JP7618940B2 - Information exchange system and working machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information exchange system and a work machine.

At work sites where work machines are used, unloading of objects such as soil and sand is carried out. At such work sites, the area where work can be done is limited, and efficient operation of work machines and loading machines is required, so various systems have been proposed to optimize such work.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for managing the weight of soil and sand loaded onto a transport vehicle at a soil and sand loading site.

Patent No. 6768836

However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 limits the objects to be transported to soil and sand. Therefore, only the weight of the objects to be transported (soil and sand) needs to be managed, but depending on the site, there are multiple types of objects to be transported.

For example, in an industrial waste storage yard, multiple types of industrial waste are transported and stored in storage locations according to the type of industrial waste.

In these types of storage yards, industrial waste is often temporarily piled up at the entrances and in the passageways before being stored in storage areas separated by type. When transport vehicles bring industrial waste to these sites, the work machines need to be prepared according to the type of industrial waste being transported.

One aspect of the present invention provides a technology that improves work efficiency at a work site where multiple types of transport objects are present, by transmitting and receiving information corresponding to the treatment of the industrial waste being transported between a communication device present on the work machine side and a communication device present on the transport vehicle side.

An information exchange system according to one aspect of the present invention is an information exchange system relating to industrial waste processing, which includes a first communication device located on the side of a transport vehicle that transports industrial waste to a specified location, and a second communication device located on the side of a work machine that processes industrial waste located at the specified location, and transmits information relating to industrial waste processing from at least one of the first and second communication devices to the other.

According to one aspect of the present invention, by transmitting information according to the industrial waste being transported, the current situation can be recognized, thereby improving work efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transportation information exchange system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transportation information exchange system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an industrial waste storage yard where the excavator according to the embodiment performs work. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrival information input screen displayed by the display control unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a transportation notification screen displayed by the display control unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a transportation notification screen displayed by the display control unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a transportation map screen displayed by the display control unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow up to when the shovel displays information in the transportation information exchange system according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a transportation list screen displayed by the display control unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow up to when the excavator transmits a delay request to the transport vehicle in the transport information exchange system according to the embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are illustrative and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. In addition, identical or corresponding components in each drawing are denoted by identical or corresponding reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

The following describes the embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[Overview of the Transportation Information Exchange System]
First, an overview of the transportation information exchange system SYS will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transportation information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment.

The transportation information exchange system SYS is a system for excavating information regarding the treatment of industrial waste, and includes an excavator 100, a management device 200, and a transport vehicle (e.g., a truck) 300. The transportation information exchange system SYS transmits and receives information between the excavator 100 and the transport vehicle 300 via the management device 200. The number of excavators 100 included in the transportation information exchange system SYS may be one or more. Similarly, the number of transport vehicles included in the transportation information exchange system SYS may be one or more.

The transportation information exchange system SYS in this embodiment is a system established to grasp the status of industrial waste brought into an industrial waste storage yard.

In industrial waste storage yards, when the transport vehicle 300 arrives, a situation may arise in which a large amount of industrial waste is piled up at the entrance or in the passageway. In this case, the transport vehicle 300 may not be able to enter the storage yard or move to the unloading position. For this reason, the excavator 100 working in the industrial waste storage yard must carry out preparatory work in response to the industrial waste loaded on the transport vehicle 300.

Therefore, in the transport information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment, information relating to the processing of industrial waste is transmitted at least from one communication device (an example of a first communication device) provided on the transport vehicle side to the other communication device 60 (an example of a second communication device) provided on the excavator 100.

<Outline of the excavator>
The shovel 100 comprises a lower running body 1, an upper rotating body 3 mounted on the lower running body 1 so as to be rotatable (freely rotatable) via a rotating mechanism 2, a boom 4, an arm 5, and a bucket 6 as attachments, a cabin 10, etc.

The lower traveling body 1 includes, for example, a pair of left and right crawlers, each of which is hydraulically driven by traveling hydraulic motors 1A, 1B (see FIG. 2) to cause the excavator 100 to travel.

The upper rotating body 3 rotates relative to the lower traveling body 1 by being driven by a rotating hydraulic motor 2A (see Figure 2).

The boom 4 is pivotally attached to the front center of the upper rotating body 3 so that it can be raised and lowered, and an arm 5 is pivotally attached to the tip of the boom 4 so that it can rotate up and down, and a bucket 6 is pivotally attached to the tip of the arm 5 so that it can rotate up and down. The boom 4, arm 5, and bucket 6 are hydraulically driven by a boom cylinder 7, arm cylinder 8, and bucket cylinder 9, which serve as hydraulic actuators, respectively.

A hook 80 for crane work is attached to the bucket 6 as an end attachment. The base end of the hook 80 is rotatably connected to a bucket pin that connects the arm 5 and the bucket 6. As a result, the hook 80 is stored in the space formed between the two bucket links when work other than crane work (hoisting work), such as excavation work, is being performed.

The bucket 6 is an example of an end attachment, and the shovel 100 may be fitted with a type of end attachment different from the bucket 6 (for example, an end attachment with a different purpose from the bucket 6, such as a crusher or lifting magnet, or an end attachment with different specifications from the bucket 6 other than its purpose, such as a large bucket). In other words, the shovel 100 may be configured to allow the type of end attachment to be changed as appropriate depending on the work content, etc.

The cabin 10 is a cockpit where the operator sits, and is equipped with an operating device 26 (see FIG. 2) and other components. The cabin 10 is mounted, for example, on the front left side of the upper rotating body 3.

The shovel 100 is equipped with a communication device 60 for communicating with a specified communication network NW. The communication device 60 of the shovel 100 communicates with the management device 200 via the specified communication network NW.

The communication network NW may include, for example, a mobile communication network that ends in a base station. The communication network NW may also include a satellite communication network that uses communication satellites in the sky. The communication network NW may also include the Internet, etc. The communication network NW may also include a short-range communication network that complies with protocols such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The excavator 100 operates actuators in response to the operation of an operator in the cabin 10 to drive driven elements such as the lower traveling body 1, the upper rotating body 3, the boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6.

The excavator 100 may be remotely operated by an operator of a specific external device (e.g., the management device 200) instead of or in addition to being operated by an operator of the cabin 10. In this case, the excavator 100 transmits image information (captured image) output by the spatial recognition device 40 described later to the external device. This allows the operator to remotely operate the excavator 100 while checking image information displayed on a display device provided in the external device. The excavator 100 may operate the hydraulic actuators and drive the driven elements such as the lower traveling body 1, the upper rotating body 3, the boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6 in response to a remote operation signal received from the external device and indicating the content of the remote operation. When the excavator 100 is remotely operated, the inside of the cabin 10 may be unmanned. The following description will be given on the assumption that the operation of the operator includes at least one of the operation of the operating device 26 by the operator of the cabin 10 and the remote operation by the operator of the external device.

The excavator 100 may also automatically operate the hydraulic actuators regardless of the operation by the operator. This allows the excavator 100 to realize a function of automatically operating at least some of the driven elements, such as the lower traveling body 1, the upper rotating body 3, the boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6.

The shovel 100 is equipped with a display device 50. The display device 50 of the shovel 100 displays information received from the management device 200. This allows the display device 50 to display the current status of the transport vehicle 300, which will be described later.

In this embodiment, an example in which a communication device 60 and a display device 50 are provided on the shovel 100 will be described. However, this embodiment does not limit the communication device (an example of a second communication device) present on the work machine (shovel 100) side to the communication device 60 provided on the shovel 100. The communication device present on the work machine (shovel 100) side may be, for example, a mobile communication terminal (e.g., a smartphone or tablet terminal) owned by an operator on board the shovel 100. Furthermore, it may be a display device having a large screen with a communication function installed in the storage yard 1300.

<Overview of the management device>
The management device 200 (an example of an external device or information processing device) is located at a location geographically distant from the user who owns the shovel 100 and the transport vehicle 300. The management device 200 is, for example, a server device installed in a management center or the like outside the work site where the shovel 100 works, and configured mainly with one or more server computers. In this case, the server device may be a company server operated by the business operator who operates the transport information exchange system SYS or an associated business operator related to the business operator, or may be a rental server. In addition, this server device may be a so-called cloud server. In addition, the management device 200 may be a server device (a so-called edge server) located in a management office or the like in the work site of the shovel 100, or may be a fixed or portable general-purpose computer terminal.

The management device 200 can communicate with each of the shovel 100 and the transport vehicle 300 via the communication network NW. This allows the management device 200 to transmit various information received from the shovel 100 to the transport vehicle 300. Similarly, the management device 200 can transmit various information received from the transport vehicle 300 to the shovel 100.

<Overview of the transport vehicle>
The transport vehicle 300 (e.g., a truck) is a vehicle for transporting industrial waste to an industrial waste storage yard (an example of a predetermined location). For example, industrial waste is loaded onto a loading platform 360 provided on the transport vehicle 300 (e.g., a truck). Then, when the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the industrial waste storage yard, the industrial waste is unloaded from the loading platform 360. The loading platform 360 of the transport vehicle 300 may be capable of being dumped up.

The transport vehicle 300 is equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 350. The GPS unit 350 measures the current position of the transport vehicle 300 by receiving radio waves from GPS satellites.

The transport vehicle 300 is equipped with a communication device 320 for communicating with a specified communication network NW. The communication device 320 of the transport vehicle 300 communicates with the management device 200 via the specified communication network NW.

The transport vehicle 300 is equipped with a display device 340. The display device 340 of the transport vehicle 300 displays the information received from the management device 200. This allows the display device 340 to display the information transmitted from the excavator 100.

In this embodiment, an example is described in which a communication device 320 and a display device 340 are provided on the transport vehicle 300. However, this embodiment does not limit the communication device (an example of a first communication device) present on the transport vehicle 300 side to the communication device 320 provided on the transport vehicle 300. The communication device present on the transport vehicle 300 side may be, for example, a mobile communication terminal (e.g., a smartphone or tablet terminal) owned by the driver on board the transport vehicle 300.

[Configuration of the transportation information exchange system]
Next, a specific configuration of the transportation information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 in addition to FIG.

Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transportation information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment.

In the diagram, the mechanical power system is indicated by a double line, the hydraulic oil line is indicated by a thick solid line, the pilot line is indicated by a dashed line, and the electric drive and control system is indicated by a thin solid line.

In the transport information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment, the transport vehicle 300 carries industrial waste into an industrial waste storage yard and unloads the industrial waste. The excavator 100 then processes the unloaded industrial waste.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an industrial waste storage yard where the excavator 100 according to this embodiment performs operations.

The storage yard 1300 shown in FIG. 3 is equipped with crushers 1301 and 1302. Crushers 1301 and 1302 are provided for each type of industrial waste to be crushed. For example, crusher 1301 is used to crush wood chips, and crusher 1302 is used to crush plastic.

The industrial waste crushed by the crushers 1301, 1302 is stored in post-processing storage locations 1321, 1322 (e.g., storage location 1321 for processed wood chips and storage location 1322 for processed waste plastic) by belt conveyors 1303, 1304 provided for each crusher 1301, 1302.

Furthermore, the storage yard 1300 is equipped with a compression packing machine (not shown). The compression packing machine compresses and packs industrial waste classified by type.

Furthermore, the storage yard 1300 includes a storage area 1311 for wood chips before processing, a storage area 1312 for rubble, a storage area 1313 for metal scraps before processing, a storage area 1314 for waste plastic before processing, and storage areas 1315 and 1316 for compressed industrial waste.

The storage yard 1300 faces a public road. The transport vehicle 300 enters and exits the storage yard 1300 from the public road.

The loading platform 360 of the transport vehicle 300 may or may not be capable of being dumped. If dumping is not possible, the industrial waste is unloaded by a shovel 100 or a forklift (not shown). The industrial waste may be directly unloaded into a storage location that corresponds to the type of industrial waste.

The forklift or shovel 100, as necessary, moves the unloaded industrial waste to a storage location appropriate for the type of industrial waste, cuts the industrial waste, etc. For this reason, the shovel 100 may be equipped with an attachment for cutting the industrial waste. In addition, there may be multiple forklifts and shovels 100 in the storage yard 1300.

Then, the forklift or shovel 100 moves the industrial waste stored in the storage area to the crushers 1301, 1302 or the compression packing machine as necessary.

However, when the industrial waste transported by the transport vehicle 300 cannot be unloaded at various storage locations, or when multiple types of industrial waste are mixed, the transport vehicle 300 unloads the industrial waste in area 1350 of the passageway of the storage yard 1300. Therefore, the unloaded industrial waste tends to be temporarily piled up in area 1350.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, industrial waste containing a mixture of wood chips and metal scraps is unloaded into area 1353. The industrial waste piled up in area 1353 is then separated, with the metal scraps piled up in area 1351 and the wood chips piled up in area 1352. Note that separation of the industrial waste may be performed by a shovel 100 or a forklift, or by a worker in the storage yard 1300.

In such a situation, when the transport vehicle 300 transports industrial waste, it cannot unload it into the aisle or into the storage area provided for each type of industrial waste.

For example, by moving the wood chips in area 1352, the transport vehicle 300 can pass through the passage. Therefore, if the transport vehicle 300 has only transported wood chips, it can unload them at the wood chip storage area 1311 before processing, or if it has only transported waste plastic, it can unload the industrial waste at the waste plastic storage area 1314 before processing.

In another example, if industrial waste that is a mixture of wood waste and metal scraps present in area 1353 is moved, and if the transport vehicle 300 is only transporting metal scraps, the transport vehicle 300 can unload the metal scraps in the storage area 1313 for unprocessed metal scraps.

In this way, the excavator 100 prepares according to the next load of industrial waste that the transport vehicle 300 will transport, allowing the transport vehicle 300 to unload the industrial waste without having to wait.

The transportation information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment realizes the exchange of information regarding the treatment of industrial waste between the transport vehicle 300 and the excavator 100 in order to reduce the waiting time of the transport vehicle 300.

<Configuration of the transport vehicle>
Returning to FIG. 2, the transport vehicle 300 includes a control device 310 , a communication device 320 , an operation device 330 , a display device 340 , and a GPS unit 350 .

The control device 310 controls various operations of the transport vehicle 300. The control device 310 realizes an input receiving unit 3101, a transmission control unit 3102, a reception control unit 3103, and a display control unit 3104 as functional units realized by executing one or more programs installed in, for example, a non-volatile auxiliary storage device.

The functions of the input reception unit 3101, the transmission control unit 3102, the reception control unit 3103, the display control unit 3104, etc. may be enabled by starting a specific application program (hereinafter, "transportation reservation application") installed on the control device 310 in response to a specific operation of the user on the operation device 330 (e.g., a touch panel implemented on the display device 340).

The transport reservation application is an application used to notify work machines such as excavators 100 operating in the industrial waste storage yard 1300 that industrial waste is about to be transported by the transport vehicle 300 before the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the industrial waste storage yard 1300.

The communication device 320 is any device that communicates with an external device such as the management device 200 through the communication network NW. The communication device 320 is, for example, a mobile communication module that supports mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, and 5G.

The operation device 330 accepts various operations on the transport vehicle 300 from the user. The operation device 330 includes, for example, a hardware operation unit such as a button or a touch panel mounted on the display device 340. The operation device 330 may also be a combination of a hardware operation unit such as a touch panel mounted on the display device 340 and a software operation unit such as a button icon on an operation screen displayed on the display device 340.

The display device 340 (an example of a display unit) displays various information images. The display device 340 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 350 measures the current position of the transport vehicle 300 by receiving signals from multiple GPS satellites in the sky.

The display control unit 3104 controls the display of a screen related to the transportation reservation application on the display device 340.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrival information input screen displayed by the display control unit 3104 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 4, the arrival information input screen is displayed on the display device 340.

The arrival information input screen displays an input field 1401 for arrival time, an input field 1402 for location information, as well as an arrival time selection button 1411 and a location information selection button 1412. The user can select either the arrival time selection button 1411 or the location information selection button 1412. The selection buttons 1411 and 1412 are buttons for selecting the information to be sent to the excavator 100.

The arrival time input field 1401 is a field for inputting the time it takes for the transport vehicle 300 to arrive at the storage yard 1300. The location information input field 1402 is a field for inputting the current location of the transport vehicle 300. In this embodiment, by pressing the acquisition button 1403, the current location of the transport vehicle 300 measured by the GPS unit 350 is automatically entered into the input field 1402.

In addition, the arrival information input screen displays an input field 1421 for waste 1, an input field 1422 for waste 2, an input field 1423 for waste 3, and an input field 1424 for the load amount, as well as a check button 1431 for waste 1, a check button 1432 for waste 2, and a check button 1433 for waste 3.

The waste 1 input field 1421, waste 2 input field 1422, and waste 3 input field 1423 are pull-down menus for selecting the type of industrial waste. The types of industrial waste selectable from the pull-down menu are industrial waste that can be stored in the industrial waste storage yard 1300. Examples of industrial waste selectable from the pull-down menu include "waste plastic," "wood chips," "scrap metal," and "debris."

Note that this embodiment does not limit the types of industrial waste that can be stored, and it may be possible to select types of industrial waste other than "waste plastic," "wood chips," "metal scraps," and "debris." Other types of industrial waste include, for example, waste paper, waste glass, waste concrete, etc., and all types of industrial waste are included.

Check buttons 1431, 1432, and 1433 are buttons that the user can select to check or uncheck, and when checked, the type of industrial waste entered in the input field corresponding to that check button is sent to the excavator 100.

The load input field 1424 is a field for inputting the load of industrial waste carried on the transport vehicle 300.

The arrival information input screen also includes an input field for vehicle information about the transport vehicle 300. For example, an input field 1451 for the maximum load capacity of the transport vehicle 300 is included in this input field. There is also a selection field (not shown) for whether the transport vehicle 300 can be dumped.

Furthermore, the arrival information input screen has a send button 1441 and a cancel button 1442. The send button 1441 is a button for sending the input information. The cancel button 1442 is a button for canceling the input information.

Returning to FIG. 2, the input reception unit 3101 of the transport vehicle 300 receives information entered from the input field on the screen related to the transport reservation application.

For example, the input reception unit 3101 receives information entered in the arrival time input field 1401 or information entered in the position information input field 1402 selected by the selection buttons 1411, 1412 on the arrival information input screen shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the time at which the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard 1300 can be derived from the distance between the position of the transport vehicle 300 and the position of the storage yard 1300 using the position information of the transport vehicle 300.

The input reception unit 3101 also receives information (type of industrial waste) entered in the waste input fields 1421, 1422, and 1423 selected by the check buttons 1431, 1432, and 1433 on the arrival information input screen shown in FIG. 4.

Furthermore, the input reception unit 3101 receives input of vehicle information (e.g., maximum load capacity, whether dumping is possible, etc.) of the transport vehicle 300 on the arrival information input screen shown in FIG. 4.

Furthermore, the input reception unit 3101 receives the press of the send button 1441 and the cancel button 1442.

The transmission control unit 3102 uses the communication device 320 to control the transmission of information to the management device 200. For example, when the input reception unit 3101 receives a press of the send button 1441, the transmission control unit 3102 transmits the information received by the input reception unit 3101 to the management device 200. In this embodiment, the received information includes information regarding the arrival time (for example, the time until the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard 1300, or the current position of the transport vehicle 300), the type of industrial waste, the load, and vehicle information, but may also include other information.

The reception control unit 3103 uses the communication device 320 to control the reception of information from the management device 200. The information received by the reception control unit 3103 will be described later.

The transport vehicle 300 according to this embodiment, having the above-mentioned configuration, can transmit information about the industrial waste being transported (e.g., type of industrial waste, load) and information about the time of arrival at the storage yard 1300 (e.g., time required to arrive and current position of the transport vehicle 300) to the management device 200. This allows the excavator 100 in the storage yard 1300 to prepare to handle the industrial waste transported by the transport vehicle 300.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the transport vehicle 300 transmits information necessary for the storage yard 1300 to make preparations. However, this embodiment does not limit the transmission of the information to the transport vehicle 300. For example, a person in charge of the business that manages the transport vehicle 300 may input the above-mentioned information into an information processing device and transmit it to the management device 200, or a driver or the like on board the transport vehicle 300 may input the above-mentioned information into an application installed on a mobile terminal and transmit it to the management device 200.

<Configuration of Management Device>
The management device 200 includes a control device 210 and a communication device 220 .

The control device 210 controls various operations in the management device 200. The control device 210 includes, for example, a reception control unit 2101, a transmission control unit 2102, and a storage unit 2103 as functional units realized by executing on a CPU one or more programs installed in a non-volatile auxiliary storage device. The control device 210 also includes, for example, a storage unit 2104 as a storage area defined in a non-volatile internal memory such as an auxiliary storage device.

The memory area corresponding to the memory unit 2104 may be provided in an external storage device that is communicatively connected to the control device 210.

The communication device 220 is any device that communicates with external devices such as the excavator 100 and the transport vehicle 300 via the communication network NW.

The reception control unit 2101 uses the communication device 220 to control the reception of information from the transport vehicle 300 or the excavator 100. For example, the reception control unit 2101 receives information from the transport vehicle 300 regarding the time when the transport vehicle 300 will arrive at the storage yard 1300, the type of industrial waste transported by the transport vehicle 300, the amount of industrial waste loaded, and vehicle information of the transport vehicle 300.

When the information regarding the time of arrival at the storage yard 1300 is the current position of the transport vehicle 300, the reception control unit 2101 refers to the map information and calculates the time required to arrive at the storage yard 1300 from the current position.

In this embodiment, an example is described in which the management device 200 calculates the time from the current position of the transport vehicle 300 until it arrives at the storage yard 1300. However, this is not limited to an example in which the management device 200 calculates the time, and the transport vehicle 300 or the shovel 100 may calculate the time.

The saving unit 2103 saves in the memory unit 2404 the information regarding the time when the transport vehicle 300 will arrive at the storage yard 1300, the type of industrial waste transported by the transport vehicle 300, the amount of industrial waste carried, and the vehicle information of the transport vehicle 300, which are received and controlled by the reception control unit 2101. As a result, the memory unit 2104 stores information regarding the treatment of the industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300.

The transmission control unit 2102 uses the communication device 220 to control the transmission of information to the transport vehicle 300 or the shovel 100. For example, the transmission control unit 2102 transmits information related to the treatment of industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300 (e.g., information related to the time the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard 1300, the type of industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300, the amount of industrial waste loaded, and vehicle information of the transport vehicle 300) stored in the memory unit 2104 to the shovel 100.

In this embodiment, the management device 200 stores in the memory unit 2104 or the like the correspondence between the transport vehicle 300 and the work machine (e.g., the shovel 100) working in the storage yard 1300 to which the transport vehicle 300 transports. This allows the transmission control unit 2102 to transmit information to the shovel 100 that corresponds to the transport vehicle 300 that transmitted the information.

The transmission control unit 2102 may transmit information about the processing of industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300, which is stored in the memory unit 2104, to the excavator 100 only once or at predetermined intervals.

Furthermore, when the reception control unit 2101 receives a request from the excavator 100 to the transport vehicle 300, the transmission control unit 2102 transmits the request to the transport vehicle 300.

By having the above-mentioned configuration, the management device 200 can control the transmission and reception of information between the transport vehicle 300 and the excavator 100.

<Excavator configuration>
As described above, the hydraulic drive system of the excavator 100 according to this embodiment includes the traveling hydraulic motors 1A, 1B, the swing hydraulic motor 2A, the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, and the bucket cylinder 9, which hydraulically drive the lower traveling body 1, the upper rotating body 3, the boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6, respectively. Hereinafter, some or all of the traveling hydraulic motors 1A, 1B, the swing hydraulic motor 2A, the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, and the bucket cylinder 9 may be referred to as "hydraulic actuators" for convenience. The hydraulic drive system of the excavator 100 according to this embodiment also includes the engine 11, the main pump 14, and the control valve 17.

The engine 11 is a driving power source for the excavator 100, and is mounted, for example, at the rear of the upper rotating body 3. The engine 11 is, for example, a diesel engine that uses diesel as fuel. The main pump 14 and pilot pump 15 are connected to the output shaft of the engine 11.

The main pump 14 is mounted, for example, at the rear of the upper rotating body 3, and supplies hydraulic oil to the control valve 17 through the hydraulic oil line 16. As described above, the main pump 14 is driven by the engine 11. The main pump 14 is, for example, a variable displacement hydraulic pump, and under the control of the controller 30, the angle (tilt angle) of the swash plate is controlled by the regulator 14a, thereby changing the stroke length of the piston and adjusting the discharge flow rate (discharge pressure).

The control valve 17 is, for example, mounted in the center of the upper rotating body 3, and is a hydraulic control device that controls the hydraulic drive system in response to the operator's operation of the driven elements (hydraulic actuators). Specifically, the control valve 17 controls the supply and discharge of hydraulic oil to each hydraulic actuator in response to the operator's operation of the driven elements. The traveling hydraulic motor 1A (for right use), 1B (for left use), swing hydraulic motor 2A, boom cylinder 7, arm cylinder 8, bucket cylinder 9, etc. are connected to the control valve 17 via hydraulic oil lines. The control valve 17 is a valve unit that is provided between the main pump 14 and each hydraulic actuator, and includes multiple hydraulic control valves (also called directional control valves) that control the flow rate and direction of the hydraulic oil supplied from the main pump 14 to each hydraulic actuator.

The operating system of the excavator 100 in this embodiment includes a pilot pump 15, an operating device 26, and an operating pressure sensor 15a.

The pilot pump 15 is mounted, for example, at the rear of the upper rotating body 3 and supplies pilot pressure to the operating device 26 via a pilot line 25. The pilot pump 15 is, for example, a fixed displacement hydraulic pump, and is driven by the engine 11 as described above.

The operating device 26 is provided near the cockpit of the cabin 10, and is an operating means by which the operator operates each operating element (lower traveling body 1, upper rotating body 3, boom 4, arm 5, bucket 6, etc.). In other words, the operating device 26 is an operating means by which the operator operates the hydraulic actuators (travel hydraulic motors 1A, 1B, swing hydraulic motor 2A, boom cylinder 7, arm cylinder 8, bucket cylinder 9, etc.) that drive each operating element (driven element). The operating device 26 includes, for example, a lever device and a pedal device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operating device 26 is, for example, a hydraulic pilot type that outputs hydraulic pressure (pilot pressure) corresponding to the operation content. The operating device 26 outputs a predetermined pilot pressure corresponding to the operation content (e.g., operation direction and operation amount) to the hydraulic line 25a using hydraulic oil supplied from the pilot pump 15 through the pilot line 25. The operating device 26 is then connected to the control valve 17 via the hydraulic line 25a. As a result, a pilot signal (pilot pressure) corresponding to the operation state of the lower traveling body 1, upper rotating body 3, boom 4, arm 5, bucket 6, etc. in the operating device 26 is input to the control valve 17. Therefore, the control valve 17 can drive each hydraulic actuator according to the operation state of the operating device 26.

The operating device 26 may be an electric type that outputs, for example, an electric signal (hereinafter, "operation signal") corresponding to the operation content. The output (operation signal) of the operating device 26 is, for example, taken in by the controller 30, which outputs a control command corresponding to the operation signal, i.e., a control command corresponding to the operation content of the operating device 26, to a predetermined hydraulic control valve (e.g., an electromagnetic proportional valve) (hereinafter, "operation control valve"). The operation control valve may output a pilot pressure corresponding to the control command from the controller 30, i.e., a pilot pressure corresponding to the operation content of the operating device 26, using hydraulic oil supplied from the pilot pump 15, and apply it to the control valve 17. This allows the control valve 17 to drive each hydraulic actuator according to the operation state of the operating device 26.

The operating pressure sensor 15a detects the secondary pilot pressure of the operating device 26, i.e., the pilot pressure (hereinafter, "operating pressure") corresponding to the operating state of each operating element in the operating device 26. The operating pressure sensor 15a is connected to the controller 30, and the detection signal of the operating pressure corresponding to the operating state of the lower traveling body 1, upper rotating body 3, boom 4, arm 5, bucket 6, etc. in the operating device 26 is input to the controller 30. This allows the controller 30 to grasp the operating state of the lower traveling body 1, upper rotating body 3, and attachment (boom 4, arm 5, and bucket 6) of the excavator 100.

If the operating device 26 is an electrical type, the operating pressure sensor 15a may be omitted. This is because the controller 30 can grasp the operation content of the operating device 26 based on the operation signal received from the operating device 26.

The excavator 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with the above-mentioned configuration and performs operations to dispose of industrial waste in an industrial waste storage yard.

The control system of the excavator 100 according to this embodiment includes a controller 30, a spatial recognition device 40, a timing device 42, a display device 50, an audio output device 52, an input device 54, a horn 56, and a communication device 60.

The controller 30 controls the drive of the excavator 100. The functions of the controller 30 may be realized by any hardware or any combination of hardware and software. The controller 30 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory device (also called a "main memory device") such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile auxiliary memory device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an interface device for input and output with the outside. The controller 30 realizes various functions by, for example, executing one or more programs installed in the auxiliary memory device on the CPU. The same may be true for the control device 210 of the management device 200 and the control device 310 of the transport vehicle 300 described below.

For example, the controller 30 recognizes objects that exist in a range relatively close to the shovel 100 (hereinafter, the "monitoring area") based on the captured image of the periphery of the shovel 100 captured by the spatial recognition device 40. Objects to be recognized include, for example, not only people such as workers and work site supervisors, but also any objects such as moving objects (mobile bodies) such as work vehicles, stationary objects such as fixed materials, and topographical obstacles such as rocks.

The controller 30 includes, for example, a reception control unit 301, a display control unit 302, an input reception unit 303, a transmission control unit 304, and a storage unit 305 as functional units realized by executing one or more programs installed in an auxiliary storage device on a CPU. The controller 30 also includes a storage unit 306 as a storage area defined in an internal memory of an auxiliary storage device or the like.

Note that some of the functions of controller 30 may be realized by other controllers. In other words, the functions of controller 30 may be realized in a distributed manner by multiple controllers. In addition, the memory area corresponding to memory unit 307 may be defined in an external storage device that is provided outside controller 30 and communicably connected to controller 30.

The spatial recognition device 40 is attached to the top of the upper rotating body 3, captures an image of the periphery of the shovel 100, and outputs the captured image. The output captured image includes objects present in the periphery of the shovel 100. The spatial recognition device 40 outputs the captured image as detection information related to objects present in the periphery of the shovel 100. The spatial recognition device 40 according to this embodiment is composed of, for example, cameras 40B, 40F, 40L, and 40R. In this embodiment, the spatial recognition device 40 will be described as being cameras 40B, 40F, 40L, and 40R, but any device capable of recognizing objects present in space may be used, and Lidar (light detection and ranging) may be used, for example.

The cameras 40B, 40F, 40L, and 40R are attached to the upper rear end, upper front end (for example, the upper front end of the cabin 10), upper left end, and upper right end of the upper rotating body 3, respectively, and capture the rear, front, left side, and right side of the upper rotating body 3. The camera 40F may also be attached inside the cabin 10 and capture the front of the upper rotating body 3 through a front window covering the front of the cabin 10. For example, the cameras 40B, 40F, 40L, and 40R are each a monocular wide-angle camera with a very wide angle of view. Specifically, the cameras 40B, 40F, 40L, and 40R are each attached to the upper part of the upper rotating body 3 so that the optical axis faces diagonally downward, and capture the vertical imaging range including the ground near the shovel 100 to the far side of the shovel 100. The imaging range of camera 40F includes the tip of the attachment, i.e., bucket 6 and hook 80, and the load suspended from hook 80. Cameras 40F, 40B, 40L, and 40R each output captured images at a predetermined cycle (e.g., 1/30 seconds) while shovel 100 is in operation, and the output captured images are imported into controller 30.

The clock device 42 is, for example, a real time clock (RTC) and acquires date and time information including the current date, day of the week, and time. The clock device 42 outputs the acquired date and time information to the controller 30.

The display device 50 is provided around the cockpit in the cabin 10, specifically in a position that is easily visible to the operator seated in the cockpit, and displays various image information to notify the operator under the control of the controller 30. The display device 50 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, and may be a touch panel type that also serves as an operation unit. The display device 50 displays, for example, an image showing the surroundings of the excavator 100 based on an image captured by the spatial recognition device 40 (hereinafter, "surrounding image"). The surrounding image may be an image captured by the spatial recognition device 40 (through image), or may include an image generated by the controller 30 based on the image captured by the spatial recognition device 40 (for example, a composite image or a viewpoint conversion image obtained by combining images captured by the cameras 40F, 40B, 40L, and 40R).

The audio output device 52 is provided near the cockpit in the cabin 10, and outputs a predetermined sound under the control of the controller 30. The audio output device 52 is, for example, a buzzer or a speaker.

The input device 54 is provided within reach of an operator seated in the cabin 10, accepts various operational inputs by the operator, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operational input to the controller 30. The input device 54 may include, for example, a touch panel mounted on the display of the display device 50, a knob switch provided at the tip of a lever portion of a lever device included in the operation device 26, a button switch, lever, toggle, dial, etc. installed around the display device 50. More specifically, the input device 54 includes a horn switch 54a. The input device 54 outputs a signal corresponding to the accepted operation to the controller 30.

The horn switch 54a accepts an operational input to sound the horn 56. The horn switch 54a can self-return to a default position, for example, by the elastic force of a spring or the like, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the operational input only while an operational force is being applied. The electrical signal corresponding to the operational input of the horn switch 54a acts directly on the horn 56, and the horn 56 sounds in response to the electrical signal. The electrical signal corresponding to the operational input of the horn switch 54a is also input to the controller 30. This allows the controller 30 to know that an operation to sound the horn 56 has been performed.

The horn 56 is activated (blows) by an electrical signal from the horn switch 54b, and outputs a warning sound to alert people in the vicinity of the excavator 100.

The communication device 60 is any device that communicates with external devices such as the management device 200 through the communication network NW. The communication device 60 is, for example, a mobile communication module that supports a specific mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation).

Next, the functional units realized within the controller 30 will be described. The functions of the reception control unit 301, the display control unit 302, the input acceptance unit 303, the transmission control unit 304, and the storage unit 305 may be enabled by starting a specific application program (hereinafter, "transport notification application") installed in the controller 30 in response to a specific operation on the input device 54 by the operator.

The transportation notification application is an application used to notify the excavator 100 that the transport vehicle 300 is arriving at the storage yard 1300 where the excavator 100 is working.

The reception control unit 301 controls the reception of information from an external device (e.g., the management device 200) via the communication device 60. For example, the reception control unit 301 receives information on the treatment of industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300 from the management device 200 (e.g., information on the time when the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard 1300, the type of industrial waste transported by the transport vehicle 300, the load of industrial waste, and vehicle information of the transport vehicle 300). The reception control unit 301 according to this embodiment receives information on the time when the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard 1300, so that the shovel 100 can work in the storage yard 1300 so that the transport vehicle 300 can enter by that time. Furthermore, the reception control unit 301 according to this embodiment receives the type of industrial waste transported by the transport vehicle 300 and the load of industrial waste, so that the shovel 100 can prepare to unload the type and load of industrial waste. This reduces the waiting time of the transport vehicle 300 and improves work efficiency.

The storage unit 305 stores the information received by the reception control unit 301 in the memory unit 306. When the reception control unit 301 receives multiple pieces of information from the management device 200, the storage unit 305 stores the multiple pieces of information in sequence in the memory unit 306. This allows the controller 30 to refer to information on multiple transport vehicles 300.

The display control unit 302 controls the display of a screen related to the transportation notification application on the display device 50.

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a transport notification screen displayed by the display control unit 302 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 5, a display screen 1500 is displayed on the display device 50 to notify the transport vehicle 300 that will arrive at the storage yard 1300 first.

The display screen 1500 shown in FIG. 5 displays multiple tabs. The multiple tabs displayed are a "Recent" tab 1511, a "List" tab 1502, and a "Map" tab 1503.

The "Next" tab 1511 is a tab for displaying the transport vehicle 300 that will arrive at the storage yard 1300 earliest. The "List" tab 1502 is a tab for displaying a list of the transport vehicles 300 that will arrive at the storage yard 1300. The "Map" tab 1503 is a tab for displaying the position of the transport vehicle 300 that will arrive at the storage yard 1300 earliest.

In the display screen 1500 shown in FIG. 5, the "Recent" tab 1511 is selected.

In the display screen 1500 shown in FIG. 5, the display control unit 302 displays "arrival in 5 minutes" as an example of information related to the arrival time of the transport vehicle 300 at the storage yard 1300. Furthermore, the display control unit 302 displays that the type of industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300 is "waste plastic," and that the load of industrial waste is "5 tons."

This allows the excavator 100 to prepare for unloading the waste plastic.

Furthermore, the display control unit 302 displays the vehicle information of the transport vehicle 300 transporting industrial waste, including whether dumping is possible and the maximum load capacity.

The display screen 1500 displays information on the transport vehicle 300 that will arrive at the storage yard 1300 earliest out of the multiple transport vehicles 300. The displayed information includes the type of industrial waste that the transport vehicle 300 is transporting, and the time of arrival. This allows the excavator 100 to prepare so that the industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300 can be unloaded by the time the transport vehicle 300 arrives. Therefore, the transport information exchange system SYS can realize efficient unloading of the transport vehicle 300, thereby improving work efficiency.

Furthermore, when the display control unit 302 first displays the display screen 1500, it displays it at the maximum brightness of the display device 50 (an example of highlighting). This allows the operator of the excavator 100 to recognize that the screen has been updated. In other words, it is possible to prevent the operator from not noticing that the screen has been updated. Note that this embodiment is not limited to a mode of displaying at maximum brightness, and any highlighting that can be recognized by the operator will suffice. The display at maximum brightness is performed when new arrival information of a transport vehicle 300 is received, but is not limited to this condition, and may be displayed when a predetermined condition is met, such as when information that the operator wants to recognize is received.

In the display screen 1500 shown in FIG. 5, an example of displaying "Arrives in 5 minutes" has been described as an example of information regarding the arrival time of the transport vehicle 300 at the storage yard 1300. For example, if the current time is "12:00", the operator of the excavator 100 can recognize that the transport vehicle 300 will arrive at "12:05". Note that this embodiment does not limit the display mode, and a specific arrival time (e.g., 12:05) may be displayed as information regarding the arrival time.

Returning to FIG. 3, the input reception unit 303 of the excavator 100 receives input to the screen related to the transportation notification application.

For example, the input reception unit 303 receives a press of the confirmation button 1504 displayed on the display screen 1500 in FIG. 5. When the input reception unit 303 receives a press of the confirmation button 1504, the display control unit 302 switches the display of the display screen 1500 from maximum brightness to normal brightness (preset brightness).

The screen displayed by the display control unit 302 is not limited to the display screen 1500 shown in FIG. 5, and other display screens may be displayed. Next, a description will be given of the case where the "List" tab 1502 is selected.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a transport notification screen displayed by the display control unit 302 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 6, a display screen 1600 for displaying a list of transport vehicles 300 arriving at the storage yard 1300 is displayed on the display device 50.

The display screen 1600 shown in FIG. 6 displays the "List" tab 1611 in a selected state. In addition, the display screen 1600 also displays the "Recent" tab 1501 and the "Map" tab 1503.

The display control unit 302 reads out information on multiple transport vehicles 300 stored in the memory unit 306 and displays the display screen 1600.

As shown in FIG. 6, the display screen 1600 displays the arrival time, load, and waste (type of industrial waste) for each transport vehicle as a list 1621. In addition, the display screen 1600 displays the confirmation button 1504, as in FIG. 5.

This allows the shovel 100 to recognize the arrival time and type of industrial waste being transported for the multiple transport vehicles 300 that are about to arrive. Therefore, the shovel 100 can work in the storage yard 1300 while taking into consideration not only the nearest transport vehicle 300 but also the transport vehicles 300 that follow, so that multiple transport vehicles 300 do not have to wait, thereby improving work efficiency.

The list of transport vehicles 300 shown in FIG. 6 is shown as an example, and other information related to the transport vehicles 300 (e.g., vehicle information, etc.) may also be displayed.

The display control unit 302 can display screens other than the display screen 1500 shown in FIG. 5 and the display screen 1600 shown in FIG. 6. Next, a description will be given of the case where the "Map" tab 1503 is selected.

Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transportation map screen displayed by the display control unit 302 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 7, a display screen 1700 is displayed on the display device 50, which shows map information 1721 together with an icon 1731 indicating the position of the transportation vehicle 300 present on the map information 1721. Furthermore, information on the transportation vehicle 300 indicated by the icon 1731 is displayed in a frame 1732. Note that the storage yard 1300 is present at the position indicated as the current location in the map information 1721.

The display screen 1700 shown in FIG. 7 displays the "Map" tab 1711 in a selected state. In addition, the display screen 1700 also displays the "Recent" tab 1501 and the "List" tab 1502.

The display control unit 302 reads out the position information of the transport vehicle 300 stored in the memory unit 306 and displays the display screen 1700. If the position information of the transport vehicle 300 is not stored in the memory unit 306, the icon 1731 indicating the position of the transport vehicle 300 is not displayed. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the display screen 1700 based on the position information of the transport vehicle 300 closest to the storage yard 1300 is displayed, but the display screen 1700 based on the position information of multiple transport vehicles 300 may be displayed.

In the frame 1732, information about the industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300 indicated by the icon 1731 (the amount of industrial waste loaded and the type of industrial waste) is displayed, but other information, such as information about the transport vehicle 300, may also be displayed.

This allows the excavator 100 to take into account the position information of the transport vehicle 300 that is about to arrive and prepare to deal with the industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300.

In this embodiment, the display control unit 302 of the shovel 100 updates the time until the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard, which is displayed on the display screen shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, based on the time measured by the timing device 42. Note that the update of the time until arrival is not limited to being based on the timing device 42. For example, the display control unit 302 may update the time until arrival at the storage yard 1300 and the position of the transport vehicle 300 based on information periodically transmitted from the management device 200. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the display screens shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, and any display mode may be used as long as the operator of the shovel 100 can recognize information regarding the industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300.

The transmission control unit 304 transmits the request received from the operator by the input reception unit 303 to the management device 200.

Next, the process flow until the shovel 100 displays information in the transport information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow until the shovel 100 displays information in the transport information exchange system SYS. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the arrival information input screen as shown in FIG. 4 is already displayed on the display device 340 of the transport vehicle 300. Furthermore, before the transport vehicle 300 displays the arrival information input screen as shown in FIG. 4, the transport vehicle 300 may accept login from a login screen using a user ID and password, etc.

The input reception unit 3101 of the transport vehicle 300 receives the information (hereinafter referred to as arrival information) input to the arrival information input screen of FIG. 4 (S1801). The transmission control unit 2102 of the transport vehicle 300 transmits the received arrival information to the management device 200 (S1802).

The reception control unit 2101 of the management device 200 performs processing corresponding to the received arrival information (S1811). For example, if the arrival information includes location information, the reception control unit 2101 obtains the time of arrival at the storage yard 1300 based on the location information and map information.

The saving unit 2103 saves the received arrival information in the memory unit 2104 (S1812). Furthermore, the transmission control unit 2102 transmits the arrival information to the excavator 100 (S1813). Note that if the arrival information contains location information, the transmission control unit 2102 transmits the arrival information including the acquired arrival time together with the location information.

As a result, the reception control unit 301 of the shovel 100 receives the arrival information. The display control unit 302 of the shovel 100 displays the transportation notification screen or transportation map screen based on the received arrival information at maximum brightness (S1821).

The input reception unit 303 receives the pressing of the confirmation button (S1822). The display control unit 302 of the excavator 100 displays the transportation notification screen or the transportation map screen at normal brightness (S1823).

In this embodiment, the processing procedure described above allows the operator of the excavator 100 to be aware of information about the industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300 and the time of arrival.

However, in the industrial waste storage yard 1300, even if the excavator 100 knows in advance the arrival time of the transport vehicle 300, it may not be ready by the time the transport vehicle 300 arrives. In such a case, even if the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard 1300, it is difficult to unload the industrial waste.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the excavator 100 can request the transport vehicle 300 to arrive late if preparation is not completed in time.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport list screen displayed by the display control unit 302 according to this embodiment. Figure 9 is an example in which the input receiving unit 303 receives a selection of a column 1901 indicating a transport vehicle 300 to be delayed from the list of transport vehicles shown on the display screen shown in Figure 6. In the example shown in Figure 9, the column 1901 indicating a transport vehicle 300 transporting "wood chips" that will arrive in "10 minutes" is selected as the transport vehicle 300 to be delayed.

Then, the display control unit 302 displays a selection field 1902 for the time to be delayed for the selected transport vehicle 300. The input receiving unit 303 then receives the selection of the time displayed in the selection field 1902.

After that, when the input reception unit 303 receives a press of the send button 1903, it transmits a request (hereinafter, a delay request) to the management device 200 for the transport vehicle 300 to arrive late at the storage yard 1300. As a result, the delay request is transmitted from the management device 200 to the corresponding transport vehicle 300.

Next, the process flow until the shovel 100 displays information in the transportation information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow until the shovel 100 transmits a delay request to the transportation vehicle 300 in the transportation information exchange system SYS.

First, the display control unit 302 of the excavator 100 displays a transport notification screen showing a list of transport vehicles 300 (S1011).

Next, the input reception unit 303 receives the selection of the transport vehicle 300 to be delayed (S1012). In response, the display control unit 302 displays a selection field 1902 showing the time to be delayed.

Then, the input receiving unit 303 receives the selection of the time to be delayed from the selection field 1902 (S1013).

Then, the transmission control unit 304 transmits a delay request to the management device 200 together with information indicating the desired delay time and the transport vehicle 300 that is to be delayed (S1021).

When the receiving control unit 2101 of the management device 200 receives a delay request, the sending control unit 2102 identifies the destination of the delay request from the information indicating the transport vehicle 300 received together with the delay request (S1022).

The transmission control unit 2102 sends a delay request to the identified destination along with the desired delay time (S1031).

The display control unit 3104 of the transport vehicle 300 displays the desired delay time along with the received delay request on the display device 340 (S1032).

By performing the process shown in FIG. 10, a delay request can be sent to the transport vehicle 300. The transport vehicle 300 that receives the request waits at a location other than the storage yard. As a result, the transport information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the number of transport vehicles 300 waiting at or around the storage yard 1300, and to reduce the time that the transport vehicles 300 wait at the storage yard 1300. In addition, since the number of transport vehicles 300 present in the storage yard 1300 can be reduced, the excavator 100 can work at the storage yard 1300 without considering the waiting transport vehicles 300. This improves the work efficiency of the excavator 100.

The transport information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, so that the excavator 100 working in the storage yard 1300 can be made aware of information about the industrial waste being transported by the transport vehicle 300 and the time when the transport vehicle 300 will arrive at the storage yard.

The information transmitted to the excavator 100 is not limited to information about industrial waste (e.g., the type or load of industrial waste) or the time when the transport vehicle 300 arrives at the storage yard, but may be information about the treatment of industrial waste. The information about the treatment of industrial waste is not limited to the type or load of industrial waste, or the time when the industrial waste arrives at the storage yard 1300, but may be any information necessary for treating industrial waste at the storage yard 1300.

In addition, the transmission of information regarding the treatment of industrial waste is not limited to transmission from the transport vehicle 300 to the shovel 100, but also includes transmission from the shovel 100 to the transport vehicle 300. Information regarding the treatment of industrial waste transmitted from the shovel 100 to the transport vehicle 300 includes, for example, the delay request described above.

In this embodiment, the location where the transport vehicle 300 arrives is an industrial waste storage yard. However, in this embodiment, the location where the transport vehicle 300 arrives may be any specified location, and is not limited to an industrial waste storage yard.

In the transportation information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment, an example has been described in which information is transmitted and received via the management device 200. However, this embodiment does not limit the transmission and reception of information to an example in which information is transmitted and received via the management device 200, and information may be transmitted and received directly between the transportation vehicle and the excavator.

In the transport information exchange system SYS according to this embodiment, an example has been described in which information is displayed on the display device 50 of the excavator 100 and the display device 340 of the transport vehicle 300. However, this embodiment is not limited to displaying information as a method for making the driver or operator aware of the information, and may output the information as audio, or may combine audio and display.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which information is transmitted and received between the excavator 100 equipped with the communication device 60 and the display device 50, and the transport vehicle 300 equipped with the communication device 320 and the operation device 330. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and communication may be performed between other communication devices.

For example, a mobile communication device (e.g., a smartphone) owned by a driver on board the transport vehicle 300 may have functions similar to those of the control device 310, communication equipment 320, operation device 330, and display device 340 described above. As a result, the mobile communication device owned by the driver functions as a communication device that inputs or outputs information related to the processing of industrial waste transported to a specified location (e.g., an industrial waste storage yard). Information related to the processing of industrial waste includes the type and amount of industrial waste, as well as information related to the arrival time for processing the industrial waste at the specified location.

The portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone) owned by the operator on board the shovel 100 may have the same functions as the controller 30, the input device 54, the display device 50, and the communication equipment 60 described above. As a result, the portable communication device owned by the operator functions as a communication device that inputs or outputs information about a predetermined location for processing industrial waste (e.g., an industrial waste storage yard). Information about the predetermined location includes, for example, a request for a delay in arrival of the transport vehicle 300 indicating that unloading at the storage yard (an example of a predetermined location) is not possible.

Information is transmitted and received between the portable communication device owned by the driver on board the transport vehicle 300 and the portable communication device owned by the operator on board the shovel 100 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. The portable communication device also displays the same information as in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, in this modified example, communication using the portable communication device is not limited to via the management device 200, but communication may be performed via a public network between the portable communication device owned by the driver on board the transport vehicle 300 and the portable communication device owned by the operator on board the shovel 100. As a result, in this modified example, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained without providing new hardware.

The above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples are not limited to the transmission and reception of information related to industrial waste. For example, when a transport vehicle is transporting an object (other than industrial waste), it is sufficient that information related to the processing of the object is transmitted or received between the transport vehicle and a work machine performing a specified task using the object. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a transport vehicle is transporting soil (there are several types of soil) and the transport vehicle transmits information related to the soil to the work machine.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment and modified examples do not limit the work machine that transmits and receives information to a shovel, but may be, for example, another work machine, such as a construction machine.

In the above-described embodiment and modified example, information related to industrial waste processing is transmitted and received between the communication device on the transport vehicle side and the communication device on the work machine (shovel) side, allowing the current situation to be recognized. This makes it possible to reduce preparations in the storage yard and waiting time in the storage yard. In other words, by being equipped with the above-described configuration, the transport information exchange system SYS can improve work efficiency.

Although the embodiment of the work machine according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. Naturally, these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

100 Shovel 1 Lower traveling body 2 Rotation mechanism 3 Upper rotating body 4 Boom (attachment)
5 Arm (attachment)
6. Bucket (work tool)
7 Boom cylinder 8 Arm cylinder 9 Bucket cylinder 30 Controller 40 Spatial recognition device 42 Timing device 50 Display device 60 Communication device 301 Reception control unit 302 Display control unit 303 Input reception unit 304 Transmission control unit 305 Storage unit 306 Memory unit 200 Management device 210 Control device 220 Communication device 2101 Reception control unit 2102 Transmission control unit 2103 Storage unit 2104 Memory unit 300 Transport vehicle 310 Control device 320 Communication device 330 Operation device 340 Display device 350 GPS unit 3101 Input reception unit 3102 Transmission control unit 3103 Reception control unit 3104 Display control unit

Claims (10)

An information exchange system relating to industrial waste disposal,
A first communication device that is present on a transport vehicle that transports the industrial waste to a predetermined location;
a second communication device located on a work machine that treats the industrial waste located at the predetermined location;
transmitting information regarding the treatment of the industrial waste from at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device to the other;
Information exchange system. the second communication device receives information from the first communication device regarding the arrival of the transport vehicle at the predetermined location;
2. The information exchange system according to claim 1. The second communication device receives information regarding the industrial waste transported by the transport vehicle from the first communication device.
3. An information exchange system according to claim 1 or 2. when the second communication device receives the information regarding the treatment of the industrial waste from the first communication device, the second communication device outputs the information regarding the treatment of the industrial waste to a display device.
2. The information exchange system according to claim 1. When the second communication device receives information on the time when the transport vehicle will arrive at the predetermined location from a plurality of the first communication devices as information on the treatment of the industrial waste, the second communication device outputs information on the transport vehicle that will arrive at the predetermined location earliest to the display device.
5. An information exchange system according to claim 4. When the second communication device receives information on the time when the transport vehicle will arrive at the predetermined location from the plurality of first communication devices as information on the treatment of the industrial waste, the second communication device outputs a list of the information on the transport vehicle received from the plurality of first communication devices to the display device.
5. An information exchange system according to claim 4. The second communication device accepts a selection of one or more pieces of information on the transport vehicle from the list of information on the transport vehicle;
transmitting to the first communication device a request to change the time at which the transport vehicle corresponding to the information for which the selection has been accepted will arrive at the predetermined location;
7. An information exchange system according to claim 6. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the second communication device outputs the information on the treatment of the industrial waste to the display device so as to be highlighted.
8. An information exchange system according to any one of claims 4 to 7. An information exchange system relating to industrial waste disposal,
A first communication device that inputs or outputs information indicating the status of a predetermined location for treating the industrial waste;
A second communication device that inputs or outputs information regarding the treatment of the industrial waste transported to the predetermined location;
Transmitting information from at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device to the other.
Information exchange system. A lower running body;
An upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body;
An attachment attached to the upper rotating body;
A working tool provided at the tip of the attachment;
A communication device for communicating with an external device,
The communication device transmits or receives information regarding the treatment of the industrial waste to or from a first communication device present on a transport vehicle that transports the industrial waste to a predetermined location.
Working machinery.

Images