Excavator and Excavator System

Abstract

This shovel (PS), which is connected to an external management device (90) in a communication manner, comprises an engine (11), and is configured to receive a first password as authentication information issued by the management device (90), and allow the engine (11) to start on the basis of the authentication result by the first password. The shovel (PS) may be configured to allow the engine (11) to start when the first password and a second password input by the shovel (PS) are collated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an excavator and an excavator system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an excavator configured to communicate with a portable terminal held by an operator, collate authentication information transmitted from the portable terminal with authentication information stored in the excavator, and permit the operation of the excavator when both match (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, an operator who attempts to operate the above-described excavator needs to perform a complicated operation of physically connecting the portable terminal and the excavator.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to be able to prevent unauthorized starting of the engine, which is a driving source of the excavator, with a simpler configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention is an excavator communicably connected to an external management device, includes a driving source, and permits starting of the driving source when authentication information issued by the management device matches authentication information received by a portable terminal and input through a device mounted on the excavator. The device configured as such and mounted on the excavator is installed inside the driver's cab having a door lockable by a mechanical key, and the mechanical key switches between a state in which power is supplied and a state in which power is not supplied. 。

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The above-mentioned excavator can prevent unauthorized starting of the engine with a simpler configuration.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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 given to the same components, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0010] FIG. 33 is a side view showing an example of an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention. An upper swing body 3 is mounted on a lower traveling body 1 of an excavator PS so as to be swingable via a swing mechanism 2. A boom 4 is attached to the upper swing body 3. An arm 5 is attached to the tip of the boom 4. A bucket 6 is attached to the tip of the arm 5.

[0011] 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. Further, 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.

[0012] 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 can detect the rotation angle of the boom 4 with respect to the upper swing body 3 (hereinafter referred to as "boom angle"). The boom angle becomes the minimum angle when the boom 4 is lowered to the lowest position, for example, and increases as the boom 4 is raised.

[0013] 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 can detect the rotation angle of the arm 5 with respect to the boom 4 (hereinafter referred to as "arm angle"). The arm angle becomes the minimum angle when the arm 5 is closed most, for example, and increases as the arm 5 is opened.

[0014] 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 can detect the rotation angle of the bucket 6 with respect to the arm 5 (hereinafter referred to as "bucket angle"). The bucket angle becomes the minimum angle when the bucket 6 is closed most, for example, and increases as the bucket 6 is opened.

[0015] 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, or a combination of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, etc.

[0016] An engine 11, a body tilt sensor S4, and a swing angular velocity sensor S5 are mounted on the upper swing body 3. And an imaging device 80 is provided on the upper swing body 3. The imaging device 80 includes a front camera 80F, a left camera 80L, a rear camera 80B, a right camera 80R, and an interior camera 80P.

[0017] The in-cabin camera 80P is a camera installed inside the cabin 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the in-cabin camera 80P is attached above the display device 40 installed inside the cabin 10.

[0018] The body tilt sensor S4 is configured to detect, for example, the tilt of the upper swing body 3 with respect to a predetermined plane. In this embodiment, the body tilt sensor S4 is an acceleration sensor that detects the tilt angles of the upper swing body 3 around the front-rear axis and the left-right axis with respect to the horizontal plane. The front-rear axis and the left-right 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 PS.

[0019] The swing angular velocity sensor S5 is configured to detect the swing angular velocity of the upper swing body 3. The swing angular velocity sensor S5 may be configured to detect the swing angle of the upper swing body 3. In this embodiment, the swing angular velocity sensor S5 is a gyro sensor. The swing angular velocity sensor S5 may be a resolver, a rotary encoder, or the like.

[0020] The upper swing body 3 is provided with a cabin 10 as an operator's cab. On the top of the cabin 10, a communication device T1 and a GNSS receiver T2 are provided. The communication device T1 controls the communication between the communication device T1 and an external management device 90 or the like installed outside the excavator PS. The GNSS receiver T2 detects the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the excavator PS. Inside the cabin 10, a controller 30, a display device 40, a sound output device 43, an input device 45, a storage device 47, and the like are provided.

[0021] The controller 30 functions as a main control unit that performs drive control of the excavator PS. The controller 30 is composed of an arithmetic processing unit including a CPU and an internal memory. Various functions of the controller 30 are realized by the CPU executing programs stored in the internal memory.

[0022] The display device 40 is configured to display various types of information. In the present embodiment, the display device 40 is a liquid crystal display. The display device 40 is connected to the controller 30 via a communication network such as CAN or LIN. The display device 40 may be connected to the controller 30 via a dedicated line.

[0023] The sound output device 43 is configured to output various types of sound information in response to an output command from the controller 30. In the present embodiment, the sound output device 43 is a speaker. The sound output device 43 may be an alarm such as a buzzer.

[0024] The input device 45 is a device for an operator of the hydraulic excavator PS to input various types of information to the controller 30. In the present embodiment, the input device 45 is a membrane switch provided on the surface of the display device 40. The input device 45 may be a touch panel or the like.

[0025] The storage device 47 is a device for storing various types of information. The storage device 47 is, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as a semiconductor memory. In the present embodiment, the storage device 47 stores various types of information output by the controller 30 or the like.

[0026] A door DR is installed on the left side surface of the cab 10, and a side cover CV is provided on the left side surface of the upper swing body 3. The door DR and the side cover CV are configured to be lockable and unlockable with a common mechanical key.

[0027] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a configuration example of the drive system of the hydraulic excavator PS will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the drive system of the hydraulic excavator PS.

[0028] The drive system of the hydraulic excavator PS mainly includes an engine 11, a main pump 14, a pilot pump 15, a control valve 17, an operating device 26, a controller 30, a storage battery 70, electrical components 72, a key cylinder 73, an engine control device 74, and an engine speed adjustment dial 75, etc.

[0029] The engine 11 is a drive source of the hydraulic excavator PS, and is, for example, a diesel engine that operates so as to maintain a predetermined rotational speed. The output shaft of the engine 11 is connected to the input shafts of the main pump 14 and the pilot pump 15, respectively.

[0030] The main pump 14 is a hydraulic pump that supplies hydraulic oil to the control valve 17 via the hydraulic oil line 16. In the present embodiment, the main pump 14 is a swash plate type variable displacement hydraulic pump.

[0031] The pilot pump 15 is a hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic oil to hydraulic control devices such as the operating device 26 via the pilot line 25. In the present embodiment, the pilot pump 15 is a fixed displacement hydraulic pump.

[0032] The control valve 17 is a hydraulic control valve that controls the hydraulic system in the hydraulic excavator PS. The control valve 17 selectively supplies the hydraulic oil supplied from the main pump 14 to one or more of, for example, the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, the bucket cylinder 9, the right traveling hydraulic motor 1A, the left traveling hydraulic motor 1B, and the swing hydraulic motor 2A. In the following description, the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, the bucket cylinder 9, the right traveling hydraulic motor 1A, the left traveling hydraulic motor 1B, and the swing hydraulic motor 2A are collectively referred to as "hydraulic actuators".

[0033] The operating device 26 is a device used by an operator for operating the hydraulic actuators. In the present embodiment, the operating device 26 includes an operating lever and an operating pedal. The operating device 26 is configured to be able to supply the hydraulic oil supplied from the pilot pump 15 to the pilot ports of the control valves corresponding to the respective hydraulic actuators via the pilot line 25. Note that the pilot pressure, which is the pressure of the hydraulic oil supplied to each of the pilot ports, is set to a pressure corresponding to the operating direction and the operating amount of the operating device 26 corresponding to each of the hydraulic actuators.

[0034] The controller 30 is a control device for controlling the hydraulic excavator PS. In the present embodiment, the controller 30 is configured by a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The CPU of the controller 30 reads out a program corresponding to various functions from the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and executes it, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to each of those programs.

[0035] The storage battery 70 is configured to be able to supply power to the starter motor 11b, the controller 30, the display device 40, the communication device T1, the electrical components 72, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "electrical components 72, etc."). The storage battery 70 is charged with the electric power generated by the alternator 11a (generator) of the engine 11.

[0036] The key cylinder 73 is configured such that an operator can insert a mechanical key when starting the engine 11. In the present embodiment, the mechanical key is a mechanical key used for locking and unlocking the door DR and the side cover CV.

[0037] The operator can select any one of the four rotational positions of "OFF", "ACC", "ON", and "START" as the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 by inserting the mechanical key into the key cylinder 73 and rotating the key cylinder 73. "OFF" is the rotational position selected when the operator inserts and removes the mechanical key. "ACC" is the rotational position in which power is supplied to the electrical components 72, etc. "ON" is the rotational position selected when maintaining the operation of the engine 11 after starting the engine 11. "START" is the rotational position selected when starting the engine 11. When "START" is selected as the rotational position of the key cylinder 73, the starter motor 11b is driven by the power from the storage battery 70 to start the engine 11.

[0038] The engine 11 may be started using an engine button (not shown). In this case, the key cylinder 73 may be omitted. Specifically, the engine button may be configured to achieve the same state as when "ACC" is selected with a single press, the same state as when "START" is selected with two presses, and the same state as when "OFF" is selected when it is long-pressed.

[0039] The engine control device 74 is a device that controls the engine 11. The engine control device 74 controls the engine speed by adjusting, for example, the fuel injection amount based on a command from the controller 30. The engine speed is controlled to be, for example, the target engine speed set by the operator using the engine speed adjustment dial 75.

[0040] The engine speed adjustment dial 75 is a dial for setting the target engine speed. In the present embodiment, the engine speed adjustment dial 75 is configured to be able to switch the target engine speed in four steps. Specifically, the engine speed adjustment dial 75 is configured to be able to switch the engine speed in four steps: SP mode, H mode, A mode, and IDLE mode. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the H mode is selected by the engine speed adjustment dial 75. The engine speed adjustment dial 75 outputs data regarding the target engine speed to the controller 30.

[0041] The SP mode is an operation mode selected when you want to prioritize the amount of work and utilizes the highest target engine speed. The H mode is an operation mode selected when you want to balance the amount of work and fuel efficiency and utilizes the second-highest target engine speed. The A mode is an operation mode selected when you want to operate the excavator PS with low noise while prioritizing fuel efficiency and utilizes the third-highest target engine speed. The IDLE mode is an operation mode selected when you want to idle the engine and utilizes the lowest target engine speed. And the engine 11 is rotationally controlled to achieve the target engine speed corresponding to the operation mode selected by the engine speed adjustment dial 75.

[0042] The display device 40 includes a conversion processing unit 40a that generates an image to be displayed on the image display unit 41. The conversion processing unit 40a generates a camera image to be displayed on the image display unit 41 based on the output of the imaging device 80. Therefore, the imaging device 80 is connected to the display device 40 via, for example, a dedicated line. Also, the conversion processing unit 40a generates an image to be displayed on the image display unit 41 based on the output of the controller 30.

[0043] The imaging device 80 includes a front camera 80F, a left camera 80L, a rear camera 80B, and a right camera 80R. The front camera 80F is attached to, for example, the ceiling of the cab 10 and images the front of the excavator PS. The left camera 80L is attached to, for example, the left side of the upper swing body 3 and images the left side of the excavator PS. The rear camera 80B is attached to the rear side of the upper swing body 3 and images the rear of the excavator PS. The right camera 80R is attached to the right side of the upper swing body 3 and images the right side of the excavator PS. The front camera 80F, the left camera 80L, the rear camera 80B, and the right camera 80R are, for example, digital cameras having an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS, and transmit the captured images to the display device 40 provided inside the cab 10.

[0044] Note that the conversion processing unit 40a may be implemented as a function of the controller 30 instead of a function of the display device 40. In this case, the imaging device 80 is connected to the controller 30 instead of the display device 40.

[0045] The display device 40 includes a switch panel as the input unit 42. The switch panel is a panel including various hardware switches. The switch panel includes, for example, a light switch 42a as a hardware button, a wiper switch 42b, and a window washer switch 42c. The light switch 42a is a switch for switching on and off the lights attached to the outside of the cabin 10. The wiper switch 42b is a switch for switching the operation and stop of the wiper. Also, the window washer switch 42c is a switch for injecting window washer fluid.

[0046] The engine 11 is controlled by an engine control device 74. The engine control device 74 outputs various data indicating the state of the engine 11 (for example, data indicating the cooling water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 11c) to the controller 30.

[0047] The regulator 13 is configured to control 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. The regulator 13 outputs data indicating the swash plate tilt angle to the controller 30.

[0048] The oil temperature sensor 14c is configured to detect the temperature of the hydraulic oil flowing through the pipeline between the tank storing the hydraulic oil and the main pump 14. The oil temperature sensor 14c outputs information regarding the detected oil temperature to the controller 30.

[0049] The discharge pressure sensor 28 is configured to detect the discharge pressure of the main pump 14. The discharge pressure sensor 28 outputs information regarding the detected discharge pressure to the controller 30.

[0050] The operation pressure sensor 29 is configured to detect the pilot pressure generated by the operating device 26. The operation pressure sensor 29 outputs information regarding the detected pilot pressure to the controller 30.

[0051] The controller 30 stores the data received from the water temperature sensor 11c, the regulator 13, the oil temperature sensor 14c, the discharge pressure sensor 28, the operation pressure sensor 29, the engine speed adjustment dial 75, etc. in the temporary storage unit 30a, and can transmit it to the display device 40 when necessary.

[0052] The gate lock lever 49 is a mechanism for preventing the excavator PS from being accidentally operated. In the present embodiment, the gate lock lever 49 is provided between the door of the cabin 10 and the driver's seat. The controller 30 is configured to close the gate lock valve 49a (see FIG. 2) when the gate lock lever 49 is pushed down, and to open the gate lock valve 49a when the gate lock lever 49 is pulled up.

[0053] The gate lock valve 49a is a switching valve provided in the oil passage between the pilot pump 15 and the operating device 26 (see FIG. 2). The gate lock valve 49a is configured to open and close in response to a command from the controller 30, but may be mechanically connected to the gate lock lever 49 and configured to open and close in response to the operation of the gate lock lever 49.

[0054] The gate lock valve 49a shuts off the flow of hydraulic oil between the pilot pump 15 and the operating device 26 in the closed state to disable the operating device 26. Also, the gate lock valve 49a enables the operating device 26 by communicating between the pilot pump 15 and the operating device 26 in the open state. That is, when the operator gets into the driver's seat and pulls up the gate lock lever 49, the operating device 26 enters a state (unlocked state) where it can move the hydraulic actuator. When the operator pushes down the gate lock lever 49, the operating device 26 enters a state (locked state) where it cannot move the hydraulic actuator.

[0055] The communication device T1 is configured to be able to communicate with the management device 90 via the communication network 93.

[0056] The management device 90 is, for example, a computer installed outside the excavator PS and is configured so that professional staff (such as designers) can remotely grasp the situation of the excavator PS. The controller 30 accumulates the outputs of various devices attached to the excavator PS in the temporary storage unit 30a and can transmit them to the management device 90 as necessary.

[0057] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of the procedure for starting the engine 11 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the procedure for starting the engine 11. Sub-diagram F1 of FIG. 3 shows the screen of the mobile terminal 200 carried by the operator of the excavator PS, and sub-diagram F2 shows the state inside the cab 10 of the excavator PS. In the example of FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 200 is a smartphone equipped with communication functions, display functions, input functions, etc. The mobile terminal 200 may be a tablet PC, a notebook PC, a smartwatch, a mobile phone, or the like. The excavator PS, the management device 90, and the mobile terminal 200 in FIG. 3 constitute an anti-theft system for preventing theft of the excavator PS, which is an example of an excavator system.

[0058] First, the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS uses a mechanical key to unlock the door DR of the cab 10, opens the door DR, and enters the cab 10. Then, the operator inserts the mechanical key into the key cylinder 73, sets the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 to "ACC", and activates the in-cab camera 80P and the communication device T1.

[0059] After that, the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS operates the mobile terminal 200 to send a request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90 as indicated by the arrow AR1. The request signal is a signal that requests the management device 90 to issue authentication information. The authentication information is information used to authenticate that the operator attempting to start the engine 11 of the hydraulic excavator PS is a legitimate operator, and is, for example, a password or passcode, etc. In the present embodiment, the authentication information is a password that is valid only for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, 1 hour from issuance, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on the issuance date, or from a predetermined start date and time to a predetermined end date and time, etc. The authentication information may be a password that is valid only for one start or a predetermined number of starts. The authentication information is dynamically generated based on at least one of, for example, the issuance date and time and the position where the request signal was transmitted so as to be different for each issuance. However, the validity period of the authentication information may be indefinite.

[0060] Before entering the cab 10, the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS may operate the mobile terminal 200 to send a request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90.

[0061] The hydraulic excavator PS may be configured to send the request signal to the management device 90. For example, when the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 is switched from "OFF" to "ACC", the hydraulic excavator PS may send a request signal toward the management device 90 as indicated by the arrow AR1a. In this case, the transmission of the request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90 may be omitted.

[0062] After that, the management device 90 that has received the request signal issues authentication information and transmits the issued authentication information toward the mobile terminal 200 as indicated by the arrow AR2. Further, the management device 90 transmits the issued authentication information toward the excavator PS as indicated by the arrow AR3.

[0063] Note that the management device 90 may be configured to issue authentication information only when the distance between the mobile terminal 200 and the excavator PS is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. That is, when the operator holding the mobile terminal 200 is not near the excavator PS, the management device 90 may be configured not to issue authentication information. This is to improve security against unauthorized access. Note that the position of the mobile terminal 200 may be specified based on, for example, the output of a GNSS receiver mounted on the mobile terminal 200, and the position of the excavator PS may be specified based on the output of a GNSS receiver T2 mounted on the excavator PS.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 3, the management device 90 has previously registered the mobile terminal 200 carried by the operator of the excavator PS as a legitimate mobile terminal. Further, the management device 90 has previously registered the excavator PS as a legitimate excavator. Further, the management device 90 associates information regarding the mobile terminal 200 carried by the operator of the excavator PS with information regarding the excavator PS. Therefore, when receiving a request signal from the mobile terminal 200 or the excavator PS, the management device 90 can transmit the issued authentication information to each of the mobile terminal 200 and the excavator PS.

[0065] The mobile terminal 200 that has received the authentication information displays the authentication information on the screen. In the present embodiment, when the mobile terminal 200 receives a password as authentication information, it encodes the password into a QR code (registered trademark) and displays the QR code on the screen as shown in the partial view F1. Note that the QR code may be other encoded information such as a barcode. Further, the encoded information may be a moving image. Further, the mobile terminal 200 may receive the encoded authentication information from the management device 90 instead of the authentication information before encoding.

[0066] After that, the operator turns the screen of the mobile terminal 200 on which the QR code is displayed toward the in-vehicle camera 80P embedded in the upper part of the display device 40 installed in the cabin 10. This is to enable the in-vehicle camera 80P to capture the QR code displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 200.

[0067] After that, the controller 30 recognizes the QR code displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 200 from the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 80P and decrypts the QR code. Then, the controller 30 collates the password received from the management device 90 through the communication device T1 (hereinafter referred to as the "first password") with the password obtained by decrypting the QR code extracted and recognized from the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 80P (hereinafter referred to as the "second password").

[0068] When it is determined that the first password and the second password match, the controller 30 authenticates the operator holding the mobile terminal 200 as a legitimate operator and switches the state of the excavator PS from the start-restricted state to the restriction-released state.

[0069] The start-restricted state means a state in which the engine 11 cannot be started. In the start-restricted state, even if the operator of the excavator PS rotates the key cylinder 73 to "START", the engine 11 cannot be started. This is because the starter motor 11b is configured not to operate in the start-restricted state.

[0070] To realize such a configuration, the controller 30 may be configured not to output a start command to the starter motor 11b, for example, in the start-restricted state. The start command is a command that the controller 30 outputs to the starter motor 11b when the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 reaches "START". The starter motor 11b is configured to rotate and start the engine 11 when it receives a start command from the controller 30.

[0071] The restriction release state means that the restrictions regarding the start of the engine 11 are released, that is, the state in which the engine 11 can be started. In the restriction release state, the operator of the excavator PS can start the engine 11 by the starter motor 11b by rotating the key cylinder 73 to "START". The two arrows AR4 in FIG. 3 indicate that the first password and the second password match.

[0072] In this case, the controller 30 may notify the management device 90 of the fact that the first password and the second password match, that is, the fact that the operator having the mobile terminal 200 is authenticated as a regular operator. This is to enable the administrator to recognize that the authentication information issued by the management device 90 is correctly used.

[0073] After that, the operator of the excavator PS can start the engine 11 by rotating the key cylinder 73 to "START" in the excavator PS in the restriction release state, and operate the excavator PS to perform a desired operation.

[0074] After that, when the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90 expires, the engine 11 stops, and the excavator PS enters the start restriction state as indicated by the arrow AR5.

[0075] In the example of FIG. 3, if the operator rotates the key cylinder 73 to "ACC" or "OFF" before the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90 expires, the engine 11 stops, but the excavator PS remains in the restriction release state. In this case, the operator can restart the engine 11 by rotating the key cylinder 73 to "START" again. That is, the operator does not need to redisplay the QR code on the screen of the mobile terminal 200 to restart the engine 11.

[0076] However, the construction machine PS may be configured to enter the start restriction state even if the operator rotates the key cylinder 73 to "ACC" or "OFF" before the expiration of the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90. In this case, if the operator is within the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90, the operator can restart the engine 11 by operating the mobile terminal 200 to send a request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90 again.

[0077] With the above configuration, the construction machine PS can authenticate a legitimate operator by having the operator execute a simple authentication procedure. That is, the operator of the construction machine PS can be authenticated and start the engine 11 by simply executing a simple authentication procedure. On the other hand, the construction machine PS can prevent the engine 11 from being illegally started by an unauthenticated operator.

[0078] In the above configuration, the password as the authentication information is encoded in a QR code, displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 200, and configured to be captured by the indoor camera 80P and recognized by the controller 30.

[0079] However, the password as the authentication information may be handed to the operator of the construction machine PS, for example, in a state where it is encoded in a QR code and printed on paper. In this case, instead of holding the QR code displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 200 in front of the indoor camera 80P, the operator may hold the paper with the QR code printed thereon in front of the indoor camera 80P to put the construction machine PS in an unrestricted state.

[0080] Alternatively, the authentication information may be information regarding gestures. In this case, the management device 90 transmits, for example, a text message including the content of the gesture that the operator should perform to the mobile terminal 200. The content of the gesture is, for example, raising the right hand in an open state to eye level first, and then raising the left hand in a clenched state to jaw level. Then, the operator performs the gesture according to the text message in front of the in-vehicle camera 80P installed in the cabin 10, so that the authentication information received through the communication device T1 and the authentication information acquired through the in-vehicle camera 80P are collated by the controller 30. That is, the controller 30 may be made to determine whether a series of gestures have been performed as written in the text message. Note that the text message may be written on paper handed over in advance. Alternatively, the text message may be replaced with an illustration image or an animation image representing the content of the gesture.

[0081] The authentication information may be sound information such as a voice message, music, or a melody. In this case, the operator of the excavator PS reproduces this sound information through the speaker of the mobile terminal 200 in front of the microphone installed in the cabin 10, so that the authentication information received through the communication device T1 and the authentication information acquired through the microphone are collated by the controller 30.

[0082] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the relationship between the state of the engine 11, the state of the excavator PS, and the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the time transition of each of the state of the engine 11, the state of the excavator PS, and the rotational position of the key cylinder 73.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows that the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 is switched from "ACC" to "ON" at time t1 when the engine 11 is "OFF" and the excavator PS is in the "start restriction state". "OFF" regarding the engine 11 represents a state where the engine 11 is not operating. "ON" regarding the engine 11 represents a state where the engine 11 is operating.

[0084] Further, FIG. 4 shows that at time t2 when the engine 11 is "OFF" and the hydraulic excavator PS is in the "starting restricted state", the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 is switched from "ON" to "START". In this case, even if the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS rotates the key cylinder 73 to "START", the engine 11 cannot be started because the hydraulic excavator PS is in the "starting restricted state".

[0085] Further, FIG. 4 shows that at time t3 when the engine 11 is "OFF" and the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 is "ON", the hydraulic excavator PS is switched from the "starting restricted state" to the "restriction released state". This indicates that at time t3, as a result of the verification of the authentication information as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 30 has determined that the first password and the second password match. In the example of FIG. 4, the validity period of the authentication information is preset so that the "restriction released state" continues for a period D1 until time t8.

[0086] Therefore, at a subsequent time t4, the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS can start the engine 11 by rotating the key cylinder 73 to "START" because the hydraulic excavator PS is in the "restriction released state".

[0087] In the example of FIG. 4, the validity period of the authentication information is set as described above so that the restriction released state continues for a period D1 until time t8. Therefore, even when the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 is switched from "ON" to "ACC" at time t5, the engine 11 is turned "OFF", but the hydraulic excavator PS remains in the "restriction released state". As a result, at time t6, the operator can restart the engine 11 without undergoing re - authentication by switching the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 from "ACC" back to "START". That is, the operator can restart the engine 11 without redisplaying the QR code on the screen of the mobile terminal 200.

[0088] Thereafter, at time t7 which is a predetermined time D2 earlier than time t8 which is the time when the validity period of the authentication information expires, the controller 30 causes the image display unit 41 of the display device 40 to display a message such as "The engine will stop in XX minutes". The controller 30 may cause the voice output device 43 to output a voice message to that effect. Alternatively, the controller 30 may use any means to inform the operator to that effect. This is to notify the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS in advance that the engine 11 will stop after a predetermined time. By receiving such a notification, the operator can start preparing to stop the work at an early stage.

[0089] Thereafter, at time t8, the controller 30 stops the engine 11. However, the controller 30 may be configured to limit the movement of the hydraulic excavator PS, such as slowing down the movement of the hydraulic actuator, instead of stopping the engine 11 when the validity period of the authentication information expires.

[0090] FIG. 4 shows that at time t8 when the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 is "ON", the engine 11 is switched from "ON" to "OFF", and the hydraulic excavator PS is switched from the "restriction release state" to the "starting restriction state". This indicates that at time t8, the validity period of the authentication information has expired and the engine 11 has been forcibly stopped.

[0091] At time t9, even if the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS rotates the key cylinder 73 to "START", the engine 11 cannot be started because the hydraulic excavator PS is in the "starting restriction state".

[0092] Also, even if the operator uses the QR code acquired at time t3, the engine 11 cannot be started because the validity period of the authentication information has already expired. That is, the operator cannot restart the engine 11 unless another piece of authentication information issued by the management device 90 with an unexpired validity period is acquired.

[0093] In this way, the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS can start the engine 11 after passing authentication by simply performing a simple authentication procedure. On the other hand, the hydraulic excavator PS can prevent the engine 11 from being illegally started by an unauthenticated operator.

[0094] Next, referring to FIG. 5, another example of the procedure for starting the engine 11 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the procedure for starting the engine 11. Sub-diagram F3 of FIG. 5 shows the inside of the cab 10 of the hydraulic excavator PS. In the example of FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 200 is a smartphone having a communication function, a display function, an input function, etc., similar to the case of FIG. 4. The mobile terminal 200 may be a tablet PC, a notebook PC, a smartwatch, a mobile phone, or the like. The hydraulic excavator PS, the management device 90, and the mobile terminal 200 in FIG. 5 constitute an anti-theft system for preventing theft of the hydraulic excavator PS, which is an example of a hydraulic excavator system, similar to the case of FIG. 3.

[0095] First, the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS uses a mechanical key to unlock the door DR of the cab 10, opens the door DR, and enters the cab 10. Then, the operator inserts the mechanical key into the key cylinder 73, sets the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 to "ACC", and activates the display device 40 and the communication device T1.

[0096] Thereafter, the operator of the hydraulic excavator PS operates the mobile terminal 200 to transmit a request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90 as indicated by the arrow AR11.

[0097] The operator of the hydraulic excavator PS may operate the mobile terminal 200 to transmit a request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90 before entering the cab 10.

[0098] The excavator PS may be configured to transmit a request signal to the management device 90. For example, when the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 is switched from "OFF" to "ACC", the excavator PS may transmit a request signal toward the management device 90 as indicated by the arrow AR11a. In this case, the transmission of the request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90 may be omitted.

[0099] Thereafter, the management device 90 that has received the request signal issues authentication information and transmits the issued authentication information toward the excavator PS as indicated by the arrow AR12. In the present embodiment, the authentication information is a password that is valid only for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on the issue date. The authentication information may be a password that is valid only for one start or a predetermined number of starts. However, the validity period of the authentication information may be indefinite.

[0100] In the example of FIG. 5, the management device 90 has previously registered the mobile terminal 200 carried by the operator of the excavator PS as a regular mobile terminal. Also, the management device 90 has previously registered the excavator PS as a regular excavator. Further, the management device 90 associates the information regarding the mobile terminal 200 carried by the operator of the excavator PS with the information regarding the excavator PS. Therefore, when receiving a request signal from the mobile terminal 200, the management device 90 can transmit the issued authentication information to the excavator PS.

[0101] The excavator PS that has received the authentication information displays the authentication information on the screen. In the present embodiment, when the excavator PS receives a password as authentication information, it encodes the password into a QR code (registered trademark) and displays the QR code on the image display unit 41 of the display device 40 as shown in the partial view F3. Note that the QR code may be other encoded information such as a barcode. Also, the encoded information may be a moving image. Further, the excavator PS may receive the encoded authentication information from the management device 90 instead of the authentication information before encoding.

[0102] After that, the operator captures an image of the image display unit 41 of the display device 40 on which the QR code is displayed, using the digital camera mounted on the mobile terminal 200. Then, the mobile terminal 200 recognizes the QR code displayed on the image display unit 41 from the image captured by the digital camera, decrypts the QR code, and obtains the password. Then, as indicated by the arrow AR13, the mobile terminal 200 transmits the obtained password to the management device 90. Note that the mobile terminal 200 may transmit the recognized QR code to the management device 90. In this case, the decryption of the QR code is executed by the management device 90.

[0103] After that, the management device 90 collates the password transmitted to the excavator PS (hereinafter referred to as the "first password") with the password obtained by decrypting the QR code extracted and recognized from the image captured by the digital camera mounted on the mobile terminal 200 (hereinafter referred to as the "second password").

[0104] When it is determined that the first password and the second password match, the management device 90 authenticates the operator having the mobile terminal 200 as a legitimate operator. Then, as indicated by the arrow AR14, the management device 90 transmits a release command for switching the state of the excavator PS from the start restriction state to the restriction release state to the excavator PS.

[0105] After that, the controller 30 of the excavator PS that has received the release command switches the state of the excavator PS from the start restriction state to the restriction release state. That is, the controller 30 becomes a state where it can output a start command to the starter motor 11b when the rotational position of the key cylinder 73 becomes "START".

[0106] After that, the operator of the excavator PS rotates the key cylinder 73 to "START" in the excavator PS in the restriction release state, starts the engine 11, and can operate the excavator PS to perform a desired operation.

[0107] After the expiration of the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90, the engine 11 stops, and the hydraulic excavator PS enters a start restriction state as indicated by the arrow AR15.

[0108] In the example of FIG. 5, if the operator rotates the key cylinder 73 to "ACC" or "OFF" before the expiration of the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90, the engine 11 stops, but the hydraulic excavator PS remains in the restriction release state. In this case, the operator can restart the engine 11 by rotating the key cylinder 73 to "START" again. That is, the operator does not need to display the QR code on the image display unit 41 of the display device 40 to restart the engine 11.

[0109] However, even if the operator rotates the key cylinder 73 to "ACC" or "OFF" before the expiration of the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90, the hydraulic excavator PS may be configured to enter a start restriction state. In this case, if it is within the validity period of the authentication information issued by the management device 90, the operator can restart the engine 11 by operating the mobile terminal 200 to resend a request signal from the mobile terminal 200 to the management device 90.

[0110] In the example of FIG. 5, the management device 90 that has received the request signal may be configured to not only transmit the issued authentication information toward the excavator PS as indicated by the arrow AR12, but also transmit it to the mobile terminal 200. In this case, when the mobile terminal 200 acquires the second password, the mobile terminal 200 may determine whether the first password, which is the password received from the management device 90, matches the second password. That is, the verification of the first password and the second password may be performed by the mobile terminal 200 instead of the management device 90. And when it is determined that the first password and the second password match, the mobile terminal 200 authenticates the operator who has the mobile terminal 200 as a legitimate operator, and then may transmit a release command for switching the state of the excavator PS from the start-restricted state to the restriction-released state toward the excavator PS. Note that the mobile terminal 200 may notify the management device 90 of the fact that the first password and the second password match, that is, the fact that the operator who has the mobile terminal 200 is authenticated as a legitimate operator. This is to enable the administrator to recognize that the authentication information issued by the management device 90 is correctly used. In this case, the release command may be transmitted from the management device 90 toward the excavator PS instead of from the mobile terminal 200.

[0111] With the above-described configuration, the excavator PS can authenticate the operator as a legitimate operator by having the operator execute a simple authentication procedure. That is, the operator of the excavator PS can start the engine 11 after being authenticated as a legitimate operator by simply executing a simple authentication procedure. On the other hand, the excavator PS can prevent the engine 11 from being illegally started by an unauthenticated operator. Therefore, the excavator PS can prevent theft without the need to add a special device.

[0112] In addition, when a plurality of operators share one immobilizer key corresponding to one excavator, an operator who plans to use the excavator needs to receive the immobilizer key in advance from another operator who has the immobilizer key. On the other hand, in the excavator PS according to the embodiment of the present invention, the operator does not need to perform complicated procedures such as the transfer of the immobilizer key.

[0113] Also, in the excavator PS according to the embodiment of the present invention, the administrator of the excavator PS does not need to perform complicated operations such as the prior registration of biometric information of a large number of operators required when introducing a biometric authentication system.

[0114] As described above, the excavator PS according to the embodiment of the present application, which is communicatively connected to the external management device 90, includes an engine 11, receives authentication information issued by the management device 90, and is configured to permit the start of the engine 11 based on the authentication result by the authentication information.

[0115] For example, the excavator PS receives a first password as authentication information issued by the management device 90, and when the second password acquired through the in-cab camera 80P or microphone etc. mounted in the cab 10 matches the first password, that is, when an authentication result that the operator can be authenticated as a regular operator is obtained, it is configured to permit the start of the engine 11. "Permitting the start of the engine 11" means, for example, that the controller 30 can output a start command to the starter motor 11b.

[0116] The excavator PS may be configured to permit the start of the engine 11, for example, when the authentication information issued by the management device 90 can be verified with the authentication information input through the devices mounted on the excavator PS. The devices mounted on the excavator PS are, for example, the input device 45, the in-cab camera 80P, or the microphone etc.

[0117] For example, the excavator PS may be configured to permit starting of the engine 11 when the first password as authentication information issued by the management device 90 and the second password as authentication information represented by the QR code imaged by the in-cab camera 80P installed in the cab 10 match. The second password may be manually input through the input device 45.

[0118] The excavator PS may be configured to permit starting of the engine 11 based on a signal from the management device 90, for example. For example, when the management device 90 determines that the first password transmitted to the excavator PS and the second password obtained by decrypting the QR code extracted from and recognized in the image captured by the digital camera mounted on the mobile terminal 200 match, after the procedure as shown in FIG. 5 is executed, the management device 90 authenticates the operator having the mobile terminal 200 as a legitimate operator. Then, the management device 90 transmits a release command for switching the state of the excavator PS from the start-restricted state to the restriction-released state to the excavator PS. When receiving the release command, the excavator PS switches to the restriction-released state and becomes capable of outputting a start command to the starter motor 11b. Thereafter, the operator of the excavator PS can start the engine 11 by rotating the key cylinder 73 to "START" in the excavator PS in the restriction-released state, for example, and operate the excavator PS to perform a desired operation.

[0119] The authentication information issued by the management device 90 is preferably valid only for a predetermined period. That is, the authentication information issued by the management device 90 preferably becomes invalid after the predetermined period has elapsed. With this configuration, the excavator PS can enhance the security against unauthorized access. This is because new authentication information is issued each time the excavator PS is used, and thus problems related to forgetting or leaking the authentication information can be reduced compared to a system in which the operator manually inputs a valid password or the like over a long period. As a result, the excavator PS can enhance the confidentiality of the authentication information when used in a sharing business such as the construction machinery rental industry.

[0120] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the construction machine PS may be configured to permit starting of the engine 11 when a first password, which is authentication information received from the management device 90 through the communication device T1, matches a second password, which is authentication information input through the imaging device 80 (indoor camera 80P). Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the construction machine PS may be configured to permit starting of the engine 11 when a first password, which is authentication information transmitted by the management device 90, matches a second password, which is authentication information input through the mobile terminal 200. With this configuration, the construction machine PS can prevent unauthorized starting of the engine 11 with a simple configuration.

[0121] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications, substitutions, etc. can be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, the features described separately can be combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-142996 filed on Aug. 2, 2019, and the entire contents of this Japanese patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1 ··· Lower traveling body 1A ··· Hydraulic motor for right traveling 1B ··· Hydraulic motor for left traveling 2 ··· Slewing mechanism 2A ··· Hydraulic motor for slewing 3 ··· Upper slewing body 4 ··· Boom 5 ··· Arm 6 ··· Bucket 7 ··· Boom cylinder 8 ··· Arm cylinder 9 ··· Bucket cylinder 10 ··· Cabin 11 ··· Engine 11a ··· Alternator 11b ··· Starter motor 11c ··· Water temperature sensor 13 ··· Regulator 14c ··· Oil temperature sensor 15 ··· Pilot pump 16 ··· Hydraulic oil line 17 ··· Control valve 25 ··· Pilot line 26 ··· Operating device 28 ··· Discharge pressure sensor 29 ··· Operating pressure sensor 30 ··· Controller 30a ··· Temporary storage unit 40 ··· Display device 41 ··· Image display unit 42 ··· Input unit 42a ··· Light switch 42b ··· Wiper switch 42c ··· Window washer switch 43 ··· Sound output device 45 ··· Input device 47 ··· Storage device 49 ··· Gate lock lever 49a ··· Gate lock valve 70 ··· Battery 72 ··· Electrical components 73 ··· Key cylinder 74 ··· Engine control device 75 ··· Engine speed adjustment dial 80 ··· Imaging device 80B ··· Rear camera 80F ··· Front camera 80L ··· Left camera 80P ··· Interior camera 80R ··· Right camera 90 ··· Management device 93 ··· Communication network 200 ··· Mobile terminal CV ··· Side cover DR ··· Door S1 ··· Boom angle sensor S2 ··· Arm angle sensor S3 ··· Bucket angle sensor S4 ··· Machine body tilt sensor S5 ··· Slewing angular velocity sensor T1 ··· Communication device T2 ··· GNSS receiver

Claims

1. An excavator that is communicatively connected to an external management device, comprising a drive source, configured to permit starting of the drive source when the authentication information issued by the management device matches the authentication information received by a mobile terminal and input through a device mounted on the excavator, wherein the device mounted on the excavator is installed inside a cab having a door lockable by a mechanical key, and the mechanical key is used to switch between a state where power is supplied and a state where power is not supplied, excavator.

2. The drive source is started using the mechanical key, the excavator according to Claim 1.

3. The matching of the authentication information issued by the management device and the authentication information input through the device mounted on the excavator is performed by a control device mounted on the excavator, and starting of the drive source is permitted based on a signal from the control device, the excavator according to Claim 1.

4. The authentication information issued by the management device is valid only for a predetermined period, and when the predetermined period expires, the drive source stops or the movement of the excavator is restricted, the excavator according to Claim 1.

5. An excavator that is communicatively connected to an external management device, comprising a drive source, configured to permit starting of the drive source when the authentication information issued by the management device matches the authentication information input through a display device mounted on the excavator and an imaging device mounted on a mobile terminal, wherein the display device mounted on the excavator is installed inside a cab having a door lockable by a mechanical key, and the mechanical key is used to switch between a state where power is supplied and a state where power is not supplied, excavator.

6. The device mounted on the excavator is an in-cab camera provided to be able to image an operator inside the cab, or a microphone provided to acquire sound reproduced through a speaker of the mobile terminal, the excavator according to Claim 1.

7. A management device, an excavator configured to permit starting of a drive source based on an authentication result using the authentication information issued by the management device, The excavator is configured to permit starting of the drive source when the authentication information issued by the management device matches the authentication information received by the mobile terminal and input through the device mounted on the excavator. The device mounted on the excavator is installed inside the operator's cab having a door lockable by a mechanical key, and the mechanical key is used to switch between a state where power is supplied and a state where power is not supplied. Excavator system.

8. The drive source is started using the mechanical key. The excavator system according to claim 7.

9. Verification of the authentication information issued by the management device and the authentication information input through the device mounted on the excavator is performed by a control device mounted on the excavator. The excavator permits starting of the drive source based on a signal from the control device. The excavator system according to claim 7.

10. The authentication information issued by the management device is valid only for a predetermined period. When the predetermined period expires, the drive source stops, or the movement of the excavator is restricted. The excavator system according to claim 7.

11. A management device, An excavator system including an excavator configured to permit starting of a drive source based on an authentication result using the authentication information issued by the management device, wherein The excavator is configured to permit starting of the drive source when the authentication information issued by the management device matches the authentication information input through a display device mounted on the excavator and an imaging device mounted on the mobile terminal. The display device mounted on the excavator is installed inside the operator's cab having a door lockable by a mechanical key, and the mechanical key is used to switch between a state where power is supplied and a state where power is not supplied. Excavator system.

12. The device mounted on the excavator is an in-cab camera provided to be able to image an operator inside the operator's cab, or a microphone provided to acquire sound reproduced through a speaker of the mobile terminal. The excavator system according to claim 7.

Images