Construction machinery

Abstract

To provide a construction machine allowing effective use of a space inside a console box, in a constitution of switching the operation state of a valve by operation input by a console operation member.SOLUTION: A construction machine has a console box in which a console is set in an operator cab in a cab box and the console forms an outer covering, and an operation member allowing input of an operation of switching the operation state of a solenoid valve. A valve controller is stored inside the console box, the valve controller controls power supply to the solenoid valve and the operation of the solenoid valve, on the basis of a signal inputted from the operation member in accordance with the input of the operation by the operation member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to construction machinery.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a construction machine in which an upper slewing body is connected to a lower traveling body so as to be slewing capable. In the upper slewing body of this construction machine, a cab box is installed on a slewing body frame. Inside the cab box, a driver's cab is formed, and a console is installed in the driver's cab. The console includes a console box forming an exterior and operation members such as operation levers. The construction machine is provided with a pilot valve whose operating state changes corresponding to the supply state of pilot oil. Corresponding to an input of an operation at the operation member of the console, the supply state of pilot oil to the pilot valve changes, and the operating state of the pilot valve is switched.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration where the operating state of a pilot valve is switched by inputting an operation on an operation member of a console as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to connect between the operation member and the pilot valve with a hose or the like and supply pilot oil from the operation member to the pilot valve via the hose or the like. For this reason, most of the space formed inside the console box is occupied by a hose or the like for supplying pilot oil. In a construction machine that switches the operating state of a valve such as a pilot valve by inputting an operation on an operation member of a console, it is required to effectively utilize the space inside the console box. And, by effectively utilizing the space inside the console box, it is required to effectively utilize the limited space formed in the cab.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a construction machine in which the space inside a console box is effectively utilized in a configuration where the operating state of a valve is switched by inputting an operation on an operation member of the console.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a construction machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a cab box that forms a cab inside, a solenoid valve whose operating state changes according to the power supply state, and a console installed in the cab, the console including a console box that forms an exterior, and an operation member capable of inputting an operation for switching the operating state of the solenoid valve. The construction machine further includes a valve controller that is housed inside the console box and controls the supply of power to the solenoid valve and the operation of the solenoid valve based on a signal input from the operation member in response to the input of the operation on the operation member.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a construction machine in which the space inside a console box is effectively utilized in a configuration where the operating state of a valve is switched by inputting an operation on an operation member of the console.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a hydraulic excavator 1 according to a first embodiment as an example of a construction machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic excavator 1 includes a lower traveling body 2 and an upper swing body 3. The upper swing body 3 is connected above the lower traveling body 2 in the vertical direction. The upper swing body 3 is swingable with respect to the lower traveling body 2 about a swing axis P along the vertical direction (the directions indicated by arrow Z1 and arrow Z2).

[0011] In the upper swing body 3, a longitudinal direction (the directions indicated by arrow X1 and arrow X2) that intersects (is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) with respect to the vertical direction, and a width direction (a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1) that intersects (is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) with respect to both the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction are defined. Also, in the lower traveling body 2 as well, a longitudinal direction that intersects (is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) with respect to the vertical direction, and a width direction that intersects (is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) with respect to both the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction are defined. In FIG. 1, a state is shown in which the longitudinal direction of the lower traveling body 2 coincides or substantially coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper swing body 3, and the width direction of the lower traveling body 2 coincides or substantially coincides with the width direction of the upper swing body 3. Also, in FIG. 1, the hydraulic excavator 1 is shown in a state where the front side of the lower traveling body 2 coincides or substantially coincides with the front side (arrow X1 side) of the upper swing body 3.

[0012] The upper swing body 3 includes a swing frame 5 and a cab box 6. The cab box 6 is installed on the swing frame 5 from vertically above. Also, a working device 8 is connected to the upper swing body 3. The working device 8 can swing with respect to the lower traveling body 2 together with the upper swing body 3. In an example of FIG. 1, the working device 8 is arranged side by side with respect to the cab box 6 in the width direction of the upper swing body 3. Also, the working device 8 protrudes from the upper swing body 3 toward the front side of the upper swing body 3.

[0013] The working device 8 includes a boom 11, an arm 12, and a bucket 13. In the working device 8, the base end portion of the boom 11 is connected to the upper swing body 3, the base end portion of the arm 12 is connected to the tip end portion of the boom 11, and the bucket 13 is connected to the tip end portion of the arm 12. Also, in the hydraulic excavator 1 of an example of FIG. 1, as actuators, a boom cylinder 15, an arm cylinder 16, and a bucket cylinder 17 are provided. Each of the boom cylinder 15, the arm cylinder 16, and the bucket cylinder 17 is actuated by hydraulic oil, and the operating state changes corresponding to the supply state of the hydraulic oil.

[0014] By extending or contracting the boom cylinder 15, that is, by operating the boom cylinder 15, the boom 11 rises or falls with respect to the upper swing body 3. Also, by extending or contracting the arm cylinder 16, that is, by operating the arm cylinder 16, the arm 12 rises or falls with respect to the boom 11. Then, by extending or contracting the bucket cylinder 17, that is, by operating the bucket cylinder 17, the bucket 13 rotates about the connection position to the arm 12. In the work using the working device 8, by operating each of the boom cylinder 15, the arm cylinder 16, and the bucket cylinder 17, which are actuators, as described above, earth and sand are excavated.

[0015] Further, in the hydraulic excavator 1, a swing motor (not shown) is provided as an actuator. The hydraulic motor is operated by hydraulic oil, and its operating state changes corresponding to the supply state of the hydraulic oil. By rotating the swing motor, that is, by operating the swing motor, the upper swing body 3 swings with respect to the lower traveling body 2.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the cab box 6. In FIG. 2 and the like, the directions indicated by the arrow Y1 and the arrow Y2 are the width direction of the upper swing body 3. As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, a driver's cab 7 is formed inside the cab box 6. Therefore, the exterior of the driver's cab 7 is formed by the cab box 6. Also, in the cab box 6 (driver's cab 7), a front-rear direction that intersects (orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) with respect to the vertical direction, and a width direction that intersects (orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) with respect to both the vertical direction and the front-rear direction are defined. The front-rear direction of the cab box 6 coincides or substantially coincides with the front-rear direction of the upper swing body 3, and the front side of the cab box 6 coincides or substantially coincides with the front side of the upper swing body 3. And the width direction of the cab box 6 coincides or substantially coincides with the width direction of the upper swing body 3.

[0017] The cab box 6 includes a floor board 21 and a rear board 22. The floor board 21 is adjacent to the driver's cab 7 from the vertically lower side, and the rear board 22 is adjacent to the driver's cab 7 from the rear side of the cab box 6 (the rear side of the upper swing body 3). In the driver's cab 7, consoles 20A, 20B and a seat 23 are installed. The seat 23 is attached to the floor board 21 from the vertically upper side. In one example, the seat 23 is installed so as to be movable with respect to the floor board 21 and the like in the front-rear direction of the cab box 6. Also, the console 20A is arranged side by side with respect to the seat 23 on one side in the width direction of the cab box 6. And the console 20B is arranged side by side with respect to the seat 23 on the side opposite to the side where the console 20A is located in the width direction of the cab box 6. Therefore, the seat 23 is arranged in the driver's cab 7 side by side with respect to each of the consoles 20A, 20B in the width direction of the cab box 6, and is arranged between the consoles 20A, 20B in the width direction of the cab box 6.

[0018] Also, in one example such as FIG. 2, a cover member 25 is attached to the rear board 22 of the cab box 6. And a main controller 26 is housed in a space formed between the cover member 25 and the rear board 22. In one example such as FIG. 2, the main controller 26 is arranged on the rear side of the cab box 6 with respect to the consoles 20A, 20B and the seat 23 in the driver's cab 7. And the main controller 26 is arranged outside each of the consoles 20A, 20B.

[0019] The main controller 26 is a central control device or the like that controls the entire hydraulic excavator 1. The main controller 26 is composed of a processing device such as a computer, and includes a processor and a storage medium. The processor is an integrated circuit or circuitry such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In the main controller 26, only one processor may be provided, or a plurality of processors may be provided. In the main controller 26, the processing by the processor is performed according to a program stored in the processor or the storage medium. Further, in the main controller 26, a processing program used by the processor, and parameters, functions, tables, etc. used in the operations of the processor are stored in the storage medium.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the console 20A, which is one of the consoles 20A and 20B installed in the cab 7. Further, FIG. 4 shows the configuration for transmitting signals and the like, and the control configuration in the console 20A and the main controller 26 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the console 20A is provided with a console box 31 that forms an exterior, and an operation lever 32 that is an operation member. The operation lever 32 is an electrical component and is attached to the console box 31 in a state where a part thereof is exposed outside the console box 31. In the console 20A, a space is formed inside the console box 31.

[0021] Inside the console box 31, a valve controller 30 is housed. In an example of FIG. 3, a console frame 33 is provided inside the console box 31, and the console frame 33 is formed integrally with the console box 31 or fixed to the console box 31. Then, the valve controller 30 is attached to the console frame 33 via a bracket 35.

[0022] The valve controller 30 is a control device separate from the main controller 26 and is composed of a processing device such as a computer. The valve controller 30, like the main controller 26, includes a processor and a storage medium. In the valve controller 30, only one processor may be provided, or a plurality of processors may be provided. In the valve controller 30, the processing by the processor is performed according to a program stored in the processor or the storage medium. Also, in the valve controller 30, a processing program used by the processor and the like are stored in the storage medium. Note that, in one example, the valve controller 30 may download the processing program used by the processor from the storage medium of the main controller 26 or the like.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, a solenoid valve 41 is provided in the hydraulic excavator 1. The operating state of the solenoid valve 41 changes corresponding to the power supply state to the solenoid valve 41. In the hydraulic excavator 1, when the operating state of the solenoid valve 41 changes, the supply state of the hydraulic oil changes in one or more of the corresponding actuators including the hydraulic motor and the boom cylinder 15. Therefore, when the operating state of the solenoid valve 41 changes, the operating state of the corresponding actuator changes.

[0024] The valve controller 30 controls the operation of the solenoid valve 41. Also, with the operation lever 32 of the console 20A, an operation for switching the operating state of the solenoid valve 41, that is, an operation for switching the operating state of the actuator corresponding to the solenoid valve 41, can be input. In the cab 7, for example, an operation is input with the operation lever 32 of the console 20A by an operator sitting on the seat 23 or the like. In the console 20A, the operation lever 32 is connected to the valve controller 30 via electrical wiring such as a signal line. Then, in the console 20A, in response to the input of the operation with the operation lever 32, a signal (electrical signal) serving as an operation signal is input from the operation lever 32 to the valve controller 30.

[0025] Also, the valve controller 30 disposed inside the console box 31 of the console 20A is connected to the solenoid valve 41 via electrical wiring. The valve controller 30 supplies power to the solenoid valve 41 through the electrical wiring. Then, based on the signal from the operation lever 32, the valve controller 30 controls the supply of power to the solenoid valve 41 and controls the operation of the solenoid valve 41. Thereby, the operation of the actuator corresponding to the solenoid valve 41 is controlled. In an example such as FIG. 4, etc., the solenoid valve 41 is provided outside the console 20A. For this reason, the electrical wiring between the valve controller 30 and the solenoid valve 41 extends from inside the console box 31 of the console 20A to the outside of the console 20A.

[0026] Also, the valve controller 30 can communicate with the main controller 26. In an example such as FIGS. 3 and 4, etc., the valve controller 30 is connected to the main controller 26 via electrical wiring such as signal lines. Then, the main controller 26 and the valve controller 30 transmit signals etc. to each other through the electrical wiring. That is, the main controller 26 and the valve controller 30 communicate with each other by wire. In an example, communication is performed between the main controller 26 and the valve controller 30 by a communication method based on CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0027] Also, the main controller 26 is disposed outside the console 20A in the driver's cab 7 and is disposed on the rear side of the cab box 6 with respect to the console 20A. For this reason, the electrical wiring between the valve controller 30 and the main controller 26 extends from inside the console box 31 of the console 20A to the outside of the console 20A. And outside the console 20A, the electrical wiring between the valve controller 30 and the main controller 26 extends toward the rear side of the cab box 6 toward the main controller 26.

[0028] In one example, the valve controller 30 and the main controller 26 communicate wirelessly with each other. In this case, electrical wiring or the like for connecting between the valve controller 30 and the main controller 26 is not provided. And the valve controller 30 and the main controller 26 can transmit wireless signals to each other.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like, the console 20A includes electrical components 42A to 42E as electrical components other than the operation lever 32. In one example of FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like, in the console 20A, the electrical component 42A is installed on the outer surface of the operation lever 32, and the electrical components 42B to 42E are installed on the outer surface of the console box 31. Each of the electrical components 42A to 42C can be operated by an operator or the like.

[0030] In one example, the electrical component 42A is a mode switch. With the electrical component 42A, an operation for switching the working mode of the hydraulic excavator can be input. For example, an operation for switching the working mode between the high-power mode and the normal mode is input. Also, the electrical component 42B is a start switch, and for example, an operation for starting the engine, an operation for stopping the engine, and the like are input. And the electrical component 42C is an accelerator dial, and for example, an operation for changing the engine speed is input.

[0031] In the console 20A, each of the electrical components 42A to 42C is connected to the valve controller 30 via electrical wiring such as signal lines. And in the console 20A, in response to the input of an operation at each of the electrical components 42A to 42C, a signal (electrical signal) serving as an operation signal is input from the electrical component (any one of the corresponding 42A to 42C) where the operation is input to the valve controller 30.

[0032] The valve controller 30 transmits signals corresponding to the input of operations at each of the electrical components 42A to 42C to the main controller 26. For this reason, each of the electrical components 42A to 42C transmits a signal corresponding to the input of an operation to the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30. Then, the main controller 26 controls the driving of the engine and the operation of the pump that discharges the hydraulic oil supplied to the actuator described above, based on the signals transmitted from each of the electrical components 42A to 42C via the valve controller 30, that is, signals corresponding to the input of operations at each of the electrical components 42A to 42C, etc.

[0033] Also, each of the electrical components 42D and 42E is connected to the main controller 26 via electrical wiring such as signal lines. The electrical wiring between each of the electrical components 42D and 42E and the main controller 26 extends from inside the console box 31 of the console 20A to the outside of the console 20A.

[0034] In one example, the electrical component 42D is an indicator that displays information and the like, and a signal (electrical signal) including the information to be displayed is transmitted from the main controller 26 to the electrical component 42D as a command signal (control signal). And the electrical component 42E is a reader, and by bringing a tag close to the electrical component 42E, the electrical component 42E reads the information stored in the tag. Then, the electrical component 42E transmits a signal (electrical signal) including the information read from the tag to the main controller 26. In the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 etc., each of the electrical components 42D and 42E does not transmit signals etc. to the valve controller 30.

[0035] Note that, in one example, in the console 20A, each of the electrical components 42D and 42E is connected to the valve controller 30 via electrical wiring such as signal lines. And the electrical component 42E transmits the above-described signal to the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30. Also, the main controller 26 transmits the above-described signal to the electrical component 42D via the valve controller 30.

[0036] Also, in one example, an electrical component different from the operation lever 32 is provided on the console 20A. And this electrical component transmits a signal to the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30 and receives a signal from the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30. Therefore, in the console 20A, as an electrical component different from the operation lever 32, it is sufficient to provide an electrical component that performs at least one of transmitting a signal to the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30 and receiving a signal from the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30.

[0037] In one example such as FIG. 3, a harness 36 extends from the inside of the console box 31 of the console 20A to the outside of the console 20A. The harness 36 includes electrical wiring connecting between the valve controller 30 and the solenoid valve 41, electrical wiring connecting between the valve controller 30 and the main controller 26, and electrical wiring connecting between each of the electrical components 42D and 42E and the main controller 26.

[0038] The console 20B also includes a console box 51 and an operation lever 52, similar to the console 20A. Also, a valve controller similar to the valve controller 30 may be housed inside the console box 51 of the console 20B. In this case, in the console 20B, the operation lever 52 is connected to the valve controller via electrical wiring such as a signal line. And the valve controller housed inside the console 20B controls the supply of power to a solenoid valve different from the solenoid valve 41 and controls the operation of the solenoid valve based on a signal (electrical signal) input from the operation lever in response to an operation input at the operation lever 52. Also, the valve controller housed inside the console 20B can communicate with the main controller 26 by wire or wirelessly.

[0039] In one example, a valve controller is housed inside the console 20B, and one or more electrical components different from the operation lever 52 are provided on the console 20B. And at least one of the one or more electrical components is connected to the valve controller via electrical wiring. And the electrical component connected to the valve controller inside the console 20B transmits a signal (electrical signal) to the main controller 26 via the valve controller, and / or receives a signal (electrical signal) from the main controller 26 via the valve controller, performing at least one of these operations.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the valve controller 30 is housed inside the console box 31 of the console 20A. And in response to an input operation on the operation lever 32 which is an operation member, based on the signal input from the operation lever 32, the valve controller 30 controls the supply of power to the solenoid valve 41 and controls the operation of the solenoid valve 41. Here, in a configuration where a pilot valve is provided instead of the solenoid valve 41 and the supply state of pilot oil to the pilot valve is changed in response to an operation on the operation lever 32, pilot oil is supplied from the operation lever 32 to the pilot valve using a hose or the like. In the present embodiment, since it has the above-described configuration, it is not necessary to provide a hose or the like for supplying pilot oil.

[0041] Since a hose or the like for supplying pilot oil is not provided, in the console 20A, a sufficient space for arranging the valve controller 30 is secured inside the console box 31. And by arranging the valve controller 30 inside the console box 31, the space inside the console box 31 is effectively utilized. By effectively utilizing the space inside the console box 31 in the console 20A, the limited space formed in the driver's cab 7 is effectively utilized.

[0042] In addition, since the valve controller 30 is provided inside the console box 31, it is possible to shorten the electrical wiring connecting the operation lever 32 and the valve controller 30, and it is possible to realize a configuration in which the electrical wiring connecting the operation lever 32 and the valve controller 30 is not exposed outside the console 20A. Thereby, damage to the electrical wiring between the operation lever 32 and the valve controller 30 is effectively prevented.

[0043] In addition, since the valve controller 30 that controls the power supply to the solenoid valve 41 is provided separately from the main controller 26, the accuracy in controlling the operation of the solenoid valve 41 is improved. By improving the accuracy in controlling the operation of the solenoid valve 41, the accuracy in controlling the operation of the actuator corresponding to the solenoid valve 41 is improved.

[0044] In addition, at least a part of the electrical components provided on the console 20A such as the electrical components 42A to 42C transmits a signal to the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30 and / or receives a signal from the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30. For the electrical components that exchange signals with the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30, it is only necessary to provide electrical wiring connected to the valve controller 30, and there is no need to provide wiring connected to the main controller 26. Therefore, in the present embodiment, compared with a configuration in which all the electrical components provided on the console 20A are connected to the main controller 26, the number of electrical wirings between the console 20A and the main controller 26 is significantly reduced. Thereby, damage to the electrical wiring between the console 20A and the main controller 26 is appropriately prevented.

[0045] In particular, in the cab 7, the seat 23 is arranged side by side with respect to the console 20A in the width direction of the cab box 6, and the main controller 26 is arranged on the rear side of the cab box 6 with respect to the console 20A and the seat 23. When the console 20A, the seat 23, and the main controller 26 are arranged as described above, the number of electrical wirings between the console 20A and the main controller 26 is reduced, so that damage to the electrical wirings caused by the movement of the seat 23 in the front-rear direction of the cab box 6 is effectively prevented.

[0046] Further, by configuring the valve controller 30 and the main controller 26 to communicate wirelessly with each other, the number of electrical wirings between the console 20A and the main controller 26 is further reduced. As a result, damage to the electrical wirings between the console 20A and the main controller 26 is more appropriately prevented.

[0047] Also, for the electrical components that exchange signals with the main controller 26 via the valve controller 30, the electrical wiring connecting to the valve controller 30 becomes shorter, and the electrical wiring connecting to the valve controller 30 does not expose outside the console 20A. Therefore, in the console 20A, damage to the electrical wirings between each of the electrical components (such as 42A to 42C) and the valve controller 30 is effectively prevented.

[0048] Also, for the console 20B, by housing a valve controller similar to the valve controller 30 inside the console box 51, the same operations and effects as those described above are achieved.

[0049] In the above-described embodiments, etc., the hydraulic excavator 1 has been described. However, the configurations such as the console 20A described above, and the configurations for transmitting signals, etc. in the console 20A and the main controller 26, etc. are applicable to construction machines other than the hydraulic excavator 1. That is, for a construction machine in which a cab is formed inside a cab frame in the upper swing body, a configuration similar to the configuration of the above-described embodiments, etc. can be applied.

[0050] Note that the invention of the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] 1... hydraulic excavator, 2... lower traveling body, 3... upper slewing body, 6... cab box, 7... driver's cab, 8... working device, 20A, 20B... console, 23... seat, 26... main controller, 30... valve controller, 31... console box, 32... operation lever, 41... solenoid valve, 42A to 42E... electrical components.

Claims

1. A cab box that forms a driver's cab inside; A solenoid valve whose operating state changes according to the power supply state; A console installed in the driver's cab, comprising a console box that forms an exterior, and an operating member capable of inputting an operation for switching the operating state of the solenoid valve; A valve controller housed inside the console box, which controls the power supply to the solenoid valve and controls the operation of the solenoid valve based on a signal input from the operating member in response to the input of the operation at the operating member; A construction machine comprising the above.

2. Further comprising a main controller disposed outside the console box and capable of communicating with the valve controller; The console includes electrical components other than the operating member; The electrical components transmit a signal to the main controller via the valve controller and / or receive a signal from the main controller via the valve controller at least one of which; The construction machine according to Claim 1.

3. Further comprising a seat disposed in the driver's cab side by side with the console in the width direction of the cab box; The main controller is disposed behind the cab box with respect to the console and the seat in the driver's cab; The construction machine according to Claim 2.

4. An upper swing body comprising the cab box and a swing frame on which the cab box is installed; A lower traveling body to which the upper swing body is swingably connected from vertically above; The construction machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above.

Images