Patent Publication Number: US-6990398-B2

Title: System for controlling operating information of construction machine and construction machine therefor

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an operating information control system of a construction machine and a construction machine therefore. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, with respect to the rental of a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator, it is general that the rental fee is calculated on the basis of an actual using period instead of a lending period of a construction machine. More specifically, operating information such as engine start/stop time, operating time, and fuel residual quantity are once stored in a memory such as an IC card set in a construction machine, and a rental company reads the operating information after completion of lending to calculate the rental fee. 
     However, in the above method for controlling operating information by the IC card, accurate operating information cannot be obtained unless the IC card is set in a construction machine at the start of work. Further, in a case where operating information is read, it is necessary to take the IC card to the rental company to put the operating information into a host computer of the rental company through a readout device. Therefore, in the rental company having many machines, the reading process is cumbersome. 
     In view of the foregoing, it has been proposed an operating information control system capable of transmitting the operating information to the rental company through a communication satellite to control the received information at a real time. 
     However, since in this system, operating information is transmitted making use of a satellite communication, a costly communication fee occurs. In a case that making use of a satellite communication costs about 5,000 yen/month per machine, when the rental company having, for example, 1,000 construction machines intends to perform this sort of operating control, the communication fee of sixty million yen per year occurs. Such an expensive communication fee as described is the heavy burden on the management of the company, thus posing a problem that this system is short in practicability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating information control system of a construction machine and a construction machine therefore capable of performing reading of operating information simply without requiring an expensive communication cost in controlling operation of the construction machine. 
     The operating information control system of a construction machine according to the present invention has the following constitution: 
     operating information collection means for collecting operating information regarding operation of a construction machine; storage means for storing the operating information; and transmission controller for transmitting the operating information read from the storage means to a first receiving device provided except the construction machine through a wireless radio. The transmission controller transmits operating information when a transmission request is received from outside of the construction machine, or transmits the operating information continuously for a predetermined period of time to the first receiving device. For example, operating information transmitted is received by the first receiving device within the transmission permissible range of the wireless radio. Thereby, operating information can be read from the construction machine. In a case where the receiving device is provided in a base station for controlling the construction machine, the construction machine is returned to the base station whereby the receiving device enters a transmission permissible area. At that time, the operating information can be transmitted and received between the transmission controller and the receiving device. More specifically, when the construction machine passes through a gate of the base station, the operating information can be received from the construction machine. 
     In this case, the operating information of the construction machine is transmitted making use of a small-power wireless ratio without using a communication satellite or a public circuit network, and therefore, the communication cost can be reduced. Moreover, as a medium for reading the operating information from the construction machine, a wireless communication is utilized though its transmission area is limited, and therefore, reading of the operating information can be processed in a short period of time without requiring a manual work. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the constitution of an operating information control system using a first embodiment of an operating information reading device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the state that operating information is wireless communicated according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing the control form of operating information according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing the stored content of operating data shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing the stored content of in/out data shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart for explaining control operation of an operating information control system using according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the constitution of an operating information control system using a second embodiment of an operating information reading device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. This is merely one embodiment, and the invention is not limited thereto. 
       FIGS. 1  to  6  show an operating information control system using an operating information reading device of a first embodiment. 
     In the figure, the operating information control system mainly comprises an operating information collection device  10  mounted on the construction machine, and an operating information control device  20  for receiving and processing operating information transmitted by wireless communication from the device  10 . The operating information control device  20  is installed, for example, within a premises of a rental company as a base station having a plurality of construction machines for rent. The base station is not always required to be installed within the premises of the rental company but may be installed in any suitable place. 
     First, the constitution of the operating information collection device  10  will be explained. The collection device  10  has a controller  11  for processing operating information collected from the construction machine. A group of sensors  12  for the collecting operating information is connected to the controller  11 . 
     In the group of sensors  12 , when a start key is inserted into a key switch  12   a  to switch a position from “LOCK” position through a power supply “ON” to “START” position, a starting motor rotates to drive an engine (not shown). At the start time and stop time of the engine, an engine start signal and an engine stop signal are sent to an operating information collection unit  11   a  of the controller  11 , respectively. 
     Further, simultaneously with the start of the engine, detection signals output from an alternator  12   b ; an hour meter  12   c , a fuel sensor  12   d  and a pressure switch  12   e  are also sent as operating information to the operating information collection unit (operating information collection means)  11   a . The operating information collection unit  11   a  corresponds the operating information to date and time information output from a calendar timer  11   b  to store them in an operating information memory (storage means)  11   c.    
     An operating information transmission processing unit (transmission control means)  11   d  reads, when received a transmission request signal from an operating information control device  20  described later, operating information OD stored temporarily in the operating information memory  11   c . Subsequently, type information and machine number information MD of the construction machine read out of an identification information memory  11   e  are added to the operating information OD to transmit them from an antenna  13   a  of a wireless communication device  13 . 
     On the other hand, in the rental company, a wireless communication device  21  connected to the operating information control device  20  is provided at a gate  30  through which a construction machine passes at an incoming time or at an outgoing time (see FIG.  2 ). Operating information transmitted from the construction machine is received through an antenna  21   a  and processed by a controller  22 . The wireless communication devices  13 ,  21  can be constituted, for example, by simplified wireless devices of 2.4 GHz band. 
     To a controller  22  is connected a pair of incoming/outgoing sensors (incoming/outgoing detector)  23   a ,  23   b . These sensors  23   a ,  23   b  are arranged on the gate  30  along a passing direction of a construction machine  32 . Accordingly, at the outgoing time, detection signals are output in the order of from the first sensor  23   a  to the second sensor  23   b . Conversely, at the incoming time, detection signals are output in the order of from the second sensor  23   b  to the first sensor  23   a . That is, the incoming or the outgoing of the construction machine  32  is specified on the basis of the order of signals output from the sensors. These sensors  23   a ,  23   b  will be sometimes referred to an incoming/outgoing detection sensor  23  in blanket hereinafter. 
     With the detection signals output from the sensors  23   a ,  23   b  as a trigger, the operating information reception processing unit  22   a  transmits a transmission request of operating information to the operating information transmission processing unit  11   d  of the construction machine  32 . 
     The processing unit  11   d  having received the transmission request reads the operating information OD from the operating information memory  11   c , reads identification information MD (type information, machine number information) of the construction machine  32  which intends to pass through the gate  30  from the identification information memory  11   e , and transmits both information OD+MD to the operating information control device  20 . 
     The processing unit  22   a  sends the received both information OD+MD to an operating information processing unit  22   b . The processing unit  22   b  performs processing of the operating information, and stores, when the processing is completed, it in a main memory device or a main storage device (operating information storage means)  24  of a host computer connected by way of wire. Reference numeral  22   c  designates a calendar timer, which sends date and time of incoming or outgoing of the construction machine to the processing unit  22   b . The wireless communication device  21  and the operating information reception processing unit  22   a  function as a receiving device. 
       FIG. 3  shows contents of operating information processed by the processing unit  22   b  and stored in the main storage device  24 . 
     The main storage device  24  is equipped with a type column  24   a  for storing data showing the type of construction machines, a machine number column  24   b  for storing machine number data showing what number a machine has, an operating data column  24   c  for storing operating data, an incoming/outgoing data column  24   d  for storing incoming/outgoing data, and a stock column  24   e  for storing data indicative of presence of machine stock. Data processed by the operating information processing unit  22   b  is classified and stored in each of the column. 
     For example, a description will be made of machine No. “012453” of the type “SK60SR”. Operating data is stored in an exclusive-use file A 1 , and incoming/outgoing data is stored in a file B 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows storage contents of the file A 1 . In the file A 1  is stored the time when the engine of the construction machine of the type “SK60SR” starts or stops along the lapse of time (operation  1 , operation  2 , operation  3 ) every work day. The total operating time calculated by the operating information processing unit  22   b  is also stored (see  24 C 1 ). 
     As for data collected from the hour meter  12   c , accumulated time from the engine initial start to the engine last (final) stop is stored (see  24 C 2 ). 
     The fuel residual quantity is calculated on the basis of fuel data collected from a fuel sensor  12   d  and is stored while corresponding to actual operating time of the construction machine (see  24 C 3 ). 
     In the stock column  24   e  is stored data showing if the construction machine  32  is present in the premises of the rental company. A presence confirmation unit (confirmation means)  22   d  of the operating information control device  20  periodically transmits a request signal for confirming the presence to the construction machine  32 . In a case where a response of a presence confirmation response signal is received from the operating information collection device  10 , data “∘” is stored in the stock column  24   e . In a case where no response of a presence confirmation signal is present, data “X” is stored. Alternatively, the presence or absence may be stored by raising or lowering a flag (flag mark). 
     On the other hand,  FIG. 5  shows storage contents of the file B 1 . In the file B 1  are stored outgoing date and time and incoming date and time of the construction machine each other correspondingly. 
     Each information shown in  FIGS. 3  to  5  are converted into visible data and displayed on a monitor screen of the rental company. 
     If constitution is employed such that date and time of communication made between the construction machine and the base station is sent as incoming or outgoing date and time information to the operating information control means, incoming/outgoing control of the construction machine becomes enabled. 
     When the rental period ends, the construction machine  32  is placed on a loading space of a carrying vehicle  33  and returned to the rental company as shown in  FIG. 2  for the purpose of checking the breakage of the body or washing the machine. At that time, the construction machine  32  passes through the gate  30 . 
     At that time, the wireless communication device  13  of the operating information collection device  10  and the wireless communication device  21  provided at the gate  30  come close each other and enter a mutual communication area. Therefore, wireless communication can be done by a simplified wireless radio which is short in arriving distance of radio wave and is narrow in communication area. 
     Further, according to this invention, a low output of a low power wireless radio will suffice, and interference with other radio waves can be also cleared up. 
     If, when passing through the gate of the base station, a transmission request of operating information is issued to the construction machine, the operating information is automatically read when the construction machine passes through the gate on incoming or outgoing. 
     If transmission of the operating information is carried out only when incoming or outgoing of the construction machine is detected, consuming power of the low power wireless radio can be further reduced to save energy. 
     According to the present invention, the operating information is read at the predetermined place by making use of the fact that the construction machine passes through the gate at the time of incoming or outgoing, and therefore, the operating information can be read without fail. 
     The control operation of the operating information control system having the above-described constitution will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG.  6 . 
     First, the operating information reception processing unit  22   a  monitors an incoming/outgoing signal output from the incoming/outgoing detection sensor  23  to thereby judge if the construction machine  32  has passed through the gate  30  (Step S 1 ). 
     When the passage of the construction machine  32  is detected, the operating information reception processing unit  22   a  requests the operating information collection device  10  of the construction machine  32  to transmit the operating information (Step S 2 ). 
     The operating information collection device  10  having received a transmission request reads the operating information OD from the operating information memory  11   c , and reads the identification information MD indicative of the type and the machine number of the construction machine  32  having passed through the gate from the identification information memory  11   e . Subsequently, both the information OD+MD are transmitted to the operating information control device  20  through the wireless communication devices  13  and  21  (Step S 3 ). 
     The control device  20  having received both the information OD+MD processes them into the forms shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  by the operating information processing unit  22   b  (Step S 4 ). 
     Subsequently, the operating information processing unit  22   b  reads date and time information from the calendar timer  22   c . As shown in  FIG. 5 , in case of incoming, incoming date and time is stored, and in case of outgoing, outgoing date and time is stored (Step S 5 ). 
     At the outgoing time, operating information such as the engine start, and the engine stop are not stored in the operating information storage unit  11   c . In this case, the operating information transmission unit  11   d  outputs no information. 
     The wireless communication carried out between the construction machine and the control computer in the present invention is constituted by a simplified wireless machine of a specific frequency band in the above-described embodiment. However, a feeble wireless device or a low power wireless device can be also used not limiting thereto. 
     Accordingly, according to the present invention, it is possible to transmit operating information of the construction machine making use of a low power wireless device (including a feeble wireless device and a simplified wireless device making use of a specific frequency band) without using a communication satellite or a public circuit network. Therefore, no communication cost is required, and in addition, since a wireless communication is used as a medium, reading of operating information can be processed in a short time without requiring a manual work. 
     Further, in the above-described embodiment, a description has been made of a case where the base station is provided in the premises of the rental company. However, it can be provided in a place away from the rental company, for example, a car washing area or a warehouse not limiting thereto. 
     Further, in the above-described embodiment, a receiving device for receiving operating information and an operating information control device for controlling operating information are provided on one base station. However, the devices may be arranged in separate base stations respectively. For example, the receiving devices are located to be scattered in business offices or parking lots, and the received operating information may be transmitted to a control computer as an operating information control device provided in the head office through the Internet or the like. Further, it is acceptable that construction machine makers owns operating information control devices whereas receiving devices are installed in rental companies, and the construction machine makers executes the operating information control for the rental companies. In this case, a plurality of base stations exist. 
       FIG. 7  shows the constitution of an operating information control system using an operating information reading device according to a second embodiment of this invention. In the figure, the same constituent elements as those of  FIG. 1  are indicated by the same reference numerals, explanation of which are omitted. 
     In the figure, numeral  40  shows the constitution of a portable wireless radio, which comprises a wireless communication device  40   b  connected to an antenna  40   a , an operating information transmit-receive processing unit  40   c  for receiving and transmitting operating information through the communication device  40   b , and an operating information memory  40   d  for storing the received operating information. The portable wireless radio  40  is mounted, for example, on an automobile (a movable body) not shown driven by a staff member or a mechanic of a rental company having construction machines. The wireless communication device  40   b  and the operating information transmit-receive processing unit  40   c  function as a second receiving device. In this respect, the receiving device according to the first embodiment described above is positioned to be the first receiving device. 
     The staff member drives the above-described automobile to visit the sites for which construction machines are lent out. Or he travels on the road near the cites. When the automobile enters the transmission area of a wireless communication device  13  of the construction machine, a power supply of the portable wireless radio  40  is turned ON. Then, the operating information transmit-receive processing unit  40   c  performs a transmission request of operating information from the wireless communication device  40   b  in accordance with a predetermined program. 
     The operating information transmit-receive processing unit (second transmission control means)  11   d  having received the transmission request through the wireless communication device  13  reads the operating information OD from the operating information memory (storage means)  11   c , reads own identification information MD (type information, machine number information) from the identification information memory  11   e , and transmits both the information OD+MD to the portable wireless radio  40 . 
     Subsequently, when the transmission of the operating information is completed, the operating information collection unit  11   a  clears the operating information memory  11   c , and stands by for collecting next operating information. 
     Operating information transmitted to the portable wireless radio  40  is stored in the operating information memory  40   d  by the operating information transmit-receive processing unit  40   c.    
     In this manner, when the staff member moves near the site for which a construction machine is lent out by car, communication between the construction machine and the car is automatically performed within the communication area of the device  13 . Operating information transmitted from the construction machines are to be stored in the operating information memory  40   d  of the portable wireless radio  40  every machine number. Accordingly, operating information can be collected merely by traveling near each of the construction machines lent out. 
     When the car having collected operating information returns to the base station and passes through the gate  30 , the operating information receiving processing unit  22   a  performs a transmission request of operating information with respect to the portable wireless radio  40  similarly to the operating information control system according to the first embodiment. The operating information transmit-receive processing unit  40   c  having received the transmission request reads operating information from the operating information memory  40   d , and transmits the identification information MD indicative of the type and the machine number of the construction machine having collected operating information and the operating information OD to the operating information control device  20  through the wireless communication device  40   b.    
     The thereafter processes are the same as the operating information control system according to the first embodiment, but since the construction machine is not in the state of incoming or outgoing actions to their warehouse, the incoming date and time, and the outgoing date and time are not stored. 
     If the constitution is employed so that operating information of the construction machine can be collected prior to incoming of the construction machine, the rental plan of construction machines can be made more accurately. Further, since operating information can be controlled in the lapse of time, the maintenance plan can be made accurately. 
     Further, the operating information control device trially performs communication periodically with respect to the construction machine within the base station to confirm if communication is established to thereby enable further provision of confirmation means for checking the presence of construction machines. 
     If the transmission control means transmits operating information to the receiving device in the state that identification information peculiar to the construction machine is added, when a plurality of construction machines that should be controlled are present, it is possible to easily specify the construction machine which is transmitting operating information. 
     Further, communication trially performs with respect to the construction machine within the base station to confirm if communication is established to thereby enable checking the presence of the construction machine, and when a robbery of a construction machine occurs, prompt coping therewith can be made. 
     Further, the receiving device is carried into the transmission area of a transmit processing unit provided with the construction machine whereby even if the transmission area is narrow, operating information of the construction machine can be read by a wireless communication. Accordingly, even if the construction machine is not returned to the base station, operating information can be obtained. 
     The movable body is mounted, for example, on the automobile driven by the staff member or the service man, whereby the construction machine can be moved into the transmission area easily. That is, in the transmission area for a low power wireless radio, operating information can be read merely by traveling near the construction machine. 
     According to the present invention, operating information read by the operating information reading device is classified every construction machine by the operating information control device, and accumulated by operating information accumulation means. Accordingly, when the construction machine returns to the base station, or when the movable body having obtained operating information returns to the base station, operating information of the construction machine is updated. 
     From the foregoing, one embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto.