JP3785954B2 - Anti-theft system for construction machinery - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an anti- theft system suitable for preventing theft of construction machines in remote locations.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Since crawler excavators have a small action radius, they are often left at work sites during construction of plants and the like. And if this type of construction machine is a rental / lease machine, the owner is not resident at the site and management is insufficient, and theft often occurs.
[0003]
Conventionally, the anti-theft device has been installed in construction machines. For example, when the engine start key is inserted, the identification code on the engine start key side is transmitted wirelessly to the anti-theft device side, and both identification codes are sent. The engine can be started only when the collated result matches, or the engine is started by operating the numeric keypad of the anti-theft device provided in the cabin and entering a preset password. What you can do is known.
[0004]
The former has a problem that the anti-theft device will not work if the battery is directly connected to the starter motor of the engine, and the latter has the possibility that the anti-theft will not function due to the leak of the password. Therefore, a system has been studied in which an engine start and stop instruction is transmitted from the outside so as to prevent theft so that the construction machine cannot be moved even when operated on the construction machine side.
[0005]
For example, when operating a construction machine, first, the driver contacts the management center that has previously managed the construction machine and requests that an engine start command be transmitted. Upon receiving this request, the management center transmits the ID information of the construction machine to be started and the engine start command to the construction machine. On the construction machine side, the received ID information is checked against its own ID information. If they match, the engine start command is taken in and the engine is started.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the management center is managing thousands of construction machines centrally, if the engine start requests are concentrated in a specific time zone (for example, around 8:00 am, the work start time), each construction from the management center The process of transmitting the engine start command to the machine becomes extremely complicated, and as a result, there arises a problem that a waiting time is generated at the site.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the conventional antitheft system using the above communication, and can remotely control the antitheft of a large number of construction machines without requiring complicated transmission processing. It is intended to provide a construction machine anti-theft system .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to an anti-theft system comprising a plurality of construction machines and a management center for managing these construction machines. The management center includes information on the time to stop the engine and information on the time to release the engine stop. Transmission means for transmitting the time information to a plurality of construction machines together with the machine number information for identifying the construction machine to be managed is provided as at least one of the time information. The machine number information corresponding to the construction machine is stored, the time information and the machine number information transmitted from the transmission means are received, the received machine number information is compared with the stored machine number information, and both Receiving means for fetching the time information only when the two coincide with each other, a storage means for storing the time information fetched by the receiving means, and a clock means for counting the current time When the current time is summarized in that provided an engine operation control means for releasing the engine is stopped or the engine is stopped, when the agreement with the time stored in the storage means.
[0009]
In this antitheft system, when a day of the week or a date is specified as the time information, the time information transmission means transmits the specified day of the week or date as time information to a construction machine, and the engine operation control means The engine can be stopped all day when the current day of the week or date obtained from the clock means coincides with the day of the week or date of the time information stored in the storage means.
[0010]
Further, the storage means when a new time information captured by said receiving means is preferably configured to update the time information stored previously in the newly captured time information.
[0011]
Note that the time information in the present invention is information indicating a point in time, and can be specified at least by hour and minute, and includes information specified by date and time. Specific examples of the management center include construction machine manufacturers, rental companies that rent construction machines, and the like.
[0012]
According to the anti-theft system of the present invention , the management center only transmits time information including stop time information and / or stop release time information, and machine number information for identifying the construction machine to be managed. Thus, only when the receiving means mounted on the construction machine receives the time information and machine number information and the machine number information matches the machine number information stored in advance, the time information is taken in and taken in. Based on the time information, the engine operation control means controls the engine. Specifically, the engine is stopped when the current time matches the received stop time, and the engine stop is released when the current time matches the stop release time.
[0013]
For example, if a day of the week (or date) is specified from a computer owned by a user of the construction machine, the engine of the construction machine can be stopped all day for the specified day of the week (or date).
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0015]
1 to 5 show a first embodiment of an anti-theft system according to the present invention.
[0016]
In the figure, the anti-theft system includes a large number of construction machines 1 a, 1 b, 1 c (generally called construction machines 1) such as a hydraulic excavator, a construction satellite 1 via a communication satellite 2 and a base station 3. And a management center 4 that communicates with each other. Computers 6a, 6b, and 6c used by a user of the construction machine 1 are connected to the management center 4 via, for example, the Internet.
[0017]
The user adds time information of at least one of engine forced stop time information (date and time information) and engine stop release time information (date and time information) to machine number information for identifying a construction machine based on a work plan. , Send to the management center 4 by e-mail in advance
[0018]
The management center 4 that has received the e-mail confirms that it is a subscriber of the anti-theft system by the password entered by the user when connecting to the Internet, and further transmits the transmitted machine number information and time information to the transmitting device (transmitting) Means) Transmit to base station 3 via 4a.
[0019]
The machine number information and time information transmitted via the base station 3 and the communication satellite 2 are received by the construction machine 1.
[0020]
The construction machine 1 includes a receiving device (receiving means) 7 that receives information through the satellite 2 and a controller 5 that includes a microcomputer that controls the engine based on the received information. The controller 5 and the receiving device 7 function as a control device.
[0021]
The receiving device 7 includes a receiving unit 7a, a CPU 7b that performs predetermined calculation and control processing, and a ROM 7c that stores machine number information. The CPU 7b stores the machine number information transmitted from the satellite 2 in the ROM 7c. The time information is fetched and given to the controller 5 when they match with the machine number information.
[0022]
On the other hand, the controller 5 stores a storage unit (storage means) 5a for storing time information given from the receiving device 7, a clock (clock means) 5b for outputting the current time and day of the week (or time and date), and storage. Engine control unit (engine operation control means) for outputting a command for engine control by comparing time information (including time information set by a timer) stored in unit 5a with current time counted by clock 5b ) 5c.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows a circuit controlled by the engine control unit 5c. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a key switch for switching a connection pattern among terminals A, B, and C. The terminal A is connected to a battery 12 via a fuse 11.
[0024]
The engine control unit 5c controls the electromagnetic relay 13, and includes an electromagnetic coil 13a, a first contact 13b that closes when the electromagnetic coil 13a is excited, and a second contact 13c that opens when the electromagnetic coil 13a is excited. ing.
[0025]
The input side of the first contact 13 b is connected to the terminal C of the key switch 10, and the output side is connected to the electromagnetic coil 14 a of the engine starter relay 14. When the electromagnetic coil 14a is excited, the contact 14b is closed and the engine starter motor 15 can be started.
[0026]
On the other hand, the second contact 13c of the electromagnetic relay 13 is connected in parallel with the electromagnetic coil 13a, the input side is connected to the contact B, and the engine stop solenoid 16 is connected to the output side. The engine stop solenoid 16 is excited when the second contact 13c is closed, and cuts fuel by pulling a rod (not shown), thereby forcibly stopping the engine.
[0027]
Next, the control operation of the antitheft system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0028]
First, remote control based on time information will be described.
[0029]
When the computer 6a owned by the user of the construction machine is connected to the Internet and the management center 4 is called, the main screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the screen of the computer 6a.
[0030]
The main screen S displays a list of construction machines owned by the user. This list display includes data such as model, machine number, arrangement date, hour meter, status, and lending destination.
[0031]
When one of the construction machines displayed in a list is highlighted and selected, and the contents to be executed from the menu M prepared on the left side of the screen, in this embodiment, “forced stop / release” M ₁ is opened, The setting screen shown in FIG. 5 appears.
[0032]
In the setting screen area a, the current setting status regarding the construction machine having the machine number “AA-00005” is displayed. In the area b, a password input field b ₁ and various setting buttons b _{2 to} b ₄ are prepared. The area c displays the contents after the setting, and the area d is provided with input fields d ₁ and d ₂ for inputting the date and time.
[0033]
Clicking each ▼ mark in the forced stop time entry field d _{1 in} the above area d displays a list of “days”, “hours”, and “minutes” as numerical values. The appropriate number can be selected. Similarly, stop release time input field d _2, is possible to select the number that corresponds to the desired time the engine stop release from within each ▼ Click the mark was listed "day""time""minute" Yes (step S1).
[0034]
In this manner, the engine forced stop time A ₁ day A ₂ hours A ₃ minutes and the engine stop release time B ₁ day B ₂ hours B ₃ minutes are respectively entered in the input fields d ₁ and d ₂ , and then in the area b. When a password is entered in the password entry field b ₁ and then the update button b ₅ is pressed, the selected content is confirmed and transmitted to the management center 4 (step S2).
[0035]
When the management center 4 authenticates the password and confirms that the user is permitted to perform remote operation, the machine number information of the construction machine to be set and the set time information (engine forced stop time A ₁ day A ₂ Time A ₃ minutes and engine stop release time B ₁ day B ₂ hours B ₃ minutes) are transmitted to the construction machine 1 through the transmission device 4a, the base station 3, and the communication satellite 2 (step S3).
[0036]
The transmitted machine number information and time information are received by the receiving device 7 of the construction machine 1 (step S4).
[0037]
The CPU 7b of the receiving device 7 compares the received machine number information with the machine number information stored in the ROM 7c. If they match, the engine forced stop time A ₁ day A ₂ hours A ₃ minutes and the engine stop release time B ₁ The day B ₂ : B ₃ minutes are taken in and given to the controller 5.
[0038]
The controller 5 stores the taken engine forced stop time A ₁ day A ₂ o'clock A ₃ minute and engine stop release time B ₁ day B ₂ o'clock B ₃ minute in the storage unit 5a (step S5).
[0039]
However, when the engine forced stop time and the engine stop release time are already stored in the storage unit 5a, these dates and times are updated. Hereinafter, the engine forced stop time and the engine stop release time stored in the storage unit 5a are referred to as a set time.
[0040]
Next, the engine control unit 5c compares the current time obtained from the clock 5b with the set time, and determines whether or not the current time matches the engine forced stop time A ₁ day A ₂ hours A ₃ minutes. (Step S6).
[0041]
If YES in step S4, excitation of the electromagnetic coil 13a of the electromagnetic relay 13 is released, the second contact 13c is closed, and the engine stop solenoid 16 is excited to stop the engine (step S7).
[0042]
If NO in step S4, excitation of the electromagnetic coil 13a is held until the engine compulsory stop time A ₁ day A ₂ o'clock A ₃ coincides. That is, the second contact 13c is opened and the engine stop solenoid 16 does not operate, so that the engine can be continuously operated.
[0043]
Even in a state where the engine is stopped in step S7, the engine control unit 5c compares the current time with the set time, and if the current time matches the engine stop cancellation time B ₁ day B ₂ hours B ₃ minutes. (Step S8) By exciting the electromagnetic coil 13a and opening the second contact 13c, the engine stop solenoid 16 is deactivated and the engine stop is released (Step S9).
[0044]
If NO in step S6, the engine stop is continued until the engine stop cancellation time B ₁ day B ₂ B ₃ coincides.
[0045]
Therefore, for example, if the engine stop time is sent to the construction machine 1 at 17:30 a day and the engine stop release time is 08:00 a day, the period from 5:30 pm to 8 am the following day Can no longer start the engine of construction machinery and can remotely control theft prevention.
[0046]
That is, designated respectively forced engine stop time stop release time, when the user presses the timer setting button b ₄ is able to stop the engine for the specified period. When this timer setting is transmitted, priority is given to the contents of the timer setting even when the construction machine is in the forced engine stop or the engine stop is being released.
[0047]
In the above embodiment, both the engine forced stop time and the engine stop release time are transmitted to the construction machine to stop the engine for a specific period. Of course, either time information may be transmitted independently. .
[0048]
Thus, according to the anti-theft system described above, since the management center does not need to transmit a control command for controlling the engine of the construction machine in real time, transmission of the engine forced stop time and / or engine stop release time is There is an advantage that it can be performed at any time.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, when the engine is stopped all day, the timer is set by inputting the engine forced stop time and the engine stop release time, respectively, but if there are a large number of construction machines to be remotely operated, Becomes complicated.
[0050]
Therefore, in the second embodiment described below, a control method capable of stopping the engine all day with a simpler operation will be described.
[0051]
In the second embodiment, the configurations of the management center 4 and the construction machine 1 are basically the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0052]
In the second embodiment, one of the construction machines displayed in a list as shown in FIG. 4 is highlighted and selected, and “forced stop / release” is selected from the menu M prepared on the left side of the screen. When “M ₁ ” is opened, the setting screen shown in FIG. 6 appears.
[0053]
This setting screen is different from the setting screen shown in FIG. 5 in that a check box d ₄ for designating a day of the week is provided.
[0054]
The results in this check box d ₃ of example Saturday and the day engine stop set for days that the check mark is entered Checking Sunday has been made. Next, when a password is input into the password input field b ₁ of the area b and the update button b ₅ of the area b is pressed, the setting for stopping the engine all day on Saturday and Sunday is confirmed and transmitted to the management center 4.
[0055]
The management center 4 transmits the day information and the machine number information to the construction machine.
[0056]
The construction machine that has received the day information and the machine number information collates the machine number information, and then stores the day information in the storage unit 5a.
[0057]
Next, it is determined whether or not the current day of the week obtained from the clock 5b having the calendar mechanism matches the stored day of the week, and if so, the engine stop solenoid 16 is energized and held until the day of the week changes. Specifically, the engine is stopped until Monday comes.
[0058]
Note that the settings for forced engine stop and engine stop cancellation described in the first embodiment are valid for the day of the week when engine stop all day is not specified.
[0059]
The area d is provided with a check box for designating the day of the week. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the date may be designated by displaying a calendar. As a display form, for example, if the date for one week is first displayed and the other dates are scroll-displayed in units of one week, the screen layout can be simplified.
[0060]
Further, when the engine forced stop time and the engine stop release time are not set, the symbol “-” is designated in each of the input windows d ₁ ′ and d ₂ ′. In addition, if the user presses down the clear button d _4, it is possible to undo the changes.
[0061]
In this embodiment, the transmission is transmitted from the management center to the construction machine via the base station and the communication satellite. However, if the management center has a base station function, the base station is eliminated and only the communication satellite is used. It can also be sent.
[0062]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the stop time information and the stop release time information are transmitted to the construction machine through the satellite. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the stop time information and the stop release time information can be transmitted through the public communication network.
[0063]
Moreover, although the construction machine in this invention demonstrated taking the hydraulic excavator as an example in the said embodiment, it can apply not only to this but construction machines, such as a crane, an excavation apparatus, and a conveyance vehicle.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention according to claim 1 of the present application , the management center only transmits the stop time information and / or the stop release time information together with the machine number information to the construction machine. The time information and the machine number information are received by the mounted receiving means, and the time information is fetched only when the machine number information matches the machine number information stored in advance. Based on the fetched time information The engine operation control means controls the engine. Specifically, the engine operation control means stops the engine when the current time coincides with the received stop time, and releases the engine stop when coincident with the stop release time.
[0065]
Further, according to the invention of claim 2, for example, if a day of the week (or date) is specified from a computer owned by a user of the construction machine, the engine of the construction machine can be stopped all day for the specified day of the week (or date). become able to.
[0066]
Moreover, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the driving | operation possible period of a construction machine can be arbitrarily set according to the working state of a field.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an anti-theft system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram controlled by a controller 5 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control operation of the antitheft system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an access screen from a computer connected to the management center.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen for inputting the date and time of forced engine stop and engine stop cancellation.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a setting screen for inputting a day of the week for stopping the engine all day.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Construction Machinery 2 Communication Satellite 3 Base Station 4 Management Center
4a Transmission device (transmission means)
5 controller 5a storage unit 5b clock 5c engine control unit 6a, 6b, 6c computer used by user 7 receiving device 7a receiving unit 7b CPU
7c ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Key switch 11 Fuse 12 Battery 13 Electromagnetic relay 13a Electromagnetic coil 13b First contact 13c Second contact 14 Engine starter relay 15 Engine starter motor 16 Engine stop solenoid

Claims (3)

In a theft prevention system comprising a plurality of construction machines and a management center for managing these construction machines,
  The management center includes at least one of the time information for stopping the engine and the time information for releasing the engine stop as time information, together with the machine number information for identifying the construction machine to be managed. Provide transmission means for transmitting to a plurality of construction machines,
  Each construction machine stores machine number information corresponding to the construction machine, receives time information and machine number information transmitted from the transmission means, and stores the received machine number information. The receiving means for checking the time information and fetching the time information only when both match, the storage means for storing the time information taken in by the receiving means, the clock means for measuring the current time, and the current time An antitheft system comprising engine operation control means for stopping the engine or releasing the engine stop when the time coincides with the time stored in the storage means. When a day of the week or date is specified as the time information, the transmission means transmits the specified day of the week or date as time information to each construction machine, and the engine operation control means is obtained from the clock means. 2. The antitheft system for construction machinery according to claim 1 , wherein the engine is stopped all day when the current day of the week or date coincides with the day of the week or date of the time information stored in the storage means . The storage means is configured to update the previously stored time information to the newly taken time information when new time information is taken in by the receiving means. The described anti-theft system.

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