Work vehicle

Abstract

To achieve a technique that enables a driver to distinguish and grasp various abnormalities of a vehicle, with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A work vehicle comprises: a vehicle state detecting part VS that detects a state of a vehicle and outputs a state detection signal; an abnormality sensing part 51 that senses an abnormality of the vehicle on the basis of the state detection signal; an abnormality state determining part 52 that determines a sensed abnormality state of the abnormality of the vehicle; an output periodic pattern determining part 54 that determines one output periodic pattern from a plurality of output periodic patterns of simple audible sound, on the basis of the abnormality state; and an acoustic device 95 that repeatedly outputs the simple audible sound on the basis of the output periodic pattern determined as abnormality notification sound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle that detects a vehicle abnormality and notifies the user of the abnormality. [Background technology]

[0002] The work vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a notification unit that issues a warning of drive belt wear when the engine speed detected by the rotation detection unit falls outside a preset allowable range even though the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit is a predetermined vehicle speed. In this case, a buzzer device that generates sound is cited as an example of the notification unit.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a work vehicle (brush cutter) that, when a vehicle problem is detected, applies a pulsation to the rotational drive of the cutting blade of the mower unit to make the driver aware of the vehicle problem. At this time, the drive is controlled so that the pulsation increases as the vehicle speed increases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-25207 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6820801 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the work vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the driver can detect abnormalities in the drive belt by the buzzer sound, but cannot detect other vehicle abnormalities through the buzzer sound. In Patent Document 2, vehicle trouble can be detected through the pulsating rotation of the mower unit, and further, by increasing the pulsation at high speeds, the problem of the pulsation being difficult to sense due to vibrations associated with high-speed driving is solved. However, no consideration is given to allowing the driver to detect various vehicle troubles solely through changes in pulsation, and it is difficult for the driver to determine the type of vehicle trouble from the strength of the pulsation.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to realize a technology with a simple configuration that allows a driver to distinguish and recognize various vehicle abnormalities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The work vehicle according to the present invention comprises a vehicle state detection unit that detects the vehicle state and outputs a state detection signal; an abnormality detection unit that detects a vehicle abnormality based on the state detection signal; an abnormal state determination unit that determines the abnormal state of the detected vehicle abnormality; an output periodic pattern determination unit that determines one output periodic pattern from a plurality of output periodic patterns of simple audible sounds based on the abnormal state; and an acoustic device that repeatedly outputs the simple audible sound as an abnormality alarm sound based on the output periodic pattern determined by the output periodic pattern determination unit.

[0008] According to this configuration, a simple audible sound is output from the acoustic device in an output periodic pattern determined according to the abnormal state. Therefore, even though a simple audible sound is simply output, a person who hears this sound can recognize the output periodic pattern and grasp the specific abnormal state. Furthermore, since a buzzer can be used as the acoustic device that outputs the simple audible sound, it is also advantageous in terms of cost. Here, the simple audible sound refers to a beep sound such as "beep" or "beep."

[0009] Since the output periodic pattern is a combination (rhythm) of the output time and stop time of the simple audible sound, any appropriately selected pattern can be assigned to various abnormal conditions. For example, for an abnormal condition requiring a high level of urgency to be notified, it is preferable to select an output periodic pattern having a characteristic rhythm that creates a sense of psychological tension. For this reason, the present invention proposes that the output periodic pattern be defined by the output time and stop time within the repeating period of the simple audible sound.

[0010] The vehicle state of a work vehicle includes the driving state such as the engine state and gear shift state of the vehicle, the operating state of controls operated by the driver, the driver state indicating whether the driver is in a normal position or posture, etc. For this reason, the present invention proposes that the vehicle state includes the vehicle driving state, the vehicle operating state, and the driver state, and that when the abnormal state is likely to cause significant damage, the volume of the sound accompanying the output periodic pattern derived based on the abnormal state is an alarm volume that can be heard even outside the vehicle.

[0011] Vehicle abnormalities are diverse, and even the same vehicle abnormality can have different levels of abnormality (degree of abnormality). For example, abnormal rotation speed or excessive vehicle speed can have different degrees of abnormality depending on the extent to which the abnormality deviates from the allowable range. For this reason, in the present invention, the abnormal state includes the type of the vehicle abnormality and the abnormality level of the vehicle abnormality. This makes it possible to issue an abnormality alert appropriate to the type and level of the abnormal state.

[0012] Abnormal conditions in a vehicle are often caused by multiple factors. In such cases, several types of abnormal conditions may occur, so it is important that the most important abnormal condition is reported. For this reason, the present invention proposes that notification priorities are set for the abnormal conditions, and that the vehicle abnormality with the highest notification priority is reported first.

[0013] When a vehicle abnormality occurs, it is important to first make the driver aware of the abnormality by a simple audible sound, but it is also important to provide more detailed abnormality information at the same time or afterwards. Such detailed abnormality information is preferably conveyed by a code or message indicating the abnormal condition. For this reason, the present invention proposes that the code or message indicating the abnormal condition be displayed on a display device together with the output of the simple audible sound. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a utility vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a utility vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functional parts that configure the control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a pattern derivation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A multipurpose vehicle, which is an example of a work vehicle according to the present invention, will be described below. In the following description, with respect to the multipurpose vehicle, the direction of arrow F shown in the drawings will be referred to as the "front of the vehicle body," the direction of arrow B as the "rear of the vehicle body," the direction of arrow U as the "upper of the vehicle body," the direction of arrow D as the "lower of the vehicle body," the direction of arrow L as the "left of the vehicle body," and the direction of arrow R as the "right of the vehicle body."

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the multipurpose vehicle has a body frame 3 supported on the ground by a pair of left and right front wheels 1 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 2. The front wheels 1 are drivable and steerable, and the rear wheels 2 are drivable. A driver's section 9 is formed at the front of the body frame 3, and a cargo bed 4 is mounted at the rear of the body frame 3. An engine E and a transmission T are mounted below the cargo bed 4. The driver's section 9 is surrounded by a ROPs 8.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the driver's section 9 is provided with a driver's seat 9A and a passenger seat 9B. A steering wheel 90 is disposed in front of the driver's seat 9A, and a dashboard 91 including an instrument panel 92 is disposed in front of the steering wheel 90. As shown in FIG. 2, a display 94 as a display device and various operation buttons are disposed on the instrument panel 92. Furthermore, the dashboard 91 is provided with a buzzer 93 as an acoustic device. The buzzer 93 may be disposed on the instrument panel 92. Although not shown, the driver's section 9 is also provided with manual operating devices such as an accelerator pedal for adjusting the driving speed, a brake pedal for braking, and a gear shift lever for changing gears.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing functional parts in the control unit 5 that are related to an abnormality notification function that notifies of a vehicle abnormality.

[0019] A vehicle is equipped with various vehicle state detection units VS for detecting the vehicle driving state, vehicle operation state, driver state, etc. Therefore, the vehicle state detection units VS include an engine sensor for detecting the engine state, a gear change sensor for detecting the driving state such as the gear change state, an operation detection sensor for detecting the operation state of an operating tool operated by the driver, a driver sensor for detecting whether the driver is in the correct position, etc. The vehicle state detection units VS output state detection signals that are the detection results.

[0020] The control unit 5 includes functional sections particularly related to the present invention, such as an abnormality detection section 51, an abnormal state determination section 52, a pattern derivation section 53, an output periodic pattern determination section 54, an abnormality information display data generation section 55, and a notification control section 56. These functional sections are constructed using software, hardware, or both.

[0021] The abnormality detection unit 51 detects a vehicle abnormality based on the state detection signal sent from the vehicle state detection unit VS. A state detection signal that is deemed to be a vehicle abnormality from the state detection signal is provided to the abnormal state determination unit 52 as a vehicle abnormality (abnormal state detection signal data). The abnormality detection unit 51 can detect various vehicle abnormalities from various state detection signals substantially simultaneously. For example, a vehicle speed abnormality and a gear shift operation abnormality may be detected simultaneously.

[0022] The abnormal condition determination unit 52 analyzes the abnormal condition detection signal data as a vehicle abnormality acquired from the abnormality detection unit 51 in more detail using threshold judgment, rule judgment, etc., to determine the abnormal condition including the type of abnormality and the abnormality level of the vehicle abnormality. For this reason, the abnormal condition determination unit 52 is provided with an abnormal condition management unit 52a having an algorithm for determining the abnormal condition including the type of abnormality and the abnormality level from the content of the abnormal condition detection signal data.

[0023] 3, for example, the abnormality type, abnormality level, and priority are assigned as attribute values ​​to the abnormality state output from the abnormality state determination unit 52. The priority means the notification priority, and the abnormality state with the highest notification priority is notified first.

[0024] The output period pattern determination unit 54 determines one output period pattern from a plurality of output period patterns of simple audible sounds based on the abnormal state provided by the abnormal state determination unit 52. The pattern derivation unit 53 is used to determine this output period pattern. Note that when abnormal states are provided substantially simultaneously (continuously), the abnormal state with the highest notification priority is accepted as the one to be processed.

[0025] 4, the pattern derivation unit 53 is configured as a lookup table. When an abnormal state having an abnormality type, an abnormality level, and a priority as attribute values ​​is input, the pattern derivation unit 53 derives an output period pattern that matches the abnormal state and returns it to the output period pattern determination unit 54. The output period pattern determination unit 54 determines the received output period pattern as the output period pattern for notifying the current abnormal state, and provides it to the notification control unit 56.

[0026] Figure 4 shows two output period patterns. These output period patterns specify the output time and stop time within the repeat period of the simple audible sound. There may be one or more output times and stop times within the repeat period, and if there are multiple output times and stop times, the respective output times and stop times may be different.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the output cycle pattern provided to the notification control unit 56 is accompanied by data defining the volume. In particular, when an abnormal condition is highly likely to cause significant damage, the volume accompanying the output cycle pattern derived based on the abnormal condition is set to a notification volume that can be heard even outside the vehicle. In other abnormal conditions, the same volume is applied.

[0028] The notification control unit 56 generates a buzzer drive signal based on the given output cycle pattern and provides it to the buzzer 95. As a result, the buzzer 95 repeatedly outputs a simple audible sound based on the output cycle pattern as an abnormality notification sound. Note that the abnormality notification sound from the buzzer 95 can be stopped by operating an appropriate operating tool.

[0029] The abnormality information display data generating unit 55 generates display data for displaying a code, message, etc. indicating the abnormal state that has been notified on the display 94, along with an abnormality alert by a simple audible sound from the buzzer 95. As a result, along with an abnormality alert by the buzzer 95, a code, message, etc. indicating the abnormal state are displayed on the display 94.

[0030] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the tone of the buzzer 95 is not limited. However, if the buzzer 95 can output at least high and low tones as tones, it is possible to include the tone in the output periodic pattern.

[0031] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the buzzer 95 is used as the acoustic device, but an acoustic device capable of outputting a simple audible sound other than the buzzer 95, such as a bell, a speaker, or bone conduction headphones, may also be used.

[0032] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multipurpose vehicle. However, the present invention can also be applied to all other work vehicles, such as brush cutters, snow plows, tractors, and harvesters.

[0033] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0034] The present invention is applied to a work vehicle that detects a vehicle abnormality and notifies the abnormality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 5: Control unit 51: Abnormality detection unit 52: Abnormal state determination unit 52a: Abnormal state control unit 53: Pattern derivation part 54: Output periodic pattern determination unit 55: Abnormality information display data generation unit 56: Notification control section 92: Instrument panel 94: Display 95: Buzzer (acoustic device) VS: Vehicle status detection unit

Claims

1. a vehicle state detection unit that detects a vehicle state and outputs a state detection signal; an abnormality detection unit that detects a vehicle abnormality based on the state detection signal; an abnormality state determination unit that determines an abnormality state of the detected vehicle abnormality; an output periodic pattern determination unit that determines one output periodic pattern from a plurality of output periodic patterns of simple audible sounds based on the abnormal state; an acoustic device that repeatedly outputs the simple audible sound as an abnormality notification sound based on the output periodic pattern determined by the output periodic pattern determination unit; A work vehicle equipped with:

2. The work vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the output periodic pattern defines an output period and a stop period within a repeat period of the simple audible sound.

3. The vehicle state includes a vehicle driving state, a vehicle operation state, and a driver state, 3. The work vehicle according to claim 2, wherein when the abnormal condition is highly likely to cause significant damage, the volume of the alarm sound that is attached to the output periodic pattern derived based on the abnormal condition is a volume of the alarm sound that can be heard even outside the vehicle.

4. The work vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the abnormal state includes a type of the vehicle abnormality and an abnormality level of the vehicle abnormality.

5. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein notification priorities are set for the abnormal conditions, and the abnormal condition with the highest notification priority is notified first.

6. The work vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a code or message indicating the abnormal state is displayed on a display device together with the output of the simple audible sound.

7. The work vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the acoustic device is a buzzer.

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