Machinery rental system

Abstract

The present invention calculates a rental fee according to whether or not a prescribed special operation is to be executed when a work machine (1) capable of executing said special operation is rented.　A work machine rental system (100) is equipped with: a rental setting unit (95) for implementing a setting which pertains to the rental of a work machine (1) capable of executing a prescribed special operation and includes use or no use of the special operation; and a fee calculation unit (96) for calculating the rental fee for the work machine (1) on the basis of the setting details from the rental setting unit (95), and changing the rental fee of the work machine (1) when the actual state of use of the special operation is different from the use / no use of the special operation set by the rental setting unit (95).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rental system for a work machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a work machine rental system disclosed in Patent Document 1. The work machine rental system of Patent Document 1 includes a first management server having a communication unit capable of outputting first information, which is information related to the work machine when a specific work machine is rented, when a rental reservation for the work machine is made, and a second management server having a storage unit that stores second information, which is information related to the work machine that has been manufactured or sold, and the second management server has an issuing unit that issues command information including permission or non-permission to rent the work machine by referring to the first information and the second information stored in the storage unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-68453 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, among working machines such as backhoes, there are some that can perform not only the original operation such as excavation, but also a specific special operation such as a crane (suspension) operation by attaching a hook to the tip of the boom. However, even when a working machine capable of performing a specific special operation is rented out (rented), the rental fee is set in the same way as for a working machine that cannot perform the specific special operation, or when a working machine capable of performing a specific special operation is rented out at a rental fee (discounted fee) corresponding to the condition that the special operation is not used, it is the reality that no action can be taken even if the special operation is performed illegally.

[0005] In view of the above problem, the present invention aims to calculate a rental fee for a work machine capable of performing a specified special operation depending on whether or not the special operation is performed when the work machine is rented out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A rental system for a work machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a rental setting unit for setting a work machine capable of performing a crane operation for renting out the work machine, the rental setting unit setting the setting including whether or not the crane operation is to be used, and a fee calculation unit for calculating a rental fee for the work machine based on the setting contents of the rental setting unit, and changing the rental fee for the work machine when the actual usage state of the crane operation differs from the usage state of the crane operation set by the rental setting unit; a remote stop unit that remotely stops the special operation when the special operation is executed during the rental period of the work machine in a case where the rental setting unit sets that the special operation is not used; It is equipped with:

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the work machine rental system includes a display device that displays the time during which the special operation is performed during the rental period of the work machine.

[0008] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, when the rental setting unit sets that the special operation will not be used, if the special operation is performed during the rental period of the work machine, the fee calculation unit increases the rental fee.

[0009] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, when the rental setting unit sets that the special operation will be used, if the special operation is not performed during the rental period of the work machine, the fee calculation unit reduces the rental fee.

[0011] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, the special operation is a crane operation or an operation performed by mounting an attachment other than a bucket on the work machine. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, when a work machine capable of performing a predetermined special operation is rented out, a rental fee can be calculated according to whether or not the special operation is performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] The figure shows an overall diagram of the work equipment rental system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen of a display device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rental fee table. [Figure 5A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of rental data when no crane operation is used. [Figure 5B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of rental data when a crane operation is used. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an increased rental fee. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a rental fee to be reduced. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of a work machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows an overall view of a work machine rental system 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the work machine rental system 100 is a system that can manage the rental of construction machines such as backhoes.

[0016] First, the working machine 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a side view of an example of the working machine 1. The working machine 1 shown in FIG. 7 is configured from a backhoe (excavator), which is an example of a rotating working machine. Note that the working machine applied to the working machine rental system 100 is not limited to a backhoe capable of performing an excavation operation, but may be any working machine capable of performing a predetermined special operation such as a crane operation (suspension operation) and an operation for another work. The working machine 1 of this embodiment is capable of performing at least a crane operation as a special operation in addition to the original excavation operation.

[0017] The work machine 1 includes a machine body (swivel base) 2, a traveling device 3, and a work device 4. A cabin 5 is mounted on the machine body 2. A driver's seat 6 is provided inside the cabin 5. In this embodiment, the front side (the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 7) of a driver (operator) seated in the driver's seat 6 of the work machine 1 will be described as the front, the rear side of the driver (the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 7) as the rear, the left side of the driver (the front side in FIG. 7) as the left side, and the right side of the driver (the back side in FIG. 7) as the right side.

[0018] Additionally, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction K1 will be described as the width direction of the fuselage. The direction from the center of the width direction of the fuselage 2 to the right or left will be described as the outside of the fuselage. In other words, the outside of the fuselage is the direction in the width direction of the fuselage that moves away from the center of the width direction of the fuselage 2. The direction opposite to the outside of the fuselage is described as the inside of the fuselage. In other words, the inside of the fuselage is the direction in the width direction of the fuselage that moves closer to the center of the width direction of the fuselage 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 7, the traveling device 3 has a traveling body 3L provided on the left side and a traveling body 3R provided on the right side. The traveling body 3L and the traveling body 3R are crawler-type traveling devices having a driving wheel 11a, a driven wheel 11b, a plurality of rollers 11e, a frame 11c that rotatably supports the driving wheel 11a, the driven wheel 11b, and the rollers 11e, and a belt 11d that is stretched across the driving wheel 11a, the driven wheel 11b, and the rollers 11e. A first traveling motor ML is supported on the frame 11c of the traveling body 3L, and the power of the first traveling motor ML is transmitted to the driving wheel 11a of the traveling body 3L. A second traveling motor MR is supported on the frame 11c of the traveling body 3R, and the power of the second traveling motor MR is transmitted to the driving wheel 11a of the traveling body 3R.

[0020] A dozer device 7 is attached to the front of the traveling device 3. The dozer device 7 can be raised and lowered (raised and lowered the blade) by extending and contracting a dozer cylinder. Note that the work machine 1 does not necessarily have to be provided with the dozer device 7.

[0021] The machine body 2 is supported on the traveling device 3 via a swivel bearing 8 so as to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis (an axis extending in the up-down direction). The machine body 2 is driven to rotate by a swivel motor MT consisting of a hydraulic motor (hydraulic actuator). The machine body 2 has a swivel base plate 9 that rotates about the vertical axis, and a weight 10. The swivel base plate 9 is formed from a steel plate or the like, and is connected to the swivel bearing 8. The weight 10 is provided at the rear of the machine body 2. A prime mover 20 is mounted at the rear of the machine body 2. The prime mover 20 is a diesel engine. The prime mover 20 may be an electric motor, or may be a hybrid type having a diesel engine and an electric motor.

[0022] The machine body 2 has a support bracket 13 at the front, slightly to the right of the center in the width direction of the machine body. A swing bracket 14 is attached to the support bracket 13 so as to be able to swing freely about a vertical axis. The working device 4 is attached to the swing bracket 14.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 7, the working device 4 has a working body such as a boom 15, an arm 16, and a bucket (standard working tool) 17. The base of the boom 15 is pivotally attached to the swing bracket 14 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis (an axis extending in the width direction of the machine body). This allows the boom 15 to swing up and down. The arm 16 is pivotally attached to the tip side of the boom 15 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. This allows the arm 16 to swing back and forth or up and down. The bucket 17 is provided at the tip side of the arm 16 so as to be capable of scooping and dumping. The working machine 1 can be equipped with another working tool (spare attachment) that can be driven by a hydraulic actuator instead of or in addition to the bucket 17. Examples of other working tools (spare attachments) include a hydraulic breaker, a hydraulic crusher, an angle broom, an earth auger, a pallet fork, a sweeper, a mower, and a snow blower.

[0024] The swing bracket 14 is made to swing freely by the extension and retraction of a swing cylinder C2 provided in the machine body 2. The boom 15 is made to swing freely by the extension and retraction of a boom cylinder C3. The arm 16 is made to swing freely by the extension and retraction of an arm cylinder C4. The bucket 17 is made to perform scooping and dumping operations by the extension and retraction of a bucket cylinder (work tool cylinder) C5. The dozer cylinder, swing cylinder C2, boom cylinder C3, arm cylinder C4, and bucket cylinder C5 are configured as hydraulic cylinders (hydraulic actuators). Note that the work device 4 may include other components than the boom 15, arm 16, and bucket (work tool) 17 as long as they are provided in the machine body 2. The boom cylinder C3, arm cylinder C4, bucket cylinder C5, etc. are hydraulic actuators that drive the work body.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the work machine 1 is equipped with a display device 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the display device 50 has a display unit 30 that displays information related to the work machine 1, and an input unit 31. The display unit 30 includes a fixed display unit 32 and a variable display unit 33.

[0026] The fixed display unit 32 includes a warning attention lamp 32a that lights up to call attention or warn the user when the work machine 1 is in operation, an oil lamp 32b that lights up to indicate a lack of engine oil, a battery lamp 32c that lights up to indicate a lack of battery power, and a traveling lamp 32d that lights up to indicate that the work machine 1 is traveling at high speed. The warning attention lamp 32a, oil lamp 32b, battery lamp 32c, and traveling lamp 32d described above indicate that the corresponding state is not occurring when they are turned off. Note that the fixed display unit 32 may be any lamp other than the warning attention lamp 32a, oil lamp 32b, battery lamp 32c, and traveling lamp 32d as long as it indicates information about the work machine 1 by turning them on and off.

[0027] The variable display section 33 is a section that displays various information about the work machine 1, such as the rotation speed of the prime mover 20, the oil temperature, the water temperature, the remaining amount of fuel, and various information about the crane operation.

[0028] The input unit 31 includes a plurality of button switches SW (SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5). For example, the button switch SW1 is for a user using the work machine 1 to set the operation and functions of the attachment, the button switch SW2 is for setting the work mode to a hanging work mode (crane mode), the button switch SW3 is for setting a limit to the swing range of the arm 16, the button switch SW4 is for providing a certain amount of guidance (information) to the user through the variable display unit 33, and the button switch SW5 is for switching the display on the variable display unit 33.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the working machine 1 includes a control device 60. The control device 60 is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that executes program instructions, a read only memory (ROM) that stores a computer program, a random access memory (RAM) that expands various control programs, and a storage unit (recording medium) such as a memory that stores various control programs and various data. The control device 60 performs various controls such as hydraulic control, prime mover control, and crane control of the working machine 1. For example, the control device 60 performs hydraulic control by controlling control valves that control the swing cylinder C2, boom cylinder C3, arm cylinder C4, and bucket cylinder C5 in response to the operation of the operating member. The control device 60 also performs prime mover control by controlling the rotation speed of the prime mover 20.

[0030] When the button switch SW2 is selected (in the crane mode), the control device 60 performs crane control to execute a crane operation. For example, as the crane control (crane operation), when the operation member 22 is operated, the control device 60 permits operation of the bucket (work tool) 17 to the rake-in side, while prohibiting operation of the bucket (work tool) 17 to the dump side. That is, in the crane mode, when the operator operates the operation member 22 to the rake-in side of the bucket 17, the control device 60 extends the bucket cylinder C5 by switching the control valve (bucket control valve) 23 from the neutral position to the rake-in side, and when the operator operates the operation member 22 to the dump side of the bucket 17, the control device 60 holds the control valve 23 in the neutral position.

[0031] Furthermore, as crane control (crane operation), the control device 60 sets an upper limit for the prime mover 20 so that the rotation speed of the prime mover 20 does not exceed a predetermined rotation speed. As crane control (crane operation), when the travel switch 24 for switching the travel speed between high and low is operated, the control device 60 fixes the swash plate angle of the travel motors (first travel motor ML, second travel motor MR) to the first speed side so that the rotation speed of the travel motors (first travel motor ML, second travel motor MR) does not become high speed (second speed). When performing crane control, the control device 60 converts, for example, the pressure of the hydraulic oil acting on the bucket cylinder C5 into a load, and causes the display device 50 to display the converted load as the load during crane operation.

[0032] The communication device 61 is a communication device (communication module) that performs either direct communication or indirect communication with an external device, and can perform wireless communication using, for example, the IEEE802.11 series of communication standards such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area), and LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network).The communication device 61 may also be a communication device (communication module) that performs wireless communication using a mobile phone communication network or a data communication network.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1, the work machine rental system 100 includes a work machine 1, a management device 90, a computer 91, and a mobile terminal 92. Although Fig. 1 shows one work machine 1, one computer 91, and one mobile terminal 92, an appropriate number of each of these, one or more, can be incorporated into the work machine rental system 100.

[0034] The management device 90 manages the rental of the work machine 1. The management device 90 is a server to which, for example, a fixed computer 91 such as a personal computer, or a portable computer (mobile terminal) 92 such as a tablet, smartphone, or notebook computer can be connected via a communication network. The management device 90 includes a rental setting unit 95, a fee calculation unit 96, a storage unit 97, and a remote stop unit 98. The storage unit 97 is composed of a memory, a hard disk, and the like. The rental setting unit 95, the fee calculation unit 96, and the remote stop unit 98 are composed of electric and electronic circuits provided in the management device 90, or programs stored in the management device 90, and the like.

[0035] When the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92 is connected to the management device 90 and a predetermined operation is performed, the lending setting unit 95 causes the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92 to display an input screen (for example, a Web screen) M1 as shown in FIG.

[0036] The input screen M1 is a screen for inputting items (information) necessary for lending (renting) a work machine. The input screen M1 includes a first input section 99A and a second input section 99B. The first input section 99A is an area for inputting information (borrower information) about the person (borrower) borrowing the work machine 1, such as the borrower's address, name, telephone number, etc. The second input section 99B is an area for inputting rental information desired by the person (borrower) borrowing the work machine 1, such as the model of the work machine 1 desired to be rented, the rental period (rental start date, rental end date), and whether or not crane operation will be used. In addition to these, for example, the number of models desired to be rented, etc. may be included in the rental information.

[0037] The above-mentioned information is input to the first input section 99A and the second input section 99B of the input screen M1 by the user operating an interface such as an operation key and a microphone provided on the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92. After the input, the user performs a predetermined operation on the interface of the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92, so that the input contents of the input screen M1 are determined, and the input contents are transmitted from the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92 to the management device 90.

[0038] When the management device 90 receives the input contents of the input screen M1 transmitted from the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92, the rental setting unit 95 associates the borrower information included in the input contents with the rental information (FIG. 3) and stores them in the memory unit 97. The rental setting unit 95 also sets the model and rental period of the work machine to be rented out based on the rental information. When renting out a work machine 1 capable of performing crane operation, the rental setting unit 95 also sets whether or not to use the crane operation.

[0039] For example, if the user intends to use crane operation with the work machine 1 and enters "Yes" for crane operation on input screen M1 as shown in Fig. 3, the rental setting unit 95 sets, based on the rental information indicating this, that crane operation will be used during the rental period of the work machine 1. On the other hand, if the user intends not to use crane operation with the work machine 1 and enters "No" for crane operation on input screen M1, the rental setting unit 95 sets, based on the rental information indicating this, that crane operation will not be used during the rental period of the work machine 1.

[0040] The fee calculation unit 96 calculates the rental fee of the work machine 1 based on the rental information (contents set by the rental setting unit 95) and a rental fee table T1 as shown in FIG. 4. The rental fee table T1 is stored in the storage unit 97. Specifically, the fee calculation unit 96 calculates the rental fee of the work machine 1 by rental fee = [normal fee for the model (per day) + crane usage fee (per day)] x number of rental days. That is, when the crane operation is used, the daily rental fee of the work machine 1 is the amount obtained by adding the crane usage fee (per day) to the normal fee according to the model of the work machine to be rented. Also, when the crane operation is not used, only the normal fee according to the model of the work machine to be rented is the daily rental fee of the work machine 1.

[0041] For example, as shown in Fig. 5A, if a work machine 1 of model A is rented for 10 days between 5 / 10 and 5 / 19 without using the crane, the rental fee will be 8,000 yen x 10 days = 80,000 yen. Also, as shown in Fig. 5B, if a work machine 1 of model C is rented for 10 days between 5 / 20 and 5 / 29 with using the crane, the rental fee will be (12,000 yen + 1,600 yen) x 10 days = 136,000 yen.

[0042] When the rental fee for the work machine 1 is calculated by the fee calculation unit 96, information indicating the rental fee is transmitted from the management device 90 to the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92. When the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92 receives the information indicating the rental fee from the management device 90, it displays the rental fee on the input screen M1 or the like (not shown).

[0043] Thereafter, the user formally requests the rental of the work machine 1 by performing a predetermined operation on the interface of the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92. The rental setting unit 95 then stores rental data D1, D2, including borrower information, rental information, rental fee, and contract management information, in the storage unit 97, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. This completes the setting for the rental of the work machine 1.

[0044] After the setting for lending out the work machine 1 is completed, when lending out of the work machine 1 starts, the management device 90 communicates with the control device 60 via the communication device 61 of the lent out work machine 1 and monitors the operation information of the work machine 1 during the lending period. The operation information of the work machine 1 is information indicating the operation state of the work machine 1, and includes information indicating whether the crane mode is being executed. The control device 60 detects the operation state of the work machine 1 at a predetermined cycle and transmits operation information indicating the operation state to the management device 90 via the communication device 61.

[0045] When the management device 90 acquires (receives) the operation information of the work machine 1, it stores the operation information in the storage unit 97. Furthermore, the management device 90 checks whether or not the crane mode is being executed in the rented work machine 1 based on the operation information of the work machine 1, and if the crane mode is being executed, it determines that a crane operation (crane control) is being performed during the execution.

[0046] The fee calculation unit 96 changes the rental fee for the work machine 1 when the actual usage state of the crane operation of the rented work machine 1 differs from the usage or non-usage of the crane operation of the work machine 1 set by the rental setting unit 95. Specifically, after the crane operation of the work machine 1 is set as not being used by the rental setting unit 95, if the management device 90 detects the execution of a crane operation during the rental period of the work machine 1 (if it determines that the work machine 1 is in crane mode), the fee calculation unit 96 calculates the time or number of days the crane operation was performed from the operation information of the work machine 1, and increases the rental fee according to the calculated time or number of days.

[0047] For example, as shown in Fig. 5A, in the case where a work machine 1 of model A is rented between 5 / 10 and 5 / 19 without using the crane operation, the management device 90 detects from the operation information of the work machine 1 that the crane operation was performed on 5 / 12, 5 / 13, and 5 / 18, as shown in Fig. 6A. At this time, the fee calculation unit 96 adds the crane usage fee for the number of hours or days the crane operation was performed based on the rental fee table (Fig. 4), and calculates the total increased fee to be 1,300 yen.

[0048] In addition, after the rental setting unit 95 sets the crane operation of the work machine 1 as available for use, if the management device 90 does not detect the performance of crane operation during the rental period of the work machine 1, the fee calculation unit 96 determines the time or number of days during which crane operation was not performed from the operation information of the work machine 1, and reduces the rental fee according to the determined time or number of days.

[0049] For example, as shown in Fig. 5B, in the case where a work machine 1 of model C is rented with the use of crane operation between 5 / 20 and 5 / 29, as shown in Fig. 6B, the management device 90 detects from the operation information of the work machine 1 that the crane operation was not performed on 5 / 22 and 5 / 29. In this case, the fee calculation unit 96 adds the crane usage fee for the number of hours or days the crane operation was performed based on the rental fee table, and calculates the total reduced fee to be 3200 yen.

[0050] Thereafter, when the user returns the borrowed work machine 1 to the rental company, the user connects the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92 to the management device 90. When the computer 91 or the mobile terminal 92 is connected, the fee calculation unit 96 performs a settlement process for the rental fee. At this time, the fee calculation unit 96 extracts, from the contents stored in the storage unit 97, rental information corresponding to the work machine 1 whose rental has ended and operation information of the work machine 1, using the borrower information or contract management information as a key.

[0051] Then, the fee calculation unit 96 checks whether the model, rental period, and whether or not the crane operation was used indicated in the rental information match with the model, rental period, and whether or not the crane operation was used (performed) of the work machine 1 indicated in the operation information during the actual rental period of the work machine 1. At this time, if the model, rental period, and whether or not the crane operation was used indicated in the rental information match with the model, rental period, and whether or not the crane operation was used (performed) of the work machine 1 indicated in the operation information during the actual rental period of the work machine 1, there is no change in the rental fee calculated before the work machine 1 was rented out, so the fee calculation unit 96 ends the settlement process.

[0052] On the other hand, if at least one of the model, rental period, and whether or not crane operation is used indicated in the rental information does not match with the model, rental period, and whether or not crane operation is used (performed) of the work machine 1 indicated in the operation information during the actual rental period of the work machine 1, the fee calculation unit 96 changes the rental fee based on the mismatched item and the rental fee table (Figure 4) T1.

[0053] For example, if a user rents a work machine 1 on the condition that no crane operation is used, but performs crane operation on 5 / 12, 5 / 13, and 5 / 18 as shown in Fig. 6A, the fee calculation unit 96 increases the rental fee by adding an increased fee corresponding to the number of hours or days the crane operation was performed to the rental fee calculated before renting out the work machine 1. The management device 90 then issues a slip indicating the increased rental fee to the user, and notifies the computer 91 or mobile terminal 92 of the increased rental fee.

[0054] Furthermore, if the user rented the work machine 1 on the condition that the crane operation is used, but the crane operation is not performed on 5 / 22 and 5 / 29 as shown in Fig. 6B, the fee calculation unit 96 reduces the rental fee by subtracting a reduced fee corresponding to the number of hours or days the crane operation was performed from the rental fee calculated before the work machine 1 was rented. The management device 90 then issues a slip indicating the reduced rental fee to the user, and notifies the computer 91 or mobile terminal 92 of the reduced rental fee.

[0055] That is, when the fee calculation unit 96 increases the rental fee as a settlement process, the management device 90 executes a process for charging the user for the additional fee. Also, when the fee calculation unit 96 reduces the rental fee as a settlement process, the management device 90 executes a process for refunding the reduced fee to the user.

[0056] In the above embodiment, when the use of crane operation is set not to be used at the time of the rental contract of the work machine 1 and the crane operation is performed during the subsequent rental period, the rental fee is increased, but instead of increasing the fee, the crane operation may be stopped remotely. In this case, in the management device 90, when the rental setting unit 95 sets not to use crane operation and detects that the work machine 1 has performed crane operation (crane mode) during the subsequent rental period of the work machine 1, the remote stop unit 98 (FIG. 1) transmits a stop signal to the work machine (rented machine) 1 to stop the crane operation.

[0057] In the work equipment (rented machine) 1, when the communication device 61 receives the stop signal transmitted from the remote stop unit 98, the control device 60 uses a control valve or the like provided in the work equipment 1 to restrict the operation of the hydraulic actuators C3 to C5 or the operation of the operating member 22, thereby stopping the crane operation (crane control). At this time, the display device 50 of the work equipment 1 may display information indicating that the crane operation (crane control) has been forcibly stopped by the management device 90, i.e., the rental company.

[0058] In the embodiment described above, the management device 90 determines that a crane operation is being performed when the work machine 1 is in the crane mode, but this is not limited to this. Alternatively, for example, a sensor 79 (FIG. 1) that detects the vertical position (Y direction) and the front-rear position (X direction) of the rotation fulcrum of the bucket 17 (FIG. 7) may be provided, and whether or not a crane operation is being performed may be determined based on the output of the sensor 79.

[0059] In this case, the control device 60 or the management device 90 may determine the movement of the pivot point of the bucket 17 from the vertical and front-rear positions of the bucket 17 detected by the sensor 79, and may determine that a crane operation has been performed when the pivot point of the bucket 17 exhibits a movement corresponding to a crane operation. Also, for example, it may be determined that a crane operation has been performed when the bottom surface (facing the ground) of the bucket 17 is approximately horizontal, and the sensor 79 detects that the bucket 17 has been raised or lowered in the vertical direction (Y direction) while in a substantially horizontal position, and then the sensor 79 detects that the position of the bucket 17 has moved in the front-rear direction (X direction).

[0060] As another example, a sensor for detecting the storage state of a hook for crane operation may be provided in the work machine 1, and it may be determined that a crane operation is not being performed when the hook is in the storage state, and that a crane operation is being performed when the hook is not in the storage state.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the time during which the work machine 1 is performing a crane operation (the time during which the work machine 1 is in crane mode, or the time during which the bucket 17 is performing an operation equivalent to a crane operation) during the rental period of the work machine 1 may be displayed on the display device 50. Alternatively, the start time and end time of the crane operation may be displayed on the display device 50 as the time during which the crane operation is being performed, or the accumulated time during which the crane operation is being performed may be displayed on the display device 50.

[0062] Furthermore, after the rental setting unit 95 has set that the crane operation of the work machine 1 will not be used, when the management device 90 detects the execution of a crane operation during the rental period of the work machine 1, a message may be displayed on the display device 50 mounted on the work machine 1 to the effect that an additional fee will be charged for the execution of the crane operation. Alternatively, a message may be sent to the user's computer 91 or mobile terminal 92 to the effect that a crane operation requiring an additional fee is being performed or is about to be performed on the work machine 1.

[0063] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the management device 90 is provided with a rental setting unit 95, a fee calculation unit 96, and a remote stop unit 98, but in addition to this, for example, the rental setting unit 95, the fee calculation unit 96, and the remote stop unit 98 may be provided in separate electronic devices or configured as an application program on the cloud.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the crane operation is given as an example of the special operation of the work machine 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the special operation of the work machine 1 may be an operation that can be executed by attaching a hydraulic breaker, a hydraulic crusher, an angle broom, an earth auger, a pallet fork, a sweeper, a mower, a snow blower, or other attachments to the work machine 1 instead of or in addition to the bucket 17. In that case, for example, the control device 60 or the management device 90 may identify the attached attachment based on the output from various sensors, images captured by a camera or the like, or the settings of the hydraulic system mounted on the work machine 1. In addition, the special operation of the work machine 1 may be a remote operation operation in which the work machine 1 is remotely operated, an operation using a machine guidance function, a cooperative operation performed while communicating with other work machines or transport vehicles, or the like.

[0065] The work machine rental system 100 of the present embodiment described above includes a rental setting unit 95 that performs settings for renting out a work machine 1 capable of performing a predetermined special operation (for example, a crane operation) including whether or not the special operation is used, and a fee calculation unit 96 that calculates the rental fee for the work machine 1 based on the settings of the rental setting unit 95 and changes the rental fee for the work machine 1 when the actual usage state of the special operation differs from the use or non-use of the special operation set in the rental setting unit. This makes it possible to calculate the rental fee and change the rental fee according to whether or not the special operation is performed when renting out a work machine 1 capable of performing a special operation.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the work machine rental system 100 is provided with a display device 50 that displays the time that a special operation was performed during the rental period of the work machine 1. Since the time that a special operation was performed is displayed on the display device 50, a user (worker) of the work machine 1 can easily know the time that the special operation was used.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the rental setting unit 95 sets that no special operation will be used, if a special operation is performed during the rental period of the work machine 1, the fee calculation unit 96 increases the rental fee. According to this, when the rental contract for the work machine 1 is set that no special operation will be used, if a special operation is performed during the rental period of the work machine, the rental fee can be increased.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the rental setting unit 95 sets that a special operation will be used, if the special operation is not performed during the rental period of the work machine 1, the fee calculation unit 96 reduces the rental fee. According to this, when the rental contract for the work machine 1 is set that a special operation will be used, if the special operation is not performed during the rental period of the work machine, the rental fee can be reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the work machine rental system 100 includes a remote stop unit 98 that remotely stops a special operation if the special operation is performed during the rental period of the work machine 1 when the rental setting unit 95 sets that no special operation will be used. According to this, when the rental contract for the work machine 1 is set that no special operation will be used, if a special operation is performed against the contract during the rental period of the work machine, the special operation can be forcibly stopped.

[0070] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Work equipment 50 Display device 95 Rental Settings Section 96 Fee calculation unit 98 Remote Stop Unit 100 Work Equipment Rental System

Claims

1. A setting for lending out a work machine capable of executing a predetermined special operation, the lending setting unit setting including whether or not the special operation is used; a fee calculation unit that calculates a rental fee for the work machine based on the setting contents of the rental setting unit, and changes the rental fee for the work machine when the actual usage state of the special operation differs from the use or non-use of the special operation set in the rental setting unit; a remote stop unit that remotely stops the special operation when the special operation is executed during the rental period of the work machine in a case where the rental setting unit sets that the special operation is not used; A rental system for work equipment equipped with the above features.

2. 2. The work machine rental system according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays a time during which the special operation is performed during a rental period of the work machine.

3. A work machine rental system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the rental setting unit sets that the special operation will not be used, if the special operation is performed during the rental period of the work machine, the fee calculation unit increases the rental fee.

4. A work machine rental system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the rental setting unit sets that the special operation is to be used, if the special operation is not performed during the rental period of the work machine, the fee calculation unit reduces the rental fee.

5. 5. A work machine rental system according to claim 1, wherein the special operation is a crane operation.

6. 5. The work machine rental system according to claim 1, wherein the special operation is an operation performed by attaching an attachment other than a bucket to the work machine.

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