Engine operation control system

Abstract

To start and stop an engine-driven generator through remote operation.SOLUTION: An engine operation control system 10 comprises a key rotation device 14, a controller 12 and a remote-control device 28. The key rotation device 14 has a key supporting gear 32 which supports a key 30 inserted into a key hole 38 of a generator 26, a rotation motor 36, and an encoder 34. The controller 12 registers a rotation patter of the key support gear 32 input through the encoder 34 when an engine is started as key operation information for starting the engine in a memory, registers a rotation pattern of the key support gear 32 input through the encoder 34 when the engine is stopped as the key operation information for stopping the engine in the memory, refers to the key operation information for starting the engine when an instruction to start the engine is input through the remote-control device 28, starts the engine by rotating the key support gear in the corresponding rotation pattern, refers to the key operation information for stopping the engine when an instruction to stop the engine is input, and stops the engine by rotating the key support gear 32 in the corresponding rotation pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an engine operation control system, and more particularly to a technique for enabling remote operation of an engine that is started / stopped by turning an ignition key. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, to operate an engine-driven generator equipped with a starter motor, you must insert the key into the generator's keyhole and turn it to the "START" position to start the starter motor. To stop the generator, you must turn the key from the "ON" position back to the "OFF" position. That is, at least when starting and stopping the generator, a person is required to go near the generator and turn the key with his or her own hand. [Non-Patent Document 1] Generator / Instruction Manual GR-5000 / Ryobi Internet URL: https: / / www.kyocera-industrialtools.co.jp / products / files / doc / 33d9762dd3c59c919a4f9b5a3d14f8e7.pdf Search date: August 13, 2023 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, there are many situations in which it would be convenient to be able to start and stop such engine-driven generators remotely. For example, when work is being done on the upper floors of a building under construction, it is necessary to operate a generator to supply power to the elevator, but after the workers have been transported, the generator is stopped to save fuel. Then, when the work on the upper floor is completed, the generator is started again to supply power to the elevator and transport the workers to the lower floor. For this reason, currently, personnel are stationed on the lower floor to operate the generator, or if this is not possible, the generator is left running. On the other hand, if it were possible to remotely start and stop the generator from the upper floor, it would be possible to avoid the need for extra personnel and the waste of fuel.

[0004] This invention was devised in consideration of the current situation, and aims to provide technology that makes it possible to start / stop various engine-driven devices, not limited to generators, by remote control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the engine operation control system according to claim 1 includes a key rotation device attached to a machine equipped with an engine, a controller connected to the key rotation device, and an instruction device connected to the controller, the key rotation device includes a key support member that rotatably supports a key inserted in a keyhole of the engine, a rotation mechanism that rotates the key support member, and a rotation sensor that detects the rotation of the key support member or a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the key, and the controller includes a means for registering in a storage device a rotation pattern of the key support member input from the rotation sensor at the time of starting the engine as key operation information at the time of starting the engine. means for registering in a storage device the rotation pattern of the key support member input from the rotation sensor when the engine is stopped as key operation information for when the engine is stopped; means for starting the engine when a command to start the engine is input from the instructing device, by referring to the key operation information for when the engine is started and rotating the key support member in a corresponding rotation pattern via the rotation mechanism; and means for stopping the engine when a command to stop the engine is input from the instructing device, by referring to the key operation information for when the engine is stopped and rotating the key support member in a corresponding rotation pattern via the rotation mechanism.

[0006] The engine operation control system described in claim 2 further includes a status sensor that detects the operation of the engine, and the controller determines whether the engine has started or not based on an input from the status sensor. If the engine has not started, the controller repeats a process of starting the engine by rotating the key support member in a predetermined rotation pattern via the rotation mechanism a set number of times, and if the engine does not start within the set number of times, notifies the indicator device of an error.

[0007] The engine operation control system described in claim 3 is further characterized in that it includes an alarm device, and when an engine start command is input from the instruction device, the controller executes a process of issuing an engine start alarm to the surroundings via the alarm device.

[0008] The engine operation control system according to claim 4 is characterized in that the instruction device is a remote control device connected to the controller by wire or wirelessly.

[0009] The engine operation control system described in claim 5 is characterized in that the instruction device is an external terminal connected to the controller via the Internet, a local network, or one-to-one individual communication, and the controller is provided with a means for notifying the external terminal of the engine start / stop status.

[0010] The engine operation control system described in claim 6 is characterized in that the machine is a generator, and the controller closes a power supply switch interposed between the generator and an electrical device to start power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine begins to start.

[0011] The engine operation control system described in claim 7 is characterized in that the key is removably attached to the key rotation device, so that it can be removed and stored in another location when the engine is not running, and can be easily reattached when the engine is running.

[0012] The engine operation control system described in claim 8 is characterized in that the controller includes a means for detecting the presence or absence of abnormal vibration of the engine based on an input from the status sensor, and a means for notifying the indicating device when abnormal vibration is detected. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the engine operation control system of the present invention, it is possible to remotely control the starting / stopping of the engine by rotating a key, based on a command from a remote control device or the like. Furthermore, in the case of the engine operation control system of the present invention, the key rotation pattern related to starting / stopping the engine is stored in a storage device such as a memory in advance during a pre-learning process, and a mechanism is provided for reproducing this during the actual operation, which has the advantage that it can be applied to a variety of existing engine-driven machines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the engine operation control system in a teaching mode. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the key rotation device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of the key rotation device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a key position. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the engine operation control system in a teaching mode. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the engine operation control system in a production mode. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a process procedure for starting the engine in a main mode of the engine operation control system; [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing a process for stopping the engine in a main mode of the engine operation control system; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of the key rotation device. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, however, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the engine operation control system 10 has a controller 12 and a key rotation device 14 , and the controller 12 has a control unit 16 , an alarm device 18 , a status sensor 20 , and an external linkage unit 22 .

[0016] The key rotation device 14 is fixed to the housing of the engine-driven generator 26, which is the object to be controlled, via a magnet or the like. The controller 12 is disposed near the key rotation device 14 and is connected to the key rotation device 14 via a cable. The controller 12 and the key rotation device 14 may be integrated into one unit and housed in the same housing. Alternatively, the alarm 18 and the status sensor 20 may be housed within the key rotation device 14 .

[0017] The generator 26 is connected to the control unit 16 via a signal cable, and data such as the remaining amount of fuel in the generator 26 and the amount of power generated is input to the control unit 16. The generator 26 is also connected to an electric device 42 via a power cable, and an electromagnetic switch 24 is interposed between the generator 26 and the electric device 42 . The electromagnetic switch 24 is connected to the control unit 16 via a signal cable, and is opened and closed in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 16 (details will be described later). The electromagnetic switch 24 may be built into the generator 62 in some cases.

[0018] The control unit 16 includes a CPU, a memory, an I / O circuit, and the like, and various processes described below are performed by the CPU executing necessary processes in accordance with a control program stored in the memory. The operator α wirelessly exchanges various information with the control unit 16 via the remote control device 28.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the key rotation device 14 has a case 14a, and a rotating plate 14c is attached to an upper surface 14b of the case 14a. Further, a key 30 of the generator 26 is inserted into a keyhole 14d formed in the center of the rotating plate 14c.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the internal structure of the key rotation device 14, and shows a key support gear 32 rotatably arranged within the case 14a, an encoder 34 serving as a rotation sensor, and a rotation motor 36 serving as a rotation mechanism. A detection gear 34 a connected to the input shaft of the encoder 34 and a drive gear 36 a connected to the output shaft of a rotary motor 36 are each meshed with the key support gear 32 .

[0021] The above-mentioned key 30 is inserted through the center portion of the key supporting gear 32 , and its tip is inserted into a key hole 38 of the generator 26 . 4(a)-(d) show examples of the positions of keyhole 38, and show how the rotation of keyhole 38 transitions between the following positions: (a) "LOCK," (b) "PREHEAT," (c) "START," and (d) "ON." If the engine of the generator 26 is a diesel engine, a process of preheating the glow plugs is provided by holding the PREHEAT position (b) for a predetermined time, but this position is not necessary for a gasoline engine. Even for diesel engines, the "PREHEAT" position may be provided as an independent toggle switch instead of being provided in the keyhole 38.

[0022] The encoder 34 has a function of outputting data such as the rotation direction and amount of rotation (rotation angle) of the key supporting gear 32 to the control unit 16. The rotation motor 36 serves to rotate the key supporting gear 32 and the key 30 in a predetermined rotation pattern based on a command from the control unit 16 .

[0023] The warning device 18 is composed of at least one of a speaker and a warning light, for example, and performs the function of notifying the surroundings of the start / stop of the engine by sound or light based on a command from the control unit 16.

[0024] The status sensor 20 is, for example, a vibration sensor or an acoustic sensor, and serves to detect the engine operating status (stopped / operating / broken, etc.) as a vibration amount or sound, and output the detected status to the control unit 16 .

[0025] The external linkage unit 22 is equipped with a CPU, memory, various I / O circuits, and wireless communication modules such as Wi-Fi and LTE, and the CPU executes the necessary processing according to a control program stored in the memory, thereby performing the functions of notifying an external terminal via the Internet of various information such as the operating status of the generator 26, the remaining fuel amount, and the amount of sound and vibration caused by operation, as well as the function of controlling the operation of the generator 26 according to commands from the external terminal (details will be described later). Furthermore, a GPS antenna 40 is connected to the external link unit 22, and the position information of the device can be notified to the outside. Instead of storing the external linking unit 22 inside the housing of the controller 12, it may be configured to be independent as a separate housing and to be connected to each other by wire or wirelessly.

[0026] Since the key operations for starting / stopping the engine (rotation patterns such as key rotation direction / amount of rotation / rotation speed / hold time) vary depending on the type of engine installed in the generator 26 and also depending on the season, when starting to use the engine operation control system 10, it is necessary to teach the control unit 16 the key operations for starting / stopping the engine. Hereinafter, a processing procedure for teaching the control unit 16 an operation pattern for starting / stopping the engine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0027] First, the operator α operates the buttons on the remote control device 28 to instruct "learning at engine start". Upon receiving this input (S10), the control unit 16 transitions to a standby state for input from the encoder 34 and the status sensor 20 (S12).

[0028] Next, the operator α manually turns the key 30 to actually start the engine of the generator 26. Specifically, the key 30 is turned counterclockwise approximately 90 degrees from the "LOCK" position (FIG. 4(a)) to the "PREHEAT" position (FIG. 4(b)), and this position is held for a predetermined period of time to preheat the glow plugs of the diesel engine. Next, the key 30 is turned clockwise approximately 270 degrees to the "START" position (FIG. 4(c)) to start the starter motor, and this state is maintained for a predetermined period of time. Then, when the operator α releases his / her hand once the engine has started, the key 30 is naturally returned to the "ON" position (FIG. 4(d)).

[0029] During this time, data indicating the rotation direction and amount of rotation (rotation angle) of the key support gear 32 is input from the encoder 34, and based on this, the control unit 16 stores in memory the rotation direction of the key support gear 32, the amount of rotation, the rotation speed calculated by counting the time, and the retention time after the rotation has stopped as the rotation pattern of the key support gear 32 (S14). Here, when operator α operates the buttons on the remote control device 28 to input "engine start complete", the control unit 16 receiving this (S16) stores the above rotation pattern in memory as key operation information for engine start (S18). Furthermore, the control unit 16 stores the amount of sound and vibration input from the status sensor 20 at this time in memory as confirmation information at the time of engine start (S20).

[0030] Next, the operator α operates the buttons on the remote control device 28 to instruct "learning when the engine is stopped." Upon receiving this input (S22), the control unit 16 transitions to a state of waiting for input from the encoder 34 (S24).

[0031] Next, operator α turns the key 30 from the "ON" position to the "LOCK" position to stop the engine. During this time, data indicating the rotation direction and amount of rotation (rotation angle) of the key support gear 32 is input from the encoder 34, and the control unit 16 stores the rotation direction, amount of rotation, rotation speed, and holding time of the key support gear 32 in memory as the rotation pattern of the key support gear 32 (S26). Here, when operator α operates the buttons on the remote control device 28 to input "engine stop complete", the control unit 16 receiving this (S28) stores the above rotation pattern in memory as key operation information for when the engine is stopped (S30).

[0032] After the control unit 16 has learned the operation pattern for starting / stopping the engine related to the generator 26 in the above manner, the engine operation control is shifted to a production mode. Figure 6 shows the functional configuration of the engine operation control system 10 in production mode, in which the external collaboration unit 22 is connected to the management server 52 via the Internet 50, and the tablet terminal 54 of operator β and the PC terminal 56 of operator γ are connected to the management server 52 via the Internet 50. The tablet terminal 54 and the PC terminal 56 are equipped with dedicated application programs and Web browser programs.

[0033] In addition, the external link unit 22 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites 58 via the GPS antenna 40 and calculates the current position of the generator 26 . In this production mode, the operator α holding the remote control device 28 does not necessarily need to be waiting near the key rotation device 14, but only needs to be within the range where the radio waves of the remote control device 28 can reach.

[0034] The process steps of the system 10 when starting the engine in the production mode will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, when operator α presses the "engine start" button on the remote control device 28, the control unit 16 receives this command (S40), reads key operation information and confirmation information for engine start from memory (S42), and issues an engine start warning via the warning device 18 (S44). This warning is realized by, for example, an announcement such as "The engine will start. Please be careful," or by flashing a warning light, etc.

[0035] Next, the control unit 16 outputs a drive signal to the rotation motor 36 of the key rotation device 14 to rotate the key support gear 32 and the key 30 counterclockwise by approximately 90 degrees at a predetermined speed, changing the key position from "LOCK" to "PREHEAT," and holds that state for a predetermined time to preheat the glow plugs of the diesel engine (S46). Next, the control unit 16 rotates the key supporting gear 32 and the key 30 clockwise by approximately 270 degrees at a predetermined speed to move them to the "START" key position, and starts the starter motor of the generator 26 (S48). This operating state of the starter motor is maintained for a predetermined time (S50).

[0036] Then, when the control unit 16 determines that "engine start is complete" based on the input (sound and vibration amount) from the status sensor 20 (S52 / Y), the key support gear 32 and the key 30 are rotated counterclockwise by approximately 90 degrees at a predetermined speed, and are returned to the "ON" position to stop the starter motor (S55).

[0037] Next, the control unit 16 transmits a signal indicating that the engine is running to the remote control device 28 (S56), and causes the display of the remote control device 28 to display the state that the engine is running. At the same time, a message "engine running" is sent to the tablet terminal 54 and the PC terminal 56 via the external link unit 22 and the management server 52 (S58). As a result, the status of the engine while it is running is displayed on the display of the tablet terminal 54 or PC terminal 56 via a dedicated application program or a Web application.

[0038] By sending a message from the management server 52 to the SNS server via an API, the operating status of the engine can also be displayed on an SNS application such as LINE (registered trademark) set up on each operator's terminal.

[0039] When a predetermined time has elapsed after the engine has started, the control unit 16 outputs a control signal to the electromagnetic switch 24 to close the switch and start supplying power to the electrical device 42 . Such a time difference is provided because if an output load is connected when the engine is started, the load on the starter motor increases. In the unlikely event that the protective circuit in the generator 26 functions due to an overcurrent or the like, a control signal is output from the control unit 16 to the electromagnetic switch 24, causing the switch to open.

[0040] If the input (sound and vibration amount) from the status sensor 20 does not determine that the engine should be started (S52 / N), the control unit 16 outputs a drive signal to the rotary motor 36 at a predetermined interval and attempts to start the engine by repeating the processes of S46 to S50 a predetermined number of times (S53 / N). If it cannot be determined that the engine should be started even after repeating the process the set number of times (S53 / Y), an error message is displayed on the display of the remote control device 28, and an error message is sent to the tablet terminal 54 or the PC terminal 56 (S54), after which the engine start process is stopped.

[0041] The control unit 16 constantly monitors input from the status sensor 20 even after the engine is started, and if it detects an engine failure or malfunction due to abnormal vibrations or the like, a corresponding error message is sent to the tablet terminal 54 or PC terminal 56 via the external link unit 22 and the management server 52. At the same time, a similar message is sent from the control unit 16 to the remote control device 28 and is displayed on the display.

[0042] Next, the processing procedure when the engine is stopped in the production mode of the system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the engine has started, when a predetermined time has elapsed and power generation is no longer necessary, the operator α presses the “engine stop” button on the remote control device 28. The control unit 16 receives this command (S60), reads the "key operation information when the engine is stopped" from the memory (S62), and issues an engine stop warning via the warning device 18 (S64).

[0043] Next, the control unit 16 outputs a drive signal to the rotation motor 36 of the key rotation device 14 to rotate the key support gear 32 and the key 30 approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise at a predetermined speed, thereby shifting the key position from "ON" to "LOCK" and stopping the engine (S66).

[0044] Next, the control unit 16 transmits an "engine stopped" signal to the remote control device 28 (S68), and causes the display thereon to indicate that the engine is stopped. At the same time, the control unit 16 transmits a message "engine stopped" to the tablet terminal 54 and the PC terminal 56 via the external link unit 22 and the management server 52 (S70). As a result, the engine stop state is displayed on the display of the tablet terminal 54 or the PC terminal 56.

[0045] In the above, an example has been shown in which the engine start / stop is controlled using the remote control device 28, but the engine of the generator 26 can also be controlled based on commands from the tablet terminal 54 and the PC terminal 56 received via the management server 52 and the external linkage unit 22.

[0046] Although the encoder 34 has been exemplified as a rotation sensor in the above, it is also possible to detect the rotation state of the key 30 by attaching another sensor to the key supporting gear 32. 9, this corresponds to mounting a gravity sensor (acceleration sensor, angle sensor, gyro sensor) 60 as a rotation sensor on the surface of the key supporting gear 32. In this case, the gravity sensor 60 outputs data indicating the rotation direction, rotation angle, etc. of the key supporting gear 32 to the control unit 16.

[0047] The control unit 16 can also transmit data such as the current location of the generator 26, the remaining amount of fuel, the amount of power generated, and the accumulated operation time to an external tablet terminal 54 or PC terminal 56 via the external link unit 22.

[0048] Although the engine control of the generator 26 has been described above, it is of course possible to apply the present invention to the control of other engine-driven machines such as compressors, water jets, and welding machines.

[0049] Instead of the electromagnetic switch 24, a breaker that is opened and closed by driving an actuator can also be used as the power supply switch.

[0050] Since the key 30 is removably attached to the key rotation device 14, the key 30 can be removed during non-operational times such as at night or on holidays, and managed by an administrator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10. Engine operation control system 12 Controller 14 Key Rotator 16 Control section 18 Alarm device 20 Status Sensor 22 External Collaboration Department 24 Electromagnetic switch 26 Generator 28 Remote control device 30 Keys 32 Key support gear 34 Encoder 36 Rotational Motor 38 Keyhole 40 GPS antenna 42 Electrical Equipment 50 Internet 52 Management Server 54 Tablet devices 56 PC terminals 58 GPS satellites 60 Gravity Sensor Alpha Operator β Operator Gamma Operator

Claims

1. A key rotation device that is attached to a machine equipped with an engine; A controller connected to the key rotation device; An instruction device connected to the controller, The key rotation device includes a key support member that rotatably supports a key inserted into a keyhole of the engine; a rotation mechanism for rotating the key support member; a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation of the key support member; the controller includes means for registering in a storage device the rotation pattern of the key support member input from the rotation sensor at the time of starting the engine as key operation information at the time of starting the engine; a means for registering in a storage device the rotation pattern of the key support member input from the rotation sensor when the engine is stopped as key operation information when the engine is stopped; a means for starting the engine by referring to key operation information at the time of starting the engine and rotating the key support member in a corresponding rotation pattern via the rotation mechanism when a command to start the engine is input from the instruction device; a means for stopping the engine by referring to key operation information at the time of stopping the engine and rotating the key support member in a corresponding rotation pattern via the rotation mechanism when a command to stop the engine is input from the instruction device; An engine operation control system comprising:

2. A status sensor is provided to detect engine operation, The controller determines whether the engine has started based on an input from the state sensor; If the engine is not started, the process of rotating the key support member in a predetermined rotation pattern via the rotation mechanism to start the engine is repeated a set number of times; 2. The engine operation control system according to claim 1, wherein if the engine does not start within a set number of times, an error is notified to the indicator.

3. Equipped with an alarm system, 3. The engine operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the controller executes a process of issuing an engine start alarm to the surroundings via the alarm device when an engine start command is input from the instruction device.

4. 3. The engine operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction device is a remote control device connected to the controller by wire or wirelessly.

5. the instruction device is an external terminal connected to the controller, 3. The engine operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a means for notifying the external terminal of a start / stop state of the engine.

6. the machine is a generator, 3. The engine operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the controller closes a power supply switch interposed between the generator and the electrical device to start the power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine has begun to start.

7. 3. The engine operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the key is removably attached to the key rotation device, so that the key can be removed and stored in another location when the engine is not running, and can be easily reattached when the engine is running.

8. The controller includes means for detecting the presence or absence of abnormal vibration of the engine based on an input from the condition sensor; a means for notifying the indicating device when abnormal vibration is detected; The engine operation control system according to claim 2, further comprising:

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