Agricultural machinery management method, agricultural machinery management system, and agricultural machinery management program

Abstract

It is easy to check whether the work equipment has been sufficiently warmed up. [Solution] The implement management method includes determining the warm-up time elapsed since the implement 100 was started while the warm-up conditions were met, based on the operating information of the implement 100 performing work in the field. The implement management method also includes determining whether the implement 100 has been sufficiently warmed up based on the warm-up time. Furthermore, the implement management method includes outputting notification information representing the result of the determination. Here, the warm-up conditions indicate that the operating state of the implement 100 is warm-up operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine management method, a work machine management system, and a work machine management program.

Background Art

[0002] Since the deterioration of parts and the like of a work machine varies depending on the working environment, research has been conducted on performing maintenance according to the work load.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining the maintenance time in consideration of the load state of a work machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, although the load of the work machine is considered, the temperature when the work machine is started is not considered. In a low-temperature environment, if the work machine is operated without sufficiently performing the warm-up operation, the possibility of failure increases. Therefore, it is important to confirm whether the warm-up operation has been sufficiently performed in order to judge the failure risk.

[0006] In view of the above situation, one object of the present disclosure is to easily confirm whether the warm-up operation has been sufficiently performed in a work machine. Other objects can be understood from the following description and the description of the embodiments.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The means for solving the problem are described below using the numbers and symbols used in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses for reference to show an example of the correspondence between the claims and the embodiments for carrying out the invention. Therefore, the claims should not be interpreted restrictively because of the parenthetical statements.

[0008] A method for managing implements according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective includes determining the warm-up time elapsed since the implement (100) was started while the warm-up conditions were met, based on the operating information of the implement (100) performing work in the field. The implement management method also includes determining whether the implement (100) has been sufficiently warmed up based on the warm-up time. Furthermore, the implement management method includes outputting notification information representing the result of the determination. Here, the warm-up conditions indicate that the operating state of the implement (100) is warm-up operation.

[0009] A method for managing implements according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective includes storing a low-temperature threshold that represents the temperature at which a work implement (100) performing work in a field requires warm-up. The method also includes outputting recommended information as notification information that prompts the implement (100) to perform warm-up, based on the low-temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature in the area where the implement (100) is located.

[0010] A work equipment management system (1000) according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective comprises a time determination unit (260), a warm-up determination unit (270), and an output unit (290). The time determination unit (260) determines the warm-up time elapsed since the work equipment (100) was started up while the warm-up conditions were met, based on the operating information of the work equipment (100) performing work in the field. The warm-up determination unit (270) determines, based on the warm-up time, whether the warm-up operation of the work equipment (100) has been sufficiently performed. The output unit (290) outputs notification information representing the result of the determination. Here, the warm-up operation condition represents that the operating state of the work equipment (100) is warm-up operation.

[0011] A work implement management system (1000) according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective comprises a data storage unit (250) and an output unit (290). The data storage unit (250) stores a low-temperature threshold, which represents the temperature at which a work implement (100) performing work in a field requires warm-up. The output unit (290) outputs recommended information as notification information, prompting the work implement (100) to perform warm-up, based on the low-temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature in the area where the work implement (100) is located.

[0012] A work implement management program (440) according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective causes the calculation unit (120, 220, 320) to determine the warm-up time elapsed since the work implement (100) was started while the warm-up conditions were met, based on the operating information of the work implement (100) performing work in the field. The work implement management program (440) also causes the calculation unit (120, 220, 320) to determine whether the warm-up operation of the work implement (100) has been sufficiently performed, based on the warm-up time. Furthermore, the work implement management program (440) causes the calculation unit (120, 220, 320) to output notification information representing the result of the determination. Here, the warm-up condition indicates that the operating state of the work implement (100) is warm-up operation.

[0013] A work implement management program (440) according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective causes the calculation unit (120, 220, 320) to store a low-temperature threshold representing the temperature at which a work implement (100) performing work in a field requires warm-up. The work implement management program (440) also causes the calculation unit (120, 220, 320) to output recommended information as notification information prompting the work implement (100) to perform warm-up, based on the low-temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature in the area where the work implement (100) is located. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the above configuration, users, such as operators and managers of work equipment, can easily check the warm-up status of the work equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a work machine management system in an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining a notification image displayed by a terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining a summary image displayed by a terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a work machine in an embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing functional blocks executed by a work machine management system in an embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a work machine management device in an embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the configuration of warm-up time data in an embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the configuration of warm-up history data in an embodiment. <\ [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the configuration of risk site data in an embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing a process in which a work machine management system in an embodiment determines a failure risk based on the frequency of insufficient warm-up operation of a work machine. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing a process in which a work machine management system in an embodiment recommends a warm-up operation when the predicted temperature is low. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing functional blocks executed by a work machine management system in an embodiment. <\( <\( [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing a process in which a work machine management system in an embodiment recommends a warm-up operation when approaching a time when the warm-up operation was insufficient in the past. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing functional blocks executed by a work machine management system in an embodiment. [Figure 16] A flowchart representing a process in which a work machine management system in an embodiment determines a failure risk based on a shortage time of insufficient warm-up operation of a work machine. [Figure 17] It is a diagram for explaining a schematic image representing the cumulative shortage time in one embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] (Embodiment 1) The work machine management system 1000 according to the present embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the work machine management system 1000 includes one or more work machines 100, a work machine management device 200, and one or more terminals 300. The work machine management device 200 is communicably connected to the work machine 100 and the terminal 300 via a network 20, for example, the Internet.

[0017] When the work machine 100 is started, it acquires state information representing the state of the work machine 100 (for example, speed, engine speed, steering angle, etc.) at each time, and position information representing the position of the work machine 100 (for example, latitude and longitude). The acquired state information and position information are output to the work machine management device 200.

[0018] Based on the state information acquired from the work machine 100, the work machine management device determines whether sufficient warm-up operation has been performed in each work machine 100. If sufficient warm-up operation has not been performed in the work machine 100, the possibility of the work machine 100 failing increases. Therefore, the work machine management device 200 manages the warm-up operation status of the work machine 100 and outputs notification information representing the warm-up operation status to the terminal 300.

[0019] The terminal 300 displays the warm-up status of the work machine 100, for example, a notification image 500 shown in Figure 2. The user, for example, the manager of the work machine 100, checks the warm-up status of the work machine 100. Furthermore, the terminal 300 displays an overview of the warm-up status of the work machine 100, for example, an overview image 510 shown in Figure 3. By checking the warm-up status for each work machine 100, such as the warm-up rate and the degree of failure risk, the user can more easily grasp the failure risk of the work machine 100. For example, by checking the warm-up status, the user can decide whether or not to perform maintenance on a work machine 100 that has not been sufficiently warmed up. In this way, the work machine management system 1000 supports the consideration of maintenance timing for the work machine 100 and aims to reduce the risk of sudden failure of the work machine 100.

[0020] Furthermore, the terminal 300 may be held by the operator of the work machine 100 and notify the operator to perform a sufficient warm-up. This allows the work machine management system 1000 to encourage sufficient warm-up of the work machine 100 and reduce the risk of malfunction of the work machine 100.

[0021] (Configuration of the work equipment management system) The configuration of the work machine 100 included in the work machine management system 1000 shown in Figure 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the work machine 100 includes an input / output device 110, a sensor 112, a positioning device 114, a processing unit 120, a communication device 130, and a storage device 140. Information for controlling the work machine 100 is input to the input / output device 110. The input / output device 110 also outputs information for controlling the work machine 100, such as the speed of the work machine 100. The input / output device 110 may also include various input and output devices, such as a steering wheel, buttons, levers, a display, a touch panel, etc.

[0022] Sensor 112 measures the state of the implement 100 at each time point. For example, sensor 112 measures the state of the implement 100, such as speed, steering angle, and the ON / OFF status of various clutches, at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds), and outputs state information representing the measured state to the arithmetic unit 120. For example, sensor 112 measures the wheel speed of the implement 100. Sensor 112 also measures the rotational speed of the prime mover (e.g., engine, electric motor, etc.). Sensor 112 may also measure the ambient temperature of the implement 100. Sensor 112 may also measure the water temperature of the cooling water of the implement 100. The state information may represent the rotational speed of the prime mover, the ambient temperature of the implement 100, the water temperature of the cooling water of the implement 100, etc.

[0023] The positioning device 114 acquires position information representing the position of the work machine 100 at each time point, such as latitude and longitude. For example, the positioning device 114 measures the position of the work machine 100 at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds) and outputs position information representing the measured position to the arithmetic unit 120. For example, the positioning device 114 may include a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, a quantum compass, etc. The position information may also include information that associates the measured time with the positioned position. The time at which the positioning device 114 acquires the position information may be the same as or different from the time at which the sensor 112 acquires the state information.

[0024] The communication device 130 is connected to the work machine management device 200 in a communicative manner and communicates with the work machine management device 200. The communication device 130, for example, transfers signals obtained from the work machine management device 200 to the arithmetic unit 120. The communication device 130 also transfers signals generated by the arithmetic unit 120 to the terminal 300. The communication device 130 may also obtain information from other devices and output information to other devices. For example, the communication device 130 may obtain information from other devices and output information to other devices via any storage medium, such as a memory card or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The communication device 130 may also obtain information from other devices and output information to other devices via the network 20. The communication device 130 includes various interfaces such as transceivers used for wireless communication, such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or cellular network, USB terminals, and communication terminals.

[0025] The storage device 140 stores various data for outputting operational information, including state information and position information of the work machine 100, such as an information output program 400. The storage device 140 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing the information output program 400. The information output program 400 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium 1, or as a computer program product downloadable from a server.

[0026] The arithmetic unit 120 reads and executes the information output program 400 from the storage device 140 and performs various data processing to set the configuration information on the work machine 100. For example, the arithmetic unit 120 may include an ECU (Electric Control Unit) or a central processing unit (CPU).

[0027] The arithmetic unit 120 reads and executes the information output program 400, and in cooperation with the storage device 140, as shown in Figure 5, realizes the information output unit 150 and the information notification unit 160. The information output unit 150 outputs the operation information of the work machine 100 to the work machine management device 200. The information notification unit 160, in cooperation with the input / output device 110, notifies the operator of notification information indicating the warm-up status of the work machine 100.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the work equipment management device 200 will be described. As shown in Figure 6, the work equipment management device 200 comprises an input / output device 210, an arithmetic unit 220, a communication device 230, and a storage device 240. The work equipment management device 200 is a computer, for example, a cloud server. Information for the arithmetic unit 220 to perform processing is input to the input / output device 210. The input / output device 210 also outputs the results of the processing performed by the arithmetic unit 220. The input / output device 210 may include various input and output devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, display, speaker, touch panel, etc. The input / output device 210 may be omitted.

[0029] The communication device 230 is connected to the network 20 and communicates with each device via the network 20. For example, the communication device 230 transfers information acquired from the work machine 100 to the computing device 220. The communication device 230 also transfers signals generated by the computing device 220 to the terminal 300. The communication device 230 includes various interfaces such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) and a USB terminal.

[0030] The storage device 240 stores various data for determining the warm-up status of the work machine 100, such as warm-up time data 410, warm-up history data 420, risk area data 430, and the work machine management program 440. The storage device 240 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing the work machine management program 440. The work machine management program 440 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium 2, or as a computer program product downloadable from a server.

[0031] The warm-up time data 410 stores recommended time information that represents the recommended warm-up time to be performed when the work machine 100 is started. The recommended time information represents, for example, the temperature of the work machine 100 that should be warmed up, such as the ambient temperature of the work machine 100, the threshold of the coolant temperature, and the recommended warm-up time. For example, if the temperature of the work machine 100 when started up is 10 degrees or less and a warm-up should be performed for 5 minutes or more, the recommended time information represents 10 degrees as the temperature of the work machine 100 and 5 minutes as the recommended time. The recommended time information may also represent the temperature of the work machine 100 and the recommended time for each type of work machine 100, such as the model. Alternatively, the recommended time information may represent the temperature of the work machine 100 and the recommended time regardless of the type of work machine 100.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the recommended time information may represent the temperatures of multiple work machines 100 and the recommended times associated with those temperatures. In the example shown in Figure 7, the recommended time information represents 10 degrees, 0 degrees, and -5 degrees as temperatures of the work machine 100, and 5 minutes for a temperature of 10 degrees, 10 minutes for a temperature of 0 degrees, and 20 minutes for a temperature of -5 degrees as recommended times. In this case, the recommended time information indicates that warm-up is not necessary when the temperature of the work machine 100 is higher than 10 degrees. The recommended time information also indicates that a warm-up of 5 minutes or more is recommended when the temperature of the work machine 100 is 10 degrees or lower and higher than 0 degrees. The recommended time information indicates that a warm-up of 10 minutes or more is recommended when the temperature of the work machine 100 is 0 degrees or lower and higher than -5 degrees. Furthermore, the recommended time information indicates that a warm-up of 20 minutes or more is recommended when the temperature of the work machine 100 is -5 degrees or lower.

[0033] The warm-up history data 420 shown in Figure 6 stores historical information representing the warm-up status of the work equipment 100 in the past. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the warm-up history data 420 represents historical information when the temperature of the work equipment 100 at startup was a low temperature requiring warm-up. For example, if warm-up is required when the temperature of the work equipment 100 at startup is 10 degrees or lower, the warm-up history data 420 represents historical information when the temperature of the work equipment 100 at startup was 10 degrees or lower.

[0034] Historical information is represented by associating it with, for example, date, location, temperature, and warm-up time. For example, the date represents when the implement 100 was started in a low-temperature state. The location represents the location (e.g., latitude and longitude) where the implement 100 was started in a low-temperature state. The temperature represents the temperature of the implement 100 when it was started in a low-temperature state (ambient temperature or cooling water temperature). The warm-up time represents the time elapsed since the implement 100 was started while the implement 100 was in a warm-up state.

[0035] Furthermore, the historical information may also be expressed in relation to the time when the work machine 100 was started, including the recommended warm-up time according to the temperature of the work machine 100, a warm-up determination indicating whether sufficient warm-up was performed, and the insufficient warm-up time. The insufficient time represents the difference between the recommended time and the warm-up time when sufficient warm-up was not performed.

[0036] The example shown in Figure 8 represents the work machine 100, "#001," which was started at position "A" in a low-temperature state on "November 30th," with a temperature of "5 degrees" at that time. It also shows that a warm-up period of "6 minutes" was performed. The "○" in the "Warm-up Judgment" indicates that sufficient warm-up was performed. The "-" in the "Insufficient Time" indicates that there was no insufficient time because sufficient warm-up was performed. Similarly, the status of work machine 100, "#001," which was started in a low-temperature state on "December 16th" is also shown. The "×" in the "Warm-up Judgment" indicates that sufficient warm-up was not performed, and the "3 minutes" in the "Insufficient Time" represents the difference between the warm-up time and the recommended time. The same warm-up status is also shown for work machine 100, "#002."

[0037] The risk part data 430 shown in Figure 6 stores risk part information that represents parts that are likely to fail if sufficient warm-up is not performed. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the risk part data 430 stores risk part information for each type (e.g., model) of the work equipment 100. In the example shown in Figure 9, work equipment 100 with model "XXX" is likely to fail if sufficient warm-up is not performed, with components such as the "HST" (Hydro-Static Transmission), "hydraulic pump," and "engine turbocharger" being prone to failure. Similarly, the risk part information also represents parts that are likely to fail if sufficient warm-up is not performed for other types of work equipment 100.

[0038] The arithmetic unit 220 shown in Figure 6 reads and executes the work machine management program 440 from the storage device 240 and performs various data processing to determine the warm-up status of the work machine 100. For example, the arithmetic unit 220 includes a central processing unit (CPU).

[0039] The arithmetic unit 220 reads and executes the work machine management program 440, and in cooperation with the storage device 240, realizes a data storage unit 250, a time determination unit 260, a warm-up determination unit 270, a risk determination unit 280, and an output unit 290, as shown in Figure 5. The data storage unit 250 stores warm-up time data 410, warm-up history data 420, and risk part data 430. The time determination unit 260 determines the warm-up time elapsed since the work machine 100 was started, based on the operating information of the work machine 100, assuming that the operating state of the work machine 100 is warm-up operation. The warm-up determination unit 270 determines whether the warm-up operation of the work machine 100 has been sufficiently performed, based on the warm-up time. The risk determination unit 280 determines the failure risk, which represents the possibility of the work machine 100 failing, based on the determination of the warm-up determination unit 270. The output unit 290 outputs notification information representing the result of the warm-up determination unit 270.

[0040] Next, the configuration of terminal 300 will be described. As shown in Figure 10, terminal 300 comprises an input / output device 310, an arithmetic unit 320, a communication device 330, and a storage device 340. Terminal 300 includes, for example, a computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, etc. Information for the arithmetic unit 320 to perform processing is input to the input / output device 310. The input / output device 310 also outputs the results of the processing performed by the arithmetic unit 320. The input / output device 310 may include various input and output devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, display, speaker, touch panel, etc.

[0041] The communication device 330 is connected to the network 20 and communicates with each device via the network 20. For example, the communication device 330 transfers information obtained from the work machine management device 200 to the arithmetic unit 320. The communication device 330 also transfers signals generated by the arithmetic unit 220 to the work machine management device 200. The communication device 330 may also output information to other devices not connected via the network 20. For example, the communication device 330 may output information to other devices via any storage medium, such as a memory card or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The communication device 330 may also obtain information from other devices directly connected via USB or the like. The communication device 330 includes various interfaces such as transceivers used for wireless communication, such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or cellular networks, NICs (Network Interface Cards), and USB terminals.

[0042] The storage device 340 stores various data, such as a display program 450, for displaying information representing the warm-up status of the work machine 100. The storage device 240 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing the display program 450. The display program 450 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium 3, or as a computer program product downloadable from a server.

[0043] The arithmetic unit 320 reads and executes the display program 450 from the storage device 340 and performs various data processing to display information representing the warm-up status of the work machine 100. For example, the arithmetic unit 320 includes a central processing unit (CPU).

[0044] The arithmetic unit 320 reads and executes the display program 450, and in cooperation with the storage device 340 and the input / output device 310, as shown in Figure 5, realizes the display unit 350. The display unit 350 displays notification information acquired from the work machine management device 200.

[0045] (Operation of the work equipment management system) The operation of the implement management system 1000 will be explained. For example, an operator starts up implement 100 to perform work in a field. When the implement 100's arithmetic unit 120 is started, it reads and executes an information output program 400 from the storage device 140. Once the information output program 400 is executed, the arithmetic unit 120 starts the process shown in Figure 11, which is part of the implement management method.

[0046] In step S110, the information output unit 150, implemented by the arithmetic unit 120, acquires operating information of the work machine 100 and outputs the acquired operating information to the work machine management device 200. For example, when the prime mover of the work machine 100 is stopped, the information output unit 150 outputs to the work machine management device 200 all the operating information acquired from the start of the work machine 100 until it was stopped. The information output unit 150 may also output the operating information to the work machine management device 200 sequentially. The operating information may include an identifier that identifies the work machine 100 and information representing the model of the work machine 100.

[0047] In step S120, the warm-up determination unit 270 of the work equipment management device 200 determines, based on the operating information of the work equipment 100, whether the startup of the work equipment 100 is a low-temperature startup, which means that the work equipment 100 is started in a low-temperature state. For example, the warm-up determination unit 270 determines whether the startup of the work equipment 100 is a low-temperature startup based on the ambient temperature of the work equipment 100 when the work equipment 100 is started and the warm-up time data 410.

[0048] For example, the warm-up determination unit 270 extracts the model of the work equipment 100 from the operating information of the work equipment 100, and based on the model of the work equipment 100 and the warm-up time data 410, extracts the upper limit of the temperature at which warm-up operation is required when the work equipment 100 is started as the low-temperature threshold. For example, the warm-up determination unit 270 extracts the temperature of the work equipment 100 corresponding to the model of the work equipment 100 from the warm-up time data 410. When there are multiple temperatures for the work equipment 100 corresponding to the model of the work equipment 100, the warm-up determination unit 270 extracts the highest temperature as the low-temperature threshold. In the example shown in Figure 7, for the model "XXX", the warm-up determination unit 270 extracts "10 degrees", which is the highest temperature of the work equipment 100, as the low-temperature threshold.

[0049] The warm-up determination unit 270 determines the ambient temperature of the work machine 100 at startup based on the operating information of the work machine 100. For example, the warm-up determination unit 270 determines the ambient temperature represented in the initially acquired operating information of the work machine 100 as the startup temperature. Alternatively, the warm-up determination unit 270 may determine the ambient temperature as the startup temperature when the rotational speed of the prime mover (e.g., engine) first reaches a predetermined range (e.g., from 700 revolutions per minute to 1300 revolutions per minute) for a predetermined period of time. The warm-up determination unit 270 may also determine the water temperature of the cooling water of the work machine 100 at startup as the startup temperature.

[0050] The warm-up determination unit 270 determines that the start of the work machine 100 is a low-temperature start if the determined start temperature is below the low-temperature threshold, and determines that the start of the work machine 100 is not a low-temperature start if the start temperature is higher than the low-temperature threshold. If the start of the work machine 100 is not a low-temperature start (NO), the process ends. If the start of the work machine 100 is a low-temperature start (YES), the process proceeds to step S130.

[0051] In step S130, the time determination unit 260 determines the warm-up time, which is the time elapsed since the work machine 100 was started, based on the operating information of the work machine 100, while satisfying the warm-up conditions, which indicate that the operating state of the work machine 100 is in a warm-up state. For example, the time determination unit 260 determines that the operating information of the work machine 100 satisfies the warm-up conditions when the operating information measured since the work machine 100 was started continuously indicates that the work machine 100 is in a warm-up state. For example, the time determination unit 260 determines that the warm-up state ended at the time the operating information was measured when the first operating information in the measured order did not satisfy the warm-up conditions. For this reason, the time determination unit 260 determines the time from when the work machine 100 was started until the time when the warm-up state ended as the warm-up time.

[0052] The time determination unit 260 determines, for example, whether the operating information satisfies the warm-up conditions based on the rotational speed of the prime mover (e.g., engine) represented in the operating information. For example, when the rotational speed of the prime mover is below a rotational threshold (for example, when the engine rotational speed is 1300 revolutions per minute or less), the time determination unit 260 determines that the operating information satisfies the warm-up conditions. Conversely, when the rotational speed of the prime mover is greater than a rotational threshold (for example, when the engine rotational speed is greater than 1300 revolutions per minute), the time determination unit 260 determines that the operating information does not satisfy the warm-up conditions.

[0053] Furthermore, the time determination unit 260 may determine that the warm-up conditions are met when the rotational speed of the prime mover in the operational information is below the rotational threshold and the speed is below the speed threshold. In this case, the speed threshold represents that the work machine 100 is stopped and may represent, for example, 0 kilometers per hour or a small speed within the margin of error. The time determination unit 260 determines that the warm-up conditions are met when the speed in the operational information represents that the work machine 100 is stopped and the rotational speed of the prime mover is below the rotational threshold. In this case, the time determination unit 260 determines that the warm-up conditions are not met when the speed in the operational information represents that the work machine 100 is moving, or when the rotational speed of the prime mover is higher than the rotational threshold.

[0054] The time determination unit 260 extracts the first operating information that does not meet the warm-up conditions after the work machine 100 is started, and determines the time from the time the work machine 100 is started to the time the extracted operating information is measured as the warm-up time. For example, the time determination unit 260 determines the time from the time the first operating information is measured to the time the extracted operating information is measured (specifically, the time when the warm-up operation is completed) as the warm-up time. Alternatively, the time determination unit 260 may determine the time from the time the operating information corresponding to the determined start temperature is measured to the time the extracted operating information is measured as the warm-up time.

[0055] The time determination unit 260 stores the determined warm-up time as historical information in the warm-up history data 420. For example, the time determination unit 260 stores historical information in the warm-up history data 420 that associates the time (e.g., date) when the work machine 100 was started, its position, the starting temperature, and the warm-up time. The time when the work machine 100 was started represents the date, time, etc., when the work machine 100 was started. For example, the time when the work machine 100 was started represents the time when the determined starting temperature was measured, in other words, the time when the operating information used to determine the starting temperature was measured. The position when the work machine 100 was started represents the position indicated in the operating information measured when the work machine 100 was started.

[0056] In step S140, the warm-up determination unit 270 determines whether sufficient warm-up operation has been performed on the work machine 100 based on the determined warm-up time and the warm-up time data 410. The warm-up determination unit 270 compares the warm-up time with the recommended time shown in the warm-up time data 410 to determine whether sufficient warm-up operation has been performed on the work machine 100. For example, the warm-up determination unit 270 determines the recommended time based on the starting temperature of the work machine 100 when it is started. For example, the warm-up determination unit 270 extracts the recommended time corresponding to the type (e.g., model) of the work machine 100 and the starting temperature from the warm-up time data 410. In the example shown in Figure 7, if the model of the work machine 100 is "XXX" and the starting temperature is 10 degrees or less and higher than 0 degrees, the warm-up determination unit 270 determines the recommended time to be 5 minutes.

[0057] The warm-up determination unit 270 determines that sufficient warm-up operation has been performed on the work machine 100 if the warm-up time is equal to or greater than the recommended time. On the other hand, if the warm-up time is less than the recommended time, it determines that sufficient warm-up operation has not been performed on the work machine 100. The determination result and the recommended time are associated with the start time when the work machine 100 was started by the warm-up determination unit 270 and stored in the warm-up history data 420. For example, the information representing the determination result and the recommended time is included in the history information representing the start time when the work machine 100 was started.

[0058] Furthermore, if the warm-up determination unit 270 determines that sufficient warm-up operation was not performed on the work machine 100, it may calculate the insufficient warm-up time compared to the recommended time and include the insufficient warm-up time information in the history information. For example, if the warm-up determination unit 270 determines that sufficient warm-up operation was not performed on the work machine 100, it calculates the insufficient warm-up time by subtracting the warm-up time from the recommended time. The calculated insufficient warm-up time information is included in the history information and stored in the warm-up history data 420.

[0059] In step S150, the risk determination unit 280 determines the frequency of insufficient warm-up based on the warm-up determination stored in the warm-up history data 420, which indicates whether sufficient warm-up operation was performed. For example, the risk determination unit 280 determines the frequency of insufficient warm-up as the ratio of the number of times a warm-up determination was made to the number of times sufficient warm-up operation was not performed. In other words, the risk determination unit 280 determines the frequency of insufficient warm-up as the ratio of the number of cold starts to the number of insufficient warm-ups. For example, the risk determination unit 280 determines the frequency of insufficient warm-up as the ratio of the number of cold starts to the number of insufficient warm-ups. In this case, the risk determination unit 280 determines the frequency of insufficient warm-up by dividing the number of insufficient warm-ups by the number of cold starts.

[0060] In step S160, the risk determination unit 280 determines a failure risk, which represents the possibility that the work machine 100 will fail due to insufficient warm-up, based on the frequency of insufficient warm-up. The risk determination unit 280 determines the failure risk so that it increases monotonically in a broad sense with respect to the frequency of insufficient warm-up. For example, the risk determination unit 280 determines the failure risk so that it increases as the frequency of insufficient warm-up increases. For example, the failure risk may be expressed by the frequency of insufficient warm-up, or it may be expressed as a value converted by a function that takes the frequency of insufficient warm-up as an argument.

[0061] Furthermore, the risk determination unit 280 may classify the work equipment 100 into multiple groups according to failure risk (e.g., frequency of insufficient warm-up) based on failure risk. For example, the risk determination unit 280 compares the failure risk with a threshold to determine a risk group representing a group of work equipment 100 according to failure risk. For example, a risk group may include a high-risk group to which work equipment 100 with a high failure risk belongs, and a low-risk group to which work equipment 100 with a low failure risk belongs. In this case, the risk determination unit 280 classifies work equipment 100 with a failure risk greater than the threshold into the high-risk group, and work equipment 100 with a failure risk below the threshold into the low-risk group. The risk determination unit 280 may also classify the work equipment 100 into three or more risk groups using multiple thresholds. For example, the risk determination unit 280 may use two thresholds to classify the work equipment 100 into a high-risk group with a high failure risk, a low-risk group with a low failure risk, and a medium-risk group representing failure risk in between.

[0062] The risk determination unit 280 may determine the failure risk parts that are likely to fail due to insufficient warm-up operation, based on the risk part data 430 shown in Figure 9, when the failure risk of the work machine 100 is higher than a threshold, for example, when it belongs to the high-risk group. For example, when the work machine 100 belongs to the high-risk group, the risk determination unit 280 obtains the type (e.g., model) of the work machine 100 from the operating information. The risk determination unit 280 extracts the failure risk parts corresponding to the obtained type of work machine 100 from the risk part data 430. The risk determination unit 280 may also determine the failure risk parts when the work machine 100 belongs to the medium-risk group.

[0063] In step S170 shown in Figure 11, the output unit 290 outputs notification information representing the result of the warm-up determination to the terminal 300. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the output unit 290 outputs notification information representing the warm-up operation status when the work machine 100 is started at a low temperature. For example, the notification information represents the result of the warm-up determination when the work machine is started at a low temperature. The notification information may also represent the timing of the low-temperature start (e.g., date), the temperature of the work machine 100, the warm-up time, the recommended time, etc., in relation to the result of the warm-up determination. The notification information may also include work machine information 501 that identifies the work machine 100, information representing the region in which the work machine 100 is started, etc. The notification information may also represent the insufficient time, in relation to the result of the warm-up determination.

[0064] Furthermore, the output unit 290 may output to the terminal 300, as notification information representing the result of the warm-up determination, information indicating the frequency with which warm-up operation has not been performed as a result of the warm-up determination, as shown in Figure 3. In the example shown in Figure 3, the notification information may include work equipment information 501 that identifies the work equipment 100, deficiency information 512, and part information 513. The deficiency information 512 may include failure risk information that represents the determined failure risk and frequency information that represents the frequency of insufficient warm-up. In addition to the frequency of insufficient warm-up, the frequency information may also represent the number of low-temperature starts and the number of insufficient warm-ups.

[0065] In step S180 shown in Figure 11, the display unit 350 of the terminal 300 displays the notification information acquired from the work equipment management device 200 on the input / output device 310. For example, the display unit 350 displays the result of the warm-up judgment for each low-temperature start, as shown in Figure 2. For example, the display unit 350 may display the result of the warm-up judgment, the timing of the low-temperature start (e.g., date), the temperature of the work equipment 100, the warm-up time, the recommended time, etc., in a table format. The display unit 350 may further indicate the degree of low temperature of the start-up. For example, in the example shown in Figure 7, when the start-up temperature of work equipment 100 of model "XXX" is 10 degrees or less and higher than 0 degrees, the display unit 350 may display "High" to indicate that the start-up temperature is high even among low-temperature starts. When the start-up temperature of work equipment 100 is 0 degrees or less and higher than -5 degrees, the display unit 350 may display "Medium" to indicate that the start-up temperature is moderate among low-temperature starts. When the starting temperature of the work machine 100 is -5 degrees Celsius or lower, the display unit 350 may display "Low" to indicate that the starting temperature is low even among low-temperature startups.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the display unit 350 may also display a failure risk indicating the degree to which the warm-up operation has not been sufficiently performed, as a result of the warm-up determination. For example, when the work equipment 100 is classified into a risk group, the display unit 350 displays the classified risk group. For example, when the risk group includes a high-risk group, a medium-risk group, and a low-risk group, the display unit 350 may display "×" when the work equipment 100 belongs to the high-risk group. The display unit 350 may also display "△" when the work equipment 100 belongs to the medium-risk group, and "〇" when it belongs to the low-risk group.

[0067] The information notification unit 160 of the work machine 100 may display notification information. For example, the information notification unit 160 of a work machine 100 that has not been sufficiently warmed up will display notification information. In this case, in step S170, the output unit 290 of the work machine management device 200 outputs notification information to the target work machine 100. For example, the output unit 290 identifies the work machine 100 to which notification information will be output based on information that identifies the work machine 100. The output unit 290 outputs notification information to the identified work machine 100.

[0068] In this case, in step S180, the information notification unit 160 of the work machine 100 displays notification information. The information notification unit 160 may also notify the operator of warning information that sufficient warm-up has not been performed based on the notification information. For example, the information notification unit 160 may notify the operator that failure to perform sufficient warm-up increases the likelihood of malfunction and urge the operator to perform warm-up. For example, the information notification unit 160 may display the warning information on the input / output device 110, or the input / output device 110 may emit a warning sound.

[0069] Furthermore, in step S170, the output unit 290 of the work equipment management device 200 may output warning information to the terminal 300 of the worker using the work equipment 100. In this case, for example, the output unit 290 holds information representing the terminal 300 of the worker using the work equipment 100, associated with information identifying the work equipment 100. Based on this information, the output unit 290 identifies the terminal 300 of the worker using the work equipment 100 and outputs warning information to the identified terminal 300. Alternatively, the output unit 290 may output warning information to the worker's email address.

[0070] In this way, the work equipment management system 1000 determines whether the work equipment 100 has been sufficiently warmed up and notifies the user of the result of the determination. This allows the user to check the risk of failure caused by insufficient warm-up and to manage the work equipment 100 efficiently. Furthermore, the work equipment management system 1000 can encourage workers to warm up the work equipment 100 by notifying them of both notification and warning information.

[0071] (Recommendation for warming up the engine at low temperatures) The work equipment management system 1000 may estimate a low-temperature start for the work equipment 100 based on weather information and recommend warming up the equipment. For example, the work equipment management system 1000 obtains predicted temperature information from an external device, which represents the predicted minimum temperature for a predetermined period. When the predicted minimum temperature is lower than the low-temperature threshold stored in the warm-up time data 410, the work equipment management system 1000 recommends warming up the work equipment 100. The low-temperature threshold represents the upper limit of the temperature at which the work equipment 100 requires warming up.

[0072] In this case, the arithmetic unit 220 of the work equipment management device 200 periodically reads and executes the work equipment management program 440 from the storage device 240. For example, the arithmetic unit 220 may execute the work equipment management program 440 at a predetermined time each day. When the work equipment management program 440 is executed, the process shown in Figure 12, which is part of the work equipment management method, begins.

[0073] In step S210, the data storage unit 250, implemented by the arithmetic unit 220, acquires predicted temperature information from an external device. For example, the data storage unit 250 requests predicted temperature information from a weather information distribution device that distributes weather information, representing the predicted minimum temperature in an area including the location of one or more work machines 100, and acquires the predicted temperature information from the distribution device. The location of the work machine 100 represents, for example, the location represented in the operation information acquired from the work machine 100 immediately beforehand. The predicted temperature information represents, for example, the minimum temperature for each day during a predetermined period.

[0074] In step S220, the output unit 290 determines whether or not a low-temperature start will occur for each of the one or more work implements 100, based on the predicted temperature information and the low-temperature threshold of the warm-up time data 410. For example, the output unit 290 extracts the temperature of the work implement 100 according to the type of work implement 100 from the warm-up time data 410. If there are multiple temperatures for the work implement 100, the output unit 290 extracts the highest temperature from the warm-up time data 410 as the low-temperature threshold.

[0075] The output unit 290 determines that a low-temperature start will occur for each work machine 100 if the minimum temperature shown in the predicted temperature information is below the low-temperature threshold. For example, if the predicted temperature information shows the minimum temperature for each day over a predetermined period, the output unit 290 determines that a low-temperature start will occur if there is a low temperature below the low-temperature threshold. If the minimum temperature shown in the predicted temperature information is above the low-temperature threshold, the output unit 290 determines that a low-temperature start will not occur. For example, if the predicted temperature information shows the minimum temperature for each day over a predetermined period, the output unit 290 determines that a low-temperature start will not occur if there is no low temperature below the low-temperature threshold. When it is determined that a low-temperature start will not occur (NO), the output unit 290 terminates processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that a low-temperature start will occur (YES), the output unit 290 executes the processing in step S230.

[0076] In step S230, the output unit 290 outputs recommendation information to the terminal 300 indicating that warm-up operation is recommended. For example, the recommendation information indicates the date on which the expected minimum temperature is below the low temperature threshold, and that warm-up operation is recommended on that date. The recommendation information may also include information indicating the low temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature. The recommendation information may also include information indicating the recommended time for warm-up operation at the expected minimum temperature. The recommendation information may also include information indicating the method of warm-up operation (for example, cautionary information such as "Do not press the accelerator to avoid increasing engine speed"). The recommendation information may also include information indicating that there is a possibility of malfunction if the warm-up operation is insufficient.

[0077] In step S240, the display unit 350 of the terminal 300 displays recommended information obtained from the work equipment management device 200. The operator can check the recommended information displayed on the input / output device 310 of the terminal 300 and determine the date on which warm-up operation is required.

[0078] Thus, the work equipment management system 1000 may use weather information to encourage the work equipment 100 to perform a sufficient warm-up. Furthermore, the output unit 290 of the work equipment management device 200 may output recommendation information to the terminal 300 that uses the work equipment 100. This helps to prevent the work equipment 100 from not being adequately warmed up.

[0079] Furthermore, the output unit 290 of the work equipment management device 200 may output recommended information to the work equipment 100. In this case, the information notification unit 160 of the work equipment 100 will notify the operator of the recommended information. For example, the information notification unit 160 may display the recommended information or emit a sound indicating that warm-up operation is recommended.

[0080] (Embodiment 2) The work equipment management system 1000 may notify the user of recommended information prompting warm-up when a period in the past has not been adequately warmed up is approaching. For example, if work equipment 100 has not been adequately warmed up in November, the work equipment management system 1000 may notify the user of recommended information prompting warm-up of work equipment 100 as November approaches.

[0081] (Configuration of the work equipment management system) In this case, the configuration of the work equipment management system 1000 differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that the non-implementation timing determination unit 295 is further implemented by the calculation unit 220 of the work equipment management device 200, as shown in Figure 13, and in the processing of the output unit 290B. Since the other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0082] The non-implementation period determination unit 295 is realized when the calculation unit 220 executes the work equipment management program 440. Based on the warm-up history data 420, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 determines a non-implementation period that represents a time when the work equipment 100 has not been sufficiently warmed up. When the current time approaches the non-implementation period, the output unit 290B outputs recommended information to the terminal 300 to encourage warm-up.

[0083] (Operation of the work equipment management system) The arithmetic unit 220 of the work equipment management device 200 periodically reads and executes the work equipment management program 440 from the storage device 240. For example, the arithmetic unit 220 may execute the work equipment management program 440 at a predetermined time each day. When the work equipment management program 440 is executed, the process shown in Figure 14, which is part of the work equipment management method, is started.

[0084] In step S310, the non-implementation period determination unit 295, implemented by the calculation unit 220, determines the non-implementation period based on the warm-up history data 420. For example, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 extracts candidate periods (e.g., dates) from the warm-up history data 420 shown in Figure 8, during which it is determined that the work machine 100 was not sufficiently warmed up. The non-implementation period determination unit 295 then selects a candidate period from the extracted list of candidate periods during which there are no other candidate periods within a predetermined period (e.g., 3 months) prior to the non-implementation period.

[0085] In the example shown in Figure 8, the non-implementation date determination unit 295 extracts "December 16th" and "December 25th" as candidate dates, which are determined to be dates on which the work machine 100 "#001" was not sufficiently warmed up. Here, since there are no other candidate dates in the period from "December 16th" to a predetermined period prior to it, for example, from "September 16th" to "December 16th", the non-implementation date determination unit 295 determines "December 16th" as a non-implementation date. On the other hand, since "December 16th" is one of the other candidate dates in the period from "December 25th" to a predetermined period prior to it, for example, from "September 25th" to "December 25th", the non-implementation date determination unit 295 does not determine "December 25th" as a non-implementation date.

[0086] Thus, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 determines a period as a non-implementation period if a predetermined period or longer has passed and sufficient warm-up operation has not been performed, based on the warm-up history data 420. Here, the period in the warm-up history data 420 that is determined to have not been sufficiently warmed up represents the period in which the operational information indicating that sufficient warm-up operation has not been performed was measured. For this reason, it can also be said that the non-implementation period determination unit 295 determines the non-implementation period based on the operational information indicating that sufficient warm-up operation has not been performed.

[0087] Furthermore, when the warm-up history data 420 contains history information for multiple years, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 may determine the non-implementation period using only the month and day, for example, without including the year represented in the history information. Alternatively, when the warm-up history data 420 contains history information for multiple years, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 may determine the non-implementation period using history information from the present time up to a predetermined period (for example, one year) prior.

[0088] In step S320 shown in Figure 14, the output unit 290B determines whether the current time is approaching the non-implementation period. For example, the output unit 290B determines that the current time is approaching the non-implementation period when the current time reaches a predetermined period earlier from the determined non-implementation period, for example, 15 days prior. Here, the non-implementation period represents a period excluding the year. For example, if the non-implementation period is "December 16th" and the current time is "December 1st, 2024", the output unit 290B compares "December 1st", which is 15 days before the non-implementation period, with the current time "December 1st" without including the year, to determine whether the non-implementation period is approaching. In this case, the output unit 290B determines that the current time is approaching the non-implementation period because the current time has reached "December 1st". Furthermore, the output unit 290B determines that the current time is not approaching the non-implementation period if the current time has not reached a predetermined period prior to the determined non-implementation period.

[0089] The output unit 290B terminates processing when it determines that the current time is not approaching the non-implementation period (NO). When it determines that the current time is approaching the non-implementation period (YES), the output unit 290B executes the processing in step S330.

[0090] In step S330, the output unit 290B outputs recommendation information to the terminal 300 indicating that warm-up operation is recommended. The recommendation information may include information indicating that it is approaching a time in the past when warm-up operation was insufficient. The recommendation information may also include information indicating that there is a possibility of failure if warm-up operation is insufficient.

[0091] In step S340, the display unit 350 of the terminal 300 displays recommended information obtained from the work equipment management device 200. The operator can check the recommended information displayed on the input / output device 310 of the terminal 300 and understand that it is approaching the time when warm-up operation is required.

[0092] Furthermore, the output unit 290B of the work equipment management device 200 may output recommended information to the work equipment 100. In this case, the information notification unit 160 of the work equipment 100 will notify the operator of the recommended information. For example, the information notification unit 160 may display the recommended information or emit a sound indicating that warm-up operation is recommended.

[0093] Thus, the work equipment management system 1000 may use historical information regarding the warm-up operation of the work equipment 100 to prompt the work equipment 100 to perform a sufficient warm-up operation.

[0094] (Embodiment 3) The work equipment management system 1000 may determine the failure risk based on the duration of insufficient warm-up, rather than the frequency of insufficient warm-up. For example, the work equipment management system 1000 may determine the failure risk based on the cumulative difference between the warm-up time performed and the recommended warm-up time.

[0095] (Configuration of the work equipment management system) In this case, the configuration of the work equipment management system 1000 differs from that of Embodiment 1 in terms of the processing of the risk determination unit 280B and the output unit 290C, which are implemented by the calculation unit 220 of the work equipment management device 200, as shown in Figure 15. The risk determination unit 280B determines the cumulative shortage time, which represents the cumulative difference between the warm-up time and the recommended time, based on the determination of the warm-up determination unit 270, and determines the failure risk, which represents the possibility that the work equipment 100 will fail, based on the cumulative shortage time. The output unit 290C outputs notification information representing the result of the warm-up determination to the terminal 300. The notification information may include information representing the cumulative shortage time. As the other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0096] (Operation of the work equipment management system) The operation of the implement management system 1000 will now be explained. For example, a worker starts the implement 100 to perform work in the field, similar to the first embodiment. When the implement 100's arithmetic unit 120 is started, it reads and executes the information output program 400 from the storage device 140. Once the information output program 400 is executed, the arithmetic unit 120 starts the process shown in Figure 16, which is part of the implement management method.

[0097] In step S410, the information output unit 150, implemented by the arithmetic unit 120, acquires operating information of the work machine 100 and outputs the acquired operating information to the work machine management device 200. The process in step S410 is the same as the process in step S110 shown in Figure 11 of Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0098] In step S420, the warm-up determination unit 270 of the work equipment management device 200 determines, based on the operating information of the work equipment 100, whether the startup of the work equipment 100 is a low-temperature startup, which means startup in a low-temperature state. If the startup of the work equipment 100 is a low-temperature startup (YES), the process proceeds to step S430. If the startup of the work equipment 100 is not a low-temperature startup (NO), the process ends. The process in step S420 is the same as the process in step S120 shown in Figure 11 of Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0099] In step S430, the time determination unit 260 determines a warm-up time, which is the time elapsed since the work machine 100 was started, based on the operating information of the work machine 100, while satisfying the warm-up operating conditions, which indicate that the operating state of the work machine 100 is in warm-up operation. The process in step S430 is the same as the process in step S130 shown in Figure 11 of Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0100] In step S440, the warm-up determination unit 270 determines whether sufficient warm-up operation has been performed on the work machine 100 based on the determined warm-up time and the warm-up time data 410. The process in step S440 is the same as the process in step S140 shown in Figure 11 of Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted. In step S440, the recommended warm-up time and the insufficient warm-up time that the work machine 100 should perform are determined.

[0101] In step S455, the risk determination unit 280B determines the cumulative under-duration time for the work implement 100 based on the warm-up time stored in the warm-up history data 420 and the recommended time. The cumulative under-duration time represents the total under-duration time for the work implement 100.

[0102] In step S460B, the risk determination unit 280B determines the failure risk, which represents the possibility that the work machine 100 will fail due to insufficient warm-up time, based on the cumulative insufficient warm-up time. Similar to the failure risk for the frequency of insufficient warm-up time in Embodiment 1, the risk determination unit 280B determines the failure risk so that it increases monotonically in a broad sense with respect to the cumulative insufficient warm-up time. For example, the risk determination unit 280B determines the failure risk so that it increases as the cumulative insufficient warm-up time increases. For example, the failure risk may be represented by the cumulative insufficient warm-up time, or by a value converted by a function that takes the cumulative insufficient warm-up time as an argument.

[0103] Furthermore, the risk determination unit 280B may classify the work machine 100 into multiple risk groups according to the failure risk (e.g., cumulative underutilization time), similar to step S160 shown in Figure 11 of Embodiment 1. For example, the risk determination unit 280B may determine two or more risk groups by comparing the failure risk with one or more thresholds.

[0104] The risk determination unit 280B may, similar to step S160 shown in Figure 11 of Embodiment 1, determine the fault risk parts that are likely to fail due to insufficient warm-up operation, based on the risk part data 430 shown in Figure 9, when the failure risk of the work machine 100 is higher than a threshold.

[0105] In step S470B shown in Figure 16, the output unit 290C may output notification information representing the result of the warm-up determination to the terminal 300. For example, similar to Embodiment 1, the output unit 290C outputs the result of the warm-up determination when it is a low-temperature start, and notification information representing the timing of the low-temperature start (e.g., date), the temperature of the work machine 100, the warm-up time, the recommended time, etc.

[0106] Furthermore, the output unit 290C may output to the terminal 300 information representing the failure risk of the work machine 100 as notification information representing the result of the warm-up determination, as shown in Figure 17, similar to Embodiment 1. In this case, the notification information may also include information representing the cumulative shortage time. In the example shown in Figure 17, the notification information may include work machine information 501 that identifies the work machine 100, shortage information 512B, and part information 513. The shortage information 512B may include failure risk information representing the determined failure risk and information representing the cumulative shortage time.

[0107] In step S480 shown in Figure 16, the display unit 350 of the terminal 300 displays notification information acquired from the work equipment management device 200, similar to the first embodiment.

[0108] Thus, the work equipment management system 1000 may determine the failure risk based on the cumulative under-run time. The output unit 290C of the work equipment management device 200 may output notification information to work equipment 100 that has not been sufficiently warmed up, as in Embodiment 1, or it may output notification information to the terminal 300 of the worker using the work equipment 100. In addition, the information notification unit 160 of the work equipment 100 may notify the worker of warning information along with the notification information.

[0109] (modified version) The embodiments and modifications described above are merely examples, and the configurations described in each embodiment and modification may be arbitrarily changed and / or combined as long as they do not impair the function. Furthermore, some of the functions described in the embodiments and modifications may be omitted if the necessary functions can be achieved.

[0110] For example, the work equipment management system 1000 may output recommended information regarding warm-up operation at low temperatures, but only to work equipment 100 that have not undergone sufficient warm-up operation. For example, in step S220 shown in Figure 12, the output unit 290 of the work equipment management device 200 determines whether or not a low-temperature start will occur in work equipment 100 that have not undergone sufficient warm-up operation. For example, the output unit 290 extracts work equipment 100 whose frequency of insufficient warm-up is higher than a threshold, based on the warm-up history data 420. The output unit 290 compares the expected minimum temperature in the area including the location of the extracted work equipment 100 with the low-temperature threshold, and determines whether or not a low-temperature start will occur. In this way, the work equipment management system 1000 may output recommended information, but only to work equipment 100 with a high frequency of insufficient warm-up. Similarly, the work equipment management system 1000 may output recommended information, but only to work equipment 100 with a large cumulative insufficient time.

[0111] Furthermore, in step S230 shown in Figure 12, the output unit 290 of the work equipment management device 200 may output notification information including recommended information. For example, the output unit 290 may output information representing the warm-up status of the work equipment 100 and recommended information. For example, the output unit 290 may output information stored in the warm-up history data 420 and recommended information. For example, the display unit 350 of the terminal 300 displays the notification image 500 shown in Figure 2 and recommended information. Alternatively, the display unit 350 may display the overview image 510 shown in Figure 3 and recommended information.

[0112] In step S310 shown in Figure 14, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 of the work equipment management device 200 may determine the non-implementation period by any method. For example, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 extracts one or more periods from the warm-up history data 420 in which sufficient warm-up operation was not performed, and determines a period that includes a predetermined period before and after each of the one or more extracted periods. When the period extended before and after the extracted period overlaps with the period extended before and after another extracted period, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 determines it as a single period combining both periods. The non-implementation period determination unit 295 determines the first period of the determined period as the non-implementation period.

[0113] In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 8, the non-implementation period determination unit 295 extracts "December 16th" and "December 25th" as periods when sufficient warm-up operation was not performed. A predetermined period, for example 15 days before and after "December 16th," is determined, which is the period from "December 1st" to "December 31st." Furthermore, a predetermined period, including the period before and after "December 25th," is determined, which is the period from "December 10th" to "January 9th." Since the two periods overlap, the period from "December 1st" to "January 9th" is determined. "December 1st," which is the first day of this period, is determined to be a non-implementation period.

[0114] The process shown in Figure 11 may be executed periodically, regardless of the reception of operational information from the work machine 100. The notification information may include recommended information to encourage warming up the work machine 100. Alternatively, the notification information may include only recommended information. Furthermore, the process shown in Figure 11 may be executed when the work machine management device 200 receives a signal requesting notification information from the terminal 300 or the work machine 100.

[0115] The process shown in Figure 12 may be started when the work machine 100 is started. For example, when the work machine 100 is started, the information output unit 150 of the work machine 100 outputs information to the work machine management device 200 indicating that the work machine 100 has been started. When the work machine management device 200 receives information from the work machine 100, it may start the process of step S210 shown in Figure 12. This allows the work machine management system 1000 to prompt the worker to warm up the work machine 100 when it is started.

[0116] The process shown in Figure 14 may also be started when the work machine 100 is activated. This allows the work machine management system 1000 to notify the operator of the time when the work machine 100 will need to be warmed up in the near future when it is activated.

[0117] For example, the warm-up conditions used when determining the warm-up time in step S130 shown in Figure 11 may be any conditions that represent warm-up operation in the operating information.

[0118] The temperature of the implement 100 in the warm-up time data 410 shown in Figure 7 is not limited to the ambient temperature or the coolant temperature of the implement 100, but may be any information that represents the temperature of the implement 100 when it is started. For example, the temperature of the implement 100 may represent the temperature of the lubricating oil of the implement 100.

[0119] The time when the work machine 100 was started in the warm-up history data 420 shown in Figure 8 is not limited to "dates" but may be expressed in any unit. For example, the time when the work machine 100 was started may be expressed as a date and time including the time, or as a period including multiple dates such as the beginning, middle, and end of the month.

[0120] Furthermore, the recommended time in the warm-up time data 410, and the warm-up time and insufficient time in the warm-up history data 420 may also be expressed in any unit. For example, these times may be expressed in "seconds" or in units shorter than that.

[0121] The example shown includes an identifier and model information for the work equipment 100 in the operational information, but is not limited to this. The warm-up determination unit 270 of the work equipment management device 200 may identify the work equipment 100 based on the source of the operational information. Alternatively, the warm-up determination unit 270 may store information representing the model of each work equipment 100 and identify the model of the work equipment 100 based on this information.

[0122] In the process shown in Figure 11, the warm-up determination unit 270 of the work equipment management device 200 is shown as an example of calculating the insufficient time when sufficient warm-up operation was not performed on the work equipment 100. However, if the insufficient time is not used, the calculation of the insufficient time may be omitted.

[0123] Furthermore, in the process shown in Figure 16, the risk determination unit 280B of the work equipment management device 200 may calculate the warm-up insufficiency frequency, which represents the frequency of insufficient warm-up operation in the work equipment 100. In this case, the output unit 290C may output notification information that includes information representing the warm-up insufficiency frequency.

[0124] The work equipment management program 440 may include either the information output program 400 or the display program 450, or both.

[0125] Furthermore, the work machine 100 may perform some or all of the processing of terminal 300. In this case, terminal 300 may be omitted. Also, the work machine management system 1000 may not include terminal 300 and may display notification information on an external terminal not included in the work machine management system 1000.

[0126] Some or all of the processing performed by the work machine management device 200 may be performed at the work machine 100 or the terminal 300. In this case, the work machine management device 200 may be omitted.

[0127] The work equipment management system 1000 does not include the work equipment 100, and may acquire operational information from an external work equipment 100.

[0128] (Note) The work equipment management method, work equipment management system, and work equipment management program described in each embodiment can be described as follows.

[0129] The first method of managing work equipment is: Based on the operating information of the implements used for work in the field, the warm-up time elapsed since the implements were started while the warm-up conditions were met is determined, Based on the warm-up time, it is determined whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient. Outputting notification information representing the result of the aforementioned determination, Includes, The aforementioned warm-up conditions indicate that the operating state of the work machine is in a warm-up state.

[0130] The work equipment management method according to the second embodiment is the work equipment management method according to the first embodiment, The method further includes determining the frequency of insufficient warm-up when the warm-up time is shorter than the recommended time. The aforementioned notification information includes information regarding the frequency of insufficient warm-up, The aforementioned recommended time represents the time that is compared with the warm-up time when determining whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient.

[0131] The third embodiment of the work equipment management method is the second embodiment of the work equipment management method, The output mentioned above is, When the frequency of insufficient warm-up is greater than a threshold, a warning message indicating that the warm-up operation of the work machine is insufficient is output. Includes.

[0132] The fourth method of managing work equipment is the third method of managing work equipment, Outputting the aforementioned notification information means Based on the frequency of insufficient warm-up, the low-temperature threshold representing the temperature at which the work machine requires warm-up, and the expected minimum temperature in the area where the work machine is located, recommended information prompting the warm-up of the work machine is output as the notification information. Includes.

[0133] The fifth embodiment of the work equipment management method is a work equipment management method relating to any one of the second to fourth embodiments, The method further includes determining the failure risk, which represents the likelihood of the work machine failing, based on the frequency of insufficient warm-up. The missing information includes information representing the failure risk.

[0134] The work equipment management method relating to the sixth aspect is a work equipment management method relating to any one of the first to fourth aspects, The method further includes determining the failure risk, which represents the possibility of the work machine failing, based on the cumulative shortfall time obtained by summing the difference between the warm-up time and the recommended time when the warm-up time is shorter than the recommended time. The aforementioned notification information includes information representing the failure risk, The aforementioned recommended time represents the time that is compared with the warm-up time when determining whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient.

[0135] The work equipment management method relating to the seventh aspect is a work equipment management method relating to either the fifth or sixth aspect, Based on the aforementioned failure risk, the method further includes determining the failure risk parts in the work machine that are likely to fail due to insufficient warm-up, The aforementioned notification information includes information representing the fault risk area.

[0136] The eighth method of managing work equipment is a method of managing work equipment relating to any one of the second to seventh methods, The above determination means that The recommended time is determined based on the startup temperature of the work machine when it is started. Includes.

[0137] The work equipment management method relating to the ninth aspect is a work equipment management method relating to any one of the first to eighth aspects, Based on the operational information when it is determined that the warm-up operation of the work machine has not been performed sufficiently, the period during which the warm-up operation of the work machine was not performed is determined. It further includes, Outputting the aforementioned notification information means When it is determined that the current time is approaching the period during which the work should not be performed, a recommendation to warm up the work machine will be output as the notification information. Includes.

[0138] The work equipment management method relating to the 10th aspect is a work equipment management method relating to any one of the first to 9 aspects, The warm-up conditions include conditions relating to the speed of the work machine and the rotational speed of the prime mover.

[0139] The work equipment management method relating to the 11th aspect is: In a field work machine, it is necessary to store a low-temperature threshold that indicates the temperature at which warm-up is required, Based on the low-temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature of the area where the work machine is located, recommended information prompting the warm-up of the work machine is output as notification information. Includes.

[0140] The work machine management system according to the 12th embodiment is: A time determination unit determines the warm-up time elapsed since the work implement was started while the warm-up conditions were met, based on the operating information of the work implement being used in the field. A warm-up determination unit determines whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficiently performed based on the warm-up time, An output unit that outputs notification information representing the result of the aforementioned determination, Equipped with, The aforementioned warm-up conditions indicate that the operating state of the work machine is in a warm-up state.

[0141] The work machine management system according to the 13th aspect is: A data storage unit that stores a low-temperature threshold representing the temperature at which warm-up operation is required for a work machine used in a field, An output unit that outputs recommended information as notification information prompting the warming up of the work machine, based on the low temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature of the area where the work machine is located. It is equipped with.

[0142] A work machine management system according to the 14th embodiment is a work machine management system according to the 12th or 13th embodiment, The system further includes a display unit for displaying the aforementioned notification information.

[0143] The work equipment management program relating to the 15th aspect is: Based on the operating information of the implements used for work in the field, the warm-up time elapsed since the implements were started while the warm-up conditions were met is determined, Based on the warm-up time, it is determined whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient. Outputting notification information representing the result of the aforementioned determination, The computing unit is made to execute this, The aforementioned warm-up conditions indicate that the operating state of the work machine is in a warm-up state.

[0144] The work equipment management program relating to the 16th aspect is: In a field work machine, it is necessary to store a low-temperature threshold that indicates the temperature at which warm-up is required, Based on the low-temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature of the area where the work machine is located, recommended information prompting the warm-up of the work machine is output as notification information. The arithmetic unit is made to execute it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1, 2, 3: Storage medium 20: Network 100: Work machine 110: Input / Output Devices 112: Sensor 114: Positioning device 120: Arithmetic device 130: Communication device 140: Storage device 150: Information output unit 160: Information and News Department 200: Work equipment management device 210: Input / Output Devices 220: Arithmetic device 230: Communication equipment 240: Storage device 250: Data storage unit 260: Time determination unit 270: Warm-up determination unit 280: Risk Assessment Unit 290: Output section 295: Department for determining the timing of non-implementation 300: Terminal 310: Input / Output Device 320: Arithmetic device 330: Communication device 340 :Storage device 350:Display section 400: Information output program 410: Warm-up time data 420: Warm-up history data 430: Risk site data 440: Work equipment management program 450: Display Program 500: Hochi image 501: Work equipment information 510: Overview image 512: Missing Information 513: Part information 1000: Work Machine Management System

Claims

1. Based on the operating information of the implements used for work in the field, the warm-up time elapsed since the implements were started while the warm-up conditions were met is determined, Based on the warm-up time, it is determined whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient. Outputting notification information representing the result of the aforementioned determination, Includes, The warm-up operation condition indicates that the operating state of the work machine is in a warm-up operation state. Work equipment management method.

2. The method further includes determining the frequency of insufficient warm-up when the warm-up time is shorter than the recommended time. The aforementioned notification information includes information regarding the frequency of insufficient warm-up, The aforementioned recommended time represents the time that is compared with the warm-up time when determining whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient. The method for managing work equipment according to claim 1.

3. The output mentioned above is, When the frequency of insufficient warm-up is greater than a threshold, a warning message indicating that the warm-up operation of the work machine is insufficient is output. A method for managing work equipment according to claim 2, including the method described in claim 2.

4. Outputting the aforementioned notification information means Based on the frequency of insufficient warm-up, the low-temperature threshold representing the temperature at which the work machine requires warm-up, and the expected minimum temperature in the area where the work machine is located, recommended information prompting the work machine to perform warm-up when it has not been sufficiently warmed up is output as the notification information. A method for managing work equipment according to claim 3, including the method described in claim 3.

5. The method further includes determining the failure risk, which represents the likelihood of the work machine failing, based on the frequency of insufficient warm-up. The missing information includes information representing the failure risk. The method for managing work equipment according to claim 2.

6. The method further includes determining the failure risk, which represents the possibility of the work machine failing, based on the cumulative shortfall time obtained by summing the difference between the warm-up time and the recommended time when the warm-up time is shorter than the recommended time. The aforementioned notification information includes information representing the failure risk, The aforementioned recommended time represents the time that is compared with the warm-up time when determining whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient. The method for managing work equipment according to claim 1.

7. Based on the aforementioned failure risk, the method further includes determining the failure risk parts in the work machine that are likely to fail due to insufficient warm-up, The notification information includes information representing the fault risk area. The method for managing work equipment according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The above determination means that The recommended time is determined based on the startup temperature of the work machine when it is started. A method for managing work equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 6, including the method described in any one of claims 2 to 6.

9. Based on the operational information when it is determined that the warm-up operation of the work machine has not been performed sufficiently, the period during which the warm-up operation of the work machine was not performed is determined. It further includes, Outputting the aforementioned notification information means When it is determined that the current time is approaching the period during which the work should not be performed, a recommendation to warm up the work machine will be output as the notification information. A method for managing work equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The warm-up conditions include conditions relating to the speed of the work machine and the rotational speed of the prime mover. A method for managing work equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. In a field work machine, it is necessary to store a low-temperature threshold that indicates the temperature at which warm-up is required, Based on the low-temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature of the area where the work machine is located, recommended information prompting the warm-up of the work machine is output as notification information. A method for managing work equipment, including the equipment itself.

12. A time determination unit determines the warm-up time elapsed since the work implement was started while the warm-up conditions were met, based on the operating information of the work implement being used in the field. A warm-up determination unit determines whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficiently performed based on the warm-up time, An output unit that outputs notification information representing the result of the aforementioned determination, Equipped with, The warm-up operation condition indicates that the operating state of the work machine is in a warm-up operation state. Work equipment management system.

13. A data storage unit that stores a low-temperature threshold representing the temperature at which warm-up operation is required for a work machine used in a field, An output unit that outputs recommended information as notification information prompting the warming up of the work machine, based on the low temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature of the area where the work machine is located. A work equipment management system equipped with the following features.

14. The system further comprises a display unit for displaying the aforementioned notification information. The work machine management system according to claim 12 or 13.

15. Based on the operating information of the implements used for work in the field, the warm-up time elapsed since the implements were started while the warm-up conditions were met is determined, Based on the warm-up time, it is determined whether the warm-up operation of the work machine has been sufficient. Outputting notification information representing the result of the aforementioned determination, The computing unit is made to execute this, The warm-up operation condition indicates that the operating state of the work machine is in a warm-up operation state. A work equipment management program.

16. In a field work machine, it is necessary to store a low-temperature threshold that indicates the temperature at which warm-up is required, Based on the low-temperature threshold and the expected minimum temperature of the area where the work machine is located, recommended information prompting the warm-up of the work machine is output as notification information. A work machine management program that causes the computing unit to execute.

Images