JP2005155274A - Display device of construction machinery - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly, accurately, and easily switch the screen of a monitor in such a state that a rear view image can be displayed thereon at an accurate timing by an operator when the other information such as vehicle conditions is displayed on the monitor. <P>SOLUTION: Operation levers 6 and 7 are installed at the right and left side parts 5R and 5L of an operator's seat 5, operation levers 8a and 8b and operation pedals 9a and 9b for traveling are installed at the front of the operator's seat 5, and a selector switch 16 is fitted to the grip part 6a of the operation lever 6 including one for swing operation. An image on the monitor 12 can be switched between a vehicle state information image and a rear view image by operating the selector switch 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for a construction machine that is installed in a cab of a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator and allows an operator to recognize various types of information.

  There is a hydraulic excavator as an example of a construction machine. As is well known, a hydraulic excavator is configured such that a hydraulic pump is driven by an engine, and hydraulic oil output from the hydraulic pump is supplied to hydraulic actuators including hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors that are mounted on respective operating parts. . Each of these operating parts is usually carried by an operator in the cab and operated by operating means such as an operating lever to perform work such as excavation of earth and sand.

  Various kinds of instruments are mounted in the cab so that the operator can recognize the operating status of the machine. For example, there are an engine speed meter, a fuel meter, a coolant temperature meter, a hydraulic oil temperature meter, an hour meter, and the like. In addition, information related to the safe operation of the machine, for example, whether or not the gate lock lever is in a proper position is also displayed. Further, it is determined whether or not a starter key has been entered. Furthermore, the type of attachment attached to the front work machine is also recognized. A display device is provided to display such information, that is, vehicle status information.

  As this display device, a liquid crystal display having a configuration in which a color image is collectively displayed on a monitor screen has been put into practical use as the liquid crystal display is improved in accuracy and price. By using this display device, various types of information can be displayed with a compact configuration, and the operator can accurately grasp the operating status of the machine. In recent years, a construction has been developed in which a rear monitoring camera is installed in a construction machine, and the rear visual field that cannot be visually recognized by the operator in a normal operating posture is obtained from the camera image. Has been.

  A driver's seat on which an operator is seated is provided in the driver's cab, and it is difficult for the operator seated in the driver's seat to monitor the monitor unless the monitor is disposed at a front position or an obliquely forward position. End up. For this reason, when the vehicle status information display image and the rear view image that display the operation status of the machine described above are displayed on separate monitors, the front view is limited because these monitors become an obstacle. The operator's attention may be distracted. Here, the rear visual field image does not have to be displayed at all times, but is for giving an auxiliary visual field to the operator in order to confirm the safety of the surroundings when the vehicle is moving backward. On the other hand, although it is necessary to always display vehicle status information if possible, special situations such as when the machine must be operated in a state where ventilation is poor and the engine is overheating, such as indoors, etc. Regardless of whether the machine is operated underneath, the operator does not always watch the vehicle situation. Therefore, in principle, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which vehicle status information is displayed on a monitor and the monitor is switched to a rear view image when the vehicle is moved backward.

In the configuration of this prior art, when the traveling operation means is operated, it is detected based on the pilot pressure, and the monitor is automatically switched to the rear visual field image. Further, instead of automatically detecting the operation of the travel operation means, a switch is provided in the travel operation means, and the switch is operated when the operator operates the operation means, that is, when the vehicle is going to move backward. It has also been proposed in the above-described prior art that the monitor is switched to a state in which a rear view image is projected by an operation.
JP 2002-371594 A

  By the way, in the configuration of the prior art described above, a basic image, that is, vehicle status information such as the temperature of hydraulic oil and the temperature of engine coolant is displayed on the monitor at all times. However, after operating the travel lever or travel pedal, the screen switches from the basic image to the rear view image, but when the travel operation means is operated, the vehicle travels accordingly. Therefore, even if a rear view image is obtained at this time, it is not necessarily a complete safety measure. In other words, if a worker or the like has entered the immediate position of the vehicle, it will be displayed on the monitor, and even if it is confirmed by the operator, measures such as avoiding danger may not be taken. It may not function sufficiently.

  In addition, when a switch is provided on the travel operation means, for example, the travel lever, to manually switch the screen, the rear view image is displayed on the monitor before the vehicle actually moves backward. It is possible. However, even if the travel lever is provided with an image switching switch, its operability is not always satisfactory.

  That is, as the operation means installed around the driver's seat, not only the traveling lever described above but also a working lever for operating other parts is provided, and the working lever has left and right sleeve portions of the driver's seat. Generally, the traveling lever is disposed in front of the driver's seat. Therefore, the operator is placed in the posture where the elbows of both hands of the operator are put on the sleeves and the hands are attached to the left and right work levers. It will be. Since the operation is immediately performed when the travel lever is gripped, even if a switch is provided on the travel lever, it is not guaranteed that the rear visual field image is always displayed on the monitor in advance. In addition, during the combined operation in which the operation lever and the vehicle travel at the same time, the travel lever cannot be operated, so an operation pedal is provided as a travel operation means. Therefore, when traveling while operating the left and right work levers, it is necessary to use an operation pedal. At this time, it is practical to release the work lever and operate the switch mounted on the travel lever. Is impossible. From the above, it is not always reasonable to provide a switch for switching the monitor image on the travel lever.

  Furthermore, the rear view image must be displayed on the monitor not only when the vehicle is moving backward, but also when turning. However, as in the prior art described above, the provision of the switch to the traveling operation means means that the rear view image is displayed on the monitor only during traveling, and the consideration that the rear view image is displayed on the monitor during turning is not considered. Not done.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when other information such as vehicle status information is displayed on the monitor, the operator can smoothly and surely and easily view the rear view. The object is to enable the monitor screen to be switched to a state in which an image is displayed.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the configuration adopted in the present invention is an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, and a hydraulic pump supplied to the upper swinging body installed on the lower traveling body in a swingable manner. Provided with a plurality of operating parts driven by the pressure oil, a sensor for detecting at least the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the engine, the engine cooling water temperature and the operating oil temperature, and further monitoring the periphery of the machine In the construction machine provided with a monitor in the cab where the rear view image obtained from this camera is displayed so as to be switchable with other images, the left and right sleeves of the driver's seat or A work lever is provided in the vicinity thereof, and a switch for changing the image of the monitor is provided on at least one of the left and right work levers. Is set to its features that the configuration and the that.

  Here, in the construction machine, sensors and the like are attached to each operation part, and various data are acquired so that the operator can recognize the current state. That is, the engine coolant temperature and the hydraulic oil temperature are displayed, and the remaining battery level, engine oil pressure, and the like are also displayed. Further, it is desirable to include an operation time display and a display of the current time. It is necessary for the operator to always recognize these as vehicle status information in order to operate the construction machine stably and efficiently without any difficulty and to suppress the occurrence of a failure. Accordingly, the vehicle status information is always displayed on the monitor, and the screen is switched to a state in which the rear view image is displayed as necessary by a switch operation.

  In the hydraulic excavator, the work lever is provided with a front work machine for operating the front work machine, and the turning of the upper swing body is controlled by the work lever. And two work levers are normally provided, and are arranged on the left and right sides of the driver's seat. Therefore, if any one of the work levers is provided with a selector switch, the operability of the monitor image switching operation for the operator is improved. The work lever provided with the changeover switch is more preferably a work lever for performing a turning operation, and a changeover switch may be provided for two work levers.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the operability of the switching operation to the rear view image on the monitor screen is the best for the operator of the construction machine, and the image switching can be performed smoothly, surely and easily at the necessary timing. And the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a display device for a hydraulic excavator will be described as a construction machine. However, the construction machine to which the display device is attached is not limited to this hydraulic excavator.

  First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a hydraulic excavator. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a crawler type lower traveling body, 2 is an upper swing body, and 3 is a front work machine comprising excavation means provided on the upper swing body 2. In addition, a driver's cab (cab) 4 is installed on the upper swing body 2 so that an operator can board the machine and operate the machine. Operation means including an operation lever for performing operations such as operation of a boom 3a, an arm 3b, and a bucket 3c constituting the front work machine 3 for performing operations such as turning of the body 2 and excavation of earth and sand is provided.

  The internal structure of the cab 4 is shown in FIG. As is apparent from the figure, a driver's seat 5 is provided inside the operator's cab 4 for an operator to sit on and operate the hydraulic excavator, and left and right sleeve portions 5L and 5R of the driver's seat 5 are provided. The operation levers 6 and 7 are mounted, and a pair of operation levers 8 a and 8 b and operation pedals 9 a and 9 b are mounted at the front position of the driver's seat 5. The operation levers 6 and 7 provided on the sleeves 5L and 5R respectively constitute the boom 3a, the arm 3b, the bucket 3c, and operation means for turning. These are hereinafter referred to as work levers. The work levers 6 and 7 can be tilted forward and backward and left and right, respectively, and the operation functions of the four operating parts described above are assigned. For example, the work lever 6 provided on the left sleeve 5L is for turning and bucket operation, and the work lever 7 provided on the right sleeve 5R is for boom and arm operation. Further, the operation levers 8a and 8b positioned in front of the driver's seat 5 are for left and right traveling, and the operation pedals 9a and 9b are also operation means for left and right traveling.

  Here, the reason why the operation lever and the operation pedal are provided together as the operation means for traveling is to perform the composite operation. That is, when only the vehicle travels, either the operation lever 8a, 8b or the operation pedal 9a, 9b may be operated. For example, the boom 3a is operated while traveling and the upper swing body 2 is swung. When performing the combined operation as described above, it is necessary to operate the operation levers 6 and 7 with both hands, and therefore, traveling is performed by the operation pedals 9a and 9b.

  The hydraulic excavator is configured as described above. Normally, the hydraulic excavator is driven by a hydraulic drive system in which a hydraulic pump is operated by an engine to drive a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic motor or a hydraulic cylinder. Accordingly, various sensors for detecting engine-related operating conditions are installed, various sensors are provided in each part of the hydraulic drive system, and sensors are also installed in each operating part of the front work machine 3 and the like. Each part of the operation is monitored. Among the detection information by these sensors, there are information that is preferably recognized by the operator, information that is essential to be recognized, and information that is not required to be notified to the operator. The information that needs to be recognized by the operator is information related to the operating state of the vehicle, and among these, there is information that must be recognized urgently and reliably. That is, the information that needs to be notified to the operator includes general vehicle status information and abnormality information related to the occurrence of an abnormal condition that may cause a serious failure or the like in the hydraulic excavator.

  This hydraulic excavator is provided with a monitoring camera in order to assist the external visual field by the operator. Reference numeral 10 is attached to a counterweight 11 installed at a rear position of the upper swing body 2 in order to secure a rear visual field, and in order to confirm safety to an operator who operates the machine in the cab 4, the visual field is supplementarily viewed. It is a camera to secure. Therefore, the camera 10 for securing the rear visual field is extremely important from the viewpoint of ensuring work safety.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a monitor 12 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like is installed in the cab 4. By displaying various information on the monitor 12, an operator who operates the machine can be provided. This information is recognized. Therefore, the monitor 12 can be seen even while the operator is operating each mechanism constituting the hydraulic excavator. However, during work, it is necessary to prevent the front vision as much as possible. For this purpose, the monitor 12 has a relatively small screen, and is disposed obliquely forward of the driver's seat 5 in the cab 4, and is attached to the pillar 13, for example.

  Necessary information can be displayed on the monitor 12, but first, a vehicle status display image is displayed. An example of this vehicle status display image is shown in FIG. As the display information specifically shown in this figure, as an icon display, in order from the left side of the drawing, whether the anti-theft mechanism is operating A1, the tip of the arm 3b constituting the front work machine 3 A2 indicating whether the bucket 3c is mounted or other front attachment is mounted, an operating load status display A3, a traveling speed display A4, an auto idle display A5, and whether or not the illumination lamp is lit Display A6 and wiper operation presence / absence display A7, and along with these, there is an operation time display section B, and the operation time is displayed numerically. Further, in the lower stage, that is, a large area in the central portion of the monitor 12, an engine cooling water temperature display C1, a hydraulic oil temperature display C2, and a fuel remaining amount display C3 are arranged side by side for character display. Furthermore, there are display units D1 and D2 for the remaining battery level and the engine oil pressure at the bottom, but when the battery charge amount and the engine oil pressure are maintained at a certain level, the battery charge amount and the engine When the oil pressure falls below a predetermined level, the display state changes, such as a change in shade and a change in color tone.

  In addition, what is displayed as vehicle status information does not have to include all these information, and information other than these information can also be included. In short, the current state of the vehicle to be recognized by the operator may be displayed. However, aside from the display form, at least the engine coolant temperature display C1, the hydraulic oil temperature display C2, and the remaining fuel display C3 must be included.

  Further, the monitor 12 displays an image obtained by the camera 10 that acquires the rear visual field. As shown in FIG. 4, as for this video, a landscape video behind the vehicle and the rear side is displayed as a rear view image on the entire screen of the monitor 12. The field of view in this direction is not visible when the operator is sitting on the driver's seat 5 and performing normal work. Therefore, by displaying the rear visual field on the monitor 12, an auxiliary visual field in the range that becomes a blind spot is given to the operator.

  As described above, typical images displayed on the monitor 12 include those shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In addition, various kinds of information can be set to be displayed. it can. For example, there is an image that displays abnormality information, and this abnormality information display image is used to notify the operator that a situation that may cause a failure or accident occurs when the machine is continuously operated. Specifically, when the battery charge voltage is below the specified value, when the engine oil pressure is below the specified value, when the engine coolant is above the specified temperature, the hydraulic oil temperature is abnormally rising For example, the filter provided on the intake side of the engine filter is clogged. In order to make the operator recognize these situations quickly, for example, it can be set so that a message is displayed prominently at the center of the screen of the monitor 12, that is, at the positions of the character displays C1 to C3 in FIG. In addition, when a communication device is mounted on the vehicle and communication is possible with the management center of the machine via the communication antenna 14 (FIG. 1), communication information including communication items from the management center side is also provided. It can also be displayed on the monitor 12.

  As described above, various types of information are displayed on the monitor 12, and information desired by the operator is selected and displayed. For this purpose, a selection switch group 15 is provided in the frame portion of the monitor 12, and an image displayed on the monitor 12 can be selected by appropriately operating these selection switch groups 15.

  By the way, among the images described above, the display image of the vehicle status information shown in FIG. 3 is basic, and unless otherwise desired by the operator, the vehicle status information is always displayed. These images are displayed by switching from the vehicle status information image as necessary. Of the above-mentioned images, the abnormal information display image is automatically displayed when the device or the like is in an abnormal state due to its property, and there is no room for the operator to select it. In addition, since communication information such as communication items from the management center is not particularly related to the operation of the hydraulic excavator, this information is read out to the monitor 12 by operating the selection switch group 15 when the operation is suspended. Display it.

  The rear view image shown in FIG. 4 is necessary at least when the vehicle moves backward and when the upper turning body 2 turns. For this purpose, the rear view image is switched from the vehicle status display image displayed on the monitor 12. A rear view image is displayed. Here, the display of the rear visual field image is necessary during the operation of the hydraulic excavator and while the operator is operating the operating means such as a lever or a pedal. It is not desirable to force the operation of the selection switch group 15. Thus, while the hydraulic excavator is being operated, the image can be switched smoothly and easily at an optimum timing when necessary without interrupting the operation.

  In the first place, when the operator is seated on the driver's seat 5 and operates each part of the hydraulic excavator, the left and right elbows are placed on the sleeve portions 5L and 5R and the posture is held by the work levers 6 and 7. It is common. These work levers 6 and 7 are for operating the front work machine 3 including the boom 3a, the arm 3b, and the bucket 3c, and for performing an operation of turning the upper swing body 2. Accordingly, during the work, since the operation of tilting the work levers 6 and 7 back and forth and right and left is frequently performed, the operator hardly releases the work levers 6 and 7. Of course, the vehicle may be run while operating one or both of the operation levers 6 and 7. In this case, the two traveling operation levers 8a and 8b are simultaneously operated with one hand, or the operation pedals 9a and 9b are depressed to drive the vehicle. Here, the operating levers 8a and 8b for traveling are provided at the time of so-called steering for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle. For this reason, the tilting direction of one operating lever 8a and the other operating lever 8b is provided. This is so that it can be operated in a different manner. During work such as excavation of earth and sand, traveling is mainly forward or backward, and steering is extremely rare. Accordingly, the two operation levers or the two operation pedals are operated simultaneously.

  In consideration of the above points, in the present invention, a changeover switch 16 is provided on the grip 6a of the work lever 6 including the turning operation as shown in FIG. The image on the monitor 12 is switched by operating the changeover switch 16. As shown in FIG. 6, the work lever 6 (and 7) is connected to the hydraulic pilot valve 6P, and the hydraulic pressure of the direction switching valve 17 that controls the supply of pressure oil from the hydraulic pilot valve 6P to the hydraulic actuator. The pressure is applied to the pilot portion to switch the direction switching valve 17, and the direction switching valve 17 is switched by tilting in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  The change-over switch 16 can be operated with a finger of a hand holding the grip 6a of the work lever 6. When this change-over switch 16 is operated, the signal is taken into the control device 18 and displayed on the monitor 12. The image to be switched will be switched. Here, the switching of the image by the changeover switch 16 is the vehicle status information image shown in FIG. 3 and the rear visual field image shown in FIG. Accordingly, if the changeover switch 16 is operated while the vehicle state information image is displayed on the monitor 12, the rear view image is switched, and if the changeover switch 16 is operated while the rear view image is displayed, the vehicle state is displayed. The information display image is switched.

  Now, assume that the excavator is operated to excavate the earth and load the excavated soil on a dump truck. In this work, a hydraulic excavator is placed at the excavation position, the boom 3a of the front work machine 3 is formed at an angle that allows excavation, and then the bucket 3c is operated while the arm 3b is operated, thereby excavating earth and sand with the bucket 3c. To do. Then, the boom 3a is raised, and the upper swing body 2 is swung by a predetermined angle while operating the arm 3b and the bucket 3c as necessary, thereby moving the bucket 3c to the upper position of the loading platform of the dump truck. Then, the bucket 3c is operated to turn to the position where excavation is performed again after the earth and sand are loaded on the dump truck. This operation is repeated, but the excavation position changes as excavation progresses, and the dump truck is moved along with this. However, there is a place where the dump truck cannot enter depending on the state of the scaffolding, etc. In this case, the lower traveling body 1 travels every time excavation is performed. That is, the excavator is moved forward (or moved backward) to the excavation position, and excavation of the earth and sand is performed by the front work machine 3, and then the hydraulic excavator is moved backward (or advanced) to the position where the earth and sand is put into the dump truck.

  While performing these series of operations, it is necessary to obtain a rear view when turning the upper swing body 2 and when moving backward by the lower traveling body 1. When the undercarriage 1 moves forward and when excavating earth and sand using the front work machine 3 or loading excavated earth and sand on a dump truck, the operator can directly see the operating parts, so it is necessary to obtain a rear view. There is no. However, since the upper turning body 2 can turn 360 ° with respect to the lower traveling body 1, when the work is performed with the upper turning body 2 turned 180 °, the vehicle moves forward and backward. Is reversed. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the safety of the surroundings when traveling, regardless of forward or reverse. Also, after starting the excavator and before starting work, it is necessary to check the safety of the surroundings. At this time as well, a rear view image is displayed on the monitor 12 and there are structures around the surroundings. It is also necessary to confirm the objective and interpersonal safety of whether the operator is located.

  As described above, it is necessary to display the rear visual field image on the monitor 12 at a stage before entering a work such as excavation and during turning and running during the work, and the turning and running are executed. Even if the rear view image is displayed on the monitor 12 after the upper swing body 2 starts to turn or after the start of traveling, there is a case where danger cannot be avoided.

  As described above, the operator always holds the operation levers 6 and 7 during the operation, and the hands are released from the operation levers 6 and 7 when the operation levers 8a and 8b are operated. These switches are used to operate a switch for operating a wiper, a switch for lighting illumination light, a dial for changing the engine speed, and the like. During the work, since a complex operation for simultaneously turning the front work machine 3 and the upper swing body 2 is performed, traveling is generally performed not by the operation levers 8a and 8b but by the operation pedals 9a and 9b. In addition, even if the operation levers 8a and 8b are operated, the two operation levers 8a and 8b are operated with one hand, and the other hand is also in a state where the work lever 6 or 7 is put on the hand. And

  Accordingly, a change-over switch 16 is provided on at least one of the work levers 6 and 7 so that an image on the monitor 12 can be changed by operating the change-over switch 16, and the change of the image is performed in the vehicle status information display image. The vehicle status information is displayed on the monitor 12 at the time of reverse driving and turning of the vehicle for which the rear visual field needs to be obtained and before starting the operation. In this case, the operator can smoothly and easily switch to the rear view image, which is extremely desirable for ensuring safety. Further, when the need for the rear view disappears, that is, at the time when the turn or reverse is finished or after that, the changeover switch 16 is operated again so that the vehicle status information is displayed on the monitor 12.

  As for which of the two working levers 6 and 7 is to be provided with the changeover switch 16, it is reasonable to provide it on the working lever 6 including the turning operation. Considering the case where the operation levers 8a and 8b are operated with the hand in hand, the changeover switch 16 may be provided on both of the two work levers 6 and 7.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hydraulic excavator as an example of a construction machine showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part block diagram which shows the internal structure of the cab in the hydraulic shovel of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the vehicle condition display screen in a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the back visual field image display screen in a display apparatus. It is an external view of a work lever. It is composition explanatory drawing which shows the switching mechanism of the monitor by a change switch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lower traveling body 2 Upper revolving body 3 Front working machine 4 Driver's cab 6,7 Work lever 6a Grip part 8a, 8b Operation lever 9a, 9b Operation pedal 10 Camera 12 Monitor 15 Selection switch group 16 Changeover switch 18 Control device

Claims (3)

An upper revolving structure installed on the lower traveling body so as to be able to swivel is provided with an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, and a plurality of operating parts driven by pressure oil supplied from the hydraulic pump, and at least A sensor for detecting the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the engine, the engine coolant temperature, and the hydraulic oil temperature is provided, and a camera for monitoring the periphery of the machine is installed. In a construction machine with a monitor that can be switched to
In the driver's cab, work levers are provided on the left and right sleeves of the driver's seat or in the vicinity thereof,
A display device for a construction machine, characterized in that at least one of the left and right work levers is provided with a changeover switch for switching the image of the monitor. Vehicle status information output from each sensor is always displayed on the monitor, and the changeover switch switches the vehicle status information display image to rear view image information acquired by the camera. The display device for a construction machine according to claim 1. 2. The display device for a construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the work lever provided with the changeover switch is a work lever for performing a turning operation of at least the upper turning body.

Images