JP2007023528A - Information communication system and communication terminal unit for operator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information communication system and a communication terminal unit for an operator capable of not only reducing operator's burden in operation related to change of settings of a construction machine but also preventing reduction of operation property and occurrence of erroneous operation caused by the operator forgetting the change of settings. <P>SOLUTION: This information communication system 6 applied to the construction machine is provided with a communication terminal unit 7 for the construction machine provided in the construction machine and the communication terminal unit 8 for the operator of wrist band type mounted on an arm of the operator getting on the construction machine and capable of communicating with the communication terminal unit 7 for the construction machine by radio. A personally-set information storing means for storing personally-set information related to the construction machine and a personally-set information transmitting means for transmitting the stored personally-set information to the communication terminal unit 7 for the construction machine are provided in the communication terminal unit 8 for the operator. A personally-set information receiving means for receiving the personally-set information from the communication terminal unit 8 for the operator is provided in the communication terminal unit 7 for the construction machine. <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.

  In general, construction machines allow various settings to be changed according to operator preference and work content. For example, in a hydraulic excavator, it is possible to change a lever operation pattern setting that defines a correspondence pattern between an operation lever and an actuator, and a response setting that defines an operation speed of the actuator with respect to an operation amount of the operation lever.

Such a setting change function is particularly necessary for construction machines used by a plurality of operators, and in recent years, proposals have been made to increase the ease of setting change. For example, in the construction machine described in Patent Literature 1, the setting of the lever operation pattern can be changed using a monitor and an operation lever.
JP 2000-34745 A

  However, in the one described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to manually change the setting for each operator, so it takes time to change the setting. In addition, if the setting change operation is forgotten, the settings of the operator that has been operated before are applied, so that the operability may be reduced or an erroneous operation may occur.

  The present invention provides an information communication system and an operator communication terminal that not only reduce the operator's operational burden associated with changing the setting of a construction machine, but also prevent operability degradation and erroneous operation due to forgetting to change the setting. Objective.

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. The operator communication terminal includes: Personal setting information storing means for storing the personal setting information and personal setting information transmitting means for transmitting the stored personal setting information to the construction machine communication terminal are provided, and the construction machine communication terminal includes the operator The personal setting information receiving means for receiving the personal setting information from the communication terminal is provided. If comprised in this way, since the personal setting information memorize | stored in the operator communication terminal can be transmitted to the communication terminal for construction machines, it will become possible to perform various setting changes of a construction machine automatically. 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.
The information management communication terminal further includes an information management communication terminal capable of communicating with the operator communication terminal wirelessly or by wire, and the information management communication terminal transmits personal setting information to the operator communication terminal. Is provided. If comprised in this way, personal setting information can be easily memorize | stored in the communication terminal for operators using the communication terminal for information management comprised with a personal computer etc.
Further, the personal setting information includes operation pattern setting data that defines a correspondence pattern between an actuator provided in the construction machine and an operation tool for operating the actuator. If comprised in this way, the operation pattern setting of a construction machine can be changed automatically according to an operator's liking.
The personal setting information includes response setting data that defines a relationship between an operation speed of an actuator provided in the construction machine and an operation amount of an operation tool for operating the actuator. If comprised in this way, the response setting of a construction machine can be changed automatically according to an operator's liking.
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 personal setting information storing means for storing the personal setting information related to the construction machine and the personal setting information transmitting means for transmitting the stored personal setting information to the construction machine communication terminal are provided. If comprised in this way, since the personal setting information memorize | stored in the operator communication terminal can be transmitted to the communication terminal for construction machines, it will become possible to perform various setting changes of a construction machine automatically. 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.

  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. When the operator who rides on the upper swing body 3 operates various operation tools L shown in FIG. 2, the corresponding actuator A is driven, and the lower travel body 2. Traveling operation, turning operation of the upper swing body 3, work operation of the working unit 4, and the like are 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.

  In addition to the transmission / reception unit 10 and the storage unit 12 described above, the control unit 11 includes an engine start circuit 13 that starts the engine according to the operation of the engine start switch, an engine that controls the engine speed according to the operation of the accelerator dial, and the like. Control circuit 14, fuel remaining amount sensor 15 for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank, hydraulic oil temperature sensor 16 for detecting the oil temperature in the hydraulic oil tank, cooling water temperature sensor 17 for detecting the water temperature of the engine cooling water, operation A control device C that operates the actuator A according to the operation of the tool L is connected, and performs various processes described later. In the control device C, when an operation signal is input from the operation tool L (operation lever, remote control valve, etc.) and an operation signal of the corresponding actuator A (swing motor, boom cylinder, arm cylinder, bucket cylinder, etc.) is output, It is possible to change the lever operation pattern setting that defines the correspondence pattern between the operation tool L and the actuator A, and the response setting that defines the operation speed of the actuator A with respect to the operation amount of the operation tool L. In this embodiment, By outputting a change command from the control unit 11 of the construction machine communication terminal 7 to the control device C, the lever operation pattern setting and the response setting are changed.

  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, and the operator communication terminal 8 includes personal setting information storage means for storing personal setting information relating to the construction machine; Personal setting information transmitting means for transmitting the stored personal setting information to the construction machine communication terminal 7, and the construction machine communication terminal 7 receives the personal setting information from the operator communication terminal 8. Since the receiving means is provided, the operator transmits personal setting information unique to the operator to the construction machine side only by mounting the operator communication terminal 8 on the arm and getting on the construction machine. It is possible to make various settings change automatically. 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.

  The information management communication terminal 9 further includes an information management communication terminal 9 that can communicate with the operator communication terminal 8 in a wireless or wired manner. The information management communication terminal 9 transmits personal setting information to the operator communication terminal 8. Since the transmission means is provided, the personal setting information can be easily stored in the operator communication terminal 8 by using the information management communication terminal 9 constituted by a personal computer or the like.

  Further, since the personal setting information includes operation pattern setting data for defining a correspondence pattern between the actuator A provided in the construction machine and the operation tool L for operating the actuator A, the operation pattern setting of the construction machine is set by the operator. Can be changed automatically according to your preference.

  Further, since the personal setting information includes response setting data that defines the relationship between the operating speed of the actuator A provided in the construction machine and the operation amount of the operating tool L that operates the actuator A, the response of the construction machine Settings can be automatically changed to suit the operator's preference.

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

1 Construction machine (hydraulic excavator)
6 Information Communication System 7 Construction Machine Communication Terminal 8 Operator Communication Terminal 9 Information Management Communication Terminal A Actuator C Control Device L Operating Tool

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;
The operator communication terminal includes
Personal setting information storage means for storing personal setting information related to the construction machine;
Personal setting information transmitting means for transmitting the stored personal setting information to the construction machine communication terminal is provided,
In the construction machine communication terminal,
An information communication system comprising personal setting information receiving means for receiving personal setting information from the operator communication terminal. An information management communication terminal capable of wirelessly or wiredly communicating with the operator communication terminal;
The information management communication terminal includes:
The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising personal setting information transmitting means for transmitting personal setting information to the operator communication terminal.   3. The information communication according to claim 1, wherein the personal setting information includes operation pattern setting data that defines a correspondence pattern between an actuator provided in the construction machine and an operation tool for operating the actuator. system.   The personal setting information includes response setting data that defines a relationship between an operation speed of an actuator provided in a construction machine and an operation amount of an operation tool that operates the actuator. An information communication system according to any one of the above. 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,
Personal setting information storage means for storing personal setting information related to the construction machine;
An operator communication terminal, comprising: personal setting information transmitting means for transmitting the stored personal setting information to the construction machine communication terminal.

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