JP2004346643A - Monitoring device for construction machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring display device which simplifies switching by using a single camera, and which facilitates operation for switching between the data display and rear image display of machine and an apparatus by providing a change-over switch in an easy-to-operate position. <P>SOLUTION: A control lever for an operator is provided with a momentary switch for performing screen switching as switching between a screen for displaying an operating state of the machine on the monitoring device, and a screen for displaying an image for showing a rear operating environment. Additionally, a mode selecting switch for selecting a mode for displaying the operating state of the machine, or a mode for displaying a rear image is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a monitoring device for a construction machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a switching device for switching an image displayed on a monitor device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator, an upper revolving unit is rotatably mounted on a lower traveling unit, and an operator cab is provided on the upper revolving unit. The operator cab is provided in front of the upper revolving superstructure, and a front window is widely provided to secure a front view. Windows are also provided behind the operator cab, but storage housing covers and counterweights are provided behind the operator cab for placement of various devices. Therefore, the view behind the construction machine and the side opposite to the operator cab is obstructed, making it difficult to check for obstacles. For this reason, a camera is attached to the construction machine to check for obstacles when the lower traveling structure moves backward or when the upper revolving structure turns (particularly turning in the opposite direction), and the image of the camera is monitored. Is displayed to check for obstacles.
[0003]
On the other hand, a working machine is installed in the construction machine, and a monitor that displays various data and the like is mounted on a front (for example, a front panel) to inform an operator of an operation state of the working machine. If a plurality of monitors are mounted on the front, it becomes complicated and difficult for an operator to see. Therefore, a method is adopted in which one monitor can switch between display of work implement data and display of a rear image to display both. Various ideas have been devised for this switching display method.
[0004]
FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples of a mounting position of a camera and a switching display method of a conventional device, which are described in JP-A-2001-295321. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the construction machine 50. An upper swing body 52 is mounted on a lower traveling body 51 so as to be freely swingable. A cab house 53 is installed at the left front of the upper swing body 52, and a work machine 54 is mounted at the front center. Further, a first camera 55 and a second camera 56 are provided on both sides of the rear end. The shaded area in the figure indicates the field of view of the camera. Arrows in the drawing indicate the turning direction of the upper turning body 52.
[0005]
FIG. 7 shows a circuit in which this switching device is applied to a hydraulic excavator, and the images of the cameras 55 and 56 are input to a controller 66. On the other hand, a signal of the turning operation is also input to the controller 66 from the pressure switches 64 and 65. The turning operation signal is connected to the pilot port of the switching valve 59 connected downstream of the hydraulic pump 58 so that the outputs SR and SL from the remote control valve 62 of the turning motor 60 are applied. The voltage is also applied to the switches 64 and 65. The remote control valve 62 is connected to a pilot hydraulic pump 61 and an oil tank 57. The selection switch 67 is a switch for selecting a manual switching mode and an automatic switching mode.
[0006]
The controller 66 is configured to function as follows when the driver selects the automatic switching mode. For example, when the driver tilts the operation lever 62a to the right turning side (left turning side), the output SR (SL) is output from the remote control valve 62, the pressure switch 64 (65) is turned on, and the controller 66 sets the camera 55 The image of (56) is displayed on the monitor 63. When the manual switching mode is selected, the image of the camera 55 (56) designated by the driver is displayed on the monitor 63.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional apparatus switches the monitor display using a plurality of fixed cameras. In addition to those described above, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-201676, three cameras are mounted. As described above, when a plurality of cameras are used, there is a problem in that the relationship between the image and the actual positional relationship tends to be confused in the mind. Further, there is a problem that switching is complicated. Although the above publications do not disclose any mounting locations, there is also a problem that the selection of the locations where switches for switching are provided becomes complicated.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and simplifies switching with a single camera, and provides a changeover switch at an easily operable position to switch between data display and rear image display of machines and devices. It is an object to provide a monitor display device which facilitates the above.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following configuration as means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is,
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitor for a construction machine equipped with a monitor on a front surface of a cab of the construction machine, wherein the monitor displays a screen showing an operation state of the machine and an image showing an operation environment behind the monitor. And a screen changeover switch for switching between the operation lever and the operation lever is provided on the operation lever of the operator.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the screen changeover switch is constituted by a momentary switch whose state changes each time the switch is pressed.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the monitor device is a mode selection switch for selecting a mode for displaying a machine operation state and a mode for displaying a rear image. Is further provided.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the mode selection switch always displays a rear image when the rear image display mode is selected, and performs a predetermined operation. When a status display request is made, a screen corresponding to the request is displayed for a certain period of time, and after a certain period of time, the rear image is displayed again. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the predetermined operation state display request is, for example, when the water temperature of the radiator becomes high or the remaining fuel amount becomes small. Output a request signal when an abnormal condition occurs in the machine operation state, such as when the water temperature of the radiator becomes overheated, or when the remaining fuel needs an alarm display such as an empty state. It is characterized by comprising.
[0011]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the operation state display mode is selected, the mode selection switch operates each time the screen changeover switch is turned on. The display screen and the rear image display screen are alternately switched.
[0012]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the camera that captures the rear image is a CCD camera.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the camera that captures the rear image is a camera using a wide-angle lens.
[0013]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the camera for photographing the rear image is provided with a protective box mounted on an upper surface of a counterweight mounted on a construction machine to protect the counterweight. It is characterized in that it is provided in a box, or that a notch is provided in the upper rear part of the counterweight, and the notch is installed in the notch.
[0014]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the camera is provided so as to be able to swing left and right or up and down.
[0015]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to tenth aspects, the image display changeover switch is also used as a horn switch.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a changeover switch and display contents of a monitor. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which a part of the above embodiment is modified. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a construction machine embodying the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a driver's seat of an operator.
[0017]
FIG. 4 is a left side view of the excavator 10. In FIG. 4, a lower traveling body 11 is provided below the hydraulic excavator 10, and a revolving frame 12 is mounted on the lower traveling body 11 so as to be pivotable. A cab 13 is provided on the left front side of the revolving frame 13, a house 14 for housing various devices and machines is provided at a rear central portion thereof, and a counterweight 15 is provided at a rear end thereof. A work machine 16 including a boom, an arm, and the like is provided at the front center. A video camera 20 that captures a rear image is provided on the upper surface of the counterweight 15.
[0018]
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the inside of the cab with the left side wall removed. In FIG. 5, a driver's seat 18 of an operator is provided substantially in the center, and console boxes 19 a and 19 b are provided on both left and right sides of the driver's seat 18. Operation levers 21a and 21b are provided on upper surfaces of the console boxes 19a and 19b. A pair of traveling levers 22 is provided in front of the driver's seat 18. Further, a monitor 23 is mounted on a front panel (not shown). The monitor 23 is used for displaying the state of the machine or the device and for displaying a rear image.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a screen changeover switch 25 provided on the operation lever 21 (21a or 21b) and a mode selection switch 26 provided on the console 19 (19a or 19b), a machine, a device, and the like A group of sensors 27 for detecting various states (fuel remaining amount, cooling water temperature, etc.), a video camera 20 for photographing a situation behind the upper revolving unit 12 provided above the counterweight 15, and a screen. And a controller 28 that controls a screen displayed on the monitor. The controller 28 includes an input buffer 29a, an output buffer 29b, a computer 30, a clock 31, an input terminal 32, and the like, and switches 25 and 26, a group of sensors 27, and an image output terminal of the camera 20. The monitor 23 is connected to the input side, and the monitor 23 is connected to the output side.
[0020]
The switch 25 is a switch configured to alternately switch between the two states each time the push button is pressed by a momentary switch. That is, when the push button 25 is pressed once, the state display screen is switched to the rear image display screen, or conversely, the rear image display screen is switched to the state display screen. The switch 26 is a selection switch, and is configured to be in a mechanical image display mode when tilted to one side and to be in a rear image display mode when tilted to the other side. The selection switch 26 may be provided on the console box on the same side as the momentary switch 25, or may be provided on the console box on the opposite side. It is preferable that the camera 20 outputs a digital image with a camera using, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device). Further, it is desirable that the lens of the camera 20 is a wide-angle lens. The camera 20 may be provided with a protective case (not shown) on the upper surface of the counterweight 15 and installed on the protective case. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, a notch may be provided on the outer surface of the counterweight 15, and the notch may be provided there.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a timing chart illustrating the function of the controller 28. In FIG. 2, when the push button of the screen changeover switch 25 is pressed while the mode selection switch 26 is in the machine image display mode, the display on the monitor 23 switches from the machine image display to the rear image display, and The captured image is displayed. In addition, it is programmed to automatically return to the machine image display when the display time exceeds a predetermined time (t1) while displaying the rear image. Next, when the push button 25 is pressed again, the display on the monitor 23 is switched from the rear image display to the machine image display, and the water temperature, the remaining fuel amount, and other data relating to the machines and devices are displayed on the monitor 23. Although not shown in FIG. 2, if an alarm display request is issued during the display of the machine image, an alarm image is displayed.
[0022]
When the mode selection switch 26 is in the rear image display mode, the rear image is always displayed on the monitor 23. However, when an alarm display request is issued, an alarm image is displayed for a fixed time (t2), and thereafter, a rear image is displayed again.
[0023]
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the above embodiment is partially modified. FIG. 3A shows a case where a notch 41 is provided on the upper outside of the counterweight 15 as a place where the camera 20 is installed, and the camera 20 is mounted inside the notch 41. An opening / closing door 42 may be provided outside the notch 41 to prevent dust and dirt from entering the camera 20 and to prevent the lens from becoming dirty. FIG. 3B shows an operation button when the camera 20 is provided so as to be able to swing left and right or up and down by using a swing mechanism using a link of the related art. For example, an example is shown in which a momentary switch 25 is provided at the center and swing switch buttons 43a to 43d are provided around the momentary switch 25. When the rear image is displayed by pressing the momentary switch 25, the lens of the camera 20 is directed toward the center. The lens of the camera 20 may be gently changed in the same direction (for example, left side) while the swing switch button 43a (the same applies to 43b to 43d) is pressed, or the swing switch button 43a Each time is pressed, the direction may be changed gently by a predetermined small angle.
[0024]
In the embodiment described above, the screen changeover switch 25 is constituted by a momentary switch and provided on the operation lever, so that the operator can operate the screen changeover switch 25 while operating the operation lever. Therefore, an effect that the operation operation of the operator becomes easy is obtained. Further, since a selection switch 26 is provided in addition to the screen changeover switch 25 so as to be able to cope with various cases, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to cope with complicated work. On the other hand, since only one imaging camera is employed, the switch operation has a simple configuration.
[0025]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the screen changeover switch 25 and the horn switch may be used. .
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
Since the screen changeover switch is provided on the operation lever, the operator can operate the screen changeover switch while operating the operation lever. Therefore, an effect that the operation operation of the operator becomes easy is obtained. In addition, since a selection switch is provided in addition to the screen changeover switch to cope with various cases, an effect that a complicated operation can be coped with is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a timing chart of a changeover switch and display contents of a monitor.
FIG. 3 shows an example in which a part of the above embodiment is modified.
FIG. 4 shows a construction machine embodying the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows an operator's seat in the cab.
FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a hydraulic shovel using a conventional device.
FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram using a conventional device.
[Explanation of symbols]
15 Counter weight 19 Console box 20 Camera 21 Operation lever 23 Monitor 25 Screen switch 26 Mode selection switch 27 Sensor terminal 28 Controller

Claims (11)

In a construction machine monitoring device equipped with a monitor on the front of a cab of a construction machine, a screen changeover switch for switching between a screen displaying an operation state of the machine and a screen displaying an image showing a rear operation environment on the monitor device is provided by an operator. A construction machine monitoring device provided on an operation lever. The monitor device for a construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the screen changeover switch is a momentary switch that changes states each time the switch is pressed. 3. The monitor device according to claim 1, wherein the monitor device further comprises a mode selection switch for selecting a mode for displaying a machine operation state and a mode for displaying a rear image. Monitoring equipment for construction machinery. The mode selection switch always displays the rear image when the rear image display mode is selected, displays a screen corresponding to the predetermined operation state display request for a predetermined time when a predetermined operation state display request is issued, and displays a screen corresponding to the request for a predetermined time. 4. The monitoring device for a construction machine according to claim 1, wherein a rear image is displayed again. The predetermined operation state display request is, for example, when an abnormal change occurs in a machine operation state such as a case where the water temperature of the radiator is high or a case where the remaining fuel amount is low, or when the water temperature of the radiator is in an overheat state. The construction machine monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein the request signal is output in a case or when an alarm display such as an empty state of the fuel is required. The mode selection switch is configured such that, when an operation state display mode is selected, the operation state display screen and the rear image display screen are alternately switched every time the screen changeover switch is turned on. A monitoring device for a construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The monitor device for a construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the camera that captures the rear image is a CCD camera. The construction machine monitor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the camera that captures the rear image is a camera using a wide-angle lens. The camera that captures the rear image is provided with a protection box mounted on the upper surface of a counterweight mounted on a construction machine and provided in the protection box, or a notch is provided at an upper rear portion of the counterweight, and the cutout is provided. The monitoring device for a construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the monitoring device is provided in a notch. The monitoring device for a construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the camera is provided so as to swing left and right or up and down. The monitoring device for a construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the image display changeover switch is also used as a horn switch.

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