System or method for transmitting instruction to transport vehicle in road construction

Abstract

To provide an instruction transmission system or an instruction transmission method capable of reliably transmitting a sign or an instruction to a driver of a transport vehicle without sounding a large volume horn when an operator of a cutting machine or an asphalt finisher sends the sign or the instruction to the driver of the transport vehicle at a road construction site.SOLUTION: In an instruction transmission system (10) to a transport vehicle in road construction, a directional speaker (1) is attached to a cutting machine (20) or an asphalt finisher (30), and the directional speaker (1) has a function of emitting sound to the vicinity of a driver's seat (for example, a side mirror 41) of a transport vehicle (40).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting instructions and signals from a road cutting machine to a dump truck when loading cutting material (crushed material from the cut road surface) from the front of the cutting machine (the conveyor belt side) into a dump truck, for example, in road surface cutting work in road construction. Here, the dump truck is an example of a transport vehicle that transports cutting material to a processing facility. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a technique for transmitting instructions or signals from an asphalt finisher (a machine for leveling an asphalt pavement) to a dump truck in, for example, asphalt paving work in road construction. Here, the dump truck is an example of a transport vehicle that transports and supplies an asphalt mixture to the asphalt finisher. [Background technology]

[0002] In road construction, for example, in road cutting work using a road cutting machine, it is necessary to load the crushed material (cutting material) of the cut road surface onto a dump truck, which is a transport vehicle. When loading the cut material, a signal is sent to the dump truck parked far ahead, and it moves backward to a specified distance in front of the cutting machine. The cutting machine cuts the road surface while moving forward, and the cut material is loaded onto the dump truck bed by a conveyer belt. Here, when the cutting machine approaches a position just in front of the dump truck, it sends a signal to the dump truck driver to move the dump truck forward to a specified distance. This causes the dump truck and the cutting machine to move forward in sync. At this time, the cutting machine operator uses the cutting machine's horn to transmit necessary instructions and signals to the dump truck driver, such as a signal to move the dump truck backward to a specified distance, to encourage the dump truck to move forward to adjust the relative position, or to send a signal when the cutting material (dump truck) is loaded and the dump truck is to leave the cutting machine (a signal to leave the full load). In asphalt paving work, when a dump truck, which is a transport vehicle, transports and supplies asphalt mixture to an asphalt finisher (a machine for leveling the surface of the pavement), the dump truck is driven backwards to stop in front of the asphalt finisher, and the asphalt finisher is driven forward to connect the dump truck and the asphalt finisher. The dump truck is then dumped up to supply the asphalt mixture in the loading platform to the asphalt finisher. When connecting the dump truck and the asphalt finisher, the operator of the asphalt finisher sends a signal to the driver of the dump truck to stop just before the connection. Then, in order to maintain the appropriate amount of asphalt mixture supplied to the asphalt finisher, the operator sends a signal to the driver of the dump truck regarding the amount of dumping up. When the supply of the asphalt mixture is completed, the operator also issues an instruction to the driver of the dump truck to complete the supply. If there is asphalt mixture remaining in the loading platform of the dump truck, the asphalt finisher will move forward while pushing the dump truck. When all the asphalt in the loading platform of the dump truck has been supplied to the asphalt finisher, the dump truck is detached from the asphalt finisher. When the reversing dump truck is to be stopped at a designated position in front of the asphalt finisher, when the dump truck is to be docked, when supply is completed, or when the dump truck should be uncoupled, instructions are sent using the asphalt finisher's horn or hand signals.

[0003] As mentioned above, when sending signals or instructions to the dump truck driver, the horn is generally sounded to attract the dump truck driver's attention, and then the cutter or asphalt finisher operator and the dump truck driver use hand signals to adjust the unloading rate and to signal to leave when unloading is complete. However, in recent years, construction sites have been making efforts to reduce noise during construction work, and are taking into consideration noise control measures for the surrounding area. Therefore, even when operators of cutting machines or asphalt finishers send signals or instructions to dump truck drivers, they should avoid using devices that make loud noises, such as horns, as much as possible. Similarly, when carrying out construction work at night, the use of horns or other devices that make loud noises similar to horns must be avoided. Therefore, there is a demand for technology that can reliably transmit signals and instructions to dump truck drivers without having to honk the horn to signal them during road cutting work, asphalt paving work, and the like.

[0004] Other conventional techniques for allowing a cutting machine or asphalt finisher operator to send signals or instructions to a dump truck driver include a technique for communicating intentions by combining wireless communication (radio, mobile phone, etc.) with text signs (digital signage, etc.) (Patent Document 1). However, in the conventional technology (Patent Document 1), signals must be sent to the drivers of an unspecified number of dump trucks coming to the construction site to warn them of their presence. This necessitates frequency tuning, provision of dedicated equipment, and loaning / managing equipment to the drivers of a large number of dump trucks, which requires wireless means management work and requires a great deal of effort. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6776177 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the problems of the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide an instruction transmission system or instruction transmission method that enables an operator of a cutting machine or asphalt finisher to reliably transmit signals or instructions to a dump truck driver at a road construction site without honking a loud horn. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The system (10) for transmitting instructions to a transport vehicle in road construction according to the present invention comprises a cutting machine (20) or an asphalt finisher (30) equipped with a directional speaker (1: directional speaker), The directional speaker (1) has a function of transmitting sound to the vicinity of the driver's seat (for example, a side mirror 41) of a transport vehicle (40: dump truck).

[0008] In the system (10) for transmitting instructions to a transport vehicle of the present invention, a laser light emitting device (2: e.g., a laser pointer) that emits laser light is integrally attached to the directional speaker (1: directional speaker) attached to the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30), and it is preferable that the laser light from the laser light emitting device (2) is irradiated to a location (e.g., the side mirror 41 of the transport vehicle 40) where the voice from the directional speaker (1) is received, thereby making it possible to confirm the position.

[0009] In addition, the method of transmitting sound to a transport vehicle in road construction work of the present invention is characterized by transmitting sound from a directional speaker (1: directional speaker) attached to the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30) to the vicinity of the driver's seat (e.g., side mirror 41) of the transport vehicle (40: dump truck).

[0010] In the method of transmitting to a transport vehicle of the present invention, it is preferable that a laser light irradiation device (2: for example, a laser pointer) integrally attached to the directional speaker (1: directional speaker) attached to a cutting machine (20) or an asphalt finisher (30) irradiates a laser light to a location (for example, a side mirror 41 of a transport vehicle 40) from which sound from the directional speaker (1) is transmitted, thereby making it possible to confirm the arrival position of the sound (V) transmitted from the directional speaker.

[0011] Here, when the road construction work starts (e.g., when the work for the day begins), and the cutting machine (20) or the asphalt finisher (30) approaches the transport vehicle (40), the method includes an adjustment step of adjusting the irradiation positions of the directional speaker (1) and the laser light irradiation device (2) so that a voice is transmitted from the directional speaker (1) and a laser light is irradiated from the laser light irradiation device (2) near the driver's seat (e.g., the side mirror 41) of the transport vehicle (40), After the adjustment process is performed (e.g., during work after the adjustment process is performed during a day's work), it is possible not to adjust the irradiation positions of the directional speaker (1) and the laser light irradiation device (2) until a specified work period ends (e.g., until the day's work ends).

[0012] The present invention is not limited to application to the cutting machine 20 or the asphalt finisher 30. The present invention can be applied as an instruction transmission means for transmitting information to the operator of a construction machine such as a road roller or a hydraulic shovel, or for transmitting instructions to call attention to limited areas around the heavy machine. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, when it is necessary for the operator of the cutting machine (20) or the asphalt finisher (30) to send a signal or instruction, the operator transmits a sound serving as a signal or instruction from a directional speaker (1: directional speaker) provided on the cutting machine (20) or the asphalt finisher (30) to the transport vehicle (40: dump truck, etc.). Here, the voice (V: voice of a signal, instruction, etc.) transmitted from the directional speaker (1) is transmitted to the dump truck (40) without diffusion, so that the voice of a signal, instruction, etc. is reliably transmitted to the driver of the dump truck (40). Therefore, there is no need to use a loud horn at the road construction site, and it is possible to meet the recent demand for reducing construction noise at construction sites and contribute to noise control measures for the neighborhood of the construction site. This function is particularly effective in the case of night construction, as it reduces work noise and is useful for noise control measures for the neighborhood. In addition, the sound transmitted from the directional speaker (1) is reflected by the side mirror (41) of the dump truck (40) and surrounding equipment. However, at road paving and road repair sites, the driver of the dump truck (40) often opens the window to check behind him, so the sound reflected by the side mirror (41) and surrounding equipment (the reflected sound of the sound transmitted from the directional speaker 1) is reliably transmitted to the driver. Furthermore, even when the directional speaker (1) is intended for an unspecified number of dump trucks that come to a construction site, unlike a radio, it does not require the management of wireless means such as frequency tuning, provision of dedicated equipment, and lending / managing equipment to unspecified drivers, and does not involve a great deal of effort.

[0014] In the present invention, if a laser irradiation device (2: for example, a laser pointer) is provided on the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30), when it is necessary for the operator of the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30: paving machine) to send a signal or instruction to the driver of the dump truck (40), the operator will irradiate laser light from the laser irradiation device (2) provided on the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30) onto the side mirror (41) of the transport vehicle (40: dump truck, etc.). When the laser light (L) is irradiated onto the side mirror (41) of the transport vehicle (40: dump truck, etc.), the mirror (41) shines due to the reflected light of the laser light, and the driver can reliably recognize that the laser light has been irradiated from the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30). Since the driver of the dump truck (40) checks behind him through the side mirror (41), if the sound (V) transmitted from the directional speaker (1) hits him directly, the driver can more reliably recognize and understand the signal or instruction transmitted from the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30).

[0015] In addition, even if the driver closes the window of the dump truck (40), the laser light emitted from the laser pointer (2) is reflected by the side mirror (41), and the driver of the dump truck (40) can be sure that some kind of signal or sign has been sent from the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30). If the driver opens the window and looks toward the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30) (the rear of the dump truck 40), the sound transmitted from the directional speaker (1) is transmitted directly to the driver, and the signal or sign that should be transmitted to the dump truck (40) is reliably transmitted to the driver.

[0016] Here, in normal road construction work, even if the dump truck (40) is replaced, the relative trajectory along which the dump truck (40) and the cutter (20) approach each other and move to the designated position where the cutting material (crushed material of the cut road surface) is loaded from the cutter (20) to the dump truck (40), i.e., the continuous vertical work form, is roughly the same in any part of the road that is the construction site. Similarly, even if the dump truck (40) is replaced, the relative trajectory along which the dump truck (40) and the asphalt finisher (30) approach each other and move from the dump truck (40) to the designated position for transporting and supplying the asphalt mixture to the asphalt finisher (30: paving machine) is roughly the same in any part of the construction site. In the present invention, at the start of road construction work (e.g., at the beginning of a day's work), when the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30) and the dump truck (40) approach each other, the positions of the laser pointer (2) and the directional speaker (1) are adjusted so that the sound from the directional speaker (1) hits the vicinity of the driver's seat of the dump truck (40) and the laser light is irradiated onto the side mirror (41). After the adjustment process is performed (e.g., during the day's work, the adjustment work (during work after the above), the trajectory of relative displacement when the dump truck (40) approaches the cutting machine (20) or asphalt finisher (30) is roughly the same at any position on the road where the work site is located, so there are cases where the voice from the directional speaker (1) is transmitted and conveyed near the driver's seat of the dump truck (40) even if the position at which the laser light (L) of the laser pointer (2) or the sound (V) from the directional speaker (1) is irradiated onto the side mirror (41) of the dump truck (40) is not adjusted. Therefore, there are cases where it is not necessary to adjust the directional speaker (1) so that the sound from the directional speaker (1) reaches the vicinity of the driver's seat of the dump truck (40) and to adjust the laser pointer (2) to shine a laser light on the side mirror (41) of the dump truck (40) every time cutting material is loaded and fed into the dump truck (40) or every time asphalt mixture is supplied to the asphalt finisher (30). In the transmission method of the present invention, at the start of road construction work (e.g., at the start of a day's work), when a dump truck (40) approaches a cutting machine (20) or an asphalt finisher (30), the positions of the laser pointer (2) and the directional speaker (1) are adjusted so that the sound from the directional speaker (1) is transmitted near the driver's seat of the dump truck (40) and the laser light is irradiated onto the side mirror (41) of the dump truck (40). Thereafter (for example, during work after the adjustment work has been performed during the day's work), it may be unnecessary to adjust the positions of the laser pointer (2) and the directional speaker (1) so that the laser light hits the mirror (41) of the dump truck (40). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view showing an overview of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing an overview of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged explanatory perspective view showing a mounting manner of a laser pointer and a directional speaker in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing the vicinity of a site on the dump truck side where a laser beam is irradiated from a laser pointer. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory side view showing an overview of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view showing an overview of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory side view showing a state in which the asphalt finisher and the dump truck are joined and an asphalt mixture is supplied to the asphalt finisher. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is an explanatory plan view showing a state in which the asphalt finisher and the dump truck are joined and an asphalt mixture is supplied to the asphalt finisher. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged explanatory perspective view showing a mounting manner of a laser pointer and a directional speaker in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the transmission system 10 of the first embodiment, a directional speaker 1 (directional speaker, see Figure 3, not shown in Figures 1 and 2) is attached to the cutting machine 20, and a laser pointer 2 (laser light irradiation device, see Figure 3, not shown in Figures 1 and 2) is integrally attached to the directional speaker 1. The directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 have the function of transmitting a sound V and irradiating a laser light L to the vicinity of the driver's seat (for example, a side mirror 41) of a dump truck 40 (transport vehicle), as described later. 1 and 2, the headlight 24R on the right side of the cutting machine 20 in the traveling direction is also the mounting position of the directional speaker 1. The manner in which the sound V and the laser light L are transmitted and irradiated will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG.

[0019] In Figures 1 and 2, in order to load the road surface crushed material C (cutting material) cut by the cutting machine 20 onto a dump truck 40, which is a transport vehicle, the cutting machine 20 moves forward from the transport belt conveyor 21 side toward the dump truck 40 parked in front of it (arrow F). Here, the dump truck 40 reverses (backs up) from a position far ahead of the cutting machine 20 to a position just in front of the cutting machine 20 and stops. At that time, when the dump truck 40 approaches the cutting machine 20, the operator of the cutting machine 20 transmits a warning signal or a signal to the driver of the dump truck 40 to stop backing up. 1 and 2, the cutting machine 20 approaches the dump truck 40 to a position where the cutting material C discharged from the conveyor belt 21 is loaded onto the loading platform 43 of the dump truck 40. When the cutting machine 20 approaches the dump truck 40, the operator of the cutting machine 20 also transmits a signal or a cue to the driver of the dump truck 40 to call attention to the dump truck 40. The cutting machine 20 approaches the dump truck 40 to a position where the cutting material C can be loaded onto the loading platform 43 of the dump truck 40, and the cutting material C discharged from the conveyor belt 21 of the cutting machine 20 is loaded onto the loading platform 43 of the dump truck 40. Then, the cutting machine 20 and the dump truck 40 advance in sync in the direction of the arrow F. At that time, the operator of the cutting machine 20 transmits a signal or a cue to the driver of the dump truck 40 to inform him of the timing to start advancing.

[0020] The cutting machine 20 has a cutting section 22, a processing section 23, and a transport belt conveyor 21. The cutting section 22 is provided with a cutter (not shown), and when traveling, the cutter is raised and held at a position where it does not contact the road surface, and the cutter is lowered when cutting the road surface (pavement material). The processing section 23 transfers the cutting material C cut by the cutting section 22 to the transport belt conveyor 21. The transport belt conveyor 21 transports the cutting material C and loads it onto the loading platform of a dump truck 40 for transportation. When loading the cutting material C onto the transport dump truck 40, it is necessary to adjust the relative positions of the cutting machine 20 and the dump truck 40 in the traveling direction so that the cutting material C is evenly loaded onto the bed of the dump truck 40. When adjusting the relative positions, the operator of the cutting machine 20 sends a signal to the driver of the dump truck 40 to call his attention. When the dump truck 40 is fully loaded with cutting material C (in the bed of the dump truck 40) and the dump truck 40 needs to be removed from the cutting machine 20, the operator of the cutting machine 20 sends a signal to the driver of the dump truck 40 that it is time to remove it (a signal to remove it when fully loaded). In FIG. 2, reference numeral 25 denotes an operator's seat.

[0021] 1 and 2, when the dump truck 40 and the cutting machine 20 are close to each other and the cutting material C discharged from the conveyor belt 21 can be loaded onto the loading platform 43 of the dump truck 40, when the loading position of the cutting material C is changed, when the dump truck 40 becomes fully loaded and is separated from the cutting machine 20, or when it is necessary to give instructions to the driver of the dump truck 40, the operator of the cutting machine 20 issues a signal or a signal to call the attention of the driver of the dump truck 40. The signal or the voice is a voice transmitted from a directional speaker 1 (directional speaker) and a laser beam is irradiated from a laser pointer 2 (laser beam irradiating device) arranged on the cutting machine 20, and such voice and laser beam are transmitted to and irradiated near the driver's seat of the dump truck 40 (for example, the side mirror 41). The transmission and irradiation of voice and laser light, which are signals or signals, from the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 to the vicinity of the driver's seat of the dump truck 40 will be described later with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are provided at the left-right end (arrow W direction in FIG. 2) of the rear end (end on the dump truck 40 side) of the cutting machine 20's cutting material processing section 23, and are provided in the headlight 24R on the right side in the traveling direction (arrow F direction) in FIG. 2. As described later, the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are attached to the headlight 24R. The right side in the traveling direction (arrow F direction), which is the attachment position of the headlight 24R, corresponds to the driver's seat side (side mirror 41 side) of the dump truck 40.

[0022] In the first embodiment, a mode in which the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are attached to the cutting machine 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are attached to the outside of the headlight 24R on the right side of the traveling direction of the cutting machine 20 (the right side in Fig. 3). The directional speaker 1 is attached to a side surface 24RA of the headlamp 24R via a ball clamp 3. The ball clamp 3 has a ball 3A, a main body portion 3B in which the ball 3A is built, a rod 3C fixed to the ball 3A and extending through the directional speaker 1, and a rod support portion 3D fixed to the outer side surface 1A of the directional speaker 1. The ball 3A is rotatable in all directions through 360° within the main body 3B, and the rod 3C fixed to the ball 3A is also configured to be rotatable in all directions through 360°. The rod support portion 3D is disposed at a position corresponding to the rod 3C that passes through the directional speaker 1, and supports the directional speaker 1 to prevent it from falling off the rod 3C. The main body 3B is provided with a main body side stopper 3E (e.g., a screw) that has the function of fixing the ball 3A to the main body 3B, and the rod support 3D is provided with a support side stopper 3F (e.g., a screw) that has the function of fixing the rotational position of the directional speaker 1 around the rod 3C. As shown in FIG. 3, a laser pointer 2 (laser light projection device) is integrally fixed to the top of a directional speaker 1.

[0023] 3, the direction in which sound V is transmitted from directional speaker 1 and the direction of laser light L emitted from laser pointer 2 are adjusted by adjusting the left-right position of directional speaker 1 (and laser pointer 2) (position adjustment by rotating in the direction of arrow A) and adjusting the elevation angle (position adjustment by rotating in the direction of arrow B) using ball clamp 3. By adjusting the positions of ball 3A and rod 3C, which can rotate 360° within main body 3B, and fixing them in the adjusted positions using main body side stopper 3E and support side stopper 3F (tightening if using screws), the attitude (mounted state) of directional speaker 1 and laser pointer 2 is determined, and the direction in which sound V is transmitted from directional speaker 1 and the direction of laser light L emitted from laser pointer 2 are determined. Since the laser pointer 2 is fixed integrally with the directional speaker 1, the direction in which the sound V is transmitted from the directional speaker 1 and the direction in which the laser light L is emitted from the laser pointer 2 coincide with each other. The adjustment of the irradiation direction of the directional speaker 1 and the transmission direction of the laser pointer 2 using the ball clamp 3 described above is just one example, and the transmission direction of the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser pointer 2 can be adjusted in other manners not shown.

[0024] 4, a side mirror 41 is attached via a mirror stay 44 to the driver's seat side (right side in FIG. 4) of a vehicle interior 40A of a dump truck 40. As a result of adjusting the transmission direction of the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser pointer 2 described in FIG. 3, highly directional sound is transmitted from the directional speaker 1 toward a position near the center of the side mirror 41 (position indicated by aim point C). The laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 is also emitted in the same direction as the sound from the directional speaker 1, and is emitted to a position near the center of the side mirror 41.

[0025] According to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, when a signal or instruction is to be sent from the cutting machine 20 to the driver of a transport vehicle 40 (such as a dump truck), the operator of the cutting machine 20 sends a voice V of the signal or instruction to the dump truck 40 from a directional speaker 1 provided on the cutting machine 20. The voice V (voice of the signal, instruction, etc.) sent from the directional speaker 1 is sent to the dump truck 40 without diffusing, and the voice V of the signal, instruction, etc. is reliably transmitted to the driver of the dump truck 40. This eliminates the need to use a loud horn, and makes it possible to meet the request for noise reduction during construction work at road construction sites and the request for noise control measures for the neighborhood of the construction site. The sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 hits and is reflected by the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40, but since the driver of the dump truck 40 opens the window at the road paving and road repair site, the sound reflected by the side mirror 41 enters the space inside the driver's seat of the dump truck 40 through the open window of the dump truck 40 and is reliably transmitted to the driver. Furthermore, even when targeting an unspecified number of dump trucks that come to a construction site, the directional speaker 1, unlike the technology that combines wireless with text signs to communicate (Patent Document 1), does not require management work for wireless means such as frequency tuning, provision of dedicated equipment, or lending / managing equipment to unspecified drivers, and does not require a great deal of effort.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the cutting machine 20 is provided with a laser pointer 2, so that when the operator of the cutting machine 20 needs to send a signal or instructions to the driver of the dump truck 40, the operator irradiates laser light L from the laser pointer 2 provided on the cutting machine 20 onto the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40. Since the irradiation position of the laser light L is extremely close to the transmission position of the sound V from the directional speaker 1, when adjusting the transmission direction of the directional speaker 1, the irradiation position of the laser light L can be used as a reference, making the adjustment operation easy and accurate. In addition, when the laser light L is irradiated onto the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40, the mirror 41 shines due to the reflected light of the laser light L, and the driver can reliably recognize that the laser light L is being irradiated from the cutting machine 20. Therefore, the driver of the dump truck 40 opens the window and checks the rearward through the side mirror, and the sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is directly transmitted to the driver. As a result, the driver can reliably grasp the signal or instruction transmitted from the cutting machine 20. Even if the sound V is not transmitted directly to the driver, the sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is reflected by the side mirror 41 and diffused around the side mirror 41. Then, the driver of the dump truck 40 opens the window to check behind him, so the diffused sound V is transmitted to the driver.

[0027] Even if the driver closes the window of the dump truck 40, the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 is reflected by the side mirror 41, causing the side mirror 41 to shine, so the driver of the dump truck 40 can recognize that a signal has been sent. Then, the driver can open the closed window and understand the content of the signal from the sound V reflected by the side mirror 41. As a result, the sound transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is transmitted directly to the driver, or is reflected by the side mirror 41 and transmitted to the driver in the driver's seat of the dump truck 40.

[0028] In road construction, regardless of the type of dump truck 40, the trajectory of the dump truck 40 as it reverses and stops in front of the cutting machine 20, and the trajectory of the cutting machine 20 as it approaches the dump truck 40 in front (the relative trajectory of the cutting machine 20 moving to the designated position where cutting material C is released onto the dump truck 40) are roughly the same in every part of the road that is the construction site. In the first embodiment, at the stage of starting road construction work (for example, when the dump truck 40 reverses on the road at the beginning of a certain work day and stops in front of the cutting machine 20), when the dump truck 40 reverses and approaches the cutting machine 20, the positions and attitudes of the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are adjusted so that the sound V from the directional speaker 1 is transmitted to the side mirror 41 near the driver's seat of the dump truck 40, and the laser light L is irradiated onto the side mirror 41. After this adjustment is made (for example, work after the above adjustment is made in the work on the work day), the trajectory of the relative positional change between the cutting machine 20 and the dump truck 40 is approximately the same regardless of where the cutting machine 20 is located on the road that is the work site, so that the sound V and laser light L from the directional speaker 1 are often transmitted to and irradiated onto the side mirror 41 near the driver's seat of the dump truck 40, even if the positions of the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are not adjusted each time the dump truck 40 is changed over. Therefore, in the first embodiment, if the transmission direction of the sound V from the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser light L are adjusted at the start of road construction work, there is little need to make adjustments thereafter (for example, on that work day) so that the sound V is transmitted from the directional speaker 1 to the mirror 41 of the dump truck 40 and the laser light L is irradiated from the laser pointer 2 every time the dump truck 40 is switched. Alternatively, there are cases in which the adjustments are not necessary every time the cutting machine 20 approaches the dump truck 40.

[0029] As described above, this is done by using the ball clamp 3 to adjust the left / right position of the directional speaker 1 (and laser pointer 2) (position adjustment by rotating in the direction of arrow A) and the elevation angle adjustment (position adjustment by rotating in the direction of arrow B) by adjusting the positions of the ball 3A and rod 3C, which can be rotatable 360° within the main body 3B, and fixing them in the adjusted positions, and since the laser pointer 2 is fixed integrally to the top of the directional speaker 1, the transmission direction of the sound V from the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 can be reliably adjusted over a wide range.

[0030] Next, the procedure of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described with reference mainly to FIG. In FIG. 5, in step S1, it is determined whether or not road construction (road surface cutting work using the cutter 20) has started. As a result of step S1, if road construction has started (step S1 is "Yes"), proceed to step S2; if road construction has not started (step S1 is "No"), return to step S1 (loop with step S1 being "No"). In step S2 (when road construction work has started), for example, an operator of the cutting machine 20 judges (by visual inspection, etc.) whether the cutting machine 20 is approaching a stopped dump truck 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2) (whether the cutting machine 20 has reached a predetermined position) in order to load the cutting material C discharged from the conveyor belt 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the cutting machine 20. Here, the predetermined position is a position near the dump truck, and is a position where even if the operator starts an operation to adjust the transmission direction of the sound V of the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser light L of the laser pointer 2 at the predetermined position, it is in time to start the work of loading the cutting material C into the dump truck 40. In other words, the predetermined position is a position where the adjustment work of adjusting the transmission direction of the sound V of the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser light L of the laser pointer 2 is completed while the cutting machine 20 moves to a position where the cutting material C is loaded into the dump truck 40. As a result of the judgment in step S2, if the cutting machine 20 is approaching the dump truck 40 (step S2 is "Yes"), proceed to step S3, and if the cutting machine 20 is not approaching the dump truck 40 (step S2 is "No"), return to step S2 (loop with step S2 being "No").

[0031] In step S3 (when the cutting machine 20 approaches the dump truck 40), for example, an operator of the cutting machine 20 determines whether the transmission direction of the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser pointer 2 have been adjusted. In detail, in step S3, the sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is adjusted so as to be transmitted toward the aim point C (Figure 4) near the center of the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40, and it is determined whether the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 is also adjusted so as to be emitted toward the aim point C near the center of the side mirror 41 or a position nearby, similar to the sound V. As a result of step S3, if the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are adjusted as described above (step S3 is "Yes"), proceed to step S5; if they are not adjusted (step S3 is "No"), proceed to step S4. In step S4 (when the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are not adjusted), the sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is adjusted so as to be transmitted toward the vicinity of the center of the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40, and the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 is adjusted so as to be emitted toward the aim point C near the center of the side mirror 41 or a position nearby. In other words, step S4 is a process for adjusting the transmission direction of the sound V and the irradiation direction of the laser light L. In this adjustment process, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the ball clamp 3 is operated to adjust the left-right position (arrow A in FIG. 3) and the elevation angle (arrow B in FIG. 3) of the directional speaker 1 (and the laser pointer 2 fixed integrally to the directional speaker 1). When step S4 is completed, proceed to step S5.

[0032] As described above, in road construction, the relative trajectory of the cutting machine 40 moving forward until it approaches the parked dump truck 40 is roughly the same on any part of the road at the construction site, so if the position and attitude of the laser pointer 2 and directional speaker 1 are adjusted at the start of road construction work (for example, at the beginning of a certain work day) so that the sound V and laser light L are transmitted and irradiated to the side mirror 41 near the driver's seat of the dump truck 40, there is no need to adjust the irradiation direction of the laser pointer 2 and the transmission direction of the directional speaker 1 every time cutting material C is loaded onto the dump truck 40 after the adjustment is made. This is why, if the irradiation direction of the laser pointer 2 and the transmission direction of the directional speaker 1 have been adjusted in step S3, the process proceeds to step S5 instead of step S4. In other words, it is at the start of road construction work (e.g., the start of work on a certain work day) that it is determined in step S3 that the irradiation direction of the laser pointer 2 and the transmission direction of the directional speaker 1 have not been adjusted.

[0033] In step S5 (when the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are adjusted), for example, an operator of the cutting machine 20 determines whether or not it is necessary to send a signal or instruction to the dump truck 40 from the cutting machine 20 while moving forward. As described above, signals and instructions from the operator of the cutting machine 20 to the driver of the dump truck 40 include a signal to inform the driver that the dump truck 40 has approached the position where the cutting material C of the cutting machine 20 is loaded, a signal to change and adjust the loading position of the cutting material C, and a full load removal signal to inform the driver that the cutting material C (the dump truck 40) is fully loaded and the dump truck 40 should be removed from the cutting machine 20. As a result of step S5, if it is necessary to send a signal or instruction from the cutting machine 20 to the dump truck 40 (step 5 is "Yes"), proceed to step S6, and if it is not necessary to send a signal or instruction from the cutting machine 20 to the dump truck 40 (step 5 is "No"), return to step S5 (loop with step S5 being "No").

[0034] In step S6 (when it is necessary to send signals or instructions from the cutting machine 20 to the dump truck 40), the operator of the cutting machine 20 gives the necessary signals and instructions by transmitting audio V from the directional speaker 1 and shining laser light L from the laser pointer 2 toward the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40. When the laser light L from the laser pointer 2 of the cutting machine 20 is irradiated onto the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40, the driver of the dump truck 40 recognizes that the laser light L has been irradiated from the cutting machine 20 due to the reflected light of the laser light L reflected by the side mirror 41. If the driver of the dump truck 40 opens the window to check behind him, the voice V transmitted to the side mirror 41 is transmitted directly to the driver, and the signal or instruction transmitted from the cutting machine 20 is reliably recognized. Even if the driver does not check behind him, the sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is reflected by the side mirror 41 and diffused to the surroundings, so that the diffused sound V is transmitted to the driver if the driver's seat window of the dump truck 40 is open.

[0035] After step S6 is executed, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether or not the dump truck 40 needs to be replaced. When the bed of the dump truck 40 becomes fully loaded with cutting material loaded from the cutting machine 20, it is determined that the dump truck 40 needs to be replaced and the process proceeds to step S2 (step S7 is "Yes"), and the new dump truck 40 with an empty bed reverses and approaches the position in front of the cutting machine 20. In the case of a second embodiment described later with reference to Figures 6 to 10, when the loading platform of a dump truck 40 that is coupled to the asphalt finisher 30 and supplies the asphalt mixture becomes empty, it is determined that replacement of the dump truck 40 is necessary. Then, a new dump truck 40 loaded with the asphalt mixture moves backward and approaches a position in front of the asphalt finisher 30. If the bed of the dump truck 40 is not fully loaded (in the second embodiment, if there is asphalt mixture in the bed of the dump truck 40), there is no need to switch dump trucks (step S7 is "No"), and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the road surface cutting work using the cutter 20 is finished (for example, it is determined whether or not the work for the day is finished). If the road surface cutting work is to be completed (step S8 is "Yes"), the work is completed. On the other hand, if the road surface cutting work is not to be completed (step S8 is "No"), the process returns to step S2 (a loop in which step S8 is "No").

[0036] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the transmission system 10-1 of the second embodiment, a directional speaker 1 (directional speaker: see Figure 10) is attached to the asphalt finisher 30, and a laser pointer 2 (laser light irradiation device: see Figure 10) is integrally attached to the directional speaker 1. The directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a directional speaker 1 can be attached to a side mirror 31 on the left side in the traveling direction of an asphalt finisher 30, as described later. In the second embodiment, the manner in which the voice V is transmitted to the dump truck 40 and the laser light L is irradiated thereto will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0037] In the second embodiment, in order to supply asphalt mixture D to the asphalt finisher 30 at a road construction site, a dump truck 40 loaded with asphalt mixture backs up and stops in front of the asphalt finisher 30. Then, the asphalt finisher 30 moves forward in the direction of arrow F in Fig. 6 to approach the stopped dump truck 40. In Fig. 7, reference numeral 35 denotes an operator's cab for the asphalt finisher 30. When the asphalt finisher 30 approaches the dump truck 40 and reaches a position where the asphalt mixture D loaded on the bed 43 of the dump truck 40 can be supplied to the hopper 34 of the asphalt finisher 30 as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the dump truck 40 and the asphalt finisher 30 are joined. Then, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the bed 43 of the dump truck 40 is dumped up, and the asphalt mixture D on the bed 43 is supplied to the asphalt finisher 30.

[0038] Here, the asphalt finisher 30 has a screed 32 and a hopper 34. The screed 32 is a device for spreading and compacting asphalt on a road surface, and is widened according to the paving width. The asphalt mixture D supplied to the hopper 34 is heated to an appropriate temperature so that it can be easily spread. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 33 denotes a tire of the asphalt finisher 30 . When the reversing dump truck 40 reaches a predetermined position in front of the asphalt finisher 30, the operator of the asphalt finisher 30 sends a signal to the driver of the dump truck 40 to stop. When supplying the asphalt mixture D to the asphalt finisher 30, the operator of the asphalt finisher 30 sends a warning signal (a signal that the asphalt mixture D is available to be received) to the driver of the dump truck 40 at a predetermined position just before the asphalt finisher 30 and the dump truck 40 reach a joint position (a position where the asphalt mixture D is supplied to the asphalt finisher 30), as shown in Figures 8 and 9. After receiving the signal just before joining, the dump truck 40 is pushed forward by the asphalt finisher 30 after joining with the asphalt finisher 30, while dumping up the loading platform 43, and supplies the asphalt mixture D to the asphalt finisher 30. When the dump truck 40 is dumped up to supply the asphalt mixture D to the asphalt finisher 30, if the amount of asphalt mixture D supplied is too much or too little, the operator of the asphalt finisher 30 sends a signal (a signal to adjust the supply amount) to the driver of the dump truck 40 to adjust or change the dump up amount (the tilt of the loading platform of the dump truck 40) corresponding to the appropriate supply amount of asphalt mixture D. When the supply of asphalt mixture C from the dump truck 40 to the asphalt finisher 30 is completed and the asphalt finisher 30 and the dump truck 40 should be disconnected, the operator of the asphalt finisher 30 sends a signal to that effect (a signal to leave after completing receipt of cargo) to the driver of the dump truck 40.

[0039] The instructions or signals from the asphalt finisher 30 to the dump truck 40 are given by transmitting sound and shining laser light from a directional speaker 1 and a laser pointer 2 arranged on the asphalt finisher 30 to the vicinity of the driver's seat of the dump truck 40 (e.g., the side mirror 41). In Figures 6 and 7, the directional speaker 1 and laser pointer 2 are provided on the side mirror 31 on the right side in the direction of travel near the driver's seat of the asphalt finisher 30, and the side mirror 31 on the driver's seat side of the asphalt finisher 30 is provided on the same side as the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40.

[0040] Fig. 10 shows a state in which a laser pointer 2 and a directional speaker 1 are attached to an asphalt finisher 30. In Fig. 10, the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 are attached to a mounting stay 31A (side mirror stay) of the right side mirror 31 of the asphalt finisher 30 via an adjustment clamp 4. The laser pointer 2 is attached (fixed) integrally to the upper part of the directional speaker 1. The adjustment clamp 4 has a cylindrical main body 4A, a rod 4B that is fixed to the main body 4A and extends through the directional speaker 1, and a rod support portion 4C that supports the rod 4B and is located on the outer side surface 1A of the directional speaker 1. A side mirror stay 31A passes through the radial center of the main body 4A, and the main body 4A and the rod 4B are rotatable in the direction of arrow C around the side mirror stay 31A, and can also move up and down (arrow D) along the side mirror stay 31A. The main body 4A is provided with a main body stopper 4D (e.g., a screw). The main body stopper 4D has a function of fixing the rotation position (rotation angle) in the rotation direction about the side mirror stay 31A of the main body 4A as the central axis, and a function of fixing the relative position with respect to the side mirror stay 31A in the up-down direction along the side mirror stay 31A of the main body 4A. The rod support portion 4C is provided with a support portion side stopper 4E (e.g., a screw), and the support portion side stopper 4E has the function of fixing the rotational position (the elevation angle of the directional speaker 1) in the rotation direction around the rod 4B of the directional speaker 1 as the rotation center.

[0041] In FIG. 10, the transmission direction of the audio V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 are adjusted by using an adjustment clamp 4 to adjust the left-right position (position adjustment in the direction of arrow C), the up-down position (position adjustment in the direction of arrow D), and the elevation angle (position adjustment in the direction of arrow E) of the directional speaker 1 (and laser pointer 2). By making such adjustments, the installation position (installation direction) of the directional speaker 1 (and the laser pointer 2) is determined, the transmission direction of the audio V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is determined, and the irradiation direction of the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 is determined. The laser pointer 2 is fixed integrally with the directional speaker 1, and the transmission direction of the sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 and the irradiation direction of the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 are adjusted to roughly coincide with each other. Here, the above-mentioned manner of adjusting the position of the directional speaker 1 (and the laser pointer 2) using the adjustment clamp 4 is one example, and the position of the directional speaker 1 (and the laser pointer 2) can be adjusted in other manners.

[0042] Although not explicitly shown in Figure 10, due to the above-mentioned adjustment, the sound V transmitted from the directional speaker 1 is transmitted toward a position near the center of the side mirror 41 (Figures 6 and 7) of the dump truck 40. In addition, the laser light L emitted from the laser pointer 2 is also emitted toward the location where the sound from the directional speaker 1 is received (that is, a position near the center of the side mirror 41 of the dump truck 40) or the vicinity thereof.

[0043] In the transmission system 10 to the transport vehicle of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, a directional speaker 1 and a laser pointer 2 are attached to the cutting machine 20, and audio V is transmitted from the directional speaker 1 and the laser pointer 2 (attached to the cutting machine 20) to the vicinity of the driver's seat of the dump truck 40 (e.g., the side mirror 41), and laser light L is irradiated. In contrast, in the second embodiment of the transmission system 10-1 to a transport vehicle shown in Figures 6 to 10, a directional speaker 1 and a laser pointer 2 are attached to the asphalt finisher 30, and audio V is transmitted from the directional speaker 1 and laser pointer 2 (attached to the asphalt finisher 30) to the vicinity of the driver's seat of the dump truck 40 (for example, the side mirror 41), and laser light L is irradiated. Other configurations and effects of the second embodiment in FIGS. 6 to 10 are similar to those of the first embodiment in FIGS.

[0044] It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the illustrated embodiment shows the emission of a signal or a sign for communication when a dump truck approaches a cutting machine or an asphalt finisher, but the present invention is also applicable to road rollers and hydraulic shovels. In addition, the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 can be applied to the second embodiment, and the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 10 can be applied to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the side mirror onto which the sound V is transmitted from the directional speaker 1 and onto which the laser light L is irradiated from the laser pointer 2 is described to include a rearview mirror (not shown) in the driver's seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Directional speaker (directional speaker) 2. Laser pointer (laser light projection device) 3. Ball clamp 4. Adjustment clamp 10, 10-1 Transmission system to transport vehicle 20...cutting machine 30. Asphalt finisher 40···Dump truck (transport vehicle) 41···Side mirror (Side mirror of dump truck 40)

Claims

1. A directional speaker is attached to the cutting machine or asphalt finisher, A system for transmitting instructions to a transport vehicle in road construction work, characterized in that the directional speaker has a function of projecting sound near the driver's seat of the transport vehicle.

2. A system for transmitting instructions to a transport vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein a laser light projection device that emits laser light is integrally attached to the directional speaker attached to a cutting machine or asphalt finisher, and the laser light from the laser light projection device is projected onto the location where the voice from the directional speaker is projected.

3. A method for transmitting instructions to a transport vehicle in road construction work, characterized in that a voice is projected near the driver's seat of the transport vehicle from a directional speaker attached to a cutting machine or asphalt finisher.

4. A method for transmitting instructions to a transport vehicle as described in claim 3, in which a laser light irradiation device integrally attached to the directional speaker attached to a cutting machine or asphalt finisher irradiates laser light toward the location where the voice from the directional speaker is irradiated.

5. an adjustment step for adjusting the irradiation positions of the directional speaker and the laser light irradiation device so that, when the cutting machine or the asphalt finisher approaches the transport vehicle at the start of work in road construction, a voice is transmitted from the directional speaker near the driver's seat of the transport vehicle and a laser light is irradiated from the laser light irradiation device; 5. The method for transmitting instructions to a transport vehicle according to claim 4, wherein after the adjustment step is performed, the irradiation positions of the directional speaker and the laser light emitting device are not adjusted until a predetermined work period ends.

Images