JP2007018315A - Information communication system and communication terminal for operator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information communication system and a communication terminal for an operator for suppressing execution costs by eliminating any large scale communication system such as a communication satellite, and for reducing running costs such as communication costs. <P>SOLUTION: This information communication system 6 applied to a construction machine is provided with a communication terminal 7 for a construction machine installed in a construction machine and a wrist band type communication terminal 8 for an operator mounted on the arm of an operator who rides in the construction machine for communicating with the communication terminal 7 for the construction machine by radio. The communication terminal 7 for the construction machine is provided with an operation information transmitting means for transmitting the operation information of the construction machine to the communication terminal 8 for the operator. Also, the communication terminal 8 for the operator is provided with an operation information receiving means for receiving operation information from the communication terminal 7 for the construction machine and an operation information storing means for storing the received operation information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information communication system and an operator communication terminal applied to a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator.

  Normally, an operator of a construction machine is required to grasp the operating status (operating time, remaining fuel amount, etc.) of the construction machine. This is to create a daily work report after the completion of work, and to determine the appropriate inspection and maintenance time and parts replacement time. However, it is troublesome to record the operation status of construction machinery in a notebook or the like. There is a problem that it becomes a burden of.

Therefore, a monitoring system that automatically records (stores) the state information of the construction machine and transmits the recorded state information to the outside has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to such a monitoring system, the state information of the construction machine can be automatically transmitted to the monitoring station (monitoring center), so that it is not necessary to record the operation status by the operator and the burden on the operator can be reduced.
JP 2002-290596 A

  However, in the monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, the state information of the construction machine recorded in the motion recorder is transmitted to the monitoring station via the communication satellite and the ground station. There is also a problem that communication costs increase.

  The present invention eliminates the need for a large-scale communication system such as a communication satellite in order to reduce the work burden on the operator related to the operation record of construction machinery, and suppresses the implementation cost and can reduce the running cost such as the communication cost The purpose is to provide a system and an operator communication terminal.

The information communication system of the present invention created for the purpose of solving these problems in view of the above circumstances is an information communication system applied to a construction machine, and is a communication for a construction machine provided in a construction machine. And a wristband type operator communication terminal that is mounted on an arm of an operator who rides on the construction machine and can communicate with the construction machine communication terminal wirelessly, and the construction machine communication terminal includes the construction machine Operation information transmitting means for transmitting the operation information to the operator communication terminal is provided, the operator communication terminal including an operation information receiving means for receiving operation information from the construction machine communication terminal, and the received operation information. Operating information storage means for storing the information is provided. According to this configuration, the operation information of the construction machine can be stored in the wristband type operator communication terminal and brought back, so that the operation of recording the operation status by the operator is unnecessary and the burden on the operator can be reduced. Further, in the information communication system of the present invention, since the communication distance is short, not only the implementation cost can be suppressed but also the running cost such as the communication cost can be reduced as compared with the case where a large communication system such as a communication satellite is used.
The information management communication terminal further includes an information management communication terminal capable of wirelessly or wiredly communicating with the operator communication terminal, and the information management communication terminal includes operation information receiving means for receiving operation information from the operator communication terminal; Operating information storage means for storing the received operating information is provided. If comprised in this way, the operation information memorize | stored in the operator's communication terminal and brought home can be transferred to the information management communication terminal and memorize | stored, or it can utilize for preparation of a daily report.
Further, the operation information includes operation time data of the construction machine. With this configuration, the operating time data of the construction machine can be stored in the operator communication terminal and taken back, so that not only the operating time measurement and recording by the operator is unnecessary, but also accurate operating time data. Based on this, it is possible to appropriately determine the inspection and maintenance time and the parts replacement time.
The operation information includes fuel remaining amount data of the construction machine. With this configuration, the fuel level data of the construction machine can be stored in the operator communication terminal and taken back, so that not only the fuel level record by the operator is unnecessary, but also accurate fuel level data Based on this, it is possible to appropriately determine the fuel supply timing.
The operator communication terminal of the present invention is a wristband type operator communication terminal that is attached to an arm of an operator who rides on a construction machine and can communicate with a construction machine communication terminal provided on the construction machine by radio. The operation information receiving means for receiving the construction machine operation information from the construction machine communication terminal and the operation information storage means for storing the received operation information are provided. According to this configuration, the operation information of the construction machine can be stored in the wristband type operator communication terminal and brought back, so that the operation of recording the operation status by the operator is unnecessary and the burden on the operator can be reduced. Moreover, since a large-scale communication system is not required, implementation costs and running costs can be suppressed.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a hydraulic excavator showing an example of a construction machine. The hydraulic excavator 1 includes a lower traveling body 2 constituting a crawler-type traveling device, and an upper portion provided on an upper portion of the lower traveling body 2 so as to be rotatable. A revolving unit 3 and a working unit 4 connected to the front part of the upper revolving unit 3 are provided. The upper swing body 3 is provided with a cab 5 on which an operator rides, and the operator who gets on the upper swing body 3 operates various operation tools, thereby causing the lower swing body 2 to travel, the upper swing body 3 to rotate, and the work. The operation of the unit 4 is performed.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of an information communication system 6 applied to a construction machine such as the hydraulic excavator 1. As shown in this figure, an information communication system 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a construction machine communication terminal 7 provided in a construction machine, an operator communication terminal 8 possessed by an operator, an office, and the like. The information management communication terminal 9 is provided.

  The construction machine communication terminal 7 includes a transmission / reception unit 10, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and the like, and performs wireless communication with the operator communication terminal 8 via the transmission / reception unit 10. The transmission / reception unit 10 only needs to be able to communicate with the operator communication terminal 8 brought into the cab 5, and the required communication distance is several meters. Therefore, the transmission / reception unit 10 can be configured by an inexpensive wireless communication device that uses weak radio waves.

  The control unit 11 may be newly added to the construction machine, or may be used as an existing machine controller. In addition to the transmission / reception unit 10 and the storage unit 12 described above, the control unit 11 of the present embodiment includes an engine start circuit 13 for starting the engine in response to an operation of an engine start switch, an engine rotation in accordance with an operation of an accelerator dial, and the like. An engine control circuit 14 for controlling the number, a fuel remaining amount sensor 15 for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank, a hydraulic oil temperature sensor 16 for detecting the oil temperature in the hydraulic oil tank, and a cooling for detecting the water temperature of the engine cooling water. A water temperature sensor 17 and the like are connected to perform various processes described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operator communication terminal 8 is a wristband type that can be attached to an arm of an operator who rides on a construction machine, and includes a transmission / reception unit 18, a display unit 19, a vibrator 20, a control unit 21, and a storage unit 22. And so on. The transmission / reception unit 18 is for performing wireless communication with the construction machine communication terminal 7 and, like the transmission / reception unit 10 of the construction machine communication terminal 7, can be configured by an inexpensive wireless communication device using weak radio waves.

  The display unit 19 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a segment LED, for example, and displays characters and symbols. The display unit 19 of the present embodiment is configured by a liquid crystal panel with a red backlight, displays characters and symbols on the liquid crystal panel, and displays an alarm by blinking the red backlight. The vibrator 20 generates vibration, and for example, a vibration generation module for a mobile phone is used.

  The information management communication terminal 9 is constituted by a personal computer (PC), for example, and communicates with the operator communication terminal 8 wirelessly or by wire. A cradle 23 is connected to the information management communication terminal 9 of the present embodiment. When the operator communication terminal 8 is installed here, communication between the operator communication terminal 8 and the information management communication terminal 9 becomes possible. .

  Next, a wireless key function, an engine automatic stop function, an operation information recording function, a personal setting holding function, a monitor function, and an alarm function realized in the information communication system 6 (operator communication terminal 8) of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Description will be made with reference to FIG. 4 to 9 show the overall processing procedure of the information communication system 6, and FIG. 10 shows the processing procedure of the operator communication terminal 8.

  FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure related to the wireless key function. Specifically, the processing is performed when the operator gets on the construction machine. As shown in this figure, when the construction machine communication terminal 7 is activated in response to an ON operation of the main switch in the construction machine, first, an ID transmission request is made to the operator communication terminal 8 (S101). When receiving the ID transmission request (S102, S701), the operator communication terminal 8 transmits a unique ID stored in advance to the construction machine communication terminal 7 (S103, S702). Upon receiving the ID (S104), the construction machine communication terminal 7 determines the received ID (S105). If the received ID is a regular ID (S106), the engine is started by operating the engine start button or the like. If the received ID is not a regular ID (including a case where there is no response from the operator communication terminal 8), the ID transmission request is repeated without allowing the engine to start.

  According to such a wireless key function, it is possible to start the engine only by mounting the operator communication terminal 8 and getting on, so there is no need to insert the key into the key hole or rotate the inserted key. In addition, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the key when getting off the vehicle.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure related to the automatic engine stop function, and specifically, is a processing performed while the engine of the construction machine is being driven. As shown in this figure, the construction machine communication terminal 7 makes an ID transmission request to the operator communication terminal 8 even when the engine of the construction machine is being driven (S201). When receiving the ID transmission request (S202, S701), the operator communication terminal 8 transmits a unique ID stored in advance to the construction machine communication terminal 7 (S203, S702). When receiving the ID (S204), the construction machine communication terminal 7 determines the received ID and communication state (S205), and determines the communication interruption with the operator communication terminal 8 (S206). If the determination result is YES, the operator determines that the operator has got off the construction machine and automatically stops the engine (S207). If the determination result is NO, the ID transmission request is made without stopping the engine. repeat.

  According to such an automatic engine stop function, when the operator wearing the operator communication terminal 8 gets off, the engine of the construction machine automatically stops, so not only the engine stop operation by the operator is unnecessary, but also the engine Unnecessary fuel consumption due to forgetting to stop can be prevented. In the above description, the engine is automatically stopped in response to the communication interruption between the construction machine communication terminal 7 and the operator communication terminal 8, but the engine speed is set to a predetermined low rotation speed range (low idle). May be automatically lowered. Further, the operation at the time of communication interruption (engine stop / low idle) may be selectable according to the preference of the operator.

  FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure related to the operation information recording function, and specifically, is executed in a state where the operator communication terminal 8 can communicate with the construction machine communication terminal 7 or the information management communication terminal 9. It is processing. As shown in this figure, the construction machine communication terminal 7 determines the operation information transmission cycle (for example, every minute) (S301). If the determination result is YES, the construction machine communication terminal 7 performs the construction with respect to the operator communication terminal 8. The machine operation information is transmitted (S302: operation information transmitting means). When receiving the operation information from the construction machine communication terminal 7 (S303, S711: operation information receiving means), the operator communication terminal 8 stores the received operation information in the storage unit 22 (S304, S712: operation information storage means). ). The construction machine operation information transmitted to the operator communication terminal 8 is not limited, but preferably includes the construction machine operation time and the fuel remaining amount.

  Further, the operator communication terminal 8 determines the connection with the cradle 23 or the operation information transfer request from the information management communication terminal 9 (S305, S713). If the determination result is YES, the stored operation is stored. Information is transmitted to the information management communication terminal 9 (S306, S714). When receiving the operation information from the operator communication terminal 8 (S307: operation information receiving means), the information management communication terminal 9 stores the received operation information in a storage unit such as a hard disk (S308: operation information storage means).

  According to such an operation information recording function, it is possible to store the operation information of the construction machine in the wristband type operator communication terminal 8 and take it home. Can be reduced. Further, since the operation information stored in the operator communication terminal 8 and taken home is transferred to the information management communication terminal 9 and stored therein, it can be used to create a daily report in the information management communication terminal 9.

  FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure related to the personal setting holding function, and specifically, is executed in a state where the operator communication terminal 8 can communicate with the construction machine communication terminal 7 or the information management communication terminal 9. It is processing. As shown in this figure, the information management communication terminal 9 can transmit personal setting information related to the construction machine to the operator communication terminal 8 connected to the cradle 23 (S401: personal setting information transmitting means). For example, after performing personal setting work related to the construction machine on the screen of the information management communication terminal 9, the personal setting information is sent to the operator communication terminal 8 in accordance with a predetermined transfer operation. When receiving the personal setting information from the information management communication terminal 9 (S402, S715), the operator communication terminal 8 stores the received personal setting information in the storage unit 22 (S403, S716: personal setting information storage means). The personal setting information of the construction machine held by the operator communication terminal 8 is not limited, but preferably includes lever operation pattern setting data and response setting data in the construction machine.

  Further, the operator communication terminal 8 determines whether the operator gets on the construction machine or the personal setting information transmission request from the construction machine communication terminal 7 (S404, S703). If the determination result is YES, the operator communication terminal 8 stores the request. The personal setting information is transmitted to the construction machine communication terminal 7 (S405, S704: personal setting information transmitting means). When receiving the personal setting information from the operator communication terminal 8 (S406: personal setting information receiving means), the construction machine communication terminal 7 applies the lever operation pattern setting and response setting included in the received personal setting information to the construction machine. (S407).

  According to such a personal setting holding function, when the operator communication terminal 8 is mounted and the user gets on the construction machine, the personal setting information stored in the operator communication terminal 8 is transmitted to the construction machine communication terminal 7, and construction is performed. Various setting changes of the machine are automatically performed. This eliminates the need for manual setting changes and reduces the operational burden on the operator, as well as preventing operability degradation and erroneous operations due to forgetting to change settings.

  FIG. 8 shows a processing procedure related to the monitoring function. Specifically, the processing is executed in a state where the operator communication terminal 8 can communicate with the construction machine communication terminal 7. As shown in this figure, the construction machine communication terminal 7 determines the machine information transmission cycle (for example, every minute) (S501). If this determination result is YES, the construction machine communication terminal 7 performs the construction with respect to the operator communication terminal 8. The machine body information of the machine is transmitted (S502: body information transmission means). When receiving the machine information from the construction machine communication terminal 7 (S503, S705: machine information receiving means), the operator communication terminal 8 displays the received machine information on the display unit 19 (S504, S706: machine information display means). ). Although there is no limitation on the machine body information of the construction machine transmitted to the operator communication terminal 8, it is preferable to include the remaining fuel amount of the construction machine, the hydraulic oil temperature, the cooling water temperature, and the like.

  According to such a monitoring function, the operator can check the body information such as the remaining fuel amount, the operating oil temperature, and the cooling water temperature at the wristband type operator communication terminal 8 attached to the arm. . Thereby, not only the operator can easily confirm the machine information, but also the monitor in the cab 5 can be made unnecessary.

  FIG. 9 shows a processing procedure related to the alarm function. Specifically, the processing is executed in a state where the operator communication terminal 8 can communicate with the construction machine communication terminal 7. As shown in this figure, the construction machine communication terminal 7 determines the occurrence of an abnormality in the construction machine (S601). If the determination result is YES, the warning information is transmitted to the operator communication terminal 8. (S602: alarm information transmitting means). When receiving the alarm information from the construction machine communication terminal 7 (S603, S707: alarm information receiving means), the operator communication terminal 8 displays the alarm content included in the received alarm information on the liquid crystal panel of the display unit 19. (S604, S708: alarm means), the backlight of the display unit 19 is blinked (S605, S709: alarm means), and the vibrator 20 is driven (S606, S710: alarm means). The construction machine alarm information transmitted to the operator communication terminal 8 is not limited, but preferably includes a construction machine fuel level alarm, a hydraulic oil temperature alarm, a cooling water temperature alarm, and the like.

  According to such an alarm function, an alarm is given by the operator communication terminal 8 attached to the operator's arm, so that the operator can be surely informed of the occurrence of an abnormality in the construction machine even in a noisy work site. Can do. In the present embodiment, the construction machine communication terminal 8 side determines the abnormality of the construction machine and transmits alarm information to the operator communication terminal 8, but the machine information received from the construction machine communication terminal 8 Based on this, the operator communication terminal 8 side may determine abnormality of the construction machine and issue an alarm.

  The present embodiment configured as described is an information communication system 6 applied to a construction machine, which is attached to a construction machine communication terminal 7 provided in the construction machine and an arm of an operator who gets on the construction machine, A wristband type operator communication terminal 8 capable of wirelessly communicating with the construction machine communication terminal 7 is provided, and construction machine operation information is transmitted to the operator communication terminal 8 to the construction machine communication terminal 7. Operating information transmitting means is provided, and the operator communication terminal 8 is provided with operating information receiving means for receiving operating information from the construction machine communication terminal 7 and operating information storage means for storing the received operating information. Therefore, the operation information of the construction machine can be stored in the wristband type operator communication terminal 8 and taken back. This eliminates the need to record the operating status by the operator, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. Moreover, since the information communication system 6 has a short communication distance, it is possible not only to suppress the implementation cost but also to reduce the running cost such as the communication cost as compared with the case where a large communication system such as a communication satellite is used.

  The information communication system 6 further includes an information management communication terminal 9 that can communicate with the operator communication terminal 8 wirelessly or in a wired manner. The information management communication terminal 9 receives operation information from the operator communication terminal 8. Since operation information receiving means for receiving and operation information storage means for storing the received operation information are provided, the operation information stored in the operator communication terminal 8 and brought back is transferred to the information management communication terminal 9 It can be memorized and used to create daily reports.

  Moreover, since the operating time data of the construction machine can be stored in the operator communication terminal 8 and taken back, not only does the measurement and recording of the operating time by the operator become unnecessary, but also inspection and maintenance based on accurate operating time data. It is possible to appropriately determine the timing and parts replacement timing.

  Further, since the fuel remaining amount data of the construction machine can be stored in the operator communication terminal 8 and taken back, not only the fuel remaining amount record by the operator becomes unnecessary, but also the fuel based on the accurate fuel remaining amount data. The replenishment time can be determined appropriately.

It is a perspective view of a hydraulic excavator (construction machine). It is a block diagram of an information communication system. It is the whole front view of a communication terminal for operators. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information communication system which concerns on a wireless key function. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information communication system which concerns on an engine automatic stop function. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information communication system which concerns on an operation information recording function. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information communication system which concerns on a personal setting holding | maintenance function. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information communication system which concerns on a monitor function. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information communication system which concerns on an alarm function. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the communication terminal for operators.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hydraulic excavator 6 Information communication system 7 Construction machine communication terminal 8 Operator communication terminal 9 Information management communication terminal 10 Transmission / reception unit 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Engine start circuit 14 Engine control circuit 15 Fuel level sensor 16 Hydraulic oil temperature Sensor 17 Cooling water temperature sensor 18 Transmission / reception unit 19 Display unit 20 Vibrator 21 Control unit 22 Storage unit 23 Cradle

Claims (5)

An information communication system applied to a construction machine,
A communication terminal for construction machine provided in the construction machine;
A wristband type operator communication terminal mounted on an arm of an operator who rides on the construction machine and capable of wirelessly communicating with the construction machine communication terminal;
In the construction machine communication terminal,
An operation information transmitting means for transmitting the operation information of the construction machine to the operator communication terminal is provided,
In the operator communication terminal,
Operation information receiving means for receiving operation information from the construction machine communication terminal;
An information communication system, comprising: operation information storage means for storing received operation information. An information management communication terminal capable of wirelessly or wiredly communicating with the operator communication terminal;
The information management communication terminal includes:
Operation information receiving means for receiving operation information from the operator communication terminal;
The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising operation information storage means for storing the received operation information.   The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the operation information includes operation time data of a construction machine.   The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the operation information includes fuel remaining amount data of a construction machine. A wristband type operator communication terminal that is mounted on an arm of an operator who rides on a construction machine and can communicate wirelessly with a communication terminal for a construction machine provided in the construction machine,
Operation information receiving means for receiving operation information of the construction machine from the construction machine communication terminal;
An operation information storage means for storing the received operation information is provided. An operator communication terminal, comprising:

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