Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6522964
-
Patent Number
6,522,964
-
Date Filed
Monday, August 30, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 18, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 701 50
- 701 35
- 701 33
- 701 36
- 172 45
- 172 9
- 172 161
- 172 303
- 172 304
- 172 315
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine make it possible to set an operation condition suitable for the working attachment by a simple operation with certainty, even if unique information of a working attachment cannot be inputted. To this end, a control apparatus for a construction machine to which a working attachment is attached is constructed that includes a control section for controlling a hydraulic power source based on unique information about the working attachment, a display section which performs discrimination failure display when the type of the working attachment has not successfully been discriminated, and a standard set valve setting section for setting, when the discrimination failure display is performed by the display section, the type of the working attachment and a standard value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment, and that the control section is capable of controlling the hydraulic power source based on the operation condition set based on the unique information of the working attachment of information of the standard set valve set by the standard set valve setting section.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator to which a plurality of working attachments such as, for example, a bucket and a breaker (hammer) can be attached, and more particularly to a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine suitable for use with a construction machine wherein a type and so forth of an attachment attached to a construction machine body can be displayed.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, in a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator which is a kind of working machine, various working attachments such as a breaker (hydraulic hammer) and a bucket can be removably attached comparatively readily so that the construction machine can perform various works.
Here, a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator to which a breaker
2
is attached as a working attachment is described with reference to FIG.
18
.
As shown in
FIG. 18
, in a construction machine
1
such as a hydraulic excavator, an upper revolving unit (construction machine body)
101
is mounted for revolving motion in a horizontal plane on a lower travelling body
100
. The upper revolving unit
101
includes a main frame
102
, and an operator cab
103
, an engine room
104
and so forth provided on the main frame
102
.
A boom
105
is connected for pivotal motion to the upper revolving unit
101
by a pin not shown, and a stick
106
is connected for pivotal motion to an end portion of the boom
105
by a pin
105
A.
A working attachment (hereinafter referred to simply as attachment)
2
such as a breaker (hydraulic hammer) is connected for pivotal motion to an end portion of the stick
106
by a pin
106
A. The attachment
2
is removably attached to the end portion of the stick
106
. It is to be noted that, in
FIG. 18
, a breaker is shown attached as the attachment
2
.
A boom driving hydraulic cylinder (boom driving actuator)
107
for expanding or contracting the distance between end portions thereof to drive the boom
105
to pivot with respect to the upper revolving unit
101
is interposed between the upper revolving unit
101
and the boom
105
.
A stick driving hydraulic cylinder (stick driving actuator)
108
for expanding or contracting the distance between end portions thereof to drive the stick
106
to pivot with respect to the boom
105
is interposed between the boom
105
and the stick
106
.
An attachment driving hydraulic cylinder
109
for expanding or contracting the distance between end portions thereof to drive the attachment
2
to pivot with respect to the stick
106
is interposed between the stick
106
and the attachment
2
. The attachment driving hydraulic cylinder
109
is mounted for pivotal motion on the stick
106
and the attachment
2
with rods
110
and
111
interposed therebetween.
The attachment
2
is a kind of hydraulic actuator and individually has a unique operation condition (rated supply oil pressure and flow rate). For example, even if the attachment
2
is of the same type, if the maker and the capacity are different, then also the rated supply oil pressure and/or flow rate required are different, and also an optimum operation condition is different.
Therefore, working oil to be supplied from hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
must be controlled so as to satisfy an operation condition unique to each attachment.
Thus, a technique is available wherein registers corresponding to varieties of the rated pressure and flowrate of the attachment (here, breaker)
2
are provided in a control apparatus for a construction machine and a battery is connected to the registers, and one of electric signals (here, electric currents) of them is inputted to an solenoid proportional valve through a manually operable changeover switch so that it is converted by the solenoid proportional valve into an oil pressure, which is inputted to a pump regulator.
With such a control apparatus for a construction machine as just described, however, when the attachment
2
is to be operated, the manually operable changeover switch must be changed over every time to the register with which a necessary supply oil pressure and flow rate are obtained in advance. This operation is cumbersome and incidentally deteriorates the working efficiency.
Therefore, another technique has been proposed wherein, when the attachment
2
is to be attached to the construction machine body
101
, unique information of the attachment
2
to be attached (information regarding the type of the attachment
2
and an operation condition of the attachment
2
) is inputted to the control apparatus for the construction machine and the type of the attachment
2
is automatically discriminated based on the unique information, and a unique operation condition (pump discharge pressure, flow rate and so forth) required for each attachment
2
can be automatically set in accordance with the type.
However, in case a failure in contact or the like occurs with the control system, the type of the attachment
2
may be discriminated but in error or a wrong operation condition may be set for the attachment
2
. In such an instance, since an operation condition required by the attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
is not set, an original function of the attachment
2
attached cannot be exhibited.
Further, if the control system suffers from some disconnection or a like trouble, unique information of the attachment
2
attached may not be inputted to the control apparatus. Also in this instance, discrimination of the type of the attachment
2
or setting of an operation condition of the attachment
2
cannot be performed automatically by the control apparatus, and an original function of the attachment
2
attached cannot be exhibited.
Therefore, it is a possible idea to provide a display apparatus in the operator cab
103
of the construction machine body
101
such that the type of the attachment
2
is displayed on the display apparatus so that the operator can confirm a result of the automatic discrimination and, when unique information of the attachment
2
is not inputted, discrimination failure display is performed on the display apparatus.
However, only if discrimination failure display is performed on the display apparatus, discrimination of the type of the attachment
2
or setting of an operation condition of the attachment
2
cannot be performed, and no essential solution can be obtained.
The present invention has been made in view of such a subject as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine by which, even if unique information of a working attachment attached to a construction machine body cannot be inputted, an operation condition suitable for the working attachment attached can be set with certainty by a simple operation.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for a construction machine wherein a working attachment is removably attached to a construction machine body, characterized in that it comprises a control section for discriminating a type of the working attachment and controlling a hydraulic power source, which supplies working oil to the working attachment, based on unique information for setting an operation condition required by the working attachment in accordance with the type, a display section for displaying the type of the working attachment discriminated by the control section and performing discrimination failure display when the control section has failed to discriminate the type of the working attachment, and a standard set value setting section for setting, when the discrimination failure display is performed by the display section, the type of the working attachment and a standard value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment, and that the control section is capable of controlling the hydraulic power source based on the operation condition set based on the unique information of the working attachment or information of the standard set value set by the standard set value setting section.
Due to such a construction as described above, there is an advantage that, although discrimination failure display is performed by the display section if unique information of an attachment attached to the construction machine body cannot be inputted to the control section and the control section fails to discriminate the type of the attachment, also in this instance, a standard set value regarding an operation condition suitable for the attached working attachment can be set by a simple operation and with certainty by the standard set value setting section. Consequently, a hydraulic power source can be controlled based on information of the standard set value, and the working attachment can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
Preferably, the control apparatus for a construction machine further comprises a confirmation switch for performing an operation for a premise of start of control by the control section, and the control section starts control of the hydraulic power source after confirming a switch operation by the confirmation switch.
Due to such a construction as just described, it can be confirmed by an operation of the confirmation switch that a correct confirmation condition of the working attachment has been set, and control of the hydraulic power source is started after the switch operation by the confirmation switch is confirmed by the control section. Consequently, there is an advantage that, even if the control section discriminates the type of the working attachment in error because of some disconnection or the like, inappropriate hydraulic power source control is prevented from being performed.
Preferably, the standard set value setting section includes a plurality of set standard values to which a priority order is applied, and the control section is capable of controlling the hydraulic power source based on the operation condition set based on the unique information of the working attachment or information of a standard set value from the standard set value setting section selected in accordance with the priority order.
Due to such a construction as just described, since a standard set value is selected in accordance with the priority order, there is an advantage that setting of a standard set value by an operator can be performed smoothly.
Preferably, the display section performs discrimination failure display when the control section discriminates by a predetermined number of times that the unique information is not normal.
Preferably, when the standard set value is set by the standard set value setting section, the display section displays the type of the working attachment and the standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment.
Preferably, control apparatus for a construction machine further comprises changing means for changing the standard set value.
Due to such a construction as just described above, there is an advantage that, since the standard set value can be changed by the standard set value changing means, an operation condition more suitable to the attached working attachment can be set.
Preferably, the changing means includes a changing switch which is capable of being manually operated by an operator.
Preferably, the changing switch is provided on the display section, and change of the type of the working attachment and the standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment which is performed by an operation of the changing switch is capable of being performed while the type of the working attachment and the standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment displayed on the display section are confirmed.
Preferably, the control apparatus for a construction machine further comprises a unique information storage member for discriminating the type of the working attachment and storing the unique information for setting the operation condition required by the working attachment in accordance with the type, and the control section automatically sets discrimination of the type of the working attachment and the operation condition required by the working attachment based on the unique information fetched from the unique information storage member.
Preferably, the unique information storage member is an IC memory, a connector, a bar code or a transmitter.
Where the unique information storage member is a transmitter, preferably the transmitter performs transmission of the unique information to the control section by wire communication or by radio communication.
Where the transmitter performs transmission of the unique information to the control section by wire communication or by radio communication, preferably the transmitter performs transmission of the unique information to the control section through a data communication interface or through a buffer.
According to the present invention, there is provided a control method for a construction machine wherein a working attachment is removably attached to a construction machine body for discriminating a type of the working attachment and controlling a hydraulic power source for supplying working oil to the working attachment based on unique information for setting an operation condition required by, the working attachment in accordance with the type, characterized in that it comprises a displaying step in which a type display mode wherein the discriminated type of the working attachment is displayed on a display section and a discrimination failure display mode wherein discrimination failure display is performed on the display section when the type of the working attachment cannot be discriminated are taken selectively, a standard set value setting step of setting, when the discrimination failure display is performed in the displaying step, the type of the working attachment and a standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment, and a controlling step of controlling the hydraulic power source based on the operation condition set based on the unique information of the working attachment or information of the standard set value set in the standard set value setting step.
Due to such a construction as described above, there is an advantage that, although discrimination failure display is performed by the display section if unique information of an attachment attached to the construction machine body cannot be inputted to the control section and the control section fails to discriminate the type of the attachment, also in this instance, a standard set value regarding an operation condition suitable for the attached working attachment can be set by a simple operation and with certainty by the standard set value setting section. Consequently, a hydraulic power source can be controlled based on information of the standard set value, and the working attachment can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A
is a schematic view showing an entire construction of a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1B
is a pump power characteristic diagram illustrating a relationship between a delivery pressure (discharge pressure) and a delivery flow rate (discharge flow rate) of a hydraulic pump relating to the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a control block diagram of the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a view illustrating a data structure in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a view illustrating code information of a type of an attachment in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a flow chart illustrating processing of a main routine for setting an operation condition of an attachment
2
by a controller in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6
is a flow chart illustrating processing of a default value setting routine by the controller in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a flow chart illustrating processing of a modification routine by the controller in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a flow chart illustrating processing by a display apparatus in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a flow chart illustrating a control procedure of a hydraulic pump in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10
is a schematic view showing an entire construction of a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a control block diagram of the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12
is a schematic view showing an entire construction of a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13
is a control block diagram of the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14
is a schematic view showing an entire construction of a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15
is a control block diagram of the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16
is a control block diagram of a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a first modification to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17
is a control block diagram of a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a second modification to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 18
is a schematic view showing a conventional construction machine.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings.
(A) Description of the First Embodiment
First, a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to
FIGS. 1A
to
9
.
Since the control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present embodiment is provided in a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator, the construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator is described first.
In the construction machine
1
such as al hydraulic excavator, as described hereinabove in connection with the prior art (refer to FIG.
18
), an upper revolving unit (construction machine body)
101
is mounted for revolving motion in a horizontal plane on a lower travelling body
100
. The upper revolving unit
101
includes a main frame
102
, and an operator cab
103
, an engine room
104
and so forth provided on the main frame
102
.
A boom
105
is connected for pivotal motion to the upper revolving unit
101
by a pin not shown, and a stick
106
is connected for pivotal motion to an end portion of the boom
105
by a pin
105
A.
An attachment (working attachment)
2
such as a breaker (hydraulic hammer) is connected for pivotal motion to an end portion of the stick
106
by a pin
106
A. The attachment
2
is removably attached to the end portion of the stick
106
. It is to be noted that, in
FIG. 18
, a breaker is shown attached as the attachment
2
.
A boom driving hydraulic cylinder (boom driving actuator)
107
for expanding or contracting the distance between end portions thereof to drive the boom
105
to pivot with respect to the upper revolving unit
101
is interposed between the upper revolving unit
101
and the boom
105
.
A stick driving hydraulic cylinder (stick driving actuator)
108
for expanding or contracting the distance between end portions thereof to drive the stick
106
to pivot with respect to the boom
105
is interposed between the boom
105
and the stick
106
.
An attachment driving hydraulic cylinder
109
for expanding or contracting the distance between end portions thereof to drive the attachment
2
to pivot with, respect to the stick
106
is interposed between the stick
106
and the attachment
2
. The attachment driving hydraulic cylinder
109
is mounted for pivotal motion on the stick
106
and the attachment
2
with rods
110
and
111
interposed therebetween.
In order to supply working oil for driving such hydraulic cylinders
107
,
108
and
109
and attachment
2
as described above, hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
are provided on the upper revolving unit
101
as shown in FIG.
1
A. It is to be noted that, of the hydraulic cylinders
107
,
108
and
109
, only the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
is shown in FIG.
1
A.
Working oil from the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
is supplied to the attachment
2
through oil paths
20
a
and
20
b
. A control valve
3
is interposed in the oil paths
20
a
and
20
b
so that it can control supply and discharge of working oil to and from the attachment
2
.
The control valve
3
is pilot operated, for example, by a pedal type operator
21
through pilot oil paths
29
a
and
29
b.
Working oil from the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
is supplied to the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
through oil paths
28
a
and
28
b
. A control valve
4
is interposed in the oil paths
28
a
and
28
b
so that it can control supply and discharge of working oil to and from the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
.
The control valve
4
is pilot operated, for example, by a pedal type operator
22
through pilot oil paths
29
c
and
29
d.
In such a construction machine as described above, the engine speed of a pump driving Diesel engine
7
which are adjusted by moving the accelerator position by an accelerator actuator
8
and pump regulators
9
and
10
are controlled by a controller
12
serving as a control section to adjust the discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
.
To this end, various sensors and so forth are provided for the present construction machine, and signals from the sensors and so forth are inputted to the controller
12
serving as a control section.
In particular, an accelerator dial
15
for setting an engine speed of the pump driving Diesel engine
7
is provided so that the operator can manually set the engine speed. A signal from the accelerator dial
15
is inputted to the controller
12
.
Also an engine speed sensor
16
is provided for the pump driving Diesel engine
7
so that an actual engine speed of the pump driving Diesel engine
7
can be detected. A signal from the engine speed sensor
16
is inputted to the controller
12
.
The controller
12
compares a target speed set by the accelerator dial
15
and an actual engine speed detected by the accelerator dial
15
with each other and calculates a control amount for driving the accelerator actuator
8
so that they may coincide with each other. A signal corresponding to the control amount is outputted to the accelerator actuator
8
. Consequently, the engine speed is controlled so as to be equal to the target speed and the discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
is controlled.
In order to control the pump output power so that working can be performed efficiently in accordance with an engine speed and a working load, the controller
12
outputs signals for controlling the output powers of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
to solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
based on the engine speed and the accelerator dial position. The signals from the controller
12
are converted into oil pressures by the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
, and the oil pressures obtained by the conversion are outputted to the pump regulators
9
and
10
so that the discharge flow rates of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
are controlled.
For example, if the accelerator dial position is the maximum and the engine speed is higher than a rated value, then signals for raising the pump output powers are outputted from the controller
12
to the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
, and oil pressures obtained by conversion of them by the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
are sent to the pump regulators
9
and
10
so that the flow rates from the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
are controlled so as to be increased. On the contrary, if the engine speed is lower than the rated value, then signals for lowering the pump output powers conversely are outputted from the controller
12
to the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
, and oil pressures obtained by conversion of them by the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
are sent to the pump regulators
9
and
10
so that the flow rates from the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
are controlled so as to be decreased so that the engine output power may not be exceeded.
A flow control valve
11
is installed on the downstream side of the control valve
3
along a center bypass line, and a pressure signal on the upstream side of the control valve
3
is connected to the pump regulators
9
and
10
such that so-called negative feedback flow rate control may be performed by the pump regulators
9
and
10
so that, when the pressure is high, the pump flow rate may decrease, but when the pressure is low, the pump flow rate may increase. It is to be noted that those connections are omitted in FIG.
1
A.
Pressure switches (P
SW
)
24
and
25
are provided for the pilot oil paths
29
a
and
29
b
so that an operation condition of the control valve
3
can be detected from presence or absence of an operation. Signals from the pressure switches
24
and
25
are inputted to the controller
12
.
When the signals from the pressure switches
24
and
25
are signals of presence of an operation, the controller
12
outputs signals corresponding to an operation condition required by the attachment
2
to the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
through a pump driver
44
and also to the accelerator actuator
8
through an engine driver
45
.
A pressure sensor (P)
26
is provided for the pilot oil paths
29
c
and
29
d
so that it can proportionally detect an operation state of the control valve
4
. A signal from the pressure sensor
26
is inputted to the controller
12
.
When, for example, the attachment
2
is operated simultaneously with another actuator (here, the boom driving hydraulic cylinder) and the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
is caused to perform a contracting operation (to move down the boom
105
), the controller
12
outputs signals to the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
through the pump driver
44
and to the accelerator actuator
8
through the engine driver
45
so that the pump discharge flow rate may be increased so as to obtain a driving speed of the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
corresponding to a signal of the pressure sensor
26
.
By the way, in the control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present embodiment, the controller
12
automatically discriminates the type of an attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
and automatically sets a unique operation condition (a supply oil pressure, flow rate and so forth) necessary for the attached attachment
2
to operate appropriately to control the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
.
To this end, a key-type IC memory holder
30
for holding an IC memory
31
is removably attached to the attachment
2
of the construction machine body
1
as shown in FIG.
1
A. In particular, the attachment
2
includes a box
23
, and the key-type IC memory holder
30
is provided in the box
23
.
The key-type IC memory holder
30
has a surface on which a contact portion (refer to reference symbol contact portion
36
a
of
FIG. 2
) from which contents of the IC memory
31
can be fetched is formed.
The IC memory (unique information storage member)
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
stores unique information to be used to discriminate the type of the attachment
2
and set an operation condition required by the attachment
2
.
Meanwhile, the controller
12
of the present construction machine body
1
has a key cylinder type connection section
27
provided thereon for fetching, when the key-type IC memory holder
30
taken out from the box
23
is inserted into the connection section
27
, unique information of the attachment
2
stored in the IC memory
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
.
In particular, when the key-type IC memory holder
30
taken out from the box
23
of the attachment
2
is inserted into the key cylinder type connection section
27
as if a key were inserted into a keyhole, the contact portion
36
a
of the key-type IC memory holder
30
and a contact portion
36
b
in the connection portion
27
on the controller
12
side are brought into contact with each other, and unique information of the attachment
2
is fetched from the IC memory
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
to the controller
12
side through the contact portions
36
a
and
36
b.
Now, a hardware construction of the IC memory
31
and the controller
12
is described with reference to FIG.
2
.
First, the hardware construction of the IC memory
31
includes, as shown in
FIG. 2
, a memory
33
serving as a data storage device for storing unique information of an attachment
2
(a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is used as the memory
33
), a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU)
32
which performs fetching processing of unique information from the memory
33
and so forth, an input/output device (I/O, interface; hereinafter referred to as I/O)
34
serving as transmission means for receiving a fetching instruction signal from the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side to the CPU
32
and transmitting unique information taken out from the memory
33
by the CPU
32
to the controller
12
of the upper revolving unit
101
side, a power supply unit (hereinafter, referred to as power unit)
35
for receiving supply of power from a power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the upper revolving unit
101
side.
If the key-type IC memory holder
30
is mounted onto the connection section
27
of the construction machine body
101
side which will be hereinafter described, then the input/output device
34
of the IC memory
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
is connected to an inputting and outputting apparatus
41
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side through the contact portion
36
a
of the key-type IC memory holder
30
and the contact portion
36
b
of the controller
12
side.
Further, if the key-type IC memory holder
30
is mounted onto the connection section
27
of the construction machine body
101
side which will be hereinafter described, then the power unit
35
of the IC memory
31
provided in the key-type IC memory holder
30
is connected to the power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side through a contact portion
36
c
of the key-type IC memory holder
30
and a contact portion
36
d
of the controller
12
side.
Here, the unique information stored in the memory
33
is information regarding identification, information regarding the type of the attachment
2
, and information regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
such as a rated flow rate, pressure and so forth, and more particularly is data regarding identification, data indicative of the type of the attachment
2
, and hydraulic power source drive data such as the position (accelerator position) of the accelerator actuator
8
for controlling the engine speed of the engine
7
which drives the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
, a pump set power controlled by the pump regulators
9
and
10
and an increase coefficient. It is to be noted that the increase coefficient is an accelerator position correction coefficient A or a pump power correction coefficient B illustrated in FIG.
9
.
As an example of information regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
, for example, the accelerator position of the engine
7
is set like engine speed=1,600 rpm, and the pump set power is set like pump torque=60%.
In order to control the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
using the unique information of the attachment
2
fetched by the key cylinder type connection section
27
, the controller
12
has such a hardware construction as described below.
In particular, the hardware construction of the controller
12
includes a CPU
40
, an I/O
41
serving as transmission means for performing transmission to and reception from the IC memory
31
, a read only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM)
42
in which a processing program is stored, a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM)
43
for storing unique information of an attachment
2
transmitted thereto from the IC memory
31
, a pump driver
44
for driving the pump regulators
9
and
10
of the hydraulic power source through the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
to control the pump set power, an engine driver
45
for driving the accelerator actuator
8
of the hydraulic power source to control the speed of the engine
7
, and a power unit
46
for operating the controller
12
.
It is to be noted that also a program for automatically discriminating the type of an attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
is stored in the ROM
42
.
The CPU
40
performs communication of data with the ROM
42
, RAM
43
and so forth over a bus line, discriminates the type of the attachment
2
based on unique information of the attachment
2
and sets an operation condition (a supply oil pressure and flow rate) required by the attachment
2
attached.
FIG. 1B
illustrates a pump power characteristic diagram representing a relationship between the delivery pressure (discharge pressure) and the delivery flow rate (discharge flow rate) of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
. Curve data of such various fixed pump powers PS
1
=b
1
, b
2
, . . . , bN as shown in
FIG. 1B
are stored in the ROM
42
of the controller
12
.
The CPU
40
reads out a curve specified by unique information of the attachment being currently used from among such a plurality of fixed power curves as shown in FIG.
1
B and selects set values for the pressure, flow rate and so forth for the individual attachment
2
based on the curve to set an operation condition required by the attachment
2
.
The operation condition of the attachment
2
set in this manner is outputted, when signals from the pressure switches
24
and
25
are signals representing presence of an operation, to the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
through the pump driver
44
and also to the accelerator actuator
8
through the engine driver
45
.
The controller
12
further has a function of adding, if it is detected by the pressure sensor
26
that the lever type operator
22
has been operated to the boom lowering side, a correction control condition calculated in accordance with an operation state of the control valve
4
which controls supply and discharge of working oil to and from the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
to the operation condition required by the attachment
2
which has been set in such a manner as described above.
By the way, a display apparatus (display section)
60
which includes a display unit
65
such as, for example, a liquid crystal display unit is connected to the controller
12
as shown in
FIG. 1A
so that it can be confirmed whether or not unique information of the attachment
2
has been fetched from the IC memory
31
to the controller
12
side.
The display apparatus
60
has a type display mode and a discrimination failure display mode and selectively takes one of the modes.
The type display mode is a mode in which, if unique information of the attachment
2
is inputted from the IC memory
31
to the controller
12
and the type of the attachment
2
can be discriminated by the controller
12
, then the type of the attachment
2
discriminated is displayed on the display unit
65
.
The discrimination failure display mode is a mode in which, when unique information of the attachment
2
cannot be inputted from the IC memory
31
to the controller
12
and the controller
12
cannot discriminate the type of the attachment
2
, discrimination failure displayed is performed on the display unit
65
.
A confirmation switch (confirmation SW)
66
is provided for the display apparatus
60
, and if the operator confirms whether or not the type of the attachment
2
and/or a default value (standard set value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
displayed on the display unit
65
are correct and operates the confirmation switch.
66
to an on-state, then a confirmation switch signal is outputted from the display apparatus
60
to the controller
12
. Then, after the confirmation signal is inputted, the controller
12
starts control of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
.
It is to be noted that, while reference symbols
67
,
68
a
,
68
b
,
69
a
and
69
b
in
FIG. 1A
denote changing switches necessary for the operator to set the type of the attachment
2
and set a default value (standard set value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
when the discrimination failure display is performed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, they are hereinafter described.
Now, a hardware construction of the display apparatus
60
is described with reference to FIG.
2
.
The hardware construction of the display apparatus
60
includes, as shown in
FIG. 2
, a CPU
61
, an I/O
62
serving as transmission means for performing transmission and reception to and from the controller
12
, a ROM
63
serving as a program memory in which a processing program is stored, and a RAM
64
serving as a data memory for storing data regarding the type of an attachment
2
and an operation condition required by the attachment
2
which have been transmitted from the controller
12
. Further, the display apparatus
60
can perform bidirectional serial communication with the controller
12
. It is to be noted that also a power unit
52
for operating the display apparatus
60
is provided for the display apparatus
60
.
The CPU
61
performs communication of data with the ROM
63
and the RAM
64
over a bus line so that a type of an attachment
2
and/or an operation condition required by the attachment
2
which are transmitted from the controller
12
are received through the inputting and outputting apparatus
62
and displayed on the display unit
65
.
By the way, in the present embodiment, if discrimination failure display is performed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, then the operator can set a default value (standard set value) regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
set in advance in the controller
12
.
To this end, the controller
12
is constructed so as to have a function (default value setting section, standard set value setting section) of setting a default value regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
described below.
First, if unique information of an attachment
2
(identification information, type information regarding the attachment
2
and/or information regarding an operation condition required by the attachment
2
) is inputted from the IC memory
31
, then the controller
12
checks the unique information to discriminate whether or not it is normal.
It is to be noted that, since it is likely to occur that the controller
12
suffers from a failure in contact or the like and cannot perform the checking accurately, the checking is performed repetitively by a predetermined number of times (N times), and if it is discriminated by the predetermined number of times (N times) that the unique information of the attachment
2
is not normal, then the controller
12
determines that the unique information of the attachment
2
is not normal.
If it is determined as a result of the checking that the unique information is not normal, then the controller
12
outputs a signal for discrimination failure display to the display apparatus
60
. Consequently, the display apparatus
60
enters the discrimination failure display mode, in which discrimination failure display is performed by the display unit
65
.
Then, after the controller
12
waits for a predetermined time (T seconds) in this state, it outputs a signal for default set display to the display apparatus
60
. Consequently, default set display is performed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
If discrimination failure display is performed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
in such a manner as described above, that is, when it is determined that the unique information of the attachment
2
is not normal, the CPU
40
of the controller
12
discriminates whether or not a priority order is set. If the controller
12
discriminates that a priority order is set, then it successively reads in data selected in accordance with the priority order from among the data representative of types of the attachment
2
stored in the ROM
42
and outputs the data to the display apparatus
60
. However, if the controller
12
discriminates that no priority order is set, then it reads in data stored at a predetermined address (for example, the first address) from among the data representative of the types of the attachment
2
stored in the ROM
42
and outputs the data to the display apparatus
60
.
Consequently, the data as code information is converted into characters representative of the type of the attachment
2
by the display apparatus
60
and displayed on the display unit
65
.
In this instance, the priority order may be set such that, for example, each time an attachment
2
is attached, the thus attached attachment
2
is stored, and an attachment
2
which has been attached by a greater number of times has a high priority degree. It is to be noted that the method of setting a priority order is not limited to this.
FIG. 3
is a view illustrating a data structure of data regarding identification, data regarding the!type of the attachment
2
and a plurality of default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the ROM
42
.
It is to be noted that, in
FIG. 3
, the default A, default B, default C and so forth denote data regarding identification; the code
1
, code
2
, . . . , code M denote data regarding the type of the attachment
2
; and the data
1
, data
2
, . . . , data N denote data regarding default values of an operation condition of the attachment
2
. It is to be noted that the data representative of the type of the attachment
2
is referred to as code, and data regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are referred to as data.
In the ROM
42
, data regarding identification such as the default A, default B, default C and so forth are stored for individual addresses such as, for example, A
000
, A
100
, A
200
and so forth as shown in FIG.
3
.
Further, the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
denoted by the code
1
, code
2
, . . . , code M is, for example, “ ABC990D” and is stored as code information (such code information as hexadecimal code CA= since the ASCII code is used here) at designated addresses (for example, A
000
, A
001
, . . . , A
00
B) as shown in FIG.
4
.
It is to be noted that the code indicating the type of the attachment
2
may be “HAMMER990D” for English-speaking regions. Further, the code information is not limited to the ASCII code.
Further, a plurality of default values (here, N default values data
1
, data
2
, . . . , data N) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
for each type of the attachment
2
are stored as numerically represented code information as shown in FIG.
3
. It is to be noted that the numerically represented code information is converted and displayed by the display apparatus
60
.
If the confirmation switch
66
is operated to an on-state by the operator in the condition wherein the type of the attachment
2
is displayed on the display unit
65
in this manner, then the CPU
40
stores data of a default value stored at the predetermined address from among the data of the plurality of default values of the operation condition regarding the attachment
2
displayed on the display unit
65
into the RAM
43
to set the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
.
On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the checking of the unique information by the CPU
40
of the controller
12
that the unique information is normal, then addresses (a data start address and a data end address) of the codes regarding the type of the attachment
2
stored in the RAM
43
of the controller
12
are set based on the unique information, and the code representative of the type of the attachment
2
is read in from the RAM
43
based on the addresses and outputted to the display apparatus
60
.
In this instance, the display apparatus
60
enters the type display mode, in which the code representative of the type of the attachment
2
discriminated is converted into characters and displayed, for example, like “ ABC990D” on the display unit
65
.
If the confirmation switch
66
is operated to an on-state by the operator in the condition wherein the type of the attachment
2
is displayed on the display unit
65
i,n this manner, then the CPU
40
sets an operation condition of the attachment
2
based on the unique information of the attachment
2
having been read into the CPU
40
of the controller
12
.
Then, the controller
12
controls the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
based on the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
set by the default value setting section described hereinabove or the operation condition of the attachment
2
set based on the unique information of the attachment
2
.
By the way, the present apparatus further has a function (standard set value changing means) of changing a default value regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
set automatically in such a manner as described above.
To this end, the display apparatus
60
includes, as shown in
FIGS. 1A and 2
, an UP switch (UP SW)
68
a
and a DOWN switch (DOWN SW)
68
b
as changing switches so that an automatically set default value regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
can be changed by operating the switch
68
a
or
68
b.
In particular, if the operator operates the UP switch
68
a
or the DOWN switch
68
b
in a condition wherein the type of the attachment
2
is displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, then the CPU
40
of the controller
12
reads in a code representative of a type of another attachment
2
and outputs it to the display apparatus
60
. In this instance, another type of the attachment
2
thus changed is displayed by the display apparatus
60
.
For example, if the UP switch
68
a
is operated once, then a code representative of a type of the attachment
2
stored at an address preceding by one is read in, but if the DOWN switch
68
b
is operated once, then a code representative of a type of the attachment
2
stored in an address following by one is read in.
Here, each of the UP switch
68
a
and the DOWN switch
68
b
functions as a switch for changing the type of the attachment
2
displayed on the display unit
66
.
If the confirmation switch
66
is operated into an on-state by the operator in a condition wherein the selected type of the attachment
2
is displayed on the display unit
65
in this manner, then the CPU
40
of the controller
12
stores the read-in code regarding the type of the attachment
2
into the RAM
43
to set the type of the attachment
2
.
In this instance, the CPU
40
stores also data of default values stored at predetermined addresses from among the data of the plurality of default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
into the RAM
43
to set the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
.
Then, the controller
12
controls the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
based on the default values regarding the operation conditions of the attachment
2
set in such a manner as described above.
The display apparatus
60
further includes, as shown in
FIGS. 1A and 2
, a modification switch
67
, a +switch (+SW)
69
a
and a −switch (−SW)
69
b
as changing switches in addition to the UP switch
68
a
and the DOWN switch
68
b
so that, by operating the switch
67
,
69
a
or
69
b
, automatically set data of a default value regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
can be changed in accordance with the type of the attachment
2
selected in such a manner as described above.
The modification switch
67
is provided to perform modification instruction of a default value regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
. It is to be noted that a holding type switch is used for the modification switch
67
, and if it is switch operated, then it is put into an ON-state and this state is held, but if it is operated once again, then the ON-state is cancelled.
The UP switch
68
a
and the DOWN switch
68
b
are used to select a default value regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
displayed on the display unit
65
.
The +switch (+SW)
69
a
and the −switch (−SW)
69
b
are used to modify a default value regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
displayed on the display unit
65
.
In particular, if the operator operates the modification switch
67
in a condition wherein a type of an attachment
2
is displayed on the display unit
65
, then the CPU
40
of the controller
12
reads in data stored at predetermined addresses from among the data of the plurality of default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the ROM
42
and outputs the data to the display apparatus
60
.
In this instance, the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
stored at the predetermined addresses are displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
It is to be noted that, also in this instance, data are read in in accordance with a priority order similarly as in the case of reading in of a code regarding the type of the attachment
2
described hereinabove.
If the operator operates UP switch
68
a
, DOWN switch
68
b
, +switch
69
a
or −switch
69
b
in this state, then the CPU
40
of the controller
12
reads in data of default values stored at different addresses from among the data of the plurality of default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the ROM
42
.
For example, if the UP switch
68
a
is operated once, then the CPU
40
of the controller
12
reads in data stored at the address preceding by one (address=address −1), but if the DOWN switch
68
b
is operated once, then the CPU
40
of the controller
12
reads in data stored at the address following by one (address=address +1).
If the confirmation switch
66
is operated to an on-state by the operator in a condition wherein the selected default values regarding a selected operation condition of the attachment
2
is displayed, then the CPU
40
stores data of the selected default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
to set the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
.
Further, if the operator operates the +switch
69
a
or the −switch
69
b
in a condition wherein the selected default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
are read in by the CPU
40
of the controller
12
and displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, then the CPU
40
of the controller
12
modifies the data of a read-in default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
and outputs data regarding the modified default value of the attachment
2
to the display apparatus
60
.
In this instance, the display apparatus
60
displays the data regarding the modified default values of the attachment
2
on the display unit
65
.
For example, if the operator operates the +switch
69
a
once, then a predetermined value a set in advance is added to the data of the default value read in at present to modify the data of the default value of regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
, and this is outputted to the display apparatus
60
.
On the other hand, if the operator operates the −switch
69
b
once, then the predetermined α set in advance is subtracted from the data of the default value read in currently to modify the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
read in and outputs the modified data to the display apparatus
60
.
If the confirmation switch
66
is operated to an on-state in a condition wherein the data regarding the default value of the attachment
2
modified in this manner is displayed on the display unit
65
, then the CPU
40
stores the modified data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
into the RAM
43
to set the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
.
It is to be noted that, in the present embodiment, for the convenience of data transmission to the display apparatus
60
, a data start code and a data end code are outputted from the controller
12
to the display apparatus
60
so that the start and the end of the data may be discriminated.
Since the controller
12
as a default value setting section according to the present embodiment is constructed in such a manner as described above, processing is performed in the following manner.
First, processing in a main routine for setting an operation condition of an attachment
2
by the controller
12
serving as a default value setting section is described with reference to FIG.
5
.
Processing of the main routine for setting of a default value by the controller
12
is started when an attachment
2
is attached to the construction machine body
101
and the supply to the controller
12
is made available.
As shown in
FIG. 5
, first in step A
10
, a discrimination failure time number discrimination value I, a unique information normality flag J and an initial input discrimination value K are set to 0, whereafter, the control advances to step A
20
, in which it is discriminated whether or not the unique information normality flag J is at least 1 (J≧1).
In this step A
20
, since the unique information normality flag J is 0 first, it is discriminated that the unique information normality flag J is not at least 1, and the control advances to step A
30
, in which unique information of the attachment
2
is inputted.
Then in step A
40
, the unique information of the attachment
2
inputted in step A
30
is checked, and in step A
50
, it is discriminated whether or not the unique information of the attachment
2
is normal.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the unique information of the attachment
2
is normal, then processing in steps A
60
to A
100
is performed in order to display the type of the attachment
2
as this unique information on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
In particular, in step A
60
, addresses (data start and end addresses) of the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
stored in the RAM
43
of the controller
12
are set, and the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is read into the CPU
40
.
Then in step A
70
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step A
80
, the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. Further, in step A
90
, the data, end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
side is hereinafter described.
Then in step A
100
, the unique information normality flag J is set to 1, whereafter the control returns to step A
20
, in which it is discriminated again whether or not the unique information normality flag J is at least 1. In this instance, since the unique information normality flag J is set to 1, it is discriminated that the unique information normality flag J is at least 1, and the control advances to step A
110
, in which, if the operator confirms the contents of the display and operates the confirmation switch
66
, then a signal from the confirmation switch
66
is inputted.
Then in step A
120
, it is discriminated whether or not a signal has been received from the confirmation switch
66
, and if it is discriminated that a signal has been received from the confirmation switch
66
, then the control advances to step A
130
.
Instep A
130
, data setting is performed. In particular, the read in code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is stored into the RAM
43
to set the type of the attachment
2
, and also predetermined default values corresponding to the type of the attachment
2
are stored into the RAM
43
to automatically set also the default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
, whereafter the control advances to the main routine for processing a processing program for controlling the present construction machine.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step A
120
that a signal has not been received from the confirmation switch
66
, then the control returns to step A
20
again, whereafter the processing in steps. A
20
, A
110
and A
120
is repeated until after a signal is received from the confirmation switch
66
.
By the way, if it is discriminated in step A
50
that the unique information inputted in step A
30
is not normal, then the control advances to step A
140
, in which it is discriminated whether or not the discrimination failure time number discrimination value I is at least N.
If a result of this discrimination indicates that the discrimination failure time number discrimination value I is not at least N, then the control advances to step A
150
, in which the discrimination failure time number discrimination value I is incremented by one, that is, a value obtained by adding 1 to I is set as the discrimination failure time number discrimination value I newly, whereafter the control returns to step A
20
. Thereafter, the processing in steps A
20
to A
50
and A
140
is repeated until the discrimination failure time number discrimination value I reaches N. Consequently, so-called retrying of unique information inputting is performed by N times.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step A
140
that the discrimination failure time number discrimination value I is at least N, that is, if the unique information is not normal even if unique information inputting is retried by N times, then processing in steps A
160
to A
180
is performed in order to display “discrimination failure” on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
In particular, in step A
160
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step A
170
, a “discrimination failure” signal is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. Further in step A
180
, the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
side is hereinafter described.
Then, after the controller
12
waits for a predetermined time (T seconds) (step A
190
), processing in steps A
200
to A
220
is performed in order to display “default set” on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
In particular, in step A
200
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step A
210
, a “default set” signal is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. Further in step A
220
, the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
side is hereinafter described.
Then, in order for the default value setting section of the controller
12
to set default values, the control advances to step A
230
, in which processing in a default value setting routine which will be hereinafter described is performed, whereafter the control returns to step A
130
in order to set data of the default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
set by the default value setting section of the controller
12
as the operation condition of the attachment
2
(data setting).
In step A
130
, the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
and the data of the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment which have been read into the CPU
40
by the default setting routine are stored into the RAM
43
to set the type of the attachment
2
and the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment, whereafter the control advances to the main routine for processing the control program for controlling the present construction machine.
Now, processing of the default value setting routine for setting a type of an attachment
2
and default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
is described with reference to FIG.
6
.
As shown in
FIG. 6
, first in step B
10
, it is discriminated whether or not the initial input discrimination value K is at least 1. It is discriminated that the initial input discrimination value K is not at least 1 only when this routine is executed first, and consequently, processing of steps B
20
to B
80
, that is, inputting of a code regarding the type of the attachment
2
for setting default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
, is performed only once.
In this step B
10
, since the initial input discrimination value K is set to 0 in the initial stage, it is discriminated that the initial input discrimination value K is not at least 1, and the control advances to step B
20
, in which it is discriminated whether or not a priority order is set.
If a result of this discrimination indicates that a priority order is set, then the control advances to step B
30
, in which a code regarding the type of the attachment
2
which has the highest priority degree is inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated that a priority order is not set, then, the control advances to step B
40
, in which the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
stored in the first address is inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
.
Then in step B
50
, a value obtained by adding 1 to the initial input discrimination value K is set as the initial input discrimination value K, and processing in steps B
60
to B
80
is performed.
In particular, in step B
60
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step B
70
, the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. Further in step B
80
, the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
Then in step B
90
, a signal from the UP switch
68
a
or of the DOWN switch
68
b
of the display apparatus
60
is inputted, and the control advances to step B
100
, in which it is discriminated whether or not a signal has been received from the DOWN switch
68
b.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that a signal has been received from the DOWN switch
68
b
, then the control advances to step B
110
, in which it is discriminated whether or not the address of the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is the last address.
If a result of the discrimination in step B
110
indicates that the address of the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is not the last address, then the control advances to step B
150
, in which data of the address following the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
at present is inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
, and processing in steps B
190
to B
210
is performed in order to display the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
stored in the following address on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
In particular, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
190
, and in step B
200
, the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
at the following address is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, whereafter the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
210
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
Then, if it is discriminated in step B
110
that the address in question is the last address, then processing in steps B
120
to B
140
is performed in order to display “END” on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
In particular, in step B
120
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step B
130
, an “END” signal is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, whereafter the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
140
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
Then after “END” is displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the control returns to step B
90
, in which inputting of a signal from the UP switch
68
a
or the DOWN switch
68
b
of the display apparatus
60
is performed.
By the way, if it is discriminated in step B
100
that no signal has been received from the DOWN switch
68
b
, then the control advances to step B
160
, in which it is discriminated whether or not a signal has been received from the UP switch
68
a.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that no signal has been received from the UP switch
68
a
either, then since there is no instruction for changing the type of the attachment
2
, the control advances to step B
161
.
Then in step B
161
, a signal from the modification switch
67
is inputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step B
162
, in which it is discriminated whether or not the modification switch
67
is ON.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the modification switch
67
is not ON, then the control advances to step B
164
, in which a signal from the confirmation switch
66
is inputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step B
165
.
It is discriminated in step B
165
whether or not the confirmation switch
66
is ON, and if a result of the discrimination indicates that the confirmation switch
66
is not ON, then the control returns to step B
90
, and the processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is discriminated that the confirmation switch
66
is ON, then the default value setting routine is ended, and the control advances to the main routine illustrated in FIG.
5
.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step B
162
that the modification switch
67
is ON, then the control advances to step B
163
, in which processing of a modification routine which will be hereinafter described is performed, whereafter the control returns to step B
161
, but if it is discriminated in step B
162
and step B
165
that no signal has been received from the modification switch
67
and a signal has been received from the confirmation switch
66
, then the default value setting routine is ended, and the control advances to the main routine illustrated in FIG.
5
.
By the way, if it is discriminated in step B
160
that a signal has been received from the UP switch
68
a
, then the control advances to step B
170
.
In step B
170
, it is discriminated whether or not the address of the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is the first address.
If a result of the discrimination in step B
170
indicates that the address of the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
is not the first address, then the control advances to step B
180
, in which data of the address preceding to the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
at present is inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
, and processing of steps B
190
to B
210
is performed in order to display the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
stored in the preceding address on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
In particular, in step B
190
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step B
200
, the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
stored in the preceding address is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, whereafter the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
210
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
Then, if it is discriminated in step B
170
that the address in question is the first address, the processing in steps B
120
to B
140
is performed as described hereinabove in order to display “END” on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
In particular, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
120
, and in step B
130
, an “END” signal is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, whereafter the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
140
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
side is hereinafter described.
Then, after “END” is displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the control returns to step B
90
, in which inputting of a signal from the UP switch
68
a
or the DOWN switch
68
b
is performed as described hereinabove.
Thereafter, in step B
240
, a signal from the modification switch
67
is inputted to the controller
12
, and then, the control advances to step B
250
, in which it is discriminated whether or not the modification switch
67
is ON. If a result of the discrimination indicates that the modification switch
67
is not ON, then the control returns to step B
90
. If it is discriminated in steps B
100
and B
110
that no signal has been received from any of the UP switch
68
a
and the DOWN switch
68
b
and further it is discriminated in steps B
162
and B
165
that no signal has been received from the modification switch
67
but a signal has been received from the confirmation switch
66
, then the default value setting routine is ended, and the control returns to the main routine illustrated in FIG.
5
.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated that the modification switch
67
is ON, then processing of the modification routine which will be hereinafter described is performed, whereafter the control returns to step B
90
. If it is discriminated in steps B
100
and B
110
that no signal has been received from any of the UP switch
68
a
and the DOWN switch
68
b
and further it is discriminated in steps B
162
and B
165
that no signal has been received from the modification switch
67
but a signal has been received from the confirmation switch
66
, then the default value setting routine is ended, and the control returns to the main routine illustrated in FIG.
5
.
Now, processing in the modification routine is described with reference to FIG.
7
.
It is to be noted that, when processing in the modification routine is performed, a signal from the modification switch
67
has been inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
, and data of default values stored at predetermined addresses from among a plurality of default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the ROM
42
have been read in by the CPU
40
and outputted to the display apparatus
60
. Then, on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
stored at the predetermined address are displayed.
First, in step C
10
, a signal from the UP switch
68
a
or the DOWN switch
68
b
of the display apparatus
60
is inputted, and then the control advances to step C
20
, in which it is discriminated whether or not a signal has been received from the DOWN switch
68
b.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that a signal has been received from the DOWN switch
68
b
, then the control advances to step C
30
, in which data at the address (address=address +1) following the data of the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
is inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
, and in order to display the data of default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the following address on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the data is converted into an ASCII code in step C
60
, whereafter processing in steps C
70
to C
90
is performed.
In particular, in step C
70
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step C
80
, the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the following address is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, whereafter the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step C
90
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated that no signal has been received from the DOWN switch
68
b
, then the control advances to step C
40
, in which it is discriminated whether or not a signal has been received from the UP switch
68
a.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that a signal has been received from the UP switch
68
a
, then the control advances to step C
50
, in which data of the default value in the address (address=address −1) preceding to the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
is inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
, and in order to display the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the preceding address on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the data is converted into an ASCII code in step C
60
, whereafter processing in steps C
70
to C
90
is performed.
In particular, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step C
70
, and in step C
80
, the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
stored in the preceding address is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. Further in step C
90
, the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
On the other hand if it is discriminated in step C
40
that no signal has been received from the UP switch
68
a
either, the control advances to step C
100
, in which a signal from the +switch
69
a
or the −switch
69
b
of the display apparatus
60
is inputted to the CPU
40
of the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step C
110
.
In step C
110
, it is discriminated whether or not a signal has been received from the +switch
69
a
, and if a result of the discrimination indicates that a signal has been received from the +switch
69
a
, then the control advances to step C
120
, in which the data of the default value is modified by adding the predetermined amount α to the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
selected in such a manner as described above, and this is stored, whereafter the control advances to step C
150
.
Then, in order to display the modified default value on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the data of the default value as numerical information is converted into an ASCII code for character display in step C
150
, whereafter processing in steps C
160
to C
180
is performed.
In particular, in step C
160
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step C
170
, the data of the modified default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, whereafter the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
80
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step C
110
that no signal has been received from the +switch
69
a
, then the control advances to step C
130
, in which it is discriminated whether or not a signal has been received from the −switch
69
b.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that a signal has been received from the −switch
69
b
, then the control advances to step C
140
, in which the predetermined amount a is subtracted from the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
selected in such a manner as described above to modify the data of the default value and this is stored, whereafter the control advances to step C
150
.
Then, in order to display the modified default value on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the data of the default value as numerical information is converted into an ASCII code for character display in step C
150
, whereafter processing of steps C
160
to C
180
is performed.
In particular, in step C
160
, the data start code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, and in step C
170
, the modified data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
is outputted to the display apparatus
60
, whereafter the data end code is outputted to the display apparatus
60
in step B
80
. It is to be noted that processing of the display apparatus
60
is hereinafter described.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step C
130
that no signal has been received from the −switch
69
b
, then the control returns to the default value setting routine illustrated in FIG.
6
.
Now, processing of the display apparatus
60
in relation to the controller
12
as such a standard set value setting section as described above is described with reference to FIG.
8
.
As shown in
FIG. 8
, first in step D
10
, it is discriminated whether or not the confirmation switch
66
is in an ON-state as a result of an operation of the confirmation switch
66
by an operator, and if the confirmation switch
66
is ON, then the control advances to step D
20
, in which a signal from the confirmation switch
66
is outputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step D
50
. On the other hand, if the confirmation switch
66
is not ON, then the control advances directly to step D
50
. Then, it is discriminated in step D
50
whether or not the modification switch
67
is ON.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the modification switch is ON, then the control advances to step D
60
, in which a signal from the modification switch
67
is outputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step D
70
. On the other hand, if the modification switch
67
is not ON, then the control advances directly to step D
70
.
Then, it is discriminated in step D
70
whether or not the UP switch
68
a
is ON.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the UP switch
68
a
is ON, then the control advances to step D
80
, in which a signal from the UP switch
68
a
is outputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step D
90
. On the other hand, if the UP switch
68
a
is not ON, the control advances directly to step D
90
.
Then, it is discriminated in step D
90
whether or not the DOWN switch
68
b
is ON.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the DOWN switch
68
b
is ON, then the control advances to step D
100
, in which a signal from the DOWN switch
68
b
is outputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step D
110
. On the other hand, if the DOWN switch
68
b
is not ON, the control advances directly to step D
110
.
Then, in step D
110
, it is discriminated whether or not the +switch
69
a
is ON.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the +switch
69
a
is ON, then the control advances to step D
120
, in which a signal from the +switch
69
a
is outputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step D
130
. On the other hand, if the +switch
69
a
is not ON, then the control advances directly to step D
130
.
Then, in step D
130
, it is discriminated whether or not the −switch
69
b
is ON.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the −switch
69
b
is ON, then the control advances to step D
140
, in which a signal from the −switch
69
b
is outputted to the controller
12
, whereafter the control advances to step D
150
. On the other hand, if the −switch
69
b
is not ON, then the control advances to step D
150
.
It is to be noted that the order of discrimination of ON of the switches may be any other than that described above.
Then, in step D
150
, it is discriminated whether or not the data start code has been inputted to the CPU
61
of the display apparatus
60
. If it is discriminated that the data start code has not been inputted to the CPU
61
of the display apparatus
60
, then the control returns.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated that the data start code has been inputted to the CPU
61
of the display apparatus
60
, then the control advances to step D
160
, in which it is discriminated whether or not the data end code has been inputted to the CPU
61
of the display apparatus
60
.
If a result of the discrimination indicates that the data end code has not been inputted to the CPU
61
of the display apparatus
60
, then the control advances to step D
170
, in which various data (for example, the code regarding the type of the attachment
2
, the data of the default value regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
and so forth) are inputted from the controller
12
. Then in step D
180
, the inputted various data are stored into the RAM
64
of the display apparatus
60
once, and then the control returns to step D
160
again so that the processing is repeated.
On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step D
160
that the data end code has been inputted to the CPU
61
of the display apparatus
60
, then the control advances to step D
190
, in which the CPU
61
of the display apparatus
60
successively fetches the data stored in the RAM
64
. Then in step D
210
, the data are outputted to the display unit
65
, and the processing is ended.
The control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present embodiment has the following operation and effects since the type of an attachment
2
and a default value regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are set in such a manner as described above.
In particular, in a working site, when an attachment
2
is to be attached to the construction machine body
101
, the key-type IC memory holder
30
provided in the box
23
provided in the attachment (for example, a breaker)
2
is taken out from the attachment
2
.
Then, if the key-type IC memory holder
30
taken out from the attachment
2
is inserted into the key-cylinder type connection section
27
provided for the controller
12
on the construction machine body
101
side, then the unique information of the attachment
2
stored in the IC memory
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
is taken out through the key cylinder type connection section
27
to the controller
12
side, and the operation condition of the attachment
2
is set by the controller
12
using the taken out unique information of the attachment
2
. The hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
which form a hydraulic power source are controlled based on the thus set value.
In this manner, in the present embodiment, only by performing simple operations of taking out the key-type IC memory holder
30
provided in the attachment
2
and inserting the key-type IC memory holder
30
into the key cylinder type connection section
27
of the construction machine body
101
side, unique information of the attachment
2
stored in the IC memory
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
is taken out, and an operation condition required by the attachment
2
is set by the controller
12
based on the unique information of the attachment
2
. The engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
are controlled based on the operation condition (controlling step).
In this instance, the display apparatus
60
centers the type display mode, in which the type of the attachment
2
discriminated by the controller
12
is displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
.
On the other hand, if unique information of the attachment
2
stored in the IC memory
31
cannot be taken out to the controller
12
side and the type of the attachment
2
cannot be discriminated by the controller
12
, then the display apparatus
60
enters the discrimination failure display mode, in which discrimination failure display is performed by the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
(displaying step).
When the discrimination failure display is performed in this manner by the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, as the operator operates the standard setting value setting switches including the modification switch
67
, UP switch
68
a
, DOWN switch
68
b
, +switch
69
a
and −switch
69
b
, a default value (standard set value) corresponding to the attachment
2
attached is set by the controller
12
(standard set value setting step).
Then, the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
are controlled by the controller
12
based on the information of the standard set value set in the standard setting value setting step (controlling step).
Here,
FIG. 9
is a flow chart for illustrating operation when the controller
12
utilizes unique information (accelerator position ACC
1
and pump power PS
1
) fetched from the IC memory
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
or information of a standard set value set by the standard set value setting section as it is in order to operate the attachment
2
or when an accelerator position ACC or a pump power PS is to be calculated when an actuator other than the attachment
2
is to be operated simultaneously with the attachment
2
in order to, for example, press the attachment
2
against a subject.
Here, in the case of simultaneous operation, correction values A·f(BM) and B·f(BM) obtained by multiplying a function f(BM) relating to an operation mount to the boom lowering side of the lever operator
22
which pilot operates the control valve
4
of the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
by a fixed accelerator position correction coefficient A and pump power correction coefficient B are added to an accelerator position ACC
1
and a pump power PS
1
to be used to operate the attachment
2
to calculate modified values ACC and PS, and they are outputted.
Now, the calculation processing method of the controller
11
illustrated in
FIG. 9
is described with reference to FIG.
1
A.
As shown in
FIG. 9
, if unique information (accelerator position ACC
1
, pump power PS
1
and so forth) stored in the IC memory
31
held by the key-type IC memory holder
30
or information of a standard set value set by the standard setting value set section is taken out to the controller
12
side (YES in step S
1
), then the unique information or the information of the standard set value set by the standard set value setting section is stored (step S
2
), and if the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
is in a stopping state (NO in step S
3
), then the accelerator position ACC
1
and pump power PS
1
are outputted from the controller
12
.
This is described with reference to FIG.
1
A. An operation of the attachment
2
is performed by the pedal type operator
21
, and by treadling down the pedal type operator
21
, a pilot oil pressure corresponding to the treadling operation amount is outputted through the pilot oil paths
29
a
and
29
b
. Consequently, the control valve
3
is pilot operated, and discharge pressure oil of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
is supplied to the attachment
2
in accordance with the operation amount of the control valve
3
.
In this instance, operation presence signals detected by the pressure switches
24
and
25
from the pilot oil paths
29
a
and
29
b
of the pedal type operator
21
are inputted to the controller
12
, and the controller
12
detects that the pedal type operator
21
has been operated. Then, a set value (for example, accelerator position ACC
1
or pump power PS
1
) selected in advance is outputted as an operation condition required by the attachment
2
.
An accelerator signal outputted from the controller
12
is inputted to the accelerator actuator
8
, and the accelerator position of the engine
7
is controlled. On the other hand, a pump driving signal outputted from the controller
12
is inputted to and converted into oil pressures by the solenoid proportional valves
13
and
14
and then inputted to the pump regulators
9
and
10
so that the powers of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
are controlled.
Now, a case wherein another actuator, here, the boom cylinder
107
, is operated simultaneously with the attachment
2
is described.
When an attachment
2
is to be used, it is efficient to move the boom
105
downwardly and perform working while the attachment (here, a breaker)
2
is pressed against a subject, and a demand for such an operation is high.
In such an instance, a signal from the pressure sensor
26
provided for the boom lowering side pilot oil path
29
d
of the manual lever type operator
22
which drives the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
is inputted to the controller
12
.
The pilot oil path
29
d
of the lever type operator
22
is connected to the control valve
4
, and drives the control valve
4
so that delivered pressure oil of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
is supplied to the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
in response to the operation amount of the control valve
4
.
Then, when the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
is caused to perform a contracting operation (lowering movement of the boom
105
), the pump discharge flow rate is increased so that the driving speed of the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
corresponding to the signal of the pressure sensor
26
may be obtained.
In particular, as shown in
FIG. 9
, if the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
is operated simultaneously with the attachment
2
(YES in step S
3
), then A·f(BM) which is an increased amount of the accelerator position is added to the accelerator position ACC
1
selected in step S
2
to calculate a modified accelerator position ACC, and B·f(BM) which is an increased amount of the pump power is added to the pump power PS
1
selected in step S
2
to calculate a modified pump power PS (step S
4
). It is to be noted that A and B are increase coefficients, and f(BM) is a function of the operation amount of the pedal type operator
22
.
As the modified values (ACC and PS) determined by correction calculation in this manner are outputted from the controller
12
, the pump discharge flow rate increases, and simultaneous operations of the attachment
2
and the boom driving hydraulic cylinder
107
can be performed.
Accordingly, with the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the present invention, there is an advantage that, when unique information of an attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
cannot be inputted to the controller
12
and the controller
12
cannot discriminate the type of the controller
12
, although discrimination failure display is performed by the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, even in this instance, a default value regarding an operation condition suitable for the attached attachment
2
can be set by a simple operation and with certainty by the controller
12
which functions as a standard set value setting section.
Consequently, the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
can be controlled based on information of the default value, and the attachment
2
can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
Further, since it can be confirmed by an operation of the confirmation switch
66
that a correct operation condition of the attachment
2
has been set and control of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
is started after a switch operation by the confirmation switch
66
is confirmed by the controller
12
, there is another advantage that, even if the type of the attachment
2
is discriminated in error because of disconnection or the like, inappropriate control of the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
can be prevented from being performed.
Furthermore, there is a further advantage that, since a default value can be changed by the modification switch
67
, UP switch
68
a
, DOWN switch
68
b
, +switch
69
a
or −switch
69
b
which forms default value changing means, a further suitable operation condition to the attachments
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
can be set.
Further, since a default value is selected in accordance with a priority order, there is a still further advantage that setting of a default value by the operator can be performed smoothly.
Further, since unique information of the attachment
2
stored in the IC memory
31
of the key-type IC memory holder
30
can be fetched only by performing simple operations of removing the key-type IC memory holder
30
provided in the attachment
2
and inserting the key-type IC memory holder
30
into the key cylinder type connection section
27
of the construction machine body
101
side, there is a yet further advantage that unique information relating to an operation condition required by the attachment
2
can be inputted to the controller
12
easily and with certainty without mistaking a corresponding relationship.
It is to be noted that, while, in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the first embodiment described above, an IC memory is held by the key-type IC memory holder, the element for holding an IC memory is not limited to this, and a card type IC memory holder may be used. In this instance, it is a matter of course that the connection portion of the construction machine body
101
side must be constructed such that a card type IC memory holder can be inserted into the connection portion.
(B) Description of the Second Embodiment
Subsequently, a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a second embodiment are described with reference to
FIGS. 10 and 11
. It is to be noted that, in
FIGS. 10 and 11
, like reference symbols to those of
FIGS. 1A and 2
denote like members.
The control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the present embodiment are different from those of the first embodiment in the uniform information storage member as shown in FIG.
10
.
In particular, a male or female type connector
50
A as a unique information storage member is removably provided in an attachment
2
according to the present embodiment. In particular, the attachment
2
has a female or male type connector
50
B provided thereon, and the connector
50
A is removably provided on the connector
50
B′.
It is to be noted that the connector
50
B′ has a cover member
51
provided thereon so that the connector
50
B′ and the connector
50
A may be covered with the cover member
51
in a condition wherein they are connected to each other.
The connector
50
A has a plurality of bit terminals
50
a
provided thereon, and a bit pattern unique to each attachment
2
is set depending upon whether or not the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
are grounded.
Since a unique operation condition required by each attachment
2
is set based on a bit pattern unique to the attachment
2
set depending upon whether the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
are grounded or not (
1
,
0
), unique information storage means is formed from the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
and the connector
50
A. In the following description, the connector
50
A which includes the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
is referred to merely as connector
50
A.
It is to be noted that, while, in
FIG. 4
, only four bit terminals
50
a
are shown, the number of such bit terminals
50
a
is set equal to a number which sufficiently satisfies information of a total number of attachments
2
which can be attached.
On the other hand, a female or male type connector (connection section)
50
B with a harness
50
b
for connecting the connector
50
A to the controller
12
is provided on the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side.
When the connector
50
A is connected to the connector
50
B with a harness
50
b
, a bit pattern unique for each attachment
2
is set depending upon whether the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
of the connector
50
A are grounded or not (
1
,
0
).
The type of the attachment
2
and so forth are discriminated by the controller
12
based on the bit pattern set in this manner, and set values of a pressure, a flow rate and so forth corresponding to the attachment
2
to be used are selected from among set values of a pressure, a flow rate and so forth stored in the controller
12
for each attachment
2
and a unique operation condition (a supply oil pressure, flow rate or the like) required by the attachment
2
is set to control the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
.
Further, the controller
12
of the present embodiment further includes a function (default value setting section, standard set value setting section) of setting a type of an attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
when discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
in a similar manner as in the first embodiment described hereinabove.
And, when discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
, the controller
12
controls the hydraulic pumps (oil pressure source)
5
and
6
based in the information of the default value set by the default value setting section.
It is to be noted that the other construction is similar to that of the first embodiment described hereinabove, and therefore, description of it is omitted here.
Since the control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present embodiment is constructed in such a manner as described above, the following operation and effects can be achieved.
In particular, in a working site, when an attachment
2
is to be attached to the construction machine body
101
, the connector
50
A connected to the connector
50
B of the attachment (for example, a breaker)
2
side is removed from the attachment
2
.
Then, the connector
50
A removed from the attachment
2
side is connected to the connector
50
B with a harness
50
b
provided for the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side, and thereupon, a bit pattern, as unique information is set for each attachment
2
depending upon whether the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
are grounded or not (
1
,
0
).
Then, a set value (an accelerator position of the engine or a pump set power) is selected based on the bit pattern by the controller
12
, whereby an operation condition required by the attachment
2
is set.
On the other hand, if unique information of the attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
cannot be inputted to the controller
12
and the controller
12
fails to discriminate the type of the attachment
2
, then discrimination failure display is performed by the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
. Also in this instance, however, the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are set by the controller
12
which functions as a standard set value setting section in a similar manner to that described in detail hereinabove in connection with the first embodiment described above.
Accordingly, there is an advantage that a default value regarding an operation condition suitable to the attached attachment
2
can be set by a simple operation and with certainty similarly as in the first embodiment described hereinabove. Consequently, the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
can be controlled based on the information of the default value and the attachment
2
can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
Further, since, by performing simple operations of removing the connector
50
A provided for the attachment
2
and connecting the connector
50
A to the connector
50
B with a harness
50
b
of the construction machine body
101
side, a bit pattern as unique information for each attachment
2
is set depending upon whether the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
are grounded (
1
,
0
) and the type of the attachment
2
is discriminated based on the bit pattern and then an operation condition required by the attachment
2
to be used is set, there is another advantage that an operation condition required by the attachment
2
can be set to the controller
12
readily and with certainty without mistaking a corresponding relationship similarly as in the case of the first embodiment described hereinabove.
It is to be noted that, since, in the first and second embodiments described above, a key type IC memory holder, a card type IC memory holder or the connector
50
A having the plurality of bit terminals
50
a
as a unique information storage member is removably attached to an attachment
2
and there is the possibility that it may be lost, in either case, a spare key type IC memory holder or card type IC memory holder of the same type or a spare connector
50
A having a plurality of bit terminals
50
a
may be stored at a separate storage place, and if the IC memory holder or the connector of the attachment
2
side is lost, the spare one may be used.
(C) Description of the Third Embodiment
Subsequently, a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to
FIGS. 12 and 13
. It is to be noted that, in
FIGS. 12 and 13
, like reference symbols to those of
FIGS. 1A and 2
denote like members.
The control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the present embodiment are different in the unique information storage member from those of the first embodiment as shown in FIG.
12
.
In particular, an attachment
2
according to the present embodiment has a bar code
70
provided thereon as a unique information storage member.
In the bar code
70
, unique information for setting an operation condition required by the attachment
2
is stored as binary information. In particular, the bar code
70
usually includes a plurality of bars of black (hereinafter referred to as black bars) and bars of white (hereinafter referred to as white bars) disposed alternately and represents predetermined data based on widths of the black bars and the white bars.
On the other hand, the construction machine body
1
has a bar code reader
71
as a bar code reading unit provided in the operator cab
103
thereof such that binary information of the bar code
70
provided on an attachment
2
can be read by a manual operation by means of the bar code reader
71
.
The bar code reader
71
irradiates scanning light upon the bar code
70
and receives light reflected from the bar code
70
and having the binary information to read the binary information of the bar code
70
, and transmits the binary information by radio communication to the controller
12
.
The hardware construction of the bar code reader
71
includes, for example, as shown in
FIG. 13
, an optical system
72
, an A/D conversion section
76
and a transmitter-receiver
77
.
The optical system
72
irradiates a laser beam L
2
upon the bar code
70
and receives reflected light R
1
of the laser beam L
2
reflected from the bar code
70
. The optical system
72
is composed of a laser light emitting element
73
, a scanning mechanism
74
and a photoelectric conversion section
75
.
Here, the laser light emitting element
73
includes a semiconductor laser which emits a laser beam L
1
.
The scanning mechanism
74
is formed from a polygon mirror which is driven to rotate, for example, by a motor, and has a function of reflecting the laser beam L
1
from the laser light emitting element
73
to irradiate the laser beam L
1
upon the plurality of black bars and white bars, which form the bar code
70
, while moving the laser beam L
1
at a fixed speed in a direction perpendicular to the black bars and white bars of the bar code
70
to scan them.
The scanning mechanism
74
has a function of reflecting reflected light R
1
of the laser beam L
2
from the bar code
70
so that the reflected light R
1
which is moved by scanning of the laser beam L
2
is introduced as reflected light R
2
into the photoelectric conversion section
75
.
Further, the photoelectric conversion section
75
includes a photoelectric conversion element such as, for example, a photodiode, and converts reflected light R
2
(an optical input signal) received through the scanning mechanism
74
into an electric signal (analog value) corresponding to an amount of the light and outputs it.
The A/D conversion section
76
digitizes an electric signal from the photoelectric conversion section
75
. The A/D conversion section
76
digitizes an electric signal from the photoelectric conversion section
75
to converting into a binary signal including a black level signal corresponding to each black bar portion of the bar code
70
and a white level signal corresponding to each white bar portion of the bar code
70
.
As the binary signal, since usually the amount of light of the reflected light R
2
from each white bar portion is greater than the amount of light of the reflected light R
2
from each black bar portion, a signal wherein the white level signal has a High level and the black level signal is a Low level signal is obtained. The transmitter-receiver
77
is a radio transmitter-receiver serving as transmission means which performs transmission and reception to and from a transmitter-receiver
78
of the controller
12
side by radio communication. It is to be noted that the transmitter-receiver
77
includes a transmission/reception antenna
71
a.
The controller
12
has such a hardware construction as shown in
FIG. 13
so that it may perform transmission and reception to and from the bar code reader
71
having such a construction as described above, extract and demodulate predetermined data from a binary signal of the bar code
70
read by the bar code reader
71
, automatically discriminate the type of the attachment
2
and so forth and set an operation condition (a supply oil pressure or flow rate) required by the attachment
2
.
In particular, the present controller
12
includes a CPU
40
, a transmitter-receiver
78
and a transmission/reception antenna
12
a
serving as transmission means for performing transmission and reception to and from the transmitter-receiver
77
of the bar code reader
71
by radio communication, an I/O
41
connected to the transmitter-receiver
78
, a bar width counter
79
, a clock generator
79
a
, a ROM
42
in which a processing program is stored, a RAM
43
for storing information (referred to as unique information) of a type, a rate flow rate, a pressure and so forth unique to an individual attachment
2
obtained from the bar code
70
, a pump driver
44
for driving the pump regulators
9
and
10
of a hydraulic power source through the solenoid proportional valve
13
and,
14
to control the pump set power, and an engine driver
45
for driving the accelerator actuator
8
of the hydraulic power source to control the speed of the engine
7
. It is to be noted that also a power unit
46
for operating the controller
12
is provided in the controller
12
.
Of the components described above, the bar width counter
79
counts clock signals from the clock generator
79
a.
The bar width counter
79
outputs a value corresponding to the time width of each of black signal portions and white signal portions of a binary signal of the bar code
70
, that is, the width of each of the black bars and the white bars of the actual bar code
70
, as a count value of the clock signals. To this end, a binary signal of the bar code
70
received through the transmission/reception antenna
12
a
and the transmitter-receiver
78
is inputted to the bar width counter
79
through the I/O
41
and a bus line.
The bar width count value by the bar width counter
79
is stored into the RAM
43
. Then, the CPU
40
extracts and demodulates, based on bar width count values (values corresponding to the widths of the black bars and the white bars) stored in the RAM
43
, unique information of the attachment
2
the bar code
70
has.
Further, the CPU
40
performs communication of data with the ROM
42
and the RAM
43
over the bus line, discriminates the type of the attachment
2
and so forth based on the extracted and modulated unique information of the attachment
2
, and sets an operation condition (a supply oil pressure and/or flow rate) required by the attachment
2
.
Further, the controller
12
of the present embodiment has a function (default value setting section, standard set value setting section) of setting the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
when discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
similarly as in the first embodiment described hereinabove.
Then, when discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
, the controller
12
controls the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps (hydraulic power sources)
5
and
6
based on the information of the default value set by the default value setting section.
It is to be noted that, since the other construction is similar to that of the first embodiment described hereinabove, description of it is omitted here.
Since the control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present embodiment is constructed in such a manner as described above, the following operation and effects are achieved.
In particular, in a working site, when an attachment
2
is to be attached to the construction machine body
101
, scanning light is irradiated upon the bar code
23
provided on the attachment
2
(for example, a breaker) using the bar code reader
30
and light reflected from the bar code
23
and having binary information is received to read the binary information of the bar code
23
.
The binary information of the bar code
23
read by the bar code reader
30
in this manner is sent to the controller
12
by radio communication. The controller
12
selects a set value (an accelerator position of the engine and/or a pump set power) based on the unique information of the attachment as the binary information to set an operation condition required by the attachment
2
, and the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
which form a hydraulic power source are controlled based on the set values.
In this manner, in the present embodiment, an operation condition required by the attachment
2
is set to the controller
12
only by performing such a simple operation of reading unique information of the attachment
2
stored as binary information on the bar code
23
provided on the attachment
2
by means of the bar code reader
3
.
Then, if unique information of the attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
cannot be inputted to the controller
12
and the controller
12
fails to discriminate the type of the attachment
2
, then discrimination failure display is performed by the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
. Also in this instance, however, the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are set by the controller
12
which functions as a standard set value setting section in a similar manner to that described in detail hereinabove in connection with the first embodiment described above.
Accordingly, there is an advantage that a default value regarding an operation condition suitable to the attached attachment
2
can be set by a simple operation and with certainty similarly as in the first embodiment described hereinabove. Consequently, the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
can be controlled based on the information of the default value and the attachment
2
can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
Further, since unique information of the working attachment stored in the unique information storage member can be fetched only by performing such a simple operation of reading binary information of the bar code
23
provided on the attachment
2
by means of the bar code reader
30
, there is an advantage also in that unique information relating to an operation condition required by the attachment
2
can be inputted to the controller
12
readily and with certainty without mistaking a corresponding relationship.
It is to be noted that, while, in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine of the present embodiment, the bar code reader
30
is provided in the operator cab
103
and information of the bar code
23
is read by a manual operation and then communication between the bar code reader
30
and the controller
12
is performed by radio communication, the communication between the bar code reader
30
and the controller
12
may be performed by wire communication. Further, if dust-proof and water-proof can be achieved with certainty, then the bar code reader
30
may be provided in the attachment
2
while the communication between the bar code reader
30
and the controller
12
is performed by radio communication or by wire communication.
Further, while, in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine of the present embodiment, the controller
12
includes the bar width counter
43
and the clock
44
and binary information of the bar code
23
is extracted and modulated by the CPU
40
, the bar code receiver
30
may be constructed including a CPU, a bar width counter and a clock so that binary information of the bar code
23
may be extracted and demodulated by the bar code receiver
30
side.
Further, while, in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine of the present embodiment, before binary information of the bar code
23
is transmitted from the bar code receiver
30
to the controller
12
, an electric signal from the IC memory
31
is converted into and transmitted as a digital signal by the A/D conversion section
35
, the electric signal may be transmitted as an analog signal from the bar code receiver
30
to the controller
12
whereas it is digitized by the controller
12
side.
(D) Description of the Fourth Embodiment
Subsequently, a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to
FIGS. 14 and 15
. It is to be noted that, in
FIGS. 14 and 15
, like reference numerals to those of
FIGS. 1A and 2
denote like members.
The control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the present embodiment are different in the unique information storage member from those of the first embodiment as shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15
.
In particular, in the present embodiment, an attachment
2
has a transmitter
80
provided there on as a unique information storage member.
The hardware construction of the transmitter
80
includes, as shown in
FIG. 15
, a ROM
82
serving as a data storage apparatus for storing unique information of an attachment
2
, a CPU
81
for performing fetching processing of the unique information from the ROM
82
, a data communication interface (hereinafter referred to as COM)
83
serving as transmission means for receiving a fetching instruction signal from the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side to the CPU
81
by wire communication and transmitting unique information fetched from the ROM
82
by the CPU
81
to the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side by wire communication, and a power unit
84
for receiving power supply from the power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side.
Meanwhile, the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
includes a COM
85
serving as transmission means for performing serial communication with the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
. It is to be noted that the other construction is similar to that of the first embodiment described hereinabove.
When an attachment
2
is attached to the construction machine body
101
, the power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
and the power unit
84
of the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
are connected to each other by a power supply cable
89
and connectors
88
a
and
88
b
, and the COM
85
of the controller
12
and the COM
83
of the transmitter
80
are connected to each other by wire connection means including a communication cable
87
and connectors
86
a
and
86
b.
The controller
12
of the present embodiment further has a function (default value setting section, standard set value setting section) of setting the type of an attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
when discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
.
If discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
, then the controller
12
controls the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps (hydraulic power source)
5
and
6
based on the information of the default value set by the default value setting section.
It is to be noted that, since the other construction is similar to that of the first embodiment described hereinabove, description of it is omitted here.
Since the control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present embodiment is constructed in such a manner as described above, the following operation and effects are achieved.
In particular, in a working site, when an attachment
2
is attached to the construction machine body
101
, the transmitter
80
is connected to the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
through the power supply cable
89
and the communication cable
87
. Consequently, power is supplied from the power unit
46
of the controller
12
to the power unit
84
of the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
so that the transmitter
80
is rendered operative.
Then, the controller
12
outputs a data fetching instruction to the transmitter
80
from the COM
85
by program processing wherein instructions stored in the ROM
42
are successively processed by the CPU
40
.
In the meantime, the transmitter
80
reads the instruction by means of the COM
83
and sends it to the CPU
81
, and data (unique information of the attachment
2
) stored in the ROM
82
are successively read out by program processing of the CPU
81
and transmitted to the COM
85
of the controller
12
from the COM
83
.
It is to be noted that, in this instance bidirectional serial communication is performed over the single communication cable
87
, and transmission of the data fetching instruction from the controller
12
to the transmitter
80
and transmission of the unique information from the transmitter
80
to the controller
12
are performed by wire communication.
Then, the data regarding the unique information of the attachment
2
thus transmitted are stored into the RAM
43
of the controller
12
by program processing of the CPU
40
of the controller
12
.
On the other hand, if the unique information of the attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
cannot be inputted to the controller
12
and the controller
12
cannot discriminate the type of the controller
12
, then discrimination failure display is performed by the display
65
of the display apparatus
60
. Also in this instance, the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are set by the controller
12
which functions as a standard set value setting section in a similar manner as described in detail in connection with the first embodiment described hereinabove.
Accordingly, there is an advantage that, similarly as in the first embodiment described hereinabove, a default value regarding an operation condition suitable for an attached attachment
2
can be set by a simple operation and with certainty. Consequently, the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
can be controlled based on the information of the default value, and the attachment
2
can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
(D1) First Modification to the Fourth Embodiment
In the following, a first modification to the fourth embodiment is described with reference to FIG.
16
. It is to be noted that, in
FIG. 16
, like reference numerals to those of
FIG. 15
denote like members.
The control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the present first modification are different in the construction of the transmitter from that of the fourth embodiment described above as shown in FIG.
16
.
In particular, in the present first modification, an attachment
2
has a transmitter
80
provided thereon as a unique information storage member which performs communication of data by radio communication.
The hardware construction of the transmitter
80
includes, as shown in
FIG. 16
, a ROM
92
serving as a data storage apparatus for storing unique information of an attachment
2
, a CPU
91
for performing fetching processing of unique information from the ROM
92
and so forth, a transmitter-receiver
94
and a transmission/reception antenna
94
a
serving as transmission means for performing data communication with the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side by radio communication, an I/O
93
connected to the transmitter-receiver
94
, and a power unit
96
for receiving power supply from the power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side.
Meanwhile, the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
includes a transmitter-receiver
95
and a transmission/reception antenna
95
a
which serve as transmission means for performing data communication with the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
by radio communication. It is to be noted that the other construction is similar to that of the fourth embodiment described hereinabove.
When an attachment
2
is attached to the construction machine body
101
, the power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
and the power unit
96
of the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
are connected to each other by a power supply cable
89
and connectors
88
a
and
88
b.
The controller
12
of the present embodiment has a function (default value setting section, standard set value setting section) of setting the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
when discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
similarly as in the fourth embodiment described hereinabove.
If discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
, then the controller
12
controls the hydraulic pumps (hydraulic power source)
5
and
6
based on the information of the default value set by the default value setting section.
It is to be noted that, since the other construction is similar to that of the fourth embodiment described hereinabove, description of it is omitted here.
Since the control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present first modification is constructed in such a manner as described above, the following operation and effects are achieved.
In particular, in a working site, when an attachment
2
is attached to the construction machine body
101
, the transmitter
80
is connected to the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
through the power supply cable
89
, and consequently, power is supplied from the power unit
46
of the controller
12
to the power unit
96
of the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
so that the transmitter
80
is rendered operative.
Then, the controller
12
transmits a data fetching instruction to the transmitter
80
by radio communication through the transmitter-receiver
95
and the transmission/reception antenna
95
a
by program processing wherein instructions stored in the ROM
42
are successively processed by the CPU
40
.
In the meantime, in the transmitter
80
, the instruction is received through the transmission/reception antenna
94
a
and the transmitter-receiver
94
and sent to the CPU
91
, and data (unique information of the attachment
2
a
stored in the ROM
92
are successively fetched by program processing of the CPU
91
and transmitted to the controller
12
by radio communication through the transmitter-receiver
94
and the transmission/reception antenna
94
a.
Then, the transmitted data regarding the unique information of the attachment
2
are stored into the RAM
43
of the controller
12
by program processing of the CPU
40
of the controller
12
.
On the other hand, if the unique information of the attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
cannot be inputted to the controller
12
and the controller
12
cannot discriminate the type of the attachment
2
, then discrimination failure display is performed by the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
. Also in this instance, the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are set by the controller
12
which functions as a standard set value setting section in a similar manner as described hereinabove in detail in connection with the first embodiment described hereinabove.
Accordingly, there is an advantage that, similarly as in the first embodiment described hereinabove, a default value regarding an operation condition suitable for the attached attachment
2
can be set by a simple operation and with certainty. Consequently, the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
can be controlled based on the information of the default value, and the attachment
2
can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
(D2) Second Modification to the Fourth Embodiment
In the following, a second modification to, the fourth embodiment is described with reference to FIG.
17
. It is to be noted that, in
FIG. 17
, like reference numerals to those of
FIG. 15
denote like members.
The control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the present second modification are different in the construction of the transmitter from that of the fourth embodiment described above.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the hardware construction of the transmitter
80
includes, as shown in
FIG. 17
, a ROM
97
serving as a data storage apparatus for storing unique information of an attachment
2
, a buffer
98
serving as transmission means for receiving a clockpulse signal from the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
, another buffer
99
serving as transmission means for transmitting unique information in the ROM
97
to the controller
12
, and a power unit
96
a
for receiving power supply from the power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
side.
It is to be noted that, while, in
FIG. 17
, only one circuit for transmitting unique information is shown, a required number of circuits for transmitting unique information may be provided in accordance with an amount of information.
Meanwhile, the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
includes a buffer
98
a
serving as transmission means for transmitting a clock pulse signal to the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
, and another buffer
99
b
serving as transmission means for receiving unique information transmitted from the transmitter
80
. It is to be noted that the other construction is similar to that of the fourth embodiment described hereinabove.
When an attachment
2
is attached to the construction machine body
101
, the buffers
98
a
and
99
a
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
and the buffers
98
and
99
of the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
side are connected to each other by a communication cable
87
and connectors
86
a
and
86
b
, and the power unit
46
of the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
and the power unit
96
a
of the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
are connected to each other by a power supply cable
89
and connectors
88
a
and
88
b.
The controller
12
of the present embodiment has a function (default value setting section, standard set value setting section) of setting the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
when discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
similarly as in the fourth embodiment described hereinabove.
If discrimination failure display is performed by the display apparatus
60
, then the controller
12
controls the hydraulic pumps (hydraulic power source)
5
and
6
based on the information of the default value set by the default value setting section.
It is to be noted that, since the other construction is similar to that of the fourth embodiment described hereinabove, description of it is omitted here.
Since the control apparatus for a construction machine according to the present second modification is constructed in such a manner as described above, the following operation and effects are achieved.
In particular, in a working site, when an attachment
2
is attached to the construction machine body
101
, the transmitter
80
is connected to the controller
12
of the construction machine body
101
through the power supply cable
89
, and consequently, power is supplied from the power unit
46
of the controller
12
to the power unit
96
a
of the transmitter
80
of the attachment
2
so that the transmitter
80
is rendered operative.
Then, a clock pulse signal is transmitted from the buffer
98
a
of the controller
12
to the buffer
98
of the transmitter
80
, and each time this clock pulse signal is transmitted, a pair of data (unique information of an attachment) are fetched from the ROM
97
in the transmitter
80
and inputted to the controller
12
through the buffer
99
and the buffer
99
a.
By repeating such data fetching, all data are fetched into the controller
12
and stored into the RAM
43
of the controller
12
.
On the other hand, if the unique information of the attachment
2
attached to the construction machine body
101
cannot be inputted to the controller
12
and the controller
12
cannot discriminate the type of the attachment
2
, then discrimination failure display is performed by the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
. Also in this instance, the type of the attachment
2
and a standard set value (default value) regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are set by the controller
12
which functions as a standard set value setting section in a similar manner as described hereinabove in detail in connection with the first embodiment described hereinabove.
Accordingly, there is an advantage that, similarly as in the first embodiment described hereinabove, a default value regarding an operation condition suitable for the attached attachment
2
can be set by a simple operation and with certainty. Consequently, the engine
7
and the hydraulic pumps
5
and
6
can be controlled based on the information of the default value, and the attachment
2
can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
(E) Others
It is to be noted that, while, in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the various embodiments described above, the display apparatus
60
is constructed including the CPU
61
, ROM
63
, RAM
64
and so forth, the display apparatus is not limited to this, and functions of them may all be provided by the CPU
40
, ROM
42
, RAM
43
and so forth of the controller
12
.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the controller
12
serving as a control section has a function (standard set value setting function) of setting a default value regarding an operation condition of an attachment
2
, the element having this function is not limited to this, and for example, the standard set value setting section may be provided as a function of the display apparatus
60
side.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, a plurality of default values regarding an operation condition required for each attachment
2
are provided in the ROM
42
of the controller
12
in advance, the manner of provision of the plurality of default values is not limited to this, and for example, an element like a master key which includes an IC memory in which a plurality of default values regarding an operation condition of each attachment
2
are stored is prepared such that, when discrimination failure display is performed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the plurality of default values regarding the operation condition of each attachment
2
are inputted to the controller
12
using the master key.
Further, while it is described that, in the control apparatus and the control method for a construction machine according to the embodiments described above, a discrimination failure display is displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, for example, a lamp may be lit as a discrimination failure display.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the confirmation switch
66
is provided, the confirmation switch need not be provided if control of an oil pressure source under wrong settings can be prevented with certainty.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, a plurality of default values are provided as default values of an attachment
2
such that a default value suitable for an attached attachment
2
can be selected from among the plurality of default values by the UP switch
68
a
and the DOWN switch
68
b
serving as standard set value changing means, a single default value may be provided as a default value of an attachment
2
without allowing selection.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, a default value of an attachment
2
can be modified to a value suitable for the attached attachment
2
by the +switch
69
a
and the −switch
69
b
serving as standard set changing means, it may not be modified.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, codes regarding types of an attachment
2
and data of default values regarding an operation condition of the attachment
2
are outputted one by one from the controller
12
to the display apparatus
60
and the types of the attachment
2
or the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
are displayed one by one on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
, the manner in which the codes regarding the types of the attachment
2
and the data of the default values regarding the operation conditions of the attachment
2
are outputted to the display apparatus
60
and the manner in which the types of the attachment
2
and the data of the default values regarding the operation condition of the attachment
2
are displayed on the display unit
65
of the display apparatus
60
are not limited to them.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the confirmation switch
66
and the modification switch
67
, UP switch
68
a
, DOWN switch
68
b
, +switch
69
a
and −switch
69
b
which serve as standard set value changing means are formed as push-button type switches, the type of the switches is not limited to this, and, for example, switches of the touch type provided on the screen of a display or switches of the lever type may be employed.
Further,in the embodiments described above, a reset switch for performing, when a discrimination failure display is displayed, inputting processing of unique information of an attachment
2
again may be provided such that, against a “discrimination failure” display by the display unit
65
when a type of an attachment
2
cannot be discriminated by the controller
12
, inputting processing of unique information of the attachment
2
is enabled again by operating the reset switch
49
.
Further, while, in the embodiments described above, various methods are described as an inputting method for unique information of an attachment
2
, the inputting method for unique information of an attachment
2
is not limited to them.
Further, the control apparatus and the control methods for a construction machine according to the embodiments described above not only are applied to a construction machine having such a construction as described hereinabove in connection with the various embodiments described above, but can be applied widely to construction machines wherein a working attachment which is driven by supplying working oil from a hydraulic power source is removably attached to a construction machine body.
Industrial Applicability of the Invention
Where the present invention is adopted for a control apparatus and a control method for a construction machine, even if discrimination failure display is performed by a display section when unique information of a working attachment attached to a construction machine body cannot be inputted to a control section and the control section fails to discriminate the type of the working attachment, a standard set value regarding an operation condition suitable for the attached working attachment can be set by a simple operation and with certainty by a standard set value setting section. Consequently, it is considered that a hydraulic power source can be controlled based on information of the standard set value, and the working attachment can be operated in an appropriate operation condition.
Claims
- 1. A control apparatus for a construction machine, the construction machine having a working attachment removably attached to a construction machine body and wherein the control apparatus comprises:a control section for discriminating a type of the working attachment and controlling a hydraulic power source, which supplies working oil to the working attachment, based on unique information for setting an operation condition required by the working attachment in accordance with the type; a display section for displaying the type of the working attachment discriminated by said control section and performing discrimination failure display when said control section has failed to discriminate the type of the working attachment; and a standard set value setting section for setting, when the discrimination failure display is performed by said display section, the type of the working attachment and a standard value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment; and that said control section is capable of controlling said hydraulic power source based on the operation condition set based on the unique information of the working attachment or information of the standard set value set by said standard wet value setting section.
- 2. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus further comprises a confirmation switch for performing an operation for a premise of start of control by said control section, and said control section starts control of said hydraulic power source after confirming a switch operation by said confirmation switch.
- 3. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid standard set value setting section includes a plurality of standard set values to which a priority order is applied, and said control section is capable of controlling said hydraulic power source based on the operation condition set based on the unique information of the working attachment or information of a standard set value from said standard set value setting section selected in accordance with the priority order.
- 4. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display section performs discrimination failure display when said control section discriminates by a predetermined number of times that the unique information is not normal.
- 5. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein when the standard set value is set by said standard set value setting section, said display section displays the type of the working attachment and the standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment.
- 6. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus further comprises changing means for changing the standard set value.
- 7. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein said changing means includes a changing switch which is capable of being manually operated by an operator.
- 8. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 7, whereinsaid changing switch is provided on said display section, and change of the type of the working attachment and the standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment which is performed by an operation of said changing switch is capable of being performed while the type of the working attachment and the standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment displayed on said display section are confirmed.
- 9. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control apparatus further comprises a unique information storage member for discriminating the type of the working attachment and storing the unique information for setting the operation condition required by the working attachment in accordance with the type, andsaid control section automatically sets discrimination of the type of the working attachment and the operation condition required by the working attachment based on the unique information fetched from said unique information storage member.
- 10. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein said unique information storage member is an IC memory.
- 11. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein said unique information storage member is a connector.
- 12. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein said unique information storage member is a bar code.
- 13. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein said unique information storage member is a transmitter.
- 14. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein said transmitter performs transmission of the unique information to said control section by wire communication.
- 15. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said transmitter performs transmission of the unique information to said control section through a data communication interface.
- 16. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said transmitter performs transmission of the unique information to said control section through a buffer.
- 17. A control apparatus for a construction machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein said transmitter performs transmission of the unique information to said control section by radio communication.
- 18. A control method for a construction machine wherein a working attachment is removably attached to a construction machine body for discriminating a type of the working attachment and controlling a hydraulic power source for supplying working oil to the working attachment based on unique information for setting an operation condition required by the working attachment in accordance with the type, the control method comprising:a displaying step in which a type display mode wherein the discriminated type of the working attachment is displayed on a display section and a discrimination failure display mode wherein discrimination failure display is performed on said display section when the type of the working attachment cannot be discriminated are taken selectively; a standard set value setting step of setting, when the discrimination failure display is performed in the displaying step, the type of the working attachment and a standard set value regarding the operation condition of the working attachment; and a controlling step of controlling said hydraulic power source based on the operation condition set based on the unique information of the working attachment or information of the standard set value set in the standard set value setting step.
- 19. A method for controlling a construction machine having a working attachment removably attached to a machine body, comprising:discriminating a type of the working attachment; displaying one of the discriminated type of the working attachment and a discrimination failure; setting the type of the working attachment and a standard set value regarding an operating condition of the working attachment when the discrimination failure is displayed; and controlling a hydraulic power source supplying a working oil to the working attachment based on unique information for the operating condition required by the working
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
9-323444 |
Nov 1997 |
JP |
|
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/JP98/04623 |
|
WO |
00 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO99/27195 |
6/3/1999 |
WO |
A |
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