WO2001073632A1

WO2001073632A1 - Patrol service schedule preparation method, preparation system and preparation device

Info

Publication number: WO2001073632A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/002812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroyuki Adachi; Toichi Hirata; Genroku Sugiyama; Hiroshi Watanabe; Koichi Shibata; Hideki Komatsu
Original assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-03-31
Filing date: 2001-03-30
Publication date: 2001-10-04
Also published as: JP3735068B2

Abstract

A patrol service schedule preparation method comprising: the steps of, in respective work machines, (1) detecting the conditions of the respective units of the respective work machines, and (2) transmitting condition signals showing the detected conditions; and the steps of, in a work machine monitoring facilities, (1) receiving respective condition signals transmitted from work machines, and (2) preparing patrol service schedules for work machines based on received condition signals for work machines.

Description

Description patrol service schedule creation method, creation system, and creation device This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 1991, No. 913 (filed on March 31, 2000). Its contents are incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

The present invention relates to a method for creating a schedule for a patrol service by remotely grasping the state of an engine, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and other movable mechanisms and components of a working machine such as a construction machine, a schedule creation system, and a schedule creation system. It relates to a schedule creation device. Background art

For example, hydraulic excavators and crane (hereinafter referred to as construction equipment) are composed of multiple parts, and each part requires maintenance and inspection at predetermined intervals. Simple maintenance inspections can be performed by construction machine operators, but highly skilled maintenance inspections must be performed by qualified service personnel.

Maintenance and inspection work for construction machinery is performed by service factories in the area where the construction machinery is operating. Therefore, at each service factory, a ledger is created for each construction machine, and a patrol service schedule for maintenance and inspection is created based on the ledger. However, since records in the ledgers of multiple construction machines are checked and the date and time of patrol services for multiple construction machines are determined, services must be provided efficiently and at the best time. Was difficult. Disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a method, a schedule creation system, and a schedule creation device for creating a schedule so as to efficiently perform a patrol service for a plurality of working machines such as construction machines.

In order to achieve the above object, the traveling service schedule creation method of the present invention includes a plurality of operations. Each industrial machine 1) detects the state of each part of each work machine, 2) transmits a state signal indicating the detected state, and the work machine monitoring facility 1) is transmitted from multiple work machines. Receiving status signals, and (2) based on the received status signals of a plurality of implements, create a schedule for patrol services for a plurality of implements.

In this patrol service schedule creation method, it is preferable that the schedule is created based on the status signals sent from each of the plurality of work machines so that the number of tour services for the plurality of work machines is reduced as much as possible. In this case, the history of the working state of each of the plurality of working machines is further accumulated, and the timing of the patrol service for each of the plurality of working machines is calculated based on the state signal and the history of the working state. Based on the results, it is preferable to create a schedule so that the number of patrol services for a plurality of work machines will be small at all.

In addition, each of the plurality of work machines further transmits a position signal indicating the position of each work machine, and the work monitoring facility further receives a position signal transmitted from each work machine, and transmits a status signal of the plurality of work machines. It is preferable to create a schedule for a patrol service for a plurality of working machines based on the received position signal in addition to the signal.

The traveling service schedule creation system of the present invention is provided in each of a plurality of working machines, and is provided in each of the plurality of working machines to detect a state of each part of each working machine. A transmitting device that transmits a status signal that indicates the detected status, a receiving device that is installed in a work equipment monitoring facility that monitors the working equipment, and that receives the status signal transmitted from the transmitting device, and a receiving device that receives the status signal And a schedule creation device for creating a schedule of a patrol service for the plurality of working machines based on the state signals of the plurality of working machines.

In this patrol service schedule creation system, the schedule creation device creates the schedule based on the status signals sent from each of the plurality of work machines so that the number of tour services for the plurality of work machines is minimized. Is preferred. In this case, the work equipment monitoring facility further includes a storage device that stores the history of the work state of each of the plurality of work equipments. The timing of the patrol service for each work machine is calculated, and based on the calculation result, the number of times the patrol service for a plurality of work machines has It is preferable to create the schedule so that

A traveling service schedule creation device according to the present invention includes a receiving device that receives a status signal transmitted from a plurality of working machines and indicates a state of each unit of each working machine, and a plurality of working machines based on the received status signal. And a schedule creation device for creating a schedule for the tour service. Another traveling service schedule creation method of the present invention receives a status signal transmitted from a plurality of working machines and indicates a state of each part of each working machine, and, based on the received status signal, transmits a plurality of working machines. Create a tour schedule.

In this patrol service schedule creation method, a position signal indicating the position of each work implement transmitted from the plurality of work implements is received, and in addition to the status signals of the plurality of work implements, a plurality of work work is performed based on the received position signals. It is preferable to create an appointment for a patrol service for the aircraft. In this case, it is preferable to group a plurality of working machines based on the position of each working machine based on the received position signal.

Another traveling service schedule creation device of the present invention receives a status signal transmitted from a plurality of working machines and indicating a state of each part of each working machine, and, based on the received status signal, transmits a plurality of working machines. Create a tour schedule. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operating state of a hydraulic excavator to which the patrol service schedule creation method according to the present invention is applied.

Figure 2 shows an example of a hydraulic excavator

Figure 3 shows an example of the hydraulic circuit of a hydraulic excavator

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller of the excavator.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of the sensors of the hydraulic excavator.

Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the storage device of the excavator

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for calculating a travel operation time and the like.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a routine transmission processing procedure of the excavator.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the excavator for detecting an alarm or a failure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data transmitted from the excavator.

Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base station. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure at the base station.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating data summarized for each excavator unit.

Fig. 14 is a diagram explaining the data compiled for each service factory.

Figure 15 is a block diagram for information management in service factories.

Figure 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure at a service factory.

Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure at a service factory.

Figure 18 shows an example of a daily report output at a service factory.

Figures 19A to 19C show examples of scheduled maintenance output at a service factory.

Figures 20A and 20B show the running load frequency distribution and the excavation load frequency distribution.

Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating the schedule for providing efficient patrol services.

Figure 22 shows the serviceman's calendar

Figures 23A and 23B show engine operating time distribution

Fig. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure for calculating the fuel consumption for the operating time along with the driving operation time.

Figure 25 shows another example of connecting a radio base station, a hydraulic excavator manufacturing factory, and a service factory via a communication line.

Figure 26 shows the system configuration in a hydraulic excavator manufacturing plant.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of communication with a hydraulic excavator using a mobile phone.

A case in which the present invention is applied to a method of creating a tour schedule of a hydraulic shovel will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation status of a hydraulic shovel to which the patrol service schedule creation method according to the present invention is applied.

In other words, a plurality of hydraulic shovels are operating in each of the plurality of work areas A, B, and C. Excavators a1 to an operate in district A, excavators b1 to bn operate in district B, and excavators c1 to cn operate in district C. Districts A, B, and C are geographically separated rather than at the same work site. In this embodiment, the state of each part of each excavator is detected, and the detected signal is transmitted via the communication satellite CS. Received at base station BC. The base station BC transmits the received signal to an appropriate service factory SF1 to SFn using the general public switched telephone network PC. At the service factories SF1 to SFn, based on the received signals, a daily report as described below is created, a failure is diagnosed, and a schedule for a patrol service is created. Each excavator is equipped with a GPS receiver and can receive signals from the GPS satellite GS to calculate the current location. This current location information is transmitted to the service factory SF via the base station BC together with signals from the various parts of the excavator, and the service factory SF can recognize the operating area of each excavator.

The hydraulic excavator is configured as shown in FIG. The hydraulic excavator includes a traveling body 81 and a revolving body 82 rotatably connected to an upper portion of the traveling body 81. The revolving unit 82 is provided with a cab 83, a working device 84, an engine 85, and a revolving motor 86. The working device 84 includes a boom BM rotatably attached to the main body of the revolving superstructure 82, an arm AM rotatably connected to the boom BM, and an attachment mechanism rotatably connected to the arm AM. For example, a bucket BK. The boom BM is moved up and down by the boom cylinder C1, the arm AM is crowded and dumped by the arm cylinder C2, and the bucket BK is crowded and dumped by the bucket cylinder C3. An operation is performed. The traveling body 81 is provided with left and right traveling hydraulic motors 87, 88.

Fig. 3 shows the outline of the hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic excavator. The engine 85 drives the hydraulic pump 2. The pressure oil discharged from the hydraulic pump 2 is controlled by a plurality of control valves 3 s, 3 tr, 3 tl, 3 b, 3 a, and 3 bk to control the direction and amount of oil. 6. Drive the left and right traveling hydraulic motors 87, 88, hydraulic cylinders C1, C2, C3. The multiple control valves 3 s, 3 tr, 3 t 1, 3 b, 3 a, and 3 bk are respectively connected to the corresponding pilot valves 4 s, 4 tr, 4 t and 4 b, 4 a, and 4 bk. Switching is performed by the supplied pilot pressure. The pilot valves 4 s, 4 tr, 4 t 1, 4 b, 4 a, and 4 bk are supplied with a pilot pressure of a predetermined pressure from the pilot hydraulic pump 5, and the operation levers 4 L s, 4 L tr, Outputs the pilot pressure according to the operation amount of 4 Ltl, 4 Lb, 4 La, 4 bk. Multiple control valves 3 s, 3 t r, 3 t 3 b, 3 a and 3 bk are combined into one valve block. In addition, a plurality of pilot valves 4s, 4tr, 4t1, 4b, 4a and 4bk are also integrated in one valve block.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller for detecting and transmitting the state of each part of the excavator. The hydraulic excavator is equipped with a sensor group 10 having a plurality of sensors for detecting the states of the above-described components, and a state detection signal output from the sensor group 10 is transmitted to the controller 20 at a predetermined timing. Is read. The controller 20 has a timer function 20a for accumulating the running operation time, the turning operation time, and the front (digging) operation time. The controller 20 calculates the traveling operation time, the turning operation time, and the front operation time based on the read state detection signal. These calculated operation times are stored in the storage device 21. The hydraulic excavator also has a key switch 22 for starting the engine 85 and an arbiter 23 for measuring the operation time of the engine 85.

The hydraulic excavator is equipped with a GPS receiver 24. The GPS receiver 24 receives the GPS signal from the GPS satellite GS, calculates the position of the excavator based on the GPS signal, and outputs the calculated position to the controller 20. The driver's seat of the excavator is provided with a monitor 25 for displaying various information.

The controller 20 has a clock function 20b, and can recognize the ON time, the OFF time, the engine start time, and the engine stop time of the key switch 22. These times are also stored in the storage device 21. The measured value of the parameter 23 is also read by the controller 20 at a predetermined timing and stored in the storage device 21. The running time, turning operation, front operation time, key switch-on time and the like stored in the storage device 21 are transmitted via the transmitter 30 at a predetermined timing. The radio wave transmitted from the transmitter 30 is received by the base station BC via the satellite CS. The receiver 20 is also connected to the controller 20. The receiver 35 receives a signal sent from the service factory SF via the communication satellite CS and the base station BC, such as a troubleshooting method, and sends the signal to the controller 20. The controller 20, the transmitter 30 and the receiver 35 are always in a state where they can be driven by the power from the vehicle-mounted battery even when the main switch of the excavator is turned off. As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor group 10 includes a pressure sensor 11 for detecting a pressure state of the main hydraulic circuit system. A pressure sensor 11 p for measuring the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump 2, pressure sensors 11 tr and 11 t 1 for measuring the driving pressure of the traveling hydraulic motors 87, 88, and a swing hydraulic motor 86. Pressure sensor 1 Is that measures the driving pressure of the boom hydraulic cylinder C 1, pressure sensor 1 1 b that measures the driving pressure of the boom hydraulic cylinder C 1, and pressure sensor 1 1 that measures the driving pressure of the arm hydraulic cylinder C 2 a, and a pressure sensor 11 bk for measuring the driving pressure of the bucket hydraulic cylinder C3.

The sensor group 10 also includes a pressure sensor 13 for detecting the pressure state of the pilot hydraulic circuit system. That is, the pressure sensors 13 tr and 13 t 1 that measure the pilot pressures P tr and P t 1 output from the traveling hydraulic pilot valves 4 tr and 4 t 1 and the output from the swing hydraulic pilot valve 4 s Pressure sensor 13 s for measuring the pilot pressure P s to be applied, pressure sensor 13 b for measuring the pilot pressure P b output from the boom hydraulic pilot valve 4 b, and arm hydraulic pilot valve 4 a pressure sensor 13a for measuring the pilot pressure Pa output from a and a pressure sensor 13bk for measuring the pilot pressure Pbk output from the bucket hydraulic pilot valve 4bk. Have.

The traveling operation time is the total time during which the pressure Ptr or Pt1 detected by the traveling pilot pressure sensors 13tr and 13t1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The turning operation time is a time obtained by integrating the time during which the pressure Ps detected by the turning pilot pressure sensor 13 s is equal to or more than a predetermined value. The front operation time is determined by the pressures Pb, Pa, and Pbk detected by any of the boom, arm, and bucket pressure sensors 13b, 13a, and 13bk. This is the time obtained by integrating the above times.

The sensor group 10 also includes a pressure sensor 14 f for detecting clogging of a filter provided in the main hydraulic line, and a temperature sensor 14 for detecting the temperature of hydraulic oil for driving a hydraulic motor or a hydraulic cylinder. It also has a t. Further, the sensor group 10 has various sensors 15 for detecting the state of the engine gun. That is, a cooling water temperature sensor 15 w that detects the cooling water temperature of the engine 85, an engine oil pressure sensor 150 D that detects the pressure of the engine oil, and an engine oil temperature sensor 1 that detects the temperature of the engine oil 50 t and the engine level to detect the engine oil level Filter level sensor 15 o1, a clogging sensor 15 af that detects clogging of the air filter, a fuel level sensor 15 f that measures the remaining fuel level, and a battery charging voltage. It has a battery voltage sensor 15 V for detecting and a speed sensor 15 r for detecting the engine speed.

As described above, the signal indicating the state of each part of the hydraulic excavator is transmitted to the service factory SF via the communication satellite CS and the base station BC, but the signal indicating the normal state of each part is daily report data. Then, the whole day's worth is sent at midnight, when communication charges are low. Signals indicating alarms and failures are sent each time they are issued. In addition, even when the remaining fuel amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, information indicating this is transmitted immediately regardless of the time zone.

The above-described daily report data includes the following information, and is stored in the storage device 21 in a predetermined format.

①Key switch 2 2 ON time

(2) Off time of key switch 22

③ Engine start time

④ Engine stop time

Measured value of parameter 2 3

⑥Driving operation time (See Fig. 18)

⑦Swing operation time (See Fig. 18)

⑧Front operation time (See Fig. 18)

Engine operation time (see Fig. 18)

The daily report data also includes running load frequency distribution (see Fig. 2 OA), excavation load frequency (see Fig. 20B), or fuel consumption (per unit time, operation, no load, etc.).

The following information is available as alarm data.

① Engine oil level

② Engine cooling water temperature

③ Engine oil temperature

④Air filter clogging ⑤ Hydraulic oil filter

⑥ Battery voltage

⑦Engine oil pressure

⑧ Fuel remaining

⑨ Hydraulic oil temperature

There is the following coast information as the failure data.

① Engine speed abnormality

(2) Abnormal hydraulic pump discharge pressure

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the storage device 21. The storage device 21 has a first area R 1 for storing the measured values of the parameters 23 of the engine 85, a second area R 2 for storing the traveling operation time (running operation time), and a turning operation time ( A third area R3 for storing the turning operation time), a fourth area R4 for storing the front operation time (front operating time), and other state signals, alarm signals or failure signals. Region R5 A plurality of regions Rn are provided.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for integrating running, turning, and front operation times performed by the controller 20 of each excavator. For example, one of travel pilot pressure Ptr or Pt1, swivel pilot pressure Ps, boom pilot pressure Pb, arm pilot pressure Pa, and socket pilot pressure Pbk At this point, the controller 20 starts the program shown in FIG. Then, in step S1, the corresponding operation time measurement timer of the traveling, turning, and front timer functions 20a is started. Also starts the load frequency distribution measurement timer. If the traveling pilot pressure Ptr or Pt1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a timer for the traveling operation time is used.If the swing pilot pressure Ps is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a timer for the turning operation time is used. If the pressure Pb, the arm pilot pressure Pa, or the bucket pilot pressure Fbk is higher than a predetermined value, the front timer is started. If it is determined in step S2 that the pilot pressure has become less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S3, and the corresponding timer is stopped.

Travel operation time is T t, turning operation time is T s, front operation time is Τ 用, for traveling Assuming that the measurement time of the timer is TM t, the measurement time of the turning timer is TM s, and the measurement time of the front timer is TM f, the following equation is calculated in step S 4.

T t = T t + T M t

T s = T s + T M s

T f = T f + T M f

That is, the time measured by the timer is added to the current value of each operation time storage area, and the operation time area is updated with the addition result.

In this case, the operation time was measured for traveling, turning, and front.However, if the hydraulic shovel is equipped with other attachments, such as braking force, the operation time of that attachment is detected. Similarly, the attachment operation time may be measured.

If the pilot pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, step S2 is denied and the routine proceeds to step S2A. When the load frequency distribution measuring timer measures Δtf in step S2A, the process proceeds to step S2B. In step S2B, the running pressure, swing pressure, and pump pressure at that time are read, and in step S2C, 1 is added to the histogram of the corresponding pressure value. For example, if the traveling pressure is 10 Mpa, 1 is added to the frequency of 10 Mpa. In step S2D, the load frequency timer is reset and restarted, and the process returns to step S2. The running load frequency distribution is shown in Figure 2OA and the excavation load frequency distribution is shown in Figure 20B.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for transmitting daily report data at a certain time. When the preset transmission time comes, the controller 20 starts the program shown in FIG. In step S11, the daily report data to be transmitted is read from the storage device 21. The read daily report data is processed into predetermined transmission data in step S12, and is sent to the transmitter 30 in step S13. As a result, the transmitter 30 transmits daily report data indicating the operating state of the excavator for one day to the service factory SF via the communication satellite CS and the base station BC (step S14).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for transmitting an alarm signal and a failure signal. When determining the output of the alarm signal or the failure signal described above, the controller 20 starts the program of FIG. In step S21, the detected alarm signal or fault signal Is stored in the storage device 21. If it is determined in step S22 that these alarm signals or fault signals need to be transmitted to the service factory, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the details of the failure are displayed on the monitor 25 of the driver's seat, and the fact that the failure has been transmitted to the service factory is displayed. In step S24, an alarm signal or a failure signal is read from the storage device 21, and in step S25 they are processed into transmission data. The processed transmission data is transmitted to the transmitter 30 in step S26, and an alarm signal or a failure signal is transmitted from the transmitter 30 in step S27.

In step S28, when the controller 20 determines that a signal indicating a countermeasure for the failure has been received from the service factory, the controller 20 displays the countermeasure for the failure on the driver's monitor 25 in step S29. I do. If the instruction from the service factory has not been received, in step S30, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the alarm signal or the failure signal. If the predetermined time has elapsed, a message "Please contact the service factory" is displayed in step S31. If step S30 is negative, step S28 is repeated. In other words, if the service factory does not send a remedy instruction even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it is highly likely that communication has failed for some reason. Notify you what you will do.

If it is determined in step S22 that the detected alarm signal does not need to be transmitted to the service factory, in step S32, the content of the alarm corresponding to the alarm signal is displayed on the driver's seat monitor 25. Then, in step S33, the countermeasure is calculated. For example, a method of coping with an alarm signal is stored in a database in the storage device 21 in advance, and a database is accessed by the alarm signal to calculate a coping method. Then, in step S34, a countermeasure is displayed on the monitor 25 of the driver's seat. FIG. 10 shows an example of a data string created for transmitting daily report data, alarm data, or failure data. The header of the data string is provided with an identifier HD that identifies the excavator. A data section is provided following the header, and the current location information Dl, the measurement time D2 of the parameter, the running time D3, the turning time D4, and the front time D5 are combined in this order. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base station BC. The base station BC transmits the received various signals to service factories in various places. The base station BC has a receiver 31 for receiving the signal transmitted from the communication satellite CS, a storage device 32 for storing the signal received by the receiver 31, and data to be transmitted to the service factory. And a control device 34 for controlling these various devices.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for receiving a status signal and the like at the base station BC and transmitting it to the service factory. When receiving the signal from the communication satellite CS, the control device 34 of the base station BC starts the program shown in FIG. In step S301, the received signal is temporarily stored in the storage device 32. In step S302, the excavator is identified from the identifier HD recorded in the header of the received status signal, and the received signals are classified for each excavator as shown in FIG. In step S303, the service factory in charge is identified based on the identified excavator (based on the identifier), and as shown in FIG. 14, the received signal of the excavator is determined for each service factory. Put together. In step S304, the telephone numbers of the identified service factories are read from the database created in advance in the storage device 32, and in step S305, the signals compiled in step S303 are read. Send to each service factory via modem 33.

The reception signal may be sent to the service factory closest to the current location of the excavator. Further, transmission of various information from the base station BC to each service factory SF may be performed by a dedicated line, a LAN line, or the like. For example, if the base station B C and the service factory SF are facilities of a hydraulic excavator maker, various kinds of information may be exchanged via a so-called in-house LAN (intranet).

Figure 15 is a block diagram for information management in service factory SF. The service factory SF includes a modem 41 for receiving signals transmitted from the base station BC via the general public network PC, a storage device 42 for storing the signals received by the modem 41, and various other components. And a display device 44 and a printer 45 connected to the processing device 43, and a keyboard 46. The processor 43 creates a daily report based on the status signal (daily report data) stored in the storage device 42, Performs calculation processing to display the load frequency distribution calculated by the controller 20 of the excavator in a graph format, calculates the maintenance time for each excavator-determines whether there is a failure or abnormality, and provides patrol services. Create an event for.

A database 47 is also connected to the processor 43. This database 47 stores the maintenance history of each excavator, the history of past failures and abnormalities, and the history of services. The data stored in the database 47 includes data collected from the storage device 21 of the hydraulic shovel by the service technician who has visited the patrol service using the portable information terminal device 51.

The portable information terminal device 51 may be provided with a communication function. In this case, the service person may input various information by key input of the portable information terminal device 51 and input various information to the database 47 by communication.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing various processing procedures executed by the processing device 43 based on the status signal, the alarm signal, and the failure signal received at the service factory. Upon receiving the status signal-alarm signal or failure signal, the processing unit 43 of the service factory starts the program shown in FIG. In step S41, the received state signal, alarm signal or failure signal is stored in the storage device 42. In step S42, the excavator is identified from the identifier HD of the received signal. If the received signal is for multiple excavators, identify each excavator and arrange the received signals in an appropriate order

In step S43, it is determined whether the signal received from the first hydraulic excavator is daily report data, an alarm signal, or a failure signal. In the case of daily report data, in step S44, the database 47 is accessed using the identified excavator identifier and the past history of the excavator is read. In step S45, the daily report data is read from the storage device 42, and in step S46, a daily report as shown in FIG. 18 is created. A specific example of the daily report will be described later. In step S47, the next maintenance time is calculated based on the daily report data and the past maintenance information read from the database 47. Thereafter, in step S48, if it is determined that the processing has not been completed for all the excavator reception signals, the process returns to step S43, and the same applies to the next excavator reception signal. Is performed. If it is determined in step S48 that the processing for all the received signals has been completed, the flow advances to step S49 to create a schedule for the traveling service. The schedule creation method will be described later.

If it is determined in step S43 that the received signal is an alarm signal or a failure signal, the flow advances to step S50 to read the alarm signal or the failure signal from the storage device 42. In step S51, the processing method for the read alarm signal or failure signal is read from the database 47. In step S52, the read countermeasure is transmitted to the corresponding excavator via the base station BC or the mobile communication system. The telephone number of the excavator is stored in the storage device 42 of the service factory in advance. The header of the data to be sent to the excavator is provided with the identifier of the excavator, followed by data for indicating the remedy. After transmitting the data, in step S53, processing for dispatching the serviceman to the work area is performed. Then, in step S54, if it is determined that the processing has not been completed for the received signals of all the excavators, the process returns to step S43 to repeat the same processing. When the processing for the received signals of all the excavators is completed, the processing is completed.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for dispatching a serviceman executed in step S53 of FIG. For example, a GPS receiver is carried by all service personnel, and a current location signal transmitted to the service factory at predetermined time intervals is stored in the storage device 42 of the service factory. Then, in step S61 of FIG. 17, the current positions of all servicemen are read from the storage device 42, and in step S62, the serviceman closest to the work area of the corresponding excavator is identified. Search for. Then, the process proceeds to step S63, and the corresponding hydraulic excavator, the work area, the details of the alarm or the failure, the method of handling the failure, the parts to be brought, and the parts to be brought into the base station are transmitted to the portable information terminal device 51 of the serviceman. Transmit via BC or mobile communication system.

The work schedule of the service technician may be stored in a database (see Figure 22), and the service technician who has free time may be searched. At that time, the order of parts may be automatically notified to the parts management department. Figure 18 shows an example of daily report data created based on the status signal (daily report data) received by the service factory. The daily report is prepared daily for each excavator. Fig. 18 shows the daily report of Unit A's Unit 253, dated March 16, 2000, for example. The first page shows the engine running time, the running operation time, the turning operation time, the accumulated time of the front operation time, and the time related to the work performed on March 16 on the second page. Maintenance information is displayed. For example, 100 hours until engine oil filter replacement, 60 hours before engine oil replacement, etc., the time for each maintenance target part and target part is displayed.

This daily report is printed out at the service factory and distributed to each service person. It may be distributed to the serviceman by e-mail. The daily report shown in FIG. 18 may be transmitted to the hydraulic excavator No. 25 and No. 3 and displayed on the monitor 25 of the driver's seat, or may be transmitted to the user A's management department.

Here, the schedule creation of the traveling service in step S49 shown in FIG. 16 will be described. FIGS. 19A to 19C are diagrams illustrating an example of the maintenance schedule. Fig. 19A shows the maintenance schedule for the traveling rollers, Fig. 19B shows the maintenance schedule for the bush, and Fig. 19C shows the maintenance schedule for the pins. The cumulative operating time of each hydraulic excavator's engine operating time, running operation time, turning operation time, and front operating time is received as a status signal (daily report data) at the service factory. Based on this, it is determined whether each part has reached its replacement time.

For example, if the recommended replacement time of the traveling roller is 2000 hours, if the running operation time of the hydraulic excavator a1 to the present exceeds 180 hours, the replacement time will be within 150 hours until the replacement time. It is determined that it is time to go and schedule the patrol service for the excavator a1 within 150 hours. In Fig. 19A, the excavator a1 is displayed in the maintenance schedule for this month. The same applies to other units.

If the recommended replacement time of the bush provided on the boom rotation axis is 30000 hours, if the hydraulic excavator a2 in the same area A has been operating for more than 295 hours, the replacement time is required. It is determined that it is time for maintenance within 50 hours. The hydraulic shovel a2 patrol service will be scheduled within 50 hours. This month in Figure 19B The excavator a2 is displayed in the maintenance schedule of. The same applies to other units.

Furthermore, if the recommended replacement time of the pins provided on the pivot axis of the bucket is 400 hours, if the front operating time of the excavator a6 in the same district A to date exceeds 3920 hours, It is within 80 hours until the replacement time, and it is determined that it is the maintenance time, and the patrol service of the excavator a3 will be scheduled within 80 hours. In Fig. 19C, the excavator a6 is displayed in the maintenance schedule for this month. The same applies to other units.

These maintenance periods are applied to the excavators a1 to an operating in the district A, the excavators b1 to bn operating in the district B, and the excavators c1 to cn operating in the district C. When calculated, a maintenance schedule chart as shown in Fig. 19 is created. Areas A to C are under the jurisdiction of the same service factory. Based on the maintenance schedule shown in Fig. 19, the parts required for maintenance can be known in advance. Therefore, parts may be arranged based on this schedule. Here, the parts arrangement is completed, for example, by automatically sending a parts purchase order to a parts center attached to a service factory via an intranet in the company. In addition, the maintenance cost may be calculated according to the schedule and the parts arrangement, and may be sent to the user.

When creating the maintenance schedule shown in Fig. 19, the maintenance time was calculated by comparing the usage time of the target component up to the present with the standard maintenance time set in advance. However, the working load of hydraulic excavators varies greatly depending on the work site and the type of work. Therefore, it is preferable to make the maintenance time variable according to the load condition.

In order to calculate the load condition, the running load frequency distribution and the front (digging) load frequency distribution are calculated based on the daily report data sent from the excavator on a daily basis as shown in Figs. 20A and 20B. Display a bar graph. In addition, a standard running load frequency distribution and excavation load frequency distribution are set in advance. Then, it is determined whether the calculated load frequency distribution is operated on the light load side or the heavy load side as compared with the standard load frequency distribution. During maintenance Calculate the interval.

Maintenance time for heavy load operation = Standard maintenance time X «

Maintenance time for light load operation = Standard maintenance time X / 3

However, α is a value less than 1, and / 3 is a value exceeding 1, and is determined in advance by experiments or the like.

In calculating the maintenance time, for example, if the target component is a traveling roller, the maintenance time is calculated based on whether the traveling load frequency distribution is a heavy load or a light load. Alternatively, if the target part is a bush, the maintenance time is calculated based on whether the digging load frequency distribution is heavy or light. That is, the maintenance time is made variable in consideration of the load frequency distribution related to the target component.

In addition, instead of calculating the maintenance time according to the load using the above formula, the heavy load maintenance time, the standard load maintenance time, and the light load maintenance time are provided in advance as a table, and are set according to the load. May be used to select the table to be used.

Alternatively, the history of the previous maintenance situation may be read from the database 47 of the service factory SF, and the maintenance time may be made variable according to the history. That is, if the previous maintenance time is shorter or longer than the standard maintenance time, the current maintenance time is changed to the previous maintenance time, and the maintenance time is calculated. .

Next, we will explain a method in which a single service person travels to multiple work areas efficiently. Figure 21 shows the maintenance schedule of the excavators a1 to a5 operating in work area Α. This maintenance schedule is calculated by the processing device 43 of the service factory. The excavator a1 is scheduled for maintenance between March 6 and March 17, and the excavator a2 is scheduled for maintenance between March 9 and March 17 The excavator a3 is scheduled for maintenance between March 16 and March 24, and the excavator a4 is scheduled for maintenance between March 15 and March 23. The maintenance schedule is set for the excavator a5 between March 17 and March 22. The maintenance schedule is set based on, for example, the remaining time until maintenance and the average daily operating time of the excavator. Replacement time is expected and calculated.

As can be seen from Fig. 21, when patrol around work area A on March 10, maintenance of two excavators a l and a 2 can be performed simultaneously. If it patrols on March 17, maintenance of five excavators a1 to a5 can be performed simultaneously. If it patrols on March 21, maintenance of three excavators a3 to a5 can be performed simultaneously. Therefore, the maintenance work can be completed with a small number of patrols on March 17 and the efficiency is high.

In addition to the maintenance schedule of each unit shown in Fig. 21, if the final maintenance schedule is created considering the schedule of the service man shown in Fig. 22, it is not possible for the service person to patrol reflecting, as the _c capable of creating a high maintenance schedule accuracy, the _c Figure 2 1 system to cycle rather by HOWEVER efficiency Ri by the processing unit 4 3 is calculated, the hydraulic excavator work area a a1 to a5 have been described. However, it can easily be calculated to make the most efficient excavator trips in two or more different work areas. For example, the number of visits to the same work area should be reduced, if at all, or the shortest route to multiple work areas can be made.

In the flow chart in Fig. 16, when the signal received by the service factory includes an alarm signal or a failure signal, in steps S50 to S54, the remedy is read from the database 47 and the hydraulic excavator is read. Sent to. However, there are cases where it is not necessary to notify the operator depending on the contents of alarms and failures. For example, an abnormality in EPPROM or RAM in the controller 20 of a hydraulic excavator has no meaning even if it is reported to the operator, and rather causes confusion. Therefore, it is preferable to determine the necessity of sending a remedy to the hydraulic excavator according to the content of the alarm or the failure. Alerts and faults that do not need to be sent to the excavator are notified only to the serviceman.

In the flowchart in Fig. 16, when the signal received by the service factory includes an alarm signal or a failure signal, in steps S50 to S54, the countermeasure is read from the database 47 and transmitted to the excavator. To do. However, in the case of a failure that requires the machine to be stopped immediately, it is preferable to send a signal to stop the engine to the excavator instead of sending a remedy. in this case, A message such as "Stop the engine automatically. Do not restart the engine until a service person arrives" is displayed on the driver's monitor 25. Therefore, a signal indicating a message is transmitted together with the engine stop signal. Alternatively, a signal for operating the boom cylinder C 1 in the lowering direction may be transmitted to automatically drive the vehicle in a highly safe position.

In the above description, the remedy is read from the service factory database 47 based on the alarm signal and the failure signal. However, when multiple types of fault signals are transmitted at the same time, it is expected that a countermeasure cannot be calculated based on the combination of the fault signals. Therefore, an AI (Artificial Intelligence) device may be connected to the processing device 43 of the service factory, and a countermeasure may be determined by inferring the content of the countermeasure based on the alarm signal or the failure signal.

In the above, the status signal (daily report data) is transmitted on a regular basis at night. However, a switch for transmitting the daily report data may be provided in the driver's seat, and the daily report data may be transmitted by the switch for transmitting the daily report. Alternatively, the daily report data may be transmitted when the engine is stopped or started.

In the above, the daily report shown in Fig. 18 was created based on the daily report data. However, as shown in Figures 23A and 23B, a daily report containing the engine operating time distribution may be created. Figure 23A shows the total operating time, excavating time, turning time, running time, breaker time, drive time of attachments other than breaker, and cumulative time of no load, respectively. These accumulated times are created at the service factory based on the daily operating hours sent from the excavator controller 20, and are displayed as bar graphs. Figure 23B shows a bar graph of engine operation time and idle time for each month. Monthly engine operating hours and idle hours are also created at service plants based on the daily operating hours sent from the excavator controller 20, and are displayed as bar graphs.

As described above, the hydraulic excavator is equipped with the fuel remaining amount sensor 15f. Therefore, the controller 20 can also calculate the fuel consumption per unit time and the fuel consumption rate by using the signal from the fuel remaining amount sensor 15f. By transmitting these fuel consumption and fuel consumption rate as daily report data from a hydraulic excavator, The fuel consumption and fuel consumption rate can be displayed visually at the service factory.

For example, it can calculate fuel consumption per hour, operating consumption, standby consumption, and total consumption for 6 months, and output them as a daily report. The fuel consumption per hour is calculated by dividing the daily fuel consumption by the daily engine operating time. The operating consumption is the amount of fuel consumed while working on the implementation, and the standby consumption is the amount of fuel consumed while the engine is running with no load. The 6 month total consumption is literally the integrated value of the fuel consumption for 6 months. If the standby consumption is higher than the predetermined reference amount, a message such as "Please reduce the standby consumption and try to save energy" is output.

In order to calculate the operating consumption, it is necessary to associate the operating status with the fuel consumption. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the fuel consumption is calculated in the process of FIG. 7 for calculating the traveling operation time, the turning operation time, and the front operation time. When the pilot pressure for traveling, turning, or excavation becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, that is, when those operations are started, the operating fuel consumption FI is read in step S5, and the remaining fuel amount is read in step S6. Read the measured value of sensor 15 ί and substitute it for variable FS. When the pilot pressure is less than the predetermined value, that is, when the above operations are completed, the process proceeds to step S7, where the measured value of the fuel remaining amount sensor 15f is read and substituted into the variable FF. In step S8, FS—FF + FI is calculated to update the operating fuel consumption FI. In addition, information on fuel can be processed from various viewpoints and used as a daily report.

In the above, the signals from the hydraulic excavators a1 to cn are transmitted to the base station BC using the communication satellite CS, and the signals are transmitted from the base station BC to the service factory SF via the general public network PC. And However, the signal from the hydraulic shovel may be transmitted using a mobile communication system such as a PHS phone or a mobile phone without using a communication satellite. Also, the signal from the excavator was processed and output in various forms at the service factory. However, the signal was transmitted to the facility of the excavator administrator (manufacturer's service shop, user's management department), and the same The information may be processed and output. In this case, if the excavator is equipped with an ID card reader, Can also be used to manage working hours. That is, at the start of work, the operator causes his ID card to be read by the ID card reader. This information is transmitted to the excavator owner's facility, for example, the human resources department, together with the engine start and stop times in the daily report data. The HR department can manage the working hours of operators based on the transmitted ID information and the engine start and stop times and use them for payroll calculations. Alternatively, based on the daily report data, the work amount of the hydraulic excavator, for example, the amount of excavated sediment can be calculated.

The excavator manager may be a rental agent.

When sending the troubleshooting method to the service technician, the hydraulic excavator unit, the operation site, the details of the failure, the troubleshooting method, the parts to be brought, etc. were also transmitted. A search may be made of a road map from to a hydraulic excavator operation site and the road map may be transmitted together. In addition, a navigation device is installed in the serviceman's vehicle, and at a service factory, the optimum route from the point where the serviceman is located to the operation site of the excavator is searched. Based on the search result, the navigation device is displayed on the monitor of the navigation device. The route may be guided. The route search may be performed by a navigation device.

In the above, the alarm signal and the failure signal detected by the hydraulic excavator sensor group 10 are received by the service factory, the details of the failure are determined by the service factory, and the countermeasures are calculated. However, the controller 20 of the hydraulic excavator determines the content of the failure based on the replacement signal and the failure signal, and transmits a code representing the content of the failure, for example, a failure flag / abnormal code to the service factory, and provides a service. The factory may search the database based on the error flag or error code for a solution.

In the above description, the state signal of the excavator is transmitted to the service factory SF via the communication satellite SC and the base station BC, but the signal from the communication satellite CS may be directly received at the service factory. .

Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 25, the wireless base station BCA is connected to the excavator manufacturing plant OW via a general public network PC, and the excavator manufacturing plant OW and a plurality of service plants SF1 to SFn are connected. Connection (intranet) may be made using a dedicated line. In this case, the base station BCA shown in Fig. 25 is a satellite communication service using satellites, for example. It is a base station of a provider that provides one service. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, a system similar to the system in the radio base station BC shown in FIG.

In Fig. 26, the manufacturing plant OW receives the signal transmitted from the communication satellite CS via the wireless base station BCA and the general public line network PC via the modem 31A and the modem 31A. Storage device 32A for storing the transmitted signals, a modem 33A for transmitting data to be transmitted to the service factory via a dedicated line, and a control device 34A for controlling these various devices. ing. Then, the same processing as in FIG. 12 is executed by the control device 34A. The function of the hydraulic excavator manufacturing plant O W may be provided in the headquarters of the hydraulic excavator manufacturing company or in the rental company described above. Also, instead of using the satellite communication service, a mobile communication system such as a mobile phone or a PHS phone may be used. Fig. 27 is a diagram showing this situation. Base station B CB is the base station of the mobile phone operator. A mobile phone 100 is mounted on each excavator. In this case, the position of each excavator may be specified using the position information provided by the mobile phone system.

In addition, the hydraulic shovel has been described as an example, but the present invention can be widely applied to construction machines other than the hydraulic shovel and working machines including other working vehicles.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the service factory SF recognizes in which work area A, B, or C each excavator is operating based on the current location information transmitted from each excavator. The current location information is calculated by the hydraulic shovel receiving the GPS signal by the GPS receiver 24. However, the work areas A, B, and C may not be set in advance, and those having a certain distance or positional relationship may be grouped based on the current location information transmitted from each excavator.

For example, one hydraulic shovel is specified, and hydraulic shovels of a predetermined size are grouped in order from the one closest to the specified hydraulic shovel. This process is repeated to group the entire plurality of excavators. Various other grouping methods are conceivable, and any method can be employed in the present invention. Then, the schedule of the efficient patrol service should be created based on the grouped groups. In addition, based on the current location information of each excavator without grouping, Then, an optimal schedule for the patrol service may be created.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a service technician who has traveled to the patrol service obtains information regarding a failure using the portable information terminal device 51. A mobile phone may be used instead of the mobile information terminal device 51. In this case, for example, the processing device 43 uses a mobile phone system (mobile communication system) to transmit data such that a failure check list or the like is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone. The failure check list is a list of items that should be checked by a serviceman when a work machine fails. The service technician checks while checking the checklist displayed on the mobile phone, operates the keys on the mobile phone, and performs input corresponding to the checklist. Also input the status of each part, failure information, and replacement part information. The input information is transmitted to the processing device 43 via the mobile phone system. The processing device 43 receives the information transmitted via the mobile phone system and stores the information in the storage device 42 and the database 47 as information relating to the failure. The processing device 43 may be connected to the mobile phone system in the same configuration as in FIG. 27 described above. Using a mobile phone in this way makes it possible to easily create a database of advanced failure information that cannot be obtained with sensors alone, using simple means.

The main advantages of the above-described embodiment regarding the method of creating the schedule of the traveling service are as follows.

Signals indicating the status of each part of multiple work machines are received, and a schedule for patrol services for multiple work machines is created based on those status signals, so there is no need to manage a ledger for each construction machine. In addition, the patrol service can be performed efficiently.

Based on the multiple status signals sent from each of the multiple work machines, the schedule was created so that the number of patrol services for multiple work machines would be as small as possible. Can be minimized.

The history of the working state of each of the plurality of working machines is accumulated, and the timing of the patrol service for each of the plurality of working machines is calculated based on the state signal and the history of the working state, and based on the calculation result. However, since the schedule is created so that the number of patrol services for a plurality of work machines will be small, the number of service personnel can be minimized.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. In each of multiple working machines,

① Detect the state of each part of each work machine,

(2) Send a state signal indicating the detected state,

In the work equipment monitoring facility,

① Receive the status signals transmitted from the plurality of working machines,

(2) A traveling service schedule creation method for creating a traveling service schedule for the plurality of working machines based on the received status signals of the plurality of working machines.

2. The method of creating a patrol service schedule described in claim 1 further includes:

Based on the status signals sent from the plurality of working machines, the schedule is created so that the number of traveling services for the plurality of working machines is reduced at all.

3. The method for creating a patrol service schedule described in claim 2 further includes:

Accumulate the history of the working state of each of the plurality of working machines,

Based on the state signal and the history of the work state, calculate the timing of the patrol service for each of the plurality of work machines,

Based on the calculation result, the schedule is created so that the number of traveling services for the plurality of working machines is reduced at least.

4. A state detection device provided in each of the plurality of working machines to detect a state of each part of each working machine;

A transmitting device that is provided in each of the plurality of working machines and that transmits a state signal indicating a state detected by the state detecting device,

A receiving device that is provided in a working machine monitoring facility that monitors the working machine, and that receives the status signal transmitted from the transmitting device;

Based on the status signals of the plurality of working machines received by the receiving device, A patrol service schedule creation system including a schedule creation device that creates a schedule for a tour service for work equipment.

5. In the patrol service schedule creation system of claim 4,

The schedule creation device creates a schedule based on the status signals sent from the plurality of working machines so that the number of traveling services for the plurality of working machines is reduced at all.

6. In the patrol service schedule creation system of claim 5,

A storage device that is provided in the work equipment monitoring facility, and that stores a history of work states of the plurality of work equipments,

The schedule creation device,

Based on the status signal and the history of the work state, the timing of the patrol service for each of the plurality of working machines is calculated. and so as to create the schedule ₍

7. A receiving device for receiving a status signal transmitted from a plurality of working machines and indicating a state of each part of each working machine;

A schedule creation device that creates a schedule for the tour service of the plurality of work machines based on the received state signal.

8. Receiving status signals transmitted from multiple work implements and indicating the status of each part of each work implement,

A traveling service schedule creation method for creating a traveling service schedule for the plurality of work machines based on the received status signal.

9. Receiving status signals transmitted from multiple implements and indicating the status of each part of each implement,

Based on the received status signal, the schedule of the patrol service of the plurality of working machines Touring service schedule creation device to be created.

10 0. In the method for creating a traveling service schedule for claim 1,

In each of the plurality of working machines,

Transmit a position signal indicating the position of each work machine,

The work monitoring facility further comprises:

Receiving the position signal transmitted from each of the working machines,

Based on the position signal in addition to the status signals of the plurality of working machines, a schedule for a traveling service of the plurality of working machines is created.

1 1. The method for creating a traveling service schedule for claim 8 is as follows.

A position signal indicating the position of each work machine transmitted from the plurality of work machines is received, and in addition to the status signals of the plurality of work machines, a schedule for the traveling service of the plurality of work machines is created based on the position signal. I do.

1 2. The method for creating the patrol service schedule for claim 1 1 is as follows.

The plurality of work machines are grouped based on the position of each work machine based on the received position signal.