Electric excavator and excavator management system

Abstract

To provide an electric excavator, an excavator management system, a communication control device, and a program to realize longer battery life.SOLUTION: An electric excavator according to one embodiment includes an electric motor, a battery for supplying power to the electric motor, a charging port for supplying power to the battery, and a storage unit for storing time information, and is constituted to start charging the battery from a charging member when a charging member is connected to the charging port and restart charging to reach a predetermined charging rate at the time indicated by the time information after stopping charging before reaching the predetermined charging rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric shovel, and Excavator Management System Mu Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electrically driven shovels have been proposed, each having an electric motor that operates a hydraulic drive system. In such electrically driven shovels, the electric motor is driven by power supplied from a battery provided in the main body.

[0003] The degree of deterioration of the battery mounted on an electrically driven excavator varies depending on the manner of use. For example, the degree of deterioration of the battery changes depending on the charging rate. Therefore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that makes it possible to set a target charging rate in order to suppress battery deterioration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 193493 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there are various other situations in which battery degradation can occur, such as when the battery is left fully charged for a long period of time after being charged.

[0006] In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to realize a longer battery life by performing control to temporarily suspend charging before the battery reaches a predetermined charging rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an electric shovel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electric motor, a battery that supplies power to the electric motor, a charging port for supplying power to the battery, and a storage unit that stores time information, and is configured to start charging the battery from the charging member when a charging member is connected to the charging port, stop charging before a predetermined charging rate is reached, and then start charging again at a time indicated by the time information so that the predetermined charging rate is reached. When the charging member is connected to the charging port, charging of the battery from the charging member is started, and then the time information is transmitted to an external device; and when a request to change to a second time different from the first time is received from the external device after charging of the battery from the charging member is started, charging is started again so as to reach the predetermined charging rate at the second time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above-described embodiment, charging is stopped before the battery reaches a predetermined charging rate, thereby suppressing battery deterioration and achieving a longer battery life. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an excavator management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of the shovel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the excavator management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the correspondence relationship between the SOC and the deterioration level of the battery according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing changes in the SOC of the battery due to control of the safe charging mode by the shovel controller according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charge setting screen displayed by the display control unit of the shovel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for performing charge control in the shovel controller according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the correspondence relationship between the temperature and the deterioration level of the battery according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing changes in the SOC of the battery due to charging control according to the outside air temperature in the safe charging mode by the shovel controller according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a table structure of the charging current value storage unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a charge setting screen displayed by the display control unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for performing charge control in the shovel controller according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process relating to reminding between the shovel and the support device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen relating to recharging displayed by the display processing unit of the support device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a charging log screen displayed by the display processing unit of the management device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. In addition, identical or corresponding components in each drawing are designated by identical or corresponding reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0011] (First embodiment) First, an overview of the excavator management system SYS will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the excavator management system SYS according to the first embodiment.

[0012] 1, the shovel management system SYS according to the first embodiment includes a shovel 200, a management device 300 (an example of a communication control device), and a support device 400 (an example of a communication control device). The shovel management system SYS may, for example, collect various data related to the shovel 200 that is transmitted (uploaded) from the shovel 200 in the management device 300.

[0013] Furthermore, the shovel management system SYS may provide, for example, in the support device 400, data collected by the management device 300, secondary data (information) generated from the collected data, and the like. The users of the shovel management system SYS include, for example, users of the shovel 200 (hereinafter referred to as "shovel users"). The shovel users include operators of the shovel 200, owners of the shovel 200, service personnel who perform maintenance on the shovel 200, and the like. The users of the shovel management system SYS also include, for example, users of the management device 300 (hereinafter referred to as "management device users"). The management device users include, for example, administrators and workers of the management device 300, developers of the shovel 200, and the like. The users of the shovel management system SYS also include users of the support device 400 (hereinafter referred to as "support device users"). Support device users include operators of the shovel 200, supervisors and workers at the work site, managers and workers of the management device 300, service personnel in charge of maintenance of the shovel 200, owners of the shovel 200, and the like.

[0014] Furthermore, the shovel management system SYS may perform various settings related to the control of the shovel 200 in the management device 300 or the support device 400, for example, in response to input from a user or automatically, and transmit the settings to the shovel 200. This allows the management device 300 and the support device 400 to control and monitor various operations of the shovel 200.

[0015] The excavator management system SYS may include one or more excavators 200. This allows the excavator management system SYS to collect data, provide information to users based on the collected data, and perform settings related to the control of the excavators 200, for the multiple excavators 200.

[0016] The excavator management system SYS may include one or more management devices 300. This allows the excavator management system SYS to achieve various functions in a distributed manner using the multiple management devices 300.

[0017] The excavator management system SYS may include one or more support devices 400. This allows the excavator management system SYS to provide information about the excavator 200 to multiple users using the multiple support devices 400.

[0018] <Outline of the excavator> As an example of an electric shovel, an outline of a shovel 200 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0019] The excavator 200 of this embodiment comprises a lower running body 1, an upper rotating body 3 mounted on the lower running body 1 so as to be rotatable via a rotating mechanism 2, a boom 4, an arm 5, and a bucket 6 as attachments, and a cabin 10 in which the operator rides.

[0020] The lower traveling body 1 includes, for example, a pair of left and right crawlers, and is self-propelled by the crawlers being hydraulically driven by traveling hydraulic motors 1R, 1L (see FIG. 2).

[0021] The upper swing structure 3 is hydraulically driven by a swing hydraulic motor 2M (see FIG. 2) through the swing mechanism 2, thereby swinging relative to the undercarriage 1. All driven elements (for example, the swing hydraulic motor 2M) are hydraulically driven by hydraulic oil supplied from a main pump 14 (see FIG. 2). This corresponds to a configuration in which the power source (engine) of a so-called hydraulic excavator is replaced with a pump electric motor 12.

[0022] Furthermore, the upper rotating body 3 may be electrically driven by a rotating electric motor driven by power supplied from the battery module 19 through the rotating mechanism 2, instead of the swing hydraulic motor 2M. In this case, for example, the excavator 200 is connected to the swing electric motor from the battery module 19 via an inverter. Then, under the control of the excavator controller 30 and the inverter, the swing electric motor may perform a power running operation to drive the upper rotating body 3 to swing, and a regenerative operation to generate regenerative power to brake the swing of the upper rotating body 3. Furthermore, the swing electric motor may supply regenerative power to the battery module 19 and the pump electric motor 12 via an inverter.

[0023] A boom 4 is attached to the front center of the upper rotating body 3 so as to be able to tilt up and down, an arm 5 is attached to the tip of the boom 4 so as to be able to rotate up and down, and a bucket 6 is attached to the tip of the arm 5 so as to be able to rotate up and down. The boom 4, arm 5, and bucket 6 are hydraulically driven by a boom cylinder 7, an arm cylinder 8, and a bucket cylinder 9, which serve as hydraulic actuators, respectively.

[0024] The bucket 6 is an example of an end attachment, and other end attachments may be attached to the tip of the arm 5 instead of the bucket 6 depending on the type of work, etc. The other end attachments may be buckets of a different type from the bucket 6, such as a slope bucket or a dredging bucket. The other end attachments may also be end attachments of a different type from the bucket, such as a breaker, a mixer, a grapple, etc.

[0025] The cabin 10 is mounted on the front left side of the upper rotating body 3, and inside (inside) thereof, a cockpit where an operator sits, an operating device 26 (see FIG. 2) described later, and the like are provided.

[0026] In response to operations by an operator seated in a cabin 10, the excavator 200 operates driven elements such as a lower traveling body 1 (left and right crawlers), an upper rotating body 3, a boom 4, an arm 5, and a bucket 6.

[0027] Furthermore, instead of or in addition to being configured to be operable by an operator inside the cabin 10, the shovel 200 may be configured to be remotely operable from outside the shovel 200. When the shovel 200 is remotely operated, the inside of the cabin 10 may be unmanned. The following description will be given on the assumption that the operation of the operator includes at least one of operation of the operating device 26 by the operator inside the cabin 10 and remote operation by an external operator.

[0028] Remote operation includes, for example, a mode in which the shovel 200 is operated by an operation input related to an actuator of the shovel 200 performed by a predetermined external device. The predetermined external device may be, for example, the management device 300 or the support device 400. In this case, the shovel 200 may transmit image information (captured images) output by an imaging device included in a surrounding information acquisition device (not shown) to the external device via a communication device 60 described below. The external device may then display the received image information (captured images) on a display device (hereinafter referred to as a "remote operation display device") provided in the external device. Furthermore, various information images (information screens) displayed on the output device 50 inside the cabin 10 of the shovel 200 may also be displayed on the remote operation display device of the external device. This allows the operator of the external device to remotely operate the shovel 200 while checking the display contents of, for example, captured images and information screens showing the surroundings of the shovel 200 displayed on the remote operation display device. The excavator 200 may operate actuators in response to a remote control signal indicating the content of the remote control received from an external device by the communication device 60, and drive driven elements such as the lower traveling body 1 (left and right crawlers), upper rotating body 3, boom 4, arm 5, and bucket 6.

[0029] Furthermore, remote control may include, for example, a mode in which the shovel 200 is operated by an external voice input, gesture input, or the like to the shovel 200 by a person (e.g., a worker) around the shovel 200. Specifically, the shovel 200 recognizes voices uttered by surrounding workers or gestures made by the workers through a voice input device (e.g., a microphone) or a gesture input device (e.g., an imaging device) mounted on the shovel 200 (the shovel itself). Then, the shovel 200 may operate actuators in accordance with the content of the recognized voices, gestures, or the like to drive driven elements such as the lower traveling body 1 (left and right crawlers), the upper rotating body 3, the boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6.

[0030] Furthermore, the shovel 200 may automatically operate the actuators regardless of the operation by the operator, thereby realizing a function (so-called "automatic driving function" or "MC (Machine Control) function") of automatically operating at least some of the driven elements such as the lower traveling structure 1 (e.g., crawlers 1CL, 1CR), upper rotating structure 3, boom 4, arm 5, and bucket 6.

[0031] The automatic driving function may include a function (so-called "semi-automatic driving function") that automatically operates driven elements (actuators) other than the driven element (hydraulic actuator) that is the target of operation, in response to an operator's operation of the operating device 26 or remote operation. The automatic driving function may also include a function (so-called "fully automatic driving function") that automatically operates at least some of the multiple driven elements (actuators) on the assumption that there is no operation of the operating device 26 or remote operation by the operator. When the fully automatic driving function is enabled in the shovel 200, the inside of the cabin 10 may be unmanned. The semi-automatic driving function, the fully automatic driving function, etc. may also include a mode in which the operation content of the driven element (actuator) that is the target of automatic driving is automatically determined in accordance with predetermined rules. The semi-automatic driving function, the fully automatic driving function, etc. may also include a mode in which the shovel 200 autonomously makes various decisions and autonomously determines the operation content of the driven element (actuator) that is the target of automatic driving in accordance with the decision results (so-called "autonomous driving function").

[0032] As will be described later, the shovel 200 is equipped with a communication device 60 and communicates with the management device 300 via a communication line NW. This allows the shovel 200 to transmit data related to the shovel 200 (its own machine) to the management device 300 and receive data related to the control of the shovel 200 (its own machine).

[0033] The communication line NW includes, for example, a wide area network (WAN). The wide area network may include, for example, a mobile communication network terminated at a base station. The wide area network may also include, for example, a satellite communication network using a communication satellite. The wide area network may also include, for example, the Internet. The communication line NW also includes, for example, a local area network (LAN) within a facility or the like in which the management device 300 is installed. The local network may be wired or wireless, or may include both. The communication line NW may also include, for example, a wireless short-range communication line such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0034] Furthermore, the shovel 200 may communicate with the support device 400 via the communication line NW. In this case, the shovel 200 may communicate with the support device 400 indirectly via the management device 300, or may communicate with the support device 400 directly.

[0035] <Overview of the management device> The management device 300 (an example of a communication control device) is provided outside the shovel 200, and manages, for example, the operating state and operational state of the shovel 200.

[0036] The management device 300 is, for example, a cloud server installed in a management center or the like outside the work site of the shovel 200. The management device 300 may also be, for example, an edge server installed in a temporary office within the work site of the shovel 200 or in a station or base station near the work site. The management device 300 may also be, for example, a stationary terminal device (stationary terminal) or a portable terminal device (portable terminal) placed in a temporary office or the like within the work site of the shovel 200. The stationary terminal may include, for example, a desktop computer terminal. The portable terminal may include, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a laptop computer terminal, etc.

[0037] The management device 300 communicates with each of the shovel 200 and the support device 400 via the communication line NW. As a result, the management device 300 can collect various data related to the shovel 200, for example, by receiving various data transmitted (uploaded) from the shovel 200. Furthermore, the management device 300 can control the shovel 200 from outside, for example, by transmitting data related to the control of the shovel 200 to the shovel 200. Furthermore, the management device 300 can provide various data to the support device 400 in response to a request from the support device 400, for example.

[0038] <Outline of the support device> The support device 400 is, for example, a terminal device (user terminal) used by a user who receives information in the excavator management system SYS.

[0039] The support device 400 is, for example, a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a laptop computer terminal, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone owned by a user. The support device 400 may also be a general-purpose stationary terminal such as a desktop computer. The support device 400 may also be a dedicated terminal device (mobile terminal or stationary terminal) for receiving data (information) related to the shovel 200.

[0040] The support device 400 communicates with the management device 300 via the communication line NW. This allows the support device 400 to request the management device 300 to provide data related to the shovel 200. The support device 400 can also receive data related to the shovel 200 transmitted from the management device 300, and provide information related to the shovel 200 to the user via an output device 430 (described later) that is mounted on the support device 400.

[0041] Furthermore, the support device 400 may communicate with the shovel 200 via the communication line NW. In this case, the support device 400 may communicate with the shovel 200 indirectly via the management device 300, or may communicate with the shovel 200 directly.

[0042] [Excavator management system configuration] Next, the configuration of the excavator management system SYS according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 in addition to Fig. 1 .

[0043] Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the shovel management system SYS according to this embodiment.

[0044] In the diagram, mechanical power lines are indicated by double lines, high-pressure hydraulic lines by thick solid lines, pilot lines by dashed lines, and electric drive and control lines by thin solid lines.

[0045] <Excavator configuration> The shovel 200 includes various components such as a hydraulic drive system for hydraulically driving the driven elements, an operation system for operating the driven elements, a user interface system for exchanging information with the user, a communication system for communicating with the outside world, and a control system for various controls.

[0046] <<Excavator hydraulic drive system>> 2, the hydraulic drive system of the excavator 200 according to this embodiment includes hydraulic actuators such as traveling hydraulic motors 1R, 1L, swing hydraulic motor 2M, boom cylinder 7, arm cylinder 8, and bucket cylinder 9, which hydraulically drive each of the driven elements such as the lower traveling structure 1, boom 4, arm 5, and bucket 6. The hydraulic drive system of the excavator 200 according to this embodiment also includes a pump electric motor 12, a main pump 14, and a control valve 17.

[0047] The pump electric motor 12 (an example of an electric motor) is a power source for the hydraulic drive system. The pump electric motor 12 is, for example, an interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor. The pump electric motor 12 is connected to a high-voltage power supply including a battery module 19 via an inverter 18. The pump electric motor 12 runs on three-phase AC power supplied from the battery module 19 via the inverter 18, and drives the main pump 14 and the pilot pump 15. Drive control of the pump electric motor 12 may be performed by the inverter 18 under the control of a shovel controller 30, which will be described later.

[0048] The main pump 14 draws hydraulic oil from a hydraulic oil tank T and discharges it into a high-pressure hydraulic line 16, thereby supplying the hydraulic oil to a control valve 17 through the high-pressure hydraulic line 16. The main pump 14 is driven by a pump electric motor 12. The main pump 14 is, for example, a variable displacement hydraulic pump, and a regulator (not shown) controls the angle (tilting angle) of the swash plate under the control of an excavator controller 30 (described later). This allows the main pump 14 to adjust the stroke length of the piston and thereby adjust the discharge flow rate (discharge pressure).

[0049] The main pump 14 may be driven by power from another power source in addition to the pump electric motor 12. For example, the main pump 14 may be driven by regenerating energy of hydraulic oil discharged from the boom cylinder 7 or arm cylinder 8 to a hydraulic oil tank due to the weight of the boom 4 or arm 5 when the boom 4 is lowered or the arm 5 is closed. Specifically, a hydraulic motor disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft of the main pump 14 may be driven by the energy of hydraulic oil discharged from the boom cylinder 7 or arm cylinder 8 to a hydraulic oil tank due to the weight of the boom 4 or arm 5 when the boom 4 is lowered or the arm 5 is closed. Furthermore, the energy of hydraulic oil discharged from the boom cylinder 7 or arm cylinder 8 to a hydraulic oil tank due to the weight of the boom 4 or arm 5 when the boom 4 is lowered or the arm 5 is closed may be regenerated to cause a generator to generate electricity. Specifically, the hydraulic motor arranged coaxially with the generator may be driven by the energy of hydraulic oil discharged from the boom cylinder 7 or the arm cylinder 8 into the hydraulic oil tank due to the weight of the boom 4 or the arm 5 when the boom 4 is lowered or the arm 5 is closed, thereby causing the generator to generate electricity. In this case, the generated power of the generator may be supplied to the pump motor 12 or may be used to charge the battery module 19.

[0050] The control valve 17 is a hydraulic control device that controls the hydraulic drive system in response to an operation command corresponding to an operator's operation or an automatic driving function. As described above, the control valve 17 is connected to the main pump 14 via the high-pressure hydraulic line 16, and is configured to be able to selectively supply hydraulic oil supplied from the main pump 14 to the hydraulic actuators (travel hydraulic motors 1R, 1L, swing hydraulic motor 2M, boom cylinder 7, arm cylinder 8, and bucket cylinder 9). For example, the control valve 17 is a valve unit including a plurality of control valves (directional switching valves) that control the flow rate and flow direction of hydraulic oil supplied from the main pump 14 to each of the hydraulic actuators. The hydraulic oil supplied from the main pump 14 and flowing through the control valve 17 and the hydraulic actuators is discharged from the control valve 17 to the hydraulic oil tank T.

[0051] <<Excavator electric drive system>> The electric drive system of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment includes the pump motor 12, the sensor 12s, and the inverter 18. The electric drive system of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment also includes a high-voltage power supply configured by a battery module 19 and the like.

[0052] The sensors 12s include a current sensor 12s1, a voltage sensor 12s2, and a rotation state sensor 12s3.

[0053] The current sensor 12s1 detects the current of each of the three phases (U phase, V phase, and W phase) of the pump motor 12. The current sensor 12s1 is provided, for example, on a power path between the pump motor 12 and the inverter 18. Detection signals corresponding to the current of each of the three phases of the pump motor 12 detected by the current sensor 12s1 are directly input to the inverter 18 via a communication line. The detection signals may also be input to the shovel controller 30 via the communication line and input to the inverter 18 via the shovel controller 30.

[0054] The voltage sensor 12s2 detects the voltages applied to each of the three phases of the pump motor 12. The voltage sensor 12s2 is provided, for example, on a power path between the pump motor 12 and the inverter 18. A detection signal corresponding to the voltages applied to each of the three phases of the pump motor 12 detected by the voltage sensor 12s2 is directly input to the inverter 18 via a communication line. The detection signal may also be input to the shovel controller 30 via the communication line and input to the inverter 18 via the shovel controller 30.

[0055] The rotation state sensor 12s3 detects the rotation state (for example, the rotation position (rotation angle), the rotation speed, etc.) of the pump motor 12. The rotation state sensor 12s3 is, for example, a rotary encoder or a resolver.

[0056] The inverter 18 drives and controls the pump motor 12 under the control of the shovel controller 30. The inverter 18 includes, for example, a conversion circuit that converts DC power into three-phase AC power and converts three-phase AC power into DC power, a drive circuit that switches and drives the conversion circuit, and a control circuit that outputs a control signal (for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal) that defines the operation of the drive circuit.

[0057] The control circuit of the inverter 18 controls the drive of the pump motor 12 while grasping the operating state of the pump motor 12. For example, the control circuit of the inverter 18 grasps the operating state of the pump motor 12 based on the detection signal of the rotation state sensor 12s3. Alternatively, the control circuit of the inverter 18 may grasp the operating state of the pump motor 12 by successively estimating the rotation angle of the rotating shaft of the pump motor 12, etc., based on the detection signal of the current sensor 12s1 and the detection signal of the voltage sensor 12s2 (or a voltage command value generated in the control process).

[0058] At least one of the drive circuit and control circuit of the inverter 18 may be provided outside the inverter 18 .

[0059] The battery module 19 is configured to supply the charged power to electronic components in the shovel 200. The specific configuration will be described later.

[0060] <<Excavator operation system>> The operating system of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment includes a pilot pump 15, an operating device 26, and a pressure control valve 31.

[0061] The pilot pump 15 supplies pilot pressure to various hydraulic devices (e.g., pressure control valve 31) mounted on the shovel 200 via a pilot line 25. As a result, the pressure control valve 31 can supply pilot pressure to the control valve 17 according to the operation content (e.g., operation amount and operation direction) of the operating device 26 under the control of the shovel controller 30. Therefore, the shovel controller 30 and the pressure control valve 31 can realize the operation of the driven element (hydraulic actuator) according to the operation content of the operating device 26 by the operator. Furthermore, under the control of the shovel controller 30, the pressure control valve 31 can supply pilot pressure to the control valve 17 according to the remote operation content specified by the remote operation signal. The pilot pump 15 is, for example, a fixed displacement hydraulic pump, and is driven by the pump electric motor 12 as described above.

[0062] The operation device 26 is provided within reach of the operator in the driver's seat of the cabin 10 and is used by the operator to operate each driven element (i.e., the left and right crawlers of the undercarriage 1, the upper revolving body 3, the boom 4, the arm 5, the bucket 6, etc.). In other words, the operation device 26 is used by the operator to operate hydraulic actuators (e.g., the traveling hydraulic motors 1R and 1L, the swing hydraulic motor 2M, the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, the bucket cylinder 9, etc.) and electric actuators that drive each driven element. The operation device 26 is, for example, electric, and outputs an electric signal (hereinafter referred to as an "operation signal") corresponding to the operation content by the operator. The operation signal output from the operation device 26 is input to the excavator controller 30 via a signal line 28. In this way, the excavator controller 30 can control the pressure control valve 31 and control the operation of the driven elements (actuators) of the excavator 200 in accordance with the operation content of the operator and operation commands corresponding to the automatic driving function.

[0063] The operation device 26 includes, for example, levers 26A to 26C. The lever 26A may be configured to be able to receive operations related to the arm 5 (arm cylinder 8) and the upper rotating body 3 (swing operation) in accordance with operations in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The lever 26B may be configured to be able to receive operations related to the boom 4 (boom cylinder 7) and the bucket 6 (bucket cylinder 9) in accordance with operations in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The lever 26C may be configured to be able to receive operations related to the lower traveling body 1 (crawler), for example.

[0064] In addition, when the control valve 17 is configured as an electromagnetic pilot type control valve (directional control valve), an operation signal from the electric operating device 26 may be input directly to the control valve 17, and each hydraulic control valve may perform an operation according to the operation content of the operating device 26. Also, the operating device 26 may be of a hydraulic pilot type that outputs a pilot pressure according to the operation content. In this case, the pilot pressure according to the operation content is supplied to the control valve 17.

[0065] The pressure control valve 31 outputs a predetermined pilot pressure using hydraulic oil supplied from the pilot pump 15 through the pilot line 25 under the control of the excavator controller 30. The pilot line on the secondary side of the pressure control valve 31 is connected to the control valve 17, and the pilot pressure output from the pressure control valve 31 is supplied to the control valve 17.

[0066] <<Excavator power supply system>> The power supply system of the shovel 200 is a group of components for supplying power to various electrical devices. The shovel 200 also includes a normal charging vehicle inlet 101 and a rapid charging vehicle inlet 102 as components for charging the battery module 19.

[0067] Normal charging vehicle inlet 101 is configured to be connectable to a charging connector (an example of a charging member) provided at the tip of a predetermined cable (hereinafter referred to as a "charging cable") of an external power source.

[0068] The charging AC-DC converter 103 converts AC power supplied from an external power source via the normal charging vehicle inlet 101 into DC power that can be charged into the battery 192 and supplies it to the battery module 19.

[0069] The quick-charging vehicle inlet 102 is configured to be connectable to a charging connector (an example of a charging component) provided at the tip of a charging cable of an external power source (e.g., a charging station). The quick-charging vehicle inlet 102 is an inlet for performing quick charging based on, for example, CHAdeMO (registered trademark). In this embodiment, by using such a DC charging method, DC power can be supplied to the battery module 19 without going through an AC-DC converter.

[0070] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a charging component connected to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101 (an example of a charging port) and the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102 (an example of a charging port) is directly connected to a charging connector provided at the tip of a charging cable. However, this embodiment is not limited to a method of directly connecting to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101 or the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102 with a charging connector. For example, a wireless charging component may be connected to the charging port and charged from an external power source.

[0071] The battery module 19 of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment supplies power to each component within the shovel 200. The battery module 19 includes a battery 192 and a battery controller 191.

[0072] The battery 192 supplies power to various components within the shovel 200. For example, the battery 192 supplies charged (stored) power to the pump motor 12. The battery 192 also stores power generated by the pump motor 12 (regenerated power).

[0073] The battery 192 is charged (stores electricity) by being connected to an external power source via a charging cable.

[0074] The battery 192 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, and has a relatively high output voltage (for example, several hundred volts).

[0075] The battery controller 191 controls the internal configuration of the battery module 19. For example, the battery controller 191 monitors the temperature state of the battery 192 based on the output result from a temperature sensor (not shown), and calculates the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 192. The battery controller 191 then outputs the detection result of the temperature sensor and the SOC to the shovel controller 30. This allows the shovel controller 30 to display the temperature of the battery 192 and the SOC of the battery 192 on the output device 50 (display device) inside the cabin 10.

[0076] The battery controller 191 according to this embodiment determines whether charging is possible depending on whether a charging connector is connected to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101 or the quick charging vehicle inlet 102. Note that this embodiment does not limit the method of determining whether power can be supplied to whether the charging connector is connected. For example, when wireless power supply is performed, other methods may be used, such as determining whether power can be supplied by mutual communication with charging equipment equipped with an external power source.

[0077] Then, when the battery controller 191 determines that it is connected to an external power source (e.g., a charging station) via a charging cable and a charging connector (in other words, when it determines that it is in a state where power can be supplied), it communicates with a charging facility provided with the external power source. When the battery controller 191 is permitted to supply power from the charging facility through communication with the charging facility, the battery controller 191 starts supplying power from the external power source. The battery controller 191 may also acquire the maximum capacity, such as the maximum current value, that the external power source (e.g., a charging station) can output.

[0078] A power conversion device may be provided between the battery module 19 and the pump motor 12 to boost the output voltage of the battery module 19 and apply it to the pump motor 12. Furthermore, as described above, when some or all of the driven parts are electrically driven, power from the battery module 19 is supplied to an electric actuator that electrically drives the driven parts instead of or in addition to the pump motor 12.

[0079] <<Excavator control system>> The control system of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment includes a shovel controller 30, an output device 50, an input device 52, a communication device 60, and a temperature sensor 40 (an example of a detection unit).

[0080] The communication device 60 (an example of an input device) communicates with devices outside the shovel 200, such as the management device 300, via a communication line NW. The communication device 60 includes, for example, a mobile communication module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), and 5G (5th Generation), and a satellite communication module for connecting to a satellite communication network.

[0081] The output device 50 is provided in the cabin 10, and outputs various types of information to the operator under the control of the shovel controller 30. The output device 50 includes, for example, a display device that outputs (notifies) information to the operator in a visual manner. The display device may be installed, for example, in a location that is easily visible to the operator in the cabin 10, and may display various information images under the control of the shovel controller 30. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display. The output device 50 also includes, for example, a sound output device that outputs information to the operator in an auditory manner. The sound output device is, for example, a buzzer, a speaker, etc.

[0082] The input device 52 is provided in the cabin 10 and accepts various inputs from the operator. The input device 52 may include, for example, an operation input device that accepts operation inputs from the operator. The operation input device includes, for example, a button, a toggle, a lever, a touch panel, a touchpad, etc. The input device 52 may also include, for example, a voice input device that accepts voice inputs from the operator and a gesture input device that accepts gesture inputs from the operator. The voice input device includes, for example, a microphone that captures the voice of the operator in the cabin 10. The gesture input device includes, for example, an indoor camera that can capture images of the operator's gestures in the cabin 10. A signal corresponding to the input from the operator accepted by the input device 52 is taken into the excavator controller 30.

[0083] The shovel controller 30 may comprehensively control the operation of the entire shovel 200 (various devices mounted on the shovel 200). For example, the shovel controller 30 may perform control based on the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40.

[0084] The functions of the shovel controller 30 may be realized by any hardware or any combination of hardware and software. For example, the shovel controller 30 may be configured mainly with a computer including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory device (main storage device) such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile auxiliary storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an interface device for input / output with the outside.

[0085] The shovel controller 30 controls the drive of the shovel 200. For example, the shovel controller 30 outputs a control command to the pressure control valve 31 in response to an operation signal input from the operating device 26, and causes the pressure control valve 31 to output a pilot pressure corresponding to the operation content of the operating device 26. In this way, the shovel controller 30 can realize the operation of the driven element (hydraulic actuator) of the shovel 200 corresponding to the operation content of the electric operating device 26.

[0086] Furthermore, when the shovel 200 is remotely operated, the shovel controller 30 may, for example, perform control related to the remote operation. Specifically, the shovel controller 30 may output a control command to the pressure control valve 31 and cause the pressure control valve 31 to output a pilot pressure according to the content of the remote operation. In this way, the shovel controller 30 can realize the operation of the shovel 200 (driven element) according to the content of the remote operation.

[0087] Furthermore, the shovel controller 30 may perform control relating to, for example, an automatic driving function. Specifically, the shovel controller 30 may output a control command to the pressure control valve 31, and cause the pressure control valve 31 to apply a pilot pressure corresponding to an operation command corresponding to the automatic driving function to the control valve 17. In this way, the shovel controller 30 can realize the operation of the driven element (hydraulic actuator) of the shovel 200 corresponding to the automatic driving function.

[0088] The shovel controller 30 performs drive control of the electric drive system based on various input information (for example, control commands including operation signals from the operation device 26, etc.).

[0089] Furthermore, the shovel controller 30 may, for example, perform control to switch the battery module 19 between a discharged state and a charged state based on the operation state of the operating device 26. Furthermore, for example, when the shovel 200 is remotely operated, the shovel controller 30 may, for example, perform control to switch the battery module 19 between a discharged state and a charged state based on the content of the remote operation. Furthermore, for example, when the automatic driving function of the shovel 200 is enabled, the shovel controller 30 may, for example, perform control to switch the battery module 19 between a discharged state and a charged state based on an operation command corresponding to the automatic driving function.

[0090] <Configuration of management device> As shown in FIG. 3, the management device 300 includes a control device 310, a communication device 320, an output device 330, and an input device 340.

[0091] The control device 310 controls the management device 300. The functions of the control device 310 may be realized by, for example, any hardware or a combination of any hardware and software. The control device 310 may be configured primarily with a computer including, for example, a processor such as a CPU, a memory device (main storage device) such as RAM, an auxiliary storage device such as ROM, and an interface device with the outside. For example, the control device 310 realizes various functions by loading programs installed in the auxiliary storage device into the memory device and executing them on the CPU. Program data is obtained by the control device 310 from a predetermined recording medium via a predetermined external interface and installed in the auxiliary storage device. The predetermined recording medium includes, for example, general-purpose recording media such as CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, SD memory cards, and USB memory. The predetermined recording medium also includes dedicated recording media such as diagnostic tools for the management device 300. Program data may also be downloaded from an external computer to the management device 300 via the communication device 320 and installed in the auxiliary storage device of the control device 310.

[0092] The communication device 320 is any device that communicates with the outside, such as the excavator 200 and the support device 400, via the communication line NW.

[0093] The output device 330 outputs various information to the management device user under the control of the control device 310. The output device 330 includes, for example, a display device that outputs (notifies) information to the management device user in a visual manner. The display device includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display device may, for example, display various information images for the management device user.

[0094] The output device 330 also includes, for example, a sound output device that outputs (notifies) information to the management device user in an auditory manner, such as a speaker or a buzzer.

[0095] The input device 340 accepts various inputs from the management device user. The input device 340 includes, for example, an operation input device that accepts operation inputs from the management device user. The operation input device includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a button, a toggle, a lever, a touch panel, a touchpad, etc. The input device 340 also includes, for example, a voice input device that accepts voice input from the management device user and a gesture input device that accepts gesture input. The voice input device includes, for example, a microphone that captures the voice of the management device user. The gesture input device includes, for example, an imaging device that can capture images of gestures made by the management device user. A signal corresponding to the input from the management device user accepted by the input device 340 is taken into the control device 310.

[0096] <Configuration of the support device> As shown in FIG. 3, the assistance device 400 includes a control device 410, a communication device 420, an output device 430, and an input device 440.

[0097] The control device 410 controls the support device 400. The functions of the control device 410 may be realized by, for example, any hardware or a combination of any hardware and software. The control device 410 may be configured primarily with a computer including, for example, a processor device such as a CPU, a memory device (main storage device) such as RAM, an auxiliary storage device such as ROM, and an interface device with the outside. For example, the control device 410 realizes various functions by loading a program installed in the auxiliary storage device into the memory device and executing it on the CPU. Program data is obtained by the control device 410 from a predetermined recording medium via a predetermined external interface and installed in the auxiliary storage device. The predetermined recording medium includes, for example, general-purpose recording media such as CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, SD memory cards, and USB memory. The predetermined recording medium also includes dedicated recording media such as diagnostic tools for the support device 400. Program data may also be downloaded from an external device (e.g., the management device 300) outside the support device 400 via the communication device 420 and installed in the auxiliary storage device of the control device 410.

[0098] The communication device 420 is any device that communicates with an external device of the support device 400, such as the management device 300, via a communication line NW. The communication device 420 may be, for example, a mobile communication module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, and 5G.

[0099] The output device 430, under the control of the control device 410, outputs various information to the user of the support device.

[0100] The output device 430 includes, for example, a display device that outputs (notifies) information to the support device user in a visual manner. The display device includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display device may display, for example, various information images for the support device user.

[0101] The output device 430 also includes, for example, a sound output device that outputs (notifies) information to the support device user in an auditory manner, such as a speaker or a buzzer.

[0102] The input device 440 accepts various inputs from the assistance device user. The input device 440 includes, for example, an operation input device that accepts operation inputs from the assistance device user. The operation input device includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a button, a toggle, a lever, a touch panel, a touch pad, etc. The input device 440 also includes a voice input device that accepts voice inputs from the assistance device user and a gesture input device that accepts gesture inputs. The voice input device includes, for example, a microphone that captures the voice of the assistance device user. The gesture input device includes, for example, an imaging device that can capture images of gestures made by the assistance device user. A signal corresponding to the input from the assistance device user accepted by the input device 440 is taken into the control device 410.

[0103] [Explanation of battery deterioration level] Deterioration of the battery 192 in the battery module 19 mounted on the shovel 200 according to this embodiment will now be described. Fig. 4 is a graph showing the correspondence relationship between the SOC and the degree of deterioration of the battery 192 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the degree of deterioration of the battery 192 is maintained at a low level when the SOC is 80% or less. The degree of deterioration of the battery 192 then increases as the SOC becomes greater than 80%. In other words, the battery 192 is more likely to deteriorate if the SOC is maintained at a high level.

[0104] Therefore, when the chargeable time is longer than the charging time, the shovel controller 30 of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment performs charging control so as to shorten the period during which the SOC is greater than 80%.

[0105] Specifically, the shovel controller 30 starts charging the battery 192 and stops charging when the SOC reaches 80%. Thereafter, the shovel controller 30 resumes charging from a time before the work start time so that the SOC reaches a target charging rate (for example, 100%) at the work start time of the shovel 200.

[0106] For example, the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment starts rapid charging when a charging connector of a charging station is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102. Thereafter, the shovel controller 30 performs control to stop charging when the SOC of the battery 192 reaches 80%. This suppresses deterioration of the battery 192 and allows the shovel 200 to be used even if work becomes necessary before the work start time.

[0107] Thereafter, the shovel controller 30 controls the SOC of the battery 192 to reach a target charging rate (for example, 100%) at the work start time by restarting charging from a time calculated based on the work start time and the SOC.

[0108] The above-described control performed by the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment is referred to as a “safe charge mode.” In addition to the safe charge mode, the charge control performed by the shovel controller 30 also includes a normal charge mode.

[0109] The normal charging mode is a mode in which rapid charging is performed up to the target charging rate when the charging connector is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102, and normal charging is performed up to the target charging rate when the charging connector is connected to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101. The normal charging mode is controlled in the same way as in the past, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0110] <Explanation of the safe charging mode of the excavator> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing changes in the SOC of the battery 192 due to control of the safe charging mode by the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment.

[0111] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the charging connector is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102 at time T1. The work starts at time T4. The target charging rate S of the battery 192 is then calculated. T (for example, 100%). Therefore, at time T4, the shovel controller 30 determines whether the SOC of the battery 192 reaches the target charging rate S T It is sufficient to control it so that

[0112] Specifically, the shovel controller 30 starts charging the battery 192 from the charging connector (an example of a charging component) at time T1 when the charging connector is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102, and stops charging at time T2 when the SOC of the battery 192 reaches 80%.

[0113] 5, in the safe charging mode shown in FIG. 5, rapid charging at the maximum current value of the power supply station is used as charging from the start of charging the battery 192 until the SOC of the battery 192 reaches 80%. Note that this embodiment is not limited to rapid charging at the maximum current value of the power supply station, and any current value that the power supply station can supply may be used. Alternatively, any current value that the battery 192 can be charged with may be used.

[0114] Thereafter, the shovel controller 30 sets the target charging rate S T Charging is restarted at time T3 so that the battery reaches a predetermined charging rate (an example of a predetermined charging rate). The method for calculating time T3 will be described later.

[0115] In this embodiment, in the case of the safe charging mode shown in FIG. 5, charging is performed from the start of charging the battery 192 until the SOC of the battery 192 reaches 80%, and from the start of charging again until the target charging rate S TFor example, rapid charging at the maximum current value of the power supply station is used to charge until the battery reaches the predetermined charging rate (an example of the predetermined charging rate). Note that this embodiment is not limited to rapid charging at the maximum current value of the power supply station, and any current value that the power supply station can supply may be used. Alternatively, any current value that the battery 192 can be charged with may be used.

[0116] Then, the shovel controller 30 controls the SOC of the battery 192 to be equal to or higher than the target charging rate S T In this embodiment, the charging of the battery is stopped at time T4 when the SOC of the battery 192 reaches the target charging rate S T For example, the shovel controller 30 may detect that the SOC of the battery 192 reaches the target charging rate S a little before (for example, a few minutes before) the work start time. T The temperature may be controlled to reach

[0117] Thereafter, at the work start time, the shovel 200 starts work. As a result, the SOC of the battery 192 from time T5 onwards is lower than the SOC at time T4.

[0118] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the condition for temporarily suspending charging of the battery has been described as the time when the SOC of the battery 192 has reached 80%. However, in the present embodiment, the condition for halting charging is not limited to when the SOC of the battery 192 has reached 80%. In other words, it is sufficient that the SOC is such that the shovel 200 can be used and the battery 192 does not deteriorate.

[0119] For example, the shovel controller 30 may perform control so as to temporarily suspend charging of the battery 192 when the SOC at which charging of the battery 192 is to be stopped reaches a preset value within a range of 50% to 80%. In other words, because the SOC of the battery 192 is lower than 80%, deterioration of the battery 192 can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the battery 192 is charged with an SOC within a range of 50% to 80%, even if work using the shovel 200 is suddenly required, the battery 192 can be used as long as it is not for a long period of time. In other words, by temporarily charging the battery 192 so that the SOC is within a range of 50% to 80%, it is possible to achieve both convenience of the shovel 200 and a long lifespan of the battery 192.

[0120] In this embodiment, a range of SOC from 50% to 80% will be described as an example of a range of charging rates in which deterioration of the battery 192 is suppressed more than when fully charged. However, this embodiment does not limit the range of charging rates in which deterioration of the battery 192 is suppressed more than when fully charged to 50% to 80%, and may be determined according to the characteristics of the battery, etc.

[0121] In the case of battery 192 having the characteristics shown in FIG. 4, even if the battery is stopped at an SOC of 90%, deterioration of battery 192 can be suppressed compared to when the battery is stopped at an SOC of 100%. Also, batteries with characteristics different from those shown in FIG. 4 are conceivable. In such cases, the standard SOC at which deterioration occurs may not be 80%. In other words, the timing for stopping battery charging is not limited to an SOC between 50% and 80%, but may be any charging rate lower than the target charging rate at the start of work. In other words, the excavator controller can stop charging once before the target charging rate required at the start of work (in other words, a predetermined charging rate) is reached, and then restart charging to reach the target charging rate, thereby achieving a longer battery life.

[0122] <Excavator controller function blocks> Returning to FIG. 3, each functional block in the shovel controller 30 will be described. Each functional block in the shovel controller 30 is conceptual and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. All or part of each functional block can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating it in any unit. All or any part of the processing functions performed by each functional block are realized by a program executed by a CPU. Alternatively, each functional block may be realized as hardware using wired logic.

[0123] The shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment includes a charging current value storage unit 3011 and a time information storage unit 3012 in a nonvolatile auxiliary storage device.

[0124] The charging current value storage unit 3011 stores information used when adjusting the charging value depending on the time from the start of charging to the work start time. Note that a specific method using the information stored in the charging current value storage unit 3011 will be described in the second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0125] The time information storage unit 3012 stores information indicating the work start time. The work start time of the shovel 200 is, for example, time information input by the operator from the input device 52. The work start time may be information input from the management device 300 or the support device 400. Furthermore, the work start time may be information extracted from schedule information of the work site managed by the management device 300. Furthermore, the work start time may be information automatically calculated by the shovel controller 30 in accordance with the past work history of the shovel 200.

[0126] Furthermore, the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a charging control unit 3001, a calculation unit 3002, a setting unit 3003, a display control unit 3004, a communication control unit 3005, and an operation reception unit 3006 as functional units realized by executing one or more programs installed in an auxiliary storage device on a CPU.

[0127] Note that some of the functions of the shovel controller 30 may be realized by another controller. In other words, the functions of the shovel controller 30 may be realized in a distributed manner by a plurality of controllers.

[0128] When a charging connector is connected to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101 or the quick charging vehicle inlet 102, the charging control unit 3001 controls the charging of the battery 192 from the charging connector. Specifically, the charging control unit 3001 transmits instructions related to the control of charging to the battery controller 191.

[0129] The charge control unit 3001 according to this embodiment controls charging in accordance with the charge mode set by the shovel user. In this embodiment, the settable charge modes include a safe charge mode and a normal charge mode. The charge control unit 3001 controls charging in accordance with the charge mode set by the shovel user from the two types of charge modes.

[0130] The normal charging mode is a charging mode in which charging is controlled according to the vehicle charging inlet that is connected. For example, when the normal charging mode is selected, normal charging is performed when the charging connector is connected to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101, and rapid charging is performed when the charging connector is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102.

[0131] The charging control unit 3001 performs charging control based on the SOC of the battery 192 and the maximum capacity of the power supply station, both of which are received from the battery controller 191.

[0132] For example, when the safe charging mode is set, the charging control unit 3001 instructs the battery controller 191 to start rapid charging at the maximum capacity of the power supply station when the charging connector is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102. Thereafter, the charging control unit 3001 instructs the battery controller 191 to stop charging when it receives a notification from the battery controller 191 that the SOC of the battery 192 has reached 80%.

[0133] When the safe charging mode is set, the calculation unit 3002 calculates the time to restart charging after the charging control unit 3001 issues an instruction to stop charging of the battery 192. The calculation of the time to restart charging by the calculation unit 3002 may be performed at any timing. For example, the calculation may be performed after charging of the battery 192 is stopped, or may be performed in advance when the charging connector is connected.

[0134] Furthermore, after charging is stopped, the charging connector may be removed to perform urgent work using the shovel 200. In this case, the calculation unit 3002 may calculate the time to restart charging at the timing when the charging connector is connected to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101 or the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102 after the work by the shovel 200.

[0135] For example, the calculation unit 3002 can recognize the remaining current of the battery 192 and the current value supplied from the power supply station (for example, the maximum current value that the power supply station can supply) from information from the battery controller 191. Then, the calculation unit 3002 calculates the time required for charging by dividing the remaining current by the current value. Then, the calculation unit 3002 can calculate the time to start charging again by subtracting the calculated time from the work start time.

[0136] Note that the present embodiment is not limited to a method for calculating the time required for charging. For example, a table that associates the time required for charging with the rechargeable battery supplied from the power supply station may be stored in advance in a nonvolatile storage medium, and the calculation unit 3002 may calculate the time required for charging by referring to the table.

[0137] Then, charging control section 3001 controls charging to start again at the time calculated by calculation section 3002.

[0138] The display control unit 3004 performs control for displaying a charge setting screen related to charging of the shovel 200. On the charge setting screen, for example, a charge mode can be selected. Specific aspects of the screen will be described later.

[0139] The operation reception unit 3006 receives operations performed by the shovel user via the input device 52. For example, the operation reception unit 3006 receives operations performed on a setting screen related to charging. Specifically, the operation reception unit 3006 receives a selection of a charging mode.

[0140] The communication control unit 3005 controls communication with a predetermined external device (a communication control device, for example, the management device 300 or the support device 400).

[0141] For example, the charge setting screen is not limited to being displayed by the shovel 200, but may be displayed by the management device 300 or the support device 400. In this case, the communication control unit 3005 may receive information regarding an operation performed on the charge setting screen from the management device 300 or the support device 400. For example, the communication control unit 3005 may receive a charge mode set by the management device 300 or the support device 400.

[0142] The setting unit 3003 performs settings related to charging (for example, setting of the charging mode) according to an operation accepted by the operation accepting unit 3006 or information received by the communication control unit 3005.

[0143] Furthermore, the communication control unit 3005 transmits information indicating the results of the charge control performed by the charge control unit 3001 to the management device 300. This allows the management device 300 to store the history of the charge control in the shovel 200.

[0144] <Charging setting screen explanation> FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a charge setting screen displayed by the display control unit 3004 of the shovel 200 according to this embodiment. On the charge setting screen 6000 shown in FIG. 6, one of the charge modes can be selected using radio buttons 6001 and 6002. Note that the charge setting screen 6000 shown in FIG. 6 is not limited to being displayed by the shovel 200, and may be displayed by each of the management device 300 and the support device 400. Note that the charge setting screen 6000 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of one mode, and may be displayed in a different mode.

[0145] When radio button 6001 is pressed, operation reception unit 3006 receives normal charging mode as the selected charging mode. When normal charging mode is selected, normal charging is performed when the charging connector is connected to normal charging vehicle inlet 101, and rapid charging is performed when the charging connector is connected to rapid charging vehicle inlet 102.

[0146] When the radio button 6002 is pressed, the operation acceptance unit 3006 accepts the safe charging mode as the selected charging mode.

[0147] Also included as fields for the safe charging mode are an input field 6011 for the work start time, a check box 6012 for whether or not to have a reminder, and an input field 6013 for the reminder notification time.

[0148] The work start time input field 6011 is a field provided for inputting the work start time of the shovel 200. When the operation reception unit 3006 receives input of a time in the input field 6011, the setting unit 3003 sets the input time in the time information storage unit 3012. As a result, the shovel controller 30 performs control so that charging is completed at the input work start time. Note that the work start time input field 6011 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the shovel controller 30 may specify the work start time based on the work history of the shovel 200, etc.

[0149] The reminder checkbox 6012 sets whether or not to send a reminder email to an external device regarding the time when the shovel 200 will start charging again. When the checkbox 6012 is set, the communication control unit 3005 sends a reminder email regarding the work start time (an example of time information) to the external device (a communication control device, for example, the management device 300 or the support device 400).

[0150] The reminder notification time input field 6013 is a field provided for inputting the time at which to send an email when the check box 6012 is set. When the operation reception unit 3006 receives input of a time in the input field 6013, the communication control unit 3005 sends an email regarding the time to start charging to an external device (a communication control device, which is the management device 300 or the support device 400) at the set time. This allows the operator or the like to know that recharging will be performed. Note that the reminder notification time input field 6013 may be omitted. In this case, the shovel controller 30 may send a reminder email at any timing.

[0151] The target charging rate field 6020 allows the user to set a target charging rate for charging the battery 192 by the work start time. For example, when the up arrow button 6021 is pressed, the target charging rate is increased, and when the down arrow button 6022 is pressed, the target charging rate is decreased.

[0152] As a result, by adjusting the target charging rate of the battery 192 in accordance with the working time of the shovel 200, deterioration of the battery 192 can be suppressed.

[0153] When an OK button 6031 is pressed, the operation reception unit 3006 receives the information input on the charge setting screen 6000. When a return button 6032 is pressed, the information input on the charge setting screen 6000 is discarded, and the screen returns to the screen that was displayed before the charge setting screen 6000.

[0154] <First mode of processing flow for excavator charging control> Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure for performing charge control in the shovel controller 30 in the first aspect. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for performing charge control in the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment.

[0155] First, the display control unit 3004 displays a charge setting screen (S1501). The charge setting screen is, for example, the screen shown in FIG.

[0156] Then, the operation reception unit 3006 receives the setting of the charging mode (S1502).

[0157] The operation reception unit 3006 determines whether the received charging mode is the safe charging mode (S1503). If it is determined that the received charging mode is not the safe charging mode, in other words, the normal charging mode (S1503: No), the setting unit 3003 sets charging to be performed in the normal charging mode (S1504).

[0158] On the other hand, if the operation accepting unit 3006 determines that the accepted charging mode is the safe charging mode (S1503: Yes), the operation accepting unit 3006 further accepts settings related to the operation start time and reminders (S1505).Then, the setting unit 3003 registers the input operation start time, along with the settings to charge in the safe charging mode and the settings related to reminders, in the time information storage unit 3012 (S1506).

[0159] Thereafter, the charging control unit 3001 determines whether or not the charging connector is connected based on information from the battery controller 191 (S1507). If the charging control unit 3001 determines that the charging connector is not connected (S1507: No), the charging control unit 3001 performs the process of S1506 again.

[0160] On the other hand, if the charging control unit 3001 determines that the charging connector is connected (S1507: Yes), the charging control unit 3001 determines whether the safe charging mode is set (S1508).

[0161] If the charging control unit 3001 determines that the safe charging mode is not set, in other words, that the normal charging mode is set (S1508: No), the charging control unit 3001 performs charging control according to the charging vehicle inlet to which the charging connector is connected (S1509).

[0162] On the other hand, if the charge control unit 3001 determines that the safe charge mode is set (S1508: Yes), the charge control unit 3001 performs charge control based on the safe charge mode (S1510). Specifically, the charge control unit 3001 starts rapid charge, but stops charging when the SOC reaches 80%, and then resumes charging at a predetermined time, thereby controlling the SOC of the battery 192 to reach a target charge rate (e.g., 100%) at the work start time.

[0163] The shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment performs charging control according to the charging mode set by the shovel user through the above-described control. Note that the above-described processing procedure is shown as an example. For example, the charging mode and the work start time may be set based on information received from an external device (e.g., the management device 300 or the support device 400).

[0164] Returning to FIG. 3, the functional blocks of the management device 300 and the support device 400 in the excavator management system SYS will be described.

[0165] <Functional block of management device> The control device 310 of the management device 300 controls various operations in the management device 300. The control device 310 includes, for example, a display processing unit 3101, an operation reception unit 3102, a communication control unit 3103, and a recording unit 3104 as functional units realized by executing, on a CPU, one or more programs installed in a non-volatile auxiliary storage device. The control device 310 also includes, for example, a log storage unit 3111 as a storage area defined in a non-volatile internal memory such as an auxiliary storage device.

[0166] The display processing unit 3101 controls the display of various information to the management device user using a display device included in the output device 330. For example, the display processing unit 3101 may display the charge setting screen shown in FIG.

[0167] The operation receiving unit 3102 receives an operation performed by a management device user using the input device 340. For example, the operation receiving unit 3102 may receive an operation for setting charging performed on a charging setting screen.

[0168] The communication control unit 3103 uses the communication device 320 to control the transmission and reception of information between the support device 400 and the shovel 200 .

[0169] For example, the communication control unit 3103 may transmit the charging settings accepted by the operation accepting unit 3102 to the shovel 200.

[0170] Furthermore, the communication control unit 3103 may receive, from the shovel 200, information indicating the results of the charge control.

[0171] The recording unit 3104 registers the information indicating the results of the charging control received by the communication control unit 3103 in the log storage unit 3111. The registered information will be described later.

[0172] <Functional block of the support device> The control device 410 of the support device 400 controls various operations of the support device 400. The control device 410 includes, for example, a display processing unit 4101, an operation receiving unit 4102, and a communication control unit 4103 as functional units realized by executing one or more programs installed in a non-volatile auxiliary storage device or the like.

[0173] The display processing unit 4101 controls the display of various information to the support device user using a display device included in the output device 330. For example, the display processing unit 4101 may display the charge setting screen shown in FIG.

[0174] The operation receiving unit 4102 receives an operation performed by the support device user using the input device 440. For example, the operation receiving unit 4102 may receive an operation for setting charging performed on a charging setting screen.

[0175] The communication control unit 4103 uses the communication device 420 to control the transmission and reception of information between the management device 300 and the shovel 200 .

[0176] For example, the communication control unit 3103 may transmit the charging settings accepted by the operation accepting unit 3102 to the shovel 200.

[0177] The communication control unit 3103 may also receive a reminder email for the safe charging mode from the shovel 200. Furthermore, when the communication control unit 3103 receives a reminder email, the communication control unit 3103 may also transmit to the shovel 200 an instruction to change the setting of the charging mode. Note that specific processing procedures will be described later.

[0178] (Second embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which whether or not to extend the life of the battery 192 is switched depending on whether or not to set the safe charging mode. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an example is shown in which more detailed settings are made as the safe charging mode. Note that the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0179] [Explanation of battery deterioration depending on temperature] In this embodiment, it is possible to set whether or not to switch charge control depending on the outside air temperature. Therefore, the reason for switching charge control depending on the outside air temperature will be explained. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the correspondence relationship between the temperature and the deterioration level of the battery 192 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the deterioration level of the battery 192 is maintained at a low level when the temperature of the battery 192 is 40 degrees or less. Then, the deterioration level of the battery 192 increases as the temperature becomes higher than 40 degrees.

[0180] Therefore, by taking the temperature of the battery 192 into consideration, it is possible to further extend the life of the battery 192. Therefore, the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment switches whether or not to perform charge control according to the outside air temperature, depending on the settings. Next, an example of performing charge control according to the outside air temperature will be described.

[0181] <Explanation of safe charging mode for excavators 2> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing changes in the SOC of the battery 192 due to charging control according to the outside air temperature in the safe charging mode by the shovel controller according to this embodiment.

[0182] In the example shown in FIG. 11 At time T 14 is the work start time. Then, the target charging rate S of the battery 192 is T (For example, 100%). Therefore, at time T 14 Then, the SOC of the battery 192 reaches the target charging rate S T It is sufficient to reach

[0183] Therefore, the shovel controller 30 calculates the time T 11 Charging of the battery 192 is started from the charging connector (an example of a charging member), and at time T 12 Charging stops at time T 11 From time T 12 9 is controlled so that the time required for charging from time T1 to time T2 in FIG. 11 From time T 12 The charging current value from time T1 to time T2 in FIG. 5 is controlled to be lower than the charging current value from time T1 to time T2 in FIG.

[0184] The control shown in Fig. 9 is performed, for example, when the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 is higher than a predetermined temperature (e.g., 20°C). When the outside air temperature is 20°C or higher, if rapid charging (e.g., charging at the maximum current value that the power supply station can supply) is performed on the battery 192, the temperature of the battery 192 quickly rises to 40°C or higher. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the outside air temperature is 20°C or higher, the charging control shown in Fig. 9 (hereinafter referred to as second safe charging control) is performed. On the other hand, when the outside air temperature is lower than 20°C, the charging control shown in Fig. 5 (hereinafter referred to as first safe charging control) is performed.

[0185] Note that, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which charging control is switched depending on whether the outside air temperature is 20 degrees or higher, but the outside air temperature that serves as the criterion for switching charging control is not limited to 20 degrees. The temperature that serves as the criterion for switching charging control is determined arbitrarily depending on the characteristics of the battery 192 and the outside air conditions under which the shovel 200 is used.

[0186] When the outside air temperature is higher than 20 degrees (an example of a predetermined temperature), the shovel controller 30 performs second safety charging control. As the second safety charging control, the shovel controller 30 controls charging so that the current value from the start to the end of charging the battery 192 is lower than the maximum current value that the power supply station can output, in order to prevent the battery 192 from heating up. In other words, by charging at a value lower than the maximum current value that the power supply station can output, it is possible to prevent the battery 192 from becoming too hot, thereby achieving a longer lifespan for the battery 192. A specific method for specifying the current value will be described later.

[0187] Furthermore, in the second safety charging control, the battery 192 may be cooled when the temperature of the battery 192 exceeds 40°C. The battery 192 may be cooled by any cooling mechanism, such as air cooling or water cooling, or by using a cooling circuit provided in the shovel 200. In the second safety charging control, the battery 192 is charged at a value lower than the maximum current value, thereby suppressing heat generation by the battery 192. Therefore, when the battery 192 is cooled, the amount of power required for the cooling can also be reduced. This allows the cost required for cooling the battery 192 to be reduced.

[0188] Thereafter, the shovel controller 30 determines the work start time T 14 Target charging rate S T (an example of a predetermined charging rate) at time T 13 Charging starts again at time T 13 The calculation method for time T 13 The charging that is restarted from the beginning is performed at the maximum current value that the power supply station can output or the maximum current value that the battery 192 can charge, but other current values ​​may also be used.

[0189] Then, the shovel controller 30 controls the SOC of the battery 192 to be equal to or higher than the target charging rate S T The time T 14 In this embodiment, the charging of the battery is stopped when the SOC of the battery 192 reaches the target charging rate S T The time at which the charging is completed is not limited to exactly the work start time, but may be controlled so that charging is completed a little before the work start time (for example, a few minutes before).

[0190] Thereafter, the excavator 200 starts working at the work start time. 15 The SOC of the battery 192 thereafter is 14 The SOC is lower than that in

[0191] When performing second safe charging control, the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment controls the start of charging at a current value determined based on the length of time between the time the charging connector (charging member) is connected to the quick charging vehicle inlet 102 and the work start time indicated in the time information storage unit 3012. The shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment determines the current value from when charging starts to when it stops, by referring to the charging current value storage unit 3011.

[0192] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the table structure of the charging current value storage unit 3011 according to this embodiment. 21 , time T 21 ~Time T 22 , time T 22 ~Time T 23 The charging current value is set to decrease as the time until the work start time increases. The charging current value for each hour is set to be equal to or greater than the target charging rate S T The current value required to reach this is set.

[0193] When the charging connector (charging member) is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102, the charging control unit 3001 calculates the time between the connection time and the operation start time indicated in the time information storage unit 3012. The charging control unit 3001 refers to the charging current value storage unit 3011 to identify the charging current value associated with the calculated time. The charging control unit 3001 then instructs the battery controller 191 to charge at the identified charging current value.

[0194] There may be cases where the maximum current value that the power supply station can output is lower than the charging current value associated with the time period determined in the charging current value storage unit 3011. In this case, the charging control unit 3001 controls the power supply station to charge at the maximum current value that it can output.

[0195] Furthermore, the number of tables stored in the charging current value storage unit 3011 is not limited to one. As a modified example, a table stored in the charging current value storage unit 3011 may be provided for each outside air temperature. In this case, the table for each outside air temperature associates the time until the work start time with the charging current value of the battery 192. This achieves both achieving the target charging rate at the work start time and suppressing heat generation in the battery 192. Note that the charging current value is determined according to the characteristics of the battery 192, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0196] In a modified example in which a table is provided for each outside air temperature, the shovel controller 30 identifies a table to refer to based on the detected outside air temperature, and then refers to the identified table to identify a charging current value associated with the time until the work start time. The subsequent processing is the same as in the case in which there is one table, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In this modified example, by referring to a table corresponding to the outside air temperature, it is possible to suppress heat generation in the battery 192 according to the outside air temperature while allowing the SOC of the battery 192 to reach 80%. This makes it possible to achieve both a long lifespan of the battery 192 and convenience when the need to suddenly use the shovel 200 arises.

[0197] Furthermore, when performing the second safety charge control, the method of specifying the charge current value is not limited to referring to the charge current value storage unit 3011. For example, when the outside air temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature (e.g., 20 degrees), the shovel controller 30 may control charging at a current value lower than the maximum current value that can be supplied by the power supply station. In this embodiment, the shovel controller 30 also controls charging at a lower current value than when performing the first safety charge control. This charge control can also suppress heat generation in the battery 192, thereby achieving a longer lifespan. Note that when the shovel controller 30 controls charging at a current value lower than the maximum current value that can be supplied by the power supply station, it is preferable to use a current value that achieves the target charging rate at least at the start of work.

[0198] Returning to the second embodiment, when the charging control unit 3001 performs second safe charging control, charging is performed at a charging current value associated with the time between the connection time and the work start time indicated in the time information storage unit 3012. By performing charging at a charging current value associated with time, charging can be performed up to the target charging rate by the work start time regardless of the time the charging connector is connected. In other words, because charging can be performed up to the target charging rate by the work start time, a decrease in work efficiency can be suppressed.

[0199] <Charging setting screen explanation 2> Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a charge setting screen displayed by the display control unit 3004 according to the second embodiment. Compared to the charge setting screen shown in Fig. 6, the charge setting screen shown in Fig. 11 adds a balanced mode 6004 and a degradation suppression priority mode 6005 to the safe charge mode.

[0200] The balance mode 6004 is a mode in which the charging control shown in Fig. 5 is performed. The degradation suppression priority mode 6005 is a mode in which the first safe charging control shown in Fig. 5 and the second safe charging control shown in Fig. 9 are switched depending on the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40. The other items on the charging setting screen shown in Fig. 11 are the same as those on the charging setting screen shown in Fig. 6, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0201] <Second mode of processing flow for excavator charging control> Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure for performing charge control in the shovel controller 30 in the second mode. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for performing charge control in the shovel controller 30 according to this embodiment.

[0202] First, the display control unit 3004 displays a charge setting screen (S1901). The charge setting screen is, for example, the display screen shown in FIG.

[0203] Then, the operation reception unit 3006 receives the setting of the charging mode (S1902).

[0204] The operation reception unit 3006 determines whether the received charging mode is the safe charging mode (S1903). If it is determined that the received charging mode is not the safe charging mode, in other words, the normal charging mode (S1903: No), the setting unit 3003 sets charging to be performed in the normal charging mode (S1904).

[0205] On the other hand, if the operation accepting unit 3006 determines that the accepted charging mode is the safe charging mode (S1903: Yes), the operation accepting unit 3006 further accepts settings related to the work start time, the balanced mode or the degradation suppression-oriented mode, and the reminder (S1905).Then, the setting unit 3003 registers the input work start time together with the setting to charge in the safe charging mode, the setting of the balanced mode or the degradation suppression-oriented mode, and the setting related to the reminder in the time information storage unit 3012 (S1906).

[0206] Thereafter, the charging control unit 3001 determines whether or not the charging connector is connected based on information from the battery controller 191 (S1907). If the charging control unit 3001 determines that the charging connector is not connected (S1907: No), it performs the process of S1907 again.

[0207] On the other hand, if the charging control unit 3001 determines that the charging connector is connected (S1907: Yes), the charging control unit 3001 determines whether the safe charging mode is set (S1908).

[0208] If the charging control unit 3001 determines that the safe charging mode has not been set, in other words, that the normal charging mode is set (S1908: No), the charging control unit 3001 performs charging control according to the charging vehicle inlet to which the charging connector is connected (S1909).

[0209] On the other hand, when it is determined that the safe charging mode is set (S1908: Yes), the charging control unit 3001 determines whether the deterioration suppression priority mode is selected (S1910).

[0210] If the charging control unit 3001 determines that the deterioration suppression priority mode is not selected, in other words, that the balanced mode is selected (S1910: No), it performs the first safe charging control shown in Figure 5 (S1911).

[0211] On the other hand, when it is determined that the deterioration suppression priority mode is selected (S1910: Yes), the charge control unit 3001 acquires the outside air temperature from the temperature sensor 40 (S1912).

[0212] Then, the charging control unit 3001 determines whether the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than 20 degrees (S1913). If the charging control unit 3001 determines that the outside air temperature is lower than 20 degrees (S1913: No), the charging control unit 3001 performs the first safe charging control shown in FIG. 5 (S1911).

[0213] On the other hand, if the charge control unit 3001 determines that the outside air temperature is 20 degrees or higher (S1913: Yes), it performs the second safety charge control shown in FIG. 11 (S1914).

[0214] In this embodiment, as shown in the above-described processing, when the degradation suppression priority mode is set, the charging method of the battery 192 is switched depending on the outside air temperature, thereby achieving a longer lifespan of the battery 192.

[0215] <Reminder notification process> In this embodiment, a case where the safe charging mode is set will be described. When the charging connector is connected, the shovel controller 30 starts charging the battery 192 from the charging connector, and then sends a reminder email related to charging control to the management device 300 or the support device 400 (an example of an external device). The reminder related to charging control includes information indicating at least the predicted charging completion time (in other words, the work start time). Note that the notification of the reminder is not limited to the second embodiment, and may be sent in the first embodiment.

[0216] Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing related to reminding between the shovel 200 and the support device 400 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the flow of processing between the support device 400 is shown, but similar processing may be performed between the management device 300. In addition, the example shown in Fig. 12 is the flow of processing performed when the safe charging mode is set. In the processing shown in Fig. 12, the mode that is set may be the safe charging mode, and either the degradation suppression emphasis mode or the balanced mode may be set.

[0217] First, when the charging connector is connected, the charging control unit 3001 of the shovel 200 instructs the battery controller 191 to start charging (S2001).

[0218] Thereafter, when the charge control unit 3001 of the shovel 200 recognizes that the SOC of the battery 192 has reached 80%, it instructs the battery controller 191 to stop charging (S2002).

[0219] Then, the communication control unit 3005 of the excavator 200 transmits a reminder email regarding recharging to the support device 400 (S2003).

[0220] Then, the display processing unit 4101 of the support device 400 displays a screen related to recharging based on the received email (S2004). The screen includes at least the predicted charging completion time (in other words, the work start time). The specific screen to be displayed will be described later.

[0221] The support device user checks the screen, and if there is no problem with the predicted charging completion time (in other words, the work start time), closes the screen and ends the process. If the support device user checks the screen and wants to change the predicted charging completion time (in other words, the work start time), he or she performs an operation to change the settings on the screen.

[0222] In this case, the operation accepting unit 4102 of the support device 400 accepts an operation to change the setting via the input device 440 (S2005). For example, the operation accepting unit 4102 accepts, as a change in the setting, a setting to set a time (an example of a second time) different from the currently displayed predicted charging completion time as a new predicted charging completion time.

[0223] Then, the communication control unit 4103 of the support device 400 transmits a setting change request to the shovel 200 (S2006). The setting change request includes, for example, a new predicted charging completion time (an example of the second time).

[0224] Then, the setting unit 3003 of the shovel 200 changes the setting based on the received change request (S2007). For example, if the received change request is a request to change to a new predicted charge completion time (an example of a second time), the calculation unit 3002 calculates the charging restart time so that charging will be completed at the new predicted charge completion time. As a result, the charge control unit 3001 can start charging at the restart time, thereby controlling charging so that the target charging rate will be reached at the new predicted charge completion time.

[0225] Thereafter, the communication control unit 3005 of the excavator transmits a message to the support device 400 indicating that the settings have been changed (S2008).

[0226] Then, the display processing unit 4101 of the support device 400 displays a screen indicating that the settings have been changed based on the received notification (S2009), thereby allowing the support device user to recognize that the settings have been changed.

[0227] Then, the charging control unit 3001 restarts charging based on the changed setting (S2010). For example, if the predicted charging completion time is changed, the charging control unit 3001 instructs the battery controller 191 to start charging at the set restart time.

[0228] Thereafter, when the charge control unit 3001 of the shovel 200 recognizes that the SOC of the battery 192 has reached the target charging rate (for example, 100%), it instructs the battery controller 191 to stop charging (S2011).

[0229] In this embodiment, by performing the processing according to the above-described processing procedure, even if the work start time of the shovel 200 is changed, charging control of the battery 192 can be realized in accordance with the change. This not only extends the life of the battery 192 but also improves work efficiency.

[0230] 13 is shown as an example, and is not limited to the above-mentioned timing. The reminder email may be sent at any time between the start of charging of the shovel 200 and the start of recharging. However, it is preferable that the timing be such that the predicted charging time of the battery 192 (in other words, the work start time) can be adjusted, and for example, the reminder email may be sent before the end of charging of the battery 192, which starts when the charging connector is connected.

[0231] <Recharge display screen> As shown in S2004 of Fig. 13, the display processing unit 4101 of the support device 400 displays a screen related to recharging based on the received email. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen related to recharging displayed by the display processing unit 4101 of the support device 400 according to the embodiment. This screen is displayed when the safe charging mode is set in the excavator 200.

[0232] 14, a display screen 1400 relating to recharging includes a display field 1401 for the resumption time of charging and a display field 1402 for the predicted charging completion time (in other words, the work start time). Note that this embodiment is not limited to a mode in which both the display field 1401 for the resumption time and the display field 1402 for the predicted charging completion time (in other words, the work start time) are displayed, and for example, only the display field 1402 for the predicted charging completion time (in other words, the work start time) may be displayed.

[0233] The display screen 1400 also displays the current state of charge (SOC) of the battery 192 in a display field 1406. This allows the support device user to recognize whether the shovel 200 is currently capable of performing work.

[0234] Display screen 1400 can accept changes to settings related to the safe charging mode.

[0235] For example, the display screen 1400 can accept a change to cancel the safe charging mode. The display screen 1400 displays a restart charging button 1403 along with the message "Resume quick charging now?" The restart charging button 1403 is a button for switching from the safe charging mode to the normal charging mode. When the operation reception unit 4102 accepts pressing of the restart charging button 1403, the excavator 200 switches from the safe charging mode to the normal charging mode, and quick charging of the battery 192 is started. The display screen 1400 also displays the predicted time of completion of charging when quick charging is started (for example, "23:00").

[0236] As another example, the display screen 1400 can accept a change to the predicted charging completion time. The display screen 1400 has a time input field 1404 and a change request button 1405 arranged along with a message "Change predicted charging completion time?" The time input field 1404 is a field for inputting the predicted charging completion time, in other words, the work start time. When the operation acceptance unit 4102 accepts input of the predicted charging completion time (work start time) in the time input field 1404 and then accepts input of the change request button 1405, the communication control unit 4103 transmits a change request for the predicted charging completion time (work start time) to the excavator 200.

[0237] In the present embodiment, when the safe charging mode is set, the shovel controller 30 sends a reminder email, which causes the support device 400 or the management device 300 to display the display screen 1400 shown in Fig. 14. The display screen 1400 displays the predicted charging completion time (work start time), allowing the operator to recognize the time when work can be started with the shovel 200. This improves convenience and also makes it possible to prevent forgetting to change the predicted charging completion time (work start time), thereby preventing a decrease in work efficiency.

[0238] Furthermore, in this embodiment, various setting changes can be made, such as changing the predicted charging completion time (work start time) on the display screen 1400. As a result, when charging control is performed in the safe charging mode, settings can be changed at the request of the support device user, thereby improving convenience. Furthermore, the predicted charging completion time (work start time) can be changed at the request of the support device user. Therefore, even if the support device user wants to change the work start time in accordance with the work schedule, the charging control can be changed so that the target charging rate is reached at the work start time, thereby preventing a decrease in work efficiency.

[0239] <Charging log display screen> As described above, the management device 300 stores the charging history of the battery 192 of the shovel 200 in the log storage unit 3111. Therefore, a management device user can check the charging history on a charging log screen based on the log storage unit 3111. Display of the charging log screen is not limited to the management device 300, and may be displayed on the support device 400 or the shovel 200. Note that display of the charging log screen is not limited to the second embodiment, and may be displayed in the first embodiment.

[0240] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a charging log screen displayed by the display processing unit 3101 of the management device 300. As shown in FIG.

[0241] 15 displays in tabular form the charging history of the battery 192. The charging log screen displays, for each charge performed on the battery 192, the "date," "charging mode," "set time (start time of work)," "intermediate use," "charging time zone," "recharge start time," "end time," "remind," "setting change," and the like.

[0242] "Date" indicates the date on which charging was performed in accordance with the charging mode in the battery 192. "Set time" indicates the work start time that is set in advance to complete charging of the battery 192.

[0243] "Intermediate use" indicates whether the charging connector was removed and the excavator 200 was used intermediately between the start time when the charging connector was connected and the end time when the target charging rate was reached.

[0244] The "charging time period" indicates the time period during which charging was performed according to the charging mode. Specifically, the "charging time period" item displays the start time when the charging connector was connected and the end time when charging ended when the target charging rate was reached.

[0245] "Recharge start time" indicates the time when charging resumed in safe charging mode. "Remind" indicates whether a reminder email was sent. "Settings changed" indicates the changed settings if the settings were actually changed in the reminder email.

[0246] By checking the charge log screen, the management device user can understand the past results of charging the battery 192 in accordance with charge control in the safe charge mode, etc. This can improve convenience when charge control in the safe charge mode, etc. is performed.

[0247] Among the examples shown in FIG. 15, the record for "December 20, 2021" is an example in which, as a result of sending a reminder email, the safe charging mode was switched to the normal charging mode in accordance with a change request from the support device 400. As a result, charging was completed at "1:00." As a result, the excavator 200 can be used from 1:00 AM the next day onwards, charged to the target charging rate.

[0248] In the example shown in FIG. 15, the record for "December 24, 2021" is an example in which the shovel 200 was used partway through after charging was stopped. After the partway through use, the calculation unit 3002 recalculates the time to resume charging when the charging connector is reconnected. As a result, the recharging start time is changed to "4:48." With this control, even if the shovel 200 is used partway through, it can be used in a state in which the target charging rate has been reached at the work start time. Furthermore, in this embodiment, even when charging is stopped, the battery 192 of the shovel 200 is charged to 80%, so partway through use before the work start time can be easily achieved.

[0249] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which control is performed in the safe charging mode when a charging connector is connected to rapid charging vehicle inlet 102. However, in the above-described embodiment, control in the safe charging mode is not limited to when a charging connector is connected to rapid charging vehicle inlet 102, and may also be performed when a charging connector is connected to normal charging vehicle inlet 101. A case in which control in the safe charging mode is performed when a charging connector is connected to normal charging vehicle inlet 101 may occur, for example, when there are several days until the next work start time due to a holiday or other reason.

[0250] In the above-described embodiment, the case where control in the safe charging mode is performed when a charging connector is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102 has been described. However, the condition for starting control in the safe charging mode is not limited to only when a charging connector is connected to the vehicle charging inlet. For example, control in the safe charging mode may be performed when a charging connector is connected to the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102 and a predetermined condition is met (for example, when an operation to start charging is received or when a scheduled time set for starting charging has arrived). In this way, the start of control in the safe charging mode may include any case where a charging component is connected to the charging port.

[0251] <effect> In the above-described embodiment, when a charging connector is connected to the normal charging vehicle inlet 101 or the rapid charging vehicle inlet 102, the shovel controller 30 starts charging the battery 192 from the charging connector, stops charging before a predetermined charging rate (e.g., 100%) is reached, and then controls charging to start again so that the target charging rate (e.g., 100%) is reached at the work start time indicated by the time information. As a result, charging is stopped before the target charging rate (e.g., 100%) is reached, so the charging rate of the battery 192 is maintained at a low level. This makes it possible to extend the life of the battery 192. Thereafter, the shovel controller 30 starts charging again so that the target charging rate (e.g., 100%) is reached at the work start time. This allows the shovel 200 to work for a long period of time. In other words, the shovel controller 30 can extend the life of the battery 192 without reducing work efficiency.

[0252] In the above-described embodiment, the target charging rate can be adjusted on the charging setting screen displayed on the shovel 200, the management device 300, or the support device 400. Therefore, by adjusting the target charging rate in accordance with the working time of the shovel 200, the user can further suppress deterioration of the battery 192 and suppress a decrease in working efficiency.

[0253] In the above-described embodiment, the user can select a desired charging mode from a plurality of charging modes as charging control for the shovel 200. This allows the shovel controller 30 to perform charging control in accordance with the charging mode desired by the user, thereby improving convenience.

[0254] In the above-described embodiment, the charging history of the charging control of the shovel 200 is stored in the log storage unit 3111, and a charging log screen that displays the charging history in a tabular format can be displayed. The user can recognize the status of the charging control of the battery 192 by referring to the charging log screen. This allows the user to recognize whether the control required to extend the life of the battery 192 is being performed appropriately. This makes it possible to realize appropriate operation of the shovel 200 in order to extend the life of the battery 192.

[0255] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0256] 200 Shovel 1 Undercarriage 2. Swivel mechanism 3 Upper rotating body 4. Boom 5 Arm 6 buckets 7 Boom cylinder 8 Arm Cylinder 9 Bucket cylinder 10 Cabins 19 Battery Module 191 Battery Controller 192 Battery 30 Excavator Controller 50 Output Device 52 Input Device 60 Communication device (an example of a communication unit) 101 Normal charging vehicle inlet 102 Fast charging vehicle inlet 3001 Charging control unit 3002 Calculation Unit 3003 Settings Department 3004 Display control unit 3005 Communication control section 3006 Operation reception section 3011 Charging current value memory unit 3012 Time information storage unit 300 Management device 310 Control device 320 Communication device (an example of a communication unit) 330 Output Device 340 Input Device 3101 Display processing unit 3102 Operation reception desk 3103 Communication Control Unit 3104 Recording section 3111 Log storage unit 400 Support equipment 410 Control device 420 Communication device (an example of a communication unit) 430 Output Device 440 Input Device 4101 Display processing unit 4102 Operation reception section 4103 Communication control unit

Claims

1. An electric motor, a battery that supplies power to the electric motor; a charging port for supplying power to the battery; a storage unit that stores time information; when a charging member is connected to the charging port, charging of the battery from the charging member is started, charging is stopped before a predetermined charging rate is reached, and then charging is restarted at a first time indicated by the time information so that the predetermined charging rate is reached; When the charging member is connected to the charging port, charging of the battery from the charging member is started, and then the time information is transmitted to an external device; and when a request to change the time information to a second time different from the first time is received from the external device after the charging of the battery from the charging member is started, the charging is started again so as to reach the predetermined charging rate at the second time. Electric shovel.

2. A first current value supplied to the battery from the time the charging member is connected to the charging port until charging is stopped before the predetermined charge rate is reached is different from a second current value supplied to the battery from the time charging is restarted until the predetermined charge rate is reached; the second current value is a predetermined value, the first current value is smaller than the second current value and is changed in accordance with an outside air temperature or the length of time until the time indicated by the time information; The electric shovel according to claim 1 .

3. The charging rate at which charging of the battery is stopped before reaching the predetermined charging rate is a preset value within a range of charging rates at which deterioration of the battery is suppressed more than when the battery is fully charged. The electric shovel according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the outside air temperature detected by the detection unit is higher than a predetermined temperature, the current value from the start to the end of charging the battery is controlled to be lower than the maximum current value that can be output by an external power source that supplies power to the battery. The electric shovel according to claim 2.

5. When the temperature of the outside air is higher than the predetermined temperature, control is performed to start charging at the current value determined based on the length of time between the time when the charging member is connected to the charging port and the time indicated by the time information. The electric shovel according to claim 4.

6. a current value from the start to the end of charging the battery when the outside air temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature is controlled to be higher than a current value from the start to the end of charging the battery when the outside air temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature; The electric shovel according to claim 4 or 5.

7. An excavator management system including an electric excavator and a communication control device, The electric shovel is An electric motor, a battery that supplies power to the electric motor; a charging port for supplying power to the battery; a storage unit that stores time information; When a charging member is connected to the charging port, charging of the battery from the charging member is started, charging is stopped before a predetermined charging rate is reached, and then charging is started again at a first time indicated by the time information so that the predetermined charging rate is reached; and after starting charging of the battery from the charging member, the time information is transmitted to the communication control device; The communication control device displaying a first time indicated by the time information received from the electric shovel; after displaying the time information, accepting setting of a second time indicating a time different from the time information; transmitting information indicating the second time to the electric shovel; the electric shovel is configured, when, after starting charging of the battery from the charging member, the electric shovel receives the information indicating the second time different from the first time indicated in the time information, to start charging again at the second time indicated in the received information so that the predetermined charge rate is reached. Excavator management system.

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