device 48 ...emergency stop switch 50 ...machine guidance device 51 ...position calculating part 52 ...distance calculating part 53 ...information communicating part 54 ...automatic control part solenoid valve 100 ... shovel 171 through 174, 175L, 175R, 176L, 176R ...control valve 200 ... assistdevice 300 ... management apparatus F1 through F6, F11 through F13, F21 through F23, F31 through F33, F41 through F43 ... functional elements S1 ... boom angle sensor S2 ... arm angle sensor S3 ... bucket angle sensor S4 ... body tilt sensor S5 ... turning angular velocity sensor S6 ... image capturing device S6B ... back camera S6F... front camera S6L ... left camera S6R ... right camera S7 ... space recognition device S11 ... boom spool displacement sensor S12 ... arm spool displacement sensor S13 ... bucket spool displacement sensor S14 ... turning spool displacement sensor P1 ... positioning device T1 ... communications device
Claims (11)
- A shovel (100) comprising:a lower traveling body (1);an upper turning body (3) turnably mounted on the lower traveling body (1);an attachment attached to the upper turning body (3) ;a cab (10) provided on the upper turning body (3) ;a space recognition device (S7) attached to the upper turning body (3) or attached to an inside of the cab (10), and configured to detect an object; anda communications device (T1) attached to the upper turning body (3),characterized bya control device (30) mounted on the upper turning body (3) and capable of executing automatic control to move a working part of the attachment along an intended trajectory according to an operation of an operating apparatus (26),wherein the control device (30) is configured to stop the automatic control when the operation of the operating apparatus (26) shows a tendency different from a tendency of an operation according to the automatic control or when an output of at least one of the space recognition device (S7) and the communications device (T1) shows a state different from a normal state, during the automatic control.
- The shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1,
whereinthe operating apparatus (26) is mounted on the upper turning body (3), andthe control device (30) is configured to determine that the operation of the operating apparatus (26) shows the tendency different from the tendency of the automatic control during the automatic control when an amount of the operation of the operating apparatus (26) per unit time exceeds a predetermined value. - The shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1,
whereinthe automatic control is automatic straight facing control or automatic complex turning control,the operating apparatus (26) is mounted on the upper turning body (3), andthe control device (30) is configured to determine that the operation of the operating apparatus (26) shows the tendency different from the tendency of the automatic control during the automatic control when an operation to turn the upper turning body (3) in a direction opposite to a direction of turning performed by the automatic control is performed. - The shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a switch (42A) related to the automatic control,wherein the control device (30) is configured to execute the automatic control when the switch (42A) is operated.
- The shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a body tilt sensor (S4) configured to detect a tilt of the upper turning body (3),wherein the control device (30) is configured to stop the automatic control based on an output of the body tilt sensor (S4) or the space recognition device (S7).
- A shovel management system (SYS) comprising:the shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1, the shovel (100) being configured to store at least one of a time, a location, an attitude, and a peripheral image of a stoppage of the automatic control executed by the shovel (100) and transmit the stored at least one of the time, the location, the attitude, and the peripheral image; anda management apparatus (300) configured to receive the at least one of the time, the location, the attitude, and the peripheral image and output at least one of the received attitude and peripheral image.
- The shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1,
whereina first operation signal output by an operating signal generating part of an operating lever (26A) is input to the control device (30), anda second operation signal is output to a solenoid valve (60, 62) controlling a pilot pressure of a control valve (17), based on the input first operation signal. - The shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the control device (30) is configured to stop the automatic control when an operator performs an arm opening operation or boom lowering operation in response to forward tilting of the shovel (100). - The shovel (100) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the intended trajectory is generated based on the output of the space recognition device (S7). - The shovel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intended trajectory is a trajectory related to a movement of an excavation attachment in work of loading a bed of a dump truck (DT) with soil.
- The shovel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control device (30) is configured to perform feedback control based on a turning angle of the upper turning body (3) .
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2018013970 | 2018-01-30 | ||
PCT/JP2019/003201 WO2019151335A1 (en) | 2018-01-30 | 2019-01-30 | Shovel and shovel management system |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3748089A1 EP3748089A1 (en) | 2020-12-09 |
EP3748089A4 EP3748089A4 (en) | 2021-04-07 |
EP3748089B1 true EP3748089B1 (en) | 2023-03-15 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP19747825.8A Active EP3748089B1 (en) | 2018-01-30 | 2019-01-30 | Shovel and shovel management system |
Country Status (6)
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US (1) | US20200354921A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3748089B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2019151335A1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20200111193A (en) |
CN (1) | CN111670286A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019151335A1 (en) |
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CN108699814B (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2022-04-12 | 住友建机株式会社 | Shovel and autonomous flying body flying around shovel |
KR20210106410A (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2021-08-30 | 스미토모 겐키 가부시키가이샤 | Shovel, shovel support system |
KR20220062261A (en) * | 2019-09-18 | 2022-05-16 | 스미도모쥬기가이고교 가부시키가이샤 | shovel |
JP7355624B2 (en) * | 2019-12-02 | 2023-10-03 | 株式会社小松製作所 | Work machines and work machine control methods |
JP7313633B2 (en) | 2020-01-31 | 2023-07-25 | 国立大学法人広島大学 | Position control device and position control method |
JP2022041683A (en) * | 2020-09-01 | 2022-03-11 | コベルコ建機株式会社 | Target trajectory changing system for attachments |
CN112681411A (en) * | 2021-01-15 | 2021-04-20 | 南通皋标建筑劳务有限公司 | Excavation control method of excavator |
CN114032981B (en) * | 2021-12-01 | 2023-04-25 | 广西柳工机械股份有限公司 | Automatic shovel loading control method and electric loader |
AT525671B1 (en) * | 2022-02-07 | 2023-06-15 | Wacker Neuson Linz Gmbh | System for avoiding collisions between a loading device and a truck |
JP2024055024A (en) * | 2022-10-06 | 2024-04-18 | 日立建機株式会社 | Work Machine |
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JPH09328774A (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 1997-12-22 | Hitachi Constr Mach Co Ltd | Automatic locus control device of hydraulic construction machine |
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-
2019
- 2019-01-30 EP EP19747825.8A patent/EP3748089B1/en active Active
- 2019-01-30 CN CN201980010909.6A patent/CN111670286A/en active Pending
- 2019-01-30 JP JP2019569184A patent/JPWO2019151335A1/en active Pending
- 2019-01-30 KR KR1020207022365A patent/KR20200111193A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2019-01-30 WO PCT/JP2019/003201 patent/WO2019151335A1/en unknown
-
2020
- 2020-07-29 US US16/941,924 patent/US20200354921A1/en active Pending
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EP3748089A1 (en) | 2020-12-09 |
US20200354921A1 (en) | 2020-11-12 |
JPWO2019151335A1 (en) | 2021-01-14 |
KR20200111193A (en) | 2020-09-28 |
CN111670286A (en) | 2020-09-15 |
EP3748089A4 (en) | 2021-04-07 |
WO2019151335A1 (en) | 2019-08-08 |
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