Construction support equipment, road machinery, and construction support programs

Abstract

To appropriately and automatically divide the construction area of ​​road machinery into multiple sections. [Solution] The construction support device 300, which assists in construction by the road machinery 100, has a control device 50 that acquires the construction area 90 and the specifications of the road machinery 100 as input data, and divides the construction area 90 into a plurality of sections SC based on the acquired input data. The control device 50 may be configured to determine the construction order of each of the plurality of sections SC, or it may be configured to set the trajectory that the road machinery 100 follows when constructing each of the plurality of sections SC.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a construction support device, road machinery, and a construction support program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a site division system that proposes a site division plan based on predetermined conditions established in the Building Standards Law, city planning, etc. is known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above system cannot be used for dividing the construction range when a road machine constructs (paves) the construction range.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a device that can appropriately and automatically divide the construction range of a road machine into a plurality of sections.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A construction support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a construction support device that supports construction by a road machine, and includes a control device that acquires a construction range and specifications of the road machine as input data, and divides the construction range into a plurality of sections based on the acquired input data.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The above construction support device can appropriately and automatically divide the construction range of a road machine into a plurality of sections.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1A] This figure shows an example configuration of a construction support system including a construction support device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] This figure shows an example configuration of a construction support system including a construction support device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a construction support device. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the splitting process. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the construction area, used to explain the data related to the construction scope. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the construction area, which is divided into multiple sections, to explain the construction sequence for each section. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the construction area to explain the layout of the construction track. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of the construction area to explain the arrangement of the auxiliary running track. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of the construction area to explain the arrangement of the auxiliary running track. [Figure 9] This is a plan view of the construction area to explain the layout of supply points and transport tracks. [Figure 10] This is a plan view of the construction area to explain the layout of supply points and transport tracks. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0010] Figures 1A and 1B show an example configuration of a construction support system SYS including a construction support device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The construction support system SYS includes a road machine 100, a transport vehicle 200 for transporting paving material to replenish the road machine 100, and a construction support device 300 for assisting construction by the road machine 100. Specifically, Figure 1A includes a left side view of the road machine 100 and the transport vehicle 200, and Figure 1B includes a top view of the road machine 100 and the transport vehicle 200. More specifically, Figures 1A and 1B show the state when the transport vehicle 200 is approaching the road machine 100 while reversing (the state before replenishment begins).

[0011] In the illustrated example, each of the road machinery 100 and the construction support device 300 is equipped with a wireless communication device and is connected to or directly connected to each other via an information communication network such as a mobile phone network, satellite network, or short-range wireless communication network. The transport vehicle 200 may be equipped with a wireless communication device and be connected to each of the road machinery 100 and the construction support device 300 via an information communication network. Furthermore, the number of each of the road machinery 100, transport vehicle 200, and construction support device 300 that constitute the construction support system SYS may be one or two or more. In the illustrated example, the construction support system SYS includes one road machinery 100, one transport vehicle 200, and one construction support device 300. Note that the construction support system SYS may be configured without including the transport vehicle 200.

[0012] The construction support device 300 is a device that supports construction by the road machinery 100. In the illustrated example, the construction support device 300 is a server computer installed in a management center or the like, located away from the construction site, and includes a control device 50, a display device 51, an input device 52, and a wireless communication device 53. The construction support device 300 may also be a portable computer (for example, a notebook PC, tablet PC, or a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone). In the illustrated example, the construction support device 300 is a desktop PC, the display device 51 is a liquid crystal display, and the input device 52 is a keyboard and mouse.

[0013] The control device 50 is composed of a computer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, and a non-volatile storage device, etc. Then, the control device 50 reads out the program corresponding to each functional element from the ROM and loads it into the RAM, and causes the CPU to execute the corresponding processing. However, each functional element may be composed of hardware, or may be composed of a combination of software and hardware.

[0014] Also, in the illustrated example, the road machine 100 is an asphalt finisher, and the transport vehicle 200 is a dump truck. Note that the road machine 100 may be other road machines such as a concrete finisher. In the illustrated example, the road machine 100 mainly includes a tractor 1, a hopper 2, and a screed device 3. The screed device 3 is a mechanism for leveling the paving material. Specifically, the screed device 3 is a floating screed device towed by the tractor 1 and is connected to the tractor 1 via a leveling arm 3a. The hopper 2 is provided as a mechanism for receiving the paving material on the front side of the tractor 1. Specifically, the hopper 2 has a mechanism that can be opened and closed in the vehicle width direction by a hopper cylinder 2a around movable mechanism parts 81a and 81b.

[0015] When the paving material in the hopper 2 of the road machine 100 is about to run out, the road machine 100 fully opens the hopper 2 so that it can receive the paving material from the loading platform 201 of the transport vehicle 200. The paving material is, for example, an asphalt mixture. Then, the transport vehicle 200 supplies the paving material from the loading platform 201 to the hopper 2 by dumping up while in contact with the road machine 100.

[0016] Even when the road machine 100 is receiving the paving material from the loading platform 201 of the transport vehicle 200, it continues to travel (construct) while pushing the transport vehicle 200 forward. Specifically, the conveyor CV conveys the paving material received in the hopper 2 to the rear side of the tractor 1. The screw SR spreads the paving material scattered on the road surface by the conveyor CV in the vehicle width direction. The screed device 3 levels the paving material spread by the screw SR behind the screw SR.

[0017] After receiving paving materials from the loading platform 201 of the transport vehicle 200, the road machine 100 can convey the paving materials in the hopper 2 to the rear side of the tractor 1 by the conveyor CV. Further, the operator of the road machine 100 can collect the paving materials remaining in the hopper 2 onto the conveyor CV located at the center of the hopper 2 by closing the hopper 2 when the amount of the paving materials in the hopper 2 falls below a predetermined amount. Further, the operator of the road machine 100 can make the hopper 2 in a state capable of receiving paving materials from the transport vehicle 200 by opening the hopper 2 when the amount of the paving materials in the hopper 2 further decreases. The driver of the transport vehicle 200 typically reverses the transport vehicle 200 and brings it into contact with the hopper 2 after confirming that the hopper 2 is fully open.

[0018] The road machine 100 includes a push roller 2b. The push roller 2b is installed in front of the hopper 2. The push roller 2b is configured to be able to contact the rear wheels 202 of the transport vehicle 200 and is rotatable together with the rear wheels 202 when the rear wheels 202 of the transport vehicle 200 are in contact.

[0019] The tractor 1 is a mechanism for driving the road machine 100. In the illustrated example, the tractor 1 has front wheels and rear wheels that are rotationally driven by a traveling hydraulic motor. The front wheels are configured to be steered by a steering wheel provided in the driver's seat. Specifically, the tractor 1 is configured to be able to turn with a turning radius greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum turning radius. Further, the traveling hydraulic motor rotates by receiving the supply of hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump as a hydraulic source. Note that the tractor 1 may be provided with crawlers instead of wheels.

[0020] Further, the tractor 1 is equipped with a controller 30, a wireless communication device 40, a main monitor 60, a driver's seat 61, an imaging device 62, a sound output device 63, etc. Specifically, a cab (driver's cab) including the main monitor 60 and the driver's seat 61 is installed on the upper surface of the tractor 1. The imaging device 62 and the sound output device 63 are installed at the center of the front end of the upper surface of the tractor 1.

[0021] The wireless communication device 40 is an example of an information acquisition device, which is a device for acquiring information related to road construction, and is configured to communicate wirelessly with a device located outside the road machinery 100 (external device). In the illustrated example, the wireless communication device 40 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the external device via an information communication network such as a mobile phone network, satellite network, or short-range wireless communication network. The external device includes a construction support device 300.

[0022] The main monitor 60 is a device that displays various information to the operator of the road machinery 100. In the illustrated example, the main monitor 60 is a liquid crystal display and is configured to display various information in response to commands from the controller 30. The main monitor 60 also includes an input device 60a that receives operation input from the operator of the road machinery 100.

[0023] The imaging device 62 is an example of a spatial recognition device and is configured to acquire an image of the space in front of the road machine 100. In the illustrated example, the imaging device 62 is a camera and outputs the acquired image to the controller 30. The imaging device 62 may be another spatial recognition device such as an RGBD camera, LiDAR, depth image camera, infrared camera, or stereo camera.

[0024] Furthermore, the imaging device 62 also functions as another example of an information acquisition device, capturing images of the space within the imaging region RA1, shown by the dashed line in Figures 1A and 1B, located in front of the road machine 100. The imaging device 62 then outputs the captured images to the controller 30. In the example shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the imaging device 62 can capture images of the transport vehicle 200 located within the imaging region RA1. The imaging device 62 can also capture images of the paving material in the hopper 2 located within the imaging region RA1. The road machine 100 may also be equipped with an information acquisition device such as an infrared sensor or ultrasonic sensor for detecting the height of the pile of paving material in the hopper 2, or a load cell for detecting the weight of the paving material in the hopper 2.

[0025] The sound output device 63 is a device that outputs sound towards the surroundings of the road machine 100. In the illustrated example, the sound output device 63 is a speaker that outputs sound towards the front of the road machine 100 and can output sounds such as alarms in response to commands from the controller 30. The sound output device 63 may also output voice messages.

[0026] The controller 30 is a control device that controls the road machinery 100. The controller 30 is composed of, for example, a computer and has a CPU, internal memory, and a non-volatile storage device. The controller 30 performs various controls by having the CPU execute a program stored in the non-volatile storage device.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the construction support device 300. In the illustrated example, the construction support device 300 includes a control device 50, a display device 51, an input device 52, and a wireless communication device 53, as described above. The control device 50 is configured to perform various calculations based on information input through the input device 52 and to output control commands corresponding to the calculation results to the display device 51 and the wireless communication device 53, etc.

[0028] Furthermore, the control device 50 includes, as functional elements, an input data acquisition unit 50A, a partition division unit 50B, and an output unit 50C. Each functional element is conceptual and does not necessarily have to exist physically independently as shown in the figure. That is, all or part of each functional element may be configured by distributing and integrating functionally or physically in any unit. Also, all or any part of each functional element may be implemented by a program executed on the CPU. Alternatively, all or any part of each functional element may be implemented as hardware using wired logic.

[0029] The input data acquisition unit 50A is a functional element that acquires input data. In the illustrated example, the input data acquisition unit 50A is configured to acquire input data entered by the user of the construction support device 300 through the input device 52. The input data acquisition unit 50A may also be configured to acquire input data through the wireless communication device 53, or through other devices such as an audio input device.

[0030] The input data includes data relating to the construction area and data relating to the specifications of the road machinery 100. The data relating to the construction area is, for example, design data that includes detailed data on the size of the construction area. The design data may be data that represents the construction area in two dimensions, or data that represents the construction area in three dimensions (for example, data that includes altitude information). The data relating to the construction area may also be an image of the construction area taken from above. Furthermore, the data relating to the construction area may also include data relating to the pavement thickness. The data relating to the specifications of the road machinery 100 includes data relating to the minimum turning radius, maximum construction width (the maximum width of pavement that the road machinery 100 can achieve), and minimum construction width (the minimum width of pavement that the road machinery 100 can achieve). Furthermore, the data relating to the specifications of the road machine 100 may include at least one of the following: maximum construction thickness (the maximum thickness of pavement that the road machine 100 can achieve), minimum construction thickness (the minimum thickness of pavement that the road machine 100 can achieve), minimum travel (construction) speed of tractor 1, maximum travel (construction) speed of tractor 1, maximum extension and retraction speed of screed device 3, minimum extension and retraction speed of screed device 3, maximum transport speed of conveyor CV, minimum transport speed of conveyor CV, maximum rotational speed of screw SR, and minimum rotational speed of screw SR.

[0031] The section division unit 50B is a functional element that divides the construction area into multiple sections. In the illustrated example, the section division unit 50B is configured to divide the construction area into multiple sections based on the input data acquired by the input data acquisition unit 50A.

[0032] Each of the multiple sections is within the range in which the road machine 100 can work continuously. In other words, when the road machine 100 works on a first section, one of the multiple sections, and then works on a second section, another of the multiple sections, it moves from the end point of work on the first section to the start point of work on the second section without performing any work (paving). Hereinafter, movement without work (paving), i.e., driving with the screed device 3 lifted, will be referred to as "auxiliary driving," and movement (driving) with work (paving) will be referred to as "work driving." The road machine 100 may change at least one of the following while working on a single section: driving (working) speed, work width, and pavement thickness.

[0033] Furthermore, each of the multiple sections may be set to extend in a straight line, or to extend in a curved manner, or to have both a straight section and a curved section.

[0034] Specifically, the section division unit 50B is configured to divide the construction area into multiple sections so that the road machinery 100 does not cross over areas where construction (paving) has already been completed. Alternatively, the section division unit 50B may be configured to divide the construction area into multiple sections so that the transport vehicle 200 does not cross over areas where construction (paving) has already been completed. Here, the transport vehicle 200 is a transport vehicle 200 that enters the construction area to supply paving material to the road machinery 100. In this case, the section division unit 50B may determine at which point within the construction area the road machinery 100 will receive how much paving material from the transport vehicle 200.

[0035] Thus, the section division unit 50B is configured to derive a division result of the construction area that can satisfy various pre-set constraints. These pre-set constraints include, for example, the minimum turning radius of the road machinery 100, the maximum construction width, the minimum construction width, and the requirement that the road machinery 100 and transport vehicles 200 do not cross areas where construction (paving) has already been completed. The pre-set constraints may also include, for example, that the distance over which auxiliary travel is performed is kept as short as possible. In the illustrated example, the section division unit 50B is configured to derive a division result of the construction area that can satisfy various pre-set constraints by utilizing any known algorithm. However, the section division unit 50B may be configured to derive an appropriate division result of the construction area by utilizing any known artificial intelligence technology and / or any known machine learning technology. For example, the section division unit 50B may be configured to derive an appropriate division result of the construction area from an input image (shape) of the construction area by utilizing deep learning-based image recognition.

[0036] The output unit 50C is a functional element that outputs various data, such as the division results derived by the section division unit 50B. In the illustrated example, the output unit 50C is configured to display an image representing the division results of the construction area on the display device 51. In this case, the user of the construction support device 300 can judge the validity of the division results by looking at the division results of the construction area displayed on the display device 51, and if it is determined to be valid, it can print out the division results or transmit them externally. The output unit 50C may also be configured to transmit the division results of the construction area to the road machine 100 via the wireless communication device 53. In this case, the controller 30 of the road machine 100 may generate a travel path that the road machine 100 should follow based on the received division results of the construction area, and automatically drive the road machine 100 along the generated travel path. The travel path may be at least one of a travel path for construction driving and a travel path for auxiliary driving. The output unit 50C may also be configured to store various data, such as the division results, in a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. In this case, the user of the construction support device 300 can have the road machine 100 read the division results, etc., by inserting a non-volatile storage medium containing the division results, etc., into a reading device provided on the road machine 100.

[0037] Furthermore, the travel track of the road machinery 100 may be generated by the section division unit 50B. In this case, the section division unit 50B may, for example, divide the construction area into multiple sections and then generate the travel track. The generated travel track data may then be output together with the data regarding the division results.

[0038] Next, with reference to Figure 3, an example of the process by which the control device 50 divides the construction area (hereinafter referred to as the "division process") will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the division process flow. In the illustrated example, the control device 50 executes this division process each time input data is received.

[0039] First, the control device 50 acquires data regarding the construction area (step ST1). In the illustrated example, the data regarding the construction area includes the size of the construction area and the location of the entrance and exit of the transport vehicle 200. Figure 4 is a plan view of the construction area 90 to illustrate the data regarding the construction area 90. For example, as shown in Figure 4, if the construction area 90 is roughly rectangular in plan view, the data regarding the construction area 90 includes the horizontal length HL1 of the construction area 90, the vertical length VL1 of the construction area 90, and the location of the entrance and exit 91 of the transport vehicle 200. The location of the entrance and exit 91 of the transport vehicle 200 may include, for example, the width of the entrance and exit 91 (vertical length VL2) and the coordinates of the center CP of the entrance and exit 91. Also, there may be two or more entrances and exits 91, and the width of the entrance and exit 91 may be the horizontal length. Furthermore, the construction area 90 is not limited to a roughly rectangular area in plan view (such as a parking lot or an airport runway) as shown in the illustration, but may also be a roughly fan-shaped area like a baseball field, a roughly rounded rectangular area like an athletics stadium, or an area with any other arbitrary shape.

[0040] Subsequently, the control device 50 acquires data regarding the specifications of the road machine 100 (step ST2). In the illustrated example, the data regarding the specifications of the road machine 100 includes the minimum turning radius, maximum construction width, and minimum construction width of the road machine 100. Therefore, the width of the section derived by the division process will be greater than or equal to the minimum construction width and less than or equal to the maximum construction width. In addition, the radius of curvature of the curved section of the section derived by the division process will be greater than or equal to the minimum turning radius.

[0041] Subsequently, the control device 50 divides the construction area into multiple sections (step ST3). In the illustrated example, the control device 50 divides the construction area into multiple sections and determines the construction order for each section. Figure 5 is a plan view of the construction area 90 to illustrate the construction area 90 divided into multiple sections SC and the construction order for each section SC. In the example shown in Figure 5, the construction area 90 is divided into 13 sections SC. The 13 sections SC include the 1st section SC1 to the 13th section SC13. The 13 sections SC are constructed (paved) in the order of 1st section SC1, 2nd section SC2, ..., 12th section SC12, and 13th section SC13. The arrows in Figure 5 indicate the construction direction AR of each section SC. Specifically, the construction direction AR includes the 1st construction direction AR1 to the 13th construction direction AR13. The first construction direction AR1 represents the construction direction of the first section SC1 (downward in Figure 5), and the second construction direction AR2 represents the construction direction of the second section SC2 (rightward in Figure 5). The same applies to the third construction direction AR3 through the thirteenth construction direction AR13.

[0042] In the illustrated example, the width WD1 of section 1 SC1 is the smallest, and the width WD6 of section 6 SC6 is the largest. The width (vertical length VL2) of the entrance / exit 91 for the transport vehicle 200 can be any width as long as the road machinery 100 and the transport vehicle 200 can pass through when the screed device 3 is retracted. The widths WD3 of section 3 SC3, WD4 of section 4 SC4, and WD5 of section 5 SC5 are all the same size, the widths WD7 of section 7 SC7, WD8 of section 8 SC8, WD9 of section 9 SC9, and WD10 of section 10 SC10 are all the same size, and the widths WD11 of section 11 SC11 and WD12 of section 12 SC12 are all the same size. The width WD7 of section 7 SC7 is larger than the width WD3 of section 3 SC3, and the width WD3 of section 3 SC3 is larger than the width WD13 of section 13 SC13. Furthermore, the width WD13 of the 13th section SC13 is greater than the width WD2 of the 2nd section SC2, and the width WD2 of the 2nd section SC2 is greater than the width WD11 of the 11th section SC11. Thus, the construction area 90 may be divided such that the width WD of each section SC is different from one another, or it may be divided so that some of the widths WD of each section SC are the same from one another. Alternatively, the construction area 90 may be divided so that all of the widths WD of each section SC are different from one another, or it may be divided so that all of the widths WD of each section SC are the same from one another.

[0043] After dividing the construction area 90 into multiple sections SC, the control device 50 may generate construction tracks, which are travel tracks for construction work, as shown in Figure 3 (step ST4). In the illustrated example, the control device 50 is configured to generate construction tracks at positions that bisect the width WD of each section SC. Figure 6 is a plan view of the construction area 90 to illustrate the arrangement of the construction tracks CT. The dashed arrows in Figure 6 indicate construction tracks CT corresponding to each section SC. Specifically, the construction tracks CT include the first construction track CT1 to the thirteenth construction track CT13. The first construction track CT1 represents the construction track corresponding to the first section SC1, and the second construction track CT2 represents the construction track corresponding to the second section SC2. The same applies to the third construction track CT3 to the thirteenth construction track CT13.

[0044] The controller 30 of the road machine 100, for example, when it acquires data related to the construction travel track CT, automatically drives the tractor 1 so that a predetermined point (e.g., the center point) on the tractor 1 follows the construction travel track CT. The controller 30 also automatically extends and retracts the screed device 3 so that the left end of the screed device 3 follows the left boundary line of the section SC, and the right end of the screed device 3 follows the right boundary line of the section SC.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the control device 50 may generate an auxiliary travel track, which is a travel track for auxiliary travel (step ST5). In the illustrated example, the control device 50 is configured to generate an auxiliary travel track AT that connects the end point of the construction travel track CT corresponding to the section SC where construction has been completed and the start point of the construction travel track CT corresponding to the next section SC where construction will begin. Figures 7 and 8 are plan views of the construction area 90 to illustrate the arrangement of the auxiliary travel track AT. In Figures 7 and 8, the dotted lines and dashed lines indicate the auxiliary travel track AT that connects the two construction travel tracks CT. Specifically, the portion of the auxiliary travel track AT represented by the dotted line represents the trajectory when the road machine 100 is moving forward, and the portion of the auxiliary travel track AT represented by the dashed line represents the trajectory when the road machine 100 is moving backward. The auxiliary travel track AT also includes the first auxiliary travel track AT1 to the twelfth auxiliary travel track AT12. The first auxiliary running track AT1 is a track connecting the endpoint of the first construction running track CT1 and the starting point of the second construction running track CT2. The same applies to the second auxiliary running track AT2 through the twelfth auxiliary running track AT12. For clarity, Figure 7 selectively shows the first auxiliary running track AT1, the second auxiliary running track AT2, the fourth auxiliary running track AT4, the sixth auxiliary running track AT6, and the eighth auxiliary running track AT8, while omitting the other auxiliary running tracks AT. Similarly, Figure 8 selectively shows the tenth auxiliary running track AT10, the eleventh auxiliary running track AT11, and the twelfth auxiliary running track AT12, while omitting the other auxiliary running tracks AT.

[0046] As is clear from Figure 7, the second section SC2, before construction (paving) is carried out, is used when the road machine 100 performs auxiliary travel along the first auxiliary travel track AT1. In other words, the presence of the second section SC2 allows the road machine 100 to pave the second section SC2 without crossing the already paved area. Furthermore, the eleventh section SC11 and the twelfth section SC12, before construction (paving) is carried out, are used when the road machine 100 performs auxiliary travel along the second auxiliary travel track AT2 to the ninth auxiliary travel track AT9, respectively. In other words, the presence of the eleventh section SC11 and the twelfth section SC12 allows the road machine 100 to pave the third section SC3 to the tenth section SC10, respectively, without crossing the already paved area. Furthermore, as is clear from Figure 8, the 13th section SC13, before construction (paving) is carried out, is used when the road machine 100 performs auxiliary travel along each of the 10th auxiliary travel track AT10 to the 12th auxiliary travel track AT12. In other words, the presence of the 13th section SC13 allows the road machine 100 to pave each of the 11th section SC11 to the 13th section SC13 without crossing the already paved area.

[0047] Furthermore, the control device 50 may be configured to output the division results (step ST6). In the illustrated example, the control device 50 causes the display device 51 to display the arrangement of 13 sections SC in the construction area 90 as shown in Figure 5 as the division result.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 50 may be configured to output the track generation results (step ST7). In the illustrated example, the control device 50 causes the arrangement of the construction track CT and auxiliary track AT as shown in Figures 6 to 8 to be displayed on the display device 51 as the track generation result.

[0049] In this way, the control device 50 can present the division results and trajectory generation results to the user of the construction support device 300. The user of the construction support device 300 can then judge the validity of the division results and trajectory generation results displayed on the display device 51, and if they are deemed valid, they can print them out or transmit them externally.

[0050] Furthermore, the control device 50 may be configured to pre-set supply points, which are locations where the road machinery 100 receives paving material from the transport vehicle 200. The control device 50 may also be configured to pre-set the supply amount at each supply point. Furthermore, the control device 50 may be configured to generate the trajectory that the transport vehicle 200 should follow until it reaches each supply point after entering the construction area 90. The trajectory for the transport vehicle 200 to travel within the construction area 90 is referred to as the "transport trajectory". In the illustrated example, the control device 50 is configured to generate supply points SP, supply amounts, and transport trajectory DT so that the transport vehicle 200 that enters the construction area 90 does not cross already paved areas. Figures 9 and 10 are plan views of the construction area 90 to illustrate the arrangement of supply points SP and transport trajectory DT. Supply points SP include the first supply point SP1 to the fifth supply point SP5. The supply of paving material from the transport vehicle 200 to the road machine 100 is carried out sequentially at the first supply point SP1, the second supply point SP2, ..., and the fifth supply point SP5. Figure 9 shows the state of the construction area 90 when paving material is being supplied at the first supply point SP1, and Figure 10 shows the state of the construction area 90 when paving material is being supplied at the fifth supply point SP5. In Figures 9 and 10, dot patterns are added to areas that have already been paved for clarity. In the illustrated examples, the supply points SP are set to correspond to predetermined points (e.g., the center point) of the transport vehicle 200, but they may also be set to correspond to predetermined points (e.g., the center point) of the road machine 100. The control device 50 may also transmit data related to the transport travel track DT to the transport vehicle 200. In this case, a control device (not shown) mounted on the transport vehicle 200 may automatically drive the transport vehicle 200 so that a predetermined point (e.g., the center point) of the transport vehicle 200 follows the transport travel track DT.

[0051] Furthermore, the transport track DT includes the first transport track DT1 to the fifth transport track DT5. The first transport track DT1 is the transport track set between the entrance / exit 91 of the transport vehicle 200 and the first supply point SP1, as shown in Figure 9. The fifth transport track DT5 is the transport track set between the entrance / exit 91 of the transport vehicle 200 and the fifth supply point SP5, as shown in Figure 10. The same applies to the second transport track DT2 to the fourth transport track DT4, which are not shown. The portion of the first transport track DT1 shown by a dotted line represents the transport track when the transport vehicle 200 is moving forward, and the portion of the first transport track DT1 shown by a dashed line represents the transport track when the transport vehicle 200 is moving backward. The fifth transport track DT5, shown by a dashed line, represents the transport track when the transport vehicle 200 is moving backward.

[0052] As shown in Figure 9, the control device 50 divides the construction area 90 into 13 sections SC based on the assumption that the road machinery 100 receives paving material from a transport vehicle 200 that moves along the first transport track DT1 within the construction area 90 and reaches the first supply point SP1. Also, as shown in Figure 10, the control device 50 divides the construction area 90 into 13 sections SC based on the assumption that the road machinery 100 receives paving material from a transport vehicle 200 that moves along the fifth transport track DT5 within the construction area 90 and reaches the fifth supply point SP5.

[0053] Thus, the control device 50 is configured to divide the construction area 90 into multiple sections SC and determine the construction order of each section SC, so as to satisfy the condition that the transport vehicle 200 moving along the transport track DT does not cross the paved area.

[0054] Furthermore, while the illustrated example shows a method for dividing the construction area 90 when constructing (paving) the area 90 using one road machinery 100, the control device 50 can similarly realize the division of the construction area 90 when constructing (paving) the area 90 using multiple road machinery 100s. In this case, the specifications of one road machinery 100 and the specifications of the other road machinery 100s may be the same or may be different from each other.

[0055] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the division process is configured to be performed by the control device 50 of the construction support device 300, which is located away from the construction site (construction area 90). However, it may also be configured to be performed by the controller 30 mounted on the road machinery 100. In this case, the display device 51, input device 52, and wireless communication device 53 of the construction support device 300 may be replaced by the main monitor 60, input device 60a, and wireless communication device 40, respectively. In addition, the division process may be configured to be performed by the control device in a portable terminal device carried by the operator of the road machinery 100 or by workers or other related parties working at the construction site.

[0056] As described above, the construction support device 300 that supports construction by road machinery 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, as shown in Figure 5, has a control device 50 that acquires the construction area 90 and the specifications of the road machinery 100 as input data, and divides the construction area 90 into a plurality of sections SC based on the acquired input data.

[0057] This configuration has the effect of making construction of the construction area 90 by the road machinery 100 more efficient. This is because this configuration allows the construction area 90 to be constructed by the road machinery 100 to be appropriately and automatically divided into multiple sections SC. Furthermore, even if the input data is design data that only specifies the shape after construction is completed and does not specify the shape during construction (which parts to construct and in what order), this configuration can still divide the construction area 90 into multiple sections SC that are suitable for the specifications of the road machinery 100 used for construction. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the burden on construction managers, for example, by not having to divide the construction area 90 into multiple sections SC on a desk while considering the specifications of the road machinery 100 used for construction.

[0058] Furthermore, the control device 50 may be configured to determine the construction order of each of the multiple sections SC.

[0059] This configuration has the effect of further improving the efficiency of construction within the construction area 90 by the road machinery 100. This is because it can present not only the arrangement of each section SC, but also the construction order of each section SC, to the operator of the road machinery 100.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the control device 50 may be configured to set the construction travel track CT, which is the track that the road machine 100 follows when constructing each of the multiple section SCs.

[0061] This configuration has the effect of further improving the efficiency of construction work within the construction area 90 by the road construction machine 100. This is because the construction travel of the road construction machine 100 can be automated. Specifically, this configuration makes it possible for the road construction machine 100 to read data related to the construction travel track CT. Therefore, this configuration allows the road construction machine 100 to automatically travel along the construction travel track CT.

[0062] Furthermore, each of the multiple sections SC may be within a range that the road machine 100 can continuously work within. In this case, the multiple sections SC may include a first section SC1 and a second section SC2 which is worked on after the first section SC1, as shown in Figure 6. Also, the control device 50 may be configured to set an auxiliary travel track AT (first auxiliary travel track AT1), which is the track that the road machine 100 follows when moving between the first section SC1 and the second section SC2 without performing construction, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0063] This configuration has the effect of further improving the efficiency of construction work within the construction area 90 by the road machine 100. This is because the auxiliary driving of the road machine 100 can be automated. Specifically, this configuration makes it possible for the road machine 100 to read data related to the auxiliary driving track AT. Therefore, this configuration allows the road machine 100 to automatically drive along the auxiliary driving track AT. Furthermore, by having the road machine 100 read data related to both the construction driving track CT and the auxiliary driving track AT, this configuration allows the road machine 100 to drive automatically not only during construction driving but also during auxiliary driving. In this case, this configuration has the effect of enabling unmanned operation of the road machine 100.

[0064] Furthermore, the input data may include the positions of entrances and exits 91 to the construction area 90 through which transport vehicles 200 pass to make contact with the road machinery 100 in order to replenish the road machinery 100 with paving material, as shown in Figure 4. The control device 50 may also be configured to determine the construction order of each of the multiple sections SC within the construction area 90 so that the transport vehicles 200 can reach the front of the road machinery 100 while avoiding areas that the road machinery 100 has already paved.

[0065] This configuration has the effect of making construction within the construction area 90 by the road machinery 100 even more efficient. This is because the construction area 90 can be appropriately divided into multiple sections SC by anticipating how the transport vehicles 200 for supplying paving material to the road machinery 100 will move within the construction area 90.

[0066] Furthermore, the control device 50 may be configured to determine the construction order of each of the multiple sections SC so that the road machine 100 can move to the next section SC while avoiding sections SC that have already been paved.

[0067] This configuration has the effect of making construction of the construction area 90 by the road machinery 100 even more efficient. This is because the construction area 90 can be appropriately divided into multiple sections SC by anticipating how the condition of the construction area 90 will change over time.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1B, the road machine 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure comprises a tractor 1, a hopper 2 installed on the front side of the tractor 1, a conveyor CV for transporting paving material in the hopper 2 to the rear side of the tractor 1, a screw SR for spreading the paving material transported by the conveyor CV and scattered on the road surface in the vehicle width direction, a screed device 3 for leveling the paving material spread by the screw SR on the rear side of the screw SR, and a controller 30 as a control device that acquires the specifications of the construction area 90 and the road machine 100 as input data and divides the construction area 90 into a plurality of sections SC based on the acquired input data.

[0069] This configuration has the effect of making construction work on the construction area 90 by the road machinery 100 more efficient. This is because this configuration allows the construction area 90 to be worked on by the road machinery 100 to be appropriately and automatically divided into multiple sections SC.

[0070] Furthermore, the construction support program for assisting construction by the road machinery 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, as shown in Figure 3, causes a computer to execute the following steps: acquiring the construction area 90 and the specifications of the road machinery 100 as input data (steps ST1 and ST2), and dividing the construction area 90 into multiple sections SC based on the acquired input data (step ST3). The construction support program may be distributed in a state where it is stored on a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory, or it may be downloadable via a communication network. In addition, if any known machine learning technique is used, the machine learning model may be trained in a cloud environment or in a local environment. Furthermore, the trained machine learning model may be deployed in a cloud environment or in a local environment.

[0071] This construction support program has the effect of making construction work on the construction area 90 by the road machinery 100 more efficient. This is because the construction support program can appropriately and automatically divide the construction area 90 to be worked on by the road machinery 100 into multiple sections SC.

[0072] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, nor is it limited to the embodiments described later. Various modifications or substitutions can be applied to the embodiments described above or later without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, features described separately can be combined as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1...Tractor 2...Hopper 2a...Hopper cylinder 2b...Push roller 3...Screed device 3a...Leveling arm 30...Controller 40...Wireless communication device 50...Control device 51...Display device 52...Input device 53...Wireless communication device 60...Main monitor 60a...Input device 61...Driver's seat 62...Imaging device 63...Sound output device 81a, 81b...Movable mechanism 90...Construction range 91...Entrance / exit 100...Road machinery 200...Transport vehicle 201...Cargo bed 202...Rear wheels 300...Construction support device AR...Construction orientation AR1...First construction orientation AR2...Second construction orientation AR3... Suitable for 3rd construction AR4... Suitable for 4th construction AR5... Suitable for 5th construction AR6... Suitable for 6th construction AR7... Suitable for 7th construction AR8... Suitable for 8th construction AR9... Suitable for 9th construction AR10... Suitable for 10th construction AR11... Suitable for 11th construction AR12... Suitable for 12th construction AR13... Suitable for 13th construction AT... Auxiliary travel track AT1... 1st auxiliary travel track AT2... 2nd auxiliary travel track AT4... 4th auxiliary travel track AT6... 6th auxiliary travel track AT8... 8th auxiliary travel track AT10... 10th auxiliary travel track AT11... 11th auxiliary travel track AT12... 12th auxiliary travel track CP... Center CV... Conveyor CT...Construction track CT1...First construction track CT2...Second construction track CT3...Third construction track CT4...Fourth construction track CT5...Fifth construction track CT6...Sixth construction track CT7...Seventh construction track CT8...Eighth construction track CT9...Ninth construction track CT10...Tenth construction track CT11...Eleventh construction track CT12...Twelfth construction track CT13...Thirteenth construction track DT...Transport track DT1...First transport track DT5...Fifth transport track HL1...Length RA1...Imaging area SC...Section SC1...First section SC2...Second section SC3...Third section SC4...Fourth section SC5... Section 5 SC6... Section 6 SC7... Section 7SC8... Section 8 SC9... Section 9 SC10... Section 10 SC11... Section 11 SC12... Section 12 SC13... Section 13 SP... Supply Point SP1... Supply Point 1 SP2... Supply Point 2 SP3... Supply Point 3 SP4... Supply Point 4 SP5... Supply Point 5 SR... Screw SYS... Construction Support System VL1, VL2... Vertical Length WD, WD1~WD13... Width

Claims

1. A construction support device that assists in construction using road machinery, The control device acquires the construction area and the specifications of the road machinery as input data, and divides the construction area into multiple sections based on the acquired input data. Construction support equipment.

2. The control device is configured to determine the construction order of each of the plurality of sections. The construction support device according to claim 1.

3. The control device is configured to set the trajectory that the road machine will follow when constructing each of the plurality of sections. The construction support device according to claim 2.

4. Each of the aforementioned plurality of sections is within an area where the road machinery can perform construction continuously. The aforementioned plurality of sections include a first section and a second section to be constructed after the first section. The control device is configured to set the trajectory that the road machine will follow as it moves between the first section and the second section without performing construction work. The construction support device according to claim 2.

5. The input data includes the location of the entrance and exit to the construction area through which a transport vehicle passes in front of the road machine to replenish the road machine with paving material, and which comes into contact with the road machine. The control device is configured to determine the construction order of each of the multiple sections within the construction area so that the transport vehicle can reach the front of the road machine while avoiding the portion that the road machine has already paved. The construction support device according to claim 2.

6. The control device is configured to determine the construction order of each of the multiple sections so that the road machine can move to the next section while avoiding sections that have already been paved. The construction support device according to claim 1.

7. Tractor and, A hopper installed on the front side of the aforementioned tractor, A conveyor that transports the paving material in the hopper to the rear of the tractor, A screw for spreading the paving material, which has been transported by the conveyor and scattered on the road surface, in the direction of the vehicle width, A screed device that spreads the paving material laid by the screw and then levels it on the rear side of the screw, The system includes a control device that acquires the construction area and specifications of road machinery as input data, and divides the construction area into multiple sections based on the acquired input data. Road machinery.

8. A construction support program that assists in construction using road machinery, A step of acquiring the construction area and the specifications of the road machinery as input data, and The computer is instructed to perform the step of dividing the construction area into multiple sections based on the acquired input data. Construction support program.

Images