METHOD FOR OPERATING A CIVIL ENGINEERING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a civil engineering machine having a mobile carrier device with a mast or boom arm arranged on the carrier device, according to claim 1.

[0002] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a civil engineering machine with a mobile carrier device, a mast or boom arm which is arranged on the carrier device, and a civil engineering tool which is adjustable on the mast or boom arm for carrying out a civil engineering measure, according to claim 11.

[0003] The civil engineering machine could be, for example, a trench cutter, a pile driver, a cable excavator, a grab excavator, or even a mobile crane or a mobile jib crane. The condition could, for example, be a faulty condition that often requires immediate intervention, or a condition that should only be remedied during the next maintenance check or at the end of the workday. The warning could also be a general indication of a condition that is suboptimal but not problematic. The assessment of whether a warning should be issued can be determined in advance, especially for possible conditions.

[0004] Civil engineering machinery, particularly for creating foundations in the ground, has been known for a long time. A foundation element can be created, for example, by creating a hole in the ground, such as a borehole or a milled trench. The hole is then filled with a hardening medium, particularly mortar, to form a foundation pile or a diaphragm wall segment, possibly with additional reinforcement. A foundation element can also be created by ramming or vibrating it, for example, a foundation pile or plank. A foundation element is not limited to load-bearing or load-bearing functions, but can alternatively or additionally also perform a sealing function and / or other tasks, as is known, for example, from specialist civil engineering when enclosing excavations with diaphragm walls.

[0005] Today's common civil engineering machines are equipped with electronic control units that simplify operation for the machine operator or can even perform the operation partially or fully automatically. Various operating data can be recorded via sensors and transmitted to the control unit. Control commands can be issued to corresponding actuators, particularly drives and actuator cylinders, via appropriate data lines.

[0006] Such civil engineering machines are known, for example, from EP 3299523 A1, EP 3296467 A1 or EP 4 063 567 A1.

[0007] In such civil engineering machines, the control unit can detect an operating condition that requires action from the machine operator. Further details about this condition can often only be read using a special analysis device. This requires connecting the analysis device and reading the relevant information from the control unit. Alternatively, this information must be consulted in an operating or maintenance manual.

[0008] However, this is cumbersome and takes time that is lost for operating the civil engineering machine.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on Task The aim is to provide a method for operating a civil engineering machine and a civil engineering machine which enables efficient transmission of information.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1 and an arrangement having the features of claim 11.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims, the figures and their description.

[0012] The method according to the invention is further developed in that, upon notification, the control unit automatically generates a graphic data code element, in particular a barcode, a pixel code, or the like, for the detected condition and outputs it on a display device, which may be a monitor, for example. Furthermore, it is provided that the optical data code element is captured by an electronic camera of a mobile computer unit, in particular a smartphone or a tablet computer, wherein the mobile computer unit outputs further information on the condition based on the captured graphic data code elements.

[0013] An optical data code element according to the invention is preferably not a numeric, alphabetic, or alphanumeric display that can be readily interpreted by a machine operator. In other words, it does not display information that is inherently human-interpretable, as is the case with a classic error message.

[0014] The reason for this is that if such messages are to be detailed enough, they are so detailed that there is often not enough space on the display device.

[0015] Therefore, according to the invention, it was recognized that the information, in particular the error information, should be displayed in the form of a graphic data code element. The information content and the coding of this graphic data code element are designed such that the data code element is machine-readable and can be interpreted. For this purpose, according to the invention, a mobile computer unit is provided which, in conjunction with a camera, can recognize and decode the graphic data code element and, based on information thus transmitted by the control unit, can output detailed information about the status. This can take place, for example, on the monitor of the mobile computer unit.

[0016] For example, the graphic data code element can be interpreted by the mobile computer unit to indicate that the control unit has detected that a specific maintenance hatch is not reliably closed. Conventionally, a corresponding warning signal and / or indicator light would only have indicated that something was wrong in general or that a particular maintenance hatch was not closed, requiring the user to conduct detailed troubleshooting themselves.

[0017] It is preferred if the mobile computer unit has a data storage device on which information about states is stored. Upon detection, an associated graphic data code element is retrieved from the data storage device and displayed on the mobile computer unit or another display device, in particular one connected to the mobile computer unit. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that the mobile computer unit has a radio connection device, in particular for a mobile radio network, with which a connection is established to a remote data storage device from which information about the detected state is retrieved.

[0018] In other words, the control unit uses the graphical data code element to generate a type of status code that can be interpreted by the mobile computing unit. To output further information about the corresponding status code, the mobile computing unit then accesses either a local memory or a remote memory, which can be accessed via a wireless network, for example. Based on this data, further details about the status can then be displayed on the mobile computing unit. For example, a video could be retrieved that provides further information on how to solve or rectify the status. A combined retrieval of information from local and remote storage is also possible.

[0019] In a further embodiment, which can also be used in combination with the embodiments described above, data relating to the detected state is already stored directly in the graphic data code element. In this case, the mobile computer unit would simply decode this data from the graphic data code element and display it for the user in a suitable manner. This can be done both acoustically and graphically. The advantage of such an embodiment is that no additional data storage, remote or on the mobile computer unit, containing the necessary information is required.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the graphical data code element can contain data for an internet link, via which further information on the detected condition can be retrieved from a remote memory using the mobile computing unit. This link can be, for example, a web address, a URL or an IP address with a further directory structure. In this case, it is also possible, for example, to display instructions, guides, explanations, wizards or the like in a similar manner as described above, which explain the condition in detail or how it can be remedied or changed. It is also possible, for example, for the internet link to refer to further information available online regarding the civil engineering machine, thus enabling better error analysis.This is particularly possible when data from the civil engineering machine is actively transferred to a central computer, for example for maintenance purposes or the like.

[0021] It is preferred if the additional information includes the cause of the condition and / or the remedy for the identified condition. This enables, in particular, a quick and efficient remedy of the condition, in particular a cause of a fault, so that the downtime of the civil engineering machine can be minimized. It also facilitates the remedy of the condition, so that it can also be easily remedied by less experienced users.

[0022] It is preferred if the additional information includes text, graphics, images, audio, and / or video data. Depending on the mobile computer unit and the status, a suitable output type can be selected, allowing the machine operator to understand the status as easily as possible and resolve the cause.

[0023] In principle, the additional information can be output on the mobile computer unit in any way desired. This is particularly simple if it is displayed visually on the mobile computer unit's display and / or output acoustically via a loudspeaker. However, other types of feedback are also possible, although experience has shown that visual and acoustic output of the additional information is the most efficient method. Additional output devices connected to the mobile computer unit, such as loudspeakers, data glasses, or external screens, can also be used for this purpose.

[0024] It is advantageous if the mobile computer unit is carried along after the graphic data code element has been recorded in order to rectify the detected condition, in particular at a location away from the operating station. Using the mobile computer unit makes it easier to rectify the cause of the condition. For example, if the control unit has determined that there is insufficient engine oil, the exact position of the engine oil inlet nozzle in the engine area can be displayed on the mobile computer unit. To make this easier to identify, the invention provides for the mobile computer unit to be taken along to the engine area of ​​the civil engineering machine, thus enabling easier identification. The camera can also be used to generate an augmented reality display.

[0025] In principle, various graphic data code elements can be used that contain a one-, two-, or multi-dimensional code. Examples include a pixel code, in particular a QR code, a frame code, an Aztec code, or similar. Combinations of these can also be used, for example, a QR code that has colored pixels as an additional dimension. Experience has shown that such code elements are, on the one hand, easy to read using a camera, and, on the other hand, they offer a sufficiently high information density so that sufficient data can be transmitted to the mobile computer unit. Depending on the exact size, a classic QR code, for example, can encode up to almost three kilobytes.

[0026] In the arrangement according to the invention with a civil engineering machine, it is provided that the control unit is configured to generate a graphic data code element, in particular a barcode or pixel code, for the detected condition upon notification, automatically or at the request of a machine operator, and to display it on a display device. The optical data code element can be captured by an electronic camera of a mobile computer unit, in particular a smartphone or a tablet computer, wherein the mobile data computer unit is configured to display further information on the detected condition based on the captured graphic data code element.

[0027] In its most general form, a corresponding app, for example, from the manufacturer of the civil engineering machine, can also be installed on the mobile computer unit. This app can evaluate and decode the graphic data code element, allowing information about the detected condition to be displayed. This can also be a display device in the form of a tablet computer, which is part of the civil engineering machine and is usually located in its driver's cab. In principle, however, a smartphone belonging to the machine operator can also be used for this purpose.

[0028] The civil engineering machine can be, for example, a drilling rig, a diaphragm wall cutter, a pile driver, a cable excavator, a grab excavator, and / or a vibrator. Due to their increasing complexity, the search for, rectification, or modification of a condition, such as a fault, is becoming increasingly complicated in civil engineering machines. Based on the method according to the invention, the invention can significantly simplify the efficiency of searching for the cause of the undesired condition and rectifying it in a civil engineering machine designed in this way.

[0029] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a civil engineering machine as described above and at least one mobile computer unit which is designed to detect a graphic data code element which is generated by the control unit for a state on a display device, in particular a monitor of the civil engineering machine, and to display further information thereon based on the detected graphic data code element.

[0030] By combining the civil engineering machine with a corresponding mobile computer unit, it is therefore easy for a machine operator to have conditions detected by the control unit of the civil engineering machine, particularly conditions that require external intervention, displayed in full detail. For this purpose, the display device automatically or upon request displays a graphic data code element for the condition, which can be read using the camera of the mobile computer unit. The graphically displayed data code element is decoded in the mobile computer unit, and based on the transmitted or decoded information, further information about the condition is displayed. This could be, for example, the cause of the error, but also information on how to rectify the error.

[0031] The invention will be further described below with reference to preferred embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a civil engineering machine for the invention and Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the method according to the invention.

[0032] A civil engineering machine 10 for the invention, which can be exemplified as a drilling rig according to Fig. 1 is designed, has an undercarriage 12, preferably designed as a crawler track, and an uppercarriage 14 rotatably mounted thereon. The undercarriage 12 and the uppercarriage 14 form a carrier device 15. The drive units and the control station for a machine operator of the civil engineering machine 10 can be arranged in a known manner on the uppercarriage 14. A control unit 40 and a display device 50, in particular a monitor, can be arranged in the control station.

[0033] A substantially vertical mast 18 with an upper mast head 19 can be adjustably attached to a front side of the superstructure 14 via a linkage kinematics 16 with neck cylinders. A carriage 20 can be displaceably guided along a front side of the mast 18. A first drilling drive 22, which can have a hydraulic motor 24, can be provided on the carriage 20. Furthermore, a second drive 26 with a sleeve-shaped rotary joint 27 for establishing a rotationally fixed connection to a support tube 4 can be provided on the carriage 20. The second drive 26 can, for example, essentially consist of a gear connection to the first drilling drive 22 with the hydraulic motor 24 in order to apply a torque to the rotary joint 27 and thus to the support tube 4.

[0034] The approximately sleeve-shaped first drill drive 22 can, for example, be penetrated by a drill rod 30, which can be designed as a Kelly rod with external drive bars. The drill rod 30 can have an upper suspension 32, with which the drill rod 30 is connected to a main cable 39. The main cable 39 can be guided via deflection pulleys on the mast head 19 to a main winch 38 on the upper side of the superstructure 14. By actuating the main winch 38, the drill rod 30 can be moved vertically.

[0035] The carriage 20 can be connected to a feed cable 37, which can be guided above and below the carriage 20 along the mast 18 and can be actuated by a feed winch 36. The feed winch 36 can move the carriage 20 up or down along a guide of the mast 18.

[0036] A drilling tool is attached to the underside of the drill rod 30 as a civil engineering tool 34 for removing soil material. In the illustrated embodiment, the civil engineering tool 34 is Fig. 1 designed as a drilling bucket. The diameter of the drilling tool is designed so that it can be inserted into the inner cavity of the support tube 4.

[0037] The civil engineering machine 10 can be used to create a cased borehole in the ground 1. To form a foundation element in the ground 1, a hardenable compound can be introduced into the borehole, which then hardens to form the foundation element. The support pipe 4 can remain in the borehole as part of the foundation element or, preferably, can be pulled out of the ground 1 before hardening.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a civil engineering machine 10 with display device 50.

[0039] If a condition, in particular an error, occurs during operation of the civil engineering machine 10 that requires, for example, action by the machine operator, a graphic data code element 55 can be displayed on the display device 50 upon request or automatically, which is generated, in particular, actively in relation to the error. In the form shown here, this is a QR code.

[0040] This can then be read by a machine operator using a mobile computer 60, for example, a smartphone, via its camera. The smartphone interprets the information encoded in the graphic data code element and can thus obtain further information and details about the condition. Based on this information, it can display further details 65 about the condition on its display.

[0041] This information can be present directly in the QR code 55. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for information to be encoded in the graphic code element 55, which can be interpreted using a mobile memory 70 present on the smartphone 60, from which the details 65 can then be displayed. Alternatively or additionally, another data memory can be located remotely and retrieved via a wireless connection, for example, on the Internet 75.

[0042] In this embodiment, Figure 2 The details or information about a condition are presented as text. Alternative versions, which can also be used in combination, include video, audio output, and / or images.

[0043] The invention can thus make it easier to rectify an unwanted condition in a civil engineering machine.

Claims

1. Method for operating a civil engineering machine (10) having - a mobile carrier device (15), - a mast (18) or a boom arm, which is arranged on the carrier device (15), - a civil engineering tool (34), which is adjustable on the mast (18) or the boom arm in order to carry out a civil engineering measure, - a control unit (40), which is designed to evaluate detected operating states and / or states of components of the civil engineering machine (10), wherein an indication, in particular an error indication, is output by the control unit (40) if at least one state is assessed as such that an action by a machine operator is desirable, in particular recommendable, characterised in that - the control unit (40) generates a graphic data code element (55), in particular a barcode, a pixel code or the like, for the detected state automatically in response to an indication or at the request of a machine operator and displays it on a display device (50), in particular a monitor, and - in that the graphic data code element (55) is detected with an electronic camera of a mobile computer unit (60), in particular a smartphone or a tablet computer, wherein further information (65) about the state is provided by the mobile computer unit (60) based on the captured graphic data code element (55).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the mobile computer unit (60) has a data memory (70) on which information on the status is stored and, when an associated graphic data code element (55) is detected, is retrieved from the data memory (70) and displayed on the mobile computer unit (60) or on a display device connected thereto.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mobile computer unit (60) has a radio connection device, in particular for a mobile radio, with which a connection is established to a remote data memory from which information on the detected state is retrieved.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that data on the detected state is stored directly in the graphic data code element (55).

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the graphic data code element (55) contains data relating to an internet link via which further information (65) on the detected state can be retrieved from a remote data memory by means of the mobile computer unit (60).

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the further information comprises information on the cause of a state and / or on the rectification of a detected fault or state.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the further information comprises text, graphics, images and / or audio data and / or video data.

8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the further information is output on the mobile computer unit (60), in particular is displayed visually on a display of the mobile computer unit (60) and / or is output acoustically using a loudspeaker.

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the mobile computer unit (60) is carried along after the graphic data code element (55) has been detected in order to rectify the detected error, in particular to a location outside the control station.

10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a pixel code, in particular a QR code, a frame code, an Aztec code or the like, is used as the graphic data code element (55).

11. Assembly comprising a civil engineering machine (10) for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and at least one mobile computer unit (60), wherein the civil engineering machine (10) is provided with - a mobile carrier device (15), - a mast (18) or a boom arm, which is arranged on the carrier device (15), - a civil engineering tool (34), which is adjustable on the mast (18) or the boom arm in order to carry out a civil engineering measure, - a control unit (40), which is designed to evaluate detected operating states and / or states of components of the civil engineering machine (10), wherein an indication can be output by the control unit (40) if at least one state is assessed as such that an action by a machine operator is desirable, in particular recommendable, wherein - the control unit (40) is designed to generate a graphic data code element (55), in particular a barcode or a pixel code, for the detected state automatically in response to an indication or at the request of a machine operator and to display it on a display device (50), and - the at least one mobile computer unit (60) is designed to detect a graphic code element (55), which is generated by the control unit (40) to form an indication, on a display device (50), in particular a monitor, of the civil engineering machine (10) and to display further information (65) relating thereto based on the detected graphic data code element (55).

12. Assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that the civil engineering machine (10) is designed as a drilling unit, a trench cutter, a pile driver, a cable excavator, a grab excavator and / or a vibrator.

13. Assembly according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the mobile computer unit (60) is a smartphone or a tablet computer.

14. Assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the mobile computer unit (60) has an electronic camera, with which the graphic data code element (55) can be detected.