crane

Abstract

This crane provides a way to make vehicle information more easily visible during operation. [Solution] A crane (10) that displays vehicle information on a display device (110) inside the driver's cab (107), wherein the driver's cab (107) is equipped with an auxiliary display device (120) different from the display device (110), and the auxiliary display device (120) displays only at least a portion of the vehicle information that can be displayed on the display device (110) toward the driver's seat (201) inside the driver's cab (107).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane.

Background Art

[0002] As background art in this technical field, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a display device provided inside the cab of a crane, which displays various vehicle body information such as the operating state and warnings of the crane.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When operating the crane while sitting in the cab, the operator operates while looking at the display device described in Patent Document 1 and the suspended load hung on the hook of the crane. However, since the vehicle body information displayed on the display device has a large amount of information, there is a problem that it is difficult to concentrate on the operation when trying to read the vehicle body information.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and its main object is to provide a crane that can make the vehicle body information more visible during operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a typical aspect of the present invention is a crane that displays vehicle body information on a display device inside the cab, and includes an auxiliary display device different from the display device inside the cab. The auxiliary display device displays only a part of the vehicle body information that can be displayed on the display device toward the driver's seat side inside the cab.

[0007] According to the present invention, vehicle information can be made more easily visible during operation. Other problems, configurations, and effects will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the crane. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the entire driver's cab. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the interior of the driver's cab, as seen from the driver's side. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a crane. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the formula for calculating the working radius of a crane. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for an auxiliary display device. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the display screen of the auxiliary display device according to Modification Example 1, and shows the working radius ratio and load ratio in a safe state (A), a working radius ratio in a cautionary state (B), and a load ratio in a dangerous state (C), respectively. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the display screen of the auxiliary display device according to Modification Example 2. [Figure 9] This graph shows the displacement of the working radius of the front attachment, which changes depending on the tower angle and jib angle. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display screen of the auxiliary display device according to the modified example 2, and it shows the state in which the relative angle between the tower and the jib is at a predetermined limit angle (A), and the state in which the jib angle is reduced from state (A) (B). [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display screen of the auxiliary display device according to Modification Example 3, illustrating the state of low resolution for the bar display (A) and the state of high resolution for the bar display (B). [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram showing the auxiliary display device according to modified example 4 in the driver's cab. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the crane according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Outline configuration of crane 10] Figure 1 is a side view showing the external appearance of the crane 10. The crane 10 comprises a lower traveling body 101, an upper slewing body 103 rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body 101 via a slewing wheel, and a front attachment 100 (boom) supported by the upper slewing body 103. The lower traveling body 101 and the upper slewing body 103 constitute the main body. The front attachment 100 includes a tower boom 104 (hereinafter abbreviated as tower 104) whose base end is pivotally supported on the upper slewing body 103 in a rotatable (up and down) manner, and a jib boom 108 (hereinafter abbreviated as jib 108) pivotally supported on the tip of the tower 104 in a rotatable (up and down) manner. A driver's cab 107 is provided at the front of the upper slewing body 103, and a counterweight 109 is attached to the rear of the upper slewing body 103. Furthermore, the driver's cab 107 is equipped with a display device 110 and an auxiliary display device 120 (see Figures 2 and 3), which will be described later.

[0011] In this specification, assuming that the driver's cab 107 is facing the direction of travel of the lower traveling body 101 (the position shown in Figure 1), the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the upper rotating body 103 is defined as the "up and down direction," the direction of travel of the lower traveling body 101 perpendicular to the up and down direction is defined as the "forward and backward direction," and the direction perpendicular to the up and down direction and the forward and backward direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1) is defined as the left and right direction.

[0012] The upper rotating body 103 is equipped with a hook hoisting drum 105 for hoisting the hook, a tower luffing drum 106 for luffing the tower, a jib luffing drum 111 for luffing the jib, and an engine 112.

[0013] The lower traveling body 101 travels by the driving force of the engine 112. The upper slewing body 103 is slewing-driven by a slewing hydraulic motor 103a (see Fig. 4) via a slewing ring. The hook hoisting drum 105 is driven by a hoisting hydraulic motor 105a, the tower raising and lowering drum 106 is driven by a tower raising and lowering hydraulic motor 106a, and the jib raising and lowering drum 111 is driven by a jib raising and lowering hydraulic motor 111a (see Fig. 4).

[0014] Note that the configuration for rotating the hook hoisting drum 105, the tower raising and lowering drum 106, and the jib raising and lowering drum 111 is not limited to the above example. For example, the hook hoisting drum 105, the tower raising and lowering drum 106, and the jib raising and lowering drum 111 may be electric winches that rotate directly by the driving force of an electric motor or via a speed reducer or the like.

[0015] A hoisting rope 151 is wound around the hook hoisting drum 105, and the hoisting rope 151 is connected to the hook 152 via the top of the tower 104 and the tip of the jib 108. When the hook hoisting drum 105 is driven, the hoisting rope 151 is wound up or paid out, causing the hook 152 to move up and down. A suspended load to be moved by the crane 10 is hung on the hook 152.

[0016] One end of a tower pendant rope 161 is connected to the tip of the tower 104, and the other end of the tower pendant rope 161 is connected to a tower upper spreader 162. The tower raising and lowering rope 163 is wound around the tower raising and lowering drum 106 after being looped multiple times between the tower upper spreader 162 and the tower lower spreader 165 via the top of the mast 164. When the tower raising and lowering drum 106 is driven, the tower raising and lowering rope 163 is wound up or paid out, changing the distance between the tower lower spreader 165 and the tower upper spreader 162, causing the tower 104 to raise and lower.

[0017] On the proximal end side of the tower 104, a tower angle sensor 160 (see FIG. 4) is attached. The tower angle sensor 160 detects the pitching angle of the tower 104 (hereinafter referred to as the tower angle), and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected tower angle to the controller 200 (see FIG. 4). The tower angle sensor 160 detects the angle with respect to the horizontal plane, i.e., the angle with respect to the ground, as the tower angle.

[0018] Also, for example, a load cell 180 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the upper tower spreader 162. The load cell 180 detects the tension acting on the tower hoisting rope 163 that hoists the tower 104, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected tension to the controller 200.

[0019] The tip of the tower 104 is pivotally supported by a tower strut 140 so as to be rotatable. The tower strut 140 is formed in a triangular shape by a front strut 140a, a rear strut 140b, and a connecting rod 140c that connects the front strut 140a and the rear strut 140b.

[0020] One apex of the tower strut 140, that is, the tip of the front strut 140a, is connected to the tip of the jib 108 by a jib pendant rope 141. The other apex of the tower strut 140, that is, the tip of the rear strut 140b, is connected to the jib hoisting rope 143 via a tower strut pendant rope 142 and a jib upper spreader 144. The jib hoisting rope 143 is wound around the jib hoisting drum 111 after being looped around a plurality of times between the jib upper spreader 144 and the jib lower spreader 145. When the jib hoisting drum 111 is driven, the jib hoisting rope 143 is wound up or paid out, so that the tower strut 140 is rotated in the front-rear direction, and the jib 108 is hoisted.

[0021] A jib angle sensor 170 (see Figure 4) is attached to the base end of the jib 108. The jib angle sensor 170 detects the elevation angle of the jib 108 (hereinafter referred to as the jib angle) and outputs a control signal corresponding to the detected jib angle to the controller 200. For example, the jib angle sensor 170 detects the angle to the ground, which is the angle with respect to the horizontal plane, as the jib angle.

[0022] A pair of tower backstops 146 are provided on the left and right sides between the main frame 103b of the upper rotating body 103 and the tower 104. The tower backstops 146 limit the range of rotation of the tower 104 so that it does not rotate beyond its maximum angle. Typically, the maximum upright angle of the tower 104 is approximately 90 degrees.

[0023] [Configuration of driver's cab 107] Next, the configuration of the driver's cab 107 will be described. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the entire driver's cab 107, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the interior of the driver's cab 107 as seen from the driver's seat 201 side. Note that the hook 152 and suspended load SL (shown by a dashed line) shown in Figure 3 are examples of hook 152 and suspended load SL that are visible through the windshield 202 of the driver's cab 107, and are not limited to these.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the driver's cab 107 is provided with a driver's seat 201 where the operator sits, a windshield 202 located in front of the driver's seat 201, a group of levers 210 (operating devices) on the right side operated by the operator with their right hand while seated in the driver's seat 201, a left lever (swivel lever) 212 operated by the operator with their left hand while seated in the driver's seat 201, a display device 110, and an auxiliary display device 120 different from the display device 110. The windshield 202 is located on the front side of the driver's cab 107 and is supported by a support frame 203. The support frame 203 has an upper edge 203a, a lower edge 203b, and a pair of side edges 203c and 203d, and supports all four sides of the windshield 202.

[0025] The display device 110 is located to the left front of the driver's seat 201. The display device 110 displays various vehicle information such as the operating status of the crane 10, warnings, and setting information (details will be described later).

[0026] The auxiliary display device 120 is located inside the driver's cab 107 and displays information toward the driver's seat 201. The auxiliary display device 120 is located above the display device 110. In this embodiment, the auxiliary display device 120 is located above the display device 110 and above the center line CL (vertical center line) on the front of the driver's cab 107. More specifically, the auxiliary display device 120 is located within the driver's cab 107, overlapping the support frame 203 that supports the windshield 202. In this specification, "above the display device" means that at least the position of the information displayed on the auxiliary display device 120 is higher than the position of the portion of the information displayed on the display device 110. Also, "above the center line on the front of the driver's cab" means that at least the position of the information displayed on the auxiliary display device 120 is above the center line CL. Furthermore, it is preferable that the entire display unit of the auxiliary display device 120 (excluding the frame and support parts surrounding the display unit) is above the center line CL.

[0027] In this embodiment, the auxiliary display device 120 is a horizontally elongated rectangular display device. In this specification, a "horizontally elongated rectangular display device" is a display device having an external shape in which the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) is longer than the vertical direction (short direction). The auxiliary display device 120 is positioned so that its left-right direction (longitudinal direction) is aligned with the upper edge 203a of the support frame 203 and overlaps it. Since the amount of information displayed on the auxiliary display device 120 is less than the amount of information displayed on the display device 110, the auxiliary display device 120 may be a low-resolution display device, for example, having a dot matrix type display unit in which light-emitting elements made of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are arranged in a grid (two-dimensional array). The information displayed on the auxiliary display device 120 will be described later.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tower 104, jib 108, and hook 152 are located to the left of the driver's cab 107. Therefore, when looking at the windshield 202 from the driver's seat 201, the suspended load SL attached to the hook 152 is often located within the area 202a indicated by the dotted line (making it visible through the windshield 202). Area 202a is the area of ​​the windshield 202 that is closer to the upper edge 203a and the left side edge 203c than the center. The auxiliary display device 120 is positioned to match area 202a. In other words, the auxiliary display device 120 is positioned on top of the upper edge 203a of the support frame 203, closer to the left side edge 203c.

[0029] The floor of the driver's cab 107 is equipped with a hook hoisting drum brake pedal 251 for braking the hook hoisting drum 105, a jib luffing drum brake pedal 252 for braking the jib luffing drum 111, an accelerator pedal 261 for increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of the engine 112, and a slewing brake pedal 262 for braking the upper slewing body 103.

[0030] The right-side lever group 210 includes a number of operating levers for driving the hook hoisting drum 105, the jib luffing drum 111, and the tower luffing drum 106, respectively. The right-side lever group 210 also includes a pair of travel levers, namely a travel lever for driving the left crawler of the lower travel body 101 and a travel lever for driving the right crawler.

[0031] [Electrical configuration of crane 10] Next, an overview of the electrical configuration of the crane 10 will be described. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the crane 10. As shown in Figure 4, the crane 10 is equipped with a controller 200. The controller 200 is composed of a processing unit that includes a CPU, memory devices such as ROM and RAM, and other peripheral circuits, although these are not shown in detail.

[0032] The controller 200 is connected to the left lever 212 and the right lever group 210, and controls the rotational speed of the slewing hydraulic motor 103a, the hoisting hydraulic motor 105a, the tower luffing hydraulic motor 106a, and the jib luffing hydraulic motor 111a in response to the operation of these levers.

[0033] As described above, the tower angle sensor 160, load cell 180, and jib angle sensor 170 are connected to the controller 200. The controller 200 calculates the lifting load applied to the hook 152 based on the outputs (tension and tower angle detection signals) of the load cell 180 and the tower angle sensor 160.

[0034] Furthermore, the controller 200 calculates the working radius R of the crane 10 (see Figure 5) based on the lengths of the tower 104 and jib 108, and the outputs of the tower angle sensor 160 and jib angle sensor 170 (detection signals for the tower angle and jib angle).

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the working radius R of the crane 10 (the horizontal distance from the rotation axis RA of the upper slewing body 103 to the tip of the jib 108) can be calculated by the controller 200 as follows, where L1 is the length of the tower 104, L2 is the length of the jib 108, α is the tower angle, and β is the jib angle: working radius R = L1 × cosα + L2 × cosβ.

[0036] The controller 200 is connected to the display device 110 and displays vehicle information such as the operating status, warnings, and setting information of the crane 10. This vehicle information includes information related to the lifting operation in which the crane 10 moves the suspended load. More specifically, the controller 200 displays vehicle information such as the lifting load and working radius on the display device 110 based on detection signals and calculation results from the tower angle sensor 160, load cell 180, and jib angle sensor 170. Furthermore, the controller 200 displays the attitude state of the crane 10, including the tower angle and jib angle, on the display device 110. In addition, image data from a surveillance camera (not shown) installed on the hook 152 is input to the controller 200, and image data of the suspended load captured by the surveillance camera is output to the display device 110.

[0037] Furthermore, the controller 200 performs overload prevention control called a moment limiter. As a moment limiter, the controller 200 stops the luffing operation (an operation that increases the load) of the tower 104 and jib 108 when the lifting load relative to the current working radius of the crane 10 exceeds the rated total load, or when the working radius relative to the current lifting load of the crane 10 reaches the rated distance. In other words, when the load based on the lifting load of the crane 10 exceeds the limit value, the controller 200 stops the rotation of the tower luffing hydraulic motor 106a and the jib luffing hydraulic motor 111a. This prevents the crane 10 from tipping over. In addition to performing overload prevention control, the controller 200 also displays warnings on the display device 110 and the auxiliary display device 120.

[0038] (Screen displayed on the auxiliary display device 120) Next, a specific example of the screen displayed on the auxiliary display device 120 will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the display screen shown on the auxiliary display device 120. The auxiliary display device 120 displays only some of the vehicle information displayed on the display device 110, and in particular, it includes information related to the lifting operation in which the crane 10 moves the suspended load. In this specification, "displaying only some of the vehicle information that can be displayed on the display device" means that only a portion of the vehicle information that can be displayed on the display device 110 is displayed, and the display on the auxiliary display device 120 may include displays other than those that can be displayed on the display device 110. For example, the display on the auxiliary display device 120 may be an indicator that shows whether the auxiliary display device 120 is in an ON state, an OFF state, or a sleep state, or it may be an indicator that shows some startup state that is not displayed on the display device 110. As the indicator on the auxiliary display device 120, for example, a pilot lamp or indicator composed of a light source such as an LED may be used.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the display screen of the auxiliary display device 120 has two display ranges 120a and 120b, which display information such as the lifting load and load ratio, and the working radius and ratio (the ratio of the current working radius to the maximum working radius). In other words, the information displayed on the display screen of the auxiliary display device 120 is information about the load applied to the front attachment 100 (boom), including the tower 104 and jib 108, during lifting operations performed by the crane 10. The display ranges 120a and 120b are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0040] In Figure 6, N1 and N2 represent names, V1 and V2 represent values, U1 and U2 represent units, and BD1 and BD2 represent bar displays (format displays). The bar displays BD1 and BD2 display some of the vehicle information in a simplified display format different from that of the display device 110. The display range 120a on the left side of the auxiliary display device 120 displays information about the lifting load. The name N1 displayed in the display range 120a represents the lifting load, the value V1 represents the current lifting load value, and the unit U1 represents tons (t).

[0041] The bar display BD1 indicates the load factor (percentage of the total rated load) and is a rectangular display that expands and contracts horizontally from the left end 120c to the right end 120d within the display range 120a. The left end 120c represents a load factor of 0%, and the right end represents 100%, with the length of the bar display BD1 in the horizontal direction indicating the current load factor.

[0042] The name N2 displayed in display range 120b indicates the Working Radius, the value V2 indicates the current working radius, and the unit U2 indicates meters (m). The bar display BD2 indicates the working radius ratio (the ratio of the current working radius to the rated maximum working radius), and is a rectangular display that expands and contracts horizontally from the left end 120e to the right end 120f of display range 120b. The left end 120e represents the working radius ratio of 0%, and the right end 120f represents 100%, and the length of the bar display BD2 in the horizontal direction indicates the current working radius ratio.

[0043] According to this embodiment configured as described above, the following effects and advantages can be achieved.

[0044] The crane 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with an auxiliary display device 120 in the operator's cab 107, which is different from the display device 110. The auxiliary display device 120 displays at least a portion of the vehicle information that can be displayed on the display device 110, facing the driver's seat 201 in the operator's cab 107. Therefore, when the operator operates the crane 10 while looking at the auxiliary display device 120 and the suspended load attached to the hook 152, the auxiliary display device 120 makes the vehicle information easier to see during operation.

[0045] Furthermore, since the auxiliary display device 120 is positioned above the display device 110 and above the center line CL in front of the driver's cab 107, the operator's line of sight is reduced when operating the crane 10 while viewing the suspended load. Therefore, the operator can view vehicle information more clearly when operating the auxiliary display device 120.

[0046] Furthermore, the auxiliary display device 120 is a horizontally elongated rectangle, and since its longitudinal direction is aligned with the upper edge 203a of the support frame 203, the auxiliary display device 120 does not obstruct the field of view of the suspended load through the windshield 202. Therefore, vehicle information can be made more easily visible during operation.

[0047] Furthermore, the auxiliary display device 120 displays information related to the lifting operation in which the crane 10 moves the suspended load, as part of the vehicle information. This ensures that only the information important to the operator during the lifting operation is displayed on the auxiliary display device 120, making the vehicle information easier to see during operation. In addition, the auxiliary display device 120 also displays information about the load on the front attachment 100 (boom) during the lifting operation, as part of the vehicle information. This ensures that only the information further necessary for the operator during the lifting operation is displayed on the auxiliary display device 120, making the vehicle information even easier to see during operation.

[0048] [Example 1] In the above embodiment, the auxiliary display device 120 shows information about the load on the front attachment 100 (boom) as a numerical value and a bar display. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in Modification 1, the load information may be shown only as a bar display.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the display screen of the auxiliary display device 120 in this modified example 1 displays information such as the load factor and the ratio of the working radius (the ratio of the current working radius to the maximum working radius) as a bar display BD11. Except for the contents displayed on the auxiliary display device 120, the configuration of the crane 10 in this modified example 1 is the same as in the above embodiment. In addition, in this modified example 1, a color LED display device capable of changing the emission color of the bar display BD11 is used as the auxiliary display device 120.

[0050] In Figures 7(A) to 7(C), the bar display BD11 consists of a first rectangular frame F11, a second rectangular frame F12, and a load rate display bar B11. The first rectangular frame F11 is a horizontally elongated rectangular frame. The second rectangular frame F12 is positioned inside the first rectangular frame F11 and is rectangular in shape with dimensions equal to the first rectangular frame F11 in the vertical direction and smaller dimensions in the horizontal direction than the first rectangular frame F11.

[0051] The second rectangular frame F12 moves inside the first rectangular frame F11. This means that the position of the second rectangular frame F12 relative to the first rectangular frame F11 indicates the ratio of the working radius. The left end F11a of the first rectangular frame F11 indicates 0% of the maximum working radius, and the right end indicates 100% of the maximum working radius. In other words, when the second rectangular frame F12 is located at the left end F11a of the first rectangular frame F11, the current working radius is 0% of the maximum working radius, and when it is located at the right end F11b, the current working radius is 100% of the maximum working radius (equal to the maximum working radius).

[0052] The load factor indicator bar B11 is located inside the second rectangular frame F12. The load factor indicator bar B11 shows the load factor (a percentage of the total rated load) and is a rectangular display that expands and contracts vertically from the lower end F12a to the upper end F12b of the second rectangular frame F12. The lower end F12a of the second rectangular frame F12 represents a load factor of 0%, and the upper end F12b represents a load factor of 100%, and the vertical length of the load factor indicator bar B11 indicates the current load factor.

[0053] Furthermore, in this modified example 1, the change in the state of the load on the front attachment 100 (boom) can be represented by changing the illumination color of the bar display BD11. In Figure 7(A), the differences in illumination colors are shown by hatching, with diagonal hatching indicating blue, cross hatching indicating yellow, and dot hatching indicating red. Note that the illumination color is not limited to these, and any color that can represent a change in state is acceptable.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7(A), when the current working radius ratio indicated by the first rectangular frame F11 and the second rectangular frame F12 is small (50% of the maximum working radius), and the load ratio indicated by the load ratio indicator bar B11 is small (30% load ratio), the first rectangular frame F11, the second rectangular frame F12, and the load ratio indicator bar B11 all emit blue light, indicating a safe state. From the state shown in Figure 7(A), when the operator operates the crane 10 to lower the tower 104 (reduce its elevation), the working radius ratio changes to increase (the state shown in Figure 7(B)).

[0055] As shown in Figure 7(B), when the ratio of the current working radius indicated by the first rectangular frame F11 and the second rectangular frame F12 increases (to 80% of the maximum working radius), the first rectangular frame F11 and the second rectangular frame F12 emit a yellow light to draw attention. However, they may also emit a yellow light when the ratio of the current working radius indicated by the first rectangular frame F11 and the second rectangular frame F12 decreases.

[0056] Furthermore, when the operator operates the crane 10 to raise the hook 152 from the state shown in Figure 7(A), the tension of the hoisting rope 151 increases, and the load rate indicated by the load rate indicator bar B11 changes to increase (the state shown in Figure 7(C)).

[0057] As shown in Figure 7(C), when the current load rate indicated by the load rate indicator bar B11 is 100%, the load rate indicator bar B11 emits a red light to indicate a dangerous condition. In this way, the operator can recognize changes in the load state on the front attachment 100 by the difference in the emitted light color.

[0058] As described above, this modified version 1 can achieve the following effects. In this modified version 1, since only a simplified display mode (bar display) different from the display on the display device 110 is used to display some of the vehicle information, the operator can easily read some of the vehicle information from the auxiliary display device 120. Therefore, the vehicle information can be made easier to see during operation. In addition, since the change in the illumination color of the load rate display bar B11 displayed on the auxiliary display device 120 represents the change in the load state on the boom, the operator can easily recognize the change in the load state on the boom by the difference in illumination color. [Differentiation 2] In the above embodiment and Modification 1, the auxiliary display device 120 displays information on the load applied to the entire front attachment 100 (boom). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in Modification 2, the configuration may also display load information for each of the tower 104 and jib 108 that constitute the front attachment 100.

[0059] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen in the auxiliary display device 120 of this modified example 2, Figure 9 is a graph showing the displacement of the working radius of the front attachment 100 which changes according to the tower angle α and the jib angle β, and Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display screen of the auxiliary display device 120 of this modified example 2.

[0060] As shown in Figure 8, the display screen of the auxiliary display device 120 in this modified example 2 has two display ranges 120a and 120b, where the load rate applied to the tower 104 and jib 108 and the ratio of the working radius (the ratio of the current working radius to the maximum working radius) are displayed as bar displays BD21 and BD22, respectively.

[0061] The bar display BD21 consists of a first rectangular frame F211, a second rectangular frame F212, and a load rate display bar B21. The first rectangular frame F211 is a horizontally elongated rectangular frame. The second rectangular frame F212 is located inside the first rectangular frame F211 and is rectangular in shape with dimensions equal to the first rectangular frame F211 in the vertical direction and smaller dimensions in the horizontal direction than the first rectangular frame F211.

[0062] The second rectangular frame F212 moves inside the first rectangular frame F211. As a result, similar to the first rectangular frame F11 and second rectangular frame F12 in the modified example 1 above, the position of the second rectangular frame F212 relative to the first rectangular frame F211 indicates the ratio of the working radius in the current tower 104. The load factor indicator bar B21 is located inside the second rectangular frame F212. Similar to the load factor indicator bar B11 in the modified example 1 above, the load factor indicator bar B11 indicates the load factor in the tower 104 (as a ratio to the rated total load), and the vertical length of the load factor indicator bar B21 indicates the current load factor in the tower 104.

[0063] The bar display BD22 consists of a first rectangular frame F221, a second rectangular frame F222, and a load rate display bar B22. The first rectangular frame F221 is a horizontally elongated rectangular frame. The second rectangular frame F222 is located inside the first rectangular frame F221 and is rectangular in shape with dimensions equal to the first rectangular frame F221 in the vertical direction and smaller dimensions in the horizontal direction than the first rectangular frame F221.

[0064] The second rectangular frame F222 moves inside the first rectangular frame F221. As a result, similar to the first rectangular frame F11 and second rectangular frame F12 in the above modified example 1, the position of the second rectangular frame F222 relative to the first rectangular frame F221 indicates the ratio of the working radius at the current jib 108. The load factor indicator bar B22 is located inside the second rectangular frame F222. Similar to the load factor indicator bar B11 in the above modified example 1, the load factor indicator bar B22 indicates the load factor at the jib 108 (as a ratio to the rated total load), and the vertical length of the load factor indicator bar B22 indicates the current load factor at the jib 108.

[0065] Furthermore, in this modified example 2, similar to modified example 1, the change in the state of the load on the tower 104 and jib 108 can also be represented by changing the illumination color of the bar display BD21. The types of colors used to represent the change in state are the same as in modified example 1.

[0066] In this modified example 2, the information regarding the load ratio applied to the tower 104 and jib 108 and the ratio to the working radius changes according to the tower angle α, the jib angle β, and the relative angle between the tower 104 and jib 108. The relative angle between the tower 104 and jib 108 is the difference between the tower angle α and the jib angle β (α-β) (see Figure 5).

[0067] Figure 9 is an example of a graph showing the displacement of the working radius of the front attachment 100, which changes according to the relative angle (α-β) between the tower 104 and the jib 108. Based on the data showing the displacement of the working radius in such a graph, the controller 200 controls the crane 10 and the auxiliary display device 120.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9, the crane 10 cannot raise the jib 108 (increase its luffing) in a direction that causes the relative angle (α-β) to fall below a predetermined limit angle. In other words, when the relative angle (α-β) is at the predetermined limit angle, the jib 108 cannot be raised to reduce the working radius. Also, when the relative angle (α-β) is at the predetermined limit angle, the tower 104 cannot be lowered (lower its luffing). That is, the tower 104 cannot be lowered (lower its luffing) to increase the working radius.

[0069] For example, in Figure 9, the hatched front attachment 100 indicates a state where the relative angle (α-β) between the tower 104 and the jib 108 is at a predetermined limit angle. As mentioned above, in this case, the jib 108 cannot be raised and the tower 104 cannot be lowered. Therefore, if it is desired to increase the working radius of the crane 10 from this state, the working radius of the crane 10 can be increased by lowering the jib 108. Furthermore, lowering the jib 108 reduces the jib angle β, so the relative angle (α-β) becomes greater than the predetermined limit angle. In other words, by lowering the jib 108, the relative angle (α-β) becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined limit angle, making it possible to lower the tower 104.

[0070] Figures 10(A) and (B) show the changes in the display screen using the data from the graph shown in Figure 9. Figure 10(A) shows the display screen displayed on the auxiliary display device 120 when the state indicated by hatching in Figure 9 (the state in which the relative angle (α-β) between the tower 104 and the jib 108 is a predetermined limit angle).

[0071] In Figure 10(A), bar indicator BD21 indicates that the ratio of the working radius of tower 104 is 100% of the maximum working radius (equal to the maximum working radius of tower 104), indicating that tower 104 cannot be lowered (reduced in elevation). In this case, bar indicator BD22 indicates that the ratio of the working radius of jib 108 is 0% of the maximum working radius (minimum working radius of jib 108), indicating that jib 108 cannot be raised (increased in elevation).

[0072] Then, if the operator wants to increase the working radius of the crane 10, they do so by lowering the jib 108. This changes the jib angle β and the relative angle (α-β), and the display screen shown on the auxiliary display device 120 changes (as shown in Figure 10(B)).

[0073] As shown in Figure 10(B), bar indicator BD21 indicates that the percentage of the tower 104's working radius has decreased (to 80% of the maximum working radius), making it possible to lower the tower 104. In other words, the working radius of the tower 104 can be increased from its current state. Also, in this case, bar indicator BD22 indicates that the percentage of the jib 108's working radius has increased (to 20% of the maximum working radius), making it possible to raise the jib 108. In other words, the working radius of the jib 108 can be decreased from its current state.

[0074] As described above, this modified version 2 can achieve the following effects. In this modified version 2, the load factor and the ratio of the working radius are displayed on bar graphs BD21 and BD22 for each of the tower 104 and jib 108 that make up the boom. The current state of the tower 104 and jib 108 (a state where it cannot be raised or lowered) can be seen at a glance, making the vehicle information easier to see during operation.

[0075] [Difference 3] In the above modified examples 1 and 2, the auxiliary display device 120 shows the current load rate by the vertical length of the load rate display bar located inside the second rectangular frame. However, because the second rectangular frame moves inside the first rectangular frame, the horizontal dimension (width direction) of the bar display (form display) is short, resulting in low resolution. More specifically, in the auxiliary display device 120, the resolution of the bar display area is lower than that of the display device 110. Therefore, in this modified example 3, some of the vehicle information is displayed using a different display method than in the above modified examples 1 and 2.

[0076] In Figure 11(A), similar to the modified example 1 described above, the bar display BD11 consists of a first rectangular frame F11, a second rectangular frame F12, and a load rate display bar B11. The first rectangular frame F11 is a horizontally elongated rectangular frame. The second rectangular frame F12 is positioned inside the first rectangular frame F11 and is rectangular in shape with dimensions equal to the first rectangular frame F11 in the vertical direction and smaller dimensions in the horizontal direction than the first rectangular frame F11.

[0077] The second rectangular frame F12 moves inside the first rectangular frame F11. As a result, similar to the first modification described above, the position of the second rectangular frame F12 relative to the first rectangular frame F11 indicates the ratio of the working radius. The load factor indicator bar B11 is located inside the second rectangular frame F12. The load factor indicator bar B11 indicates the load factor (ratio to the rated total load) and is a rectangular display that expands and contracts vertically from the lower end F12a to the upper end F12b of the second rectangular frame F12. Similar to the first modification described above, the load factor indicator bar B11 indicates the load factor (ratio to the rated total load), and the vertical length of the load factor indicator bar B11 indicates the current load factor.

[0078] As described above, the second rectangular frame F12 moves inside the first rectangular frame F11, so the width dimension of the load rate display bar B11 is short. In particular, in the case of the auxiliary display device 120 having a dot matrix type display unit, as in the above embodiment, if the width dimension of the load rate display bar B11 is short, the resolution is low (the number of dots is small). Therefore, in this modified example 3, the controller 200 changes the display method from the display screen shown in Figure 11(A) to the display screen shown in Figure 11(B). This change in the display method may be performed automatically by the controller 200, or it may be performed by the operator operating the operating device of the crane 10.

[0079] In Figure 11(B), the bar display BD31 consists of a first rectangular frame F31, a second rectangular frame F32, and a load rate display bar B31. The first rectangular frame F31 is a horizontally elongated rectangular frame. The second rectangular frame F32 is positioned inside the first rectangular frame F11 and also serves as a display bar that expands and contracts horizontally from the left end F31a to the right end F31b of the first rectangular frame F31.

[0080] The left end F31a of the first rectangular frame F31 represents a load ratio of 0%, and the right end F31b represents a load ratio of 100%. The length of the second rectangular frame F32 in the left-right direction (the length from the left end F31a of the first rectangular frame F31 to the right end F32c of the second rectangular frame F32) indicates the ratio of the current working radius. The load ratio display bar B31 is located inside the second rectangular frame F32. The load ratio display bar B31 shows the load ratio (ratio to the rated total load) and is a rectangular display that expands and contracts vertically from the lower end F32a to the upper end F32b of the second rectangular frame F32. Similar to the modified example 1 above, the load ratio display bar B31 shows the load ratio (ratio to the rated total load), and the length of the load ratio display bar B31 in the vertical direction indicates the current load ratio. As shown in Figure 11(B), the auxiliary display device 120 changes the display method, which increases the length of the load ratio display bar B31 in the left-right direction (higher resolution).

[0081] Furthermore, in this modified example 3, similar to modified examples 1 and 2 above, the change in the load state on the tower 104 and jib 108 can also be expressed by changing the illumination color of the bar display BD31. The types of colors used to express the change in state are the same as in modified example 1 above. That is, when both the working radius ratio and the load ratio are in a safe state, all of the bar display BD31 illuminate in blue. Then, when the current working radius ratio increases or decreases, the first rectangular frame F11 and the second rectangular frame F12 illuminate in yellow to draw attention. Furthermore, from the state shown in Figure 7(A), if the current load ratio indicated by the load ratio display bar B31 is 100%, the load ratio display bar B11 illuminates in red.

[0082] As described above, this modified example 3 can achieve the following effects. In this modified example 3, if the resolution of the bar display (form display) is low, it is displayed using a different display method to increase the resolution, making it easier for the operator to see the information on the bar display BD31 during operation. In addition, by changing the emission color of the load rate display bar B31 displayed on the auxiliary display device 120, the change in the state of the load on the boom is expressed, so the operator can easily recognize the change in the state of the load on the boom by the difference in emission color.

[0083] In the above modified example 3, if the resolution of the bar display (form display) portion of the auxiliary display device 120 is lower than the resolution of the display device 110, a portion of the vehicle information is displayed in a different display method than in the above modified examples 1 and 2. However, the system is not limited to this, and if the distance from the operator seated in the driver's seat 201 to the display unit of the auxiliary display device 120 is greater than the distance from the operator seated in the driver's seat 201 to the display device 110, or if the display of a portion of the vehicle information by the display unit of the auxiliary display device 120 is smaller than the display of similar information by the display device (for example, if the bar display information is the load rate, the load rate information), a portion of the vehicle information may be displayed in a different display method. This makes it easier for the operator to see the information on the bar display BD31 during operation, similar to the above modified example 3.

[0084] [Differentiation Example 4] In the above modified examples 1 and 2, the auxiliary display device 120 shows the current load rate by the vertical length of the load rate display bar located inside the second rectangular frame. However, because the second rectangular frame moves inside the first rectangular frame, the horizontal dimension (width direction) of the bar display (form display) is short, resulting in low resolution. More specifically, in the auxiliary display device 120, the resolution of the bar display area is lower than that of the display device 110. Therefore, in this modified example 4, when displaying a part of the vehicle information in form, the part of the vehicle information is displayed in a separate display area.

[0085] As shown in Figure 12, in the crane 10 of this modified example 4, a first auxiliary display device 121 (auxiliary display device) and a second auxiliary display device 122 (another display area) are provided inside the operator's cab 107. Except for the configuration of the first auxiliary display device 121 and the second auxiliary display device 122, the configuration of the crane 10 in this modified example 4 is the same as in the above embodiment. The first auxiliary display device 121 has the same configuration as the auxiliary display device 120 in the above embodiment, and, as in the above embodiment, is positioned along the upper edge 203a of the support frame 203 in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) and overlaps with it.

[0086] The second auxiliary display device 122 is a vertically elongated rectangular display device in which the vertical dimension is longer than the horizontal dimension. The auxiliary display device 120 is positioned so that its vertical direction (longitudinal direction) is aligned with the left side edge 203c of the support frame 203 and overlaps it. The second auxiliary display device 122 may be a low-resolution display device, similar to the auxiliary display device 120 in the above embodiment, and may have, for example, a dot matrix type display section.

[0087] Specific examples of the screens displayed on the first auxiliary display device 121 and the second auxiliary display device 122 will now be described. Similar to the above embodiment, only some of the vehicle information displayed on the display device 110 is displayed on the first auxiliary display device 121 and the second auxiliary display device 122. More specifically, the display screen of the first auxiliary display device 121 has two display ranges 121a and 121b, and the ratio of the working radius of the tower 104 and jib 108 (the ratio of the current working radius to the maximum working radius) is displayed as bar displays BD41 and BD42, respectively. The display ranges 121a and 121b are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the display screen of the second auxiliary display device 122 displays the load ratio information of the front attachment 100 as a bar display BD43.

[0088] The bar display BD41 consists of a first rectangular frame F41 and a first working radius display bar B41. The first rectangular frame F41 is a horizontally elongated rectangular frame. The first working radius display bar B41 is positioned inside the first rectangular frame F41 and is rectangular in shape with dimensions equal to the first rectangular frame F41 in the vertical direction and smaller in the horizontal direction than the first rectangular frame F41. The first working radius display bar B41 moves horizontally inside the first rectangular frame F41. As a result, the position of the first working radius display bar B41 relative to the first rectangular frame F41 indicates the ratio of the working radius in the current tower 104.

[0089] The bar indicator BD42 consists of a second rectangular frame F42 and a second working radius indicator bar B42. The second rectangular frame F42 is a horizontally elongated rectangular frame. The second working radius indicator bar B42 is positioned inside the second rectangular frame F42 and is rectangular in shape with dimensions equal to the second rectangular frame F42 in the vertical direction and smaller in the horizontal direction than the second rectangular frame F42. The second working radius indicator bar B42 moves horizontally inside the second rectangular frame F42. As a result, the position of the second working radius indicator bar B42 relative to the second rectangular frame F42 indicates the ratio of the working radius at the current jib 108.

[0090] The bar display BD43 consists of a third rectangular frame F43 and a load factor display bar B43. The third rectangular frame F43 is a vertically elongated rectangular frame. The load factor display bar B43 is located inside the third rectangular frame F43 and is a rectangular display that expands and contracts vertically. The load factor display bar B43, like the load factor display bar B11 in the modified example 1 above, shows the load factor (ratio to the rated total load), and the vertical length of the load factor display bar B43 indicates the load factor at the current load factor applied to the front attachment 100. As described above, since the load factor applied to the front attachment 100 is displayed on the second auxiliary display device 122 (a different display area) from the first auxiliary display device 121, the vertical and horizontal lengths of the load factor display bar B43 increase (resolution increases).

[0091] As described above, this modified version 4 can achieve the following effects. In this modified version 4, when some of the vehicle information is displayed as a bar (form display), it is displayed in a separate display area with a high resolution, making it easier for the operator to see the bar display information during operation.

[0092] In this modified example 4, the second auxiliary display device 122 displays information on the load factor applied to the entire front attachment 100 (boom) (bar display BD43). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information on the load factor (bar display) may be displayed for each of the tower 104 and jib 108 that constitute the front attachment 100.

[0093] (Reference to other embodiments) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. All technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are subject to the present invention. The embodiments described above are preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements from the contents disclosed herein, and these are included in the technical scope described in the appended claims.

[0094] For example, in the above embodiment and its various modifications, the load ratio is shown by a bar display, but it is not limited to this, and the tension of the hoisting rope 151 that raises and lowers the hook 152 may also be shown by a bar display. Also, in the above embodiment and its various modifications, a bar display is given as an example of a morphological display that shows part of the vehicle information by shape on the auxiliary display device 120, but it is not limited to this, and any method that can show information by shape may be used, such as an arc display displayed within a circular display area. Furthermore, a light intensity detection sensor may be provided in the driver's cab 107 to automatically adjust the brightness of the auxiliary display device according to the brightness inside the driver's cab 107. For example, if it is bright inside the driver's cab 107, the illuminance of the LEDs constituting the auxiliary display device may be increased, and if it is dark inside the driver's cab 107, the illuminance of the LEDs may be decreased.

[0095] Furthermore, while a crawler crane was given as an example of a crane, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to all kinds of cranes, including other mobile cranes such as wheel cranes, truck cranes, rough terrain cranes, and all-terrain cranes, as well as tower cranes, overhead cranes, jib cranes, retractable cranes, stacker cranes, gantry cranes, unloaders, and foundation machinery such as earth drills. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 10 Cranes 100 Front Attachment 101 Lower running body 103 Upper rotating body 104 Boom 105 Hook winding drum 106 Tower-shaped drum 107 Driver's cab 108 Jib 111 Jib Relief Drum 110 Display device 120 Auxiliary display device 121 1st auxiliary display device 122 2nd auxiliary display device 151 Hoisting rope 152 hooks 201 Driver's seat 202 Windshield 203 Support Frame 203a Top edge 203b: Bottom edge 203c: side 203d: Side B11, B21, B22, B31, B43 Load percentage display bars B41 First working radius indicator bar B42 Second working radius indicator bar CL center line α Tower Angle β jib angle

Claims

1. A crane that displays vehicle information on a display device inside the driver's cab, The driver's cab is equipped with an auxiliary display device different from the aforementioned display device, The auxiliary display device is characterized in that it displays only a portion of the vehicle information that can be displayed on the display device, directed toward the driver's seat side in the driver's cab.

2. In the crane according to claim 1, The auxiliary display device is positioned above the display device and above the center line on the front of the driver's cab. A crane characterized by the following features.

3. In the crane according to claim 2, The driver's cab comprises a windshield positioned at the front and a support frame that supports the windshield. The auxiliary display device is rectangular in shape and is positioned so that its longitudinal direction overlaps one side of the support frame. A crane characterized by the following features.

4. In the crane according to claim 1, Some of the vehicle information is information related to the lifting operation in which the crane moves the suspended load. A crane characterized by the following features.

5. In the crane according to claim 4, The main unit and The main body is supported by a boom that can be raised and lowered, The boom has a hook for hanging the load, A portion of the vehicle information is information about the load applied to the boom during the lifting operation. A crane characterized by the following features.

6. In the crane according to claim 5, The boom comprises a tower supported by the main body and a jib supported by the tower in a manner that allows it to be raised and lowered. The vehicle information includes, in part, information on the load on the tower and information on the load on the boom. A crane characterized by the following features.

7. In the crane according to claim 1, The aforementioned auxiliary display device is The information is displayed in a simplified display mode that differs from the display of the aforementioned display device. A crane characterized by the following features.

8. In the crane according to claim 1, The aforementioned auxiliary display device is The vehicle information can be displayed in a morphological manner, and if the resolution of the morphological display portion is lower than the resolution of the display device, if the distance from the operator seated in the driver's seat to the display unit of the auxiliary display device is greater than the distance from the operator to the display device, or if the display of a portion of the vehicle information by the display unit of the auxiliary display device is smaller in size than the display of similar information by the display device, the portion of the vehicle information can be displayed using a different display method. A crane characterized by the following features.

9. In the crane according to claim 1, The aforementioned auxiliary display device is When displaying a portion of the vehicle body information by its form, the portion of the vehicle body information is displayed in a separate display area. A crane characterized by the following features.

Images