Operation support system for multi-axle bogies

Abstract

This invention provides an operation support system for multi-axle trolleys that reduces reliance on the skills and experience of guides and operators, resulting in superior transport quality and safety. [Solution] The multi-axle bogie 60 operation support system 10 includes a display unit 30 that displays multiple icons 30a to 30d corresponding to multiple operation units 20a to 20d provided on the controller 20 of the multi-axle bogie 60, and a processing unit 12 that displays the operation procedures of the operation units 20a to 20d on the display unit 30 using the multiple icons 30a to 30d in accordance with a pre-set simulation model. The simulation model is a vehicle operation model obtained by running the multi-axle bogie 60 along a planned route 52 on a computer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation support system for multi-axle bogies.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, self-propelled multi-axle bogies loaded with and transporting ultra-heavy construction loads have been used in the construction of grade-separated road intersections, the construction of bridge pier connection portions, the construction of large wind turbines, and the like (for example, Patent Document 1). Such transportation work using multi-axle bogies is guided mainly based on trajectory diagrams. Specifically, a guide person guides and transports the multi-axle bogie while viewing a trajectory diagram created by CAD or the like to match the multi-axle bogie. This method relies heavily on the skills and experience of the guide person and the operator of the multi-axle bogie. In addition, the operator of the multi-axle bogie may not be able to maneuver as guided due to insufficient proficiency. As such, the experience and proficiency of both the guide person and the operator also affect the quality and safety of transportation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides an operation support system for multi-axle bogies that reduces dependence on the skills and experience of guide persons and operators, and offers excellent transportation quality and safety.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-described problems, and can be implemented as the following aspects or application examples.

[0006] [1] One aspect of the operation support system for a multi-axle bogie according to the present invention is: A display unit that displays multiple icons corresponding to multiple control units provided on the controller of a multi-axle bogie, A processing unit that displays the operation procedure of the control unit on the display unit using the multiple icons in accordance with a pre-set simulation model, Equipped with, The simulation model is characterized by being a vehicle operation model obtained by running the multi-axle bogie along a planned route on a computer.

[0007] [2] In one embodiment of the operation support system for the multi-axle trolley, The processing unit can, in the event that the multi-axle bogie deviates from the planned route, display the operation procedure of the control unit on the display unit using the plurality of icons so that the multi-axle bogie can return to the planned route.

[0008] [3] In any one embodiment of the operation support system for the multi-axle trolley, The operation support system further comprises a drive unit that operates at least some of the plurality of operation units, The processing unit can drive the drive unit according to the operation procedure and operate the controller to move the multi-axle trolley along the planned path.

[0009] [4] In any one embodiment of the operation support system for the multi-axle bogie, The processing unit can directly operate the actual multi-axle trolley according to the operating procedure without operating the multiple operating units. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the multi-axle trolley operation support system of the present invention, reliance on the skills and experience of guides and operators is reduced, resulting in superior transportation quality and safety when using multi-axle trolleys. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram of the operation support system for a multi-axle trolley according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view illustrating an example of a multi-axle bogie and a planned route. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram explaining the multiple icons displayed on the display unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0013] 1. Operation support system for multi-axle bogies The multi-axle bogie operation support system according to this embodiment comprises a display unit that displays a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of operation units provided on the controller of the multi-axle bogie, and a processing unit that displays the operation procedures of the operation units on the display unit using the plurality of icons in accordance with a pre-set simulation model, wherein the simulation model is a vehicle operation model obtained by running the multi-axle bogie along a planned route on a computer.

[0014] The operation support system 10 for the multi-axle bogie 60 according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "operation support system 10") will be described using Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the operation support system 10 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of the multi-axle bogie 60 and the planned route 52, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the multiple icons 30a to 30d displayed on the display unit 30. Note that in Figure 2, in order to explain the orientation of the wheels 64a and 64b, the loading platform of the multi-axle bogie 60 is omitted, and only the outer edge of the loading platform is shown with a dashed line.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the operation support system 10 comprises a display unit 30 and a processing unit 12. The operation support system 10 may further include a route display unit 50.

[0016] The multi-axle cart 60 supported by the operation support system 10 has, for example, a loading platform on the upper surface of the vehicle body, a plurality of axles arranged along the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicle body, and a plurality of pairs of left and right wheels 64 provided on each axle along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The multi-axle cart 60 is a vehicle capable of rotating 360 degrees around the center 67 (Figure 2) of the vehicle body. The multi-axle cart 60 may sometimes be referred to as a self-propelled multi-axle cart, multi-axle mobile cart, multi-axle special cart, SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporter), or the like.

[0017] The multi-axle cart 60 can carry a load 62 on its loading platform and travel under its own power for transportation. The load 62 is, for example, an ultra-heavy object such as a reinforced concrete structure like a bridge girder. The traveling operation and the operation of the loading platform of the multi-axle cart 60 can be manipulated by the controller 20 held by the operator. The operator manipulates the controller 20 to make the multi-axle cart 60 travel along a preset planned route 52.

[0018] The controller 20 can transmit and receive data to and from the multi-axle cart 60 by wire or wirelessly . The controller 20 includes a plurality of operation units 20a to 20d that can be operated by the operator. Since the controller 20 is provided with various operation units 20a to 20d depending on the type of the multi-axle cart 60, Figure 1 and Figure 3 are merely examples. For example, the operation unit 20a is a shift lever: when tilted left, the low-speed travel gear is selected, and when tilted right, the high-speed travel gear is selected. For example, the operation unit 20b is a steering lever: when moved left, the multi-axle cart 60 turns left, and when moved right, the multi-axle cart 60 turns right. For example, the operation unit 20c is an accelerator and brake lever: when moved to the upper side in the figure, the cart accelerates, and when moved to the lower side in the figure, the brake is applied. For example, the operation unit 20d is a steering dial, which can select any of, for example, 8 types of steering modes. The steering mode can select, for example, the position of the rotation center 68 (Figure 2) of the multi-axle cart 60 when turning.

[0019] The planned route 52 is a virtual travel route preset on a computer before the multi-axle bogie 60 is actually caused to travel. The planned route 52 may be three-dimensional route data or two-dimensional route data, or may be a conventional track diagram. The planned route 52 can be a route along which a predetermined portion of the multi-axle bogie 60, for example, the center 67 of the vehicle body, passes. By causing the multi-axle bogie 60 to travel along the planned route 52, for example, interference between the multi-axle bogie 60 and a ground feature can be avoided, and for example, a loaded object 62 can be conveyed to a predetermined construction location.

[0020] The route display unit 50 can display, for example, the planned route 52 and a vehicle icon 54. The route display unit 50 may be a part of the display unit 30. The vehicle icon 54 can be a simplified icon of the multi-axle bogie 60. Using the result of measuring the coordinates at which the actual multi-axle bogie 60 travels, the vehicle icon 54 can be displayed at an appropriate position relative to the planned route 52 displayed on the route display unit 50. In the example of FIG. 1, the planned route 52 indicated by a broken line curves rightward, and a state in which the vehicle icon 54 moves on the planned route 52 is displayed on the route display unit 50.

[0021] The operation support system 10 is, for example, a computer device, may be a tablet-type terminal or the like, and may be configured by connecting a plurality of server devices to each other. The processing unit 12 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) of the tablet terminal.

[0022] The processing unit 12 displays the operation procedures for the operation units 20a to 20d on the display unit 30 using multiple icons 30a to 30d, in accordance with a pre-set simulation model. The operation procedures indicate how to operate the operation units 20a to 20d on the actual controller 20. The operation procedures include the amount of operation and the order of operation for the operation units 20a to 20d that match the amount of movement of each part of the multi-axle trolley 60, so as to perform the same behavior as the movement of the multi-axle trolley 60 in the simulation model. The operation procedures may be indicated by arrows 32 as shown in Figure 3, or by letters or numbers. The processing unit 12 may also output sound in accordance with the operation procedures. Preferably, the operation procedures are displayed sequentially on the display unit 30 in accordance with the movement of the multi-axle trolley 60. For example, as shown in Figure 3(A), an arrow 32 is displayed next to icon 30b, and when the multi-axle trolley 60 completes a predetermined operation, an arrow 32 is displayed above icon 30c as shown in Figure 3(B) to instruct the next operation. The length of arrow 32 may represent the amount of control applied to the control units 20a to 20d.

[0023] The simulation model is a vehicle motion model obtained by running a multi-axle bogie 60 along a planned route 52 on a computer. The simulation model can be generated by a computer device other than the processing unit 12, for example. The processing unit 12 may generate a part of the simulation model. The simulation model can be obtained, for example, by simulating the running of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional multi-axle bogie 60 on a computer along a two-dimensional or three-dimensional planned route 52. For example, in a three-dimensional multi-axle bogie 60 A desirable vehicle operation model is generated by having the multi-axle bogie 60 travel along a three-dimensional planned route 52, which simulates the actual operation of the multi-axle bogie 60, including how many rotations and at what angle relative to the direction of travel each wheel 64 makes. According to the simulation model, for example, actions to avoid interference with terrain along the route and movement to the target construction site can be confirmed on the computer. The processing unit 12 can generate specific operation procedures, such as which operation units 20a to 20d to operate and to what extent, in accordance with the simulation model. The processing unit 12 may also update the simulation model to resolve any differences between the actual position of the multi-axle bogie 60 and the pre-set simulation model while acquiring the actual position of the multi-axle bogie 60.

[0024] The operation support system 10 may further include a storage unit and operating means (not shown). The storage unit is, for example, a storage medium such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit can store simulation models. The processing unit 12 can read the simulation model from the storage unit and display the operation procedure on the display unit 30. The operating means is, for example, a user interface such as a mouse, touch panel, or keyboard.

[0025] The operation support system 10 may be equipped with a communication interface for high-speed data communication with external systems. Part of the operation support system 10 may be located on the cloud via the internet.

[0026] The display unit 30 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or another known display device (e.g., an electroluminescent display (OLED)), and may be equipped with various user interfaces (GUIs) as part of the operating means. The display unit 30 is preferably provided integrally with the controller 20, because the operator can operate the controller 20 while viewing the display unit 30. The display unit 30 is also preferably provided integrally with the route display unit 50, because the operator can confirm the operation procedure of the display unit 30 while confirming the position of the vehicle icon 54.

[0027] The display unit 30 displays multiple icons 30a to 30d corresponding to multiple operation units 20a to 20d provided on the controller 20 of the multi-axle bogie 60. Preferably, the icons 30a to 30d are designed to closely resemble the actual shapes of the corresponding operation units 20a to 20d. The display unit 30 displays the operation procedures for the operation units 20a to 20d, which are matched to the simulation model, using multiple icons 30a to 30d. Preferably, the simulation model is updated to match the actual position of the multi-axle bogie 60 as it moves.

[0028] 2.Operation support method Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the method of assisting the operation of a multi-axle trolley 60 using the operation support system 10.

[0029] The operation support system 10 provides operation support to the operator so that the multi-axle bogie 60 travels along the planned route 52 shown in Figure 2. By displaying the planned route 52 and the vehicle icon 54 on the route display unit 50, the operator can easily understand the current position of the multi-axle bogie 60.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3(A), the operation support system 10 displays, for example, an arrow 32 next to the icon 30b on the display unit 30. The operator follows the instructions of the arrow 32 and moves the operation unit 20b corresponding to the icon 30b to the right. At this stage of operation, for example, the current steering mode is set on the operation unit 20d so that the rotation center 68 is based on the center 67 of the multi-axle trolley 60, as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, this operation moves the center 67 to the rotation center 68 Wheel 64a faces to the right in a plan view, and wheel 64b faces to the left in a plan view, so that they rotate around the central axis.

[0031] Next, as shown in Figure 3(B), the operation support system 10 displays, for example, an arrow 32 on the display unit 30 above the icon 30c. The operator follows the instructions of the arrow 32 and operates the control unit 20c corresponding to the icon 30c to move it towards the upper side of Figure 3. At this stage of operation, for example, a low-speed gear is selected on the control unit 20a. As a result of this operation, the wheels 64a and 64b rotate slowly, and the multi-axle bogie 60 moves forward while turning to the right along the planned path 52.

[0032] The guide and operator can operate the control units 20a to 20d according to the operating procedures displayed sequentially on the display unit 30, thereby driving the multi-axle trolley 60 along the planned route 52. Therefore, the operation support system 10 reduces reliance on the skills and experience of the guide and operator. Furthermore, since the operation support system 10 can be executed in accordance with a pre-verified simulation model, it enables transportation with superior transport quality and safety using the multi-axle trolley 60.

[0033] Furthermore, in the operation support system 10, if the actual multi-axle bogie 60 deviates from the planned route 52, the processing unit 12 may display the operation procedures for the operation units 20a to 20d on the display unit 30 using multiple icons 30a to 30d to return the multi-axle bogie 60 to the planned route 52. The operation support system 10 may constantly acquire the position information of the actual multi-axle bogie 60 and, if it deviates from the planned route 52, display an alarm on the display unit 30 to alert the operator. The operation procedures for returning the multi-axle bogie 60 to the planned route 52 may be generated by the operation support system 10. The operation support system 10 may store relationship information between the distance traveled by the multi-axle bogie 60 and the operation amounts of the operation units 20a to 20d in its memory unit, and can generate operation procedures based on that relationship information. In this way, if the operation procedures in the event of deviation can be displayed on the display unit 30, the operator can calmly operate the controller 20 in the event of deviation and move the multi-axle bogie 60 to the planned route 52. In other words, the operation support system 10 can reduce reliance on the skills and experience of guides and operators.

[0034] 3. Variant The operation support system 10 for the modified multi-axle trolley 60 will now be described. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the operation support system 10, it will be explained using Figures 1 to 3, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0035] The modified operation support system 10 may further include a drive unit (not shown) that operates at least some of the multiple operation units 20a to 20d. The drive unit may be an electric actuator such as an electric motor built into the controller 20, or it may be a robot that operates the controller 20 in place of the operator's hands.

[0036] The processing unit 12 can operate the controller 20 by driving a drive unit such as an electric actuator according to the operating procedure, thereby moving the multi-axle trolley 60 along the planned path 52. By using a drive unit in this way, the multi-axle trolley 60 can be moved without the operator having to operate the controller 20, further reducing reliance on the skills and experience of the guide and operator. In addition, the operator can switch from operation by the drive unit to manual operation if the multi-axle trolley 60 performs an unexpected movement.

[0037] Furthermore, the processing unit 12 may directly operate the actual multi-axle bogie 60 according to the operating procedure without operating the multiple operating units 20a to 20d. For example, the processing unit 12 may directly output the signals related to the movement of the multi-axle bogie 60, which are output from the controller 20, to the multi-axle bogie 60. The control unit 12 can directly operate the multi-axle trolley 60. In this way, the multi-axle trolley 60 can be driven according to the simulation model without the need for a drive unit. This reduces reliance on the skills and experience of the guide and operator, and further reduces the burden on the guide and operator.

[0038] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various further modifications are possible. For example, the present invention includes configurations that are substantially identical to the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same function, method, and result, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that produce the same effects or achieve the same purpose as the configurations described in the embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that add known technology to the configurations described in the embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 10... Driving support system, 12... Processing unit, 20... Controller, 20a~20d... Operation unit, 30... Display unit, 30a~30d... Icons, 32... Arrow, 50... Route display unit, 52... Planned route, 54... Vehicle icon, 60... Multi-axle bogie, 62... Load, 64, 64a, 64b... Wheels, 67... Center, 68... Center of rotation

Claims

1. A display unit that displays multiple icons corresponding to multiple control units provided on the controller of a multi-axle bogie, A processing unit that displays the operation procedure of the control unit on the display unit using the multiple icons in accordance with a pre-set simulation model, Equipped with, The aforementioned simulation model is a vehicle motion model obtained by running the multi-axle bogie along a planned route on a computer, and is characterized by being a multi-axle bogie operation support system.

2. In the multi-axle trolley operation support system according to claim 1, The multi-axle bogie operation support system is characterized in that, when the actual multi-axle bogie deviates from the planned route, the processing unit displays the operation procedure of the operation unit on the display unit using the plurality of icons so that the multi-axle bogie returns to the planned route.

3. In the multi-axle trolley operation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The operation support system further comprises a drive unit that operates at least some of the plurality of operation units, The multi-axle trolley operation support system is characterized in that the processing unit drives the drive unit according to the operation procedure and operates the controller to move the multi-axle trolley along the planned path.

4. In the multi-axle trolley operation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The multi-axle bogie operation support system is characterized in that the processing unit directly operates the actual multi-axle bogie according to the operation procedure without operating the plurality of operation units.

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