Control device of mixer drum

Abstract

To prevent ready mixed concrete from being discharged by mistake when the ready mixed concrete is placed into a mixer drum.SOLUTION: A controller 50A forms a control device of a mixer drum 10 which controls the mixer drum 10 mounted on a mixer truck 100A and prohibits discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 when the mixer truck 100A can wirelessly communicate with a wireless communication device 210A having a communication range A1 set for a loading site 201 of ready mixed concrete into the mixer drum 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a mixer drum. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a ready-mix concrete plant equipped with a scanner that reads identification information in close proximity when a concrete mixer truck is positioned at the inlet for concrete raw materials. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-341413 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When adding fresh concrete, the mixer drum is rotated in the direction of adding the fresh concrete. However, if an operator makes an error in discharging the mixer drum by rotating it in the opposite direction to the direction of adding the fresh concrete, the fresh concrete that is being added into the mixer drum through the hopper can overflow the hopper, soiling the mixer truck and its surroundings.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has an object to prevent the erroneous discharge of ready-mixed concrete when it is poured into a container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a mixer drum control device that controls a mixer drum mounted on a mixer truck, and is characterized in that it prohibits the discharge operation of the mixer drum when the mixer truck is capable of wireless communication with a wireless communication device that has a communication range set for the area where ready-mixed concrete is fed into the mixer drum.

[0007] According to this invention, when the mixer truck is within a communication range set for the ready-mixed concrete loading site, the discharge operation of the mixer drum is prohibited, thereby preventing the erroneous discharge of ready-mixed concrete when it is loaded.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, when the signal strength of the wireless communication between the mixer vehicle and the wireless communication device is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the ejection operation of the mixer drum is prohibited.

[0009] According to this invention, the discharge operation of the mixer drum is prohibited when the signal strength of the wireless communication is above a predetermined value, so even if the communication range is somewhat larger than the ready-mixed concrete loading area, the discharge operation does not have to be prohibited at a location far from the loading area, and the discharge operation can be more accurately prohibited.

[0010] The present invention is also characterized in that the discharge operation of the mixer drum is prohibited by rotating the mixer drum in the direction of feeding ready-mixed concrete in response to a discharge operation command for the mixer drum.

[0011] According to this invention, when prohibiting the discharge operation of the mixer drum, the mixer drum is rotated in the direction of pouring ready-mixed concrete in response to a mixer drum discharge operation command, so not only can the discharge operation of the mixer drum be prohibited, but the ready-mixed concrete can also be poured as is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to these inventions, it is possible to prevent the ready-mixed concrete from being accidentally discharged when it is poured into the container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a mixer vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mixer truck at a ready-mix concrete charging site, along with an enlarged view of the main parts. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a mixer vehicle according to a first modified example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a mixer vehicle according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] First, the overall configuration of a mixer truck 100A according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. The mixer truck 100A is a vehicle that transports so-called ready-mixed concrete (hereinafter referred to as "ready-mixed concrete") such as mortar or ready-mixed concrete, and is driven by the power of an engine (not shown). The driving source for driving may be, for example, a driving motor, or an engine and a driving motor. The following description will be given of the case where the mixer truck 100A is loaded with ready-mixed concrete.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the mixer truck 100A includes a driver's cab 1, a frame 2 extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a mixer drum 10 rotatably mounted on the frame 2, a drum drive device 20 that drives the mixer drum 10 to rotate, a hopper 30 that guides ready-mixed concrete fed from outside into the mixer drum 10, and a chute 40 that guides ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 10 to a predetermined position.

[0017] The mixer drum 10 is a cylindrical container that rotates about a rotation axis C1. An opening 10a, through which ready-mixed concrete is charged and discharged, is provided at the rear end of the mixer drum 10 on the rear side of the vehicle, and a drive shaft 11 that extends outward along the rotation axis C1 is provided at the front end on the front side of the vehicle. The mixer drum 10 is supported by the frame 2 with the rear end, where the opening 10a is provided, raised higher than the front end.

[0018] The drive shaft 11 of the mixer drum 10 is connected to a drum drive device 20. The drum drive device 20 includes a drive source and a reducer (not shown), and the drive shaft 11 of the mixer drum 10 is connected to the drive source via the reducer. The drive source may be, for example, an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, and the mixer drum 10 is rotationally driven in a forward or reverse direction by the drive source.

[0019] A pair of blades 12, 13 are spirally arranged within the mixer drum 10 along the inner wall surface of the mixer drum 10. Each blade 12, 13 is divided into a front blade 12a, 13a arranged on the front side of the vehicle and a rear blade 12b, 13b arranged on the rear side of the vehicle at approximately the middle portion of the mixer drum 10. Each rear blade 12b, 13b is joined to the inner wall surface of the mixer drum 10 at the opening 10a and is joined to a cylindrical seal pipe 14 arranged on the rotation axis C1 of the mixer drum 10. The seal pipe 14 is provided to smoothly guide the ready-mixed concrete charged into the hopper 30 into the interior of the mixer drum 10.

[0020] The hopper 30 is disposed above the opening 10a of the mixer drum 10 to guide the ready-mixed concrete fed from above the mixer vehicle 100A into the mixer drum 10 through the seal pipe 14. A hopper cover 31 that covers the opening of the hopper 30 is provided on the top of the hopper 30 so as to be rotatable via a hinge 31a. Meanwhile, a chute 40 is disposed below the opening 10a of the mixer drum 10 to guide the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 10 to a predetermined position.

[0021] The mixer vehicle 100A has the following operating states of the mixer drum 10: a stirring state in which the mixer drum 10 is rotated at a first rotational speed to stir the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum 10; a kneading state in which the mixer drum 10 is rotated at a second rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed to knead the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum 10; and a discharge state in which the mixer drum 10 is rotated in the opposite direction to the stirring and kneading states to discharge the ready-mixed concrete from the opening 10a.

[0022] In the mixing state, the mixer drum 10 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, which is counterclockwise when viewed from the rear of the vehicle. In the mixing state, the blades 12, 13 rotate forward together with the mixer drum 10, so that the ready-mixed concrete in the mixer drum 10 moves toward the front of the mixer drum 10 while being mixed. By rotating the mixer drum 10 in this way to mix the ready-mixed concrete, separation and solidification of the ready-mixed concrete are prevented.

[0023] In the kneading state, the mixer drum 10 is driven to rotate in the forward rotation direction at a second rotation speed that is faster than the first rotation speed of the mixer drum 10 in the agitation state. The kneading state is performed to knead the ready-mixed concrete before discharging it.

[0024] In the discharging state, the mixer drum 10 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. In the discharging state, the blades 12, 13 rotate together with the mixer drum 10, so that the ready-mixed concrete moves to the rear of the mixer drum 10 while being agitated. By rotating the mixer drum 10 in the reverse direction in this way, the ready-mixed concrete can be discharged from the opening 10a of the mixer drum 10. The ready-mixed concrete discharged from the opening 10a of the mixer drum 10 is guided to a predetermined position via the chute 40.

[0025] When fresh concrete is poured into the mixer drum 10 through the hopper 30, that is, when the fresh concrete is poured, the mixer drum 10 is rotated in the forward direction, which is the direction of pouring the fresh concrete, at a higher speed than when mixing. This causes the poured fresh concrete to move quickly to the front of the mixer drum 10.

[0026] 2 is a diagram showing a mixer truck 100A at a ready-mixed concrete charging site 201, along with an enlarged view of the main parts. The ready-mixed concrete plant 200 is a ready-mixed concrete charging facility and has the ready-mixed concrete charging site 201. The ready-mixed concrete plant 200 is equipped with a wireless communication device 210A that performs wireless communication with the mixer truck 100A. The wireless communication device 210A is provided at the charging site 201, and performs short-range wireless communication (for example, a short distance with an effective range of 10 m or less) with the mixer truck 100A. For example, WIMAX (registered trademark), wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or infrared communication can be used for the short-range wireless communication.

[0027] The wireless communication device 210A has a communication range A1 set for the insertion field 201. The communication range A1 has, for example, a circular effective range centered on the wireless communication device 210A, and the insertion field 201 (the entire insertion field 201) is included in the communication range A1. Note that FIG. 2 shows the communication range A1 formed by the effective range of the wireless communication device 210A (the communication range in the specifications of the wireless communication device 210A). However, radio waves from the wireless communication device 210A are attenuated by obstacles such as buildings. For this reason, the actual communication range A1 is usually smaller than the illustrated communication range A1, and is not necessarily circular.

[0028] 2, the mixer vehicle 100A further includes a controller 50A that is a control device for the mixer drum 10, a rotary switch (SW) 60 that is an operation unit for instructing the rotation operation of the mixer drum 10, and a receiver 71 that is a communication device that is used together with the mixer vehicle 100A and performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device 210A. The controller 50A, the rotary switch 60, and the receiver 71 are provided in the operator's cab 1, for example.

[0029] The rotation SW60 is configured as a switch that can be rotated, and the operation of loading the mixer drum 10 to rotate the mixer drum 10 in the forward rotation direction and the operation of unloading the mixer drum 10 to rotate the mixer drum 10 in the reverse rotation direction opposite to the forward rotation direction are performed using the rotation SW60.

[0030] When the rotary switch 60 is turned to the right (one side) from the basic position, it performs an insert operation, and when it is turned to the left (the other side) from the basic position, it performs an eject operation. The rotation speed of the mixer drum 10 increases the more the rotary switch 60 is turned from the basic position, and reaches its maximum rotation speed when the rotary switch 60 is at the maximum position MAX. The rotary switch 60 may be configured with a switch other than a switch that can be rotated, or may be configured with multiple switches.

[0031] The receiver 71 is installed in the mixer vehicle 100A, and the wireless signal from the wireless communication device 210A is received by the receiver 71. Therefore, the mixer vehicle 100A having the receiver 71 can communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication device 210A when the mixer vehicle 100A is within the communication range A1. In Fig. 2, the wireless communication performed between the wireless communication device 210A and the receiver 71 is indicated by a two-dot dashed line.

[0032] The receiver 71 may be configured as, for example, a mobile terminal (e.g., a smartphone) and carried by the driver (user) of the mixer vehicle 100A. A case in which the receiver 71 is not installed in the mixer vehicle 100A, such as being carried by the driver, but is used together with the mixer vehicle 100A, is also included in the mixer vehicle 100A having the receiver 71. When the receiver 71 is used together with the mixer vehicle 100A, the mixer vehicle 100A has the receiver 71 and uses the receiver 71 to perform wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A, thereby performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A. A signal is input from the receiver 71 to the controller 50A, for example, by wireless communication.

[0033] The controller 50A is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and I / O interface (Input / Output Interface). The RAM stores data for CPU processing, the ROM stores the CPU's control program in advance, and the I / O interface is used for inputting and outputting information to and from connected devices. The operation of the drum drive device 20 is controlled by operating the CPU, RAM, etc. in accordance with the program stored in the ROM.

[0034] The controller 50A is programmed to be able to execute at least the processes necessary to execute the control according to this embodiment and the modified examples. The controller 50A may be configured as a single device, or may be divided into multiple devices so that each control according to this embodiment is processed in a distributed manner by the multiple devices.

[0035] A rotation SW 60 is connected to the controller 50A, and an operation command (signal) is input from the rotation SW 60 in response to the operation of the rotation SW 60. In addition, a drum driving device 20 is connected to the controller 50A, and a command value for operating the drum driving device 20 is output from the controller 50A.

[0036] When the mixer drum 10 is opened, a command to open the mixer drum 10 is input from the rotation switch 60 to the controller 50A. When the controller 50A receives the command from the rotation switch 60, it sends a forward rotation command to the drum drive device 20 to rotate the mixer drum 10 in the forward rotation direction. The drum drive device 20 drives the mixer drum 10 to rotate in the forward rotation direction in response to the input forward rotation command. This causes the mixer drum 10 to rotate in the forward rotation direction. In other words, the controller 50A controls the drum drive device 20 based on the input opening command to rotate the mixer drum 10 in the forward rotation direction in response to the opening command.

[0037] When the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 is performed, a discharge operation command for the mixer drum 10 is input from the rotation SW 60 to the controller 50A. When the discharge operation command is input from the rotation SW 60, the controller 50A sends a reverse rotation command to the drum drive device 20 to rotate the mixer drum 10 in the reverse direction. The drum drive device 20 drives the mixer drum 10 to rotate in the reverse direction in response to the input reverse rotation command. This causes the mixer drum 10 to rotate in the reverse direction. In other words, the controller 50A controls the drum drive device 20 based on the input discharge operation command, thereby rotating the mixer drum 10 in the reverse direction in response to the discharge operation command.

[0038] The controller 50A prohibits the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 when the mixer vehicle 100A is able to communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication device 210A. This makes it impossible to discharge ready-mixed concrete at the charging site 201, thereby preventing the erroneous discharge of ready-mixed concrete when charging the ready-mixed concrete. Even if this is done, there is no particular problem as long as the mixer vehicle 100A is able to charge ready-mixed concrete into the mixer drum 10 when it is at the charging site 201.

[0039] The controller 50A configured as described above further includes a drive control unit 50a that controls the drum drive device 20, a communication unit 50b that receives a signal from the receiver 71, a first determination unit 50c that determines whether the receiver 71 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A based on the signal from the communication unit 50b, and an ejection operation prohibition unit 50d that prohibits the ejection operation of the mixer drum 10 based on the determination result of the first determination unit 50c. Note that the drive control unit 50a and other units included in the controller 50A represent the respective functions of the controller 50A as virtual units and do not represent physical entities. Furthermore, the above functions are only a part of the control executed by the controller 50A, and the controller 50A also executes control related to other functions as needed.

[0040] The drive control unit 50a controls the drum drive device 20 based on an operation command issued using the rotation SW 60, thereby rotating the mixer drum 10 in the forward or reverse direction.

[0041] The communication unit 50b performs wireless communication with the receiver 71. The receiver 71 inputs (transmits) a communication result (signal) of the wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A to the communication unit 50b based on a wireless signal from the wireless communication device 210A. The wireless communication result is a signal indicating the communication state of the wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A, and is input from the receiver 71 to the communication unit 50b as a signal including, for example, whether or not a signal is received from the wireless communication device 210A and the signal strength of the wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A. The communication unit 50b inputs the input communication result to the first determination unit 50c. The communication unit 50b may input a different signal as the communication result to the first determination unit 50c instead of the input communication result itself.

[0042] The first determination unit 50c determines whether the receiver 71 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A based on the communication result input from the communication unit 50b. When the first determination unit 50c determines based on the input communication result that the receiver 71 is receiving a signal from the wireless communication device 210A, it determines that the receiver 71 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A. On the other hand, when the first determination unit 50c determines based on the input communication result that the receiver 71 is not receiving a signal from the wireless communication device 210A, it determines that the receiver 71 is not capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A.

[0043] If it is determined that the receiver 71 can communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication device 210A, it is determined that the mixer vehicle 100A is within the communication range A1. If it is determined that the receiver 71 cannot communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication device 210A, it is determined that the mixer vehicle 100A is not within the communication range A1. Therefore, the first determination unit 50c determines whether or not the mixer vehicle 100A is within the communication range A1 based on the communication result of the wireless communication. The determination result (signal) of the first determination unit 50c is input to an unloading operation prohibition unit 50d that prohibits the unloading operation of the mixer drum 10.

[0044] Based on the determination result of the first determination unit 50c, when the receiver 71 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A, the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d prohibits the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10. Specifically, when the receiver 71 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A, even if a discharge operation command for the mixer drum 10 is input to the drive control unit 50a, the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d prohibits (forcibly prohibits) the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 by, for example, invalidating the discharge operation command.

[0045] Note that, when the receiver 71 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A, the discharge operation prohibiting unit 50d may prohibit the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 by rotating the mixer drum 10 in the forward rotation direction when a discharge operation command for the mixer drum 10 is input to the drive control unit 50a (thus in response to the discharge operation command). In this way, not only can the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 be prohibited, but even if the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 is performed due to an error in operating the rotation SW 60, ready-mixed concrete can be charged as is.

[0046] Next, an example of control performed by the controller 50A will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0047] In step S1A, it is determined whether the mixer vehicle 100A is within the communication range A1. Step S1A corresponds to the first determination unit 50c, and in step S1A, by determining whether the mixer vehicle 100A is within the communication range A1, it is determined whether the mixer vehicle 100A is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210A.

[0048] If the determination in step S1A is negative, it is determined that the mixer vehicle 100A is not within the communication range A1. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the mixer vehicle 100A is not at the input site 201, and the process is temporarily terminated.

[0049] If the determination in step S1A is affirmative, it is determined that the mixer vehicle 100A is within the communication range A1. In this case, there is a possibility that ready-mixed concrete will be poured into the mixer drum 10 of the mixer vehicle 100A at the pouring site 201. On the other hand, if the mixer drum 10 is discharged due to an incorrect operation of the rotation SW 60 during ready-mixed concrete pouring, the ready-mixed concrete that is being poured into the mixer drum 10 via the hopper 30 will overflow from the hopper 30, soiling the mixer vehicle 100A and its surroundings.

[0050] For this reason, if the determination in step S1A is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S10. Step S10 corresponds to the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d, and in step S10 the controller 50A prohibits the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10. As a result, even if the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 is performed due to an operational error, the mixer drum 10 does not rotate in the reverse direction in response to the discharge operation command, thereby preventing erroneous discharge of ready-mixed concrete when it is added.

[0051] (First Modification) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a mixer vehicle 100B according to a first modified example, similar to Fig. 2. The mixer vehicle 100B differs from the mixer vehicle 100A in that it performs pairing authentication, which is mutual authentication between the mixer vehicle 100B and a wireless communication device 210B.

[0052] The wireless communication device 210B is a wireless communication device capable of performing pairing authentication and has a communication range A2. The communication range A2 has, for example, a circular effective range centered on the wireless communication device 210B, and the loading site 201 is included in the communication range A2. The wireless communication device 210B performs short-range wireless communication with the mixer vehicle 100B. For example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used for short-range wireless communication.

[0053] The wireless communication device 210B performs wireless communication with the pairing authentication terminal 72. That is, in this example, the pairing authentication terminal 72 is used together with the mixer vehicle 100B as a communication device for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B.

[0054] The pairing authentication terminal 72 is assigned to each mixer vehicle 100B in a one-to-one relationship. Therefore, in pairing authentication, it is possible to distinguish each mixer vehicle 100B. The pairing authentication terminal 72 is carried by the driver and used together with the mixer vehicle 100B. When the pairing authentication terminal 72 is used together with the mixer vehicle 100B, the mixer vehicle 100B has the pairing authentication terminal 72 and performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B using the pairing authentication terminal 72, thereby performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B. The pairing authentication terminal 72 may be installed in the mixer vehicle 100B.

[0055] When the pairing authentication terminal 72 of the mixer vehicle 100B becomes capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B, the controller 50B confirms that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2 based on the authentication result, which is the communication result of the wireless communication. In other words, by receiving the authentication result (signal) from the pairing authentication terminal 72, the controller 50B can confirm that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2.

[0056] Pairing authentication is performed when the mixer vehicle 100B enters the communication range A2. If pairing authentication is successful and a wireless communication connection with the wireless communication device 210B is established, the pairing authentication terminal 72 of the mixer vehicle 100B becomes capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B. In this case, as a result of authentication, a connection establishment signal indicating that a wireless communication connection between the pairing authentication terminal 72 and the wireless communication device 210B has been established is input from the pairing authentication terminal 72 to the controller 50B. The established connection remains valid while the mixer vehicle 100B remains within the communication range A2. If the controller 50B confirms, based on the authentication result, that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2 (in other words, if the connection establishment signal is input and the mixer vehicle 100B is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B), it prohibits the unloading operation of the mixer drum 10.

[0057] In the controller 50B configured in this manner, the pairing authentication terminal 72 inputs (transmits) the authentication result to the communication unit 50b. When a connection establishment signal is input as the authentication result, the communication unit 50b confirms that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2. In this case, the authentication result (connection establishment signal) input to the communication unit 50b is input to the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d. The communication unit 50b may input a different signal as the authentication result to the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d instead of the input authentication result itself.

[0058] When a connection establishment signal is input from the communication unit 50b as an authentication result (that is, when it is confirmed that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2), the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d prohibits the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10. Therefore, while the controller 50B confirms that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2, it does not particularly determine whether the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2.

[0059] This is because by confirming that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2 based on the authentication result of pairing authentication, it is not necessary to determine whether the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2. In other words, in the mixer vehicle 100B, the pairing authentication terminal 72 performs this determination function, so the controller 50B does not need to be equipped with the first determination unit 50c (see FIG. 2). In the first modified example, the controller 50B constitutes a control device for the mixer drum 10.

[0060] Next, an example of control performed by the controller 50B will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. In step S1B, it is confirmed that a connection establishment signal has been input from the pairing authentication terminal 72. This confirms that the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2, and that wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B is possible. Step S1B corresponds to the communication unit 50b.

[0061] After step S1B, the process proceeds to step S10, where the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 is prohibited as described above with reference to Figure 3. Therefore, the controller 50B does not need to determine whether the mixer vehicle 100B is within the communication range A2, which simplifies the control and prevents erroneous discharge of ready-mixed concrete when it is poured into the mixer drum 10.

[0062] (Second Modification) Fig. 6 is a diagram similar to Fig. 2 showing a mixer vehicle 100C according to a second modified example. The mixer vehicle 100C includes a controller 50C. The controller 50C differs from the controller 50B of the first modified example in that it prohibits the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 when the signal strength W of the wireless communication between the mixer vehicle 100C and the wireless communication device 210B is equal to or greater than a predetermined value W1. A similar modification may be applied to the controller 50A of the mixer vehicle 100A.

[0063] In this example, the pairing authentication terminal 72 inputs (transmits) the signal strength W (signal) to the controller 50C in addition to the authentication result. The signal strength W decreases as the distance from the wireless communication device 210B increases. Therefore, by using the signal strength W as a determination parameter, it is possible to determine how close the mixer vehicle 100C is to the drop-off site 201.

[0064] When a connection establishment signal is input as the authentication result (i.e., when the mixer vehicle 100C is able to communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication device 210B), the controller 50C determines whether the signal strength W is equal to or greater than a predetermined value W1 based on the input signal strength W. The predetermined value W1 is a determination value for determining whether the mixer vehicle 100C is close to the drop-off site 201 to a predetermined extent, and is set to the signal strength W in the vicinity of the drop-off site 201, for example. Note that the mixer vehicle 100C being close to the drop-off site 201 to a predetermined extent includes the mixer vehicle 100C being closer to the drop-off site 201 than the position where it is confirmed that it is within the communication range A2.

[0065] When the signal strength W is equal to or greater than a predetermined value W1, the controller 50C prohibits the ejection operation of the mixer drum 10. When the mixer vehicle 100C is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 210B and the signal strength W is equal to or greater than the predetermined value W1, the controller 50C prohibits the ejection operation of the mixer drum 10.

[0066] The controller 50C configured in this manner includes, in addition to the drive control unit 50a, the communication unit 50b, and the ejection operation prohibition unit 50d, a second determination unit 50e that determines whether the signal strength W is equal to or greater than a predetermined value W1. The authentication result and the signal strength W are input to the communication unit 50b from the pairing authentication terminal 72, and the authentication result and the signal strength W are input from the communication unit 50b to the second determination unit 50e. When a connection establishment signal is input from the communication unit 50b as the authentication result, the second determination unit 50e determines whether the signal strength W is equal to or greater than the predetermined value W1 based on the input signal strength W.

[0067] The second determination unit 50e inputs a determination result (signal) to the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d. If the signal strength W is equal to or greater than the predetermined value W1, the second determination unit 50e inputs an intensity sufficient signal indicating that the signal strength W is equal to or greater than the predetermined value W1 to the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d. If the intensity sufficient signal is input from the second determination unit 50e (i.e., if the signal strength W is equal to or greater than the predetermined value W1), the discharge operation prohibition unit 50d prohibits the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10. In the second modified example, the controller 50C constitutes a control device for the mixer drum 10.

[0068] Next, an example of control performed by the controller 50C will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 7. When input of a connection establishment signal is confirmed in step S1B, it is determined in step S5 whether the signal strength W is equal to or greater than a predetermined value W1. Step S5 corresponds to the second determination unit 50e, and if the determination in step S5 is negative, the processing is temporarily terminated. In other words, in this case, even if a wireless communication connection is established by pairing authentication, since the mixer vehicle 100C is located away from the feeding site 201, it is determined that ready-mixed concrete will not be fed, and the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 is not prohibited.

[0069] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S10, where the unloading operation of the mixer drum 10 is prohibited as described above with reference to Fig. 3. This makes it possible to prohibit the unloading operation of the mixer drum 10 when the mixer vehicle 100C is near the loading site 201. Therefore, the unloading operation can be more accurately prohibited than when the unloading operation of the mixer drum 10 is prohibited because a wireless communication connection has been established, for example.

[0070] (Other variations) The controllers 50A, 50B, and 50C may be connected by wire to the receiver 71 and the pairing authentication terminal 72. Furthermore, the communication units 50b of the controllers 50A, 50B, and 50C may be configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless communication devices 210A and 210B.

[0071] The communication ranges A1 and A2 may be set to include a portion of the feeding site 201. The communication ranges A1 and A2 can also be set to include the receiver 71 or the pairing authentication terminal 72 when at least the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C at the feeding site 201 are in a ready-mixed concrete feeding position where they can feed ready-mixed concrete into the hopper 30. Considering the case where the receiver 71 and the pairing authentication terminal 72 are portable terminals, the communication ranges A1 and A2 are preferably set to include at least the rotation SW 60 and the operator's cab 1 including the rotation SW 60 when the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C are in a ready-mixed concrete feeding position at the feeding site 201, or to include the entire mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C. This makes it possible to prohibit the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 when an attempt is made to operate at least the rotation SW 60 in the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C at the ready-mixed concrete feeding position.

[0072] The wireless communication devices 210A, 210B may be, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication) tags, and the communication ranges A1, A2 may be one-dimensional. Even in these cases, if the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, 100C can communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication devices 210A, 210B, a portion of the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, 100C will be within the communication ranges A1, A2.

[0073] The configuration, operation, and effects of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0074] The controllers 50A, 50B, and 50C constitute control devices for the mixer drum 10 that control the mixer drum 10 mounted on the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C. The controllers 50A, 50B, and 50C prohibit the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 when the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C can wirelessly communicate with the wireless communication devices 210A and 210B that have communication ranges A1 and A2 set for the feed site 201 for ready-mixed concrete to the mixer drum 10.

[0075] According to this configuration, when the mixer vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C are within the communication ranges A1 and A2 set for the ready-mixed concrete loading site 201, the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 is prohibited, thereby preventing erroneous discharge of ready-mixed concrete when loading the ready-mixed concrete.

[0076] When the signal strength W of the wireless communication between the mixer vehicle 100C and the wireless communication device 210B is equal to or greater than a predetermined value W1, the controller 50C prohibits the unloading operation of the mixer drum 10. The controller 50A may be configured in a similar manner.

[0077] According to this configuration, the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 is prohibited when the signal strength W of the wireless communication is equal to or greater than a predetermined value W1, so even if the communication range A2 is somewhat wider than the ready-mixed concrete feeding site 201, the discharge operation does not need to be prohibited at a location far from the feeding site 201, and the discharge operation can be more accurately prohibited.

[0078] In response to the discharge operation command for the mixer drum 10, the controllers 50A, 50B, and 50C inhibit the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 by rotating the mixer drum 10 in the forward rotation direction, which is the direction in which ready-mixed concrete is poured.

[0079] According to this configuration, when prohibiting the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10, the mixer drum 10 is rotated in the forward direction in response to a discharge operation command for the mixer drum 10, so not only can the discharge operation of the mixer drum 10 be prohibited, but also ready-mixed concrete can be charged as is.

[0080] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10···Mixer drum, 50A, 50B, 50C···Controller (control device), 60···Rotary switch, 71···Receiver, 72···Pairing authentication terminal, 100A, 100B, 100C···Mixer vehicle, 201···Input field, 210A, 210B···Wireless communication equipment, A1, A2···Communication range, W···Signal strength, W1···Predetermined value

Claims

1. A mixer drum control device that controls a mixer drum mounted on a mixer vehicle, When the mixer truck is capable of wireless communication with a wireless communication device having a communication range set for a site for feeding ready-mixed concrete into the mixer drum, the discharge operation of the mixer drum is prohibited. A control device for a mixer drum comprising:

2. The control device for a mixer drum according to claim 1, prohibiting the discharge operation of the mixer drum when a signal strength of wireless communication between the mixer vehicle and the wireless communication device is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; A control device for a mixer drum comprising:

3. The control device for a mixer drum according to claim 1 or 2, The discharge operation of the mixer drum is prohibited by rotating the mixer drum in a direction in which the ready-mixed concrete is poured in response to a discharge operation command of the mixer drum. A control device for a mixer drum comprising:

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