JP7095950B2 - Control device for agricultural work machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device for an agricultural work machine that controls an agricultural work machine connected to a traveling vehicle.

Conventionally, regarding the control device for agricultural work machines that controls agricultural work machines (broad casters, etc.) connected to traveling vehicles (tractors, etc.), it is dedicated so that the functions of various agricultural work machines according to the type and scale of agricultural work can be fully exhibited. A control device for agricultural work machines was produced, and the control device for agricultural work machines was installed on the side of the traveling vehicle, and the driver performed operations such as controlling the agricultural work machine according to the operation of the traveling vehicle (for example, patent). See Document 1).

In addition, many types of agricultural work machines are manufactured according to the type and scale of agricultural work, and many types of control devices for agricultural work machines that control the agricultural work machines are also provided according to each type of agricultural work machine.
For example, the control device for an agricultural work machine described in Patent Document 2 has a common portion having only a common control means consisting of elements common to a plurality of control means for controlling a plurality of agricultural work machines, and a unique portion of the agricultural work machine. A farm work machine and a control device for a farm work machine corresponding to the farm work machine, which is provided with an individual part having only a farm work machine specific control means for controlling the control target of the farm work machine and a connection part connecting the individual part and the common part. (For example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-130983 JP-A-2015-43763

However, it is desired to further reduce the device cost of the control device for agricultural work machines including the common part.

Further, conventionally, when updating the control program of the individual part of the control device for agricultural work machines, for example, a complicated operation of connecting a personal computer or the like to the individual part and rewriting the control program stored in the storage unit is performed. I was going.
Therefore, there is a demand for a control device for agricultural work machines that can easily update the control program of the individual part.

Further, it is desired that the work data related to the farm work performed by the farm work machine connected to the traveling vehicle is output to an external computer such as a home or a company with a simple configuration, and the work data is managed by the computer. ..

The present invention is an example of a problem to deal with such a problem. That is, it is possible to provide a control device for an agricultural work machine that can reduce the equipment cost by combining the agricultural work machine and the control device for the agricultural work machine corresponding to the agricultural work machine, and the control program of the individual part can be easily updated. The purpose is to provide a control device for agricultural work machines, and to provide a control device for agricultural work machines that can easily manage work data by an agricultural work machine with an external computer.

In order to achieve such an object, the control device for agricultural work machines according to the present invention has at least the following configurations.
A control device for an agricultural work machine that connects any of a plurality of agricultural work machines to a traveling vehicle and controls the agricultural work machine connected to the traveling vehicle.
The traveling vehicle has a common control means including elements common to the plurality of control means for controlling each of the plurality of agricultural work machines, a display unit for displaying display information about the agricultural work machine, and a first communication unit. The common part that was placed and
A farm work machine-specific control means for controlling a unique control target of the farm work machine connected to the traveling vehicle , and an individual unit arranged on the traveling vehicle having a second communication unit.
It is provided with an operation unit provided in the individual unit and having a unique operation element for operating the agricultural work machine.
The first communication unit of the common unit and the second communication unit of the individual unit are configured to be able to communicate signals via a wired or wireless communication path.
The individual unit communicates a signal with a work machine side controller provided in the agricultural work machine to control the agricultural work machine via a signal line connected to the agricultural work machine connector portion provided in the individual unit. At the same time, it is characterized by having a communication unit for a work machine that communicates with the farm work machine specific control means .

The control device for an agricultural work machine of the present invention can reduce the device cost of the agricultural work machine and the control device for the agricultural work machine corresponding to the agricultural work machine.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control device for agricultural work machines that can easily update the control program of the individual unit.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control device for an agricultural work machine capable of easily managing work data by the agricultural work machine by an external computer with a simple configuration.

The block diagram which shows an example of the agricultural machine system which adopted the control device (traveling vehicle side controller) for the agricultural work machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. A diagram showing an example of a connection form between a controller for an agricultural work machine (a controller on the traveling vehicle side) and a controller on the work machine side of the agricultural work machine. In the case of an agricultural work machine provided with, (c) is a figure showing the case of an agricultural work machine provided with a sensor, a motor, an electromagnetic valve, and a plurality of work machine side controllers. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the common part and the individual part of the control device for agricultural work machine (the controller on the traveling vehicle side). A block diagram showing an example of a common part and an individual part of a control device for an agricultural work machine (a controller on a traveling vehicle side).

The control device for an agricultural work machine according to an embodiment of the present invention connects any of a plurality of agricultural work machines to a traveling vehicle and controls the agricultural work machine connected to the traveling vehicle. As will be described later, the control device for agricultural work machines has a common part and an individual part that can communicate with each other, and by providing the individual part with a connector part for agricultural work machines and a communication part for work machines, the common part can be made versatile. It is possible to reduce the equipment cost by configuring it with expensive hardware (general-purpose display unit, etc.). Further, when a smartphone or a tablet terminal is adopted as a common part, the functions possessed by the smartphone or tablet terminal can be easily used as the function of the control device for agricultural work machines.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the contents shown in the illustration. In the following description of each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the parts already described, and the duplicate description is partially omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an agricultural machinery system that employs an agricultural work machine control device (traveling vehicle side controller 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A plurality of work machines (agricultural work machines), in the present embodiment, any of three work machines (agricultural work machines) 3a, 3b, 3c are connected to the traveling vehicle 1 via a coupler 2, and an agricultural machine system is formed. It is configured. Agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, 3c are provided with mechanisms (broad casters, etc. (not shown)) for realizing the functions (fertilization, sowing, etc.) of the respective agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, 3c. By controlling the operation of the mechanism provided in the agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, 3c by the work machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c corresponding to the agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, 3c, the respective agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, Control of the function of 3c (vehicle speed interlocking control, etc.) is realized.

The traveling vehicle 1 is provided with a traveling vehicle side controller 100 as a control device for the agricultural work machine for the driver of the traveling vehicle 1 to operate the functions of the agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, 3c. The traveling vehicle side controller 100 is connected to any of the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c of the agricultural working machine 3a, 3b, 3c via a signal harness, and the working machine side controller 4a corresponds to the operation of the driver. , 4b, 4c are exchanged with information necessary for controlling, and the power supply necessary for operation is supplied to the work machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c.

In this way, the traveling vehicle side controller 100 controls the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c in response to the driver's operation, and the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c receive from the traveling vehicle side controller 100. Since the operation of the mechanism provided in the agricultural work machine 3a, 3b, 3c is controlled based on the control signal, the agricultural work machine 3a, 3b, 3c operates according to the operation content of the driver.

For transmission and reception of signals between the traveling vehicle side controller 100 and the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c, a communication method based on a specified communication standard such as CAN (Control Area Network) communication is used. In the case of CAN communication, the signal harness includes two signal lines of the CAN bus for CAN communication. Further, the signal harness directly receives the power lines (two) for supplying power from the traveling vehicle side controller 100 to the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c and the power supply taken from the in-vehicle battery (not shown) on the working machine side. It also includes power lines (two) for supplying to the controllers 4a, 4b, and 4c. This signal harness is configured by bundling at least 6 signal lines.

When the farm work machine 3a is connected via the coupler 2, the traveling vehicle side controller 100 transfers information necessary for controlling the work machine side controller 4a of the farm work machine 3a to the work machine side controller 4a. It has a function of transmitting and receiving and controlling the work machine side controller 4a, and when the farm work machine 3b is connected via the coupler 2, the information necessary for controlling the work machine side controller 4b of the farm work machine 3b can be obtained. It has a function of transmitting and receiving to and from the work machine side controller 4b and controlling the work machine side controller 4b, and when the agricultural work machine 3c is connected via the coupler 2, the work machine side controller 4c of the agricultural work machine 3c It has a function of transmitting and receiving information necessary for controlling the work machine side controller 4c to and from the work machine side controller 4c and controlling the work machine side controller 4c. That is, the configuration content of the traveling vehicle side controller 100 is changed according to the type of the working machine (3a, 3b, 3c) connected via the coupler 2.

Next, the configuration of the traveling vehicle side controller 100 and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a connection form between a controller for an agricultural work machine (running vehicle side controller (CTR)) and a controller on the work machine side of the agricultural work machine. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows a farm work machine equipped with a sensor and a motor, FIG. 2B shows a farm work machine equipped with a sensor and an electromagnetic valve, and FIG. 2C shows a sensor, a motor and an electromagnetic valve. It is a figure which shows the case of the agricultural work machine which includes a plurality of work machine side controllers.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a common portion 110 and an individual portion 111 of a control device for agricultural work machines (traveling vehicle side controller 100). FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a common portion 110 and an individual portion 111 of a control device for agricultural work machines (traveling vehicle side controller 100).

In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the work equipment side controller 4a receives sensor signals output from the two sensors and controls the operation of the two motors to control the operation of the first mechanism (not shown). ) Is controlled.
In the example shown in FIG. 2B, the work equipment side controller 4b receives the sensor signal output from one sensor and controls the operation of the solenoid valve having four valves to control the operation of the second valve. Controls the operation of the mechanism (not shown).
In the example shown in FIG. 2 (c), the working machine side controller 4c is composed of two working machine side controllers 4ca and 4cc, and one working machine side controller 4ca is two like the working machine side controller 4a. By receiving the sensor signal output from the sensor and controlling the operation of the two motors, the operation of the first mechanism is controlled, and the other working machine side controller 4cb is the same as the working machine side controller 4b. The operation of the second mechanism is controlled by receiving the sensor signal output from one sensor and controlling the operation of the electromagnetic valve having four valves.

As described above, when the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c provided in the agricultural working machines 3a, 3b, 3c are composed of a single unit for controlling the operation of a specific mechanism (when the working machine has a single function). ) And when multiple units that control the operation of two or more mechanisms are combined (when the work machine has multiple functions, or when the control system of the work machine is divided into multiple blocks, each block. When a control unit is provided in). In either case, communication such as control information between the traveling vehicle side controller 100 and the working machine side controller is realized by using a specified communication method such as CAN communication corresponding to the multi-host.
Here, the level of the signal on the CAN bus is recognized as a differential level, and by connecting a signal line from each of the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c to the CAN bus, CAN communication via the CAN bus is performed. be able to. The connection mode to the CAN bus is the same for the traveling vehicle side controller 100.
When the controller on the work equipment side consists of a plurality of units, the power line for supplying power from the controller 100 on the traveling vehicle side is branched on the work equipment side and connected to each unit to connect each unit. It is good to supply power to.

The traveling vehicle side controller 100 as a control device for an agricultural work machine includes a common portion 110 commonly corresponding to the connected work machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c, and the connected work machine side controllers 4a, 4b, It is composed of individual parts 111, 112, 113 corresponding to each of 4c individually.

A connector CA that can be connected to any of the individual portions 111, 112, 113 of the traveling vehicle side controller 100 is provided at one end of the signal harness HH, and the other end of the signal harness HH is provided with a connector CA. A connector CB that can be connected to any one of the work equipment side controllers 4a, 4b, and 4c is provided.

The common portion 110 and the individual portion 111 of the traveling vehicle side controller 100 as the control device for the agricultural work machine are configured by separate housings (see FIG. 3). The common unit 110 and the individual unit 111 are configured to be communicable by a wireless or wired communication path. The individual portion 111 may be provided with a support portion that detachably supports the common portion 110.

The common unit 110 has, for example, a display unit 74, a touch panel 753 as an input unit, a power switch 751, an operation switch 752, and the like, and is commonly used when operating and controlling the work machine side controllers 4a, 4b, and 4c. The common unit 110 is mainly provided with these common device elements.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the common unit 110 is composed of highly versatile hardware (general-purpose device). As an embodiment of the common unit 110, for example, a portable general-purpose terminal device (portable communication terminal device) with a communication function such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal can be adopted.

In the present embodiment, the common unit 110 includes a CPU 71 as a control unit, a communication unit 72, a storage unit 73, a display unit 74, an input unit 75, a voice input unit 761, a voice output unit 762, and a GPS device as a position information acquisition unit. It has 77, an orientation sensor 78, an acceleration sensor 79, and the like. Each component of the common part is electrically connected to the CPU 71.

The communication unit 72 is configured to be able to communicate with the communication unit of the individual unit 111 via a wireless or wired communication path under the control of the CPU 71. Further, the communication unit 72 is configured to be able to communicate with an external computer via a communication network (not shown) under the control of the CPU 71. The communication unit 72 communicates by various wireless communication methods such as short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN (IEEE802.11 standard, etc.), mobile phone network, data communication network, etc. as wireless communication. Is configured to do.

The storage unit 73 has a memory 731, a storage 732, and the like. The storage unit 73 stores a control application (control program) and the like. Further, the storage unit 73 is configured to be able to store update data related to the control program of the individual unit 111. The CPU 71 may download the update data from an external computer by the communication unit 72 via the communication network and store it in the storage unit 73. Further, when a portable storage medium is detachably provided as the storage 732, the update data can be stored in the storage unit 73 by attaching the portable storage medium for storing the update data to the storage unit 73. good.

The display unit 74 displays display information related to the agricultural work machine under the control of the CPU 71. In detail, the display unit 74 displays the display information about the agricultural work machine received from the individual unit 111 via the communication unit 72.

The input unit 75 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation of the operator to the CPU 71. Specifically, the input unit 75 includes a power switch 751, an operation switch 752, a touch panel 753, and the like related to the common unit 110.

The voice input unit 761 is composed of a microphone, an amplifier circuit, an AD conversion circuit, and the like, and outputs a voice signal to the CPU 71.
The voice output unit 762 is composed of a speaker, an amplifier circuit, and the like, and outputs a beep sound, a warning sound, a notification sound, a voice, and the like under the control of the CPU 71.

The GPS device 77 (GPS) as the position information acquisition unit acquires the position information of the common unit 110 based on the signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and outputs the position information to the CPU 71. The position information acquisition unit may acquire position information based on a signal other than a GPS signal (position information of a radio base station, etc.).

The orientation sensor 78 has, for example, a two-axis or three-axis geomagnetic sensor, acquires the orientation in which the sensor is facing, and outputs the orientation to the CPU 71.
The acceleration sensor 79 is an acceleration sensor having one axis, two axes, three axes, etc., and acquires acceleration and gravitational acceleration of a common part and outputs them to the CPU 71.
Further, the common portion may include a 2-axis or 3-axis gyroscope that acquires the rotation angle, angular velocity, and angular acceleration of the common portion.
The position information acquisition unit, the direction sensor 78, the acceleration sensor 79, and the like described above are used when acquiring the movement of the common unit 110 of the control device for agricultural work machines, if necessary.

The CPU 71 as a control unit realizes each function of the common unit 110 by executing a control application (control program). Specifically, the CPU 71 of the common unit 110 performs a process of updating the control program stored in the storage unit of the individual unit based on the update data related to the control program acquired from the outside.

Further, the CPU 71 of the common unit 110 receives the work data obtained by the agricultural work machine in the individual unit 111 by the communication unit 72, and performs a process of outputting the work data to an external computer.

The individual unit 111 is provided with a unique operating element for operating the agricultural work machine.
The individual unit 111 includes a CPU 81 as a control unit, a communication unit 82, a storage unit 83, a communication unit 84 for work equipment such as a CAN transceiver, a voltage converter 85, a switch group SWa, a lamp group LPa, and a connector CH (connector for harness). , Connector CP (connector for power), etc. A communication unit 82, a storage unit 83, a work equipment communication unit 84, and the like are electrically connected to the CPU 81.

The CPU 81 as a control unit realizes each function of the individual unit 111 by executing a control program.

The storage unit 83 is composed of a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM, and stores a control program or the like.
The communication unit 82 is configured to be able to communicate with the common unit 110 under the control of the CPU 81.

Further, the individual portion 111 is connected to a harness connector CH to which one connector CA of the signal harness HH is connected, and a power connector to which a power line PP (power input portion) for drawing power from an in-vehicle battery of a traveling vehicle is connected. A CP, a power switch SWp for turning on / off the power, a power lamp for lighting and displaying the on / off state of the power, a buzzer for producing various sounds, and the like are provided.

Further, the individual unit 111 includes, for example, a toggle switch 111a having a rod-shaped operation unit, a volume 111b for operating an analog amount, and push-button switches 111c, 111d, 111e for switching on / off of an operation mode or the like, respectively. Lamps 111f, 111g, 111h, etc. for displaying the operation status of the push button type switches 111c, 111d, 111e are provided.

Although the individual unit 111 corresponding to the working machine side controller 4a (see FIG. 2A) has been described in FIG. 3, the individual unit 112 corresponding to the working machine side controller 4b shown in FIG. 2B, The individual unit 113 corresponding to the work machine side controller 4c shown in FIG. 2 (c) also has substantially the same configuration. For example, the individual portions 112 and 113 are configured in a housing separate from the common portion 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, the + side of the connector CP to which the power line PP is connected is the corresponding terminal of the connector CH and the + side of the voltage converter 85 (DC-DC converter) via the power switch SWp. It is connected to the terminal. Further, the-side (ground side) of the connector CP is connected to the corresponding terminal of the connector CH and the-side terminal of the voltage converter 85 (DC-DC converter). The two input ends of the connector CP are directly connected to the two output ends of the connector CH, and are configured so that the DC power supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery is directly applied to the signal harness HH.

In this way, the DC power supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery is supplied to the individual unit 111 of the traveling vehicle side controller 100, and is also supplied to the working machine side controller 4a via the signal harness HH.

In the reverse connection protection diode D1 provided between the switch SWp and the connector CP shown in FIG. 4, for example, the electrode on the vehicle-mounted battery side is reversely connected to the power line PP, and the voltage is supplied via the connector CP. This is for protecting the inside of the apparatus of the traveling vehicle side controller 100 and the working machine side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c when the polarities of the above are reversed.

Here, the power supplied directly from the in-vehicle battery to the work equipment side controllers 4a, 4b, 4c is supplied to a drive target such as a motor or an actuator, in which a large current flows at startup or a large amount of electric power is required. Will be done. When a power source supplied via the power supply switch SWp is applied to such a drive target, there is a possibility that the contacts of the power supply switch SWp may be blown or welded due to a large current flowing at startup or the like. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the drive target that requires such a large current is configured to directly supply electric power from the in-vehicle battery without going through the power switch SWp.

In this embodiment, the voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery is + 12V, and the power supply voltage required inside the individual portion 111 of the traveling vehicle side controller 100 is + 5V. Therefore, the voltage converter 85 (DC-DC converter) is used. The + 12V supplied from the in-vehicle battery is converted into the + 5V of the power supply voltage. The output of the voltage converter 85 is supplied to each component as an internal power source of the individual unit 111. Further, the output of the voltage converter 85 may be configured to be supplied to the common unit 110 as a power source for the common unit 110.

Here, the power supply voltage required inside the traveling vehicle side controller 100 may be + 3V instead of + 5V, and the voltage of the DC power supply supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery may be + 24V or + 48V instead of + 12V. In any case, the voltage converter 85 may have a function of converting the voltage of the DC power supply supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery into the power supply voltage required for the individual unit 111 of the traveling vehicle side controller 100.

The communication unit 84 (CAN transceiver device) for the work machine of the individual unit 111 converts the transmission signal transmitted by the CPU 81 of the individual unit 111 to the controller on the work machine side into a signal on the CAN bus, and the controller on the work machine side converts the transmission signal into a signal on the CAN bus. The signal on the CAN bus transmitted to the CPU 81 of the individual unit 111 is recognized, converted into a received signal, and the received signal is transmitted to the CPU 81. Transmission and reception of signals between the CAN transceiver device and the CPU 81 are performed via the connector CH. The signal line of the CAN bus is connected to the signal harness HH via the corresponding terminal of the connector CH.

The CPU 81 is a switch group (for the work machine) used for communication with the work machine side controller via the work machine communication unit 84, generation of a control signal to be output to the work machine side controller, and operation of the agricultural work machine. Input of the operation status of SWa (toggle switch 111a and push button type switches 111c, 111d, 111e), lamp group corresponding to agricultural work machine (lamp group unique to work machine) LPa (lamp 111f, unique switch group) Various control processes such as lighting control of 111g, 111h) and control of buzzer ringing are performed.

Further, the CPU 81 outputs a signal indicating the display contents related to the agricultural work machine to the display unit 74 of the common unit 110 via the communication unit 82.

The traveling vehicle side controller 100 according to this embodiment is composed of a common portion 110 commonly used for the agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, 3c and individual units 111, 112, 113 corresponding to the agricultural work machines 3a, 3b, 3c, respectively. When the farm work machine 3a is connected to the traveling vehicle 1, the individual unit 111 is connected to the common portion 110 to form the traveling vehicle side controller 100 corresponding to the working machine side controller 4a, and the traveling vehicle side controller 3b is connected to the traveling vehicle 1. When the individual unit 112 is connected to the common unit 110 to form the traveling vehicle side controller 100 corresponding to the working machine side controller 4b, and when the agricultural work machine 3c is connected to the traveling vehicle 1, the common unit 110 is connected. The individual portion 113 is connected to the traveling vehicle side controller 100 corresponding to the work machine side controller 4c.

As a result, for example, the purchaser of the agricultural work machine 3a has the common portion 110 at the time of purchasing the agricultural work machine 3a. Since it is only necessary to additionally purchase the individual parts 112 and 113, the total cost (equipment cost) for purchasing the agricultural work machines 3b and 3c can be reduced.

Further, since the CPU 71 controls the ringing of the buzzer sound by the voice output unit 762 and the display content of the display unit 74, a part of the control calculation executed by the CPU 81 is shared by the CPU 71 (load distribution). ), The processing load of the CPU 81 can be reduced.

As described above, the traveling vehicle side controller 100 as the control device for the agricultural work machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is a traveling vehicle using any of a plurality of agricultural work machines, for example, agricultural work machines (3a, 3b, 3c). It connects to 1 and controls the agricultural work machine connected to the traveling vehicle 1. The traveling vehicle side controller 100 as the control device for the agricultural work machine is a common control means (CPU71) composed of elements common to a plurality of control means for controlling each of the plurality of agricultural work machines, and a display unit for displaying display information about the agricultural work machine. The common unit 110 having the 74 and the communication unit 72, and the individual unit 111 having the agricultural work machine specific control means for controlling the unique control target of the agricultural work machine connected to the traveling vehicle 1 and the communication unit 82 . Be prepared. For example, the individual unit 111 has a farm work machine-specific control means (CPU 81) for controlling a unique control target of the farm work machine 3a as a farm work machine.
Further, the communication unit 82 of the individual unit 111 and the communication unit 72 of the common unit 110 are configured to be able to communicate signals via a wired or wireless communication path.
The individual unit 111 is a communication unit 84 for a work machine such as a CAN transceiver that communicates a signal with the agricultural work machine via a signal line connected to the agricultural work machine connector unit (connector CH) provided in the individual unit 111. Has.
As described above, since the communication unit 84 for the work machine and the connector unit (connector CH) for the agricultural work machine are provided in the individual unit 111 instead of the common unit 110, the common unit 110 can be configured with highly versatile hardware. .. In addition, it is possible to reduce the cost of a combination of the agricultural work machine and the control device for the agricultural work machine.
Further, the common unit is a portable general-purpose terminal device with a communication function including at least a common control means, a display unit, and the first communication unit. Specifically, the common unit 110 of the control device for agricultural work machines is a portable general-purpose terminal device (portable communication terminal device, general-purpose display unit) with a communication function having a communication function such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal and a display unit. You may. In this case, the CPU (control unit) of a portable general-purpose terminal device with a communication function such as a smartphone displays display information about the agricultural work machine by executing the common unit side control application (common unit side control program). Realize each function (common control means, etc.) of the common part of the control device for agricultural work machines.

In addition, when a portable general-purpose terminal device with a communication function (portable communication terminal device, general-purpose display unit) such as a smartphone with a communication function, a tablet terminal with a communication function, or a game machine with a communication function is adopted as a common part, the mobile phone is used. Functions possessed by the general-purpose terminal device, such as a GPS function, an orientation acquisition function, an acceleration acquisition function, and a WEB browser function, can be used as functions of the control device for agricultural work machines.
Further, in the case where the common part and the individual part perform wireless communication, the agricultural work machine can be easily remotely controlled from the common part.

Further, in the control device for agricultural work machines according to the embodiment of the present invention, the individual unit 111 serves as a power supply voltage conversion means for converting the voltage of the power supply taken from the power input connector unit (connector CP) into the voltage used inside the device. It has a voltage converter 85 of. The agricultural work machine connector unit (connector CH) connects a power line that supplies power taken in by the power input connector unit (connector CP) to the agricultural work machine.
As described above, since the voltage converter 85 and the agricultural work machine connector section (connector CH) are provided in the individual section 111 instead of the common section 110, the common section 110 can be configured with highly versatile hardware.

Further, in the control device for agricultural work machines according to the embodiment of the present invention, the individual unit 111 includes a storage unit 83 for storing a control program and a CPU 81 as a control unit for executing the control program. The CPU 71 as a control unit of the common unit 110 performs a process of updating the control program stored in the storage unit 83 of the individual unit 111 based on the update data related to the control program acquired from the outside.
For example, the common unit 110 may receive the update data from an external computer by the communication unit 72 via the communication network, or may acquire the update data by a portable storage medium (USB memory or the like).
Further, the CPU 81 as the control unit of the individual unit 111 may perform a process of updating the control program based on the update data by the common unit 110.
In this way, the control program stored in the storage unit 83 of the individual unit 111 can be easily updated.

Further, in the control device for agricultural work machines according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 71 as the control unit of the common unit 110 uses the work data obtained by the individual unit 111 by the agricultural work machine as the first communication unit (communication unit 72). And outputs the work data to an external computer.
As a process of outputting the work data to the external computer, the communication unit 72 may transmit the work data to the external computer via the communication network, or the work data may be stored in the portable storage medium. An external computer can easily acquire work data via a communication network, or can easily acquire work data from a portable storage medium, and based on the work data, manages the work by the agricultural work machine. Processing can be performed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Even included in the present invention.
Further, the embodiments shown in the above figures can be combined with each other as long as there is no particular contradiction or problem in the purpose and configuration thereof.
Further, the description content of each figure can be an independent embodiment, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one embodiment in which each figure is combined.

In the above embodiment, the common portion has a GPS device, a directional sensor, and an acceleration sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and any one of them may or may not be provided.

1 ... Traveling vehicle 2 ... Coupler 3a, 3b, 3c ... Agricultural work machine (working machine)
4 ... Working machine side controller 71 ... CPU (control unit)
72 ... Communication unit (first communication unit)
73 ... Storage unit 74 ... Display unit 75 ... Input unit 81 ... CPU (Control unit)
82 ... Communication unit (second communication unit)
83 ... Storage unit 84 ... Communication unit for work equipment (CAN transceiver)
100 ... Driving vehicle side controller (control device for agricultural work machine)

Claims (5)

A control device for an agricultural work machine that connects any of a plurality of agricultural work machines to a traveling vehicle and controls the agricultural work machine connected to the traveling vehicle.
The traveling vehicle has a common control means including elements common to the plurality of control means for controlling each of the plurality of agricultural work machines, a display unit for displaying display information about the agricultural work machine, and a first communication unit. The common part that was placed and
A farm work machine-specific control means for controlling a unique control target of the farm work machine connected to the traveling vehicle , and an individual unit arranged on the traveling vehicle having a second communication unit.
It is provided with an operation unit provided in the individual unit and having a unique operation element for operating the agricultural work machine.
The first communication unit of the common unit and the second communication unit of the individual unit are configured to be able to communicate signals via a wired or wireless communication path.
The individual unit communicates a signal with a work machine side controller provided in the agricultural work machine to control the agricultural work machine via a signal line connected to the agricultural work machine connector portion provided in the individual unit. At the same time, the controller for the agricultural work machine is characterized by having a communication unit for the work machine that communicates with the control means peculiar to the agricultural work machine. The individual part includes a power input connector part for taking in power from the outside and a power input connector part.
It has a power supply voltage conversion means for converting the voltage of the power supply taken in from the power supply input connector unit into the voltage used inside the device.
The control device for an agricultural work machine according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural work machine connector unit is connected to a power line that supplies power taken from the power input connector unit to the agricultural work machine. The individual unit includes a storage unit that stores a control program and a control unit that executes the control program.
Claim 1 or claim 1, wherein the common unit performs a process of updating the control program stored in the storage unit of the individual unit based on update data related to the control program acquired from the outside. Item 2. The control device for agricultural work machines according to Item 2. Claim 1 is characterized in that the common unit receives work data obtained by the agricultural work machine from the individual unit by the first communication unit and outputs the work data to an external computer. The control device for agricultural work machines according to any one of claims 3. The common unit is at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the common unit is a portable general-purpose terminal device with a communication function including the common control means, the display unit, and the first communication unit. The control device for agricultural work machines described.

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