Working machine, display control system, and display control method

Abstract

To improve the visibility and operability of the monitor. [Solution] The work machine comprises a vehicle body, a cab mounted on the vehicle body, and a travel device that supports the vehicle body so that it can move. The cab has a driver's seat located inside the cab and having a seat surface, a front monitor located in front of the driver's seat, and a front-side first monitor located behind the front monitor. The work machine further comprises a controller. The controller acquires the travel status of the travel device and, based on the acquired travel status, switches the display content of at least one of the front monitor and the front-side first monitor to display work-related information using information and communication technology.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a work machine, a display control system, and a display control method.

Background Art

[0002] International Publication No. 2017 / 141419 (Patent Document 1) discloses a monitor device for displaying information required for construction, such as design terrain information acquired from the outside and the current position of a bulldozer. The monitor device is disposed above a dash panel in front of a driver's seat inside a cab in which a driver rides.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a monitor is disposed near a driver's seat where an operator sits, it is required to improve the visibility and operability of the monitor.

[0005] The present disclosure proposes a technique for improving the visibility and operability of a monitor disposed near a driver's seat where an operator sits.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] ​A work machine according to a certain aspect of this disclosure comprises a vehicle body, a cab mounted on the vehicle body, and a running gear that supports the vehicle body so that it can move. The cab has a driver's seat located inside the cab and having a seat, a first monitor located in front of the driver's seat, and a second monitor located behind the first monitor. The work machine further comprises a controller. The controller acquires the running status of the running gear and, based on the acquired running status, switches the display content of at least one of the first monitor and the second monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology.

[0007] A display control system according to a certain aspect of this disclosure comprises a first monitor, a second monitor, and a controller. The first and second monitors display information to the operator of the work machine. The controller acquires the running status of the travel mechanism that supports the body of the work machine so that it can move. Based on the acquired running status, the controller switches the display content of at least one of the first and second monitors to display information related to work using information and communication technology.

[0008] A display control method according to a certain aspect of this disclosure comprises the following steps: The first step is to acquire the driving state of a traveling device that supports the body of a work machine so that it can move. The second step is to switch the display content of at least one of a first monitor and a second monitor that displays information to the operator of the work machine based on the acquired driving state, to display information related to work using information and communication technology. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, the visibility and operability of a monitor positioned near the driver's seat where the operator is seated can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of a bulldozer. [Figure 2]This is a perspective view showing the general shape of the cab. [Figure 3] This is a plan view that schematically shows some of the internal components of the cab. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the view from the standard eye point inside the cab, looking forward and downward. [Figure 5] This is a circuit diagram showing the system configuration of a bulldozer. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of a bulldozer display control method. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. In the drawings, some configurations may be omitted or simplified for the sake of explanation. It is also intended from the outset that any configuration may be extracted from the embodiments and combined in any way.

[0012] <Configuration of the working machine> In this embodiment, a bulldozer 10 will be described as an example of a work machine. Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a bulldozer 10 as an example of a work machine based on this embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the bulldozer 10 mainly consists of a body 11, a blade 12 as a work implement, and a travel device 13.

[0014] The vehicle body 11 has a cab (driver's compartment) 18 and an engine compartment 19. The cab 18 is located at the rear upper part of the vehicle body 11. The cab 18 is mounted on the vehicle body 11. The operator who operates the bulldozer 10 sits in the cab 18. The cab 18 has an operator's seat (driver's seat) inside for the operator to sit in.

[0015] The engine compartment 19 is disposed in front of the cab 18. The engine compartment 19 is disposed between the cab 18 and the blade 12. An engine 21, for example, an internal combustion engine, which is a power source of the bulldozer 10, is disposed in the engine compartment 19. The engine compartment 19 is covered from above by an engine hood 20. The engine hood 20 constitutes the ceiling portion of the engine compartment 19. The engine hood 20 separates the outside and the inside of the engine compartment 19. The upper surface of the engine hood 20 slopes downward as it goes forward.

[0016] In the embodiment, the direction in which the bulldozer 10 travels straight is referred to as the longitudinal direction of the bulldozer 10. In the longitudinal direction of the bulldozer 10, the side where the blade 12 protrudes from the vehicle body 11 is defined as the front direction. In the longitudinal direction of the bulldozer 10, the side opposite to the front direction is defined as the rear direction. The left-right direction of the bulldozer 10 is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in a plan view. Looking in the front direction, the right side and the left side in the left-right direction are the right direction and the left direction, respectively. The up-down direction of the bulldozer 10 is a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and the left-right direction. On the up-down direction, the side with the ground is the lower side, and the side with the sky is the upper side.

[0017] In the following figures, the longitudinal direction is indicated by arrow X in the figure, the left-right direction is indicated by arrow Y in the figure, and the up-down direction is indicated by arrow Z in the figure.

[0018] An exhaust pipe 25 is disposed in front of the cab 18. The exhaust pipe 25 is provided so as to protrude upward from the engine hood 20. The exhaust from the engine 21 flows through the exhaust pipe 25 and is discharged to the outside of the engine compartment 19.

[0019] The blade 12 is a working machine for performing operations such as excavation and leveling of the ground surface. The blade 12 is attached to the front of the vehicle body 11 and is disposed with a gap between it and the vehicle body 11. The blade 12 has an upper end 121 and a lower end 122. The blade 12 has a cutting edge that contacts the ground G during operation at the lower end 122.

[0020] The blade 12 is supported by the frame 14 on both the left and right sides. The blade 12 is supported by the vehicle body 11 via the frame 14. The front end of the frame 14 is attached to the rear surface of the blade 12 by a rotatable support portion. The frame 14 is supported by the vehicle body 11 so as to be rotatable vertically about a rotation axis extending in the left - right direction.

[0021] The blade 12 is driven by the tilt cylinder 15 and the lift cylinder 16. The tilt cylinder 15 and the lift cylinder 16 are hydraulic cylinders.

[0022] The front end of the tilt cylinder 15 is rotatably supported on the rear surface of the blade 12. By the hydraulic expansion and contraction of the tilt cylinder 15, the upper end 121 of the blade 12 moves back and forth, causing the blade 12 to tilt (tilt operation).

[0023] The front end of the lift cylinder 16 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the frame 14. The rear end of the lift cylinder 16 is rotatably supported on the side surface of the vehicle body 11. By the hydraulic expansion and contraction of the lift cylinder 16, the blade 12 moves in the vertical direction (lift operation).

[0024] The vehicle body 11 is supported by the traveling device 13 so as to be capable of traveling. The traveling device 13 has a pair of crawler - type traveling bodies separated in the left - right direction. The vehicle body 11 is disposed between the pair of left - right crawler - type traveling bodies. Each of the left - right crawler - type traveling bodies has a drive wheel (sprocket) 13a, an idler wheel (idler) 13b, a crawler 13c, and a track frame 13d.

[0025] The drive wheel 13a and the track frame 13d are attached to the side portion of the vehicle body 11. The drive wheel 13a is disposed behind the track frame 13d so as to be rotationally driven. The idler wheel 13b is attached to the track frame 13d. The idler wheel 13b is rotatably disposed, for example, at the front end portion of the track frame 13d.

[0026] The track 13c is configured in an annular (endless) shape and is wrapped around the drive wheel 13a and the idler wheel 13b. The track 13c is engaged with the drive wheel 13a and is configured to rotate as a result of the rotational drive of the drive wheel 13a. As the track 13c rotates, the idler wheel 13b engages with the track 13c and is able to rotate in a driven manner.

[0027] A hydraulic motor 23, which is part of the HST (Hydraulic Static Transmission) circuit, is connected to the drive wheel 13a. The hydraulic pump 22, which is part of the HST circuit, is located in the engine compartment 19. The charge pump 24, which supplies hydraulic fluid to the parking brake circuit, is also located in the engine compartment 19.

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic shape of the cab 18 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the cab 18, when viewed from above, has a roughly hexagonal shape. In a plan view, the cab 18 is formed with a roughly rectangular shape in which two vertices are chamfered. These pair of chamfered surfaces and the plane sandwiched between them constitute the front part of the cab 18. Each of the pair of chamfered surfaces is inclined so as it moves away from the plane sandwiched between them, it moves towards the rear.

[0029] The cab 18 has a front window W1, a right window W2, and a left window W3. The front window W1, the right window W2, and the left window W3 are made of transparent material such as glass so that the driver riding in the cab 18 can see the area in front of the cab 18.

[0030] The front window W1 is located in the center of the front of the cab 18. The right window W2 is located on the right side of the front of the cab 18. The right window W2 is angled diagonally to the right and rear relative to the front window W1. The left window W3 is located on the left side of the front of the cab 18. The left window W3 is angled diagonally to the left and rear relative to the front window W1. The front window W1 is positioned between the right window W2 and the left window W3.

[0031] The central portion of the front of the cab 18, where the front window W1 is located, extends in the left-right direction. The right portion of the front of the cab 18, where the right window W2 is located, extends diagonally in the front-rear and left-right directions, moving towards the rear as it approaches the right edge of the cab 18 from the central portion. The left portion of the front of the cab 18, where the left window W3 is located, extends diagonally in the front-rear and left-right directions, moving towards the rear as it approaches the left edge of the cab 18 from the central portion.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the engine hood 20 is located in front of the cab 18. Therefore, the lower edge of the front window W1 is located above the floor of the cab 18. In contrast, the lower edges of the right window W2 and the left window W3 are located near the floor of the cab 18.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing a part of the interior configuration of the cab 18 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the cab 18 has a driver's seat 31 where the operator who operates the bulldozer 10 sits. The cab 18 has a roof section that covers the driver's seat 31 and a number of pillars that support the roof section. Each pillar extends along the vertical direction (Z direction) and is connected to the floor and roof section of the cab 18.

[0034] The multiple pillars include a right front pillar 41, a left front pillar 42, a right pillar 43, a left pillar 44, a right rear pillar 45, and a left rear pillar 46. The right front pillar 41 and the left front pillar 42 are located on the right and left sides of the front window W1, respectively. The right pillar 43 and the left pillar 44 are located in front of the driver's seat 31 in the front-to-back direction (X direction). The right rear pillar 45 and the left rear pillar 46 are located behind the driver's seat 31 in the front-to-back direction (X direction).

[0035] The right front pillar 41, the right pillar 43, and the right rear pillar 45 are positioned to the right of the driver's seat 31 in the left-right direction (Y direction). The left front pillar 42, the left pillar 44, and the left rear pillar 46 are positioned to the left of the driver's seat 31 in the left-right direction (Y direction).

[0036] The driver's seat 31 is located approximately in the center of the cab 18. The driver's seat 31 has a seat, a backrest, and a headrest. The operator sitting in the cab 18 sits in the seat. Side supports that protrude forward are provided at the left and right ends of the backrest. The headrest is attached to the upper end of the backrest.

[0037] The upper surface of the seat is referred to as the seat surface 31A. The driver's seat 31 has a seat surface 31A. The seat surface center 31C is the center point of the seat surface 31A. The seat surface center 31C is the intersection of a line that bisects the seat surface 31A in the front-to-back direction (X direction) and a line that bisects the seat surface 31A in the left-to-right direction (Y direction). The right pillar 43 and the left pillar 44 are positioned in front of the seat surface center 31C. Referring also to Figure 2, the right pillar 43 is positioned behind the right window W2, and the left pillar 44 is positioned behind the left window W3.

[0038] A left console 32 is located to the left of the driver's seat 31 inside the cab 18. The left console 32 is equipped with control devices 35 for operating the forward / reverse and turning directions of the bulldozer 10. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can operate the control devices 35 with their left hand. The control devices 35 are located on the front side of the left console 32. The rear side of the left console 32 is provided as a left armrest 34.

[0039] A parking brake switch 80 is provided on the left console 32. The parking brake switch 80 constitutes a brake operating device for operating and releasing the parking brake that keeps the running gear 13 in a stopped state. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can operate the parking brake switch 80 with their left hand. The parking brake switch 80 is located immediately behind the operating device 35.

[0040] A right console 33 is located to the right of the driver's seat 31 inside the cab 18. The right console 33 is equipped with a work implement control lever 39 for operating the blade 12. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can operate the work implement control lever 39 with their right hand. The work implement control lever 39 is located on the front side of the right console 33. The rear side of the right console 33 is provided as a right armrest 38.

[0041] The dashboard 36 is located in front of the driver's seat 31 inside the cab 18. The dashboard 36 is positioned in front of the right pillar 43 and the left pillar 44 in the front-rear direction, and between the right front pillar 41 and the left front pillar 42 in the left-right direction. The dashboard 36 is positioned to the left of the right pillar 43 and away from the right pillar 43 in the left-right direction. The dashboard 36 is positioned to the right of the left pillar 44 and away from the left pillar 44 in the left-right direction.

[0042] In front of the driver's seat 31 is a deceleration brake pedal 37 for adjusting the speed of the bulldozer 10. The operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can reduce the speed of the bulldozer 10 by operating the deceleration brake pedal 37 with their foot.

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the view from the reference eye point EP inside the cab 18, looking forward and downward. The reference eye point EP shown in Figure 1 is a point that represents the position of the driver's (operator's) eyes in normal driving conditions. The reference eye point EP is located 680 mm vertically above the seat index point.

[0044] The seat index point is defined in ISO 5353 as the point at the intersection of the theoretical driver's torso-thigh joint axis and the vertical plane containing the centerline of the seat. The seat index point is the point on the central vertical plane when the device shown in Figure 1 of ISO 5353 is installed on the driver's seat 31 in the prescribed procedure. In this case, for seats with adjustment mechanisms for the front / back, up / down, back of the driver's seat 31, and other adjustments, the adjustment mechanism is set to the design standard position. The front / back, up / down, and back tilt angles of the driver's seat 31 are all set to their central position. Note that the seat index point is fixed to the cab 18 and does not move with the adjustment and / or movement range of the driver's seat 31.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, a display device is provided on the right pillar 43. The display device includes a front-side first monitor 50 and a front-side second monitor 60. The front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 are provided on the right pillar 43. The front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 are provided in front of the driver's seat 31. The front-side first monitor 50 is positioned below the front-side second monitor 60. The front-side second monitor 60 is positioned above the front-side first monitor 50. The front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 are positioned adjacent to each other vertically.

[0046] Since the front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 are positioned adjacent to each other, the amount of eye movement required from an operator viewing one monitor to viewing the other can be reduced. It is also possible for the operator to view both the front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 simultaneously. The operator can obtain more information from the display screens of both monitors. This improves work efficiency.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, a front monitor 70 is provided on the dashboard 36. The front monitor 70 is located in the center of the front of the cab 18. The front monitor 70 is located in front of the driver's seat 31. There is only one monitor, the front monitor 70, on the dashboard 36. The front monitor 70 is located below the first front-side monitor 50. In the vertical direction, the monitors are arranged from top to bottom in the order of the second front-side monitor 60, the first front-side monitor 50, and the front monitor 70.

[0048] The forward monitor 70 may be positioned below a virtual straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the upper end 121 of the blade 12 when the lower end 122 of the blade 12 is in contact with the ground G. This prevents the forward monitor 70 from obstructing the operator's view when the operator attempts to view the upper end 121 of the blade 12 through the front window W1. The forward monitor 70 is provided in the center of the front of the cab 18 without affecting the operator's forward view.

[0049] The upper end 121 of the blade 12 may be positioned above a virtual straight line connecting the reference eye point EP and the top surface of the engine hood 20, while the front monitor 70 may be positioned below it. This ensures that when the operator attempts to view the upper end 121 of the blade 12 through the front window W1, the front monitor 70 or the engine hood 20 does not obstruct the operator's view.

[0050] A front monitor 70 is provided on the dashboard 36, and a front-side first monitor 50 and a front-side second monitor 60 are provided on the right pillar 43 behind the dashboard 36. The front monitor 70 is located behind the front window W1. The front-side first monitor 50 and the front-side second monitor 60 are located behind the front monitor 70. At least one of the front-side second monitor 60, the front-side first monitor 50, and the front monitor 70 is a touch panel monitor.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can visually see the right end 123 of the blade 12 through the right window W2. In particular, the operator can visually see the right end 125 of the cutting edge of the blade 12 through the right window W2.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can visually see the left end 124 of the blade 12 through the left window W3. In particular, the operator can visually see the left end 126 of the cutting edge of the blade 12 through the left window W3.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 can visually see the central part of the upper end 121 of the blade 12 through the front window W1. In the forward view from the reference eye point EP, the central part of the upper end 121 of the blade 12 is located above the front monitor 70. In the forward view from the reference eye point EP, the right end 125 of the blade 12, which is the lower right end of the blade 12, is located to the lower right of the front monitor 70, and the left end 126 of the blade 12, which is the lower left end of the blade 12, is located to the lower left of the front monitor 70. In the forward view from the reference eye point EP, the central part of the front monitor 70 is located near the center of the triangle formed by the central part of the upper end 121 of the blade 12, the right end 125 of the blade 12, and the left end 126 of the blade 12 (for example, the centroid of the triangle).

[0054] The operating device 35 has an operating switch 35S. The operating switch 35S is a switch for switching between forward and reverse movement of the bulldozer 10. When an operator operates the operating switch 35S with their finger, the setting for the direction of travel of the bulldozer 10 is switched to forward, reverse, or neutral. The operating switch 35S may also be a rocker switch. In this case, the operating surface of the operating switch 35S may be configured such that tilting it to one end sets it to forward, tilting it to the other end sets it to reverse, and setting the operating surface of the operating switch 35S to a neutral position without tilting it to either end sets it to neutral.

[0055] <System Configuration> Figure 5 is a circuit diagram showing the system configuration of the bulldozer 10 according to the embodiment. The controller 100 shown in Figure 5 controls the operation of the bulldozer 10. The controller 100 may be mounted on the bulldozer 10, so that the bulldozer 10 is equipped with the controller 100. The controller 100 may not be mounted on the bulldozer 10, but may be located outside the bulldozer 10. A control system for the bulldozer 10 in which the external controller 100 controls the bulldozer 10 may be configured. The external controller 100 may be located at the work site of the bulldozer 10, or it may be located in a remote location away from the work site of the bulldozer 10.

[0056] A battery 131 is connected to the controller 100. The battery 131 is the power source for the controller 100, supplying power to the controller 100 from the battery 131. A battery disconnect switch 132 is provided in the circuit connecting the battery 131 and the controller 100. The battery disconnect switch 132 is provided to cut off the power supply from the battery 131 to the controller 100 during maintenance and when the bulldozer 10 is parked for extended periods.

[0057] The bulldozer 10 is equipped with a power transmission device that transmits power generated by the engine 21 to the drive wheels 13a. The power transmission device has an HST circuit that transmits power by hydraulics. The HST circuit includes a hydraulic pump 22, a hydraulic motor 23, and a closed hydraulic circuit (closed circuit) connecting the hydraulic pump 22 and the hydraulic motor 23.

[0058] The hydraulic pump 22 is a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The drive shaft of the hydraulic pump 22 is connected to the output shaft of the engine 21 and rotates when the engine 21 is driven. The hydraulic pump 22 pressurizes and discharges the oil in the HST circuit. The hydraulic pump 22 converts the driving force of the engine 21 into energy for the oil (fluid). This oil energy is transmitted to the hydraulic motor 23.

[0059] The hydraulic motor 23 is a variable displacement hydraulic motor. The drive shaft of the hydraulic motor 23 is connected to the input shaft of the drive wheel 13a. High-pressure oil supplied by the hydraulic pump 22 is transmitted to the hydraulic motor 23 via a closed circuit connecting the hydraulic pump 22 and the hydraulic motor 23, causing the drive shaft of the hydraulic motor 23 to rotate. The rotation of the drive shaft of the hydraulic motor 23 is transmitted to the drive wheel 13a, causing the drive wheel 13a to rotate. In this way, the hydraulic motor 23 converts the energy of the input oil into rotational energy (driving energy) and outputs driving energy to the drive wheel 13a of the running gear 13.

[0060] The power transmission system may include a configuration that transmits power by hydraulics, or any combination of a transmission, electric motor, etc.

[0061] The charge pump 24 is a fixed-displacement hydraulic pump. The charge pump 24 is connected to the engine 21. Driven by the engine 21, the charge pump 24 supplies hydraulic fluid to the parking brake circuit.

[0062] The operating device 35 detects whether the operating switch 35S (Figure 4) is set to neutral, forward, or reverse, and outputs the detection result to the controller 100. The operating switch 35S constitutes a travel operating device that receives operator input and outputs a travel command for the travel device 13 to travel forward, travel backward, or stop.

[0063] The parking brake switch 80 is, for example, a toggle switch. The parking brake switch 80 has internal switches 81 and 82. When the operator operates the parking brake switch 80 in one direction, internal switch 81 turns on and internal switch 82 turns off. When the operator operates the parking brake switch 80 in the other direction, internal switch 81 turns off and internal switch 82 turns on.

[0064] The internal switches 81 and 82 output to the controller 100 whether they are on or off. As a result, the operation signal of the parking brake switch 80 is input to the controller 100.

[0065] The operator switches the parking brake between the activated and deactivated states by operating the parking brake switch 80. For example, the parking brake may be activated when internal switch 81 is turned off and internal switch 82 is turned on, and the parking brake may be deactivated when internal switch 81 is turned on and internal switch 82 is turned off.

[0066] The fuel adjustment dial 88 constitutes a rotational speed setting device that sets the rotational speed of the engine 21 by setting the amount of fuel supplied to the engine 21. The amount of fuel adjusted by the operator on the fuel adjustment dial 88 is converted into an electrical signal and input to the engine controller 110. The engine controller 110 controls the rotational speed of the engine 21 by supplying an appropriate amount of fuel to the engine 21 according to the conditions. The engine controller 110 is electrically connected to the controller 100 and can receive control signals from the controller 100 and output control setting values ​​of the engine controller 110 to the controller 100.

[0067] Monitors 50, 60, and 70 display information to the operator of the bulldozer 10. The content displayed on monitors 50, 60, and 70 is controlled by the controller 100. By issuing commands to monitors 50, 60, and 70 from the controller 100, monitors 50, 60, and 70 display the operating status of the bulldozer 10, images of the area around the bulldozer 10, or screens related to work using information and communication technology (ICT).

[0068] The operating status of the bulldozer 10 may include, for example, the coolant temperature of the engine 21, the hydraulic oil temperature, the remaining fuel level, the speed setting, the audio settings, the air conditioning settings, and so on. If the monitor displaying the operating status of the bulldozer 10 is a touch panel, the operator can make various settings by touching the appropriate area on the touch panel.

[0069] Images of the area surrounding the bulldozer 10 are captured by an imaging device. This imaging device may be mounted on the bulldozer 10. The imaging device may include a rear camera that captures images of the area behind the bulldozer 10. The imaging device may be a separate device located outside the bulldozer 10. The imaging device may be mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone. Images of the terrain behind the body 11 of the bulldozer 10 may be displayed on a monitor. If a composite image of the bulldozer 10 and the surrounding terrain viewed from above is created by combining images captured simultaneously by multiple imaging devices, this composite image may be displayed on a monitor.

[0070] The screen related to the work using ICT may include, for example, the current terrain in front of the bulldozer 10 and the target design terrain to be completed. The bulldozer 10 moves forward and performs excavation work by pressing the target object with the blade 12. For example, during excavation work, the current terrain in front of the bulldozer 10 may be displayed on the forward monitor 70, and the target design terrain may be displayed superimposed on the current terrain. The operator, who is on board the bulldozer 10 and operates the operation switch 35S for forward movement, can visually check the forward monitor 70 to understand the situation of the current terrain in relation to the target design terrain and recognize how to operate the bulldozer 10.

[0071] The deceleration brake pedal 37 offers two selectable pedal modes: a deceleration mode in which pressing the pedal reduces the travel speed of the bulldozer 10 and the rotational speed of the engine 21, and a brake mode in which pressing the pedal reduces the travel speed of the bulldozer 10 but does not reduce the rotational speed of the engine 21. A potentiometer 84 is mounted on the rotation axis of the deceleration brake pedal 37. The potentiometer 84 detects the amount the operator presses the deceleration brake pedal 37 by detecting the rotation angle of the deceleration brake pedal 37 around the rotation axis. The potentiometer 84 outputs the detection result to the controller 100.

[0072] The parking brake 90 is mounted on the drive shaft of the hydraulic motor 23. The parking brake 90 has a disc brake section and a piston section. The parking brake 90 is configured such that the biasing force of an elastic member provided on the piston section causes the multiple discs of the disc brake section to become non-contact with each other, thereby releasing the parking brake 90 and allowing the travel device 13 to move. When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the piston section, the hydraulically operated piston section causes the multiple discs of the disc brake section to come into contact with each other. This activates the parking brake 90, rendering the travel device 13 immobile. When the hydraulic fluid is discharged from the piston section, the biasing force of the elastic member releases the parking brake 90, and the travel device 13 becomes movable.

[0073] The rotation speed sensor 93 detects the rotation speed of the drive shaft between the parking brake 90 and the drive wheel 13a, and outputs the detection result to the controller 100.

[0074] The parking brake circuit is an oil passage connecting the charge pump 24 and the parking brake 90. The parking brake 90 is equipped with parking brake solenoid valves 95 and 96 and a towed valve 97. The parking brake solenoid valve 95 is connected to the deceleration brake pedal 37 and the parking brake switch 80 via a limit switch 86. The parking brake solenoid valve 95 can be switched between an energized state and a de-energized state by operating the parking brake switch 80 and the deceleration brake pedal 37.

[0075] The parking brake solenoid valve 96 is switched between an energized and de-energized state according to the input of a control signal from the controller 100. The towed valve 97 is normally in an open state and is operated to a closed state when the parking brake 90 is manually released in an emergency such as when the engine 21 fails. A pressure sensor 99 for detecting the hydraulic fluid pressure is provided in the parking brake circuit between the towed valve 97 and the parking brake 90. The pressure sensor 99 outputs the detected hydraulic fluid pressure result to the controller 100.

[0076] <Display control method for Bulldozer 10> In the bulldozer 10 having the configuration described above, an example of a display control method for switching the display contents of the front-side first monitor 50 and the front monitor 70 will be described below. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the display control method for the bulldozer 10.

[0077] As shown in Figure 6, in step S1, the controller 100 acquires the travel status of the bulldozer 10. The travel status of the bulldozer 10 includes the state in which the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is capable of travel and the state in which the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is stopped. The travel status of the bulldozer 10 also includes the state in which the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is traveling forward and the state in which the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is not traveling forward. The state in which the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is not traveling forward includes the state in which the travel device 13 is stopped and the state in which the travel device 13 is traveling in reverse.

[0078] The controller 100 can determine the driving state of the bulldozer 10, for example, based on whether the parking brake 90 is engaged or released. When the parking brake switch 80 is engaged, the controller 100 can determine that the running gear 13 is stopped and therefore not in a forward driving state. When the parking brake switch 80 is released, the controller 100 can determine that the running gear 13 is in a state where it can drive.

[0079] The controller 100 can determine whether the parking brake 90 is engaged or released based on the operation signals of the parking brake switch 80 that are input to the controller 100 from the internal switches 81 and 82. The controller 100 may also determine whether the parking brake 90 is engaged or released based on the operation signals of other types of operating devices other than the parking brake switch 80, such as the brake pedal or operating lever.

[0080] The controller 100 can determine whether the parking brake 90 is engaged or released based on the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the parking brake circuit, which is detected by the pressure sensor 99 and input to the controller 100. The controller 100 can also determine whether the parking brake 90 is engaged or released based on the rotational speed of the drive shaft between the parking brake 90 and the drive wheel 13a, which is detected by the rotational speed sensor 93 and input to the controller 100.

[0081] The controller 100 can determine the driving state of the bulldozer 10, for example, based on the operation of the operator switch 35S. The controller 100 can determine that when the operator switch 35S is set to neutral, the traveling device 13 is stopped and therefore not in a forward driving state. The controller 100 can determine that when the operator switch 35S is set to forward, the traveling device 13 is in a forward driving state. The controller 100 can determine that when the operator switch 35S is set to reverse, the traveling device 13 is in a reverse driving state.

[0082] The state in which the running gear 13 is in a forward-moving state includes the state in which the running gear 13 is actually moving forward, as well as the state in which the running gear 13 is not actually moving forward because the brakes are applied, but will start moving forward if the brakes are released. The state in which the running gear 13 is in a reverse-moving state includes the state in which the running gear 13 is actually moving in reverse, as well as the state in which the running gear 13 is not actually moving in reverse because the brakes are applied, but will start moving in reverse if the brakes are released.

[0083] In step S2, the controller 100 determines whether the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is in a forward travel state.

[0084] If it is determined that the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is in a forward travel state (YES in the determination in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3, where the controller 100 displays a screen related to work using ICT (the "ICT construction information" shown in Figure 6) on the front monitor 70. The controller 100 displays the ICT construction information on the front monitor 70 based on the travel state of the travel device 13. If the front monitor 70 is displaying a screen other than the ICT construction information at the time of the determination in step S2, in step S3, the display content of the front monitor 70 is switched so that the front monitor 70 displays the ICT construction information.

[0085] At this time, the controller 100 may display the operating status of the bulldozer 10 on the front-side first monitor 50. The controller 100 may also display an image of the area around the bulldozer 10 on the front-side second monitor 60.

[0086] If it is determined that the travel device 13 of the bulldozer 10 is not in a forward travel state (NO in the determination in step S2), the process proceeds to step S4, where the controller 100 displays a screen related to work using ICT (the "ICT construction information" shown in Figure 6) on the front side first monitor 50. The controller 100 displays ICT construction information on the front side first monitor 50 based on the travel state of the travel device 13. If the front side first monitor 50 is displaying a screen other than ICT construction information at the time of the determination in step S2, in step S4, the display content of the front side first monitor 50 is switched so that the front side first monitor 50 displays ICT construction information.

[0087] At this time, the controller 100 may display the operating status of the bulldozer 10 on the front monitor 70, or it may display ICT construction information different from the screen displayed on the front side first monitor 50. The controller 100 may also display an image of the area around the bulldozer 10 on the front side second monitor 60.

[0088] Then, the process returns (the "Return" label in Figure 6). <Mechanism of Action and Effects> Although some of the above description overlaps with the above explanation, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment and the effects of the embodiment are summarized as follows.

[0089] As shown in Figure 4, the front monitor 70 is located in front of the driver's seat 31. The front side first monitor 50 is located behind the front monitor 70. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the controller 100 acquires the driving status of the travel device 13 and switches the display content of the front monitor 70 and the front side first monitor 50 based on the acquired driving status to display information related to work using information and communication technology.

[0090] A front monitor 70 and a front-side first monitor 50 are positioned near the driver's seat where the operator sits. Based on the driving status of the travel device 13, the display content of the front monitor 70 and the front-side first monitor 50 is switched so that information related to work using information and communication technology is displayed on at least one of the front monitor 70 and the front-side first monitor 50. By displaying information related to work using information and communication technology on monitors positioned in the direction the operator looks while the travel device 13 is in motion, the visibility of information related to work using information and communication technology can be improved.

[0091] The front monitor 70 is positioned in front of the driver's seat 31, while the front-side first monitor 50 is positioned behind the front monitor 70. The front-side first monitor 50, which is positioned closer to the driver's seat 31, displays information related to operations using information and communication technology at appropriate timings based on the driving status of the travel device 13. The front-side first monitor 50, being close to the driver's seat 31, is easily accessible to the operator seated in the driver's seat 31. The operator can easily operate the front-side first monitor 50, improving the ease of changing settings related to operations using information and communication technology.

[0092] As shown in Figure 4, the front-side first monitor 50 may be positioned in front of the driver's seat 31. This arrangement places the front-side first monitor 50 within easy reach of the operator seated in the driver's seat 31, thus reliably improving the operability of changing settings related to work using information and communication technology.

[0093] As shown in Figure 4, the front lateral first monitor 50 may be provided on the right pillar 43. Since the right pillar 43 is located in front of the center 31C of the driver's seat 31, providing the front lateral first monitor 50 on the right pillar 43 ensures that the front lateral first monitor 50 is positioned in front of the driver's seat 31.

[0094] As shown in Figure 4, the forward monitor 70 may be located behind the front window W1. The operator in the cab 18 can view the right end 125 of the blade 12 through the right window W2 and the left end 126 of the blade 12 through the left window W3. The operator can view the right end 125 and the left end 126 of the blade 12 and the forward monitor 70 with minimal eye movement, improving the visibility of the information displayed on the forward monitor 70.

[0095] As shown in Figure 5, the controller 100 may switch the display content of the front monitor 70 and the front side first monitor 50 when switching the driving state of the traveling device 13. By switching the display position of information related to work using information and communication technology that is frequently viewed and operated, in conjunction with the driving state of the traveling device 13, it is possible to achieve both monitor visibility during driving operations and monitor operability at hand while the vehicle is stopped.

[0096] As shown in Figure 5, the controller 100 may display information related to work using information and communication technology on the front monitor 70 when the travel device 13 is in a forward travel state. The screen related to work using information and communication technology displayed on the front monitor 70 is a screen that the operator frequently checks when the bulldozer 10 is traveling forward and working. The information related to work using information and communication technology may include target design terrain information, information on the difference between the current height of the lower end 122 (cutting edge) of the blade 12 and the height of the target design terrain, information on the excavation depth relative to the current terrain when the bulldozer 10 is performing excavation work, information on the position of the bulldozer 10 relative to the terrain information (target design terrain, current terrain), information on the position of the bulldozer 10 at the work site, etc. When the bulldozer 10 is traveling forward and working with the blade 12, the operator can easily see the front of the vehicle body 11 (direction of travel), the area around the blade 12, and the screen related to work using information and communication technology with minimal eye movement.

[0097] As shown in Figure 5, the controller 100 may display information related to work using information and communication technology on the front-side first monitor 50 when the traveling device 13 is not in a forward-moving state. The information related to work using information and communication technology displayed on the front-side first monitor 50 when the traveling device 13 is not in a forward-moving state may include terrain information, information on the position of the bulldozer 10 at the work site, a screen for changing settings related to work using information and communication technology, etc. By displaying information related to work using information and communication technology on the front-side first monitor 50 near the driver's seat 31 when the traveling device 13 is not moving forward and not working, the operator can easily check information related to work using information and communication technology, change settings, etc.

[0098] The controller 100 may display information related to operations using information and communication technology on the front-side first monitor 50 when the traveling device 13 is stopped. By displaying information related to operations using information and communication technology on the front-side first monitor 50, which is close to the driver's seat 31, when the traveling device 13 is stopped, the operator can easily check information related to operations using information and communication technology, change settings, etc.

[0099] The controller 100 may display information related to work using information and communication technology on the front-side first monitor 50 when the travel device 13 is in the reverse travel state. When the bulldozer 10 is traveling in reverse, the operator either turns their face backward to look behind the bulldozer 10 or turns their face forward to look at the monitor screen. In the reverse travel state, information related to work using information and communication technology is displayed on the front-side first monitor 50, which is behind the front monitor 70, rather than on the front monitor 70 in front of the driver's seat 31. This reduces the amount of eye movement the operator has to make when they move their gaze from either the rear of the bulldozer 10 or the front-side first monitor 50 to the other.

[0100] In the above description of embodiments, an example was described in which the display device provided on the right pillar 43 includes two monitors: a front-side first monitor 50 and a front-side second monitor 60. The display device provided on the right pillar 43 may have only one monitor. The display screen of that one monitor may be divided vertically, with the lower divided screen configured as a first screen displaying the operating status of the bulldozer 10, and the upper divided screen configured as a second screen displaying images of the area around the bulldozer 10. Therefore, the first screen and the second screen may be arranged adjacent to each other with the monitor bezel and the gap between the two monitors, or they may be arranged directly adjacent to each other without the bezel.

[0101] The display device is not limited to the right pillar 43, but may also be provided on the left pillar 44. If two monitors (a first front-side monitor 50 and a second front-side monitor 60 in this embodiment) are provided on either the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44, both of these monitors may be provided adjacent to each other vertically on either the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44. In this case, no monitor is provided on the other of the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44.

[0102] If the midline dividing the driver's seat 31 into two equal parts extends at an angle relative to the front-to-back direction, the placement of the display device on either the right pillar 43 or the left pillar 44 may be determined according to the angle of the midline. For example, if the midline of the driver's seat 31 slopes to the right as it moves forward, the display device can be placed on the right pillar 43. In this case, the amount of eye movement required by the operator seated in the driver's seat 31 when checking behind or looking at the display device while reversing can be reduced.

[0103] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the cab 18 is equipped with three monitors: a front-side first monitor 50, a front-side second monitor 60, and a front monitor 70. The cab 18 does not necessarily have to be equipped with three monitors. The cab 18 may also be configured to be equipped with two monitors: a front monitor 70 in front of the driver's seat 31, and a front-side first monitor 50 located behind the front monitor 70.

[0104] In this embodiment, an example in which the cab 18 is mounted on a bulldozer 10 has been described. The cab 18 in this embodiment may be mounted on other work machines such as motor graders in addition to the bulldozer 10. The driver's seat 31 and the monitor may be located in a remote control room outside the work machine. The monitor may be a portable device. The monitor may be the display screen of a portable device that can be carried and used by the operator, such as a laptop computer, tablet computer, or smartphone.

[0105] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 10 Bulldozer, 11 Body, 12 Blade, 13 Running gear, 18 Cab, 31 Driver's seat, 31A Seat surface, 31C Seat center, 35 Control device, 35S Control switch, 36 Dashboard, 39 Work equipment control lever, 41 Right front pillar, 42 Left front pillar, 43 Right pillar, 44 Left pillar, 45 Right rear pillar, 46 Left rear pillar, 50 Front side monitor 1, 60 Front side monitor 2, 70 Front monitor, 80 Parking brake switch, 81,82 Internal switches, 84 Potentiometer, 86 Limit switch, 88 Fuel adjustment dial, 90 Parking brake, 93 Rotation speed sensor, 95,96 Parking brake solenoid valve, 97 Towing valve, 99 Pressure sensor, 100 Controller, 110 Engine controller.

Claims

1. The car body and, The cab mounted on the aforementioned vehicle body, A work machine comprising a traveling device that supports the aforementioned vehicle body so that it can move, The aforementioned carburetor is, A driver's seat having a seat surface is located inside the aforementioned cab, The first monitor is located in front of the driver's seat, It has a second monitor located behind the first monitor, The aforementioned work machine further includes a controller, The controller is a work machine that acquires the driving status of the traveling device and switches the display content of at least one of the first monitor and the second monitor based on the acquired driving status to display information related to work using information and communication technology.

2. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the second monitor is provided in front of the driver's seat.

3. The cab has a front window located in the center of the front of the cab, a right window located to the right rear of the front window, a left window located to the left rear of the front window, a right pillar positioned behind the right window and in front of the center of the seat, and a left pillar positioned behind the left window and in front of the center of the seat. The work machine according to claim 2, wherein the second monitor is provided on either the right pillar or the left pillar.

4. The cab has a front window located in the center of the front part of the cab, The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the first monitor is provided behind the front window.

5. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller switches the display content of at least one of the first monitor and the second monitor when switching the driving state of the traveling device.

6. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller causes the first monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the travel device is in a forward travel state.

7. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller causes the second monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the travel device is not in a forward travel state.

8. The work machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller causes the second monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the traveling device is in a stopped state.

9. The work machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller causes the second monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the travel device is in a reverse travel state.

10. A first monitor and a second monitor that display information to the operator of the work machine, A display control system comprising: a controller that acquires the driving status of a traveling device that supports the body of a work machine so that it can move, and switches the display content of at least one of the first monitor and the second monitor based on the acquired driving status to display information related to work using information and communication technology.

11. The display control system according to claim 10, wherein the controller switches the display content of at least one of the first monitor and the second monitor when switching the driving state of the traveling device.

12. The display control system according to claim 10, wherein the controller causes the first monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the traveling device is in a forward traveling state.

13. The display control system according to claim 10, wherein the controller causes the second monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the traveling device is not in a forward traveling state.

14. The display control system according to claim 13, wherein the controller causes the second monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the traveling device is in a stopped state.

15. The display control system according to claim 13, wherein the controller causes the second monitor to display information related to work using information and communication technology when the traveling device is in a reverse driving state.

16. To acquire the driving status of the traveling mechanism that supports the body of the work machine so that it can move, A display control method comprising: switching the display content of at least one of a first monitor and a second monitor, which display information to the operator of the work machine, based on the acquired driving state, to display information related to work using information and communication technology.

17. The acquisition of the above includes acquiring that the traveling device is in a forward-moving state, The display control method according to claim 16, wherein the display includes displaying information related to work using information and communication technology on the first monitor when the traveling device is in a forward traveling state.

18. The acquisition of the above includes acquiring that the traveling device is not in a forward-moving state, The display control method according to claim 17, wherein the display includes displaying information related to work using information and communication technology on the second monitor when the traveling device is not in a forward traveling state.

19. The acquisition of the above includes acquiring that the traveling device is in a stopped state. The display control method according to claim 18, wherein the display includes displaying information related to work using information and communication technology on the second monitor when the traveling device is in a stopped state.

20. The acquisition of the above includes acquiring that the traveling device is in a reverse driving state, The display control method according to claim 18, wherein the display includes displaying information related to work using information and communication technology on the second monitor when the traveling device is in a reverse driving state.

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