WO2016132758A1 - Traffic management server, vehicle-mounted terminal device, and traffic management system - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to prevent interference between manned vehicles and unmanned vehicles with a simple operation and without causing a reduction in work efficiency, this traffic management system includes a dump truck terminal device 26 in an unmanned vehicle 20 that travels autonomously in a mine, a traffic management server 31, and a manned vehicle terminal device 76 mounted in a manned vehicle 70, with the vehicles and the server communicably connected to each other. The traffic management server 31 is equipped with a travel permission granting unit 311f that grants travel permission to the unmanned vehicle 20, and an interference control unit 311d that sets work area data to a closed state in which entry by the unmanned vehicle 20 into a residence work area within the mine in which the manned vehicle 70 is permitted to travel or work is prohibited or an open state in which entry is permitted, said work area data indicating the state of the residence work area. When a closing request signal is received from the manned vehicle terminal device 76 and the unmanned vehicle 20 is outside of the residence work area, the work area data is set to the closed state, and when an opening request signal is received and the manned vehicle 76 is outside of the residence work area, the work area data is set to the open state. During the closed state the travel permission granting unit 311f does not grant travel permission within the residence work area. The travel permission granting unit grants travel permission within the residence work area only during the open state.

Description

Traffic control server, in-vehicle terminal device and traffic control system

The present invention relates to a traffic control server, an in-vehicle terminal device, and a traffic control system, and more particularly to a technique for controlling an unmanned vehicle and a manned vehicle so as not to interfere with each other at a work site where the unmanned vehicle and the manned vehicle travel.

When driving unmanned vehicles such as dump trucks that transport excavated ore autonomously in open pit mines, etc. It is necessary to control so that the vehicle and the unmanned vehicle do not interfere with each other.

As a technique for that purpose, for example, Patent Document 1 states, “When an unmanned dump truck enters the work area, no other unmanned dump truck enters the work area and the work in the work area is not performed. A configuration is disclosed in which an unmanned dump truck is allowed to enter the work area only when a vehicle (manned vehicle) issues an entry permission command (summary extract).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-198134

According to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an unmanned vehicle reaches the standby point provided at the entrance of the work area, it cannot enter without permission from the manned vehicle. Therefore, manned vehicles need to be permitted to enter each time even when they are not working, and the operation becomes complicated. On the other hand, unmanned vehicles need to wait at a waiting point until entry permission is granted. There is a problem in that work efficiency is reduced.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that is easy to operate and avoids interference between manned vehicles and unmanned vehicles without deteriorating work efficiency.

In order to solve the above-described problems, one aspect of the present invention is a traffic control system that performs traffic control for avoiding interference between an unmanned vehicle that autonomously travels in a mine and a manned vehicle that a driver rides in the mine. A traffic control system including a server and an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on the manned vehicle, wherein the traffic control server includes a travel permission granting unit that grants a travel permission of the unmanned vehicle in the mine, Work area data indicating the state of an actual work area in which the manned vehicle is allowed to travel or work in a mine, a closed state in which the unmanned vehicle is prohibited from entering the actual work area, or An interference control unit that sets an open state that permits entry, and a block request signal that causes the in-vehicle terminal device to transition the existing work area to the block state. And an open request signal for making a transition to the open state, a closed state notification signal for notifying the transition to the closed state, and an open state notification signal for notifying the transition to the open state A server-side communication control unit for transmitting to the in-vehicle terminal device, wherein the in-vehicle terminal device transmits the blocking request signal and the opening request signal and receives the blocking state notification signal and the opening state notification signal. A terminal-side communication control unit that receives the input operation of the blocking request signal and the opening request signal, and receives the blocking state notification signal and the opening state notification signal, the state of the actual work area for the operator of the manned vehicle A work area information processing unit that performs a process of notifying the server, and the interference control unit includes the server side communication control unit that is closed. When the request signal is received, the unoccupied vehicle is outside the actual work area as a first blocking condition, and when the first blocking condition is satisfied, the work area data is set to a blocking state, and the server When the side communication control unit receives the release request signal, the work area data is set to an open state when the manned vehicle is outside the actual work area, and the travel permission granting unit Is set to the closed state, the real work area is not granted travel permission for entering the unmanned vehicle, and the work area data is set to the open state, the real A travel permission for allowing the unmanned vehicle to enter the work area is provided.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a traffic control server and an in-vehicle terminal device included in the traffic control system.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for avoiding the interference between manned vehicles and unmanned vehicles, which is easy to operate and does not involve a reduction in work efficiency. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the traffic control system which concerns on this embodiment A diagram detailing the transport path Hardware configuration diagram of traffic control server and dump truck terminal device Hardware configuration diagram of manned vehicle terminal device FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the work area management database, where (a) shows an example of work area management information, (b) shows another example of work area management information, c) shows work area map information defining the position information and state of the work area. Functional block diagram showing main functions of traffic control server and terminal device Functional block diagram showing the main functions of the manned vehicle terminal device It is a figure which shows a driving | running | working permission area setting process, Comprising: (a) shows the driving | running | working permission area set with respect to each dump truck, (b) shows the driving | running permission area newly set with respect to the dump truck. (C) shows an open section. The figure which shows the example of the work area in the open state The figure which shows the example of the work area in blockade state The figure which shows the example of the operation screen of a manned vehicle terminal device The flowchart which shows the flow of the work area obstruction | occlusion process performed with a manned vehicle terminal device The flowchart which shows the flow of the work area release process performed with a manned vehicle terminal device The flowchart which shows the flow of the process by the side of the control server corresponding to the process of a manned vehicle terminal device Hardware configuration diagram of manned vehicle terminal device according to the second embodiment The figure which shows the example of the work area in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a work area when the branch line has joined the trunk line of a conveyance path, Comprising: (a) shows the position of the work area by an operator's input operation, (b) is an interference control part. Indicates the position of the work area actually set, and (c) shows another example of the work area actually set by the interference control unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same or related reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive description thereof is omitted. In the following embodiments, the description of the same or similar parts will not be repeated in principle unless particularly necessary.

<First embodiment>
In the first embodiment, a dump truck (corresponding to an unmanned vehicle) that transports earth and sand or ore loaded by a loader such as an excavator or a wheel loader in a mine and travels autonomously without boarding a driver, and a dozer. And manned vehicles such as graders, water trucks, and service cars on board, and traffic control servers (hereinafter referred to as “control servers”) that control traffic to avoid interference between these dump trucks and manned vehicles. Dumps the actual work area in which manned vehicles are allowed to run or work in work places such as loading and unloading grounds. It is characterized in that a closed state in which the truck is prohibited from entering or an open state in which the truck is allowed to enter is set. Hereinafter, a traffic control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a schematic configuration of the traffic control system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a traffic control system according to the present embodiment.

A traffic control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is loaded from an excavator 10 and an excavator 10 that perform loading work of earth and sand ore at a loading site 61 as a work site including a quarry and loading site such as a mine. A dump truck 20 (corresponding to an unmanned vehicle) consisting of an autonomous vehicle for transporting loads such as earth and sand and ore, and a manned vehicle 70 such as a dozer 71, a water truck, a service car, and the vicinity of a quarry or remote A control server 31 installed in the control center 30 is configured to communicate with each other via a wireless communication line 40.

The dump truck 20 reciprocates between the loading place 61 and the unloading ground (not shown) along the conveyance path 60 set in advance in the mine, and carries the load.

In the mine, a plurality of radio base stations 41-1, 41-2, 41-3 are installed. Then, radio communication radio waves are transmitted and received through these radio base stations 41-1, 41-2, and 41-3.

The excavator 10 and each dump truck 20 are positions for receiving positioning radio waves from at least three navigation satellites 50-1, 50-2, 50-3 such as GPS (Global Positioning System) and acquiring the position of the own vehicle. A calculation device (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided. There are actually a plurality of dump trucks 20 and manned vehicles 70, and each communicates with the control server 31 wirelessly.

The dump truck 20 is equipped with an in-vehicle terminal device (hereinafter abbreviated as “dump truck terminal device”) 26 for autonomous traveling in accordance with an instruction from the control server 31.

The manned vehicle 70 includes an in-vehicle terminal device (hereinafter abbreviated as “manned vehicle terminal device”) 76 for transmitting and receiving a signal for making the loading place 61 transition to a closed state or an open state with the control server 31. Mount. Although not shown, the excavator 10 may also be equipped with a manned vehicle terminal device.

The control server 31 is connected to an antenna 32 for connecting to the wireless communication line 40. The control server 31 communicates with each of the dump truck terminal device 26 and the manned vehicle terminal device 76 via the antenna 32 and the radio base stations 41-1, 41-2, 41-3.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of the conveyance path 60 of FIG. 1 and shows a configuration example of an open pit mine site where the dump truck 20 and the manned vehicle 70 travel. The conveyance path 60 connects the loading place 61, the earthing place 62 and the earthing place 63. The dump truck 20 loads topsoil and ore at the loading field 61, travels on the conveyance path 60, and conveys them to the earthing field 62 or 63.

The loading place 61 is a work site where the topsoil and ore excavated by the excavator 10 are loaded onto the dump truck 20.

The earthmoving field 62 is a work site where the topsoil and the like transported from the excavation site by the dump truck 20 are earthed at this location and developed into layers or radials.

The earthmoving ground 63 is a work site where a crusher (not shown) for crushing ore is installed. The ore crushed by the crusher is transported to a freight car loading place or processing facility by a belt conveyor or the like.

In each of the above work sites, an operator gets on the dozer 71 and places the spilled earth and sand on a position where it does not interfere with the traveling of the dump truck 20 or on a measurement vehicle that measures position information. Travel and measure position information. Hereinafter, an area where a manned vehicle may travel for work is referred to as a “work area”. The work area may completely coincide with the work site, or may be a partial area within the work site. In a third embodiment described later, a work area is provided on the conveyance path.

On the conveyance path 60, two traveling paths 64 having different traveling directions of the dump truck 20 are provided. Each travel route 64 constitutes an up lane and a down lane. Each travel path 64 interconnects the entrances or exits of each work site. The travel route of each work site is generated at any time with the movement of the stop position of the dump truck 20 within the work site, for example, the movement of the loading point or the movement of the earthing point. Hereinafter, the travel route generated at any time in the work site may be referred to as a “dynamic path”.

The travel route 64 is given as a coordinate value set on the map. The dump truck travels unmanned along the travel route 64 by controlling acceleration / deceleration and steering while comparing the self-position determined by the position sensor (GPS) and the coordinate value of the travel route. Information on the travel route 64 and the node 65 is stored as the map data of the control server 31 and the map data of the dump truck 20. The control server 31 grants / cancels the travel permission for each travel section defined as between the nodes, and notifies the dump truck 20 of the information to control the travel so as to avoid the interference between the dump trucks. The adjacent nodes are called sublinks 66.

The map information of the present embodiment defines travel routes that connect each of the entrances and exits of each work place, but each work place contains only the position information of each point, and the dynamic path is each of the work places in the work place. Since it is generated every time using the point position information, it is not included in the map information. For example, in the loading place 61, as a result of the excavator 10 moving while advancing excavation work, the loading point moves. Therefore, in this embodiment, the travel path from the entrance of the loading place 61 to the loading point and the dynamic path from the loading point to the exit of the loading place 61 are generated every time the dump truck 20 travels. To do.

Note that the position information of the work area in the loading place 61 is included in advance in the map information in this embodiment.

Next, the hardware configuration of the control server 31, the dump truck 20, the dump truck terminal device 26, and the manned vehicle terminal device 76 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the traffic control server and the dump truck terminal device. FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the manned vehicle terminal device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the work area management database, where (a) shows an example of work area management information, (b) shows another example of work area management information, c) shows work area map information defining the position information and state of the work area.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control server 31 includes a server-side control device 311, a server-side input device 312, a server-side display device 313, a server-side communication device 314, a communication bus 315, a master map information database (hereinafter referred to as “DB”). ”, 316, a travel-permitted section information DB 317 (hereinafter abbreviated as“ section information DB ”), and a work area management DB 318.

The server-side control device 311 controls the operation of each component of the control server 31, and stores a program executed by the control server 31 in addition to an arithmetic / control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). (Read Only Memory) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc., and hardware including RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a work area when the CPU executes the program. The functional configuration of the program executed by the control server 31 will be described later with reference to FIG. Each component of the control server 31 is realized by executing the program of FIG. 6 by the hardware. Further, the server-side control device 311 may be configured using an integrated circuit (ASIC: application specific integrated circuit) for realizing a function executed by the control server 31.

The server-side input device 312 is configured by an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and functions as a user interface when performing an operation of inputting the position of the work area on the map displayed on the screen of the server-side display device 313, for example.

The server side display device 313 is composed of a liquid crystal monitor or the like, and functions as an interface for displaying and providing information to the operator.

The server side communication device 314 is configured by a device for communication connection to a wired communication line or a wireless communication line 40. The server side communication device 314 has received from the manned vehicle terminal device 76 the blocking request signal for shifting the work area to the blocking state and the opening request signal for shifting the work area to the opening state, and has shifted to the blocking state. The closed state notification signal for notifying the state and the open state notification signal for notifying the transition to the open state are transmitted.

The communication bus 315 electrically connects the components to each other.

The master map information DB 316 is configured using a storage device such as an HDD that stores information in a fixed manner, and is defined by position information (coordinate values) of each node on the conveyance path 60 and sublinks that connect the nodes. Memorize the map information. Further, it may include mine topographic information and absolute coordinates of each node (three-dimensional actual coordinates calculated based on positioning radio waves). Each node is given position identification information (hereinafter referred to as “node ID”) that uniquely identifies the node. The map information includes the direction of the dump truck that travels on the travel route.

Section information DB317 is comprised using the memory | storage device which memorize | stores information fixedly, such as HDD, The vehicle identification information which identifies each dump truck 20 uniquely, and the position which shows the driving | running permission area allocated to each unmanned dump truck The section information including the information, the current position of each dump truck, and the traveling speed is stored. The vehicle identification information is desirably information that can distinguish the dump truck 20 and the manned vehicle 70.

The work area management DB 318 may include work area identification information that uniquely identifies a work area where a manned vehicle travels and performs work, work area identification information that uniquely identifies the work area, and may exist in the work area. Stored is manned vehicle identification information for uniquely identifying a certain manned vehicle, and work area management information associated with release request information indicating whether or not the release request signal is transmitted from the manned vehicle. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the work area management information includes “work area identification information” and “manned vehicle identification information” that uniquely identifies the manned vehicle existing in each work area. A `` blockage request flag '' that records whether each manned vehicle has transmitted a blockage request signal; and a `` open request flag '' that records whether each manned vehicle has transmitted an opening request signal that requests opening of the work area; You may comprise as a table which has a record which stores.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the work area management DB 318 includes “work area identification information”, “real coordinates (position information)” indicating the position of each work area, and whether each work area is closed. Work area map information associating “state” (“state” record corresponds to work area data) indicating whether it is in an open state may be stored. The work area map information may be generated based on position information acquired from the measurement vehicle 72, or may be generated by an input operation from an operator. Further, when a travel permission section is set for the manned vehicle, the work area map information may be generated based on the travel permission section.

Each of the above databases includes only a storage unit that stores map information and section information, and the server-side control device 311 may perform update / search processing of those databases, or update / search processing of information in each DB. It may be equipped with an engine that performs the following.

On the other hand, the dump truck 20 is an electrically driven dump truck, and as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the dump truck terminal device 26, a vehicle control device 27 that controls acceleration / deceleration and steering in response to an instruction from the dump truck terminal device 26. , An external sensor device 28, and a position calculation device 29.

The dump truck terminal device 26 includes a terminal side control device 261, a terminal side input device 262, a terminal side display device 263, a terminal side communication device 264, a communication bus 265, and a terminal side map information DB 266.

The terminal side control device 261, the terminal side input device 262, the terminal side display device 263, the terminal side communication device 264, the communication bus 265, and the terminal side map information DB 266 are respectively a server side control device 311, a server side input device 312, Since the configuration is the same as each of the server-side display device 313, the server-side communication device 314, the communication bus 315, and the master map information DB 316, redundant description is omitted. The terminal-side map information DB 266 stores the same map information as the map information stored in the master map information DB 316.

The vehicle control device 27 includes a retarder brake (regenerative brake) 271, a service brake (mechanical brake) 272, a steering control device 273, and an acceleration control device 274. The vehicle control device 27 is electrically connected to the dump truck terminal device 26, and makes the dump truck 20 autonomously travel according to an instruction from the control server 31.

The external sensor device 28 is a sensor for detecting an obstacle ahead of the traveling direction (traveling direction) of the dump 20-1 such as a millimeter wave radar or a front camera, and the kind thereof is not limited.

The position calculation device 29 calculates the current position of the host vehicle based on positioning radio waves from the navigation satellites 50-1, 50-2, and 50-3 (see FIG. 1). The calculated current position of the host vehicle is transmitted from the dump truck terminal device 26 to the control server 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, the manned vehicle terminal device 76 includes a terminal side control device 761, a terminal side input device 762, a terminal side display device 763, a terminal side communication device 764, and a communication bus 765, as with the dump truck terminal device 26. And a position calculation device 79 mounted on the dump truck 20. Since each of these components is the same as the configuration of the dump truck terminal device 26, a duplicate description is omitted.

Next, the functional configuration of the control server 31, the dump truck terminal device 26, and the manned vehicle terminal device 76 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating main functions of the traffic control server and the terminal device. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating main functions of the manned vehicle terminal device.

As shown in FIG. 6, the server-side control device 311 of the control server 31 includes a vehicle allocation management unit 311a, a travel permission section setting unit 311b, a dynamic path generation unit 311c, an interference control unit 311d, and a server-side communication control unit 311e. Prepare. Since the travel permission section setting unit 311b and the dynamic path generation unit 311c grant the travel permission of the dump truck 20 by setting the travel route (travel permission section and dynamic path) that permits the travel of the dump truck 20, these are given. Are collectively referred to as a travel permission grant unit 311f.

The vehicle allocation management unit 311a sets the destination of the dump truck 20, and refers to the map information stored in the master map information DB 316 to determine the travel route from the current position to the destination. The destination here is a range defined in advance by map information stored in the master map information DB 316. Therefore, the vehicle allocation management unit 311a sets the entrance or exit of each work area as the destination, but does not set the loading point and the earthing point as the destination.

The travel permission section setting unit 311b refers to the map information stored in the master map information DB 316 with respect to the dump truck 20, and the travel permission section that permits the travel of the dump truck 20 on a partial section of the travel route on the conveyance path 60. And section information indicating the position of the travel permitted section is generated. In addition, in the travel route determined above, for example, a dynamic path generated from the loading point to the exit of the loading place 61, generated from the earthing point to the exit of the earthing place 62, or 63. It may include dynamic paths.

The travel permission section setting unit 311b updates the section information stored in the section information DB 317 by overwriting the newly generated section information. The section information includes the node ID of the front boundary point that is the frontmost node of the travel permitted section and the node ID of the rear boundary point that is the last node. Since the section information includes the travel permission section set for each dump truck 20, when referring to the section information, whether there is a dump truck in the travel permission section provided adjacent to a certain work area, Further, the traveling direction of the dump truck 20 can be known by referring to the map information. When the travel-permitted section setting unit 311b receives information requesting setting of a new travel-permitted section (hereinafter referred to as “section request information”) from the dump truck terminal device 26, the travel-permitted section setting unit 311b performs a travel-permitted section setting process accordingly. . The travel permission section setting unit 311b generates section response information indicating the travel permission section when a new travel permission section is set, and generates disapproval response information indicating travel disapproval when the travel permission section is not completed. .

When the stop position in the existing work area is set, the dynamic path generation unit 311c sets the dynamic path from the entrance of the work area to the stop position in the work area, or from the stop position to the exit of the work area. Generate a dynamic path for. The “stop position” here is, for example, the position information of the loading point obtained from the excavator 10 in the case of the loading place 61, and the earthing position in the case of the earthing places 62 and 63. The dynamic path generation unit 311c may not generate a dynamic path when the work area is closed. Thereby, when the work area is in the closed state, the dump truck cannot enter the work area, so that interference between the dump truck and the manned vehicle in the closed state can be avoided.

The interference control unit 311d sets, in the work area data, a closed state that prohibits an unmanned vehicle from entering an actual work area or an open state that permits entry.

When the control server 31 receives the block request signal, the interference control unit 311d changes the value of the block request flag corresponding to the manned vehicle identification information mounted with the in-vehicle terminal device that is the transmission source of the signal from “0” to “1”. rewrite. When the dump truck 20 is outside the actual work area, the first blockage condition is set, and the interference control unit 311d blocks the existing work area when the first blockage condition is satisfied, that is, the work area data Is set to blocked status. Further, in addition to the first closing condition, whether or not there is a dump truck traveling toward the work area in the travel permission section adjacent to the actual work area (second blocking condition) may be imposed as a determination condition.

As an example of the determination process of the blocking state using the value of the blocking request flag, the interference control unit 311d determines that when there are a plurality of manned vehicles in the work area, at least one value is “1”, that is, If the OR process is performed using the value of the blocking flag of the manned vehicle and the calculation result is “1”, it may be determined that the first blocking condition and the second blocking condition are satisfied.

When the work area is switched from the open state to the closed state, the interference control unit 311d deletes the record of the blocking request flag, that is, rewrites the value of the blocking request flag from “1” to “0”. In addition, a “blocking state notification signal” indicating that the work area is blocked is transmitted to the vehicle terminal device of the manned vehicle that is the transmission source of the blocking request signal. When switching to the closed state, the interference control unit 311d rewrites the “state” record of the work area map information (FIG. 5C) from “open” to “closed” so that no travel permission is given in the work area. To control. Alternatively, control may be performed so that a new dynamic path is not generated. In this case, the dump truck 20 cannot enter the work area. As a result, even if the manned vehicle travels in the work area, there is no interference with the dump truck.

On the other hand, when the control server 31 receives the release request signal, the interference control unit 311d changes the value of the release request flag corresponding to the manned vehicle identification information mounted with the in-vehicle terminal device that is the transmission source of the signal from “0” to “ Rewrite to “1”. Then, it is assumed that the manned vehicle 70 is outside the work area, and the existing work area is released when the release condition is satisfied, that is, the work area data is set to the open state.

As an example of an open state determination process using the value of the open request flag, the value of the open request flag of all the manned vehicles in the work area that is the target of determination of whether or not the interference control unit 311d is open is “1”. In this case, that is, an AND process is performed using the value of the opening request flag of the manned vehicle, and if the result of the operation is “1”, it may be determined that the opening condition is satisfied.

When the work area is switched from the closed state to the open state, the interference control unit 311d deletes the record of the release request flag, that is, rewrites the value of the release request flag from “1” to “0”. In addition, an “open state notification signal” indicating that the work area has been opened is transmitted to each manned vehicle in the work area. When switched to the open state, the interference control unit 311d rewrites the “state” record of the work area map information (FIG. 5C) from “closed” to “open”, and the travel permission is given to the work area. . A new dynamic path may be generated. The dump truck 20 enters the work area. At this time, since the manned vehicle is outside the work area, interference with the dump truck can be avoided.

The server-side communication control unit 311e performs wireless communication control between the dump truck terminal device 26 and the manned vehicle terminal device 76. Section request information, section response information, and non-permission response information are transmitted / received to / from the dump truck terminal device 26, and block request information, release request information, block notification information, and release notification are transmitted to the manned vehicle terminal device 76. Control for sending and receiving information.

Next, the dump truck terminal device 26 will be described. The terminal-side control device 261 of the dump truck terminal device 26 includes an autonomous travel control unit 261a, a terminal-side communication control unit 261b, and a request information processing unit 261c.

The autonomous travel control unit 261a acquires the current position of the host vehicle from the position calculation device 29, refers to the map information in the terminal-side map information DB 266, and causes the host vehicle to travel according to the travel permitted section included in the section information. Control is performed on the vehicle control device 27. Further, the autonomous traveling control unit 261a determines the presence or absence of a front obstacle based on the detection result of the external sensor device 28, and also determines the presence or absence of an interference with the obstacle and a collision avoidance operation. If necessary, a braking operation is performed. Do control for.

The terminal-side communication control unit 261b controls wireless communication performed with the control server 31. The terminal-side communication control unit 261b transmits section request information and receives section response information and non-permission response information.

Based on the map information stored in the terminal-side map information DB 266 and the current position calculated by the position calculation device 29, the request information processing unit 261c determines whether the dump truck 20 has reached a point where the section request information is transmitted. When the request point is reached, section request information is generated and section request information is transmitted to the control server 31 via the terminal side communication control unit 261b.

Further, the terminal side control device 761 of the manned vehicle terminal device 76 includes a work area information processing unit 761a and a terminal side communication control unit 761b as shown in FIG. Since the terminal-side communication control unit 761b is the same as the configuration of the dump truck terminal device 26, a duplicate description is omitted. The position information indicating the current position of the host vehicle calculated by the position calculation device 79 mounted on the manned vehicle 70 is transmitted to the control server 31 via the terminal side communication control unit 761b.

The work area information processing unit 761a generates an open request signal or a block request signal when the operator performs a request operation for transitioning the work area to the open state or the block state in the terminal side input device 768, and sends it to the terminal side communication control unit 761b. Output. The terminal-side communication control unit 761b transmits an opening request signal or a blocking request signal to the control server 31 via the terminal-side communication device 764. In addition, the work area information processing unit 761a receives the control for displaying the operation screen for performing the requested operation on the terminal side display device 763, and the operation state when receiving the closed state notification signal or the open state notification signal. Control to display on the screen according to the signal.

The vehicle allocation management unit 311a, the travel permission section setting unit 311b, the dynamic path generation unit 311c, the interference control unit 311d, and the server side communication control unit 311e included in the control server 31 are shown in FIG. This is realized by being executed by the server-side control device 311 (hardware).

Similarly, the autonomous traveling control unit 261a, the terminal side communication control unit 261b, and the request information processing unit 261c provided in the dump truck terminal device 26 have a terminal side control device 261 (shown in FIG. This is realized by being executed by hardware.

Further, in the work area information processing unit 761a and the terminal side communication control unit 761b provided in the manned vehicle terminal device 76, a program for realizing these functions is executed by the terminal side control device 761 (hardware) shown in FIG. To achieve.

Next, the travel permission setting process by the control server 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the travel permission section setting process, in which (a) shows the travel permission section set for each dump truck, and (b) is newly set for the dump truck. A run permission section is shown, and (c) shows an open section. Since the control server 31 exclusively sets the travel permitted section, the description of the travel permitted section process also serves as the description of the process for avoiding the interference between the dump trucks.

Dump trucks 20-1 and 20-2 shown in FIG. 8A are dump trucks that are traveling in the direction of arrow A. The travel permission section 83a is a travel permission section set for the dump truck 20-1. The travel permission section 83b is a travel permission section set for the dump truck 20-2. D1 is a travel permission remaining distance indicating a distance along the travel route from the current position of the dump truck 20 to the front boundary point (terminal) of the travel permission section 83a. D2 is a travel permission request start distance for starting transmission of section request information. Hereinafter, when the dump trucks 20-1 and 20-2 are not distinguished, they are referred to as a dump truck 20.

The travel permission request start distance D2 is longer than the distance at which the dump truck 20 can stop (hereinafter referred to as “stoppable distance”, expressed as UVSL), and is, for example, a distance obtained by adding a predetermined offset distance m to UVSL. Defined. In this case, the travel permission request start distance D2 can be expressed by the following equation (1). Further, UVSL is calculated based on the distance that can be stopped from the current speed of the dump truck 20, and can be expressed by the following equation (2), for example.

Where m: margin

Where c _{u is} a coefficient determined to obtain the stoppable distance of the unmanned dump truck M _u is the mass including the load of the unmanned dump truck v _{u is} the current speed of the unmanned dump truck f _{u is} the braking force of the unmanned dump truck

The value of the predetermined offset distance m is set in consideration of, for example, the time required for wireless communication or the occurrence of a failure in wireless communication. The speed v of the dump truck 20 may be a value obtained by measuring the current speed of the dump truck 20 from the number of rotations of the wheels, and the master map information DB 316 and the terminal side with respect to the current travel position of the dump truck 20. The maximum allowable speed set in the map information stored in the map information DB 266 may be used.

The dump truck 20 transmits section request information to the control server 31 when the travel permission remaining distance D1 of the dump truck 20 becomes equal to or less than the travel permission request start distance D2. The section request information includes the current position information of the dump truck 20.

When the travel permission section setting unit 311b receives the section request information from the dump truck 20-1, the travel permission section setting section 311b includes a section where the dump truck 20-1 exists (between adjacent nodes) based on the positional information included in the transmitted section request information. Corresponding to the travel route). Then, traveling permission is given to a section that is longer than the traveling permission grant length from the end of the section where the dump truck 20-1 exists toward the front in the traveling direction of the dump truck 20-1. However, if there is a section for which permission is given to another vehicle, a travel permission section is given up to that point.

In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the section where the dump truck 20-1 exists is 90, and the sections included in the travel permission grant length 95 from the end are sections 91, 92, 93, and 94. . However, the sections 93 and 94 are already given to the dump truck 20-2 as the travel permission section 83b. Therefore, the candidates for the permitted travel section that can be newly set for the dump truck 20-1 are the sections 91 and 92. The section 91 is included in the travel permitted section 83a that has already been set for the dump truck 20-1. It is. Therefore, the travel permission section setting unit 311b sets only the section 92 as a new travel permission section.

The travel permission section setting unit 311b releases the section through which the dump truck 20 has passed among the sections permitted to travel at a predetermined timing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8C, the travel permission section setting unit 311b determines that the distance D4 from the end of the section to be canceled to the position of the dump truck 20-2 is a predetermined travel distance. It is canceled when the permission cancellation distance D3 is exceeded. The canceled section can be set as a travel permission section of the subsequent dump truck 20-1.

The dump trucks 20-1 and 20-2 can be prevented from interfering with each other by assigning the travel permission section as described above. However, in the case of the manned vehicle 70, there is a possibility that it may accidentally enter the travel permission section of another vehicle due to an oversight of a display or an instruction by the driver, so a countermeasure is required. Especially at excavation sites and earthmoving grounds, the dump trucks move backwards to the loading and earthing positions, so that the dump trucks move in a complex manner, and the dump truck's travel area cannot be clearly identified like the transport path. For this reason, there is a high possibility that manned vehicles will accidentally enter the dump truck travel permission section. Therefore, in these places, new interference control for manned vehicles is required in addition to the conventional blockage control.

The concept of manned vehicle interference control in the work area according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work area in an open state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work area in a closed state.

The loading place 61 includes an excavator 10 for excavating and loading, a dozer 71 for clearing up the earth and sand scattered by the excavation, and the earth and sand spilled from the dump truck into the loading place, and the topography by the progress of the excavation. There is a measuring wheel 72 for measuring the change of the. The excavator 10, the dozer 71, and the measurement vehicle 72 are all manned vehicles and vehicles driven by humans.

Inside the loading place 61, a work area 100 where the dozer 71 and the measuring vehicle 72 work, a safety area 110 that is an area within the loading place 61 but outside the work area, that is, the dump truck 20 does not enter, In order to isolate the safety area 110 from the work area 100, there is a bank 120 provided at the boundary of the safety area 110. In the present embodiment, when the dozer 71 and the measurement vehicle 72 are retreated from the work area 100 to the safety area 110 among the three manned vehicles of the excavator 10, the dozer 71, and the measurement vehicle 72, the work area 100 of the dump truck 20. Allow entry to. That is, among the manned vehicles (excavator 10, dozer 71, and measuring vehicle 72 in FIG. 9) existing in the work area 100, the manned vehicles (dozer 71 and measuring vehicle 72 in FIG. 9) to be evacuated are determined in advance. When the determined manned vehicle is retreated to the safety area 110, the dump truck 20 is allowed to enter the work area 100. Therefore, the retreating of all manned vehicles in the work area 100 may not be a condition for opening the dump truck 20.

When the operator of the excavator 10 positions the bucket 10a of the excavator 10 at the loading point 102 and performs a setting operation of the loading point 102 (for example, pressing a button), the position information of the loading point 102 is transmitted to the control server 31. The The dynamic path generation unit 311c refers to the work area management information and generates a travel route (dynamic path) 140 including the turning point 101. The control server 31 transmits the travel route 140 to the dump truck 20. The dump truck 20 travels along the travel route 140 and stops at the loading point 102. As described above, the travel route 140 of the dump truck 20 changes following the change in the position of the loading point 102, and there is no mark that can distinguish the boundary of the travel route 140. Therefore, a manned vehicle (dozer 71, measurement It is difficult for the driver of the car 72) to specify the place where the dump truck 20 travels.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the work area 100 is provided with two states, a closed state and an open state. When the work area 100 is closed, entry of the dump truck 20 is prohibited, and when the work area 100 is open, the work area 100 enters. To allow.

When a driver of a manned vehicle (dozer 71, measurement vehicle 72) works in the work area 100, the driver first requests the control server 31 to close the work area 100, and works when the control server 31 permits the close. The work enters the area 100 (see FIG. 10). Meanwhile, the dump truck 20 that is about to enter the work area is put on standby at the entrance 64a of the work area 100. When the work is completed, the manned vehicle retreats to the safety area 110 and requests the control server 31 to open the work area 100. When the control server 31 opens the work area 100, the dump truck 20 can enter (see FIG. 9).

Here, the safety area 110 has a structure in which the embankment 120 is provided at the boundary and the entrance / exit is provided at a part thereof, so that the boundary between the area where the dump truck 20 can travel and the safety area 110 becomes clear. It is possible to prevent the driver of the manned vehicle 70 from entering the travel permission section of the dump truck 20 by mistake. Further, by providing such embankment 120, it is possible to prevent the dump truck 20 from entering the safety area 110 by deviating from the travel route 140.

Moreover, although the virtual traveling route 141 of FIG. 9 shows an example of the route traveled when the dump truck 20 cuts the maximum steering angle, the virtual traveling route 141 cannot reach even when the maximum steering angle is cut. By providing the entrance / exit of the safety area 110 at such a location, the possibility of the dump truck 20 entering the safety area 110 is reduced when a route deviation occurs due to an unexpected abnormality of the steering system of the dump truck 20 or the like. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the safety area 110 and the work area 100 are separated by the embankment 120, but the dump truck 20 does not enter the safety area 110 by providing a height difference between the safety area 110 and the work area 100. May be.

Next, the processing flow of the control device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen (corresponding to the terminal-side input device 768) of the manned vehicle terminal device. The operation screen 200 includes a “CLOSE AREA” button 201 for requesting work area closure, an “APPROVED” light 202 indicating that work area closure is permitted, and an “OPEN” requesting work area release. AREA "button 203 is provided. When the operator operates the “CLOSE AREA” button 201, the closing request signal is generated, and when the “OPEN AREA” button 203 is operated, the opening request signal is generated, and each signal is transmitted to the control server 31.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the work area closing process executed by the manned vehicle terminal device.

When the “CLOSE AREA” button 201 is pressed by the driver of the manned vehicle (S101 / Yes), the work area information processing unit 761a generates a block request signal and transmits it to the control server 31, and from the control server 31 to the work area. A blockage state notification signal or an open state notification signal (collectively referred to as “area state signal”) indicating the current state of 100 is acquired from the control server 31 (S102). The work area closing process is not started until the “CLOSE AREA” button 201 is pressed (S101 / No).

When the closed state notification signal is not acquired (including the case where the open state notification signal is received and the case where neither signal is received) (S103 / No), the work area information processing unit 761a blinks the “CLOSE AREA” button 201. The state (for example, white and gray are alternately displayed) is set (S104), and the acquisition process of the block request signal to the control server 31 and the area state signal is repeated until a timeout occurs (S105 / No).

If the closed state is not reached after a predetermined time (S105 / Yes), the “CLOSE AREA” button 201 is turned off (for example, gray display state) (S106).

On the other hand, when the closed state notification signal is received (S103 / Yes), the “CLOSE AREA” button 201 is turned on (for example, white display state), and the “APPROVED” light 202 is also turned on (S107). The driver of the manned vehicle confirms that the “APPROVED” light 202 is turned on, and can exit the work area 100 from the safety area 110.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of work area opening processing executed by the manned vehicle terminal device.

When the “OPEN AREA” button 203 is pressed by the driver of the manned vehicle (S111 / Yes), the work area information processing unit 761a generates an open request signal and transmits it to the control server 31. A signal is acquired (S112). The work area release processing is not started until the “OPEN AREA” button 201 is pressed (S111 / No).

When the open state notification signal is not acquired (including when the closed state notification signal is received and when neither signal is received) (S113 / No), the work area information processing unit 761a blinks the “OPEN AREA” button 203. The state (for example, white and gray are alternately displayed) is set (S114), and the release request to the control server 31 and the state acquisition are repeated until time-out occurs (S115 / No).

If the open state is not reached even after a predetermined time has elapsed (S115 / Yes), the “OPEN AREA” button 203 is turned off (eg, gray display state) (S116).

On the other hand, when the open state notification signal is acquired (S113 / Yes), the “OPEN AREA” button 203 is turned on (for example, white display state) and the “APPROVED” light 202 is turned off (S117).

In the above processing, the driver of the manned vehicle can see that the work area 100 is closed or opened by looking at the lighting state of the “CLOSE AREA” button 201 or the “OPEN AREA” button 203 without the “APPROVED” light 202. However, the presence of the “APPROVED” light 202 makes it possible to reliably recognize that the work area 100 is in a closed state, that is, to enter the work area 100.

In the above processing, when communicating with the control server 31, the position information of the manned vehicle obtained by the manned vehicle position calculation device 79 is also transmitted to the control server 31.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing on the control server side corresponding to the processing of the manned vehicle terminal device. The actual processing is performed by the interference control unit 311d in the control server 31.

In the work area 100, it is conceivable that not only a single manned vehicle but also a plurality of manned vehicles 70 such as the dozer 71 and the measuring vehicle 72 are working. In the present embodiment, it is necessary to open the work area 100 in a state where both the dozer 71 and the measurement vehicle 72 are retracted to the safety area 110. For this reason, in the present embodiment, all of the manned vehicles 70 (the dozer 71 and the measurement vehicle 72) defined in advance are in a stage where there is a request that the work area 100 may be opened by retreating to the safety area 110. The work area 100 is opened. Hereinafter, the processing of the control server 31 will be described in the order of steps in FIG.

When the control server 31 receives a closing request signal for the work area 100 from the manned vehicle terminal device 76 (S201 / Yes), the interference control unit 311d determines that the dump truck (unmanned vehicle) is in the work area 100, or If the dump truck that is in the travel permission section adjacent to the work area 100 and is traveling toward the work area 100 is still traveling (S202 / No), the work area 100 is still open. In order to show, the open state notification signal is transmitted to the manned vehicle terminal device 76 that has transmitted the block request signal (S203), and the work area management information indicates that there is a block request for the work area where the manned vehicle exists. Record it (S204). Specifically, the value of the blocking request flag of the manned vehicle is rewritten from “0” to “1”.

There is no dump truck in the work area 100 for which the closing request has been made, and the dump truck 20 traveling toward the work area 100 is stopped in a travel permission section adjacent to the work area 100. If the dump truck 20 does not exist between adjacent travel permits (S202 / Yes), the work area 100 is put in a closed state, and a closed state notification signal indicating that is sent to the manned vehicle terminal device 76. Along with (S205), the record of the blocking request for the work area 100 is deleted (S206).

Here, if the work area management information includes a record of the work area 100 blockage request, the dynamic path generation unit 311c continues to the subsequent dump truck 20 even if the preceding dump truck 20 has been unblocked. Do not give permission to run.

On the other hand, when the interference control unit 311d receives an opening request signal for the work area 100 from the manned vehicle terminal device 76 (S201 / No, S207 / Yes), the manned vehicle that has transmitted the opening request signal is not in the safety area 110. In the case (S208 / No), the closed state notification signal indicating that the work area 100 is closed is notified to the manned vehicle 70 (S209).

When the manned vehicle 70 is in the safety area 110 (S208 / Yes), the record of the work area release request is confirmed, and the manned vehicle 70 is released from all the manned vehicles previously associated with the work area 100 (dozer 71, measurement vehicle 72). If the request signal has not been received (S210 / No), a closed state notification signal indicating that the work area 100 is closed is notified to the manned vehicle terminal device 76 (S211), and at the same time, the work area from the manned vehicle. It is recorded that the release request signal is received (S212).

Whether the manned vehicle 70 is in the safety area 110 can be confirmed by operating the opening request after the manned vehicle operator evacuates to the safety area. The opening request signal includes the current position information of the manned vehicle, and the control server 31 is further provided with safety area map information that prescribes the position information of the safety area in advance, and the interference control unit 311d provides the safety area map information. The verification process may be executed by verifying whether the current position information of the manned vehicle is included therein.

When there is a record of receiving the release request signal from all of the manned vehicles associated with the work area (S210 / Yes), the interference control unit 311d sets the work area 100 to the open state and is the transmission source of the release request signal. The open state signal is notified to the manned vehicle terminal device 76 (S213), and at the same time, the record of the work area release request is deleted (S214).

According to this embodiment, the work area is closed or opened according to a request from a manned vehicle. Therefore, the work area is opened after the manned vehicle retreats to the safety area, and the work area is closed and then the manned vehicle enters the work area, thereby avoiding interference between the unmanned vehicle and the manned vehicle in the work area. it can. In particular, even in the workplace, the travel permission is given only when the work area is open, so that interference in the workplace can be avoided.

In addition, even when a plurality of manned vehicles are in the work area, a manned vehicle that performs a blockage / opening request is determined in advance, so that even a manned vehicle such as an excavator can control interference avoidance according to the present invention. Even if there is a vehicle that is not a target, it is possible to avoid interference from a vehicle in which interference avoidance is particularly important, such as a light vehicle.

Furthermore, in addition to the presence / absence of unmanned vehicles in the work area of the first blocking condition, by adding the presence / absence of unmanned vehicles traveling toward the work area to the adjacent travel permission section that is the second blocking condition, It is possible to avoid an emergency operation such that the unmanned vehicle is suddenly stopped at the entrance of the work area when it is opened.

<Second embodiment>
The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a manned vehicle terminal device is connected to a vehicle control device for a manned vehicle, and the manned vehicle is prevented from traveling in the work area by mistake in an open state. Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a hardware configuration diagram of the manned vehicle terminal device according to the second embodiment. The manned vehicle according to the second embodiment is obtained by adding a vehicle control device 77 to the configuration of the first embodiment. The vehicle control device 77 suppresses the travel of the manned vehicle based on a command from the terminal side control device 761.

When the “APPROVED” light 202 is in an extinguished state based on the processing flow shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the terminal-side control device 761 sends a travel suppression command to the vehicle control device 77. Specifically, control is performed to suppress the transition of the manned vehicle from the stopped state to the traveling state, for example, the parking brake is not released or the transmission that transmits the engine power to the axle does not change from the idle state to the connected state.

According to this embodiment, when the work area is in an open state, even if an operator of the manned vehicle tries to enter the work area by mistake, the manned vehicle cannot move, thereby avoiding interference with the dump truck. Can do.

<Third embodiment>
The third embodiment is an embodiment in which a work area is set on the conveyance path. In the first embodiment, the work area is set as the work place, but the same traffic control system can be applied to the conveyance path. In the present embodiment, a grader that maintains a road surface as a manned vehicle is assumed, and a section on the conveyance path is assumed as a work area. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work area in the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of a work area when branch lines join the trunk line of the conveyance path, where (a) shows the position of the work area by an operator's input operation, and (b) shows The position of the work area actually set by the interference control unit is shown, and (c) shows another example of the work area actually set by the interference control unit.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, two earth release sites 62 and 63 are connected to one loading site 61 by a conveyance path 60. Here, when the road surface of the branch road from the intersection 69 to the release ground 62 is to be prepared, a work area 250 is set along the shape of the transport path 60, and the safety area 210 is set to the side of the transport path 60. . When the grader 73 is performing road surface maintenance work on the work area 250, the work area 250 is closed, and the dump truck 20 reciprocates between the loading place 61 and the earthing place 63. When the grader 73 is retracted to the safety area 210 and the work area 250 is in an open state, the dump truck 20 can travel to the earth release field 62 as well. Similarly, the same blockage control can be performed by setting the work area 220 and the safety area 230 with respect to the branch road from the intersection 69 to the release ground 63.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the work area when the branch line 330 is joined to the trunk line 320 of the conveyance path. FIG. 17A illustrates the position of the work area by the operator's input operation. ) Shows the position of the work area actually set by the interference control unit 311d, and (c) shows another example of the work area actually set by the interference control unit 311d.

The node 300 on the trunk line is a junction of travel routes set on the trunk line 320 and the branch line 330, respectively. In this case, the nodes 302 and 302 adjacent to the node 300 on the trunk line 320 and the node 301 adjacent to the branch line 330 are associated with each other and stored in the master map information DB 316.

When the operator performs an input operation for setting a work area including the node 300 on the main line 320 (see FIG. 17A), the interference control unit 311d refers to the master map information DB 316 and refers to the node associated with the node 300. Finalize the work area to include all As a result, in FIG. 17B, the work area on the trunk line 310 is extended to the node 301 on the branch line 330. Thereby, when the user performs an operation of setting a work area only on the branch line, the interference control unit 311d expands the work area to the nodes 301 and 302 adjacent to the node 300 on the main line.

According to the present embodiment, by setting a work area on the conveyance path and closing / opening the work area, interference between the manned vehicle and the dump truck on the conveyance path can be avoided. Furthermore, when there is a merging point, it is possible to suppress the entry of unmanned vehicles from the merging line by enlarging and setting the work area to the merging line.

The above embodiment is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the first embodiment, the work area is an example of a loading area, but a similar control server can be applied to a dumping area. There is no excavator to load earth and sand at the dumping ground, but manned vehicles such as dozers and measuring cars need to work as well as the loading spot. In addition, since the dump truck travels on the travel route generated based on the earthing position set by the instruction from the dozer or the control server, the work area including those travel routes and the safety area that can be isolated from the travel route By providing this, it is possible to perform closing / opening control of the work area similar to the loading site.

In the above embodiment, a dump truck has been described as an example of an unmanned vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to the dump truck and may be a transport vehicle such as a tank lorry. In addition, manned vehicles and unmanned vehicles are not intended to be limited to vehicles, and may be traveling bodies. Therefore, a manned vehicle includes a manned work machine having no wheels, and an unmanned vehicle also includes an unmanned work machine having no wheels.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the work area is expanded to a node adjacent to the node at the merge point. However, the work area may be expanded to a node further away from the merge point, not limited to the adjacent node.

As another example of processing for setting a work area on the conveyance path in the third embodiment, when the travel permission section setting unit 311b sets a travel permission section for a manned vehicle, the interference control unit 311d operates in the travel permission section. While setting an area, among the opposite lanes of the travel lane on which the manned vehicle travels, the work area may be expanded to a partial section parallel to the set travel permission section and the set travel permission section.

In the above embodiment, when referring to the number of elements and the like (including the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc.), except when specifically specified and clearly limited to a specific number in principle, etc. It is not limited to the specific number, and may be more or less than the specific number. In addition, the constituent elements (including processing steps) included in the above-described embodiment are not necessarily essential, and may be omitted as appropriate unless otherwise specified or apparently essential in principle. .

1 Traffic control system 10 Excavators 20, 20-1, 20-2 Unmanned dump trucks (unmanned vehicles)
26 Dump truck terminal device 31 Traffic control server 70 Manned vehicle 76 Manned vehicle terminal device

Claims (9)

1. A traffic control server for performing traffic control for avoiding interference of an unmanned vehicle that autonomously travels in a mine and a manned vehicle that a driver rides in the mine;
   In the mine, a travel permission granting section for granting travel permission for the unmanned vehicle;
   Work area data indicating the state of an existing work area in which the manned vehicle is allowed to travel or work in the mine, or a blocked state that prohibits the unmanned vehicle from entering the existing work area, or An interference control unit for setting the open state to permit the entry;
   A blockage request signal for shifting the work area data to the blockage state is received from an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on the manned vehicle, and a blockage state notification signal for notifying the transition to the blockage state is received. A communication control unit for transmitting to the in-vehicle terminal device,
   When the communication control unit receives the block request signal, the interference control unit sets the unmanned vehicle to be outside the actual work area as a first block condition, and satisfies the first block condition. Set the work area data to a closed state,
   When the work area data is set in a closed state, the travel permission grant unit does not grant a travel permission to enter the unmanned vehicle in the actual work area, and the work area data is in an open state. If it is set to, to give the travel permission for the unmanned vehicle to enter the real work area,
   A traffic control server characterized by that.
2. The communication control unit receives an open request signal for changing the work area data to the open state from the in-vehicle terminal device, and sends an open state notification signal for notifying that the open state is changed to the open state. To the in-vehicle terminal device,
   When the communication control unit receives the release request signal, the interference control unit sets the manned vehicle to be outside the actual work area, and the work area data is satisfied when the release condition is satisfied. Set to open,
   The traffic control server according to claim 1.
3. The interference control unit uses, as the release condition, that the manned vehicle is retracted in an actual safety area for the manned vehicle provided outside the actual work area to be retracted.
   The traffic control server according to claim 2, wherein:
4. Work area identification information that uniquely identifies the actual work area, manned vehicle identification information that uniquely identifies the manned vehicle that may exist in the actual work area, and the release request signal from the manned vehicle A work area management information storage unit for storing work area management information recorded in association with release request information indicating that
   When the communication control unit receives the release request signal, the interference control unit refers to the work area management information and identifies all manned vehicle identifications associated with the work area identification information from which the release request signal is issued. Information that the release request information is associated with information is used as the release condition.
   The traffic control server according to claim 2, wherein:
5. The mine includes an actual work area for performing loading work on the unmanned vehicle or for performing unloading work on the unmanned vehicle, and a conveyance path that is connected to the work site and travels on the unmanned vehicle. ,
   The travel permission grant unit
   Including a travel permission section setting unit that sets a partial section of a travel route set in advance on the transport path as a travel permission section that permits travel of the unmanned vehicle;
   The interference control unit sets the second blocking condition that the unmanned vehicle traveling toward the actual work area does not exist in the travel permission section set adjacent to the actual work area, When the two blockage conditions are further satisfied, the work area data is set to a blockage state.
   The traffic control server according to claim 1.
6. The travel permission grant unit
   A dynamic path generator that sequentially generates the travel route of the unmanned vehicle in the actual work area as the stop position of the unmanned vehicle moves in the actual work area;
   The dynamic path generation unit generates the travel route when the work area data is in an open state.
   The traffic control server according to claim 5, wherein:
7. An in-vehicle terminal device mounted on a manned vehicle on which a driver is boarded and travels in a mine, wherein the manned vehicle travels in the mine in an actual work area that is allowed to travel or work. A terminal-side input device that receives an operation for requesting a transition to a closed state that prohibits the vehicle from entering, and an operation for requesting a transition to an open state that permits the entry; and
   A terminal-side display device that displays whether the actual work area is in a closed state or an open state;
   A vehicle-mounted terminal device comprising:
8. A traffic control server that performs traffic control for avoiding interference between an unmanned vehicle that autonomously travels in a mine and a manned vehicle that a driver rides in the mine; and an in-vehicle terminal device that is mounted on the manned vehicle; A traffic control system including
   The traffic control server is
   In the mine, a travel permission granting section for granting travel permission for the unmanned vehicle;
   Work area data indicating the state of an existing work area in which the manned vehicle is allowed to travel or work in the mine, or a blocked state that prohibits the unmanned vehicle from entering the existing work area, or An interference control unit for setting the open state to permit the entry;
   From the in-vehicle terminal device, a blocking request signal for shifting the existing work area to the blocking state and an opening request signal for shifting to the opening state are received, and notification that the switching to the blocking state is made A server-side communication control unit that transmits to the in-vehicle terminal device a closed state notification signal for notification and an open state notification signal for notifying the transition to the open state,
   The in-vehicle terminal device is
   A terminal-side communication control unit that transmits the blocking request signal and the opening request signal and receives the blocking state notification signal and the opening state notification signal;
   A work area that receives an input operation of the blockage request signal and the release request signal, and performs a process of notifying an operator of the manned vehicle of the state of the existing work area when receiving the blockage state notification signal and the release state notification signal An information processing unit,
   When the server side communication control unit receives the block request signal, the interference control unit uses the unmanned vehicle outside the actual work area as a first block condition, and satisfies the first block condition. The work area data is set to a closed state, and when the server-side communication control unit receives the release request signal, the work area data is released when the manned vehicle is outside the actual work area. Set to
   When the work area data is set in a closed state, the travel permission grant unit does not grant a travel permission to enter the unmanned vehicle in the actual work area, and the work area data is in an open state. If it is set to, to give the travel permission for the unmanned vehicle to enter the real work area,
   A traffic control system characterized by that.
9. The manned vehicle includes a vehicle control device that performs an operation for suppressing travel of the manned vehicle,
   When the in-vehicle terminal device receives the open state notification signal, the work area information processing unit outputs a command for suppressing traveling of the manned vehicle to the vehicle control device.
   The traffic control system according to claim 8.

Images