Excavator management system

Abstract

To provide an excavator management system that can set warranty contents according to usage conditions.SOLUTION: An excavator management system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a condition detection device that detects an operating condition of an excavator to be evaluated, a control device that calculates a degree of fatigue of an attachment of the excavator based on the detected operating state, and calculates warranty content information associated with the calculated degree of fatigue, and a display device that displays the calculated warranty content information. The warranty content information associated with the degree of fatigue includes at least one of a warranty period of the attachment associated with the degree of fatigue, a repair cost of the attachment associated with the degree of fatigue and repair time, and an usage fee associated with the degree of fatigue.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system for an excavator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique is known in which the operating state of an excavator is detected by a plurality of sensors and analyzed using an analysis model to calculate the stress applied to the components of the excavator (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the warranty period of a conventional excavator is uniquely determined in a predetermined period. However, in the excavator as described above, there are various operations such as operations with a large load on the structural members such as breaker work, and operations with a small load on the structural members such as finishing work, loading work, and leveling work.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object is to provide a management system for an excavator that can set warranty contents according to the usage situation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The excavator management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a state detection device that detects the operating state of an excavator to be evaluated, a control device that calculates the fatigue degree of the attachment of the excavator based on the detected operating state and calculates guarantee content information associated with the calculated fatigue degree, and a display device that displays the calculated guarantee content information. The guarantee content information includes at least one of a guarantee period of the attachment associated with the fatigue degree, a repair cost of the attachment associated with the fatigue degree and a repair time, and a usage fee associated with the fatigue degree. The fatigue degree includes an accumulated damage degree accumulated in the attachment. The control device calculates the guarantee content information based on the accumulated damage degree and a reference accumulated damage degree. Shi , The reference cumulative damage degree is the cumulative damage degree assumed when the excavator is operated with standard work content .

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the above-described excavator management system, guarantee content according to the usage situation can be set.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, a management system for an excavator according to an embodiment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a "management system") will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a management system for an excavator according to an embodiment.

[0011] The management system 300 includes an excavator 100 to be managed and a management device 200. The excavator 100 and the management device 200 communicate with each other via a communication network NW.

[0012] On the lower traveling body 1 of the excavator 100, an upper slewing body 3 is rotatably mounted via a slewing mechanism 2. A boom 4 is attached to the upper slewing body 3. An arm 5 is attached to the tip of the boom 4, and a bucket 6 as an end attachment is attached to the tip of the arm 5.

[0013] The boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6 constitute an excavation attachment as an example of an attachment. The boom 4 is driven by a boom cylinder 7, the arm 5 is driven by an arm cylinder 8, and the bucket 6 is driven by a bucket cylinder 9. A boom angle sensor S1 is attached to the boom 4, an arm angle sensor S2 is attached to the arm 5, and a bucket angle sensor S3 is attached to the bucket 6. The boom angle sensor S1, the arm angle sensor S2, and the bucket angle sensor S3 are collectively also referred to as "posture sensors". This is because they are used to identify the posture of the attachment.

[0014] The boom angle sensor S1 detects the rotation angle of the boom 4. In this embodiment, the boom angle sensor S1 is an acceleration sensor and detects the rotation angle of the boom 4 with respect to the upper slewing body 3 (hereinafter, referred to as the "boom angle"). The boom angle becomes the minimum angle, for example, when the boom 4 is lowered to the lowest position, and increases as the boom 4 is raised.

[0015] The arm angle sensor S2 detects the rotation angle of the arm 5. In this embodiment, the arm angle sensor S2 is an acceleration sensor and detects the rotation angle of the arm 5 with respect to the boom 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "arm angle"). The arm angle becomes the minimum angle, for example, when the arm 5 is closed most, and increases as the arm 5 is opened.

[0016] The bucket angle sensor S3 detects the rotation angle of the bucket 6. In this embodiment, the bucket angle sensor S3 is an acceleration sensor and detects the rotation angle of the bucket 6 with respect to the arm 5 (hereinafter referred to as the "bucket angle"). The bucket angle becomes the minimum angle, for example, when the bucket 6 is closed most, and increases as the bucket 6 is opened.

[0017] The boom angle sensor S1, the arm angle sensor S2, and the bucket angle sensor S3 may each be a potentiometer using a variable resistor, a stroke sensor that detects the stroke amount of the corresponding hydraulic cylinder, a rotary encoder that detects the rotation angle around the connecting pin, a gyro sensor, an inertial measurement device composed of a combination of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, or the like.

[0018] A boom rod pressure sensor S7R and a boom bottom pressure sensor S7B are attached to the boom cylinder 7. An arm rod pressure sensor S8R and an arm bottom pressure sensor S8B are attached to the arm cylinder 8. A bucket rod pressure sensor S9R and a bucket bottom pressure sensor S9B are attached to the bucket cylinder 9. The boom rod pressure sensor S7R, the boom bottom pressure sensor S7B, the arm rod pressure sensor S8R, the arm bottom pressure sensor S8B, the bucket rod pressure sensor S9R, and the bucket bottom pressure sensor S9B are collectively also referred to as "cylinder pressure sensors".

[0019] The boom rod pressure sensor S7R detects the pressure in the rod side oil chamber of the boom cylinder 7 (hereinafter referred to as "boom rod pressure"). The boom bottom pressure sensor S7B detects the pressure in the bottom side oil chamber of the boom cylinder 7 (hereinafter referred to as "boom bottom pressure"). The arm rod pressure sensor S8R detects the pressure in the rod side oil chamber of the arm cylinder 8 (hereinafter referred to as "arm rod pressure"). The arm bottom pressure sensor S8B detects the pressure in the bottom side oil chamber of the arm cylinder 8 (hereinafter referred to as "arm bottom pressure"). The bucket rod pressure sensor S9R detects the pressure in the rod side oil chamber of the bucket cylinder 9 (hereinafter referred to as "bucket rod pressure"). The bucket bottom pressure sensor S9B detects the pressure in the bottom side oil chamber of the bucket cylinder 9 (hereinafter referred to as "bucket bottom pressure").

[0020] The vibration sensor S10 detects the vibration of the slewing reducer 20. In the present embodiment, the vibration sensor S10 is composed of an acceleration sensor. It may also be an acoustic emission (AE) sensor using a piezoelectric element. The vibration sensor S10 is configured to be detachable from the slewing reducer 20 with one touch so that the slewing reducer 20 can be periodically diagnosed. However, the vibration sensor S10 may be fixed to the slewing reducer 20 so that the vibration of the slewing reducer 20 can be detected even during the operation of the excavator 100.

[0021] The upper slewing structure 3 is provided with a cabin 10 which is a driver's cab and is equipped with a power source such as an engine 11. Further, a controller 30, a display device 40, an input device 42, a sound output device 43, a storage device 47, a positioning device P1, a machine body inclination sensor S4, a slewing angular velocity sensor S5, an imaging device S6, and a communication device T1 are attached to the upper slewing structure 3.

[0022] The controller 30 functions as a main control unit for performing drive control of the excavator 100. In the present embodiment, the controller 30 is composed of a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. One or more functions in the controller 30 are realized, for example, by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.

[0023] The display device 40 displays information. The display device 40 may be connected to the controller 30 via a communication network such as CAN, or may be connected to the controller 30 via a dedicated line.

[0024] The input device 42 enables the operator to input information to the controller 30. The input device 42 includes a touch panel, a knob switch, a membrane switch, etc. installed in the cabin 10.

[0025] The sound output device 43 is a device that outputs various sound information. The sound output device 43 may be, for example, an in-vehicle speaker connected to the controller 30, or may be an alarm such as a buzzer. In this embodiment, the sound output device 43 outputs various sound information in response to a sound output command from the controller 30.

[0026] The storage device 47 is a device for storing information. The storage device 47 is, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as a semiconductor memory. The storage device 47 may store information output by one or more devices during the operation of the excavator 100, or may store information acquired or input via one or more devices before the operation of the excavator 100 is started. The storage device 47 may store, for example, data regarding the target construction surface acquired via the communication device T1 or the like. The target construction surface may be set by the operator of the excavator 100, or may be set by a construction manager or the like.

[0027] The positioning device P1 measures the position and orientation of the upper swing body 3. The positioning device P1 is, for example, a GNSS compass, which detects the position and orientation of the upper swing body 3 and outputs the detected values to the controller 30. Therefore, the positioning device P1 can function as an orientation detection device that detects the orientation of the upper swing body 3. The orientation detection device may be an azimuth sensor attached to the upper swing body 3.

[0028] The body tilt sensor S4 detects the tilt of the upper swing body 3 with respect to the horizontal plane. In the present embodiment, the body tilt sensor S4 is an acceleration sensor that detects the forward and backward tilt angles around the longitudinal axis of the upper swing body 3 and the left and right tilt angles around the lateral axis. The longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the upper swing body 3 are orthogonal to each other at, for example, the excavator center point, which is a point on the swing axis of the excavator 100. The body tilt sensor S4 may be an inertial measurement device composed of a combination of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0029] The swing angular velocity sensor S5 detects the swing angular velocity and the swing angle of the upper swing body 3. In the present embodiment, it is a gyro sensor. It may also be a resolver, a rotary encoder, or the like.

[0030] The imaging device S6 acquires images of the surroundings of the excavator 100. In the present embodiment, the imaging device S6 includes a front camera S6F that images the space in front of the excavator 100, a left camera S6L that images the space to the left of the excavator 100, a right camera S6R that images the space to the right of the excavator 100, and a rear camera S6B that images the space behind the excavator 100.

[0031] The imaging device S6 is, for example, a monocular camera having an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS, and outputs the captured image to the display device 40. The imaging device S6 may also be a stereo camera, a distance image camera, or the like.

[0032] The front camera S6F is attached, for example, to the ceiling of the cab 10, that is, inside the cab 10. However, it may also be attached outside the cab 10, such as to the roof of the cab 10 or the side surface of the boom 4. The left camera S6L is attached to the left end of the upper surface of the upper swing body 3, the right camera S6R is attached to the right end of the upper surface of the upper swing body 3, and the rear camera S6B is attached to the rear end of the upper surface of the upper swing body 3.

[0033] The communication device T1 controls communication with external devices outside the excavator 100. In the present embodiment, the communication device T1 controls communication with external devices via a satellite communication network, a mobile phone communication network, the Internet, or the like.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a management system 300 for an excavator according to an embodiment. Note that a mechanical power transmission line, a hydraulic oil line, a pilot line, an electric control line, and a communication line are indicated by a double line, a solid line, a broken line, a dotted line, and a dashed-dotted line, respectively.

[0035] The basic system of the excavator 100 mainly includes an engine 11, a regulator 13, a main pump 14, a pilot pump 15, a control valve 17, an operating device 26, a discharge pressure sensor 28, an operating pressure sensor 29, a controller 30, and the like.

[0036] The engine 11 is a driving source of the excavator. In the present embodiment, the engine 11 is, for example, a diesel engine that operates to maintain a predetermined rotational speed. Further, the output shaft of the engine 11 is connected to the input shafts of the main pump 14 and the pilot pump 15.

[0037] The main pump 14 supplies hydraulic oil to the control valve 17 via a hydraulic oil line. In the present embodiment, the main pump 14 is a swash plate type variable displacement hydraulic pump.

[0038] The regulator 13 controls the discharge amount of the main pump 14. In the present embodiment, the regulator 13 controls the discharge amount of the main pump 14 by adjusting the swash plate tilt angle of the main pump 14 according to a control command from the controller 30. For example, the controller 30 receives the output of the operating pressure sensor 29 or the like, and outputs a control command to the regulator 13 as necessary to change the discharge amount of the main pump 14.

[0039] The pilot pump 15 supplies hydraulic oil to one or more hydraulic devices including the operating device 26 via a pilot line. In the present embodiment, the pilot pump 15 is a fixed displacement hydraulic pump.

[0040] The control valve 17 is a hydraulic control device that controls the hydraulic system in the excavator. In this embodiment, the control valve 17 is configured as a valve block including a plurality of control valves. The control valve 17 selectively supplies the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pump 14 to one or more hydraulic actuators through one or more control valves. The control valve controls the flow rate of the hydraulic oil flowing from the main pump 14 to the hydraulic actuator and the flow rate of the hydraulic oil flowing from the hydraulic actuator to the hydraulic oil tank. The hydraulic actuators include the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, the bucket cylinder 9, the left travel hydraulic motor 1L, the right travel hydraulic motor 1R, and the swing hydraulic motor 2A. The swing hydraulic motor 2A may be replaced with a swing motor generator as an electric actuator.

[0041] The operating device 26 is a device used by the operator for operating the actuator. The actuator includes at least one of a hydraulic actuator and an electric actuator. In this embodiment, the operating device 26 supplies the hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to the pilot port of the corresponding control valve in the control valve 17 via a pilot line. The pressure of the hydraulic oil supplied to each of the pilot ports (pilot pressure) is a pressure corresponding to the operating direction and operating amount of the operating device 26 corresponding to each of the hydraulic actuators. The operating device 26 is configured to be able to supply the hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to the pilot port of the corresponding control valve in the control valve 17 via a pilot line. The operating device 26 includes, for example, a left operating lever, a right operating lever, a left travel lever, and a right travel lever (not shown in the figure).

[0042] The discharge pressure sensor 28 detects the discharge pressure of the main pump 14. In this embodiment, the discharge pressure sensor 28 outputs the detected value to the controller 30.

[0043] The operation pressure sensor 29 detects the operation content of the operator using the operation device 26. In the present embodiment, the operation pressure sensor 29 detects the operation direction and operation amount of the operation device 26 corresponding to each actuator in the form of pressure, and outputs the detected value to the controller 30. The operation content of the operation device 26 may be detected using other sensors other than the operation pressure sensor.

[0044] The controller 30 has a data processing unit 35, a determination unit 36, and a display unit 38 as functional elements. In the present embodiment, each functional element is realized as software, but may be realized by hardware, firmware, or the like.

[0045] The data processing unit 35 is configured to process the information acquired by the information acquisition device. In the present embodiment, the data processing unit 35 processes the data output by the information acquisition device so that each of the determination unit 36 and the control device 210 of the management device 200 can use it. The information acquired by the information acquisition device includes at least one of the boom angle, arm angle, bucket angle, front and rear tilt angle, left and right tilt angle, turning angular velocity, turning angle, image captured by the imaging device S6, boom rod pressure, boom bottom pressure, arm rod pressure, arm bottom pressure, bucket rod pressure, bucket bottom pressure, vibration of the swing reducer detected by the vibration sensor S10, detection value of the strain sensor attached to the attachment or the frame, discharge pressure of the main pump 14, operation pressure related to each of the operation devices 26, etc. And the information acquisition device includes at least one of the boom angle sensor S1, arm angle sensor S2, bucket angle sensor S3, body tilt sensor S4, turning angular velocity sensor S5, imaging device S6, boom rod pressure sensor S7R, boom bottom pressure sensor S7B, arm rod pressure sensor S8R, arm bottom pressure sensor S8B, bucket rod pressure sensor S9R, bucket bottom pressure sensor S9B, vibration sensor S10, strain sensor (not shown), discharge pressure sensor 28, operation pressure sensor 29, etc. If each of the determination unit 36 and the control device 210 can directly use the data from the information acquisition device, the data processing unit 35 may be omitted.

[0046] The data processing unit 35 is configured to hold the data output by the information acquisition device for a predetermined period of time. In the present embodiment, the data processing unit 35 temporarily records the data output by the information acquisition device in a volatile storage medium for at least a predetermined period of time. The data processing unit 35 may record the data output by the information acquisition device in the storage device 47.

[0047] The determination unit 36 is configured to determine whether a set of data (hereinafter referred to as "data set") output by the information acquisition device is suitable for diagnosis by the control device 210 of the management device 200 described later. For example, the determination unit 36 determines whether the data set output by the vibration sensor S10 is suitable for diagnosis by the control device 210. This is to prevent a data set that is not suitable for diagnosis by the control device 210 from being supplied to the control device 210.

[0048] The display unit 38 is configured to cause the display device 40 to display various types of information. In the present embodiment, a predetermined screen is caused to be displayed on the display device 40 in response to a command from the controller 30.

[0049] The management device 200 includes a control device 210, a communication device 220, and a display device 230. Further, the control device 210 has, as functional elements, a construction machine information management unit 211, a fatigue degree calculation unit 212, a peak season information management unit 213, and a warranty content determination unit 214. Note that each functional element of the control device 210 may be realized as software, or may be realized by hardware, firmware, or the like.

[0050] The excavator information management unit 211 is configured to store and manage the data set output by the information acquisition device. The data set is transmitted from the communication device T1 of the excavator 100 and input to the excavator information management unit 211 via the communication network NW and the communication device 220. Note that the determination result in the determination unit 36 may be attached to the data set transmitted from the communication device T1. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which only the data set determined by the determination unit 36 to be suitable for diagnosis is transmitted from the communication device T1.

[0051] The fatigue degree calculation unit 212 is configured to calculate the fatigue degree of the attachment based on the data set stored in the excavator information management unit 211. In the present embodiment, the fatigue degree calculation unit 212 calculates the fatigue degree of each component of the excavator 100 based on the operation information collected from the excavator 100. The fatigue degree includes the cumulative damage degree accumulated in each component of the excavator 100 and the remaining life of each component. For this evaluation, the operation information, cumulative damage degree, etc. accumulated in the storage device 203 up to the current time are used. The evaluation methods for the cumulative damage degree and the remaining life accumulated in the components will be described later. The evaluation results of the cumulative damage degree and the remaining life are stored in the excavator information management unit 211.

[0052] The peak period information management unit 213 stores by associating a time period with a peak period coefficient used for price determination. For example, when classifying the time period into three levels of peak period information: peak period, normal period, and slack period, the coefficient in the normal period may be set lower than the coefficient in the peak period, and the coefficient in the slack period may be set lower than that in the normal period. For example, a time period when repair requests increase, such as the end of the fiscal year, may be set as the peak period. Also, a time period when the operation rate of the excavator 100 is high may be set as the peak period.

[0053] The warranty content determination unit 214 determines the warranty content based on the information of the excavator 100 stored in the excavator information management unit 211. The warranty content includes, for example, the warranty period, repair costs, and usage fees. The user can, for example, access the management device 200 to display information on the warranty content (hereinafter also referred to as "warranty content information") and the like on the display device 230 of the management device 200.

[0054] The warranty period is, for example, the warranty period of attachments such as the boom 4, arm 5, and bucket 6. The warranty period includes a normal warranty period that is a free warranty period such as a manufacturer's warranty, and an additional warranty period set in addition to the normal warranty period. The warranty period is set based on the fatigue degree of the attachment calculated by the fatigue degree calculation unit 212. For example, the smaller the cumulative damage degree of the attachment calculated by the fatigue degree calculation unit 212 is than the reference cumulative damage degree, the longer the additional warranty period is set. The reference cumulative damage degree is the cumulative damage degree assumed when the excavator 100 is operated with standard work content, and is set according to, for example, the number of days elapsed since the delivery of the excavator 100. Also, the longer the remaining life of the attachment calculated by the fatigue degree calculation unit 212 is than the reference remaining life, the longer the additional warranty period is set. The reference remaining life is the remaining life assumed when the excavator 100 is operated with standard work content, and is set according to, for example, the number of days elapsed since the delivery of the excavator 100. The standard work content is the work content when high-load work (work with a large load on the structural members) such as breaker work and low-load work (work with a small load on the structural members) such as finishing work, loading work, and leveling work are performed at a predetermined ratio (for example, 1:1).

[0055] The repair cost is, for example, the repair cost of attachments such as boom 4, arm 5, bucket 6, etc. The repair cost is set based on the repair timing determined based on the remaining life of the attachment calculated by the fatigue degree calculation unit 212 after a crack occurs in the attachment. For example, when repair is performed immediately after a crack occurs in the attachment, the repair cost is set to a cost obtained by adding a predetermined first percentage increase to the reference amount. Also, when repair is performed after continuing the use of the attachment for a predetermined period (for example, 2 days to 1 week) within the range of the remaining life after a crack occurs in the attachment, the repair cost is set to a cost obtained by adding a second percentage increase lower than the first percentage increase to the reference amount. Further, when the work content is changed so that the remaining life becomes longer after a crack occurs in the attachment, and repair is performed after continuing the use of the attachment for a predetermined period (for example, 1 week to 1 month) within the range of the remaining life, the repair cost is set to a cost without adding a percentage increase to the reference amount. Furthermore, the repair cost may be the product of the reference amount and the peak period coefficient of the peak period information management unit 213.

[0056] The usage fee is the usage fee of the excavator 100, and includes, for example, the fee paid by a person who rents the excavator 100 to the rental company, and the refund amount returned to the person who rents the excavator 100 from the rental company. The usage fee is set based on the fatigue degree calculated by the fatigue degree calculation unit 212. For example, the smaller the cumulative damage degree of the attachment calculated by the fatigue degree calculation unit 212 is than the reference cumulative damage degree, the higher the refund amount is set. The reference cumulative damage degree is the cumulative damage degree assumed when the excavator 100 is operated with standard work content, and is set according to, for example, the number of days elapsed since the person who rented the excavator 100 started using the excavator 100. Also, the longer the remaining life of the attachment calculated by the fatigue degree calculation unit 212 is than the reference remaining life, the higher the refund amount is set. The reference remaining life is the remaining life assumed when the excavator 100 is operated with standard work content, and is set according to, for example, the number of days elapsed since the person who rented the excavator 100 started using the excavator 100.

[0057] The communication device 220 is configured to communicate with other devices, such as the excavator 100, through the communication network NW.

[0058] The display device 230 is configured to display various types of information.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the process of calculating the fatigue degree of the excavator 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "fatigue degree calculation process") will be described. The fatigue degree calculation process is executed by the control device 210 of the management device 200. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the fatigue degree calculation process.

[0060] First, in step ST1, the management device 200 acquires measurement values for at least one cycle of a series of operations repeatedly performed during work by the excavator 100 from the attachment attitude sensor, the attachment cylinder pressure sensor, and the swing angular velocity sensor S5. Along with these measurement values, information such as the work type, work date, and machine identification number is acquired.

[0061] The swing angle of the upper swing body 3 is acquired from the swing angular velocity sensor S5. The attitude of the excavator 100 is specified based on the detection values of the attachment attitude sensor and the swing angular velocity sensor S5. Among the series of operations of the excavator 100, the time range for acquiring measurement values with the attachment attitude sensor, the attachment cylinder pressure sensor, and the swing angular velocity sensor S5 may be set by the management operator of the management device 200, or may be set by the driver or maintenance personnel of the excavator 100. A series of operations repeated by the excavator 100 includes, for example, a process including excavation start, lifting and swinging, soil discharge, and return swing as one cycle, and this process is repeated.

[0062] In step ST2, within one cycle of a series of operations, a plurality of times to be analyzed (hereinafter referred to as "analysis times") are extracted. For example, characteristic times such as peaks and inflection points of the time waveforms of the hydraulic pressure in the cylinder and the swing angle are extracted as analysis times. Increasing the number of analysis times to be extracted improves the analysis accuracy, but the calculation time required for the analysis becomes longer. The management device 200 may automatically extract the analysis times based on the time waveforms of the hydraulic pressure in the boom cylinder 7, the height of the tip of the arm 5, and the swing angle during the operation of the excavator 100, or the operator may observe the time waveforms to determine the analysis times and input the analysis times.

[0063] In step ST3, at each of the analysis times, using the analysis model, the distribution of the stress applied to each of the components such as the boom 4 and the arm 5 is calculated. The stress distribution is calculated based on the specific posture of the excavator 100 determined for each analysis time. That is, for each of the various postures of the excavator 100 that appear within one cycle of the repeated series of operations, the stress distribution is calculated based on the load applied to the components of the excavator 100. For calculating the stress distribution, a numerical analysis method such as the finite element method can be applied, for example. At this time, the posture of the excavator 100 and the load applied to the components of the excavator 100 are used as analysis conditions. Here, the load is represented by a vector. The magnitude and direction of the load are obtained from the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinder, the axial direction of the hydraulic cylinder (the posture of the attachment), and the swing angular acceleration. The swing angular acceleration is calculated by differentiating the swing angle twice. The stress is calculated for each element and node constituting the analysis model. The analysis result of the stress distribution is calculated for each analysis time and for each component.

[0064] In step ST4, for each evaluation point of each component, the damage degree (hereinafter referred to as "single-cycle damage degree") accumulated during one cycle of the operation period is calculated. Thereby, the distribution of the single-cycle damage degree within the component is obtained. The single-cycle damage degree is calculated based on the extreme value of the stress extracted from the time change of the stress. The single-cycle damage degree can be calculated by a known method.

[0065] In step ST5, the cumulative damage degree and remaining life distribution of the components are calculated. Hereinafter, the calculation methods of the cumulative damage degree and remaining life will be described. The management device 200 calculates the sum of the single-cycle damage degrees (cumulative damage degree) from the start time of the operation of the machine body to the current time for each machine body and each component of the target excavator 100 to be managed. The cumulative damage degree accumulated until the start of the operation targeted for the current data collection is stored in the excavator information management unit 211. When the cumulative damage degree at a certain location of a component of the excavator 100 reaches 1, the possibility of breakage at that location increases. By subtracting the cumulative damage degree from 1, the remaining life can be obtained.

[0066] In step ST6, the cumulative damage degree and remaining life obtained in step ST5 are associated with information such as the machine body identification number and stored in the excavator information management unit 211.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, an example of a display screen generated by the excavator management system 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed that the display screen 400 is displayed on the display device 230 of the management device 200 and displays information including the remaining life calculated by the fatigue degree calculation process and the warranty period associated with the remaining life.

[0068] The display screen 400 includes a warranty period display section 410, a weakest location display section 420, and a remaining life display section 430. In the example of FIG. 4, the warranty period display section 410, the weakest location display section 420, and the remaining life display section 430 are arranged in this order from above. However, the arrangement of the warranty period display section 410, the weakest location display section 420, and the remaining life display section 430 is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4.

[0069] The warranty period display section 410 displays information regarding the warranty period of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 4, the warranty period display section 410 displays a bar gauge 411 representing the normal warranty period of the attachment and a bar gauge 412 representing the additional warranty period. The normal warranty period is, for example, a free warranty period such as a manufacturer's warranty, and is displayed based on a preset warranty period. The additional warranty period is displayed based on the remaining life of the attachment calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process.

[0070] For example, when the remaining life of the attachment calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process is longer than the reference remaining life, the bar gauge 412 representing the additional warranty period is displayed on the right side of the bar gauge 411 representing the normal warranty period with a length corresponding to the difference between the calculated remaining life and the reference remaining life. On the other hand, when the remaining life of the attachment calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process is shorter than the reference remaining life, the bar gauge 412 representing the additional warranty period is not displayed. The reference remaining life is the remaining life assumed when the excavator 100 is operated with standard work content, and is set according to, for example, the number of days elapsed since the delivery of the excavator 100. The standard work content is, for example, the work content when performing work with a large load on the structural members (high-load work) such as breaker work and work with a small load on the structural members (low-load work) such as finishing work, loading work, and leveling work at a predetermined ratio (for example, 1:1).

[0071] Also, in the example of FIG. 4, in order to facilitate the distinction between the normal warranty period and the additional warranty period, the bar gauge 411 representing the normal warranty period is displayed with a solid line, and the bar gauge 413 representing the additional warranty period is displayed with a dashed line. However, the display method of the normal warranty period and the additional warranty period is not limited to this, and for example, they may be displayed with different colors.

[0072] The weakest point display unit 420 displays information identifying the weakest point of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 4, the weakest point display unit 420 displays an image 421 of the arm 5, an image 422 identifying the weakest point in the arm 5, an image 423 of the boom 4, and an image 424 identifying the weakest point in the boom 4. The weakest point in the arm 5 and the weakest point in the boom 4 are displayed based on the distribution of the fatigue degree (e.g., cumulative damage degree, remaining life) calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. For example, the weakest point in the arm 5 and the weakest point in the boom 4 are the points where the cumulative damage degree is the largest in the distribution of the cumulative damage degree calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. Also, for example, the weakest point in the arm 5 and the weakest point in the boom 4 are the points where the remaining life is the shortest in the distribution of the remaining life calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. Note that in the example of FIG. 4, the image 421 of the arm 5 and the image 422 of the boom 4 are displayed side by side horizontally, but it is not limited thereto, and they may be displayed side by side vertically, for example. Also, only one of the image 421 of the arm 5 and the image 422 of the boom 4 may be displayed.

[0073] The remaining life display unit 430 displays the remaining life of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 4, the remaining life display unit 430 displays a bar gauge 431 representing the remaining life of the current arm 5 and a bar gauge 432 representing the remaining life of the current boom 4. The remaining life of the arm 5 and the remaining life of the boom 4 are displayed based on the distribution of the remaining life calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. For example, the remaining life of the current arm 5 and the remaining life of the current boom 4 may be the shortest remaining life in the distribution of the remaining life calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process, or may be the average value or the median value. Also, an image representing the reference remaining life may be displayed superimposed on the bar gauge 431 representing the remaining life of the current arm 5 and the bar gauge 432 representing the remaining life of the current boom 4 in the remaining life display unit 430. By displaying the image representing the reference remaining life, the administrator can easily grasp the current remaining life with respect to the reference remaining life. Also, in the remaining life display unit 430, instead of or together with the remaining life of the attachment, the cumulative damage degree of the attachment may be displayed.

[0074] As described above, according to the management system 300 of one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the remaining life (or cumulative damage degree) of the attachment and the warranty period are associated and displayed. Thereby, the administrator can set a warranty period according to the usage status of the excavator 100 based on the information displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230. For example, when the remaining life of the attachment displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230 is longer than the reference remaining life, the administrator can set a warranty period obtained by adding an additional warranty period to the normal warranty period of the attachment.

[0075] In the case of FIG. 4, for example, when the warranty period is 5000 hours, it is a case where 80% (4000 hours) within the warranty period is utilized. Even in this case, when performing light-load work, among the reference remaining life (100%) guaranteed within the set reference warranty period, the remaining life of the boom 4 and the arm 5 remains about 60%. That is, only about 40% has been utilized. Therefore, when 80% (4000 hours) within the warranty period is utilized, an additional warranty period of 1500 hours (130%) can be set.

[0076] In the example of FIG. 4, the case where information including the remaining life of the attachment and the warranty period is displayed on the display device 230 of the management device 200 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, it may be displayed on the display device 40 of the excavator 100. Further, it may be displayed on other devices that can communicate with the management device 200 through the communication network NW.

[0077] Also, in the example of FIG. 4, the case where the remaining life of the attachment and the warranty period are associated and displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the cumulative damage degree of the attachment and the warranty period may be associated and displayed. In this case, when the cumulative damage degree of the attachment displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230 is smaller than the reference cumulative damage degree, the administrator can set a warranty period obtained by adding an additional warranty period to the normal warranty period of the attachment.

[0078] In addition, the display screen 400 may display the date and time, the machine number, the user, and the usage time so far (not shown).

[0079] Referring to FIG. 5, another display example of the display screen generated by the excavator management system 300 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen of one embodiment. In the following description, the display screen 500 is assumed to be displayed on the display device 230 of the management device 200, and displays information including the remaining life calculated by the fatigue degree calculation process and the repair cost associated with the remaining life.

[0080] The display screen 500 includes a remaining life display section 510, a repair cost display section 520, and a weakest point display section 530. In the example of FIG. 5, the remaining life display section 510, the repair cost display section 520, and the weakest point display section 530 are arranged in this order from above. However, the arrangement of the remaining life display section 510, the repair cost display section 520, and the weakest point display section 530 is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5.

[0081] The remaining life display unit 510 displays the remaining life of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 5, a gauge 511, a gauge 512, and figures 513 to 515 are displayed on the remaining life display unit 510. The gauge 511 represents the remaining life of the attachment when the use of the excavator 100 is continued with the current work content (current work content). The gauge 512 represents the remaining life of the attachment when the excavator 100 is used after changing to the work content recommended (recommended work content) to extend the remaining life from the current work content. The recommended work content is, for example, a change to a carrying-out work or the like for an excavator performing an earth excavation work. For an excavator performing a rock mass work, it is a change to a flat excavation or the like. The figures 513 to 515 represent different repair times. The figure 513 represents the time (or the point in time when a crack occurs) to perform repair immediately after a crack occurs in the attachment. The figure 514 represents a period (for example, 2 days to 1 week) within the remaining life when the use of the excavator 100 is continued with the current work content after a crack occurs in the attachment. The figure 515 represents a period (for example, 1 week to 1 month) within the remaining life when the work content is changed to the work content recommended to extend the remaining life from the current work content after a crack occurs in the attachment. The remaining life of the attachment when the use of the excavator 100 is continued in the current work and the remaining life of the attachment when the excavator 100 is used in the recommended work are displayed based on the remaining life calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. For example, the remaining life of the attachment when the use of the excavator 100 is continued in the current work and the remaining life of the attachment when the excavator 100 is used in the recommended work may be the shortest remaining life in the distribution of the remaining life calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process, or may be an average value or a median value.

[0082] The repair cost display section 520 displays information regarding the repair cost of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 5, barges 521 to 523 are displayed in the repair cost display section 520. Barge 521 represents the repair cost when the attachment is repaired at the time indicated by the figure 513 displayed in the remaining life display section 510. The repair cost represented by barge 521 is the cost obtained by adding a predetermined first percentage increase 521b to the reference amount 521a. Barge 522 represents the repair cost when the attachment is repaired during the period indicated by the figure 514 displayed in the remaining life display section 510. The repair cost represented by barge 522 is the cost obtained by adding a second percentage increase 522b, which is lower than the first percentage increase 521b, to the reference amount 522a. Barge 523 represents the repair cost when the attachment is repaired during the period indicated by the figure 515 displayed in the remaining life display section 510. The repair cost represented by barge 523 is the cost without adding a percentage increase to the reference amount 523a. Also, the reference amounts 521a, 522a, 523a, the first percentage increase 521b, and the second percentage increase 522b may be those obtained by integrating the peak period coefficient of the peak period information management section 213.

[0083] The weakest point display section 530 displays information for identifying the weakest point of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 5, an image 531 representing the current weakest point in the boom 4 and an image 532 representing the predicted weakest point in the boom 4 when the recommended work content is changed are displayed in the weakest point display section 530. The weakest point in the boom 4 is displayed based on the distribution of the fatigue degree (for example, cumulative damage degree, remaining life) calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. For example, the weakest point in the boom 4 is the point where the cumulative damage degree is the largest in the distribution of the cumulative damage degree calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. Also, for example, the weakest point in the boom 4 is the point where the remaining life is the shortest in the distribution of the remaining life calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. In the example of FIG. 5, the image 531 representing the current weakest point in the boom 4 and the image 532 representing the predicted weakest point in the boom 4 when the recommended work content is changed are displayed side by side, but it is not limited to this, and they may be displayed one above the other, for example.

[0084] As described above, according to the management system 300 of one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the remaining life of the attachment and the repair cost are associated and displayed. Thereby, the administrator can set the repair cost according to the usage status of the excavator 100 based on the information displayed on the display screen 500 of the display device 230. For example, the administrator can set the repair cost by adding a surcharge to the standard amount based on the remaining life and the repair time of the attachment displayed on the display screen 500 of the display device 230. Further, the work content and the repair cost may be associated. Further, the work content and the remaining life may be associated. Further, the work content and the warranty period may be associated.

[0085] Note that, in the example of FIG. 5, the case where the information including the remaining life of the attachment and the repair cost is displayed on the display device 230 of the management device 200 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, it may be displayed on the display device 40 of the excavator 100. Further, it may be displayed on another device that can communicate with the management device 200 through the communication network NW.

[0086] Further, the date and time, the machine number, the user, and the usage time so far (not shown) may be displayed on the display screen 500.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 6, another display example of the display screen generated by the management system 300 of the excavator will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of one embodiment. In the following description, the display screen 600 is assumed to be displayed on the display device 230 of the management device 200, and displays information including the cumulative damage degree calculated by the fatigue degree calculation process and the usage fee associated with the cumulative damage degree.

[0088] The display screen 600 includes a usage fee display section 610, a weakest part display section 620, and a cumulative damage degree display section 630. In the example of FIG. 6, the usage fee display section 610, the weakest part display section 620, and the cumulative damage degree display section 630 are arranged in this order from above. However, the arrangement of the usage fee display section 610, the weakest part display section 620, and the cumulative damage degree display section 630 is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6.

[0089] The usage fee display unit 610 displays information regarding the usage fee of the excavator 100. In the example of FIG. 6, the usage fee display unit 610 displays a bar graph 611 representing the fee that a person who rents the excavator 100 pays to the rental company and a bar graph 612 representing the refund amount returned from the rental company to the person who rents the excavator 100. The bar graph 612 representing the refund amount is displayed based on the fatigue degree (for example, cumulative damage degree, remaining life) calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. For example, the bar graph 612 representing the refund amount is displayed as a longer bar graph as the cumulative damage degree of the attachment calculated by the fatigue degree calculation process is smaller than the reference cumulative damage degree.

[0090] The weakest part display unit 620 displays information for identifying the weakest part of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 6, the weakest part display unit 620 displays an image 621 of the arm 5, an image 622 for identifying the weakest part in the arm 5, an image 623 of the boom 4, and an image 624 for identifying the weakest part in the boom 4. The weakest part in the arm 5 and the weakest part in the boom 4 are displayed based on the distribution of the fatigue degree (for example, cumulative damage degree, remaining life) calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. For example, the weakest part in the arm 5 and the weakest part in the boom 4 are the parts where the cumulative damage degree is the largest in the distribution of the cumulative damage degree calculated by the fatigue degree calculation process. Also, for example, the weakest part in the arm 5 and the weakest part in the boom 4 are the parts where the remaining life is the shortest in the distribution of the remaining life calculated by the fatigue degree calculation process. Note that in the example of FIG. 6, the image 621 of the arm 5 and the image 622 of the boom 4 are displayed side by side horizontally, but it is not limited thereto, and for example, they may be displayed one above the other vertically. Also, only one of the image 621 of the arm 5 and the image 622 of the boom 4 may be displayed.

[0091] The cumulative damage degree display unit 630 displays the cumulative damage degree of the attachment. In the example of FIG. 6, in the cumulative damage degree display unit 630, a bargraph 631 representing the cumulative damage degree of the current arm 5 and a bargraph 632 representing the cumulative damage degree of the current boom 4 are displayed. The remaining life of the arm 5 and the remaining life of the boom 4 are displayed based on the distribution of the cumulative damage degree calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process. For example, the cumulative damage degree of the current arm 5 and the cumulative damage degree of the current boom 4 may be the largest cumulative damage degree in the distribution of the cumulative damage degree calculated in the fatigue degree calculation process, or may be the average value or the median value. Further, an image representing the reference cumulative damage degree may be displayed superimposed on the bargraph 631 representing the cumulative damage degree of the current arm 5 and the bargraph 632 representing the cumulative damage degree of the current boom 4 in the cumulative damage degree display unit 630. By displaying the image representing the reference cumulative damage degree, the administrator can easily grasp the current cumulative damage degree with respect to the reference cumulative damage degree.

[0092] As described above, according to the management system 300 of one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the cumulative damage degree of the attachment and the usage fee are associated and displayed. Thereby, the administrator can set the usage fee according to the usage status of the excavator 100 based on the information displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230. For example, when the cumulative damage degree of the attachment in a predetermined period (for example, the rental period) displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230 is greater than the reference cumulative damage degree, the administrator can set a refund amount for refunding a part of the usage fee of the excavator 100 according to the difference between the cumulative damage degree of the attachment in the predetermined period and the reference cumulative damage degree.

[0093] In the case of FIG. 6, it is a case where the predicted usage conditions (work content, cumulative damage degree, etc.) are compared with the actual results. In the case of FIG. 6, for example, when the reference cumulative damage degree (e.g., 100%) is not reached at the end of the usage period (e.g., 60%), the usage fee is refunded by 20%. That is, when the cumulative damage degree assumed at the start of use is not reached, the usage fee is refunded according to the degree of shortfall. By being able to associate the remaining life (or cumulative damage degree) with the repair cost, the remaining life (or cumulative damage degree) can also be associated with the usage fee. The work content may be associated with the usage fee. The work content may be associated with the warranty period.

[0094] Note that in the example of FIG. 6, the case where information including the cumulative damage degree and usage fee of the attachment is displayed on the display device 230 of the management device 200 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, it may be displayed on the display device 40 of the excavator 100. Also, it may be displayed on other devices that can communicate with the management device 200 through the communication network NW.

[0095] Also, in the example of FIG. 6, the case where the cumulative damage degree and usage fee of the attachment are associated and displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, the remaining life and usage fee of the attachment may be associated and displayed. In this case, when the remaining life of the attachment displayed on the display screen 400 of the display device 230 is longer than the reference remaining life, the administrator can set a refund amount to refund a part of the usage fee of the excavator 100 according to the difference between the remaining life of the attachment and the reference remaining life within a predetermined period.

[0096] Also, the display screen 600 may display the date and time, machine number, user, and the usage time so far (not shown).

[0097] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0098] For example, as the display device of the management system 300, a support device such as a mobile terminal may be used. The support device is typically a mobile terminal device, for example, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or a smartphone carried by an operator at a construction site or the like. The support device may be a computer carried by the operator of the excavator 100. The support device may be a fixed terminal device.

Explanation of Signs

[0099] 100 Excavator 200 Management Device 210 Control Device 211 Excavator Information Management Section 212 Fatigue Degree Calculation Section 213 Busy Period Information Management Section 214 Warranty Content Determination Section 230 Display Device 300 Management System 400, 500, 600 Display Screens

Claims

1. A state detection device that detects the operating state of a shovel to be evaluated; a control device that calculates a fatigue level of an attachment of the shovel based on the detected operating state, and calculates warranty content information associated with the calculated fatigue level; a display device that displays the calculated warranty content information; Equipped with The warranty content information includes at least one of a warranty period of the attachment associated with the fatigue level, a repair cost of the attachment associated with the fatigue level and a repair time, and a usage fee associated with the fatigue level, The fatigue level includes a cumulative damage level accumulated in the attachment, The control device calculates the warranty content information based on the cumulative damage degree and a reference cumulative damage degree, The standard cumulative damage level is the cumulative damage level expected when the shovel is operated in a standard work content. Excavator management system.

2. The control device calculates a distribution of stress applied to the attachment, and calculates the fatigue level based on the calculated stress distribution. The excavator management system according to claim 1 .

3. The display device displays the location where the cumulative damage degree is the greatest. The excavator management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display device displays the calculated fatigue level. The excavator management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The guarantee content information is calculated based on busy season information. The excavator management system according to claim 1 .

Images