Control device for industrial machinery

Abstract

Work will be carried out using a work process plan that minimizes the impact of noise on the surrounding area of ​​the work site. [Solution] The noise level at a specific location when multiple work machines are operating according to a work process plan is predicted, and a work process plan is created so that the noise level does not exceed a standard value.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device for a work machine.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a vibration allowable value that is allowed to be generated by the construction machine itself is obtained from the vibration allowable value at the site boundary of the construction site and the distance from the construction machine to the site boundary, and a notification sound is emitted when the vibration value actually measured by the construction machine is greater than the vibration allowable value. A technique is disclosed.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a plurality of work machines perform work, it has not been possible to create a work process plan that minimizes the influence of noise on the surrounding area of the work site and perform the work.

[0005] Therefore, it is preferable to provide a mechanism that can create a work process plan that minimizes the influence of noise on the surrounding area of the work site and perform the work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The management device for a work machine of the present disclosure predicts the noise level at a specific position when a plurality of work machines perform work according to a work process plan, and creates a work process plan such that the noise level does not exceed a reference value.

[0007] Also, the management device for a work machine of the present disclosure In operations based on a work process plan for multiple work machines, the noise level at a specific location is measured, and if the noise level exceeds a standard value, the work process plan is updated so that the noise level does not exceed the standard value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure provides a mechanism that enables the creation and execution of work process plans that minimize the impact of noise on the surrounding area of ​​the work site. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows one embodiment of an environment in which a work process plan is created by a control device for work machinery. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing one embodiment of a control device for working machinery. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of creating and modifying work process plans in a control system. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the screen for entering work schedules for each work vehicle. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a screen displaying the noise level on a control device. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of updating the work process plan in the control system. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of an information display unit installed at a work site. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a screen displaying the location and work status of a work vehicle on a management device. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a screen displaying the noise level at the microphone on the control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are illustrative and not limiting to the invention, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. In addition, identical or corresponding components in each drawing are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0011] <Work Environment> First, let's describe the environment in which work process plans are created using a machine management system.

[0012] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of an environment in which a work process plan is created by a machine management device.

[0013] An example of an environment in which a work process plan is created by the work machine management device of this disclosure is shown in Figure 1.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the work machine management device creates a work process plan to reduce noise to the residential area 20 when work vehicles (A) 32a, (B) 32b, (C) 32c, (D) 32d, and (E) 32e perform work adjacent to the residential area 20. Therefore, the residential area 20 is an example of an area requiring noise reduction measures in the present invention. Work vehicles 32a to 32e are examples of work machines in the present invention, and include shovels, cranes, forklifts, asphalt finishers, trucks, etc.

[0015] At the work site 30 where the work vehicles 32a to 32e work, a work area 31 for actual work is provided. The work area 31 is divided into four work areas (work area I) 31a, work area (work area II) 31b, work area (work area III) 31c, and work area (work area IV) 31d. These work areas 31a to 31d are each set to include one or more work positions where the work vehicles 32a to 32e work. And at a specific position between the work area 31 and the residential area 20 which is an example of a noise countermeasure required area, three microphones (Mic1) 33a, microphone (Mic2) 33b, and microphone (Mic3) 33c are installed. These three microphones 33a to 33c are installed at the specific position to predict or actually measure the noise level generated by the work of the work vehicles 32a to 32e. In FIG. 1, in FIG. 1, the microphones 33a to 33c are installed only above the work area 31. This is because the residential area 20 is adjacent to the upper side of the work area 31. That is, in FIG. 1, if the residential area 20 is also adjacent to the right side of the work area 31, microphones will also be installed on the right side of the work area 31. In FIG. 1, if the residential area 20 is also adjacent to the lower side of the work area 31, microphones will also be installed on the lower side of the work area 31. In this embodiment, three microphones 33a to 33c are installed, but the number of microphones is not limited to three.

[0016] <Configuration of the management device> Next, the configuration of the management device for creating a work process plan in the environment shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a management device for a work machine.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the management device in this embodiment includes a condition acquisition unit 11, a work process plan creation unit 12, a noise prediction unit 13, a work process plan correction unit 14, a noise actual measurement value acquisition unit 15, a work process plan update unit 16, and a display control unit 17.

[0019] The condition acquisition unit 11 acquires the conditions necessary to create a work process plan. For example, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires the noise level generated by the work vehicles 32a to 32e themselves when they perform work. It also acquires the distance between the work areas 31a to 31e and the microphones 33a to 33c. In this case, the shortest distance from each microphone 33a to 33c to the work areas 31a to 31e is acquired. It is not necessary to acquire the shortest distance from each microphone 33a to 33c to the work areas 31a to 31e, but if it is the shortest distance, the maximum noise level at each microphone 33a to 33c can be predicted for each work area 31a to 31e.

[0020] Furthermore, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires work schedule information for the work of the work vehicles 32a to 32e. For example, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires information on which work area work vehicles 32a to 32e will start working in and which work area work vehicles 32a to 32e will perform their work in. As a result, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires information on how many work vehicles have started working and are performing work in each work area 31a to 31e. The condition acquisition unit 11 also acquires information on the time required for the work. In addition, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires information on the order of the work performed by the work vehicles 32a to 32e, if there is an order, and also information on the priority.

[0021] Furthermore, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires reference values ​​to limit the noise level at the installation locations of the microphones 33a to 33c. These reference values ​​are determined by each local government, and it is preferable to acquire them for each local government to which the work site 30 belongs.

[0022] The work process plan creation unit 12 creates a work process plan based on the conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11. The work process plan includes which work area each work vehicle 32a to 32e will perform work in, the time required for each work, the operating status of each work vehicle 32a to 32e, and at least one of the order and priority of the tasks that each work vehicle 32a to 32e will perform.

[0023] The noise prediction unit 13 predicts the noise level at the installation locations of microphones 33a to 33c using the conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11, based on the work process plan created by the work process plan creation unit 12.

[0024] If the noise level predicted by the noise prediction unit 13 exceeds the standard value obtained by the condition acquisition unit 11, the work process plan modification unit 14 modifies the work process plan so that the noise level does not exceed the standard value, while referring to the conditions obtained by the condition acquisition unit 11.

[0025] The noise measurement unit 15 acquires the actual noise levels measured by microphones 33a to 33c as noise levels at the installation locations of microphones 33a to 33c.

[0026] If the noise level obtained by the noise measurement unit 15 exceeds the standard value obtained by the condition acquisition unit 11, the work process plan update unit 16 updates the work process plan so that the noise level does not exceed the standard value, while referring to the conditions obtained by the condition acquisition unit 11.

[0027] The display control unit 17 controls the display of the information display unit 50 (see Figure 7), which will be described later.

[0028] <Creating a work process plan> The following describes the processes for creating, modifying, and updating work process plans in the management system configured as described above.

[0029] First, we will explain the process of creating and modifying work process plans in the management system.

[0030] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process of creating and modifying work process plans in the control system.

[0031] In the management device, first, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires the conditions necessary to create a work process plan (step ST11).

[0032] Figure 4 shows the screen for entering the work schedule for each work vehicle 32a to 32e.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the management device displays a screen for inputting the work schedule for each work vehicle 32a to 32e. This screen includes a work vehicle display area 41 where work vehicles 32a to 32e are identified, a work status specification area 42 for specifying whether work vehicles 32a to 32e will perform work, and a work area specification area 43 for specifying the work area in which work vehicles 32a to 32e will perform work, with each work vehicle 32a to 32e having its own designated area.

[0034] For the screen configured in this way, for each work vehicle 32a to 32e, the work status specification area 42 is used to specify whether work vehicles 32a to 32e will perform work, and the work area where work vehicles 32a to 32e will start working is specified in the work area specification area 43. In addition, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires the noise level generated by work vehicles 32a to 32e themselves when they perform work. The noise level generated by work vehicles 32a to 32e themselves when they perform work is measured in advance, input to the management device, and acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11. The condition acquisition unit 11 also acquires the shortest distance to work areas 31a to 31e for each microphone 33a to 33c. Furthermore, for each work vehicle 32a to 32e, if there is a work area other than the work area specified in the work area specification area 43, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires that work area. Furthermore, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires information about the time required for each work vehicle 32a to 32e. The condition acquisition unit 11 also acquires information about the sequence of operations performed by work vehicles 32a to 32e, if there is such a sequence.

[0035] Next, the work process plan creation unit 12 creates a work process plan based on the conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11 (step ST12). The work process plan includes which work areas work on by work vehicles 32a to 32e, the time required for each task, and the order and priority of the tasks performed by work vehicles 32a to 32e.

[0036] Next, the noise prediction unit 13 predicts the noise level at the installation locations of microphones 33a to 33c using the conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11 for the work process plan created by the work process plan creation unit 12 (step ST13).

[0037] Here, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires the noise level generated by the work vehicles 32a to 32e themselves when they perform work. It also acquires which work area the work vehicles 32a to 32e will start working in. Furthermore, it acquires the shortest distance to each of the microphones 33a to 33c from the work areas 31a to 31e.

[0038] Therefore, in the following equation (Equation 1), by substituting the noise level generated by the work vehicles 32a to 32e themselves when they perform work into Lw, and the shortest distance to the work areas 31a to 31e into r, the noise level Lp caused by the work vehicles 32a to 32e at the installation location of each microphone 33a to 33c can be predicted for each work area 31a to 31d. In this case, by inputting the maximum noise level generated by the work vehicles 32a to 32e themselves when they perform work into Lw, and substituting the shortest distance to the work areas 31a to 31e for each microphone 33a to 33c into r, the predicted noise level Lp will be the maximum value caused by the work vehicles 32a to 32e at each installation location of the microphones 33a to 33c.

[0039]

number

[0040]

number

[0041] Figure 5 shows an example of a screen displaying the noise level on a control device.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the calculated noise level Ltotal may be displayed on the control device for each microphone 33a to 33c. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the noise level Ltotal calculated for the installation position of microphone (Mic1) 33a may be displayed as the maximum noise level 45a, the noise level Ltotal calculated for the installation position of microphone (Mic2) 33b may be displayed as the maximum noise level 45b, and the noise level Ltotal calculated for the installation position of microphone (Mic3) 33c may be displayed as the maximum noise level 45c. In this case, noise levels exceeding the standard value and noise levels not exceeding the standard value may be displayed in different colors.

[0043] If the calculated noise level Ltotal exceeds the standard value obtained by the condition acquisition unit 11 (Yes in step ST14), the work process plan modification unit 14 modifies the work process plan so that the noise level does not exceed the standard value, while referring to the conditions obtained by the condition acquisition unit 11 (step ST15). Specifically, the shortest distance r between the microphones 33a to 33c and the work areas 31a to 31e may be changed by changing the work area in which the work vehicles 32a to 32e start work, thereby ensuring that the noise level does not exceed the standard value. For example, in the environmental example shown in Figure 1, work vehicle 32a is scheduled to start work in work area 31a. However, if work vehicle 32a were to start work in work area 31d instead, the distance r between work vehicle 32a and microphones 33a-33c would change from the shortest distance between microphones 33a-33c and work area 31a to the shortest distance between microphones 33a-33c and work area 31d. This would reduce the noise level Lp calculated using (Equation 1) above. Furthermore, by not starting work on at least one of the work vehicles 32a-32e, the noise level Ltotal calculated using (Equation 2) above could be reduced.

[0044] These changes are made by the work process plan modification unit 14 based on the conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11. As described above, the condition acquisition unit 11 acquires work schedule information for the work of work vehicles 32a to 32e. For example, it acquires information on which work area work vehicles 32a to 32e will perform, the time required for the work, and, if there is an order to the work performed by work vehicles 32a to 32e, the order and priority of that order. The acquired order and priority of the work performed by work vehicles 32a to 32e are included in the work process plan created by the work process plan creation unit 12. The work process plan modification unit 14 may, for example, modify the work process plan based on the priority of the work performed by work vehicles 32a to 32e, which is acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11 and included in the work process plan.

[0045] For example, if part of the work performed by work vehicle 32b in work area 31a is a subsequent process to the work performed by work vehicle 32a in work area 31a, the work process plan may be changed so that work vehicle 32b is stopped first, work vehicle 32a performs its work in work area 31a, and then work vehicle 32b performs its work in work area 31a. This is because the priority of the work performed by work vehicle 32a in work area 31a is higher than the priority of the work performed by work vehicle 32b in work area 31a, and work vehicle 32b cannot perform its work until work vehicle 32a's work is completed.

[0046] Furthermore, if there is no priority order for the work performed by work vehicles 32a and 32b in work area 31a (the order in which work vehicles 32a and 32b perform their tasks does not matter), and work vehicle 32a only has tasks that can be performed in work area 31a, while work vehicle 32b has tasks that can be performed in work area 31b, the work process plan may be changed by changing the order of work vehicle 32b's tasks so that work vehicle 32b moves to work area 31b. This is because if work vehicle 32a stops its work in work area 31a even though its only tasks are those that can be performed in work area 31a, and work vehicle 32b is made to perform the work in work area 31a, work vehicle 32a will not be able to perform any work at all while work vehicle 32b is working in work area 31a, which could lead to a delay in the overall construction period. In this case, the revised work process plan will not change the process in which the work vehicle 32a starts work in the work area 31a, but the work process of the work vehicle 32b will be changed so that it first works in the work area 31b and then returns to the work area 31a to perform work.

[0047] Furthermore, when choosing between stopping the work of work vehicles 32a to 32e as described above, or moving work vehicles 32a to 32e, the movement of work vehicles 32a to 32e may be prioritized. For example, if both moving work vehicle 32a and stopping work of work vehicle 32a are options in order to keep the calculated noise level Ltotal below the standard value, the movement of work vehicle 32a may be prioritized, and work vehicle 32a may be moved to another work area without stopping its work.

[0048] Needless to say, these are carried out using the noise levels generated by the work vehicles 32a to 32e themselves, which are acquired by the condition acquisition unit ST11. The work process plan modification unit 14 repeatedly modifies the work process plan by calculating the noise level Ltotal using the above-mentioned (Equation 1) and (Equation 2), and determining whether the calculated noise level Ltotal exceeds the standard value acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11.

[0049] Furthermore, if the content and priority of the work performed by the work vehicles 32a to 32e included in the work process plan cannot be uniquely determined, multiple correction candidates may be displayed on the control device's display unit (not shown) and the manager may select one. For example, if both work vehicles 32a and 32b are scheduled to perform work in work area 31d, which is further from microphones 33a to 33c (residential area 20) than work area 31a, and the order of the work does not matter, the display unit may be made selectable to move either work vehicle 32a or 32b from work area 31a to work area 31d. For example, if it is selected that work vehicle 32b moves from work area 31a to work area 31d, the revised work process plan will show that work vehicle 32b first performs work in work area 31d, and then moves to work area 31a to perform work there.

[0050] In this way, the work process plan modification unit 14 modifies the work process plan so that the noise level does not exceed the standard value obtained by the condition acquisition unit 11 if the calculated noise level Ltotal exceeds the standard value.

[0051] In this embodiment, the noise level at the installation locations of microphones 33a to 33c, which are specific locations, is predicted based on the work process plans of multiple work vehicles 32a to 32e. If the predicted noise level exceeds the standard value, the work process plan is modified to prevent the noise level from exceeding the standard value, thereby creating a work process plan that does not exceed the standard value. This makes it possible to create a work process plan that minimizes the impact of noise on the surrounding area of ​​the work site.

[0052] Furthermore, by positioning the specific location between the work areas 31a to 31d of the work vehicles 32a to 32e and the residential area 20, which is a noise reduction area requiring noise countermeasures, noise reduction measures can be appropriately implemented in the residential area 20. In addition, having multiple microphones 33a to 33c results in multiple specific locations. This allows for appropriate noise reduction measures to be implemented throughout the entire residential area 20, especially when the residential area 20 is large.

[0053] Furthermore, by setting the work areas 31a to 31d to include one or more work positions where the work vehicles 32a to 32e will be working, it is possible to predict the noise level at the installation locations of the microphones 33a to 33c regardless of the position of the work vehicles 32a to 32e within the work areas 31a to 31d.

[0054] <Update to work process plan> Next, we will explain the process of updating the work process plan after actually performing the work according to the work process plan created and modified as described above.

[0055] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of updating the work process plan in the control device.

[0056] When work begins at the work site 30, the actual noise level at the installation locations of microphones 33a to 33c is measured by microphones 33a to 33c. The measured noise levels measured by microphones 33a to 33c are sent to the control device and acquired by the noise measurement unit 15 (step ST21).

[0057] Then, in the work process plan update unit 16, for each microphone 33a to 33c, it is determined whether the noise level acquired by the noise measurement value acquisition unit 15 exceeds the standard value acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11 (step ST22).

[0058] Then, if the noise level acquired by the noise measurement unit 15 exceeds the reference value acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11 (Yes in step ST22), first, the display control unit 17 controls and outputs an alert indicating that the noise level exceeds the reference value (step ST23).

[0059] Figure 7 shows an example of an information display unit installed at the work site 30.

[0060] An information display unit 50, as shown in Figure 7, may be installed at the work site 30. The information display unit 50 is an example of a display device in the present invention. The information display unit 50 is provided with work status display units 51a to 51e and noise level display units 52a to 52c.

[0061] The work status display units 51a to 51e show the work status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e performing work at the work site 30. The display control unit 17 refers to the work process plan corrected by the work process plan correction unit 14 and determines whether the work vehicles 32a to 32e are currently performing work. The display control unit 17 then displays "Working" on the work status display units 51a to 51e for work vehicles that are performing work, and displays "Stopped" on the work status display units 51a to 51e for work vehicles that are not performing work, as shown in Figure 7, for example. The display position of the work status display units 51a to 51e may also indicate the current location of the work vehicles 32a to 32e. The current location of the work vehicles 32a to 32e can be determined by the management device, which receives the location information of the work vehicles 32a to 32e from the positioning devices mounted on the work vehicles 32a to 32e, as will be described later, and sends this location information to the management device.

[0062] The noise level display units 52a to 52c display the actual noise levels measured by microphones 33a to 33c. The display control unit 17 displays the actual noise levels measured by microphones 33a to 33c and acquired by the noise level acquisition unit 15 on the noise level display units 52a to 52c. In this case, the display control unit 17 may output an alert by displaying the noise level of microphones whose noise level acquired by the noise level acquisition unit 15 exceeds the standard value in a way that distinguishes it from microphones whose noise level acquired by the noise level acquisition unit 15 does not exceed the standard value. For example, the noise level of microphones whose noise level acquired by the noise level acquisition unit 15 exceeds the standard value may be displayed in a blinking display. In addition, the color used to display the noise level may differ between microphones whose noise level acquired by the noise level acquisition unit 15 exceeds the standard value and those whose noise level does not. In addition, a rotating light or the like may be provided separately from the noise level display units 52a to 52c, and an alert may be output by illuminating the rotating light when the noise level acquired by the noise measurement unit 15 exceeds the standard value.

[0063] In this manner, the management device issues a notification if the noise level measured by microphones 33a to 33c exceeds the standard value. This allows managers and others to immediately recognize if the noise level measured by microphones 33a to 33c exceeds the standard value. Furthermore, by issuing an alert at the information display unit 50 installed at the work site 30, which includes the work areas 31a to 31d of the work vehicles 32a to 32e, all workers, including managers, working at the work site 30 can recognize that the noise level measured by microphones 33a to 33c exceeds the standard value.

[0064] The information display unit 50 does not necessarily have to be installed at the work site 30. For example, it may be installed at a management center that manages multiple work sites, allowing for centralized management of multiple work sites.

[0065] Next, the work process plan update unit 16 updates the work process plan so that the noise level does not exceed the standard value, while referring to the conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11 (step ST24). The work process plan update process in the work process plan update unit 16 is basically performed in the same manner as the work process plan modification process in the work process plan modification unit 14, but the difference is that the work process plan update process in the work process plan update unit 16 uses the measured noise level values ​​measured by microphones 33a to 33c and the current positions of the work vehicles 32a to 32e.

[0066] When work vehicles 32a to 32e begin work, positioning devices mounted on work vehicles 32a to 32e acquire position information indicating the current location of work vehicles 32a to 32e, and this position information is sent to the management device.

[0067] In the management device, the current location of work vehicles 32a to 32c can be determined by acquiring location information sent from work vehicles 32a to 32e in the condition acquisition unit 11.

[0068] The work process plan update unit 16 then updates the work process plan using position information indicating the current positions of the work vehicles 32a to 32e. At this time, the work process plan update unit 16 refers to the conditions included in the work process plan acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11 and created by the work process plan creation unit 12, or the work process plan modified by the work process plan modification unit 14. For example, if it is possible for work vehicle 32a to perform work at a position further away from microphones 33a to 33c than its current position in the work area 31a, the work process plan update unit 16 will try moving work vehicle 32a to a position further away from microphones 33a to 33c in the work area 31a.

[0069] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen displaying the positions and working status of work vehicles 32a to 32e on the control device.

[0070] When the work process plan update unit 16 updates the work process plan using the current positions of the work vehicles 32a to 32e, the management device may display a screen with a current position display unit 61, a modified position display unit 62, and a work status display unit 63, as shown in Figure 8. The current position display unit 61, the modified position display unit 62, and the work status display unit 63 are provided for each work vehicle 32a to 32e.

[0071] The current location display unit 61 displays the current distance between the microphones 33a to 33c of the work vehicles 32a to 32e.

[0072] The corrected position display unit 62 displays the distance between the microphones 33a to 33c of the work vehicles 32a to 32e, which has been updated in the work process plan update unit 16 using the current positions of the work vehicles 32a to 32e.

[0073] The work status display unit 63 displays the current work status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e. This allows it to determine whether the work vehicles 32a to 32e are performing work or not. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the display on the work status display unit 63 may differ depending on whether the work vehicles 32a to 32e are performing work or not. In the example shown in Figure 8, work vehicles (A) 32a and (C) 32c are performing work, while work vehicles (B) 32b, (D) 32d, and (E) 32e are not performing work.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 8, the distance between the work vehicle 32b and the microphone 33a is currently rB1, but the work process plan update unit 16 updates it to r'B1.

[0075] The work process plan update unit 16 calculates the noise level Ltotal again using (Equation 1) and (Equation 2). This is done by substituting the current distance into r in (Equation 1) for distances that have not been corrected from the current distance, and substituting the corrected distance into r in (Equation 1) for distances that have been corrected from the current distance. The work process plan update unit 16 may also change the working status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e. For example, it may stop the work of work vehicle 32a, which is currently in operation. In this case, the work status display unit 63 will display that the work of work vehicle 32a has stopped. Even in this case, the work process plan update unit 16 calculates the noise level Ltotal again using (Equation 1) and (Equation 2).

[0076] Figure 9 shows an example of a screen displaying the noise levels for microphones 33a to 33c on the control device.

[0077] When the work process plan update unit 16 updates the work process plan using the current positions and work status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e, the management device may display the noise levels at microphones 33a to 33c. For example, as shown in Figure 9, a screen may be displayed with current value display units 71a to 71c and predicted value display units 72a to 72c for each microphone 33a to 33c.

[0078] The current value display unit 71a displays the actual measured noise level measured by the microphone 33a. The predicted value display unit 72a displays the predicted noise level at the microphone 33a's installation location, calculated using (Equation 1) and (Equation 2) after the work process plan has been updated in the work process plan update unit 16 using the current positions and work status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e.

[0079] The current value display unit 71b displays the actual measured noise level measured by the microphone 33b. The predicted value display unit 72b displays the predicted noise level at the microphone 33b's installation location, calculated using (Equation 1) and (Equation 2) after the work process plan has been updated in the work process plan update unit 16 using the current positions and work status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e.

[0080] The current value display unit 71c displays the actual measured noise level measured by the microphone 33c. The predicted value display unit 72c displays the predicted noise level at the microphone 33c's installation location, calculated using (Equation 1) and (Equation 2) after the work process plan has been updated in the work process plan update unit 16 using the current positions and work status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e.

[0081] Subsequently, the work process plan update unit 16 performs the same processing as in steps ST13 to ST15 in Figure 3, and when the calculated noise level Ltotal does not exceed the standard value, it updates the work process plan using the positions and working conditions of the work vehicles 32a to 32e at that time.

[0082] In this manner, the work process plan update unit 16 updates the work process plan by changing the position and working status of the work vehicles 32a to 32e if the measured noise level measured by microphones 33a to 33c exceeds the standard value.

[0083] Furthermore, if the noise level acquired by the noise measurement unit 15 exceeds the standard value acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11, the work process plan update unit 16 may display on the control device's display a list of candidates for changing the positions of work vehicles 32a to 32e and their work status, allowing the manager to select one. In this case, the manager may directly input the distance to be corrected into the correction position display unit 62 on the screen shown in Figure 8. Alternatively, the current work status may be reversed (from "work in progress" to "work stopped," or from "work stopped" to "work in progress") by clicking or specifying the work status display unit 63.

[0084] After the work process plan is updated in this manner, the updated work process plan may be notified to the operators of the work vehicles 32a to 32e (step ST25). For example, a send button may be provided on the screen shown in Figures 8 and 9, and after the work process plan is updated, pressing the send button may send the updated work process plan to the work vehicles 32a to 32e. In this case, a flag may be set on the destination information that identifies the recipient, for example, the destination information of a work vehicle whose work position has been changed, and when the send button is pressed, the updated work process plan may be sent only to the recipient identified by the destination information with the flag set. Alternatively, if the work vehicles 32a to 32e are being remotely controlled, the updated work process plan may be sent to the remote control room.

[0085] In this way, by notifying the operators of work vehicles 32a to 32e of the updated work process plan, they can immediately recognize the updated work process plan to ensure that the noise level does not exceed the standard value. The operators of work vehicles 32a to 32e will then carry out the work according to the updated work process plan.

[0086] As described above, in this embodiment, during work based on the work process plan of multiple work vehicles 32a to 32e, the noise level at a specific location is measured using microphones 33a to 33c. If the measured noise level exceeds a standard value, the work process plan is updated so that the noise level at the installation locations of microphones 33a to 33c does not exceed the standard value. This makes it possible to create a work process plan that minimizes the impact of noise on the surrounding area of ​​the work site. Furthermore, while minimizing the impact of noise, work can be continued without hindering the progress of the work process plan.

[0087] At that time, the work process plan is updated using location information that shows the current working position of each of the multiple work vehicles 32a to 32e. This makes it possible to ensure that the noise level of work vehicles 32a to 32e working within work areas 31a to 31d does not exceed the standard value without having to move within work areas 31a to 31d. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 11 Condition Acquisition Unit 12. Work Process Planning Department 13. Noise Prediction Section 14. Work Process Plan Revision Department 15. Noise measurement value acquisition unit 16. Work Process Plan Update Department 17 Display Control Unit 20 Residential area 30 Work sites 31, 31a~31d Work Area 32a~32e Work vehicle 33a~33c Microphone 41 Work vehicle display area 42 Work presence specification area 43 Designated work area 45a~45c Maximum noise level 50 Information display machine 51a~51e, 63 Operation status display section 52a~52c Noise level display section 61 Current position display section 62 Correction position display section 71a~71c Current Value Display Section 72a~72c Predicted value display section

Claims

1. A machine management device that predicts the noise level at a specific location when multiple machines are working according to a work process plan, and creates a work process plan that ensures the noise level does not exceed a standard value.

2. A machine management device according to claim 1, which predicts the noise level at a specific location based on the work process plans of multiple machines, and modifies the work process plan so that the noise level does not exceed the standard value if the noise level exceeds the standard value.

3. The work process plan includes at least one of the work area of ​​the work machine, the operating status of the work machine, the time required for the work performed by the work machine, and the priority order of the work performed by the plurality of work machines, as described in claim 1.

4. The control device for a work machine according to claim 1, wherein the specified location is a location between the work area of ​​the work machine and the noise reduction required area where noise reduction measures are required.

5. The work area is an area set to include one or more work positions where the plurality of work machines operate, as described in claim 3 or claim 4.

6. A control device for a work machine according to claim 4, wherein there are multiple such specific positions.

7. A machine management device that measures the noise level at a specific location during work based on a work process plan for multiple machines, and updates the work process plan so that the noise level does not exceed a standard value if the noise level exceeds a standard value.

8. A control device for a work machine according to claim 7, which provides notification if the noise level exceeds the standard value.

9. The notification is made by a display device installed at the work site, which includes the work areas of the plurality of work machines, as described in claim 8.

10. A work machine management device according to claim 7, which notifies the operator of the work machine of the updated work process plan.

11. The work machine management device according to claim 7, wherein the update of the work process plan is also performed using position information indicating the current work position of each of the plurality of work machines.

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