Vehicle monitoring device and vehicle monitoring method

Abstract

To prevent shipment in a state in which a recurrence monitoring period is set.SOLUTION: A vehicle monitoring device comprises a recurrence monitoring unit that monitors recurrence of an error, which occurs in an exhaust gas aftertreatment device, until a predetermined recurrence monitoring period elapses due to elimination of the error; an output limiting unit that limits output of an internal combustion engine due to recurrence of the error during the recurrence monitoring period; and a monitoring control unit that terminates monitoring of the recurrence monitoring unit in a predetermined manufacturing step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle monitoring device and a vehicle monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is known to warn of errors related to exhaust gas aftertreatment devices, such as errors related to the concentration of urea aqueous solution or errors related to the remaining amount of urea aqueous solution, depending on whether the vehicle is located in an exhaust gas regulated area where the use of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device is recommended.Furthermore, in recent years, if an error related to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device occurs and the same error occurs again within a certain period (recurrence monitoring period) after the error is resolved, the engine output is limited to restrict illegal use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-127521 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] During vehicle manufacturing, errors related to exhaust gas aftertreatment devices can occur due to improper assembly or poor wiring connections, etc. If recurrence monitoring is conducted based on the occurrence of such errors, there is a risk that engine output will be restricted even though the vehicle is in a new condition immediately after shipping. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle monitoring device and a vehicle monitoring method that can prevent engine output from being limited immediately after shipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle monitoring device includes a recurrence monitoring unit that monitors the recurrence of an error that has occurred in an exhaust gas aftertreatment device until a predetermined recurrence monitoring period has elapsed when the error is resolved, an output limiting unit that limits the output of the internal combustion engine when the error recurs during the recurrence monitoring period, and a monitoring control unit that controls the recurrence monitoring unit to be able to terminate monitoring during a predetermined manufacturing process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent the product from being shipped in a state where recurrence monitoring has been performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a work machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of induction control. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of a work machine 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for setting a recurrence monitoring period performed by the engine controller 100. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a control method performed by the engine controller 100 during a recurrence monitoring period. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment> Work Machine FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a work machine according to an embodiment. The work machine 10 is assumed to be in the manufacturing process at a manufacturing plant 1. The work machine 10 is a machine that performs various tasks at a work site (for example, a mine or a quarry). For example, the work machine 10 is a hydraulic excavator. However, the work machine 10 may be a work machine other than a hydraulic excavator, such as a wheel loader or a bulldozer. The work machine 10 comprises a hydraulically operated work implement 110, a revolving body 120 that supports the work implement 110, and a traveling body 130 that supports the revolving body 120.

[0009] The rotating body 120 is provided with a cab 121. The cab 121 is provided with a monitor 122. The monitor 122 displays various types of information. Specifically, under the control of the engine controller 100, the monitor 122 displays various types of information relating to the state of the engine 101 and the state of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102. The monitor 122 is a touch panel display unit that receives various types of information from a user.

[0010] The work machine 10 includes an engine controller 100 , an engine 101 , an exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 , and a connector 105 . An engine controller 100 (ECU: engine control unit) controls an engine 101 and an exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 . The engine 101 is an example of an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine.

[0011] The exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 includes a urea solution tank and a urea SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction). The urea solution tank is a tank that stores a urea solution, which is a precursor to a reducing agent (ammonia). The urea SCR removes NOx (nitrogen oxides) contained in the exhaust gas of the engine 101. Specifically, the urea SCR uses the urea solution in the urea solution tank and injects it into the exhaust gas according to the operating state of the engine. By injecting and supplying the urea solution, the urea SCR causes a reduction reaction between the NOx in the exhaust gas and the reducing agent on a reduction catalyst, purifying the NOx into harmless components (nitrogen gas and water vapor).

[0012] The connector 105 is an interface for connecting to an external operation device (for example, the operation terminal device 200). The connection to the operation terminal device 200 may be either wired or wireless. The connection to the operation terminal device 200 may also be via a network such as the Internet.

[0013] An operation terminal device 200 is placed in the manufacturing factory 1. The operation terminal device 200 is a computer device operated by manufacturing staff of the work machine 10. The operation terminal device 200 is, for example, a laptop computer. Note that the operation terminal device 200 is not limited to a laptop computer, and can also be a desktop computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The operation terminal device 200 is connected to the engine controller 100 via a connector 105.

[0014] Induction Control The exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 detects various errors. The various errors include, for example, an error related to the quality of the urea aqueous solution in the urea aqueous solution tank, an error in which the urea aqueous solution in the urea aqueous solution tank runs out, and an error due to a malfunction of the urea SCR. When an error is detected by the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102, the engine controller 100 issues a warning of the error. Then, when the error is resolved, the engine controller 100 monitors the error for a certain period of time from the resolution of the error, which is set as a recurrence monitoring period.

[0015] If the same error occurs again during the recurrence monitoring period, the engine controller 100 performs induction control to gradually limit the engine output. If the same error does not occur again during the recurrence monitoring period, the induction control ends. The recurrence monitoring period can be set to a time period in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country. In this embodiment, the recurrence monitoring period is, for example, 40 hours.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of induction control. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the operating time (hr) since the error in the engine 101 was resolved, and the vertical axis indicates derating, which limits the engine output. Time t0 indicates the timing when the error was resolved. At time t0, no derating is performed. Assume that an error similar to the previously resolved error reoccurs at time t1. In this case, derating is performed, reducing the output of the engine 101 by 25 percent.

[0017] Furthermore, if the engine 101 continues to be used as is, at time t2, derating is performed, reducing the output of the engine 101 by 50 percent. If the engine 101 continues to be used as is and time t3 is reached, derating is performed, reducing the output of the engine 101 to an idle state. If a similar error does not recur during the recurrence monitoring period, the recurrence monitoring period is terminated. The times t1, t2, t3 and the derating reduction percentage can be set to values ​​according to the laws and regulations of each country.

[0018] <<Functional configuration of the work machine>> FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the work machine 10 according to the embodiment. The engine controller 100 of the work machine 10 is a computer equipped with a processor 1100, a main memory 1010, and a storage 1020. The storage 1020 stores a program P. The processor 1000 reads the program P from the storage 1020, expands it in the main memory 1010, and executes processing in accordance with the program P. The engine controller 100 is connected to a network via a connector 105 (receiving unit).

[0019] The storage 1020 has a storage area. Examples of the storage 1020 include an HDD, an SSD, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a semiconductor memory. The storage 1020 may be an internal medium directly connected to a common communication line of the engine controller 100, or an external medium connected to the engine controller 100 via an interface. The storage 1020 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0020] The processor 1000 is an example of a vehicle monitoring device. The processor 1000 includes a recurrence monitoring unit 1001, an output limiting unit 1002, a monitoring control unit 1003, and a receiving unit 1004, which are configured by executing a program P.

[0021] The recurrence monitoring unit 1001 monitors for the recurrence of an error similar to the previously resolved error until a predetermined recurrence monitoring period has elapsed due to the resolution of the error that occurred in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102. The recurrence monitoring unit 1001 includes a monitoring timer 1001a. The recurrence monitoring unit 1001 sets the recurrence monitoring period by starting measurement by the monitoring timer 1001a. Note that the recurrence monitoring period is not limited to being obtained by measurement by the monitoring timer 1001a, and may be obtained, for example, from the difference between the time when the error is resolved and the current time.

[0022] A monitoring timer 1001a is provided for each error type. That is, a recurrence monitoring period is set for each error type. The recurrence monitoring unit 1001 sets the recurrence monitoring period for each error type by starting measurement of the monitoring timer 1001a provided for each error type.

[0023] If an error similar to the previously resolved error recurs within the recurrence monitoring period, the output limiting unit 1002 limits the output of the engine 101. The limit on the output of the engine 101 may be a limit that complies with the laws and regulations of each country. In this embodiment, the limit on the output of the engine 101 is a derate control in the induction control as shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] Here, during the manufacturing process for the engine, an error related to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 may occur due to improper assembly or poor wiring connection. The manufacturing process for the engine is a process that is carried out after the engine 101 itself is manufactured, and is, for example, a process of attaching various sensors to the engine 101 and making various adjustments to the engine 101. The manufacturing process for the engine also includes a process of mounting the engine 101 on a vehicle body and a process of mounting the exhaust gas aftertreatment device on the vehicle body. The manufacturing process for the engine is an example of a predetermined manufacturing process.

[0025] Even if an error occurs during the engine manufacturing process, the work staff can immediately address the error and resolve the error. However, because resolving the error sets a recurrence monitoring period, there is a possibility that the vehicle will be shipped with the recurrence monitoring period set. This could result in the output of the engine 101 being limited even though the vehicle is in a new condition after shipping.

[0026] Therefore, the monitoring control unit 1003 controls the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 so that monitoring can be terminated in the manufacturing process around the engine. Specifically, controlling the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 so that monitoring can be terminated means controlling the recurrence monitoring period set in the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 so that it can be canceled. The monitoring control unit 1003 determines whether the current manufacturing process of the work machine 10 is in a manufacturing process around the engine. This determination is, for example, a determination of whether the cumulative operating time that the work machine 10 has operated since the manufacture of the engine 101 is within a predetermined time (for example, within 10 hours).

[0027] When the cumulative operation time that the engine 101 (working machine 10) has operated after the manufacture of the engine 101 is within a predetermined time, the monitoring control unit 1003 controls to enable the termination of the monitoring by the recurrence monitoring unit 1001. The predetermined time of 10 hours (T) is a time considering the cumulative operation time (T1) that can be expected until the manufacturing process around the engine is completed and the cumulative operation time (T2) that can be expected until the other manufacturing processes performed thereafter are completed. Specifically, it is a time such that T1 < T < T2.

[0028] Specifically, a supplementary explanation is given here. The cumulative operation time T1 that can be expected until the completion of the manufacturing process around the engine falls within a time within 10 hours. When the manufacturing process around the engine is completed, it moves to the next manufacturing process such as the manufacturing process around the vehicle body. From after the next manufacturing process until shipment, performance inspections and the like are carried out, so the cumulative operation time T2 exceeds 10 hours. Here, as described above, in the manufacturing process around the engine, an error related to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 may occur. On the other hand, in the subsequent manufacturing processes, an error related to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 is less likely to occur. Therefore, the predetermined time T is set to be longer than the cumulative operation time T1 that can be expected until the completion of the manufacturing process around the engine and shorter than the cumulative operation time T2 that can be expected until the completion of the other manufacturing processes until the shipment stage. Thereby, it is possible to control to enable the termination of the monitoring by the recurrence monitoring unit 1001, particularly in the manufacturing process around the engine, before being shipped from the manufacturing factory 1. Note that the predetermined time is not limited to 10 hours and may be other times.

[0029] Note that the determination of whether it is in the manufacturing process around the engine is not limited to being performed by measuring the cumulative operation time. For example, it may be performed based on position information. Specifically, for example, the monitoring control unit 1003 may use GNSS (global navigation satellite system) to acquire the information of the current location and determine whether the current location is at the position where the manufacturing process around the engine is performed.

[0030] When the operation terminal device 200 receives a request from the operator (manufacturing staff) to cancel the recurrence monitoring period, it transmits a reset signal as a cancellation instruction (termination instruction) to the connector 105. The reset signal is transmitted using the UDS (Unified Diagnostic Services) communication protocol. The reset signal is also encrypted.

[0031] The connector 105 is an interface that accepts connection of a communication cable. The engine controller 100 receives an encrypted reset signal from the operation terminal device 200 via the communication line. The reset signal does not have to be encrypted. The connector 105 outputs the reset signal received from the operation terminal device 200 to the receiving unit 1004. The receiving unit 1004 outputs the reset signal input from the connector 105 to the monitoring control unit 1003.

[0032] The monitoring control unit 1003 decrypts the reset signal using a prepared password or an algorithm such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The reset signal may be acquired not only by receiving it from the operation terminal device 200 but also by receiving it from an input device (not shown). The input device may include various devices such as an operation button, a keyboard, or a touch panel. The monitoring control unit 1003 cancels the monitoring period set in the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 based on the reset signal. Specifically, the monitoring control unit 1003 terminates measurement by the monitoring timer 1001a. The monitoring control unit 1003 also terminates the recurrence monitoring period if the same error does not occur again within the recurrence monitoring period.

[0033] Once the manufacturing process for the engine and related parts is completed, the monitoring control unit 1003 controls the termination of the monitoring based on the reset signal so that it is not possible to terminate the monitoring. In other words, once the cumulative operating time has exceeded a predetermined time (10 hours), the monitoring control unit 1003 makes the recurrence monitoring period set in the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 irrevocable. As a result, the recurrence monitoring period becomes irrevocable after shipping from the factory. Furthermore, the cumulative operating time is a time that cannot be reset.

[0034] The enable switch 123 is a switch that switches the reset function of the induction control. Countries in which the work machine 10 is used include countries that, depending on their laws and regulations, allow the reset of the induction control and countries that do not. For this reason, in this embodiment, the reset function of the induction control is switchable so as to comply with the laws and regulations of each country. The enable switch 123 is setting information that indicates whether the reset function is enabled or disabled and is stored in the engine controller 100.

[0035] In other words, enable switch 123 is a switch that makes it possible to disable the reset function when use of the reset function is not permitted by law. Note that enable switch 123 may be set only at the time of manufacture and cannot be switched on later. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized use by users resetting the enable switch in countries where resetting of inducement control is not permitted.

[0036] "method" Here, a method for setting the recurrence monitoring period performed by the engine controller 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for setting the recurrence monitoring period performed by the engine controller 100. The process shown in Fig. 4 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined calculation cycle. The engine controller 100 determines whether or not an error that occurred in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 has been resolved (step S1). If the error has not been resolved (step S1: NO), the engine controller 100 issues an error warning according to the error type (step S2) and ends the processing shown in FIG.

[0037] If the error is resolved (step S1: YES), the engine controller 100 ends the error warning (step S3). Then, the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 starts measurement by the monitoring timer 1001a provided for each error type, sets a recurrence monitoring period (step S4), and ends the process shown in FIG.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a control method during a recurrence monitoring period performed by the engine controller 100. The process shown in Fig. 5 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined calculation cycle. The monitoring control unit 1003 determines whether or not the recurrence monitoring period is in progress (step S11). If the recurrence monitoring period is not in progress (step S11: NO), the engine controller 100 ends the processing shown in Fig. 5. If the recurrence monitoring period is in progress (step S11: YES), the receiving unit 1004 determines whether or not a reset signal to end the recurrence monitoring period has been received from the operation terminal device 200 (step S12).

[0039] If the reset signal is not received (step S12: NO), the output limiting unit 1002 determines whether an error has occurred again in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 (step S13). If the error has occurred again (step S13: YES), the output limiting unit 1002 performs derate according to induction control (step S14). On the other hand, if the error has not occurred again (step S13: NO), the monitoring and control unit 1003 determines whether the cumulative operating time has exceeded 40 hours (step S15).

[0040] If the cumulative operating time has not exceeded 40 hours (step S15: NO), the engine controller 100 ends the process shown in Fig. 5. On the other hand, if the cumulative operating time has exceeded 40 hours (step S15: YES), the monitoring control unit 1003 proceeds to step S18 and ends the recurrence monitoring period.

[0041] If a reset signal is received in step S12 (step S12: YES), the monitoring control unit 1003 determines whether the enable switch 123 is turned on, thereby enabling the induction reset function (step S16). When the monitoring control unit 1003 receives a reset signal, it decodes the reset signal. If the induction reset function is disabled (step S16: NO), the engine controller 100 ends the process shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] On the other hand, if the induction reset function is enabled (step S16: YES), the monitoring control unit 1003 determines whether the cumulative operating time is 10 hours or less (step S17). If the cumulative operating time exceeds 10 hours (step S17: NO), that is, if the manufacturing process around the engine has already ended, the engine controller 100 ends the process shown in FIG. 5 without ending the recurrence monitoring period.

[0043] On the other hand, if the cumulative operating time is 10 hours or less (step S17: YES), that is, if the engine is in the manufacturing process, the monitoring control unit 1003 ends the recurrence monitoring period by resetting the measurement of the monitoring timer 1001a (step S18), and ends the processing shown in Figure 5.

[0044] Actions and Effects As described above, according to the embodiment, the engine controller 100 controls the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 so as to terminate monitoring during a predetermined manufacturing process after the manufacture of the engine 101. This prevents the engine from being shipped in a state where recurrence monitoring is being performed, even if an error related to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device 102 occurs during the predetermined manufacturing process due to an assembly error, a poor wiring connection, or the like, and a recurrence monitoring period is set based on the error. This prevents the engine 101 from being limited in output when the vehicle is in a new state after shipment. Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the recurrence monitoring period set in the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 can be canceled in a short time without requiring new parts.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the engine controller 100 can cancel the recurrence monitoring period when the cumulative operating time of the engine 101 after its manufacture is within a predetermined time (10 hours). This makes it possible to easily determine whether the engine is in a predetermined manufacturing process (a manufacturing process related to the engine).

[0046] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the monitoring by the recurrence monitoring unit 1001 is terminated based on a reset signal (cancellation instruction) received from the operation terminal device 200. This allows the monitoring to be terminated easily using the operation terminal device 200. Furthermore, since the reset signal is encrypted, security can be ensured and abuse in the market can be prevented.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the monitoring control unit 1003 controls the termination of the monitoring based on the reset signal so that it is not possible to terminate the monitoring based on the reset signal after a predetermined manufacturing process is completed. This makes it possible to prevent the termination of the monitoring based on the reset signal after shipping. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform induction control after shipping.

[0048] Other Embodiments Although one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design modifications and the like are possible.

[0049] In the engine controller 100 according to the embodiment described above, the program P is stored in the storage 1020, but this is not limiting. For example, the program P may be distributed to the engine controller 100 via a communication line. In this case, the engine controller 100 that receives the program P loads the program P into the main memory 1010 and executes the above-described processing.

[0050] Furthermore, the program P may be for realizing some of the above-described functions. For example, the program P may be for realizing the above-described functions in combination with other programs stored in the storage 1020 or in combination with other programs installed in other devices.

[0051] Furthermore, the engine controller 100 may include a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include a PAL (Programmable Array Logic), a GAL (Generic Array Logic), a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some of the functions realized by the processor 1000 may be realized by the PLD.

[0052] Furthermore, the engine controller 100 may include a plurality of processors 1100, or may be configured from a plurality of computers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1... Manufacturing plant 10... Work machine 100... Engine controller 101... Engine 102... Exhaust gas aftertreatment device 105... Connector 122... Monitor 123... Enable switch 1000... Processor 1001... Recurrence monitoring unit 1001a... Monitoring timer 1002... Output limiting unit 1003... Monitoring control unit 1004... Receiving unit

Claims

1. a recurrence monitoring unit that monitors the recurrence of an error until a predetermined recurrence monitoring period has elapsed after the error that occurred in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device has been resolved; an output limiting unit that limits the output of the internal combustion engine when the error recurs during the recurrence monitoring period; a monitoring control unit that controls the recurrence monitoring unit to be able to terminate monitoring in a predetermined manufacturing process; A vehicle monitoring device comprising:

2. The monitoring control unit determines that the internal combustion engine is in the predetermined manufacturing process when a cumulative operating time of the internal combustion engine after its manufacture is within a predetermined time. The vehicle monitoring device according to claim 1 .

3. a receiving unit that receives an end instruction to end the monitoring from an external operation device; The monitoring control unit terminates the monitoring based on the termination instruction.

3. A vehicle monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The monitoring control unit controls the end of the monitoring based on the end instruction so that the end of the monitoring is not possible when the predetermined manufacturing process is completed.

4. The vehicle monitoring device according to claim 3.

5. Vehicle monitoring devices a recurrence monitoring step of monitoring the recurrence of the error until a predetermined recurrence monitoring period has elapsed after the error that occurred in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device has been resolved; an output limiting step of limiting the output of the internal combustion engine when the error recurs during the recurrence monitoring period; a monitoring control step for controlling the recurrence monitoring step so as to be able to terminate the monitoring in a predetermined manufacturing process; A vehicle monitoring method that performs a process including:

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