JP2009180196A - Working machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a working machine enabling an operator to acknowledge which operation worsens gas mileage and conduct fuel saving operation easily. <P>SOLUTION: The working machine is equipped with a plurality of measuring means 5 to measure the driving operation parameter(s) pertaining to the driving operation, calculating means 41-46 calculating the calculation values influencing the fuel consumption using the driving operation parameter(s), a calculation value determining means 47 to judge whether the calculations given by the calculating means 41-46 are over the prescribed threshold, and an output means 50 to emit to a notifying means 26 a guidance to promote an improvement of the operation concerning the calculations when the determining means 47 has passed a judgement that the calculations have exceeded the prescribed threshold. This allows the operator to acknowledge which manipulation has worsened the fuel consumption concretely and which manipulation should be improved to lead to enhancement of the fuel consumption, and it is possible to easily establish the fuel saving operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a work machine.

  Conventionally, in a work machine such as a wheel loader, it is known that fuel consumption is measured every time during work, and when the calculated value exceeds the target value, the fact is displayed on the display panel to urge the operator to save fuel. (For example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-98988

  However, in a work machine such as a wheel loader, the fuel consumption varies greatly depending on how it is driven, so what kind of operation is deteriorating the fuel consumption just by displaying that the fuel consumption has exceeded the target value in this way? However, the operator does not know. Therefore, such a working machine has a problem that the operator cannot sufficiently perform the fuel-saving operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a work machine that allows an operator to recognize which operation is deteriorating the fuel efficiency and can easily perform a fuel-saving operation.

A work machine according to claim 1 of the present invention affects fuel consumption using a plurality of measuring means for measuring driving operation parameters related to a driving operation and the driving operation parameters measured by the plurality of measuring means. A calculating means for calculating a calculated value; a calculated value determining means for determining whether the calculated value calculated by the calculating means exceeds a predetermined threshold; and the calculated value determined by the calculated value determining means Output means for outputting, to the notification means, guidance for urging improvement of the operation related to the calculated value.
In addition, the calculated value determination means, for example, in the calculated value such as the accelerator work rate, where the value should be higher, when the calculated value exceeds the threshold value, the calculation value exceeds the predetermined threshold value. Is determined.

  The work machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the work machine according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of the calculated values determined by the calculated value determining means to exceed a predetermined threshold, the fuel consumption is most deteriorated. Priority order determining means for selecting an influential calculated value, and the output means, when there are a plurality of the calculated values determined by the calculated value determining means to exceed a predetermined threshold, by the priority determining means A guidance for improving the operation specified from the selected calculated value that most affects the deterioration of fuel consumption is output to the notification means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the calculated values such as the excavation time and the cycle time calculated using the driving operation parameters such as the boom bottom pressure and the accelerator pedal depression amount exceed a predetermined threshold, the excavation time The operator is notified by the notifying means of guidance for improving the operation related to the calculated value, such as shortening the time and shortening the cycle time. Therefore, the operator can recognize which operation specifically deteriorates the fuel consumption, and which operation can be improved to improve the fuel consumption, and can easily perform the fuel saving operation.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when there are a plurality of calculated values exceeding a predetermined threshold value, the guidance for improving the operation specified from the calculated value that is selected by the priority determining means and most affects the deterioration of the fuel consumption. Is notified to the operator. For this reason, the operator can improve in order from the operation that causes the most deterioration in fuel consumption, and can effectively improve fuel-saving driving.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a main part of a wheel loader 1 as a work machine according to the present embodiment.
The wheel loader 1 includes a vehicle body 2 that can be self-propelled by front and rear tires 21, and a work machine 3 that is coupled to the vehicle body 2. A cab 22 is provided on the vehicle body 2. In addition, an engine 23 and a power transmission device 24 that transmits power from the engine 23 to the tire 21 and the work machine 3 are provided inside the vehicle body 2.

  In the cab 22, a controller 4, an accelerator pedal 25, a travel lever 20, and display means 26 including a liquid crystal panel and the like are provided. As will be described later in detail, the controller 4 causes the display means 26 to display guidance for improving the operation when the operator performs an operation for deteriorating the fuel consumption, and prompts the operator to perform a fuel saving operation. The accelerator pedal 25 is provided with an accelerator pedal sensor 251 (measuring means) that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 25 that is a driving operation parameter. The driving operation parameter means a variable that is used to calculate a calculation value that will be described later and that varies depending on the driving operation and affects fuel consumption. The travel lever 20 is provided with a lever position detection sensor 201 (measurement means) that detects a shift position of the travel lever 20. In addition to various meters indicating the traveling speed and the fuel amount, the display means 26 displays that when the operator performs an operation to deteriorate the fuel consumption. An engine rotational speed sensor 231 (measuring means) that detects the rotational speed of the engine 23 is attached to the engine 23. The detection signals from these lever position detection sensor 201, engine rotation speed sensor 231, and accelerator pedal sensor 251 are output to the controller 4.

  The power transmission device 24 is a work of driving the working oil by pressure to the torque converter 27 and the transmission 28 that transmit the output of the engine 23 to the tire 21 side, and the cylinders 34 and 35 that are driven by the engine 23 and provided in the work implement 3. And a mechanical pump 29. Sensors (measuring means) for outputting driving operation parameters to the controller 4 are also attached to these elements 27 to 29. More specifically, the torque converter 27 is provided with a T / C input rotational speed sensor 271 that detects a T / C (torque converter) input rotational speed input from the engine 23 side. The transmission 28 is provided with a T / M output rotational speed sensor 281 that detects a T / M (transmission) output rotational speed that is output to the tire 21 side. The work implement pump 29 is provided with a work implement pump pressure sensor 291 that detects the pump pressure of the work implement pump 29.

  The work implement 3 includes a boom 31 whose base end is pivoted on the vehicle body 2, a bucket 32 pivoted on the tip of the boom 31, a bell crank 33 connected to a midway position of the boom 31, and a bell crank 33. A tilt cylinder 34 for tilting the bucket 32 and a lift cylinder 35 for lifting the bucket 32 via the boom 31 are provided. Among these, the tilt cylinder 34 is provided with a bucket bottom pressure sensor (measuring means) 341 that detects a bucket bottom pressure that is an operation parameter and outputs it to the controller 4. In addition, a boom bottom pressure sensor (measuring means) 351 that detects the boom bottom pressure, which is an operation parameter, and outputs it to the controller 4 is attached to the lift cylinder 35.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the wheel loader 1.
Such a wheel loader 1 usually retreats to an appropriate point after excavating and lifting (loading) the earth and sand at the mining point S. Then, after moving forward from the retreating point to the dump truck D, the dump truck D is loaded with earth and sand. After loading the earth and sand on the dump truck D, the dump truck D retreats to an appropriate point, moves forward to the mining point S, and loads again. The wheel loader 1 repeats such operations. In addition, the movement which draws such V character at the time of the work of the wheel loader 1 is called V shape movement, and is the time of V shape movement (from the time when excavating and loading earth and sand to discharging to the dump truck D). The movement distance is referred to as the V shape movement distance. Further, at the site where the wheel loader 1 of the present embodiment is used, for example, a management office is built, and work management of the wheel loader 1 is performed from within the management office.

  In the cab 22 of such a wheel loader 1, there is provided a controller 4 that causes the display means 26 to display guidance that prompts improvement of the operation when the operator performs an operation that deteriorates fuel consumption. Here, when the operator performs an operation that deteriorates fuel consumption, specifically, when the excavation time becomes long, the cycle time that is the time from the start of excavation to the next excavation start becomes long. In this case, when the V-shaped moving distance becomes a long distance, when the cycle average vehicle speed that is the average vehicle speed of the cycle time increases, the accelerator work rate that is a value obtained by dividing the cycle time by the time that is not a full accelerator is When it becomes low, it means a case where the hydraulic relief time, which is the time during which the pump pressure of the work implement pump 29 exceeds a predetermined value, becomes long.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the controller 4.
The controller 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a logic operation circuit and a computer program processed by the CPU. Further, the controller 4 stores sensors 201, 231, 251, 271, 281, 291, 341, 351 (hereinafter referred to as sensors 5) attached to each element of the wheel loader 1, threshold values described later, and the like. A storage means 6 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a display means 26 and a communication terminal 7 are connected.

  The controller 4 includes an excavation time calculation unit 41, a cycle time calculation unit 42, a V-shaped movement distance calculation main stage 43, a cycle average vehicle speed calculation unit 44, an accelerator work rate calculation unit 45, a hydraulic pressure Relief time calculating means 46, calculated value determining means 47, number determining means 48, priority order determining means 49, and output means 50 are provided. Each of these means 41 to 50 is configured by the above-described computer program or appropriate hardware.

  The excavation time calculation means 41 determines that excavation starts when the boom bottom pressure transmitted from the boom bottom pressure sensor 351 exceeds a predetermined threshold. Then, the excavation time calculation means 41 determines that excavation is finished when the boom bottom pressure becomes equal to or less than the threshold value or when the position of the traveling lever 20 transmitted from the lever position detection sensor 201 reaches the reverse position, and starts excavation. Is calculated as the excavation time (calculated value).

  In the excavation time calculation means 41, a T / C input rotation speed sensor is obtained by multiplying the T / M output rotation speed transmitted from the T / M output rotation speed sensor 281 by a constant (a reduction ratio in the transmission 28). The T / C speed ratio is calculated by dividing by the T / C input rotation speed transmitted from the H.271, and when the T / C speed ratio becomes a predetermined threshold value or less, the T / C speed ratio becomes the threshold value. You may calculate as excavation time until it becomes above or from the time when T / C speed ratio becomes below a predetermined threshold until the position of the traveling lever 20 turns into a reverse drive position.

  When the excavation time calculation unit 41 determines that excavation is started again after the excavation time calculation unit 41 determines that excavation is started, the cycle time calculation unit 42 calculates the time between them as a cycle time (calculated value).

The V shape movement distance calculation main stage 43 determines that the earth is being dumped when the bucket bottom pressure transmitted from the bucket bottom pressure sensor 341 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value. The V-shaped travel distance calculation main stage 43 calculates the travel distance of the wheel loader 1 from the time when the excavation time calculation means 41 determines the start of excavation to the time of earth removal (specifically, the vehicle speed multiplied by a minute time). A value obtained by adding from the start of excavation to the time of earth removal) is calculated as a V-shaped movement distance (calculated value).
The vehicle speed is calculated by multiplying the T / M output rotation speed by a constant (the outer periphery of the tire 21 / the axle reduction ratio). In addition, a bucket angle sensor that detects the angle of the bucket 32 may be attached to the work machine 3, and the V-shape movement distance calculation main stage 43 may be configured to determine the time of earth removal from the angle of the bucket 32.

  The cycle average vehicle speed calculation means 44 constantly calculates the vehicle speed, and calculates the average vehicle speed at the cycle time as the cycle average vehicle speed (calculated value).

  The accelerator work rate calculation means 45 is a cycle time calculated by the cycle time calculation means 42, which is a time when the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 25 transmitted from the accelerator pedal sensor 251 is not the maximum (a time not full accelerator) in the cycle time. The divided value is calculated as the accelerator work rate (calculated value).

  The hydraulic pressure relief time calculation means 46 calculates the time during which the pump pressure of the work implement pump 29 transmitted from the work implement pump pressure sensor 291 exceeds a predetermined value as the hydraulic relief time (calculated value).

  Here, in each calculated value calculated by each of the means 41 to 46, for example, when the value of excavation time is large, it may be considered that the excavation amount is larger than necessary, which causes the fuel consumption to deteriorate. When the value of the hydraulic relief time is large, it is considered that excavation with a large reaction force, that is, excavation that applies a load to the engine 23, is a factor that deteriorates fuel consumption. In addition, when the value of the V shape movement distance is large, it is considered that the turning point when moving the V shape from the mining point S to the dump truck D is at a position more than necessary from the mining point S and the dump truck D. It becomes a factor which worsens fuel consumption. When the value of the cycle time is large, it is considered that the excavation amount is larger than necessary, or that the V-shaped moving distance is larger than necessary, which also causes the fuel consumption to deteriorate. Even when the value of the cycle average vehicle speed is large, it is considered that the vehicle is driven at a higher vehicle speed than necessary, which causes a deterioration in fuel consumption. If the value of the accelerator work rate is low, it means that the time for full accelerator is long, and it is possible to load earth and sand without full accelerator, but it is possible to load earth and sand with full accelerator, etc. It becomes a factor to make it worse.

Therefore, the calculated value determination means 47 exceeds the predetermined threshold value associated with the calculated values such as excavation time stored in the storage means 6 by the calculated values calculated by these calculating means 41 to 46. It is determined whether or not. It should be noted that the calculated value determination means 47 indicates that the calculated value exceeds the predetermined threshold when the calculated value exceeds the threshold value, for example, in the calculated value such as the accelerator work rate. It is determined.
Each threshold value may be determined from a value at an efficient operation performed by the skilled operator. Each threshold may be determined from calculated values obtained from an ideal vehicle body, excavation point, dump standby point, and the like. Specifically, for example, the V-shaped moving distance may be four times the vehicle body length of the wheel loader, the excavation time may be 10 seconds, the cycle time may be 60 seconds, and the hydraulic relief time may be 10 seconds.
In addition to the V shape, the wheel loader may be moved in an I shape that moves in an I shape, or a load and carry movement that moves for a long distance after excavation. Further, the memory stores a plurality of ideal threshold values associated with each of the movement forms, and the calculated value determination unit 47 acquires the ideal threshold values from the memory according to the actual movement form of the wheel loader. It may be configured.

  The number determination means 48 determines whether or not there are a plurality of calculated values determined by the calculated value determination means 47 to exceed the threshold value.

  When the number determining unit 48 determines that there are a plurality of calculated values exceeding the threshold value, the priority order determining unit 49 selects a calculated value that most affects the deterioration of fuel consumption from the plurality of calculated values.

  The output unit 50 specifies the operation content from the calculated value determined to have exceeded the threshold value, and outputs guidance for prompting improvement of the operation to the display unit 26.

Hereinafter, the operation of the controller 4 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
In the operation of the wheel loader 1, when the operator activates the engine 23, the respective calculation means 41 to 46 are activated, and the calculated values affecting the fuel consumption are sequentially calculated based on the driving operation parameters transmitted from the respective sensors 5. calculate. Specifically, first, the excavation time calculation means 41 calculates the excavation time from the boom bottom pressure and the position of the traveling lever 20 which are driving operation parameters (step 1). Next, the cycle time calculation means 42 calculates the cycle time (step 2), and the V shape movement distance calculation main stage 43 calculates the V shape movement distance (step 3). Then, the cycle average vehicle speed calculation means 44 calculates the cycle average vehicle speed (step 4), the accelerator work rate calculation means 45 calculates the accelerator work rate (step 5), and the hydraulic pressure relief time calculation means 46 calculates the hydraulic pressure relief time. (Step 6). However, in the present embodiment, the steps 1 to 6 are described in the order of the steps for convenience in describing each of the steps 1 to 6, but the order of the steps 1 to 6 is arbitrary and may be simultaneous.

  After these steps 1 to 6, the calculated value determining means 47 determines whether or not each calculated value calculated by each calculating means 41 to 46 exceeds a predetermined threshold value (step 7). When the calculated value determining means 47 determines that none of the calculated values exceed the predetermined threshold, the process returns to step 1 and the calculation of the calculated value is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined by the calculated value determining means 47 that any of the calculated values exceeds the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step 8.

In step 8, the number determination unit 48 determines whether or not there are a plurality of calculation values determined by the calculation value determination unit 47 to exceed the threshold value. When the number determination unit 48 determines that there are a plurality of calculated values exceeding the threshold, the priority order determining unit 49 calculates the calculated value that most affects the deterioration of the fuel consumption among the plurality of calculated values. (Step 9). Specifically, for example, the priority order determination unit 49 divides a value obtained by subtracting a threshold value from each calculated value by the calculated value, and calculates a ratio of the difference between each calculated value and the threshold value in the calculated value. Then, ranking is performed in order from the calculated value having the highest ratio, and the calculated value having the highest rank (the highest ratio is the highest) is calculated as the calculated value that most affects the deterioration of fuel consumption.
If the number determination means 48 determines that there is only one calculated value exceeding the threshold, the process proceeds to step 10.

  In step 10, the output unit 50 specifies the operation content from the calculated value determined to have exceeded the threshold value, and outputs guidance for prompting improvement of the operation to the display unit 26. Specifically, for example, when the priority order determining means 49 determines that the calculated value that most affects the deterioration of fuel consumption is the excavation time, or when the calculated value exceeding the threshold is determined to be only the excavation time, the output The means 50 outputs a guidance such as “It seems that the excavation time is long. Reduce the excavation time” to the display means 26 (step 10).

According to the present embodiment as described above, when calculated values that affect fuel consumption such as excavation time, cycle time, and V-shaped travel distance exceed a threshold, guidance for improving the operation is displayed on the display means 26. Because it is displayed, the operator can recognize which operation specifically deteriorates the fuel consumption and which operation can improve the fuel consumption, and easily perform fuel-saving driving Can do.
Further, since the guidance for improving the operation that most affects the deterioration of the fuel consumption is displayed on the display means 26, the operator can improve in order from the operation that causes the most deterioration of the fuel consumption. Can be improved.

  It should be noted that the controller 4 operates a button (not shown) provided on the display means 26 to calculate a calculated value for each cycle time, a past history of the calculated value, an average value of a past period, The display unit 26 may be configured to display the fuel consumption and the like for each cycle time. Thereby, the operator can know the improvement degree of fuel-saving driving, etc., and can maintain motivation for fuel-saving driving.

  By the way, as described above, the wheel loader 1 according to this embodiment is used, for example, at a site where a management office (see FIG. 2) is built. A communication means 8 is installed in the management office, and a server 9 and a plurality of user terminals 10 connected to the server 9 are installed.

In this embodiment, the controller 4 is connected to the communication terminal 7 (see FIG. 3) as described above, and the wireless communication makes the server 9 each calculated value, threshold information related to each calculated value, and fuel consumption. Information, model information, etc. are transmitted. Thus, the user side can confirm from the user terminal 10 what state the driving element of the wheel loader 1 is in. Further, a threshold rewriting signal can be sent from the user side to the controller 4 to change each threshold related to the determination of the controller 4.
Thus, for example, the threshold value of the wheel loader 1 operated by an operator with high driving skill is set to a strict threshold value, and the threshold value of the wheel loader 1 driven by an unskilled operator with low driving skill is set to a loose threshold value. It is possible to perform management to make fuel-saving driving at a difficulty level suitable for the vehicle.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In the embodiment, the wheel loader is exemplified as the work machine. However, the work machine to which the present invention is applied may be a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator, a bulldozer, a motor grader, and a crane, and a dump truck. It may be a transport vehicle or the like.

  In the embodiment, the controller 4 calculates the excavation time, the cycle time, the V-shaped travel distance, the cycle average vehicle speed, the accelerator work, the hydraulic relief time, and the like as calculated values that affect fuel consumption. The calculation method may be calculated by an appropriate calculation method using an appropriate driving operation parameter, and is not limited to the calculation method of the present embodiment. Further, the calculated values calculated by the controller 4 are not limited to these calculated values.

In the embodiment, the display unit is used as the notification unit, but an audio output unit such as a speaker may be used as the notification unit. Then, the operator may be prompted to perform fuel-saving driving by outputting a guidance voice prompting the operator to improve fuel efficiency.
The informing means may notify each time it is determined that each calculated value has exceeded a predetermined threshold value, or sums the number of times each threshold value has been exceeded for each threshold value and exceeds a certain value. You may be notified when Further, an average of a plurality of calculated values may be taken and compared with a threshold value.

  The present invention can be suitably used for construction machines such as a hydraulic excavator, a bulldozer, a motor grader, and a crane.

The side view which shows the principal part of the working machine which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the operation | work of a wheel loader. The block diagram for demonstrating a controller. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a controller.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wheel loader (work machine), 5 ... Measuring means, 26 ... Display means (notification means), 41 ... Excavation time calculation means, 42 ... Cycle time calculation means, 43 ... V shape movement distance calculation main stage, 44 ... Cycle Average vehicle speed calculation means, 45 ... accelerator work rate calculation means, 46 ... hydraulic pressure relief time calculation means, 47 ... calculated value determination means, 49 ... priority order determination means, 50 ... output means.

Claims (2)

A plurality of measuring means for measuring driving operation parameters related to driving operation;
Calculating means for calculating a calculation value that affects fuel consumption using the driving operation parameters measured by the plurality of measuring means;
Calculated value determining means for determining whether or not the calculated value calculated by the calculating means exceeds a predetermined threshold;
An output means for outputting, to the notification means, guidance for urging improvement of the operation relating to the calculated value when the calculated value is determined by the calculated value determining means to exceed a predetermined threshold value. Work machine. The work machine according to claim 1,
When there are a plurality of the calculated values determined to have exceeded a predetermined threshold by the calculated value determining means, comprising priority order determining means for selecting a calculated value that most affects the deterioration of fuel consumption,
When there are a plurality of the calculated values determined to have exceeded a predetermined threshold by the calculated value determining means, the output means is identified from the calculated values that are most affected by the deterioration of fuel consumption selected by the priority determining means. A work machine that outputs guidance for promoting improvement of the operation to the notification means.

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