Construction equipment and its driving method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a construction machine having a rear lamp that can be used for both work purposes and vehicle reverse warning purposes, and a method for driving the same, comprising: an operating device; a rear lamp; and a vehicle control unit that controls the rear lamp based on an operating signal from the operating device, wherein when the operating signal is a reverse operation signal indicating reverse movement of the construction machine, the vehicle control unit controls the rear lamp to flash.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to construction machinery, and more particularly to construction machinery having a rear lamp that can be used for both work purposes and vehicle reverse warning purposes, and a method of driving the same. Background Technology

[0002] Construction machinery such as wheel loaders is widely used at construction sites to excavate and transport soil, sand, and other materials, as well as to perform tasks such as loading them onto cargo vehicles like dump trucks.

[0003] Related prior art can be referenced, for example, from Korean published patent document 10-2017-0053909 (publication date: May 17, 2017). The problem to be solved

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a construction machine having a rear lamp that can be used for both work purposes and vehicle reverse warning purposes, and a method for driving the same. means of solving the problem

[0005] A construction machine according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises: a control device; a rear lamp; and a vehicle control unit that controls the rear lamp based on a control signal from the control device, wherein when the control signal is a reverse control signal indicating reverse movement of the construction machine, the vehicle control unit controls the rear lamp to flash.

[0006] It further includes a rear lamp switch that controls the rear lamp according to control from the vehicle control unit.

[0007] The vehicle control unit receiving the above reverse operation signal supplies a flashing control signal to the rear lamp switch, and the rear lamp switch receiving the flashing control signal flashes the rear lamp.

[0008] When the rear lamp is in an illuminated state, the vehicle control unit, having received a reverse operation signal from the operating device, controls the rear lamp to flash starting from an off state; and, when the rear lamp is in an off state, the vehicle control unit, having received a reverse operation signal from the operating device, controls the rear lamp to flash starting from an illuminated state.

[0009] The vehicle further includes a keypad for controlling the turning on and off of the rear lamp, and the vehicle control unit determines whether the rear lamp is turned on based on a signal from the keypad.

[0010] When the above operation signal is not the reverse operation signal, the vehicle control unit controls whether the rear lamp is illuminated according to the control signal from the keypad.

[0011] The vehicle control unit controls the rear lamp to flash at a cycle of 1 Hz.

[0012] The above rear ramp is positioned at the rear of the construction machine.

[0013] In addition, a driving method for a construction machine according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises: a step of determining whether an operation signal from a control device is a reverse operation signal indicating reverse movement of the construction machine; and a step of flashing a rear lamp when the operation signal is a reverse operation signal as a result of the determination.

[0014] When the rear lamp is in an illuminated state and the operation signal is a reverse operation signal, in the step of flashing the rear lamp, the rear lamp flashes starting from an off state; and, when the rear lamp is in an off state and the operation signal is a reverse operation signal, in the step of flashing the rear lamp, the rear lamp flashes starting from an illuminated state.

[0015] When the above operation signal is not the reverse operation signal, the method further includes a step of controlling whether the rear lamp is illuminated according to a control signal from the keypad.

[0016] The above rear lamp flashes at a cycle of 1 Hz. Effects of the invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a rear lamp can be used for both work purposes and for warning vehicle reverse. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a construction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the construction machine of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a drawing showing a keypad placed inside the driver's cabin of the construction machine of Figure 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a lamp according to the control of a lamp control switch provided on the keypad of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a construction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a driving method of a construction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Accordingly, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not specifically described to avoid the present invention being interpreted ambiguously. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like components.

[0020] In this specification, when it is stated that a part is connected to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected, but also cases where they are electrically connected with other elements interposed between them. Furthermore, when it is stated that a part includes a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0021] The terms used herein are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the described features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0022] In this specification, terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by said terms. These terms are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second or third component, and similarly, the second or third component may be named alternately.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0024] Hereinafter, a construction machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side view of a construction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the construction machine of FIG. 1.

[0027] A construction machine (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a wheel loader, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such a construction machine (10) may include a front body (12) and a rear body (14) connected to each other so as to be rotatable.

[0028] The front body (12) may include a work device (e.g., a boom (20) and a bucket (30)) and a front wheel (70).

[0029] The rear body (14) may include a cab (40), an engine room (50), a radiator room (80), a rear wheel (72), a cab lamp (450), and a rear lamp (850).

[0030] The work device may include a boom (20) and a bucket (30). The boom (20) may be rotatably attached to the front body (12), and the bucket (30) may be rotatably attached to one end of the boom (20). At this time, various attachments other than the bucket (30) may be attached to the work device depending on the purpose of the work. For convenience of explanation, the following description will only cover the case where the attachment is the bucket (30).

[0031] The boom (20) can be connected to the front body (12) by a pair of boom cylinders (22).

[0032] That is, one end of the boom cylinders (22) can be rotatably connected to the front body (12), and the other end can be rotatably connected to the boom (20). The boom (20) can rotate in the up and down direction by driving the boom cylinders (22).

[0033] A tilt arm (34) can be rotatably attached to the center of the boom (20). One end of the tilt arm (34) is connected to the front body (12) via a pair of bucket cylinders (32), and the other end is connected to the bucket (30) via a tilt rod.

[0034] The bucket (30) can be rotated up and down (dump or crawl) by driving the bucket cylinder (32).

[0035] A boom joint (60) located at one end of the boom (20) is rotatably connected to the front vehicle body (12), and a bucket joint (64) located at the other end of the boom (20) can be rotatably connected to the bucket (30). A boom cylinder joint (62) located at one end of the boom cylinder (22) is rotatably connected to the front vehicle body (12), and a boom cylinder link mount (64) located at the other end of the boom cylinder (22) can be rotatably connected to the boom (20).

[0036] When the cylinder rod of the boom cylinder (22) advances, the boom (20) can rotate around the boom joint (60), and accordingly, the bucket (30) and the load can be raised. At this time, the advance of the cylinder rod means that the cylinder rod moves in a direction in which the length of the boom cylinder (22) increases. As the length of the boom cylinder (22) increases, the system including the boom (20), the bucket (30), and the load rotates clockwise around the boom joint (60).

[0037] The rear body (14) may be equipped with an engine and a driving device for driving the wheel loader (10).

[0038] The engine is positioned within the engine room (50) and can supply power output to the driving device. The driving device may include, for example, a torque converter, a transmission, a propeller shaft, an axle, etc.

[0039] The front body (12) and the rear body (14) are rotatably connected to each other by a center pin (16), and the front body (12) can be bent left and right relative to the rear body (14) by the extension and extension of a steering cylinder (not shown).

[0040] A fan may be installed in the radiator room (80) to cool the engine in the engine room (50).

[0041] The cab lamp (450) is positioned on the rear side of the cab (40). The cab lamp (450) emits light.

[0042] The rear lamp (850) is positioned on the rear side of the radiator room (80). The rear lamp (850) emits light.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a keypad placed inside the driver's cab of the construction machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a lamp according to the control of a lamp control switch provided on the keypad of FIG. 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, a keypad (500) can be installed in the driver's cabin of the construction machine.

[0046] The keypad (500) may include a plurality of switches for performing various functions of the construction machine. For example, the keypad (500) may include a lamp control switch (550) for controlling the aforementioned cab lamp (450) and rear lamp (850).

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lamp control switch (550) can operate in a three-stage toggle manner. For example, when the lamp control switch (550) is pressed once, the corresponding lamps (450, 850) operate in a first-stage mode, and according to this first-stage mode, the cab lamp (450) is turned off and the rear lamp (850) is turned on. Additionally, when the lamp control switch (550) is pressed once again in this first-stage mode, the corresponding lamps (450, 850) operate in a second-stage mode, and according to this second-stage mode, the cab lamp (450) is turned on and the rear lamp (850) is turned off. In addition, when the lamp control switch (550) is pressed once again in this 2nd stage mode, the lamps (450, 850) operate in the 3rd stage mode, and according to this 3rd stage mode, both the cab lamp (450) and the rear lamp (850) are lit. Meanwhile, when the lamp control switch (550) is pressed once again in this 3rd stage mode, the lamps (450, 850) operate in the aforementioned 1st stage mode.

[0048] Meanwhile, the lamp control switch (550) may include a first display unit (501), a second display unit (502), and a third display unit (503) for indicating the current mode. The second display unit (502) may be positioned between the first display unit (501) and the third display unit (503). The first to third display units (501, 502, 503) may each include an LED (Light Emitting Diode). When the aforementioned lamps (450, 850) operate in a single-stage mode, the first display unit (501) is turned on and the second and third display units (502, 503) are turned off. When the aforementioned lamps (450, 850) operate in a 2-stage mode, the second display unit (502) is turned on, and the first and third display units (501, 503) are turned off. When the aforementioned lamps (450, 850) operate in a 3-stage mode, the third display unit (503) is turned on, and the first and second display units (501, 502) are turned off.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a construction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The construction machine of the present invention may include an operating device (100), a keypad (500), a vehicle control unit (300), a rear lamp switch (700), and a rear lamp (850), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0052] The control device (100) may be placed inside the driver's cabin (40). The control device (100) may generate operation signals to control the forward, neutral, and reverse movements of the construction machine. The control device (100) may output different operation signals depending on the forward mode, neutral mode, and reverse mode. For example, when the control device (100) is switched to the forward mode, the control device (100) outputs a forward operation signal as the operation signal. Also, when the control device (100) is switched to the neutral mode, the control device (100) outputs a neutral operation signal as the operation signal. Also, when the control device (100) is switched to the reverse mode, the control device (100) outputs a reverse operation signal as the operation signal.

[0053] The keypad (500) may include a lamp control switch (550) as illustrated in FIG. 3, and when the lamp control switch (550) is pressed, the keypad (500) outputs a lamp control signal. For example, when the lamp control switch (550) is switched to the aforementioned 1st stage mode, the keypad (500) outputs a first lamp control signal. Also, when the lamp control switch (550) is switched to the aforementioned 2nd stage mode, the keypad (500) outputs a second lamp control signal. Also, when the lamp control switch (550) is switched to the aforementioned 3rd stage mode, the keypad (500) outputs a third lamp control signal.

[0054] The vehicle control unit (300) receives an operation signal from the operating device (100) and a lamp control signal from the keypad (500). The vehicle control unit (300) controls the rear lamp (580) according to the operation signal from the operating device (100) and the lamp control signal from the keypad (500).

[0055] For example, a vehicle control unit (300) that receives a forward operation signal from a control device (100) controls the construction machine to move forward, a vehicle control unit (300) that receives a neutral operation signal from a control device (100) controls the construction machine to be in a neutral state, and a vehicle control unit (300) that receives a reverse operation signal from a control device (100) controls the construction machine to move backward.

[0056] Meanwhile, when the signal supplied from the operating device (100) to the vehicle control unit (300) is a forward operation signal or a neutral operation signal, the vehicle control unit (300) controls the rear lamp switch (700) so that the rear lamp (850) is operated according to the lamp control signal received from the keypad (500). For example, when the first lamp control signal is supplied from the keypad (500) to the vehicle control unit (300) while the operating device (100) is in forward mode or neutral mode, the vehicle control unit (300) commands the rear lamp switch (700) to operate the corresponding lamps (450, 850) in the first mode (only the rear lamp (850) is lit). Additionally, when a second lamp control signal is supplied from the keypad (500) to the vehicle control unit (300) while the operating device (100) is in forward mode or neutral mode, the vehicle control unit (300) commands the rear lamp switch (700) to operate the corresponding lamps (450, 850) in the second mode (only the cab lamp (450) is lit). Additionally, when a third lamp control signal is supplied from the keypad (500) to the vehicle control unit (300) while the operating device (100) is in forward mode or neutral mode, the vehicle control unit (300) commands the rear lamp switch (700) to operate the corresponding lamps (450, 850) in the third mode (both the cab lamp (450) and the rear lamp (850) are lit).

[0057] In contrast, when the signal supplied from the operating device (100) to the vehicle control unit (300) is a reverse operation signal, the vehicle control unit (300) controls the rear lamp switch (700) so that the rear lamp (850) flashes regardless of the lamp control signal received from the keypad (500). For example, when the first lamp control signal is supplied from the keypad (500) to the vehicle control unit (300) while the operating device (100) is in reverse mode, the vehicle control unit (300) commands the rear lamp switch (700) to flash the rear lamp (850). Additionally, when the second lamp control signal is supplied from the keypad (500) to the vehicle control unit (300) while the operating device (100) is in reverse mode, the vehicle control unit (300) commands the rear lamp switch (700) to flash the rear lamp (850). Additionally, when a third lamp control signal is supplied from the keypad (500) to the vehicle control unit (300) while the operating device (100) is in reverse mode, the vehicle control unit (300) commands the rear lamp switch (700) to flash the rear lamp (850). Here, the rear lamp (850) can flash at a cycle of 1 Hz. In other words, the rear lamp (850) can alternately turn on and off at a cycle of 1 Hz.

[0058] Meanwhile, when a reverse operation signal is supplied to the vehicle control unit (300) while the rear lamp (850) is lit, the vehicle control unit (300) controls the rear lamp (850) to start turning off and then flashing. In other words, when the operation device (100) is switched to reverse mode while the rear lamp (850) is lit, the rear lamp (850) flashes in the order of turning off and turning on.

[0059] On the other hand, when a reverse operation signal is supplied to the vehicle control unit (300) while the rear lamp (850) is off, the vehicle control unit (300) controls the rear lamp (850) to start flashing, starting with the on state. In other words, when the operation device (100) is switched to reverse mode while the rear lamp (850) is off, the rear lamp (850) flashes in the order of on and off.

[0060] The rear lamp switch (700) controls the rear lamp (850) according to control from the vehicle control unit (300). In other words, the rear lamp switch (700) communicates with the vehicle control unit (300) via a CAN (Control Area Network) method to receive a command from the vehicle control unit (300) and controls the rear lamp (850) based on the received command. For example, the command may include a message instructing the turning on of the rear lamp (850), the turning off of the rear lamp (850), or the flashing of the rear lamp (850). Meanwhile, in addition to the rear lamp (850), the rear lamp switch (700) can control, for example, the cab lamp (450), wipers, warning lights, and the rear window defroster of the cab, and control of these components can be performed according to the command from the aforementioned vehicle control unit (300).

[0061] Meanwhile, the cab lamp (450) can also operate in the same way as the rear lamp (850). In other words, when the signal supplied from the operating device (100) to the vehicle control unit (300) is a reverse operation signal, the vehicle control unit (300) can control the rear lamp switch (700) so that the cab lamp (450) flashes regardless of the lamp control signal received from the keypad (500).

[0062] As such, the rear lamp (850) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used for both work purposes and vehicle reverse warning purposes. For example, when the rear lamp (850) is used for work purposes, the rear lamp (850) remains in an illuminated state, whereas when the rear lamp (850) is used for vehicle reverse warning purposes, the rear lamp (850) flashes.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a driving method of a construction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] First, it is determined whether the operation signal from the control device (100) is a reverse operation signal that instructs the reverse of the construction machine (S1).

[0066] When the operation signal is a reverse operation signal as a result of the judgment (S1), the current state of the rear lamp (850) is determined (S2). In other words, it is determined whether the current rear lamp (850) is on or off.

[0067] As a result of the judgment (S2), if the rear lamp (850) is currently lit, the rear lamp (850) is flashed (S3). At this time, the rear lamp (850) alternately turns off and on, starting with turning off.

[0068] On the other hand, if the rear lamp (850) is currently turned off as a result of the judgment (S2), the rear lamp (850) is turned on (S4). At this time, the rear lamp (850) alternately turns on and off, starting from the lighting.

[0070] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention described above is not limited to the embodiments and attached drawings described above, and that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0071] 100: Control device 500: Keypad 300: Vehicle control unit 700: Rear lamp switch 850: Rear lamp

Claims

Claim 1 A construction machine comprising: a control device for generating a control signal for controlling forward, neutral, and reverse movements of the construction machine; a rear lamp positioned at the rear of the construction machine; a rear lamp switch for turning on or off the rear lamp; a keypad for controlling the turning on and off of the rear lamp; and a vehicle control unit for determining whether the rear lamp is turned on based on a signal from the keypad and controlling the operation of the rear lamp based on a control signal from the control device, wherein the vehicle control unit controls the rear lamp switch so that the rear lamp flashes according to the state of the rear lamp for a reverse warning when the control signal is a reverse operation signal of the construction machine, and controls whether the rear lamp is turned on according to a control signal from the keypad for work purposes when the control signal is not a reverse operation signal. Claim 2 A construction machine according to claim 1, wherein when the rear lamp is in an illuminated state, the vehicle control unit receiving a reverse operation signal from the operating device controls the rear lamp to flash starting from an off state; and when the rear lamp is in an off state, the vehicle control unit receiving a reverse operation signal from the operating device controls the rear lamp to flash starting from an illuminated state. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 In claim 1, the vehicle control unit controls the rear lamp to flash at a period of 1 Hz. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 A method for driving a construction machine according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 5, comprising: a step of determining whether an operation signal from a control device is a reverse operation signal indicating reverse movement of the construction machine; and a step of flashing the rear lamp when the operation signal is a reverse operation signal as a result of the determination, and controlling whether the rear lamp is lit according to a control signal from a keypad when the operation signal is not a reverse operation signal. Claim 8 A driving method for a construction machine according to claim 7, wherein, when the rear lamp is in an illuminated state and the operation signal is a reverse operation signal, the rear lamp is flashed starting from an off state during the step of flashing the rear lamp; and, when the rear lamp is in an off state and the operation signal is a reverse operation signal, the rear lamp is flashed starting from an illuminated state during the step of flashing the rear lamp. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 In claim 7, the driving method of a construction machine in which the rear lamp flashes at a period of 1 Hz.

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