Specially-equipped vehicle hydraulic oil replacement timing management system

The hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles addresses the issue of varying usage frequencies by using operation degree and elapsed time measurements to determine optimal replacement times, ensuring timely and accurate oil changes and reducing premature part deterioration.

JP2025163728APending Publication Date: 2025-10-30KYOKUTO KAIHATSU IND
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024067202
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-18
Publication Date
2025-10-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing hydraulic oil change timing management systems for special purpose vehicles fail to account for varying usage frequencies, leading to potential premature deterioration of compressor parts in vehicles with frequent or infrequent operation.

Method used

A hydraulic oil change timing management system that includes a special-purpose vehicle, a management server, and a user terminal device, utilizing operation degree and elapsed time measurement to determine optimal replacement times, with automatic data communication and notification for timely replacements.

Benefits of technology

Ensures accurate and timely hydraulic oil replacements based on actual usage, reducing the risk of premature part deterioration and simplifying the reset process across different usage levels.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To appropriately manage the replacement timing of hydraulic oil in a specially-equipped vehicle.SOLUTION: A user portable device 160 determines whether a warning from operation degree replacement timing determined from an operation degree is necessary on the basis of operation degree replacement timing identification data and an operation degree received from a specially-equipped vehicle 180a (S107). The user portable device 160 determines whether a replacement warning timing from the elapsed time has come (S108), determines whether either of the replacement warning timings has come (S109), and transmits a warning to the specially-equipped vehicle 180a when it is determined that the replacement warning timing has come (S113). In response, the specially-equipped vehicle 180a displays a warning indication on a liquid crystal screen 71 (S115). Thus, warnings are issued by taking the operation degree and the elapsed time into account.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles, and more particularly to management of hydraulic oil change timing for special purpose vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a powder and granular material transport vehicle as a specially equipped vehicle. The powder and granular material transport vehicle is equipped with a tank capable of storing powder and granular material, which is a special transport item, and a compressor capable of pressurizing the inside of the tank as mounted equipment (working devices). When the powder and granular material transport vehicle is performing work using the mounted equipment, the engine and compressor are connected via a PTO (power take-off / take-off) device. When the driving force of the engine is used via the PTO to drive the compressor, the powder and granular material in the tank is discharged.

[0003] The compressor oil (hydraulic oil) in the compressor must be replaced before it reaches its usable limit, so a method can be considered in which the replacement date is determined periodically (for example, two years after the last part replacement date). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-030541 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the above-mentioned periodic replacement, for users who use the compressor frequently, there is a risk that the parts will deteriorate before the next replacement date. Also, while it is possible to replace the parts based on the amount of operation (operating time or number of operations), for users who use the compressor infrequently, there is a risk that the parts will deteriorate over time before the replacement date based on the amount of operation arrives. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles that can solve the above problems and appropriately manage the change timing of hydraulic oil for special purpose vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The hydraulic oil change timing management system for special-purpose vehicles according to the present invention is, A) a hydraulic oil change timing management system for special-purpose vehicles that manages the change timing of hydraulic oil used in mounted equipment on a special-purpose vehicle, and B) includes a special-purpose vehicle, a special-purpose vehicle management server, and a user terminal device; C) the special-purpose vehicle has the following c1) to c4), c1) a special-purpose vehicle vehicle-side control means that controls the operation of the mounted equipment, c2) a special-purpose vehicle communication means that communicates with the user terminal device, c3) an operation degree measurement means that measures the operation degree of the mounted equipment, c4) an operation degree storage means that stores the measured operation degree; D) the special-purpose vehicle management server has a special-purpose vehicle management server communication means that communicates with the user terminal device, E) the user terminal device has a first communication means for communicating with the communication means of the special purpose vehicle management server, and a second communication means for communicating with the communication means of the special purpose vehicle, and F) the special purpose vehicle management server, the user terminal device, or the special purpose vehicle has any of the following means: operation level change time identification data storage means for storing operation level change time identification data for identifying the change time determined from the operation level of the hydraulic oil, elapsed time change data storage means for storing elapsed time change data for the special purpose vehicle for which the next change time is determined from the elapsed time since the previous change time, determination means for referencing the operation level stored in the operation level storage means of the special purpose vehicle, the elapsed time change data for the special purpose vehicle in the special purpose vehicle management server, and the operation level change data stored in the operation level change time identification data storage means, and determining whether the change time has passed for either the change time determined from the operation level or the change time determined from the elapsed time change data, and notification means for notifying this when the determination means determines that the change time has passed.

[0007] Therefore, by referring to the elapsed time replacement data and the operation level replacement data, it is possible to determine whether the replacement time calculated from the operation level or the replacement time calculated from the elapsed time replacement data has passed, thereby making it possible to appropriately manage the replacement time of the hydraulic oil for special purpose vehicles even when the operation levels are different.

[0008] (2) The hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles of the present invention is A) a hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles that manages the change timing of hydraulic oil used in mounted equipment on a special purpose vehicle, and B) comprises a special purpose vehicle, a special purpose vehicle management server, and a user terminal device, C) the special purpose vehicle has the following c1) to c4), c1) a special purpose vehicle vehicle side control means that controls the operation of the mounted equipment, c2) a communication means that communicates with the user terminal device, c3) an operating time measurement means that measures the operating time of the mounted equipment, c4) an operating time memory means that stores the measured operating time, D) the special purpose vehicle management server has a communication means that communicates data with the user terminal device, E) the user terminal device has a first communication means that communicates data with the special purpose vehicle management server and a second communication means that communicates with the communication means of the special purpose vehicle, and F) the special purpose vehicle management server, the user terminal device, or the special purpose vehicle has any of the following means. An operation level-considered replacement time calculation means for calculating the replacement time taking into account the operation time based on the operation time measured by the operation level measurement means and the elapsed time replacement data for the specially equipped vehicle, and an alert means for alerting that the replacement time has passed when it is determined that the operation level-considered replacement time has been reached.

[0009] In this way, by calculating the operation level-considered replacement timing from the operation level and the elapsed time replacement data for the special purpose vehicle from the special purpose vehicle management server, it is possible to determine the progress of the replacement timing taking into account the elapsed time and operation level. As a result, even if the operation level differs, it is possible to appropriately manage the replacement timing of the hydraulic oil for the special purpose vehicle.

[0010] (3) In the special vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system according to the present invention, the special vehicle has a PTO switch that switches the driving force of the vehicle drive source from a running state to an equipment operation state, and the operation degree is the rotation speed of the equipment, The operation degree measurement means measures the time during which the PTO switch is switched to the mounted equipment operation state or the number of rotations of the mounted equipment as the operation degree of the mounted equipment. Therefore, since the measurement is performed when the mounted equipment is operating, the operation degree can be measured more accurately.

[0011] (4) In the special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system of the present invention, the user terminal device has a change command input means for inputting a change command for the hydraulic oil, and when the change command is input, the first communication means and the second communication means send change data indicating that the hydraulic oil has been changed to the special purpose vehicle and the special purpose vehicle management server.

[0012] In this way, when the person who received the notification performs the hydraulic oil replacement process and inputs the replacement command, the replacement data is sent to the special vehicle and the special vehicle management server, and by treating this as a reset command for the special vehicle vehicle side control means and the special vehicle management server, the reset process for both is automatically performed. Therefore, there is no need for the hassle of separately resetting the special vehicle and the special vehicle management server.

[0013] (5) In the hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles according to the present invention, the user terminal device suspends transmission of the changed data when communication with the special purpose vehicle or the special purpose vehicle management server is not established, thereby preventing discrepancies between the special purpose vehicle and the special purpose vehicle management server.

[0014] (6) In the hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles according to the present invention, the user terminal device determines whether communication with the special purpose vehicle or the special purpose vehicle management server is established regarding the transmission of the reserved changed data, and when communication is established, transmits the changed data to the special purpose vehicle and the special purpose vehicle management server. Therefore, the time and effort required for performing a reset operation again can be eliminated.

[0015] (7) The hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles of the present invention is A) a hydraulic oil change timing management system for special purpose vehicles that manages the change timing of hydraulic oil used in mounted equipment on a special purpose vehicle, and comprises B) a special purpose vehicle and a user terminal device, C) the special purpose vehicle has the following c1) to c4), c1) a special purpose vehicle vehicle side control means that controls the operation of the mounted equipment, c2) a communication means of the special purpose vehicle that communicates with the user terminal device, c3) an operation degree measurement means that measures the operation degree of the mounted equipment, c4) an operation degree storage means that stores the measured operation degree, D) the user terminal device has a communication means of the user terminal device that communicates with the communication means of the special purpose vehicle, and E) the user terminal device or the special purpose vehicle has any of the following means. an operating level replacement timing identification data storage means for storing operating level replacement timing identification data that identifies the replacement timing determined from the operating level of the hydraulic oil; an elapsed time replacement data storage means for storing elapsed time replacement data that identifies the next replacement timing for the specially equipped vehicle, which is determined from the elapsed time since the previous replacement timing; and a judgment means for referring to the operating level stored in the operating level storage means for the specially equipped vehicle, the elapsed time replacement data for the specially equipped vehicle in the specially equipped vehicle management server, and the operating level replacement data stored in the operating level replacement timing identification data storage means to judge whether the replacement timing determined from the operating level or the replacement timing determined from the elapsed time replacement data has passed its replacement time.

[0016] Therefore, by referring to the elapsed time replacement data and the operation level replacement data, it is possible to determine whether the replacement time calculated from the operation level or the replacement time calculated from the elapsed time replacement data has passed, thereby making it possible to appropriately manage the replacement time of the hydraulic oil for special purpose vehicles even when the operation levels are different.

[0017] In this specification, "operational degree" is a numerical value obtained by measuring the operation of the mounted object, and in the embodiment, it corresponds to the operating time of the compressor 5, but it is a concept that also includes the number of times the mounted object has been in operation, which is the cumulative number of times that the mounted object has come to a predetermined operating position, and the amount of the mounted object discharged to the outside. "Hydraulic oil" is a concept that includes "lubricating oil" and "hydraulic oil."

[0018] In addition, in the embodiment, the "rotation speed of the mounted object" is the cumulative rotation speed of the compressor 5, but it may be any value that directly or indirectly represents the rotation speed of the mounted object, for example, it may be the rotation speed of the PTO. In addition, in the embodiment, the "elapsed time replacement data" is the next replacement time and today's date stored in the elapsed time replacement data storage unit 26t, but it is not limited to this as long as it is data that can be used to determine directly or indirectly that it is time to replace from today's date, and it may be, for example, the number of days remaining until replacement.

[0019] The relationship between each means in the claims and the embodiments will be explained below. In the embodiments, the "specially equipped vehicle vehicle-side control means" corresponds to the control device 76. The "communication means" of the specially equipped vehicle 180a corresponds to the short-range wireless communication unit 9. The "operation level measurement means" corresponds to the rotation speed sensor 8 and the control device 76. The "operation level storage means" corresponds to the storage unit 76f.

[0020] The "first communication means" of the user terminal corresponds to the wireless communication unit 128, the main program 126m, and the CPU 123. The "second communication means" corresponds to the short-range wireless communication unit 121, the main program 126m, and the CPU 123. The "operation level replacement time identification data storage means" corresponds to the data storage unit 126d. The "elapsed time replacement data storage means" of the specially equipped vehicle management server corresponds to the elapsed time replacement data storage unit 26t. The "determination means" corresponds to the main program 126m and the CPU 123. The "notification means" corresponds to the display unit 130, the main program 126m, and the CPU 123. The "operation level consideration replacement time calculation means" corresponds to the main program 126m and the CPU 123. The "replacement command input means" corresponds to the operation unit 125, the main program 126m, and the CPU 123. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of a specially equipped vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are a front view and a display example showing the configuration of a meter panel. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device of a specially equipped vehicle 180a. [Figure 4] 1 is a functional block diagram of the entire special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a specially equipped vehicle management server 100. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user portable device 160. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for acquiring an accumulated operating time of a specially equipped vehicle 180a. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a user portable device 160. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a warning display process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a reset process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (1. Description of specially equipped vehicles) First, a description will be given of a specially equipped vehicle used in the hydraulic oil change timing management system 100 for specially equipped vehicles. The specially equipped vehicle 1 in this embodiment is a powder transport vehicle for transporting powder such as cement, lime, or chemicals.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the specially equipped vehicle 1 has a chassis 2 that extends in the direction of travel (in this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction). The chassis 2 is equipped with an engine 3 (see Fig. 3) that is a driving source for traveling, a tank 4 that can store powder and granular material, a compressor 5 that can supply pressurized air into the tank 4, and a PTO 6 (see Fig. 3) that can transmit and interrupt the driving force of the engine 3 to the compressor 5.

[0025] The tank 4 and the compressor 5 are an example of the mounted objects according to the present invention, and are operated when the compressor 5 is driven by the driving force of the engine 3.

[0026] Also, as shown in Figure 3, the PTO 6 is an example of a drive switching device according to the present invention, and is provided between a drive connection mechanism (not shown in Figure 3) that connects the engine 3 and the compressor 5, and is configured to be able to switch between a transmission state in which the driving force of the engine 3 is transmitted to the compressor 5 and a cut-off state in which the transmission of the driving force of the engine 3 to the compressor 5 is cut off.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the specially equipped vehicle 1 has a meter panel 7 that is capable of displaying the status of the working device (in this embodiment, the pressure inside the tank body 41 and the discharge pipe 45, which will be described later, and the rotation speed of the compressor 5, etc.) disposed on the side of the upper surface of the chassis 2. The rotation speed of the compressor 5 is measured by a rotation speed sensor 8 shown in FIG. 3. The rotation speed sensor 8 is provided above the compressor 5 (not shown in FIG. 1). The detailed configuration of the meter panel 7 will be described later.

[0028] The tank 4 shown in Figure 1 includes a tank body 41 having a generally hollow cylindrical shape extending in the front-to-rear direction, a plurality of manhole forming tubes 42 (three in this embodiment) fixedly installed at an upper part of the tank body 41 at intervals in the front-to-rear direction, and a circular discharge port forming body 43 provided at the lower rear end of the tank body 41.

[0029] An outlet (not shown) that connects the inside and outside of the tank body 41 is provided on the inner periphery of the outlet forming body 43, and the tank 4 is equipped with an approximately conical tapered hatch 44 that can open and close the outlet, and an outlet pipe 45 that is connected to the protruding end of the hatch 44 and extends rearward.

[0030] The discharge port and discharge pipe 45 are connected via the internal space of the hatch 44. Each manhole forming cylinder 42 forms a manhole through its inner periphery for introducing powdered material into the tank body 41 and for performing maintenance on the tank body 41, and is configured to be able to be opened and closed as needed with a manhole cover 46. The discharge pipe 45, together with the hatch 44, is made of highly rigid steel. An opening / closing valve 47, such as a butterfly valve, is provided at one end of the discharge pipe 45 (the end on the hatch 44 side), and the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing valve 47 can be performed as needed outside the tank body 41 using an attached operating lever 47a.

[0031] When the specially equipped vehicle 1 is in a traveling state (normal state), the on-off valve 47 is operated to a closed state, thereby blocking the discharge pipe 45. When the powdery material is discharged from the tank body 41, the on-off valve 47 is operated to an open state, thereby opening the discharge pipe 45.

[0032] During the above-mentioned discharge, one end of a discharge hose 8, such as a delivery hose, is detachably connected to the other end of the discharge pipe 45 (the end opposite the hatch 44 side), and the other end of the discharge hose 8 is connected to a powder and granular material storage container 9, such as a silo.

[0033] A tank pivotal shaft 21 having an axial direction horizontal (in this embodiment, left-right direction) is provided at the rear end of the chassis 2, and the tank body 41 is swingably connected to the chassis 2 at the rear end, in front of and below the hatch 44, so as to tilt diagonally upward and rearward around the tank pivotal shaft 21, i.e., dump.

[0034] In addition, at the front end of the chassis 2, an extendable tilting actuator 10 is interposed between the upper surface of the chassis 2 and the front end of the tank body 41. When the tilting actuator 10 extends, the tank body 41 tilts (dumps) obliquely upward and rearward.

[0035] A hydraulic supply system (not shown) including a hydraulic pump is mounted at an appropriate location on the chassis 2, and is capable of supplying hydraulic pressure to the tilting actuator 10 as needed.

[0036] Furthermore, a compressor 5 is mounted at an appropriate position on the chassis 2 (in this embodiment, midway in the front-rear direction and at the bottom of the chassis 2) to supply pressurized air to the inside of the tank body 41 and the inside of the discharge pipe 45, respectively.

[0037] The compressor 5 is connected to the tank body 41 and the discharge pipe 45 by a compressor pipe 51 extending rearward from the compressor 5, and an ejector pipe 52 and an air pipe 53 provided downstream of the compressor pipe 51 (i.e., downstream in the flow direction of the compressed air), and the compressor pipe 51 is supported by the chassis 2 via a support member or the like (not shown).

[0038] Specifically, the compressor pipe 51 branches into two at the downstream end, with one branch (hereinafter referred to as the "first branch 51a") connected to the upstream end of the ejector pipe 52 (i.e., the upstream end in the flow direction of the compressed air), and the other branch (hereinafter referred to as the "second branch 51b") connected to the upstream end of the air pipe 53.

[0039] The downstream end of the ejector pipe 52 is connected to the discharge pipe 45 , and the downstream end of the air pipe 53 is connected to the tank body 41 .

[0040] As a result, the compressor 5, the tank body 41, and the discharge pipe 45 are communicated with each other by the compressor pipe 51, the ejector pipe 52, and the air pipe 53 so that pressurized air can be supplied.

[0041] A first check valve 54 is provided on the upstream side of the ejector pipe 52 to allow only the flow of compressed air from the compressor pipe 51 toward the downstream side of the ejector pipe 52.

[0042] Further, on the upstream side of the air pipe 53, a second check valve 55 is provided which allows only the flow of compressed air from the compressor pipe 51 toward the downstream side of the air pipe 53.

[0043] A hatch pivot shaft 48 having an axial direction horizontal (left-right direction in this embodiment) is provided at the upper end of the discharge port forming body 43, and the hatch 44 is swingably connected to the discharge port forming body 43 via the hatch pivot shaft 48, and is configured to be able to open a discharge port (not shown) provided on the inner periphery of the discharge port forming body 43 by swinging diagonally upward and rearward around the hatch pivot shaft 48.

[0044] A plurality of clamping means (not shown) are arranged at equal intervals around the periphery of the discharge port forming body 43, and the hatch 44 is held to the discharge port forming body 43 by these clamping means, thereby enabling the discharge port to be securely closed.

[0045] The ejector pipe 52 assists and promotes the discharge of powder and granular material from the discharge pipe 45 by flowing pressurized air downstream and injecting the pressurized air into the discharge pipe 45. Its downstream end is inclined toward the discharge pipe 45 and is inserted into the peripheral wall of the discharge pipe 45 to form a communication hole (not shown) that communicates with the inside of the discharge pipe 45.

[0046] The ejector piping 52 is composed of an intermediate piping section made of a flexible hose member, an upstream piping section connected to the upstream end of the intermediate piping section, and a downstream piping section connected to the downstream end of the intermediate piping section (not shown), and is connected to the first branch section 51a of the compressor piping 51 via the upstream piping section, and is connected to the discharge pipe 45 via the downstream piping section.

[0047] In addition, the upstream piping and downstream piping are formed from highly rigid steel material, and are detachably connected to the intermediate member by a joint member (not shown) consisting of a conventionally known coupling that can be locked and unlocked with a single touch.

[0048] On the other hand, the downstream end of the air pipe 53 is inclined toward the lower side of the rear end of the tank body 41, and is inserted into the peripheral wall of the tank body 41 to form a communication hole (not shown) that communicates with the inside of the tank body 41, and is fixed (e.g., welded) to the tank body 41.

[0049] Here, inside the tank body 41, a first air passage 41a is defined in the lower part of the inner wall as a flat space extending long in the front-to-rear direction for guiding the pressurized air flowing in from the air piping 53 to the front side of the tank body 41.

[0050] A breathable, plate-like canvas 41b is installed in a substantially horizontal position on the bottom of the tank body 41 so as to be supported by the side wall 41a1 of the first air passage 41a.

[0051] A second air passage 41c is defined as a flat space extending long in the front-rear direction between the canvas 41b and the bottom surface of the tank body 41. The first air passage 41a and the second air passage 41c are in communication with each other via a plurality of through-holes 41a2 provided in the front part of the side wall 41a1.

[0052] In the tank body 41 having such an internal configuration, when compressed air is supplied to the rear end of the tank body 41 from the compressor 5 via the compressor piping 51 and the air piping 53, the supplied compressed air flows through the first air passage 41a and is led to the front side of the tank body 41, flows into the second air passage 41c via the multiple through holes 41a2·41a2···, and then flows again through the second air passage 41c and is led to the rear side of the tank body 41, and is sprayed upward within the tank body 41 through almost the entire surface of the canvas 41b.

[0053] As a result, the inside of the tank body 41 is pressurized by the compressed air that is blown up and ejected through the canvas 41b, and when the powder and granular material stored in the tank body 41 is discharged toward the discharge pipe 45, the sliding flow of the powder and granular material present on the canvas 41b toward the rear side of the tank body 41 is assisted and promoted, allowing the powder and granular material to be efficiently discharged toward the discharge pipe 45.

[0054] Like the ejector piping 52 described above, the air piping 53 is composed of an intermediate piping section made of a flexible hose member, an upstream piping section connected to the upstream end of the intermediate piping section, and a downstream piping section connected to the downstream end of the intermediate piping section (not shown), and is connected to the second branch section 51b of the compressor piping 51 via the upstream piping section, and is connected to the lower side of the rear end of the tank body 41 via the downstream piping section.

[0055] In addition, the upstream piping and downstream piping are formed from highly rigid steel material, and are detachably connected to the intermediate member by a joint member (not shown) consisting of a conventionally known coupling that can be locked and unlocked with a single touch.

[0056] The discharge operation of discharging the powder and granular material contained in the tank body 41 in the specially equipped vehicle 1 will be described.

[0057] When the special vehicle 1, which contains a predetermined amount of powder and granular material inside the tank body 41, arrives at a predetermined destination, a discharge hose 8 is connected to the downstream end of the discharge pipe 45, and the tank body 41 is connected to a powder and granular material storage container 9 (e.g., a silo, etc.) via the discharge hose 8.

[0058] When connecting the discharge pipe 45 and the discharge hose 8 while the engine 3 is running, after the tank body 41 and the powder / granular material storage container 9 have been connected, the PTO switch 12 is immediately operated to switch the PTO 6 to the transmission state and operate the compressor 5. When the compressor 5 is operated and the air valve that opens and closes the air piping is opened, compressed air is supplied from the compressor piping 51 through the air piping 53 into the tank body 41. As described above, the compressed air supplied into the tank body 41 flows sequentially through the first air passage 41a, the plurality of through-holes 41a2, and the second air passage 41c, and is then sprayed upward inside the tank body 41 through substantially the entire surface of the canvas 41b.

[0059] This increases the pressure inside the tank body 41 and encourages and promotes the backward sliding flow of the powder and granular material inside the tank body 41. When the compressor 5 is operated and the ejector valve that opens and closes the ejector pipe is opened, compressed air is supplied from the compressor pipe 51 through the ejector pipe 52 into the discharge pipe 45.

[0060] The compressed air supplied into the discharge pipe 45 pressurizes the inside of the discharge pipe 45 and flows downstream within the discharge pipe 45, as described above. Meanwhile, when the PTO 6 switches to the transmission state, the meter panel 7 starts operating and displays the compressor rotation speed and the pressure inside the tank body 41 and the discharge pipe 45. After confirming that the information displayed on the meter panel 7 has reached a predetermined level, the operator operates the operating lever 47a to open the on-off valve 47. This releases the compressed air inside the tank body 41 and the discharge pipe 45, and the powder and granular material stored in the tank body 41 together with the compressed air are efficiently discharged into the discharge hose 8 via the discharge pipe 45.

[0061] In addition, by operating the tilting actuator 10 as necessary and tilting (dumping) the tank body 41 diagonally upward toward the rear, the backward flow of the powder and granular material within the tank body 41 and the discharge of the powder and granular material from the discharge pipe 45 can be further promoted.

[0062] The control device 76 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The control device 76 includes a storage unit 76e and a calculation unit 76f. The storage unit 76e stores programs for controlling the operation of the meter panel 7 and for controlling connected devices (such as the compressor 5 and the short-range wireless communication unit 9, which are mounted components). The storage unit 76e also stores predetermined, arbitrarily settable values ​​(such as the output time of an electrical signal output from the output terminal 76d of the control device 76 to the relay circuit 78).

[0063] The control device 76 is connected to the liquid crystal display 71, the main switch 72, the rotation speed adjustment switch 73, the screen changeover switch 74, and the confirmation switch 75, and as will be described later, operates a relay circuit 78 based on instruction signals (electrical signals) input by operating the key switch 11, the PTO switch 12, and the confirmation switch 75, to cause the meter panel 7 to perform predetermined operations. The calculation unit 76f is also connected to the rotation speed sensor 8 and the short-range wireless communication unit 9, and executes various control processes based on the programs.

[0064] (About meter panel 7) The meter panel 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The meter panel 7 is used in the specially equipped vehicle 1 (see Fig. 1) when performing the above-mentioned discharge work, input work, maintenance work, etc. The meter panel 7 displays the status of the working device formed by the tank 4 and the compressor 5 (such as the pressure inside the tank body 41 and the discharge pipe 45, and the rotation speed of the compressor 5).

[0065] The meter panel 7 is used to set at least one of the upper and lower limit values ​​of the rotation speed of the compressor 5. As shown in Fig. 2A, the meter panel 7 has a liquid crystal screen 71 that forms a display screen, and a main switch 72, a rotation speed adjustment switch 73, a screen changeover switch 74, and a check switch 75 that are arranged in this order from top to bottom on the side of the liquid crystal screen 71. A control device 76 (see Fig. 3) is also housed inside the meter panel 7.

[0066] The liquid crystal display 71 is an example of a panel according to the present invention. The liquid crystal display 71 can be switched by a screen changeover switch 74 to display either a meter screen or a maintenance screen.

[0067] When the screen changeover switch 74 is switched to the meter screen, the LCD screen 71 displays the status of the working equipment, i.e., the measured value of the pressure gauge inside the tank body 41, the measured value of the pressure gauge inside the discharge pipe 45, and the rotation speed of the compressor 5 driven by the driving force of the engine 3 (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. 2B. On this meter screen, an alert indicating that it is time to change the oil is displayed, as will be described later.

[0068] When the screen changeover switch 74 is switched to the maintenance screen, the LCD screen 71 displays the total operating time of the compressor 5, the operating time of the compressor 5 today, the temperature of the compressor 5, error indications, error history, etc. The maintenance screen will be described later.

[0069] The main switch 72 is an alternate operation toggle switch that maintains the current state until another operation is performed. When the operating lever is tilted upward, the switch is switched to a state where the rotation speed of the compressor 5 can be adjusted (ON state), and when the operating lever is tilted downward, the switch is switched to a state where the rotation speed of the compressor 5 cannot be adjusted (OFF state). The rotation speed of the compressor 5 is adjusted using a rotation speed adjustment switch 73.

[0070] The rotation speed adjustment switch 73 is a momentary toggle switch whose operating lever returns to a biased state (OFF state) in a neutral position that is horizontal when not in operation. When the operating lever of the rotation speed adjustment switch 73 is tilted upward or downward, the rotation speed of the compressor 5 is adjusted (ON state) for that period. Specifically, tilting the operating lever upward increases the rotation speed of the compressor 5, and tilting it downward decreases the rotation speed of the compressor 5. Note that by keeping the operating lever tilted upward or downward, it is also possible to continuously and significantly change (increase or decrease) the rotation speed of the compressor 5.

[0071] The screen changeover switch 74 is a momentary toggle switch in which the operation lever always returns to a neutral position (OFF state) in which the switch is horizontal when not in operation. When the operation lever of the screen changeover switch 74 is tilted upward, the switch is turned ON to change the display content of the LCD screen 71. In this embodiment, each time the operating lever of the screen changeover switch 74 is tilted upward, the display screen alternates between a meter screen that displays the status of the working equipment (such as the pressure inside the tank body 41 and the discharge pipe 45, and the rotation speed of the compressor 5) and a maintenance screen that is displayed when adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor 5.

[0072] The confirmation switch 75 is a momentary toggle switch in which the operating lever always returns to a neutral position (OFF state) in which the confirmation switch 75 is tilted downward when not in operation. When the confirmation switch 75 is operated, the operating lever is tilted upward to turn on the confirmation switch 75, which turns on the LCD screen 71.

[0073] In this embodiment, a powder transport vehicle has been described as an example of a specially equipped vehicle, but the specially equipped vehicle is not limited to a powder transport vehicle.

[0074] As shown below, the compressor 5 supplies oil-free compressed gas into the tank when extracting powder. The compressor 5 is an "oil-free" screw compressor that does not supply lubricating oil or cooling water for lubrication, cooling, or sealing to the compression working space.

[0075] Such a screw compressor is provided with a timing gear that regulates the rotation timing of the two screw rotors so that they rotate with a small gap between them without contact. When rotational driving force output from a drive source such as an engine or motor is input to the rotor shaft via a transmission, the two screw rotors rotate at high speed, resulting in efficient compression. The compressor also has a speed change gear mechanism composed of a combination of a drive gear and a driven gear provided in the transmission, and an oil sump. The oil sump is formed within the casing of the transmission to lubricate the timing gear, and lubricating oil is stored to a predetermined depth within the gear chamber. In this way, by arranging one of the gears constituting the speed change gear mechanism so that it is partially immersed in the oil sump, the lubricating oil in the oil sump is dispersed within the gear chamber as the gear rotates. The dispersed lubricating oil is supplied to each gear housed within the gear chamber.

[0076] The following describes when to change the hydraulic oil in this compressor.

[0077] 2. Overview of the Special Purpose Vehicle Hydraulic Oil Change Timing Management System1 The specially equipped vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system 1 includes a specially equipped vehicle management server 100, a user portable device 160, and a specially equipped vehicle 180a.

[0078] 1) Specially equipped vehicle 180a As shown in FIG. 4, the specially equipped vehicle 180a includes a specially equipped vehicle control device 201, an operating degree measuring means 212, a controlled device 210, a PTO 214, and a vehicle drive source 211.

[0079] The vehicle drive source 211 outputs a drive force to drive the specially equipped vehicle 180a. This puts the specially equipped vehicle 180a into a running state. The PTO 214 switches the drive force of the vehicle drive source 211 from a running state to a mounted object operating state. The controlled object device 210, which is a mounted object, is operated by the drive force of the vehicle drive source 211. In this embodiment, the specially equipped vehicle is a powder / granular material transport vehicle. Therefore, the controlled object device is a compressor, and compressed air discharged from the controlled object device discharges powder / granular material from the tank 4 shown in FIG. 1. The operation rate measurement means 212 measures the operation rate of the controlled object device 210.

[0080] The specially equipped vehicle control device 201 has a replacement command input means 206 , an operation rate storage means 204 , a specially equipped vehicle control means 205 , and a communication means 203 .

[0081] The specially equipped vehicle control means 205 controls the operation of the control target device 210, which is an attached object, and also controls the specially equipped vehicle. The operation degree storage means 204 stores the operation degree measured by the operation degree measurement means 212. When the specially equipped vehicle control means 205 receives a data request from the user portable device 160 via the communication means 203, it transmits the operation degree stored in the operation degree storage means 204 to the user portable device 160 via the communication means 203.

[0082] Furthermore, when the specially equipped vehicle control means 205 receives exchanged command data from the user portable device 160 via the communication means 203, it updates the data in the elapsed time exchange data storage means 103.

[0083] The correspondence between each of the above means and the embodiment will be described below. The vehicle drive source 211 corresponds to the engine 3, the operation degree measurement means 212 corresponds to the rotation speed sensor 8, the replacement command input means 206 corresponds to clicking a reset button (step S127 in FIG. 10) described later, the operation degree storage means 204 corresponds to the storage unit 76f, the specially equipped vehicle control means 205 corresponds to the program stored in the storage unit 76f and the calculation unit 76f, and the communication means 203 corresponds to the short-range wireless communication unit 9.

[0084] 2) Specially equipped vehicle management server 100 The specially equipped vehicle management server 100 includes an elapsed time exchange data storage means 103 , a communication means 107 , and a control means 109 .

[0085] The elapsed time replacement data storage means 103 stores the elapsed time replacement data of the specially equipped vehicle 180a. The elapsed time replacement data is data relating to the replacement timing determined based on the passage of time.

[0086] When a data browsing request is received from the user portable device 160 , the control means 109 reads out the elapsed time exchange data from the elapsed time exchange data storage means 103 and performs data communication with the user portable device 160 via the communication means 107 .

[0087] Furthermore, when the control means 109 receives exchanged command data from the user portable device 160 via the communication means 107, it updates the elapsed time exchange data in the elapsed time exchange data storage means 103.

[0088] 3) User Portable Device 160 The user portable device 160 includes a determination means 161 , a second communication means 162 , a first communication means 164 , a control means 165 , a notification means 163 , an operation degree exchange data storage means 168 , and an exchanged command input means 167 .

[0089] The operation level replacement data storage means 168 stores data relating to the replacement timing determined from the operation level of the control target device 210 .

[0090] The control means 165 makes a data request to the specially equipped vehicle 180a via the second communication means 162 and acquires the availability from the specially equipped vehicle 180a. Also, the control means 165 makes a data request to the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 via the first communication means 164 and performs data communication.

[0091] The determination means 161 determines whether the replacement time calculated from the operation rate or the replacement time calculated from the elapsed time replacement data has passed, by referring to the operation rate received from the specially equipped vehicle 180a and the elapsed time replacement data received by the specially equipped vehicle management server 100. When the determination means 161 determines that the replacement time has passed, the notification means 163 notifies this fact.

[0092] When the operator of the user portable device 160 replaces the hydraulic oil, he / she inputs a command to indicate that the hydraulic oil has been replaced from the replacement command input means 206. When the replacement command is input, the control means 165 transmits the replacement command data to the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 via the first communication means 164, and also transmits the replacement command data to the specially equipped vehicle 100 via the second communication means 162.

[0093] 3. Hardware Configuration 3.1 Hardware Configuration of the First Server 100 The hardware configuration of the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, which is configured using a CPU, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0094] The specially equipped vehicle management server 100 includes a CPU 23, a memory 27, a hard disk 26, a monitor 30, an optical drive 25, an input device 28, a communication board 31, and a bus line 29. The CPU 23 controls each part via the bus line 29 in accordance with each program stored in the hard disk 26.

[0095] The hard disk 26 includes an operating system program 26o (hereinafter abbreviated as OS), a main program 26m, a user-specific registered vehicle data storage unit 26c, a user ID corresponding data storage unit 26u, an elapsed time replacement data storage unit 26k, and an operating level replacement timing identification data storage unit 26t.

[0096] The elapsed time replacement data storage unit 26k stores elapsed time replacement data for the specially equipped vehicle 180a. The elapsed time replacement data is data relating to the replacement timing for the specially equipped vehicle 180a, which is determined based on the passage of time. In this embodiment, the date (e.g., October 20, 2025) on which the replacement period (e.g., 2 years = 730 days) has elapsed since the previous replacement is stored.

[0097] In this embodiment, Windows 10 (registered trademark or trademark) is used as the operating system program (OS) 26o, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0098] Each of the above programs is read from the CD-ROM 25a on which the programs are stored via the optical drive 25 and installed on the hard disk 26. The programs may be installed on the hard disk from a computer-readable recording medium other than a CD-ROM, such as a flexible disk (FD) or an IC card. Furthermore, the programs may be downloaded using a communication line.

[0099] In this embodiment, the program stored on the CD-ROM is installed on the hard disk 26 from the CD-ROM, thereby causing the computer to indirectly execute the program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program stored on the CD-ROM may be executed directly from the optical drive 25. Programs that can be executed by a computer include not only those that can be executed directly by simply installing them as they are, but also those that require conversion to another format (for example, decompressing compressed data), and those that can be executed in combination with other modules.

[0100] 3.2 Hardware Configuration of User Portable Device 160 The user-carried device 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. This figure shows an example of a hardware configuration of the user-carried device 160 configured using a CPU.

[0101] The user portable device 160 has the configuration of a typical smartphone, and includes a CPU 123, a memory 127, a flash memory 126, a display unit 130, a wireless communication unit 128, an operation unit 125, an audio input / output unit 124, a short-range wireless communication unit 121, and a bus line 129. The short-range wireless communication unit 121 communicates in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. In this embodiment, iOS (trademark) is used as the OS.

[0102] The CPU 123 controls each unit via a bus line 129 in accordance with each program stored in a flash memory 126 .

[0103] The flash memory 126 includes an operating system program 126o (hereinafter abbreviated as OS), a main program 126m, and a data storage unit 126d.

[0104] The processing of the main program 126m will be described later.

[0105] The data storage unit 126d stores operation level replacement time specifying data. The operation level replacement time specifying data is data relating to the replacement time for the specially equipped vehicle 180a, which is determined from the operation level of the control target device 210, regardless of the passage of time. In this embodiment, the accumulated operation time of the control target device 210 of the specially equipped vehicle 180a is used, but this is not limited to this. For example, the accumulated number of times the control target device 210 of the specially equipped vehicle 180a has been operated may be used, or in the case of a powder / granular material transport vehicle, the accumulated amount (weight, volume, etc.) of powder / granular material discharged may be used.

[0106] In this embodiment, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used as the short-range wireless communication unit 121, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0107] 4. Warning display processing (4.1) Acquisition of availability First, the operator of the specially equipped vehicle 180a operates the user portable device 160 and performs a predetermined login, thereby connecting the user portable device 160 and the specially equipped vehicle 180a so that the specially equipped vehicle 180a can be controlled from the user portable device 160, and also making it possible to read data related to the specially equipped vehicle 180a from the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 to the user portable device 160. A detailed description of such a connection will be omitted.

[0108] First, the specially equipped vehicle 180a performs a process of acquiring operation rate data. This process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0109] The control unit 76 of the specially equipped vehicle (see FIG. 3) determines whether the PTO switch 12 can be switched from a disconnected state, in which transmission of the driving force of the engine 3 to the compressor 5 is disconnected, to a transmitted state, in which the driving force of the engine 3 is transmitted to the compressor 5 (step S21). When a command to switch from the disconnected state to the transmitted state is received, the control unit 76 switches the PTO 6 to the transmitted state (step S23). As a result, the driving force of the engine is transmitted to the compressor 5, and the compressor starts to rotate. The rotation of the compressor 5 is detected by the rotation speed sensor 8 (step S25). The control unit 76 determines whether rotation of the compressor 5 has stopped based on detection from the rotation speed sensor 8 (step S27). When the rotation speed sensor 8 detects that rotation has stopped, the control unit 76 stores the rotation time in the memory unit 76e (step S29).

[0110] In this embodiment, the operation time count starts when the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 8 reaches 300 rpm or higher, and ends when the rotation speed falls below 300 rpm. This is because, in the powder transport vehicle of this embodiment, the rotation speed of the compressor 5 is 400 rpm when the engine is idling. When the PTO 6 is switched, the engine is connected to the compressor 5 while it is running, so the rotation speed rises to 400 rpm almost simultaneously.

[0111] Note that instead of the operating time of the compressor 5, the cumulative number of revolutions may be used. For example, if the compressor 5 operates at 800 rpm for 2 minutes and then at 400 rpm for 1 minute, the cumulative number of revolutions will be 1600 + 400 = 2000 revolutions. The operating time may be calculated by regarding the operation as starting when the PTO is switched to the disengaged state and stopping when the PTO is switched to the engaged state.

[0112] This is because, for some specially equipped vehicles, such as powder and granular material transport vehicles, the PTO status change and the operating time of the mounted equipment almost coincide with each other.

[0113] (4.2) Warning processing In this embodiment, when the compressor 5 of the specially equipped vehicle 180a enters an operating state and the operating state changes, a warning is displayed if the operating level or elapsed time indicates that it is time for a replacement warning. Examples of warning displays based on operating level are shown in Figures 8B and 8C. As will be described later, the warning display based on operating level is as follows: no warning is displayed if the operating level is less than 70% (see Figure 8A), yellow is displayed if the operating level is between 70% and 100% (see Figure 8B), and red is displayed if the operating level is 100% or more (see Figure 8C).

[0114] Instead of such a gradual warning, it is also possible to simply warn whether or not 100% has been exceeded, or conversely, it is also possible to give a more detailed gradual warning (for example, three gradations).

[0115] When the process of acquiring the operation rate data in the specially equipped vehicle 180a shown in Fig. 7 is executed, the CPU 123 (see Fig. 6) of the user portable device 160 determines whether or not the warning process is necessary based on the main program 126m. The warning process will be described below with reference to Fig. 9.

[0116] The CPU 123 (see FIG. 6) of the user portable device 160 requests elapsed time exchange data from the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, and also requests the operating level from the specially equipped vehicle 180a (step S101 in FIG. 9). The CPU 23 (see FIG. 5) of the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 reads out the elapsed time exchange data stored in the elapsed time exchange data storage unit 26t (see FIG. 4) and transmits it to the user portable device 160 (step S103 in FIG. 9). Here, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the upper limit operating level (600 hours) is stored as the operating level exchange time identification data, and December 20, 2024, which is the previous exchange time (December 20, 2022) plus the upper limit elapsed period (two years), is stored as the next exchange time.

[0117] The CPU 23 (see FIG. 5) of the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 transmits the read-out elapsed time exchange data to the user portable device 160 via the communication board 31.

[0118] When the CPU 123 (see FIG. 6) of the user portable device 160 receives the data via the wireless communication unit 128, it stores the data in the data storage unit 126d (step S105 in FIG. 9).

[0119] Furthermore, the control unit 76 (see FIG. 3) of the specially equipped vehicle 180a transmits the accumulated operating time stored in the storage unit 76f as an availability to the user portable device 160 via the short-range wireless communication unit 9 (step S104). Upon receiving this via the short-range wireless communication unit 121, the CPU 123 (see FIG. 6) of the user portable device 160 stores it in the data storage unit 26d (step S105 in FIG. 9). Here, it is assumed that the accumulated availability is 420.26 hours provided by the specially equipped vehicle 180a.

[0120] As already described, the data storage unit 26d stores the next replacement date as operation level replacement time specifying data. Here, it is assumed that December 20, 2024 is stored as the next replacement date.

[0121] The CPU 123 of the user portable device 160 reads out the operation level replacement timing specifying data from the data storage unit 26d and determines whether a warning is required from the operation level replacement timing determined from the operation level, based on the operation level received from the specially equipped vehicle 180a (step S107). The operation level replacement timing specifying data indicates that the cumulative operation level is 420.26 hours, compared to the upper limit operation level (600 hours).

[0122] In this embodiment, a two-stage warning is issued, with a first warning issued when the upper limit of operation rate is 70% and a red warning issued when the upper limit of operation rate exceeds 100%.

[0123] The CPU 123 of the user portable device 160 also determines whether it is time for a replacement warning based on the elapsed time (step S108). In this case, December 20, 2024 is acquired as the next replacement time from the management server 100. If today is April 1, 2024, it is determined that the replacement time based on the elapsed time has not yet passed.

[0124] CPU 123 determines whether it is time for a replacement warning (step S109). In this case, since it is time for the first warning based on the operation degree, it is determined that it is time for a replacement warning, and notifies warning data (step S113). In this case, as already mentioned, since the operation time is between 70% and 100%, the display shown in FIG. 8A on user portable device 160 is changed to a warning display shown in FIG. 8B. Furthermore, if it exceeds 100%, a red warning as shown in FIG. 8C can be displayed.

[0125] If the CPU 123 determines in step S109 that it is not time for any replacement warning, it ends the process.

[0126] In this embodiment, the warning is displayed only on the user portable device 160, but the warning may also be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 71 of the specially equipped vehicle 180a, or on both. Furthermore, the determination of whether the upper limit of the operation level for issuing such a warning has been exceeded may be made by the specially equipped vehicle 180a alone. In this case, if operation level replacement timing specifying data is stored in the specially equipped vehicle 180a, the warnings shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C can also be issued without communicating with the user portable device 160.

[0127] The CPU 123 determines whether it is time for a replacement warning (step S109). In this case, since it is time for the first warning based on the operation degree, it is determined that it is time for a replacement warning, and notifies the warning data (step S113). In this case, since the warning for the operation time is 70% or more and less than 100%, the yellow warning shown in FIG. 8A is displayed on the user portable device 160.

[0128] The operator of the specially equipped vehicle 180a is also the user of the user portable device 160. Therefore, issuing a warning to the user of the user portable device 160 can be expected to have the same effect as issuing a warning to the operator of the specially equipped vehicle 180a.

[0129] In this embodiment, a warning is issued for the hydraulic oil of a mounted vehicle, taking into consideration both deterioration over time and deterioration due to use. This is because, for the former, oxidation of the hydraulic oil, an increase in the amount of water in the hydraulic oil, hydrolysis of additives, and contamination with foreign matter can cause changes in the original performance of the hydraulic oil, such as an increase or decrease in the dynamic viscosity, a decrease in cooling performance, and a change in flash point. For the latter, when the hydraulic oil is in operation, reactions and contamination with foreign matter are greatly promoted, accelerating deterioration over time. Agitation increases the area exposed to air, making it more susceptible to oxidation and moisture. Furthermore, operation increases the temperature, accelerating oxidation and hydrolysis. Operation also increases wear on iron parts.

[0130] (4.3) Reset process The warning may require hydraulic oil replacement depending on the severity of the warning. When such replacement is performed, the accumulated operating degree of the specially equipped vehicle 180a must be updated in conjunction with the elapsed time replacement data stored in the specially equipped vehicle management server 100. For this update process, the user portable device 160, the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, and the specially equipped vehicle 180a are connected via wireless communication or short-range wireless communication. Therefore, if they are outside the communication range, the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 and the specially equipped vehicle 180a may not be updated in conjunction. Therefore, in this embodiment, a reset process is performed as shown in FIG. 10.

[0131] If the operator of the specially equipped vehicle 180a determines based on the warning that the hydraulic oil should be changed, the operator changes the hydraulic oil. When the change is complete, a screen switching command to display a maintenance screen is issued on the main screen (not shown) of the user portable device 160. The CPU 123 of the user portable device 160 determines whether a command to display the maintenance screen is issued from the main screen (not shown) (step S123 in FIG. 10), and if such a command is issued, the maintenance screen is displayed (step S125). An example of the maintenance screen is shown in FIG. 8D. In this embodiment, the maintenance screen allows management of replacement work for compressor oil (hydraulic oil), filter elements, and dish canvas.

[0132] In this case, since the hydraulic oil has been changed, the operator selects button 82 (see FIG. 8D) to select the compressor oil change screen. The CPU 123 of the user portable device 160 determines whether the compressor oil change screen is to be selected (step S124), and when such a selection is made, the compressor oil change screen shown in FIG. 8E is displayed (step S125).

[0133] In FIG. 8D, consumable items that need to be replaced may be displayed in a different color (for example, in red) or highlighted.

[0134] The operator selects the reset button 83 (see FIG. 8E). The CPU 123 of the user portable device 160 determines whether the reset button 83 is selected on the compressor oil change screen (step S127 in FIG. 10). When this selection is made, the CPU 123 determines whether communication is possible between the user portable device 160 and the specially equipped vehicle 180a, and between the user portable device 160 and the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 (step S129). Generally, the user portable device 160 and the specially equipped vehicle 180a will not be in a disconnected state if they are in close proximity. However, depending on the location of the user portable device 160, the user portable device 160 and the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 may be out of communication range and unable to communicate. In this case, if the reset process is completed on only one device and the reset process is not possible on the other device, the integrated operating degrees of the two devices may not match unless the fact that the reset process was not possible is managed.

[0135] Therefore, in this embodiment, in step S129, if both are in a communication-enabled state, a reset command is sent to both the specially equipped vehicle 180a and the specially equipped vehicle management server 100. As a result, the reset process is executed in both (steps S133, S135). Therefore, the reset process is executed simultaneously in both the specially equipped vehicle 180a and the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, eliminating the problem of forgetting to execute the reset process.

[0136] When the reset process is completed, the user portable device 160 returns to the maintenance screen shown in Fig. 8F, where the compressor oil change warning has ended.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a reset process is performed on the user portable device 160, the data of both the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 and the specially equipped vehicle 180a is reset. Therefore, the exchange data of both can be easily reset.

[0138] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if a reset operation is performed on the user portable device 160, if communication is cut off, the user portable device 160 does not send a reset signal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a discrepancy in the reset process between the specially equipped vehicle 180a and the specially equipped vehicle management server 100.

[0139] In this way, in this embodiment, if the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 and / or the specially equipped vehicle 180a, or both, are in a communication disconnected state, the user portable device 160 stores the state at the time of resetting and transmits it when communication is restored. This eliminates the need to perform the reset operation again.

[0140] In this embodiment, when one of the devices is in a non-communicating state, neither device transmits a reset signal, but when one of the devices is in a non-communicating state, the other device may transmit a reset signal, and when the non-communicating state is released, the other device may transmit a reset signal. This prevents one device from remaining unreset.

[0141] (5. Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a warning is issued when either the previous elapsed time or the operating time reaches the warning time. In other words, the previous elapsed time and the operating time are independent parameters, but they may be calculated so as to be interrelated, and a determination may be made as to whether or not to issue the warning.

[0142] For example, as shown below, the operating time can be subtracted from the elapsed replacement time, and if the result matches the elapsed time since the previous replacement, it can be determined that it is time to replace the filter. Specifically, if the upper limit for replacement is two years, this is converted to 17,520 hours. If the current accumulated operating time is 452 hours, subtracting this value gives 17,520 - 452 = 17,068 hours. If this value matches the elapsed time since the previous replacement, it is determined that a warning is necessary. As a result, if the operating rate is high, the replacement time will be earlier, and if the operating rate is low, the replacement time will be roughly the same as the upper limit of the elapsed time.

[0143] Assuming that the upper limit of the replacement time is Tall, the time elapsed since the previous replacement date is Tx, and the operating time is Tk, the replacement time in this embodiment is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0144] Tall-Tk=Tx...Equation (1) The meaning of the above formula (1) will be explained.

[0145] When the compressor 5 operates, it stirs the oil, which causes deterioration over time. Therefore, it is believed that the accurate oil change time can be calculated by subtracting the operating time from the elapsed change time, which is the elapsed time change data.

[0146] It is also possible to determine whether the upper limit of the replacement time has been reached by adding the operating time to the time elapsed since the previous replacement date.

[0147] The integrated operating time may be multiplied by a predetermined coefficient α before the subtraction, thereby allowing proper consideration of deterioration due to operation.

[0148] In this case, it is expressed by the following formula (2).

[0149] Tall-α*Tk=Tx (2) If the value of α is set to 1, then equation (2) is the same as equation (1), and if the value of α is set to a value greater than 1, then the replacement time can be notified taking into account the influence of deterioration due to the cumulative operating rate.

[0150] The value of α may also vary depending on the time Tx that has passed since the last oil change. For example, if the time Tx is short, even if the cumulative operating degree is large, the oil may not deteriorate that much. However, if the time Tx is long, the oil may deteriorate even if the cumulative operating degree is small.

[0151] (6. Other Embodiments) The above embodiment is an example, and modifications are possible in the following respects.

[0152] 1) Timing of obtaining availability information In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a request for data acquisition is made to the special vehicle management server 100 and the special vehicle 180a, but while the user portable device 160 and the special vehicle 180a are connected via short-range wireless communication, operation level data may be automatically transmitted from the special vehicle 180a to the user portable device 160 periodically (for example, every 30 seconds).

[0153] 2) Detection of operation level In the above embodiment, the start and stop of operation of the compressor 5 is detected by the rotation speed sensor 8. In this way, by counting the actual operation of the mounted equipment, it is possible to count more accurately than when the mounted equipment is not operating but the engine is simply driven.

[0154] However, without being limited to this, either or both of the start and stop of counting may be detected by the PTOSW 12. Furthermore, the operation detection may be performed by detecting physical connection to the PTO 6 using another sensor, with counting starting when the connection is made and ending when the connection is cut off. Furthermore, the counting may be started by the engine speed of a specially equipped vehicle, or by key switch on and ending when key switch off.

[0155] In this case, the operating time may be regarded as an approximate operating time as the PTO operating time, or the time from start to finish may be measured based on the signal that actually commands the mounted object to operate.

[0156] 3) Notice In this embodiment, the warning is based on the actual operating time, but it may also be based on past operating history and used to warn when it is expected to need replacement if the current operating state continues. For example, if the current upper limit is 600 hours and 90% of the operating time (540 hours) has passed, and the average operating rate up to now is 4 hours / day and it has been operating 15 days a month, then "the day when it will reach 100% is 60 hours / 4 hours = 15 days, which is one month from now."

[0157] 4) Types of specially equipped vehicles In this embodiment, the specially equipped vehicle is a powder transport vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other specially equipped vehicles such as dump trucks, concrete pumps, refuse trucks, vehicle carriers, container carriers, tank trucks, and loading platform lifting devices.

[0158] 5) Hydraulic oil In this embodiment, compressor oil, which is a lubricating oil, has been described as an example of the hydraulic oil to be replaced, but it may also be hydraulic oil that drives other hydraulic equipment (for example, cylinders, hydraulic motors, etc.) of special-purpose vehicles.

[0159] 6) Warning devices In this embodiment, a warning that references both the operating degree and the elapsed time is issued to the user portable device 160, but the warning may also be issued to the meter panel 7 of the specially equipped vehicle 180a. When issuing the warning to the meter panel 7 of the specially equipped vehicle 180a, an operating degree exchange data storage means may also be provided in the specially equipped vehicle 180a, and if the measured integrated operating degree exceeds the upper limit, the warning may be issued at the discretion of the specially equipped vehicle 180a.

[0160] The warning may be sent to the specially equipped vehicle management server 100. If there is another management computer that manages the specially equipped vehicle 180a, the warning may be displayed on that computer. Furthermore, the warning may be sent to these multiple devices.

[0161] 7) How to notify In this embodiment, the fact that it is time to replace the filter is notified by displaying an icon informing the user that it is time to replace the filter, but other notification methods (for example, sound, etc.) may also be used.

[0162] 8) Availability In the above embodiment, the cumulative operating time was used as the "operating degree." However, it may also be the number of operations, which is the cumulative number of times the mounted object has come to a predetermined operating position, or the cumulative amount of the mounted object discharged to the outside. For example, the number of operations may be the cumulative number of rotations measured by a rotation sensor on the rotating part of a screw compressor or a vehicle drive source. Note that the operating degree may also be a value that takes into account the rotation speed (rpm) of the rotating part. This is because, even if the cumulative operating period is the same, it can be treated as a different operating degree depending on whether the rotation speed is high or low. For example, even if the operating time is 10 minutes, if the value is calculated by integrating this with the number of rotations, the operating degree can be changed depending on whether the rotation speed is high or low.

[0163] In the case of other specially equipped vehicles, the value may be the cumulative number of times the tailgate lifter has reached the raised position.Alternatively, the value may be the cumulative number of times the loading device of a garbage collection vehicle has reached the initial position, i.e., the number of cycles, detected by a sensor.

[0164] The discharge amount can also be calculated by attaching a load cell to a powder transport vehicle, measuring the weight before and after unloading, and calculating the difference in weight. Alternatively, the stroke position of the cylinder that delivers concrete in a piston-type concrete pump vehicle can be measured with a sensor, and the discharge amount can be calculated from the number of strokes. The discharge amount can then be calculated by integrating the amount of discharge.

[0165] 9) Secondary communication method In this embodiment, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used as the second communication means, but other communication methods (for example, ZigBee, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc.) or even wired connection may be used.

[0166] 10) Devices for storing and determining each data In the above embodiment, various data are stored separately in the management server 100, the user portable device 160, and the specially equipped vehicle 180a, as appropriate. However, these data may be stored in any of them. These data may then be transmitted to a device that makes a judgment using the data, so that the judgment can be made. For example, if the operation level replacement time specifying data is stored in the management server 100 rather than in the user portable device 160, and the user portable device 160 makes the above judgment, the user portable device 160 may request the data in step S101 of FIG. 9, and the user portable device 160 may make the above judgment.

[0167] In addition, the accumulated operating rate stored in the special vehicle 180a can be transferred to the special vehicle management server 100 via the user portable device 160 at the end of the day's work, for example, and stored therein. When the above judgment is made on the user portable device 160, the differential operating rate for the special vehicle 180a can be calculated and the above judgment can be made.

[0168] In addition, to determine whether the upper limit has been exceeded and whether it is time to replace the engine due to the elapsed time, the remaining number of days or the remaining cumulative number of revolutions may be calculated and stored, and the determination may be made by determining whether the number has reached zero.

[0169] In the above embodiment, the case where the user portable device 160 has the determination means 161 has been described, but such determination means may be provided in the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 or in the specially equipped vehicle 180a. For example, if the determination means is provided in the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, when the user portable device 160 receives the operation degree from the specially equipped vehicle 180a, it can transmit this to the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 and determine whether the replacement time has passed. If the replacement time has passed, it can transmit data for warning to the user portable device 160 so that the user portable device 160 can make the above-mentioned notification.

[0170] Furthermore, if a determination means is provided in the specially equipped vehicle 180a, the user portable device 160 can transmit data received from the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 to the specially equipped vehicle 180a, and determine whether the replacement time has passed based on the operation rate. If the replacement time has passed, data for warning the user portable device 160 can be transmitted so that the user portable device 160 can make the above-mentioned notification.

[0171] When storing the accumulated operating degree only in the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, the user portable device 160 adds the accumulated operating degree stored in the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 and the operating degree received from the specially equipped vehicle 180a to determine whether it is time to issue a warning to replace the operating degree. When storing the accumulated operating degree only in the specially equipped vehicle 180a, it is only necessary to determine what percentage of the upper limit value of the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 the accumulated operating degree received from the specially equipped vehicle 180a is.

[0172] Moreover, if the data is stored in only one of the two, the problem of mismatch at the time of reset does not occur.

[0173] 11) Storage format of each data In this embodiment, the management server 100 stores the next replacement date, but it is also possible to store the previous replacement date (e.g., December 10, 2022) and the replacement period (e.g., 730 days) to calculate the next replacement date, and determine the next replacement date from these.

[0174] Furthermore, the remaining number of days may be stored and subtracted each time one day passes. Alternatively, the number of days that have passed may be added and a determination may be made as to whether this is the replacement period (for example, 730 days).

[0175] The elapsed time to be stored may be expressed in any unit, such as hours, minutes, seconds, dates, or years, as long as it allows the determination of the replacement time. The same applies to the operating time.

[0176] 12) Realization of some of the devices that make up this system In the above embodiment, the hydraulic oil change timing management system for specially equipped vehicles is configured by three devices: the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, the user portable device 160, and the specially equipped vehicle 180a.

[0177] However, if the operation level replacement timing specifying data and elapsed time replacement data shown in Fig. 9 are stored in the user portable device 160, the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 becomes unnecessary. Furthermore, by storing the operation level replacement timing specifying data and elapsed time replacement data in the specially equipped vehicle 180a and providing a determination means in the specially equipped vehicle 180a, it becomes possible to configure the system using only the specially equipped vehicle 180a.

[0178] Furthermore, the first communication means 164 of the user portable device 160 may be provided in the specially equipped vehicle 180a, and the system may be configured with only two devices, the specially equipped vehicle 180a and the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, without the user portable device 160. In this case, the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 may be provided with only the determination means. Furthermore, the operation level replacement timing identification data and the elapsed time replacement data may be stored in the specially equipped vehicle management server 100, or may be acquired from the specially equipped vehicle 180a.

[0179] 13) Clock function In the above embodiment, the clock function of the user portable device 160 is used, but a clock function may be provided in the control device (meter panel) so that calculations are performed in the specially equipped vehicle 180a and the calculations are provided to the user portable device 160. In addition, data may be transferred to the specially equipped vehicle management server 100 at the end of work and stored therein.

[0180] 14) User terminal devices In this embodiment, the case where the user terminal device is configured as a smartphone has been described, but other mobile terminals (tablet computers, notebook PCs), or even ordinary PCs or dedicated terminals may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 100 Special vehicle management server 160 User Portable Device 180a special vehicle

Claims

1. A) A special vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system that manages the change timing of hydraulic oil used for mounted objects on special vehicles, B) A specially equipped vehicle, a specially equipped vehicle management server, and a user terminal device, C) The specially equipped vehicle has the following c1) to c4): c1) Special vehicle vehicle side control means for controlling the operation of the mounted object; c2) communication means for the specially equipped vehicle that communicates with the user terminal device; c3) An operation degree measuring means for measuring the operation degree of the mounted object; c4) an operation degree storage means for storing the measured operation degree; D) the specially equipped vehicle management server has a communication means for the specially equipped vehicle management server that performs data communication with the user terminal device, E) The user terminal device has a first communication means for performing data communication with the communication means of the specially equipped vehicle management server, and a second communication means for communicating with the communication means of the specially equipped vehicle, F) The specially equipped vehicle management server, the user terminal device, or the specially equipped vehicle is equipped with any of the following means: an operation level replacement timing specifying data storage means for storing operation level replacement timing specifying data for specifying a replacement timing determined from the operation level of the hydraulic oil; an elapsed time replacement data storage means for storing elapsed time replacement data for specifying the next replacement time for the specially equipped vehicle, which is determined based on the elapsed time since the previous replacement time; a determination means for determining whether the replacement time determined from the operation degree or the replacement time determined from the elapsed time replacement data has passed its replacement time by referring to the operation degree stored in the operation degree storage means of the specially equipped vehicle, the elapsed time replacement data for the specially equipped vehicle in the specially equipped vehicle management server, and the operation degree replacement data stored in the operation degree replacement time identification data storage means; a notification means for notifying the user when the determination means determines that the replacement time has passed; A special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system featuring the following.

2. A) A special vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system that manages the change timing of hydraulic oil used for mounted objects on special vehicles, B) A specially equipped vehicle, a specially equipped vehicle management server, and a user terminal device, C) The specially equipped vehicle has the following c1) to c4): c1) Special vehicle vehicle side control means for controlling the operation of the mounted object; c2) a communication means for communicating with the user terminal device; c3) an operating time measurement means for measuring the operating time of the mounted object; c4) an operating time storage means for storing the measured operating time; D) the specially equipped vehicle management server has a communication means for performing data communication with the user terminal device, E) The user terminal device has a first communication means for performing data communication with the specially equipped vehicle management server and a second communication means for communicating with the communication means of the specially equipped vehicle, F) The specially equipped vehicle management server, the user terminal device, or the specially equipped vehicle is equipped with any of the following means: an operation level-considered replacement timing calculation means for calculating a replacement timing taking into consideration the operation time based on the operation time measured by the operation level measurement means and the elapsed time replacement data for the specially equipped vehicle; a notification means for notifying that the replacement time has passed when it is determined that the replacement time has been reached in consideration of the operation level; A special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system featuring the following.

3. In the special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system according to claim 1 or 2, The specially equipped vehicle has a PTO switch that switches the driving force of the vehicle drive source from a running state to an equipment operating state, The operating degree is the rotation speed of the mounted object, The operation degree measuring means measures the time during which the PTO switch is switched to the mounted object operation state or the number of rotations of the mounted object as the operation degree of the mounted object, A special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system featuring the following.

4. In the special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system according to claim 1 or 2, the user terminal device has a replacement command input means for inputting a command that the hydraulic oil has been replaced, and when the replacement command is input, the first communication means and the second communication means transmit replacement data indicating that the hydraulic oil has been replaced to the specially equipped vehicle and the specially equipped vehicle management server; A special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system featuring the following.

5. In the special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system of claim 4, the user terminal device suspends transmission of the exchanged data when communication with the specially equipped vehicle or the specially equipped vehicle management server is in a non-communication state; A special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system featuring the following.

6. In the specially equipped vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system according to claim 5, The user terminal device determines whether or not communication with the specially equipped vehicle or the specially equipped vehicle management server is in a communication state with respect to the transmission of the suspended exchanged data, and when communication is in a communication state, transmits the exchanged data to the specially equipped vehicle and the specially equipped vehicle management server; A special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system featuring the following.

7. A) A special vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system that manages the change timing of hydraulic oil used for mounted objects on special vehicles, B) A specially equipped vehicle and a user terminal device are provided, C) The specially equipped vehicle has the following c1) to c4): c1) Special vehicle vehicle side control means for controlling the operation of the mounted object; c2) communication means for the specially equipped vehicle that communicates with the user terminal device; c3) An operation degree measuring means for measuring the operation degree of the mounted object; c4) an operation degree storage means for storing the measured operation degree; D) The user terminal device has a communication means of the user terminal device that communicates with the communication means of the specially equipped vehicle, E) The user terminal device or the specially equipped vehicle is equipped with any of the following means: an operation level replacement timing specifying data storage means for storing operation level replacement timing specifying data for specifying a replacement timing determined from the operation level of the hydraulic oil; an elapsed time replacement data storage means for storing elapsed time replacement data for specifying the next replacement time determined from the elapsed time since the previous replacement time for the specially equipped vehicle; a determination means for determining whether the replacement time determined from the operation degree or the replacement time determined from the elapsed time replacement data has passed its replacement time by referring to the operation degree stored in the operation degree storage means of the specially equipped vehicle, the elapsed time replacement data for the specially equipped vehicle in the specially equipped vehicle management server, and the operation degree replacement data stored in the operation degree replacement time identification data storage means; a notification means for notifying the user when the determination means determines that the replacement time has passed; A special purpose vehicle hydraulic oil change timing management system featuring the following.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Work vehicle

    JP2023030541A