Excavator display device

Abstract

To provide a display device of an excavator allowing a user to easily know a lock position of a locking kelly-bar with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A display device is mounted on an excavator having a multi-stage expansion type locking kelly-bar fitted to a rotary driving device, and displays whether locking is possible or not at a relative position of each stage that sequentially varies according to an expansion operation of the locking kelly-bar. The display is a bar display 28 displaying an expansion amount of the locking kelly-bar, and is arranged at a position visible from a cab seat of the excavator. The bar display 28 displays different colors (red R, blue B, yellow Y) imparted to each region, in a state where the sequentially increasing regions according to the expansion operation of the locking kelly-bar are separated to a region showing the expansion amount corresponding to a position in a lockable state and a region showing the expansion amount corresponding to a position in an unlockable state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for an excavating machine, and more particularly to a display device for an excavating machine equipped with a rotationally driven rocking kelly bar. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, the kelly bar attached to the rotary drive device of an excavating machine is a multi-stage telescopic type in which multiple kelly bar members with different horizontal cross-sectional sizes are fitted together so as to be able to expand and contract. Among these types of kelly bars, so-called locking kelly bars have each kelly bar member provided with a protruding rib extending axially on its outer periphery, and multiple notched grooves are formed in this rib at predetermined intervals. Meanwhile, a drive plate is provided at the inner periphery end of each kelly bar member, which transmits the torque (rotational drive force) received by the outer periphery rib to the next kelly bar member. When the drive plate is fitted into the rib groove, the kelly bar members are locked together, enabling efficient transmission of torque and thrust force to the excavation tool attached to the tip of the kelly bar (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-329778 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because the locking position of a locking kelly bar cannot be visually confirmed due to its structure, the operator must find the locking position by relying on the digging depth display and the machine's behavior while extending or rotating the lever. However, this type of operation is highly dependent on the operator's skill level, and requires the operator to concentrate even more on the operation, which places a heavy burden on the operator.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display device for an excavating machine that is simple in configuration and makes it possible to know the lock position of a locking kelly bar. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the display device for an excavating machine of the present invention is mounted on an excavating machine which includes a leader which is erected on a base machine, a rotary drive device which can be raised and lowered along the leader, and a multi-stage telescopic locking kelly bar which is attached to the rotary drive device, and which displays whether or not the lockable state is reached based on the relative positions of each stage which change sequentially as the rocking kelly bar is extended, wherein the display is a bar display which indicates the amount of extension of the rocking kelly bar and is located in a position which is visible from the driver's seat of the excavating machine, and the bar display is characterized in that a region which gradually increases as the rocking kelly bar is extended is divided into a region which indicates the amount of extension corresponding to the position where the lockable state is reached and a region which indicates the amount of extension corresponding to the position where the lockable state is reached, and each region is given a different display color.

[0007] The display also has a status indicator placed in a position visible simultaneously with the bar indicator, and the status indicator corresponds to one lockable state position identified based on the relative positions of the steps, and is a number indicating the step number of the locking kelly bar to which the one lockable state position belongs.

[0008] Furthermore, the status display is displayed in an area independent of the bar display, and the display color assigned to the independent area is the same as the display color assigned to the rearmost area among the display colors assigned to the successively increasing areas of the bar display.

[0009] In addition, the area representing the extension amount corresponding to the position in the lockable state includes an area that is enlarged to allow for misalignment of the relative positions of the stages, and is characterized in that the enlarged area is divided from other areas and each area is given a different display color. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a display device mounted on an excavating machine equipped with a locking kelly bar displays whether or not the locking is possible by means of a bar display that indicates the amount of extension of the rocking kelly bar, and the area of ​​the bar display that increases sequentially as the rocking kelly bar extends is divided into an area that indicates the amount of extension corresponding to a position where the locking is possible, and an area that indicates the amount of extension corresponding to a position where the locking is impossible, with each area being given a different display color, so that it is possible to visually determine whether the locking is possible and whether the extension is possible, enabling stable construction work to be carried out without relying on the skill of the operator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of an excavating machine to which a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the locking kelly bar in an extended state where it can be locked. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a table that associates the relative positions (Kelly bar positions) of the stages of the rocking Kelly bar with the display colors. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the display that changes in accordance with the extension operation of the rocking kelly bar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1 to 4 show an example of a display device according to the present invention applied to an excavating machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the excavating machine 11 is a multipurpose excavating machine capable of various construction methods, such as casing excavation and earth drilling. It includes a base machine 14 consisting of a lower track body 12 equipped with crawlers and an upper revolving body 13 rotatably mounted on the lower track body 12, a leader 15 erected at the front of the upper revolving body 13, and a hoisting cylinder 16 supporting the leader 15 from the rear. A leader support 17 for supporting the leader 15 so that it can be raised or lowered is provided at the front of the upper revolving body 13, and a piping support member 18 for supporting piping is provided above the front of the upper revolving body 13. A cab 19 is provided on the right side of the upper revolving body 13, and a power unit 20 equipped with an engine and a hydraulic pump serving as a hydraulic source is provided on the left side.

[0013] The leader 15 is made up of multiple leader members connected together, each with a rectangular cylindrical cross section, and is rotatably attached to a support shaft in the vehicle width direction provided on the leader support 17. A top sheave 23 is attached to the upper end of the leader 15, around which a kelly rope 22 for suspending the locking kelly bar 21 and the like are wound, and a kelly drive 24, which is an example of a rotation drive device that rotates the locking kelly bar 21, and a guide device 25 for the locking kelly bar 21 are attached to the front surface of the leader 15. A rack gear 26, which is a component of the rack and pinion lifting device, is attached to the center of the front surface of the leader 15, and a pair of left and right guide pipes 27, 27 are attached continuously over the entire length of the leader 15 at the front ends of both sides, and serve as mounting portions for the kelly drive 24 and guide device 25.

[0014] Each leader member is formed by abutting connecting flanges that correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the leader 15 at adjacent sections, and is stably joined using multiple bolts and nuts. Each flange joint has the same structure, with the same shape of the connecting flange, bolt hole size, and arrangement pitch, and by removing the bolts and nuts to release the flange joint, it can be reassembled into a long specification consisting of many leader members, or a short specification consisting of fewer leader members, depending on various construction methods (not shown).

[0015] The kelly drive 24 is configured around a device main body 24a equipped with a detachable locking kelly bar 21, and is provided with a pair of left and right guide gibs 24b, 24b that protrude rearward and come into sliding contact with guide pipes 27, 27 of the leader 15, and moves up and down along the front surface of the leader 15 by rotating a pair of left and right pinions that mesh with the rack gear 26 using an elevator hydraulic motor (not shown). The kelly drive 24 also has a rotational drive hydraulic motor 24c that is connected to a reduction mechanism inside the device main body 24a.

[0016] The locking kelly bar 21 is a well-known device equipped with a locking mechanism capable of transmitting a strong pressing force in hard ground. It has a structure (e.g., a four-stage telescopic structure) in which a multi-stage cylindrical kelly bar member is fitted inside, and is configured to expand and contract according to the excavation depth. Although not shown, the locking mechanism is a plate structure provided in pairs between adjacent kelly bar members. The plate structure may, for example, comprise a protruding rib extending in the axial direction on the outer periphery of each kelly bar member, with mating recesses (grooves) partially cut out at two locations on the upper side (base end side) and lower side (tip end side) of the rib. On the other hand, the lower end (tip end) of the inner periphery of each kelly bar member is provided with a mating protrusion (drive plate) that transmits torque received by the outer periphery rib to the next kelly bar member. The kelly bar members are locked together when the mating protrusion fits into the mating recess of the rib.

[0017] This locked state is achieved by the specified expansion / contraction and rotational movement of the locking kelly bar 21, and the mating concave / convex portions move relative to each other in the axial and circumferential directions and fit together, thereby achieving the locking function. Furthermore, when locking is performed at the mating recess on the upper side, there is no need to leave a large amount of axial clearance (play) in the mating recess, and the lockable state is established when the kelly bar members are fully extended, that is, at the structural limit position.

[0018] On the other hand, when locking in the lower mating recess, delicate operation is required to stop the locking kelly bar 21 midway through its extension / retraction movement, so it is convenient to ensure a certain amount of clearance. For this reason, a guide portion (e.g., tapered) is provided at the axial end of the mating recess to widen the axial groove width, and even if the relative positions of the kelly bar members are not strictly aligned, the guide portion allows rotation and encourages them to a lockable state, that is, a structure that can tolerate misalignment of the relative positions of each stage. This type of structure can be seen in the grooves (tapered shape) of the ribs of each kelly bar shown in Figure 5 of Patent Document 1.

[0019] However, because the locking position of the locking kelly bar 21 cannot be visually confirmed due to its structure, the locked position must be found by relying on the excavation depth display and the behavior of the machine while operating the extension / retraction or rotation. However, such operation is easily influenced by the operator's level of skill, and since it requires the operator to concentrate even more on operating the machine, it places a heavy burden on the operator. For this reason, the excavating machine 11 is equipped with a display device that makes it possible to know the locked position of the locking kelly bar 21.

[0020] The display device is implemented as an additional component of an existing construction management device, and displays whether or not the relative positions of each stage, which change sequentially according to the extension and contraction movement of the locking kelly bar 21, are in a state where they can be locked. This display is placed in a position visible from the driver's seat, and is configured as part of the display screen of a display installed in the driver's cab 19, for example, and consists of a vertical bar display as shown in Figure 4.

[0021] To facilitate understanding of the bar display, the relationship between the display colors and the lockable extension amounts (the relative positions of each stage) sequentially reached as the locking kelly bar 21 extends will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The rightmost state in FIG. 2 shows the fully retracted state of the four-stage locking kelly bar 21 (corresponding to the state in FIG. 1). Using this state as a reference, that is, using the height position of the outer kelly bar member (fourth member) directly fixed to the kelly drive 24 as a reference, adjacent kelly bar members are slid downward in sequence from the outside, as shown in stages toward the left side of FIG. 2, exposing and extending the third kelly bar member (third member), second kelly bar member (second member), and inner kelly bar member (first member). The leftmost state in FIG. 2 shows the state immediately before the locking kelly bar 21 is fully extended.

[0022] 2 are shown corresponding to two lockable positions, upper and lower, and further each corresponding position is shown corresponding to the upper limit and lower limit of the lockable extension amount. The relative positions of each step of the locking kelly bar 21 are associated with various display colors assigned to the bar display area and are stored in the memory of the display device as a look-up table when the control program is executed.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the reference table. The numbers in the fields represent the total extension amount (kelly bar position) L of the rocking kelly bar 21, and each value is a switching point that increases or decreases the area of ​​the bar display. The extension amount L is divided into ranges between successive switching points, and these ranges are associated with various display colors.

[0024] For example, the range of extension amount L = 0 mm to 2985 mm is a state moving from the fully retracted state toward the lower lock position of the third kelly bar member, and is therefore identified as an unlockable extension amount range corresponding to a position where locking is not possible, and is associated with the color red R.

[0025] The range of extension amount L = 2985 mm to 3085 mm is the state where the third kelly bar member reaches between the upper limit and lower limit of the lockable extension amount at the lower lock position, so it is identified as the lockable extension amount range corresponding to the position where it is in a lockable state, and is associated with blue B.

[0026] The range of extension amount L = 3085 mm to 3185 mm allows the guide portion of the locking means to guide the lower lock position of the third kelly bar member into a lockable state, so it is specified as an expanded allowable range that allows for misalignment of the relative positions of the third kelly bar member and the outer kelly bar member, and is associated with yellow Y.

[0027] The range of extension L = 3185 mm to 5985 mm is a state toward the upper lock position of the third kelly bar member, and is therefore specified as an unlockable extension range corresponding to positions where locking is not possible, and is associated with the color red R. Thus, in the relative positions of the successively changing stages, the unlockable extension range is associated with the color red R, the lockable extension range with the color blue B, and the allowable range with the color yellow Y.

[0028] Here, the extension amount L of the locking kelly bar 21 is found from the relationship between the amount of movement (hoisting up / lowering) of the kelly rope 22 and the amount of movement (raising / lowering) of the kelly drive 24, and therefore these can be detected simply by receiving a signal from an operation sensor (e.g., a rotary encoder) acquired by the construction management device. Then, by simply adding a position sensor (e.g., a proximity switch) that detects the fully retracted state of the rocking kelly bar 21, it is possible to perform calculations by referencing the above-mentioned table.

[0029] When the locking kelly bar 21 suspended in a fully contracted state is attached to the kelly drive 24, the position sensor detects the moment when the outer kelly bar member is placed on the device main body 24a as the initial state (zero).Then, the control program of the display device is executed to start the calculation process of the extension amount L. Conversely, if the locking kelly bar 21 is removed from the kelly drive 24, the calculation process ends at that timing.

[0030] When the calculation process starts, the extension amount (kelly bar position) L is calculated from the formula L=L2-L3 based on the movement amount (unwinding amount) L2 of the kelly rope 22 and the movement amount (lowering amount) L3 of the kelly drive 24. Then, once the extension amount L is obtained, elements such as the degree of increase / decrease in the bar display and the display color are determined by referring to a table.

[0031] The display mode of the bar display that increases in accordance with the extension operation of the rocking kelly bar 21 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. First, the display consists of a bar display (bar display lamp) 28 and a status display (status display lamp) 29 arranged independently of the bar display 28, and is arranged in a vertical direction that is aligned with the extension / contraction direction of the rocking kelly bar 21 as a whole.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4(a), the bar display divides the area that increases sequentially from top to bottom in accordance with the extension operation of the locking kelly bar 21 into a number of consecutive rectangular areas that correspond to the non-lockable extension range, the lockable extension range, and the allowable range, respectively. The borders of these divided areas have horizontal lines spaced at regular intervals between adjacent lines above and below, creating a visual effect similar to the graduations on a ruler, and the area inside the borders is colored white or a background color. Meanwhile, the status indicator 29 is aligned in a position that is visible simultaneously with the bar display 28, i.e., immediately above it, and has a shape that is one square (unit increment) of the bar display 28 extracted from it, and the area inside the borders is colored white or a background color, just like the bar display 28.

[0033] When the display device starts calculation processing in the initial state, it causes the bar display 28 to function in accordance with the extension operation of the locking kelly bar 21. At this time, the status display 29 displays a position corresponding to one lockable state identified based on the relative positions of the stages. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(b), it displays the character string "3L," which is a combination of the number "3" indicating one lockable state, i.e., the third kelly bar member, and the letter "L" indicating the lower lock position.

[0034] Furthermore, the display color assigned to the region of the status display 29 is the same as the display color assigned to the last region among the display colors assigned to the successively increasing regions of the bar display 28. Specifically, in a single-color display in which the display color assigned to the bar display 28 is only red R, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the red R is assigned without exception, but when the region of the bar display 28 increases and the assigned display colors become a multi-color display of red R and blue B, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the blue B assigned to the last (bottom) region is assigned.

[0035] From here, if the area of ​​the bar display 28 further increases and the assigned display colors become a multiple-color display of red R, blue B, and yellow Y as shown in Figure 4(d), yellow Y is assigned to the area with the lowest priority, and if the assigned display colors become a multiple-color display of red R, blue B, yellow Y, and red R as shown in Figure 4(e), red R is assigned to the area with the lowest priority.

[0036] 4(f), when the entire area of ​​the bar indicator 28 is colored, the locking kelly bar 21 advances to the stage of moving toward the upper lock position of the third kelly bar member, and the state of the bar indicator 28 changes to the state shown in FIG. 4(b). At the same time, the area of ​​the status indicator 29 is colored red R and the character string "3U" is displayed, which is a combination of the number "3" indicating the third kelly bar member and the letter "U" indicating the upper lock position. Thereafter, the bar indicator 28 is similarly changed at regular intervals, and the status indicator 29 accordingly changes in sequence from "3U" to the character string "2L" indicating the lower lock position of the second kelly bar member, to the character string "2U" indicating the upper lock position of the second kelly bar member, to the character string "2U" indicating the lower lock position of the inner kelly bar member, to the character string "1L" indicating the lower lock position of the inner kelly bar member, and to the character string "1U" indicating the upper lock position of the inner kelly bar member.

[0037] As described above, according to the present invention, the display device mounted on the excavating machine 11 equipped with the locking kelly bar 21 displays whether or not the locking is possible using the bar display 28 which indicates the extension amount L of the locking kelly bar 21, and the area of ​​the bar display 28 which increases sequentially in accordance with the extension operation of the locking kelly bar 21 is divided into an area which indicates the extension amount L corresponding to the position where the locking is possible, and an area which indicates the extension amount L corresponding to the position where the locking is impossible, and different display colors (red R, blue B, yellow Y) are given to each area, so that it is possible to visually determine whether or not the locking is possible and stable construction can be carried out without depending on the skill of the operator.

[0038] Also, there is provided a status indicator 29 that is placed in a position that can be seen simultaneously with the bar indicator 28, and this status indicator 29 corresponds to one lockable state position identified based on the relative positions of the respective steps, and is a number that indicates the step number of the locking kelly bar 21 to which the one lockable state position belongs, so the step number to be locked can be seen at a glance from the display. And even if the number of locking positions is increased in the same kelly bar member, the locking position can be easily distinguished simply by adding a predetermined alphabet or symbol to this number, which also provides excellent scalability.

[0039] Furthermore, since the status indicator 29 is displayed in an area independent of the bar indicator 28, and the display color assigned to this independent area is the same as the display color assigned to the rearmost area among the display colors assigned to the successively increasing areas of the bar indicator 28, the operator can understand the extension state and perform the necessary locking operation by paying attention only to the status indicator 29. Meanwhile, in terms of the positional relationship with respect to the position where locking is possible, i.e., whether the positional relationship is in front or behind the position where locking is possible, for example, by referring to the bar indicator 28 in either the state of Figure 4(b) or Figure 4(e), it can be distinguished that in the state of Figure 4(b), operating in the extension direction will bring the vehicle closer to the locked position, and in the state of Figure 4(e), operating in the retraction direction will bring the vehicle closer to the locked position, which contributes to accurate driving operation according to the extension state.

[0040] In addition, the area showing the extension amount L corresponding to the position where the lock is possible includes an area that is expanded to allow for misalignment of the relative positions of the stages, and the expanded area is divided from the other area, and the display colors (blue B, yellow Y) given to each area are different, so the display is consistent with the guide structure (conventional structure) of the locking means provided in the locking kelly bar 21, and a satisfactory display that matches the operating feel of the operator is achieved.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment. The control program may be simply configured to function as an add-on to an existing construction management device. Reference values, etc., can be appropriately changed depending on the specifications of the locking kelly bar. The display color is optional, and the display may be horizontal if necessary. The layout of the bar display and status display can be adjusted while taking into account the overall configuration of the display screen. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the bar display is compactly displayed corresponding to a position that indicates a single lockable state. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the table configuration shown schematically in FIG. 3 can be used as the bar display. These displays may be displayed on a separately installed display screen or may be displayed using a projection device on a location other than the screen, such as the wall of the driver's seat or a window glass. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 11...Excavation machine, 12...Lower running body, 13...Upper rotating body, 14...Base machine, 15...Leader, 16...Drilling cylinder, 17...Leader support, 18...Pipe support member, 19...Operator's cab, 20...Power unit, 21...Locking kelly bar, 22...Kelly rope, 23...Top sheave, 24...Rotation drive device (kelly drive), 24a...Device body, 24b...Guide gib, 24c...Rotation drive hydraulic motor, 25...Guide device, 26...Rack gear, 27...Guide pipe, 28...Bar display (bar display lamp), 29...Status display (status display lamp)

Claims

1. A display device is mounted on an excavating machine having a leader provided upright on a base machine, a rotary drive device that can move up and down along the leader, and a multi-stage telescopic locking kelly bar attached to the rotary drive device, and displays whether or not the relative positions of each stage change sequentially in accordance with the extension operation of the locking kelly bar and whether or not the locking is possible, the indicator is a bar indicator that indicates the extension amount of the rocking kelly bar and is arranged at a position visible from the driver's seat of the excavation machine, a display device characterized in that the bar display is divided into an area that gradually increases in accordance with the extension operation of the locking kelly bar, and an area that represents the extension amount corresponding to the position where the locking state is possible, and an area that represents the extension amount corresponding to the position where the locking state is impossible, and each area is given a different display color.

2. the display has a status display arranged at a position visible simultaneously with the bar display, 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the state indication corresponds to a position in a lockable state identified based on the relative positions of the steps, and is a number indicating the number of the step of the locking kelly bar to which the position in the lockable state belongs.

3. 3. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that the status display is displayed in an area independent of the bar display, and the display color assigned to the independent area is the same as the display color assigned to the last area among the display colors assigned to the areas of the bar display that increase in order.

4. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the area representing the extension amount corresponding to the position in the lockable state includes an area expanded to allow for misalignment of the relative positions of the stages, and the expanded area is divided into other areas, with different display colors assigned to each area.

Images