JP2010222108A - Vehicle for work - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a forklift capable of being favorably switched from manned operation to unmanned operation. <P>SOLUTION: The unmanned operation is started (ST04) when the following three conditions are satisfied: a manned/unmanned operation switching means is switched to the unmanned operation (ST01); unmanned information from an unmanned detecting means is obtained (ST02); and an automatic operation starting switch means is switched on (ST03). The automatic operation starting switch means is operated by an operator who descended from a step. That can prevent a risk that the unmanned operation is started when the operator is on the step. Moreover, when the operator gets on the step for some reason during the unmanned operation, one of the conditions is lost, therefore, a vehicle body is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a working vehicle capable of switching between manned driving and unmanned driving (automatic driving).

  Forklifts, which are one of working vehicles, are widely used as cargo handling machines, and manned forklifts that are driven by workers are the mainstream. On the other hand, with the widespread use of automated warehouses, automated driving unmanned forklifts were put into practical use.

Having a manned forklift and an unmanned forklift separately imposes a heavy burden on the user, and therefore development of a forklift that can be switched between manned and unmanned is desired.
In recent years, a transport vehicle that is not a forklift but can be switched between manned and unmanned has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (FIG. 5)).

  As shown in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1, if the key switch is ON, the travel changeover switch is ON, the operation preparation switch is ON, and the unmanned travel condition (ST13) is satisfied, unmanned travel is started. The unmanned driving condition is explained that the accelerator switch, the parking switch, the brake switch, the floor switch, and the battery stopper switch are all OFF.

When the technique of Patent Document 1 is applied to a forklift, the following problem occurs.
A forklift has a fork in front of an operating operator, so that the operator can visually check the posture of the transported object. When there is a concern about continuation of transportation, such as when the transported object is tilted, the operator stops traveling, descends, stands in front of the forklift, and takes measures such as correcting the posture of the transported object.

  All the conditions of ST10 to ST13 in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1 remain YES, and the operator can descend from the forklift. As a result, the forklift that has been stopped is started unattended. As a countermeasure, it is clearly stated in the work procedure manual that the parking switch is turned on. However, according to the work procedure manual, it is necessary to confirm that the parking brake is applied, descend, ride after work, and release the parking brake again, which affects workability.

  Therefore, there is a need for a forklift that can switch from a manned operation to an unmanned operation without applying a parking brake.

JP 2009-25984 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a forklift in which switching from manned operation to unmanned operation is preferably performed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a working vehicle capable of switching between a manned driving by a driver on a vehicle body and an automatic driving in an unmanned state, and a manned / unmanned switching switch means for switching between the manned driving and the unmanned driving; Unmanned detection means for detecting that the driver is not on board, and that the manned / unmanned changeover switch means is in an unmanned driving state and is detected to be unmanned by the unmanned detection means. An operation control device capable of automatic operation is provided.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that automatic driving start switch means is further provided on the vehicle body so that automatic driving can be started and stopped.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that an operation panel is provided on the vehicle body, and an automatic driving start switch means is disposed on the outer surface of the operation panel at a position invisible to the driver.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle body is provided with an operation panel, and the manned / unmanned switch means is disposed on the outer surface of the operation panel at a position invisible to the driver. Features.

In the invention according to claim 1, the unmanned operation is started when two conditions are satisfied, that is, the manned / unmanned switching means is switched to the unmanned operation and the unmanned information is obtained from the unmanned detection means.
The manned / unmanned changeover switch means is operated by an operator who has descended from the step. Therefore, there is no worry that the unmanned operation is activated when the worker is on the step.
Also, if the driver gets on the step for some reason during unmanned driving, the vehicle body is stopped because one of the conditions is missing.

In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, unmanned driving | operation is started when three conditions which add the conditions that the automatic driving | operation starting switch means was operated to the automatic driving | running side in Claim 1 are satisfy | filled.
The manned / unmanned changeover switch means and the automatic driving start switch means are operated by the driver who has descended from the step. Therefore, there is no worry that unmanned driving is activated when the driver is on the step.
Also, if the driver gets on the step for some reason during unmanned driving, the vehicle body is stopped because one of the conditions is missing.

In the invention according to claim 3, since the automatic driving start switch means is disposed at a position that can be seen from the side of the vehicle body, the driver descending from the step operates the automatic driving start switch means from the side of the vehicle body. . There is no worry of the driver turning in front of the car.
Further, since the automatic driving start switch means is arranged in a direction that is not visible to the driver on the step, there is no concern that the driver operates the automatic driving start switch means during manned driving.
And since the automatic driving | operation starting switch means is provided in the operation panel with which a vehicle body is provided, installation of an automatic driving | operation starting switch means is easy.

In the invention according to claim 4, since the manned / unmanned change-over switch means is arranged at a position where it can be seen from the side of the vehicle body, the driver who has descended from the step can use the manned / unmanned change-over switch means from the side of the vehicle body. Manipulate. There is no worry of the driver turning in front of the car.
In addition, since the manned / unmanned changeover switch means is arranged in a direction not visible to the driver on the step, there is no concern that the driver operates the manned / unmanned changeover switch means during manned driving.
Since the manned / unmanned changeover switch means is provided on the operation panel provided in the vehicle body, the manned / unmanned changeover switch means can be easily installed.

1 is a perspective view of a working vehicle according to the present invention. It is the perspective view of the working vehicle seen from the back. FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 2. It is a figure explaining the form of a panel and a manned / unmanned switch. It is a figure of an outward touch panel. It is a control block diagram of the working vehicle according to the present invention. It is a flowchart at the time of switching from manned operation to unmanned operation.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The working vehicle will be described by taking a forklift as an example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a forklift 10 as a working vehicle, a mast 12 is provided at the front portion of a box-shaped vehicle body 11, and a fork 13 is provided on the mast 12 so as to be movable up and down. Posts 14 and 14 are extended upward from the section, a roof plate 15 is passed over the posts 14 and 14, and an operation panel 16 is attached in the middle of one post 14, and an outer surface of the operation panel 16. An operation panel 18 is fitted into the member 17.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control box 21 that houses the operation control device is provided under the roof plate 15.
In addition, the operation panel 16 can only see the back surface 24 but not the outer surface (reference numeral 17 in FIG. 1).

  The box-shaped vehicle body 11 is provided with a driver recess 25 that opens rearward, and a step 22 and a pedal 26 are provided at the bottom of the driver recess 25 so as to surround the driver recess 25. A steering handle 27 and operation levers 28 to 31 are provided on the upper surface of the vehicle body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the step 22 includes a rectangular striped steel plate 33 having a notch 32 for accommodating the pedal 26, hinges 34 and 34 that hold the left side of the rectangular striped steel plate 33 to the vehicle body 11, and a rectangular striped steel plate 33. Is a floating floor that rises when unattended and descends when manned.

Note that the floating floor may extend a plurality of guides vertically from the vehicle body 11 and move the rectangular striped steel plate 33 up and down along these guides. In this case, the rectangular striped steel plate 33 moves up and down while maintaining a horizontal state. However, the structure is complicated because a guide is essential.
In this regard, in the present embodiment, the rectangular striped steel plate 33 is inclined, but since it is horizontal when manned, there is no problem, no guide is required, and the structure is simplified.

An unmanned detection means 37 represented by a limit switch is provided between the springs 35 and 35.
The pedal 26 can be stepped on with the left foot indicated by an imaginary line. When the pedal 26 is stepped on, one of the manned running conditions is satisfied, and when released, the vehicle is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the operation panel 16 is provided with an operation panel 18 and a manned / unmanned changeover switch means 23 on the outer surface 17. The outer surface 17 is arranged in a direction that is not visible to the driver on the step, and can be operated only from the side of the vehicle.
The manned / unmanned changeover switch means 23 is a rotary changeover switch as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. That is, by turning the handle 38, the arrowhead 39 can be faced either manned or unmanned.

  When the manned / unmanned switch means 23 is a knob type switch, it is desirable to provide a switch housing recess 19 in the operation panel 16 and house the manned / unmanned switch means 23 in the switch housing recess 19. If the knob 38 protrudes from the outer surface 17, there is a concern that an object may touch and break. In this respect, damage can be prevented by storing the switch in the recess 19.

  The manned / unmanned switch means 23 may be any of an illumination switch, a seesaw switch, and a knife switch. However, since the rotary changeover switch of the present embodiment is large, it is more preferable because it can be easily observed whether it is selected between manned and unmanned and is inexpensive.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel 18 is a touch panel, for example, and an automatic operation start key 41 as an automatic operation start switch means is provided on the touch panel. The automatic operation start key 41 is illuminated by a touch and is extinguished by the next touch. Automatic operation is started by illumination, and automatic operation is stopped by extinction. The automatic operation start switch means may be a push button switch or a push button illumination switch in addition to the touch key.

An example of a control block configuration diagram of the forklift having the above configuration will be described with reference to the following diagram. Since this is an example, it may be changed as appropriate or replaced with another control block.
As shown in FIG. 6, the operation control device 42 accommodated in the control box (FIG. 2, reference numeral 21) includes a first sensor 43 that detects an operation angle of the vehicle speed operation lever 28 and a signal from the first sensor 43. A first switching unit 45 that switches whether or not to transmit to the main control unit 44, a second sensor 46 that detects an operation angle of the fork forward operation lever 29, and a signal from the second sensor 46 is transmitted to the main control unit 44. A second switching unit 47 that switches whether or not to perform, a third sensor 48 that detects an operation angle of the fork tilting operation lever 30, and whether to transmit a signal of the third sensor 48 to the main control unit 44. A third switching unit 49, a fourth sensor 51 that detects the operating angle of the fork elevating operation lever 31, and a fourth switching unit 52 that switches whether or not to transmit a signal of the fourth sensor 51 to the main control unit 44. , Steering han The fifth sensor 53 for detecting the operation angle of the control unit 27, the fifth switching unit 54 for determining whether or not to transmit the signal of the fifth sensor 53 to the main control unit 44, and that the pedal 26 is depressed. A signal from the sixth switching unit 56 that determines whether or not to transmit a signal from the sixth sensor 55 to be detected to the main control unit 44 and a signal from the unmanned detection means 37 that detects that no worker is on the step 22. A seventh switching unit 58 that determines whether or not to transmit to the main control unit 44, and an actuator control that controls the steering actuator, the traveling motor, the fork lifting / lowering actuator, the fork forward actuator, and the fork tilting actuator according to a command from the main control unit Part 59.

  FIG. 6 shows a manned operation state, and the first to seventh switching units 45, 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, and 58 have the a contact selected. When the driver operates the operation levers 28 to 31 and the steering handle 27, the operation amount is converted into an electric amount and sent to the main control unit 44. Therefore, the main control unit 44 executes a manned operation according to the operation amount.

Next, a procedure for switching from manned operation to unmanned operation will be described.
The driver switches the manned / unmanned switch means 23 to unmanned. Based on this switching information, the operation unit 61 of the switching unit switches the first to seventh switching units 45, 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, and 58 at a time, and the b contact is selected.
If the driver is not on step 22 with the seventh switching unit 58 switched, the unmanned detection means 37 sends unmanned information to the main control unit.
Then, when the automatic operation start key 41 is pressed, the automatic control unit 62 sends an operation amount instead of the operation levers 28 to 31 and the steering handle 27 to the main control unit 44, and unmanned operation is started.

The operation of the operation control device 42 will be described in time series based on the flowchart.
As shown in the flow of FIG. 7, the manned / unmanned switch means is switched to unmanned operation (ST01), unattended information is obtained from the unmanned detection means (ST02), and the automatic operation start switch means is turned on (ST03). ), When the three conditions are satisfied, the unmanned operation is started (ST04).

If the manned operation is selected by the manned / unmanned changeover switch means of ST01, the answer is NO and the manned operation is performed.
If the driver gets on the step during unmanned driving, ST02 is negative and the driving is stopped.
When the automatic operation start switch is turned OFF, ST03 becomes negative and the operation is stopped.

It should be noted that the manned / unmanned changeover switch means in ST01 and the automatic driving start switch (automatic driving start key) in ST03 are operated by the driver who has descended from the step. Therefore, there is no worry that unmanned driving is activated when the driver is on the step.
That is, since the driver's artificial switch operation that has descended from the step is included in the unmanned driving condition, switching from the manned driving to the unmanned driving is carefully performed.
As a result, it is possible to switch from manned operation to unmanned operation without applying the parking brake, and the complexity of the driving operation can be reduced.

  The working vehicle may be of any type as long as it can be used for work other than a forklift.

  The present invention is suitable for a forklift capable of switching between manned / unmanned operation.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Work vehicle (forklift), 11 ... Vehicle body, 13 ... Fork, 16 ... Operation panel, 22 ... Step, 23 ... Manned / unmanned changeover switch means, 37 ... Unmanned detection means, 41 ... Automatic driving start switch means (automatic Operation start key).

Claims (4)

In a working vehicle that can be switched between manned driving by a driver on the vehicle body and automatic driving in an unmanned state, manned / unmanned switching switch means for switching between the manned driving and the unmanned driving, and the driver is not on board Unmanned detection means for detecting an unmanned operation, and the manned / unmanned switch means is in an unmanned operation state, and the unmanned detection means detects that the unmanned operation enables automatic operation. A working vehicle comprising a device.   2. The working vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body is further provided with an automatic driving start switch means so that automatic driving can be started and stopped.   3. The automatic driving start switch means is provided at a position where the vehicle body is provided with an operation panel, and is not visible to the driver on an outer surface of the operation panel. Work vehicle.   2. The vehicle body is provided with an operation panel, and the manned / unmanned change-over switch means is disposed on a surface outside the operation panel at a position invisible to the driver. Working vehicle.

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