Meter panel, information display system, information display method, computer program, and work vehicle

Abstract

To present, to a driver in an easily understandable manner, the rotational speed of a prime mover for rotating a PTO shaft at an appropriate rotational speed.SOLUTION: A meter panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a tachometer that displays a rotational speed of a prime mover. The tachometer has a plurality of first segments to which the rotational speeds of the prime mover of different magnitudes are assigned. The meter panel includes two or more second segments arranged along an arrangement of the plurality of first segments, the two or more second segments being capable of each displaying a mark for presenting, to a user, the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft is a rated rotational speed. By switching on and off the display of each of the two or more second segments, the mark is displayed at a position corresponding to the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft is the rated rotational speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a meter panel, an information display system, an information display method, a computer program, and a work vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] As next-generation agriculture, research and development of smart agriculture utilizing ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and IoT (Internet of Things) is underway. Research and development for the automation and unmanned operation of work vehicles such as tractors used in fields is also underway. For example, work vehicles that travel with automatic steering using a positioning system such as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) capable of precise positioning have been put into practical use.

[0003] In front of the driver's seat of an agricultural work vehicle such as a tractor, a meter panel is provided that displays the traveling speed, the load state of the engine, and the states of each part of the work vehicle and notifies the driver.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a general meter unit for a passenger car.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] On the meter panel installed in agricultural machinery such as tractors, it is required to accurately notify the operator of various information regarding the vehicle during travel or operation. Also, since such agricultural machinery performs various operations outdoors, it is necessary to display more information compared to ordinary passenger cars. When agricultural machinery is used for smart agriculture, it becomes necessary to display even more information. However, as the amount of information displayed on the meter panel increases, visibility decreases, making it difficult for the driver to obtain the necessary information.

[0007] Moreover, the increasing demands placed on such a meter panel apply not only to agricultural machinery but also to construction machinery used in construction sites. Hereinafter, mobile agricultural machinery and construction machinery will be collectively referred to as "work vehicles".

[0008] There are cases where a work implement is connected to a work vehicle and the power of the prime mover of the work vehicle is transmitted to the work implement via a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft. In such a case, it is required to clearly present to the driver the rotational speed of the prime mover for rotating the PTO shaft at an appropriate rotational speed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] A meter panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a meter panel for a work vehicle, the work vehicle including a prime mover that generates rotation and a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft to which the rotation generated by the prime mover is transmitted. The meter panel includes a tachometer that displays the rotational speed of the prime mover. The tachometer has a plurality of first segments to which different rotational speeds of the prime mover are assigned. The meter panel has two or more second segments arranged along the arrangement of the plurality of first segments, the two or more second segments being capable of displaying a mark for presenting to a user the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes a rated rotational speed. By switching on and off the display of each of the two or more second segments, the mark is displayed at a position corresponding to the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed.

[0010] The comprehensive or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented by an apparatus, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium, or any combination thereof. The computer-readable storage medium may include a volatile storage medium or a non-volatile storage medium. The apparatus may be composed of a plurality of apparatuses. When the apparatus is composed of two or more apparatuses, the two or more apparatuses may be arranged in one device or may be divided and arranged in two or more separate devices.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the meter panel has two or more second segments. By turning on the display of the second segment at a position corresponding to the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes a rated rotational speed (for example, 540 ± 10 rpm) and turning off the display of the other second segments, the user can easily recognize, by looking at the displayed mark, the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed.

[0012] Among multiple models of work vehicles, the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft reaches the rated rotational speed may differ from one another. By selecting the second segments that turn on the display from two or more second segments, marks can be displayed at positions suitable for each work vehicle. For multiple types of work vehicles in which the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft reaches the rated rotational speed differs from one another, meter panels of the same model number can be installed, reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0013] Also, in a form in which the work vehicle is equipped with a transmission for the PTO shaft, when the gear stage is changed, the magnitude of the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft reaches the rated rotational speed changes. By changing the second segments that turn on the display in response to the change in the gear stage, marks can be displayed at positions suitable for each gear stage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that parts denoted by the same reference numerals in a plurality of drawings indicate the same or equivalent parts. The signs F, Re, L, R, U, and D attached to the drawings represent the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively.

[0016] The following embodiments are examples for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Descriptions of the size, material, shape, relative arrangement, etc. of the components are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those, but are intended to be illustrative. The sizes and positional relationships of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for ease of understanding.

[0017] <Schematic Configuration of Work Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an example of a work vehicle 200 according to this embodiment. The illustrated work vehicle 200 is a tractor that pulls an implement (replaceable work machine) 300.

[0018] The work vehicle 200 shown in FIG. 1 includes a vehicle body 201, a prime mover (engine) 202, and a transmission 203. The vehicle body 201 is provided with a traveling device including wheels 204 with tires and a cabin 205. The traveling device includes four wheels 204, axles for rotating the four wheels, and a braking device (brake) for braking each axle. The wheels 204 in this example include a pair of front wheels 204F and a pair of rear wheels 204R. One or both of the front wheels 204F and the rear wheels 204R may be replaced with a plurality of wheels (crawlers) equipped with endless tracks instead of wheels with tires.

[0019] Inside the cabin 205, a meter panel 100, a driver's seat 207, a steering wheel 220, and a group of switches for operations according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are provided.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation switch group 801 and an operation terminal 802 provided inside the cabin 205 included in the work vehicle 200.

[0021] Inside the cabin, an operation switch group 801 including a plurality of switches operable by a user is arranged. The operation switch group 801 includes, for example, switches for selecting a gear position of main or sub-shifting, a switch for switching between forward and reverse, a switch for switching between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive, a switch for releasing the connection of the left and right brakes, a switch for selecting a gear position of the PTO shaft, and a switch for raising and lowering an implement, and the like.

[0022] The operation terminal 802 is a terminal for a user to perform operations related to the traveling of the work vehicle and the operation of the implement, and is also referred to as a virtual terminal (VT). The operation terminal 802 may include a touch screen type display device and / or one or more buttons. The display device may be a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

[0023] Refer to FIG. 1 again. The work vehicle 200 in FIG. 1 is equipped with a plurality of external sensors for sensing the surroundings of the work vehicle 200. The external sensors may include various sensors such as a plurality of cameras 270, a plurality of obstacle sensors 295, and a plurality of LiDAR sensors 290. The cameras 270 may be provided, for example, on the front, rear, left, and right of the work vehicle 200. The cameras 270 capture the environment around the work vehicle 200 and generate image data. The images acquired by the cameras 270 may be transmitted to, for example, a terminal device for remote monitoring. The cameras 270 are provided as needed, and the number thereof is arbitrary. The LiDAR sensor 290 is an example of an external sensor that outputs sensor data indicating the distribution of objects located in the surrounding environment of the work vehicle 200. In the example of FIG. 1, two LiDAR sensors 290 are arranged at the front and rear on the cabin 205. The LiDAR sensor 290 may be provided at other positions (for example, the lower front part of the vehicle body 201, etc.). Each LiDAR sensor 290 repeatedly outputs sensor data indicating the distance and direction to each measurement point of an object existing in the surrounding environment or the three-dimensional coordinate values of each measurement point while the work vehicle 200 is traveling. The number of LiDAR sensors 290 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of obstacle sensors 295 are provided at the front and rear of the cabin 205. The obstacle sensors 295 may also be arranged at other parts. The obstacle sensors 295 may include, for example, a laser scanner or an ultrasonic sonar. The LiDAR sensors 290 and the obstacle sensors 295 may be activated, for example, when the work vehicle 200 is traveling in the autonomous driving mode. The LiDAR sensors 290 and the obstacle sensors 295 are provided as needed, and the number of each is arbitrary. Only one of the LiDAR sensors 290 and the obstacle sensors 295 may be provided on the work vehicle 200. When they are not necessary, such as when the work vehicle 200 does not have an autonomous driving function, the work vehicle 200 may not be equipped with the LiDAR sensors 290 and the obstacle sensors 295.

[0024] The work vehicle 200 further includes a GNSS unit 260. GNSS is a general term for satellite positioning systems such as GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, e.g., Michibiki), GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. The GNSS unit 260 receives satellite signals (also referred to as GNSS signals) transmitted from a plurality of GNSS satellites and performs positioning based on the satellite signals. The GNSS unit 260 is provided on the upper part of the cabin 205, but it may be provided at other positions.

[0025] The prime mover 202 can be, for example, a diesel engine. An electric motor may be used instead of the diesel engine. The transmission 203 can change the propulsion force and moving speed of the work vehicle 200 by shifting gears. The transmission 203 can also switch between the forward and reverse movements of the work vehicle 200.

[0026] A coupling device 208 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 201. The coupling device 208 includes, for example, a three-point support device (also called "three-point link" or "three-point hitch"), a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft, a universal joint, and a communication cable. The implement 300 can be attached to and detached from the work vehicle 200 by the coupling device 208. The coupling device 208 can raise and lower the three-point link by, for example, a hydraulic device, and change the position or attitude of the implement 300. Also, power can be transmitted from the work vehicle 200 to the implement 300 via the universal joint. The work vehicle 200 can cause the implement 300 to perform a predetermined operation while towing the implement 300. The coupling device may be provided in front of the vehicle body 201. In that case, an implement can be connected in front of the work vehicle 200.

[0027] The implement 300 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a sprayer that sprays a chemical on crops, but the implement 300 is not limited to a sprayer. For example, any implement 300 such as a mower, a seeder, a spreader, a rake, a baler, a harvester, a plow, a cultivator, or a rotary can be connected to the work vehicle 200 and used.

[0028] In this way, the work vehicle 200 used in smart agriculture is equipped with various sensors and performs various operations together with various implements 300. In the process of such operations, it is necessary to provide the driver (user or operator) with various information regarding the running state and the working state. Therefore, the information to be displayed on the meter panel 100 can vary diversely according to the content and stage of the operation.

[0029] Note that the work vehicle 200 such as a tractor may be configured to travel by manual driving, automatic steering, or automatic driving.

[0030] <Schematic Configuration of Meter Panel> FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing a meter panel 100 attached to a tractor, which is one of the work vehicles, in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The meter panel 100 is disposed on the front side of the driver's seat of the tractor. For example, the meter panel 100 is fitted into the opening of the meter cover above the handle stay that rotatably supports the steering wheel (handle). The meter panel 100 is provided at a position visible to the driver sitting in the driver's seat.

[0031] The meter panel 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes a housing 101, a display unit 111, and indicator display units 112, 113, 114 disposed above, to the left, and to the right of the display unit 111. The display unit 111 and the indicator display units 112, 113, 114 are disposed on the display surface side of the meter panel 100. FIG. 4 is a view showing the display unit 111.

[0032] The display unit 111 and the indicator display units 112, 113, 114 display characters, symbols, icons, marks, etc. in a segment method. The display unit 111 and the indicator display units 112, 113, 114 may display various information in a dot matrix method. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the display unit 111 and the indicator display units 112, 113, 114 display various information in a segment method will be described.

[0033] Each segment has a light-transmitting region in a shape that defines a characteristic figure (including an icon and / or a character). Behind each segment, a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is arranged. The display / non-display of the segment is switched by turning on / off the light-emitting element behind it. By making the light-emitting element arranged behind a certain segment emit light, the display of that segment can be turned on. When the light-emitting element is not emitting light, the display of that segment is turned off.

[0034] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a state where the displays of all segments are on (a full-light state). The indicator display units 112, 113, 114 can display various display lights and warning lights. The display unit 111 can display, for example, the engine speed, the remaining fuel amount, the temperature of the engine cooling water, the operating time of the work vehicle, the deposition amount of PM (Particulate Matter) in the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), etc. The display unit 111 may also be able to display various display lights and warning lights.

[0035] <Information display system> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an information display system 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information display system 500 includes a meter panel 100 and a control device 400 that controls the meter panel 100. The control device 400 may include an electronic control unit (ECU) arranged in the work vehicle 200. The information display system 500 may further include an acoustic device such as a buzzer and a speaker.

[0036] The information display system 500 is communicably connected to the ECU group 610 and the sensor group 620 provided in the work vehicle via the bus B. The ECU group 610 may be collectively referred to as a "vehicle control device". In this specification, various ECUs provided in the work vehicle are called "vehicle ECUs", and the ECU in the control device 400 provided in the information display system 500 is called a "meter ECU" to distinguish between the two. The various vehicle ECUs and the meter ECU can communicate with each other according to a vehicle bus standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network). For example, one vehicle ECU among the ECU group 610 provided in the work vehicle receives signals from other vehicle ECUs and sensor data output from each sensor included in the sensor group 620, and according to the state of the work vehicle, instructs the meter ECU to turn on, turn off, or blink an indicator. The meter ECU receives an instruction from the vehicle ECU and turns on, turns off, or blinks the indicator.

[0037] In FIG. 5, the illustration of the wiring other than the wiring of the bus B is simplified. However, for example, there may be a wiring for directly transmitting a signal from one or more sensors included in the sensor group 620 provided in the work vehicle to the control device 400, or a wiring for connecting an input device through which a user inputs information and the control device 400. Also, there is a power supply wiring for supplying power from the battery to each of the meter panel 100, the control device 400, the ECU group 610 of the work vehicle, and the sensor group 620.

[0038] One example of the control device 400 in the present embodiment is a computing device including at least one processor and at least one memory storing a computer program (code) that defines a control process executed by the processor. Another example of the control device 400 is a computing device including a hardware accelerator such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASSP (Application Specific Standard Product), or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) configured to execute the control process.

[0039] The "processor" in the present embodiment is a hardware electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ISP (Image Signal Processor), or an NPU (Neural Network Processing Unit). The "memory" is a hardware electronic circuit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). A part of the memory may be a storage medium connected to the processor by wiring or a network. These hardware electronic circuits can be implemented by one or more integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs). Each functional unit or block within the electronic circuit, and related components, may be manufactured individually as separate integrated circuit chips, or some or all of these functional units or blocks may be combined and manufactured as a single integrated circuit chip.

[0040] The program that defines the operation of the processor is designed such that the processor executes one or more functions, operations, steps, or processes in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 400. The control device 400 includes a processor 434, a ROM 435, a RAM 436, an external I / F 437, and a communication I / F 438. These components are interconnected via a bus 439.

[0042] The ROM 435 is, for example, a writable memory (e.g., PROM), a rewritable memory (e.g., flash memory), or a read-only memory. The ROM 435 stores a program for controlling the operation of the processor. The ROM 435 does not necessarily have to be a single recording medium and may be a collection of multiple recording media. A part of the plurality of aggregates may be a removable memory.

[0043] The RAM 436 provides a work area for temporarily expanding the program stored in the ROM 435 at the time of booting. The RAM 436 does not necessarily have to be a single recording medium and may be a collection of multiple recording media.

[0044] The external I / F 437 is an interface for connecting the meter panel 100 to an external device. Examples of the external I / F 437 include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface and a digital or analog video interface.

[0045] The communication I / F 438 is an interface for performing communication between the control device 400 and other electronic components or ECUs. For example, the communication I / F 438 can perform wired communication compliant with various protocols such as CAN or Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication I / F 438 may perform wireless communication compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard and / or the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. Any of these standards includes a wireless communication standard using a frequency in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0046] The control device 400 may further include a storage device. The storage device can be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, or a combination thereof.

[0047] The ECU group 610 included in the work vehicle includes, for example, an ECU for speed control, an ECU for steering control, and an ECU for implement control. When the work vehicle (for example, a tractor) is configured to travel in automatic driving, the ECU group 610 may further include an ECU for automatic driving control. The ECU for automatic driving control performs calculations and controls for realizing automatic driving based on data output from various sensors mounted on the vehicle body.

[0048] The sensor group 620 may include, for example, a temperature sensor, an illuminance sensor, a fuel sensor, a water temperature sensor, an oil level gauge, an engine rotation sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a battery voltage sensor, a shuttle sensor, a hand throttle sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, a main transmission lever sensor, a sub-transmission lever sensor, a PTO shaft transmission lever sensor, a seat belt sensor, a PM sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), a geomagnetic sensor, an imaging device, a LiDAR sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an obstacle contact sensor, and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver.

[0049] The control device 400 of the information display system 500 may be an integrated circuit device mounted on a substrate inside the meter panel 100, or may be an external integrated circuit device externally attached to the meter panel 100. Also, part or all of the functions of the control device 400 may be realized by one or more vehicle ECUs. Alternatively, part or all of the functions of the control device 400 may be realized by one or more servers (computers) connected via the communication I / F 438 by a communication network. Thus, one or more vehicle ECUs and / or one or more servers can cooperate with the control device 400 to realize various functions required for the information display system 500. In this case, the vehicle ECU and / or the server function as part of the information display system 500.

[0050] The work vehicle 200 includes a power transmission device 230. The power transmission device 230 includes a transmission 203 (FIG. 1). The rotation generated by the prime mover 202 is transmitted to the wheels 204 via the power transmission device 230 and is also transmitted to the PTO shaft 235. The rotation transmitted to the PTO shaft 235 is transmitted to the implement 300 connected to the work vehicle 200. Thus, the power of the prime mover 202 is transmitted to the implement 300 via the PTO shaft 235.

[0051] The power transmission device 230 may further include a PTO shaft transmission 231. The PTO shaft transmission 231 can change the ratio between the rotational speed of the prime mover 202 and the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235. In this case, the work vehicle 200 may include a PTO shaft transmission lever 232. By the driver operating the PTO shaft transmission lever 232, the gear stage of the PTO shaft transmission 231 can be changed.

[0052] In the work using the implement 300 connected to the work vehicle 200, it is desirable to adjust the rotational speed of the prime mover 202 so that the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes an appropriate rotational speed. The appropriate rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 is, for example, the rated rotational speed.

[0053] The rated rotational speed is a rotational speed predetermined as the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235. The rated rotational speed is, for example, 540 ± 10 (rpm), but is not limited to that value. For example, the rated rotational speed may be 1000 ± 25 (rpm). The value of the rated rotational speed can be determined according to standards and the like. Hereinafter, an example where the rated rotational speed is 540 ± 10 (rpm) will be described.

[0054] The meter panel 100 of the present embodiment clearly presents to the driver the rotational speed of the prime mover 202 at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a tachometer 120 included in the display unit 111 of the meter panel 100. The tachometer 120 displays the rotational speed of the prime mover 202. Hereinafter, the rotational speed of the prime mover 202 may be expressed as the "engine rotational speed" in some cases.

[0056] The tachometer 120 is a digital tachometer and has a plurality of segments (first segments) 121. Different engine speeds are assigned to each of the plurality of segments 121. In the example shown in FIG. 7, 28 segments 121 are arranged in an arc. The 28 segments 121 constitute an arc-shaped bar graph.

[0057] The numerical values "0", "1", "2", "3" attached adjacent to the bar graph represent the engine speed, and represent "0 (rpm)", "1000 (rpm)", "2000 (rpm)", "3000 (rpm)" respectively.

[0058] In the range of approximately 1000 - 3000 (rpm), the number of segments 121 that light up increases by one for every 100 (rpm) increase in the engine speed. Also, the number of segments 121 that light up decreases by one for every 100 (rpm) decrease in the engine speed.

[0059] Light emitting elements are arranged behind each of the plurality of segments 121. The sensor group 620 includes an engine rotation sensor 620a that detects the rotation speed of the prime mover 202. The control device 400 acquires the value of the engine speed based on the output signal of the engine rotation sensor 620a. The control device 400 can display the engine speed on the tachometer 120 by controlling the on and off of the light emission of each of the plurality of light emitting elements according to the engine speed.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a plurality of segments 131 (second segments) arranged along the arrangement of the plurality of segments 121. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 111 has six segments 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d, 131e, 131f as the segments 131.

[0061] The 28 segments 121 include segments 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d, 121e, and 121f. Segments 131a - 131f are arranged adjacent to segments 121a - 121f.

[0062] Segments 131a - 131f display a mark for presenting to the driver the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed. Light emitting elements are arranged behind each of segments 131a - 131f.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing light emitting elements 141a - 141f arranged behind segments 131a - 131f. The light emitting elements 141a - 141f are, for example, LEDs.

[0064] The light emitting element 141a is arranged behind the segment 131a. When the light emitting element 141a emits light, the segment 131a displays the above - mentioned mark. When the light emitting element 141a is turned off, the segment 131a does not display the above - mentioned mark.

[0065] The light emitting element 141b is arranged behind the segment 131b. When the light emitting element 141b emits light, the segment 131b displays the above - mentioned mark. When the light emitting element 141b is turned off, the segment 131b does not display the above - mentioned mark.

[0066] The light emitting element 141c is arranged behind the segment 131c. When the light emitting element 141c emits light, the segment 131c displays the above - mentioned mark. When the light emitting element 141c is turned off, the segment 131c does not display the above - mentioned mark.

[0067] The light emitting element 141d is arranged behind the segment 131d. When the light emitting element 141d emits light, the segment 131d displays the above - mentioned mark. When the light emitting element 141d is turned off, the segment 131d does not display the above - mentioned mark.

[0068] The light-emitting element 141e is arranged behind the segment 131e, and when the light-emitting element 141e emits light, the segment 131e displays the above mark. When the light-emitting element 141e is turned off, the segment 131e does not display the above mark.

[0069] The light-emitting element 141f is arranged behind the segment 131f, and when the light-emitting element 141f emits light, the segment 131f displays the above mark. When the light-emitting element 141f is turned off, the segment 131f does not display the above mark.

[0070] The control device 400 can switch the on and off of the display of each of the segments 131a - 131f by switching the on and off of the light emission of each of the light-emitting elements 141a - 141f. By switching the on and off of the display of each of the segments 131a - 131f, the above mark can be displayed at a position corresponding to the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed.

[0071] The control device 400 turns on the display of the segment 131 at a position corresponding to the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed, and turns off the display of the other segments 131. Thereby, the driver can easily recognize the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed by looking at the displayed mark.

[0072] As described above, the power transmission device 230 may include a PTO shaft transmission 231. When the power transmission device 230 includes a PTO shaft transmission 231, the driver can change the gear stage of the PTO shaft transmission 231, for example, by operating the PTO shaft shift lever 232.

[0073] The number of shift positions of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is arbitrary. Here, it is assumed that the number of shift positions of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is "2". The PTO shaft transmission 231 can change the shift position between "first gear" and "second gear". The number of shift positions of the PTO shaft transmission 231 may be "3" or more.

[0074] When the shift position of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is changed, the magnitude of the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed changes. By changing the segment 131 for turning on the display according to the change of the shift position, a mark can be displayed at a position suitable for each shift position.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of changing the segment 131 for turning on the display according to the change of the shift position. FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing examples of the display of the segment 131.

[0076] The sensor group 620 includes a PTO shaft shift lever sensor 620b that detects the lever position of the PTO shaft shift lever 232. The shift position of the PTO shaft transmission 231 can be detected from the lever position. The control device 400 acquires shift position information indicating the shift position of the PTO shaft transmission 231 based on the output signal of the PTO shaft shift lever sensor 620b (step S101). The control device 400 may acquire the shift position information based on the output signal of a shift position sensor provided in the PTO shaft transmission 231.

[0077] In the ROM 435 of the control device 400, table information indicating the relationship between the shift position and the segment 131 for turning on the display is stored. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the table information 151. Here, as an example, when the shift position of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is "first gear", the display of the segment 131e is turned on, and when the shift position of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is "second gear", the display of the segment 131c is turned on. Such a relationship is shown in the table information 151.

[0078] Based on the table information 151 and the gear stage information, the control device 400 determines the segment 131 to turn on the display (step S102).

[0079] For example, when the gear stage of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is "first gear", the control device 400 turns on the display of segment 131e (step S103). The control device 400 turns off the displays of segments 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d, and 131f other than segment 131e.

[0080] FIG. 11 shows the display unit 111 with the display of segment 131e being on.

[0081] For example, when the gear stage of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is "first gear", assume that the recommended engine speed is 2600 (rpm). Segment 121e of the tachometer 120 corresponds to 2600 (rpm). By turning on the display of segment 131e adjacent to segment 121e, a mark 130 for presenting to the driver the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed is displayed at a position adjacent to segment 121e. The driver can easily recognize the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed by looking at the displayed mark 130.

[0082] The driver can rotate the PTO shaft 235 at the rated rotational speed by adjusting the engine speed so that the display position of the rotational speed of the tachometer 120 is at the position of segment 121e adjacent to the mark 130.

[0083] The control device 400 turns on the display of segment 132 of the symbol representing the rated rotational speed. By displaying the symbol representing the rated rotational speed near the mark 130, the driver can easily recognize that the mark 130 is a mark indicating the rated rotational speed.

[0084] When the control device 400 detects that the gear stage of the PTO shaft transmission 231 has been changed based on the output signal of the PTO shaft shift lever sensor 620b, it changes the segment 131 that turns on the display (steps S104 and S105).

[0085] For example, when the gear stage of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is changed to "second speed", the display of segment 131c is turned on (step S103). The control device 400 turns off the displays of segments 131a, 131b, 131d, 131e, and 131f other than segment 131c.

[0086] FIG. 12 shows the display unit 111 in which the display of segment 131c is on.

[0087] For example, when the gear stage of the PTO shaft transmission 231 is "second speed", assume that the recommended engine speed is 2400 (rpm). Segment 121c of the tachometer 120 corresponds to 2400 (rpm). By turning on the display of segment 131c adjacent to segment 121c, a mark 130 for presenting to the driver the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed is displayed at a position adjacent to segment 121c. The driver can easily recognize the engine speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed by looking at the displayed mark 130.

[0088] The driver can rotate the PTO shaft 235 at the rated rotational speed by adjusting the engine speed so that the display position of the rotational speed of the tachometer 120 is at the position of segment 121c adjacent to the mark 130.

[0089] The control device 400 turns on the display of segment 132 with a symbol representing the rated rotational speed. By displaying the symbol representing the rated rotational speed near the mark 130, the driver can easily recognize that the mark 130 is a mark indicating the rated rotational speed.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 4, the segment 132 of the symbol representing the rated rotational speed may be provided at two or more positions. By changing the segment 132 that turns on the display in accordance with the change of the segment 131 that turns on the display, a symbol representing the rated rotational speed can be displayed at a position closer to the mark 130.

[0091] The control device 400 acquires rotational speed information indicating the engine rotational speed based on the output signal of the engine rotation sensor 620a. When the engine rotational speed is not the rotational speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed, the control device 400 may cause the segment 131 that turns on the display to blink. Thereby, the driver can easily recognize that the engine rotational speed is inappropriate.

[0092] Further, when the engine rotational speed reaches the rotational speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed, the control device 400 causes the segment 131 that turns on the display to be continuously displayed instead of blinking. Thereby, the driver can easily recognize that the engine rotational speed is appropriate.

[0093] Next, an embodiment in which the segments 131 that turn on the display are made different from each other among a plurality of models of the work vehicle 200 will be described.

[0094] Among a plurality of models of the work vehicle 200, the magnitudes of the engine rotational speeds at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed may be different from each other. By selecting the segment 131 that turns on the display from among the plurality of segments 131 according to the model, the mark 130 can be displayed at a position suitable for each model. For a plurality of types of work vehicles 200 in which the magnitudes of the engine rotational speeds at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed are different from each other, the same model number of the meter panel 100 can be attached, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0095] In the ROM 435 of the control device 400, table information indicating the relationship between the model of the work vehicle 200 and the segment 131 for turning on the display is stored. FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing an example of the table information 152. The model information indicates, for example, the model number of the work vehicle 200. The segment information indicates the segment 131 for turning on the display. When the work vehicle 200 is equipped with the PTO shaft transmission 231, as shown in FIG. 15, the segment information indicates a plurality of segments 131 corresponding to a plurality of speed stages.

[0096] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for setting the segment 131 for turning on the display according to the model.

[0097] When the meter panel 100 is attached to the work vehicle 200 at a factory or dealership, etc., the operator operates an input device such as a user interface to input model information indicating the model number of the work vehicle 200. Thereby, the control device 400 acquires the model information (step S201). Based on the acquired model information and the table information 152, the control device 400 can set the segment 131 for turning on the display (step S202).

[0098] The operator may operate the input device to input rotational speed information indicating the engine rotational speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotational speed. In this case, the control device 400 sets, as the segment 131 for turning on the display, the segment 131 adjacent to the segment 121 corresponding to the engine rotational speed indicated by the input rotational speed information.

[0099] Further, the operator may operate the input device to input segment information designating the segment 131 for turning on the display. The control device 400 sets, as the segment 131 for turning on the display, the segment 131 indicated by the input segment information.

[0100] The segment 131 for turning on the display may be set by the operator operating the switch. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a switch unit 145 for selecting the segment 131 for turning on the display. The switch unit 145 may be provided between the control device 400 and the light emitting elements 141a - 141f. The type of the switch unit 145 is arbitrary, for example, a selector switch. The switch unit 145 may include six switches for individually turning on / off each of the light emitting elements 141a - 141f. The operator can operate the switch unit 145 to set the segment 131 for turning on the display.

[0101] By selecting the segment 131 for turning on the display from a plurality of segments 131 according to the model of the work vehicle 200, the mark 130 can be displayed at a position suitable for each model. For a plurality of types of work vehicles 200 in which the magnitudes of the engine rotation speeds at which the rotation speed of the PTO shaft 235 becomes the rated rotation speed are different from each other, the same model number of the meter panel 100 can be attached, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0102] As described above, the present disclosure includes the meter panel, the information display system, the information display method, the computer program, and the work vehicle described below.

[0103] [Item 1] A meter panel for a work vehicle, wherein the work vehicle has a prime mover that generates rotation, a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft to which the rotation generated by the prime mover is transmitted, and is provided with the meter panel includes a tachometer for displaying the rotation speed of the prime mover, the tachometer has a plurality of first segments to which rotation speeds of the prime mover having different magnitudes are assigned, The meter panel is two or more second segments arranged along the array of the plurality of first segments, and has two or more second segments capable of displaying a mark for presenting to the user the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed. A meter panel that displays the mark at a position corresponding to the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed by switching on and off the display of each of the two or more second segments.

[0104] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the meter panel has two or more second segments. By turning on the display of the second segment at a position corresponding to the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed (for example, 540 ± 10 rpm) and turning off the display of the other second segments, the user can easily recognize, by looking at the displayed mark, the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed.

[0105] Among multiple models of work vehicles, the magnitudes of the rotational speeds of the prime movers at which the rotational speeds of the PTO shafts become the rated rotational speeds may be different from each other. By selecting the second segment to be turned on from among the two or more second segments, the mark can be displayed at a position suitable for each work vehicle. For multiple types of work vehicles in which the magnitudes of the rotational speeds of the prime movers at which the rotational speeds of the PTO shafts become the rated rotational speeds are different from each other, meter panels of the same model number can be attached, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0106] Also, in a form in which the work vehicle is equipped with a transmission for the PTO shaft, when the gear stage thereof is changed, the magnitude of the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed changes. By changing the second segment to be turned on in accordance with the change in the gear stage, the mark can be displayed at a position suitable for each gear stage.

[0107] [Item 2] The meter panel according to Item 1, wherein the two or more second segments are arranged adjacent to two or more of the plurality of first segments.

[0108] [Item 3] The meter panel according to Item 1, further comprising a switch for selecting a second segment that turns on the display among the two or more second segments.

[0109] [Item 4] The meter panel according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the rated rotational speed is a rotational speed predetermined as the rotational speed of the PTO shaft transmitted to a working machine connected to the work vehicle to perform work.

[0110] [Item 5] A meter panel according to any one of Items 1 to 4, a control device for controlling the operation of the meter panel, and an information display system comprising: The work vehicle includes a transmission that changes the ratio between the rotational speed of the prime mover and the rotational speed of the PTO shaft, The control device, acquires shift stage information indicating the shift stage of the transmission, and an information display system that switches on and off the display of each of the two or more second segments based on the shift stage information.

[0111] [Item 6] The information display system according to Item 5, wherein the control device varies the second segment that turns on the display among the two or more second segments when the shift stage information indicates a first shift stage and when the shift stage information indicates a second shift stage different from the first shift stage.

[0112] [Item 7] The plurality of first segments includes a third segment and a fourth segment different from the third segment, the two or more second segments include a fifth segment adjacent to the third segment and a sixth segment adjacent to the fourth segment, the control device, When the shift stage information indicates the first shift stage, the display of the fifth segment is turned on, and the display of the sixth segment is turned off. The information display system according to item 6, wherein when the shift stage information indicates the second shift stage, the display of the sixth segment is turned on, and the display of the fifth segment is turned off.

[0113] [Item 8] The information display system further includes a storage device that stores table information indicating the relationship between the shift stage of the transmission and the second segment among the two or more second segments whose display is turned on. The control device determines the second segment among the two or more second segments whose display is turned on based on the shift stage information and the table information. The information display system according to any one of items 5 to 7.

[0114] [Item 9] The meter panel according to any one of items 1 to 4, A control device that controls the operation of the meter panel, An information display system comprising: The control device, acquires at least one of the model information indicating the model of the work vehicle, the rotational speed information indicating the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, and the segment information indicating the second segment among the two or more second segments whose display is turned on, An information display system that sets the on and off of the display of each of the two or more second segments based on at least one of the model information, the rotational speed information, and the segment information.

[0115] [Item 10] The control device, acquires rotational speed information indicating the rotational speed of the prime mover, The information display system according to any one of items 5 to 9, wherein when the rotational speed of the prime mover is not the rotational speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, the second segment for turning on the display is caused to blink.

[0116] [Item 11] The information display system according to item 10, wherein when the rotational speed of the prime mover is the rotational speed at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, the control device causes the second segment for turning on the display to be continuously displayed.

[0117] [Item 12] The work vehicle includes a sensor that detects the gear position of the transmission. The information display system according to any one of items 5 to 8, wherein the control device generates the gear position information based on an output signal of the sensor that detects the gear position.

[0118] [Item 13] The work vehicle includes a sensor that detects the rotational speed of the prime mover. The information display system according to item 10, wherein the control device generates the rotational speed information based on an output signal of the sensor that detects the rotational speed of the prime mover.

[0119] [Item 14] A work vehicle including the meter panel according to any one of items 1 to 4 or the information display system according to any one of items 5 to 13.

[0120] [Item 15] The work vehicle according to item 14, wherein the work vehicle is a tractor.

[0121] [Item 16] An information display method for causing a meter panel to display information related to a work vehicle, which is executed by one or more computers, wherein the work vehicle includes a prime mover that generates rotation, and A PTO (Power Take Off) shaft to which the rotation generated by the prime mover is transmitted, A speed change device that changes the ratio between the rotational speed of the prime mover and the rotational speed of the PTO shaft, Comprising, The meter panel can display the rotational speed of the prime mover and can display a mark for presenting to the user the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, The information display method is, Obtaining shift stage information indicating the shift stage of the speed change device, Changing the display position of the mark based on the shift stage information, An information display method including.

[0122] [Item 17] A computer program for causing one or more computers to execute an operation of displaying information related to a work vehicle on a meter panel, The work vehicle is, A prime mover that generates rotation, A PTO (Power Take Off) shaft to which the rotation generated by the prime mover is transmitted, A speed change device that changes the ratio between the rotational speed of the prime mover and the rotational speed of the PTO shaft, Comprising, The meter panel can display the rotational speed of the prime mover and can display a mark for presenting to the user the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, The computer program is, Obtaining shift stage information indicating the shift stage of the speed change device, Changing the display position of the mark based on the shift stage information, A computer program for causing the one or more computers to execute.

Industrial Applicability

[0123] The technology of the present disclosure is particularly useful in, for example, the field of work vehicles.

Description of Symbols

[0124] 100: Meter panel, 101: Housing, 111: Display unit, 112: Indicator display unit, 113: Indicator display unit, 114: Indicator display unit, 120: Tachometer, 121: Segment (first segment), 130: Mark, 131: Segment (second segment), 132: Segment, 141: Light-emitting element (LED), 145: Switch unit, 151: Table information 152: Table information 200: Work vehicle, 202: Prime mover, 203: Transmission, 230: Power transmission device, 231: PTO shaft transmission, 232: PTO shaft transmission lever, 235: PTO shaft, 300: Implement (working machine), 400: Control device, 500: Information display system

Claims

1. A meter panel for a work vehicle, wherein the work vehicle includes a prime mover that generates rotation, a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft to which the rotation generated by the prime mover is transmitted, and is provided with, the meter panel includes a tachometer that displays the rotational speed of the prime mover, the tachometer has a plurality of first segments to which rotational speeds of the prime mover of different sizes are assigned, the meter panel has two or more second segments arranged along the arrangement of the plurality of first segments, and the two or more second segments are capable of displaying a mark for presenting to the user the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, a meter panel that displays the mark at a position corresponding to the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed by switching on and off the display of each of the two or more second segments.

2. The meter panel according to claim 1, wherein the two or more second segments are arranged adjacent to two or more of the plurality of first segments.

3. The meter panel according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for selecting a second segment among the two or more second segments whose display is to be turned on.

4. The meter panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rated rotational speed is a rotational speed predetermined as the rotational speed of the PTO shaft transmitted to a working machine connected to the work vehicle to perform work.

5. An information display system comprising the meter panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a control device that controls the operation of the meter panel, wherein the work vehicle includes a transmission that changes the ratio between the rotational speed of the prime mover and the rotational speed of the PTO shaft, the control device acquires shift stage information indicating the shift stage of the transmission, and switches on and off the display of each of the two or more second segments based on the shift stage information.

6. The information display system according to claim 5, wherein the control device varies the second segment among the two or more second segments whose display is to be turned on when the shift stage information indicates a first shift stage and when the shift stage information indicates a second shift stage different from the first shift stage.

7. ​ The plurality of first segments includes a third segment and a fourth segment different from the third segment, the two or more second segments include a fifth segment adjacent to the third segment and a sixth segment adjacent to the fourth segment, the control device, when the shift stage information indicates the first shift stage, turns on the display of the fifth segment and turns off the display of the sixth segment, when the shift stage information indicates the second shift stage, turns on the display of the sixth segment and turns off the display of the fifth segment, the information display system according to claim 6.

8. The information display system further includes a storage device that stores table information indicating the relationship between the shift stage of the transmission and the second segment among the two or more second segments whose display is turned on, the control device determines a second segment whose display is turned on among the two or more second segments based on the shift stage information and the table information, the information display system according to claim 5.

9. A meter panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a control device that controls the operation of the meter panel, An information display system comprising: the control device, acquires at least one of model information indicating the model of the work vehicle, rotation speed information indicating the rotation speed of the prime mover at which the rotation speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotation speed, and segment information indicating the second segment among the two or more second segments whose display is turned on, An information display system that sets on and off the display of each of the two or more second segments based on at least one of the model information, the rotation speed information, and the segment information.

10. the control device, acquires rotation speed information indicating the rotation speed of the prime mover, when the rotation speed of the prime mover is not the rotation speed at which the rotation speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotation speed, the information display system according to claim 5, in which the second segment whose display is turned on is caused to blink.

11. when the rotation speed of the prime mover is the rotation speed at which the rotation speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotation speed, the control device continuously displays the second segment whose display is turned on, the information display system according to claim 10.

12. the work vehicle includes a sensor that detects the shift stage of the transmission, The information display system according to claim 5, wherein the control device generates the shift stage information based on an output signal of the sensor that detects the shift stage.

13. The work vehicle includes a sensor that detects the rotational speed of the prime mover, The information display system according to claim 10, wherein the control device generates the rotational speed information based on an output signal of the sensor that detects the rotational speed of the prime mover.

14. A work vehicle comprising the meter panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

15. The work vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the work vehicle is a tractor.

16. An information display method for causing one or more computers to display information related to a work vehicle on a meter panel, wherein the work vehicle has a prime mover that generates rotation, a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft to which the rotation generated by the prime mover is transmitted, a transmission that changes a ratio between the rotational speed of the prime mover and the rotational speed of the PTO shaft, and is provided with the meter panel can display the rotational speed of the prime mover and can display a mark for presenting to the user the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, the information display method acquires shift stage information indicating a shift stage of the transmission, changes a display position of the mark based on the shift stage information, and includes an information display method.

17. A computer program for causing one or more computers to execute an operation of displaying information related to a work vehicle on a meter panel, wherein the work vehicle has a prime mover that generates rotation, a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft to which the rotation generated by the prime mover is transmitted, a transmission that changes a ratio between the rotational speed of the prime mover and the rotational speed of the PTO shaft, and is provided with the meter panel can display the rotational speed of the prime mover and can display a mark for presenting to the user the rotational speed of the prime mover at which the rotational speed of the PTO shaft becomes the rated rotational speed, the computer program acquires shift stage information indicating a shift stage of the transmission, changes a display position of the mark based on the shift stage information, and causes the one or more computers to execute the computer program.

Images