Agricultural machinery and agricultural machinery parts monitoring system

Abstract

To provide an agricultural machine and a system for monitoring components of the agricultural machine which can easily detect a state of a component forming the agricultural machine.SOLUTION: An agricultural machine according to the present invention has a work vehicle formed of components, a communication device provided at the component and capable of communicating with at least either of a portable terminal and a fixed base station, a receiver provided at the component and capable of receiving a radio wave transmitted from the communication device, and a state detection unit for detecting a state of the component based on the radio wave received by the receiver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to agricultural machinery and a parts monitoring system for agricultural machinery.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a method for diagnosing the state of parts constituting agricultural machinery such as a backhoe, Patent Document 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, the server sucks up the operating status of each part of the agricultural machinery from the working machine, and based on the sucked-up operating status, determines whether there is a failure in the agricultural machinery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the diagnosis method of Patent Document 1, in order to grasp the details of the state of each part of the agricultural machinery, a complicated process of analyzing the operating status of the agricultural machinery on the server side must be performed.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural machinery and a parts monitoring system for agricultural machinery that can easily detect the state of parts constituting the agricultural machinery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The technical means of the present invention for solving this technical problem is characterized by the following points. The agricultural machinery comprises a work vehicle equipped with parts, a communication device provided on the parts and capable of communicating with at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed base station, a receiver provided on the parts and capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from the communication device, and a state detection unit that detects the state of the parts based on the radio waves received by the receiver.

[0007] The state detection unit detects the deterioration state of the component as the state of the component.

[0008] The state detection unit detects the state of the internal components of the component as the state of the component.

[0009] The communication device transmits operational information of the work vehicle to either the mobile terminal or the fixed base station.

[0010] The communication device and the receiver are installed with the aforementioned component in between them.

[0011] The agricultural machinery parts monitoring system includes a communication device provided on a part constituting a work vehicle and capable of communicating with at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed base station; a receiver provided on the part and capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from the communication device; and a state detection unit that detects the state of the part based on the radio waves received by the receiver.

[0012] The state detection unit detects the deterioration state of the component as the state of the component.

[0013] The state detection unit detects the state of the internal components of the component as the state of the component.

[0014] The communication device transmits operational information of the work vehicle to either the mobile terminal or the fixed base station.

[0015] The communication device and the receiver are installed with the aforementioned component in between them. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the state of parts can be easily detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a plan view of a work vehicle. [Figure 2] It is a side view of a work vehicle. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the first fuel tank, the second fuel tank, etc. as seen from the upper left front. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parts monitoring system applied to a work vehicle. [Figure 5] It is an example of a graph showing the relationship between reception intensity and fuel remaining amount. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the parts monitoring system. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a communication device, a receiver, and a fuel tank. [Figure 8] It is an example of a graph showing the relationship between reception intensity and fuel remaining amount. [Figure 9] It is an example of a graph showing the relationship between reception intensity and fuel remaining amount.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a work vehicle 1, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the work vehicle 1. The work vehicle 1 is a vehicle for performing agricultural work, and in this embodiment, it is a tractor. Hereinafter, it will be described assuming that the work vehicle 1 is a tractor 1. However, the work vehicle 1 is not limited to a tractor.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tractor 1 comprises a body 2, a running gear 3, and a coupling section 4. As shown in Figure 2, the body 2 has a body frame 5, a clutch housing 6, and a transmission case 7. The body frame 5 extends in the front-rear direction of the body 2. A prime mover 8 is mounted on the body frame 5. In this embodiment, the prime mover 8 is an engine 8. The top of the engine 8 is covered by a bonnet 29. The clutch housing 6 is connected to the rear of the engine 8 and houses the clutch. The transmission case 7 is connected to the rear of the clutch housing 6 and houses the transmission, rear-wheel differential, etc. The transmission includes a main transmission and an auxiliary transmission. A PTO shaft 9 protrudes from the rear of the transmission case 7.

[0020] The running gear 3 has a front wheel 3F located at the front of the vehicle body 2 and a rear wheel 3R located at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The front wheel 3F is supported by the vehicle body frame 5. The rear wheel 3R is supported by the output shaft of the rear wheel differential. The rear wheel 3R may be a tire or a crawler.

[0021] The coupling section 4 is located at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The coupling section 4 is the part for connecting a working device (ground work implement) for performing work on fields (farmland), etc., to the rear of the tractor 1. The device is driven by a driving force transmitted, for example, from the PTO shaft 9. Specifically, the working equipment may be a tiller, a sprayer, a seed planter, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0022] The connecting section 4 is a lifting device (hereinafter also referred to as "lifting device 4") that is driven by an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder to raise or lower the work device. In this embodiment, the lifting device 4 is a three-point linkage mechanism and includes a lift arm 4a, a lower link 4b, a top link 4c, a lift rod 4d, and a lift cylinder 4e. In addition, a horizontal control device (Monroe) is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2 to maintain the work device in a horizontal position.

[0023] The vehicle body 2 is equipped with a cabin 11 that surrounds the driver's seat. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, boarding and alighting steps 140 are provided on the sides and below the cabin 11. The boarding and alighting steps 140 are provided on the left and right sides of the cabin 11, respectively. The boarding and alighting steps 140 are provided between the front wheel 3F and the rear wheel 3R. The boarding and alighting steps 140 include an upper step 141 and a lower step 142. The upper step 141 is provided below the entrance 88 of the cabin 11. The lower step 142 is provided below the upper step 141.

[0024] Hereinafter, the upper step and lower step located on the left side of cabin 11 will be referred to as "upper step 141L" and "lower step 142L," respectively. Similarly, the upper step and lower step located on the right side of cabin 11 will be referred to as "upper step 141R" and "lower step 142R," respectively.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the upper steps 141L and 141R are supported by a support 143 attached to the lower part of the cabin 11. The upper steps 141L and 141R are fixed in position relative to the vehicle body 2 by the support 143. The support 143 has a front support 143a, a rear support 143b, and a connecting plate 143c. The front support 143a is connected to the front of the upper step 141L and extends upward. The rear support 143b is connected to the rear of the upper step 141L and extends upward. The connecting plate 143c connects the front support 143a and the rear support 143b.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the lower steps 142L and 142R are positioned offset outward from the vehicle body relative to the upper steps 141L and 141R. Specifically, the lower step 142L is positioned offset to the left relative to the upper step 141L, and the lower step 142R is positioned offset to the right relative to the upper step 141R.

[0027] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first fuel tank 165L, the second fuel tank 165R, etc., viewed from the upper left front. As shown in Figure 3, the first fuel tank 165L and the second fuel tank 165R, which store fuel, are supported by the main frame 154. The fuel tank 165 includes the first fuel tank 165L and the second fuel tank 165R. The first fuel tank 165L is located to the left of the clutch housing 6. The second fuel tank 165R is located to the right of the clutch housing 6. Hereafter, when the first fuel tank 165L and the second fuel tank 165R are not specifically distinguished, they will be referred to as fuel tank 165. The main frame 154 also supports the urea tank 160 and the clutch housing 6.

[0028] In other words, the tractor 1 is equipped with various parts such as a lifting device (coupling section) 4, a body frame 5, a clutch housing 6, a transmission case 7, a prime mover (engine) 8, a cabin 11, a bonnet 29, a fuel tank 165, and a main frame 154.

[0029] Of the parts mentioned above, the lifting device (connecting part) 4, the vehicle frame 5, the clutch housing 6, the transmission case 7, the prime mover 8, the cabin 11, the bonnet 29, and the main frame 154 are components that make up the skeleton of the tractor 1.

[0030] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parts monitoring system 100 applied to tractor 1. This parts monitoring system 100 includes a communication device 50, a receiver 60, and a control device 70.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the communication device 50 is installed on one side of the fuel tank 165. The communication device 50 is configured to communicate with at least one of the mobile terminal 200 and the fixed base station 300. For example, the communication device 50 transmits operational information corresponding to the operating status of the tractor 1 to either the mobile terminal 200 or the fixed base station 300. Specifically, the operational information includes operation signals when operating controls (levers, switches, dials, etc.) installed on the tractor 1, detection signals from various sensors mounted on the vehicle body 2, and the status of components (fuel level in the fuel tank 165, status of the main frame 154, etc., which will be described later). In other words, the communication device 50 is capable of transmitting operational information, including the status of components, to at least one of the mobile terminal 200 and the fixed base station 300. In the embodiment described above, the communication device 50 transmits operational information, including the status of components, to at least one of the mobile terminal 200 and the fixed base station 300, but it may also transmit operational information excluding the status of components.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the receiver 60 is installed on the opposite side of the fuel tank 165 from one side. The receiver 60 is configured to receive radio waves transmitted from the communication device 50. As shown in Figure 3, the communication device 50 and the receiver 60 are installed with the fuel tank 165 in between. The path (radio wave path) connecting the communication device 50 and the receiver 60 in a straight line is shielded by the fuel tank 165. Therefore, the intensity of the radio waves received by the receiver 60 varies depending on the deterioration state of the fuel tank 165 and the amount of fuel inside the fuel tank 165.

[0033] The control device 70 is located inside the cabin 11 of the tractor 1. This control device 70 includes a calculation unit 71, a storage unit 72, a state detection unit 73, etc., and performs predetermined control based on a program stored in the storage unit 72.

[0034] More specifically, the control device 70 controls the tractor 1's driving and working systems based on operation signals received when operating devices (levers, switches, dials, etc.) installed around the cabin 11, and detection signals from various sensors mounted on the vehicle body 2.

[0035] The state detection unit 73 detects the state of the fuel tank 165 based on the radio waves received by the receiver 60. The intensity of the radio waves received by the receiver 60 varies depending on the deterioration state of the fuel tank 165 (deterioration of the resin), that is, the degree of corrosion of the fuel tank 165. Here, data and graphs showing the relationship between radio wave intensity and fuel level, as well as data and graphs showing, for example, the relationship between radio wave intensity and the deterioration state of the fuel tank 165 when the tank is full, are stored in the storage unit 72.

[0036] Figure 5 is an example of a graph showing the relationship between received signal strength and remaining fuel. The signal strength of the radio waves received by the receiver 60 also varies depending on the state of the fuel tank 165, that is, the amount of fuel remaining inside the fuel tank 165. As shown in Figure 5, when the amount of fuel is high, the radio waves that reach the receiver 60 from the communication device 50 through the fuel tank 165 become weaker, and the signal strength received by the receiver 60 decreases. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, when the amount of fuel is low, the radio waves that reach the receiver 60 from the communication device 50 through the fuel tank 165 become easier to reach, and the signal strength received by the receiver 60 increases. Using this, the state detection unit 73 of this embodiment detects the amount of fuel remaining inside the fuel tank 165.

[0037] Next, the operation of the parts monitoring system 100 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0038] First, when the communication device 50 receives a command from, for example, a fixed base station 300, it collects data based on that command and transmits it to the fixed base station 300 via radio waves (step S1).

[0039] Then, a portion of the radio waves passes through the fuel tank 165 and is received by the receiver 60. The state detection unit 73 of the control device 70 detects the strength of the radio waves received by the receiver 60 (step S2).

[0040] Based on the detected radio wave intensity, the calculation unit 71 determines the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 165 (step S3).

[0041] The remaining fuel amount determined in step S3 is transmitted by the communication device 50 to the mobile terminal 200 or the fixed base station 300 (step S4). The remaining fuel amount determined in step S3 may also be displayed on a fuel gauge (not shown) installed in the cabin 11.

[0042] In this way, the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank 165 is detected from the signal strength received by the receiver 60, eliminating the need for complex analysis as in the past, and making detection easy.

[0043] Furthermore, the deterioration status of the fuel tank 165 is determined from the signal strength of the receiver 60 when the tank is full. This is because, when the tank is not full, it is affected by the decrease in fuel level.

[0044] In this embodiment, data and graphs showing the relationship between radio wave intensity and fuel level, and data and graphs showing, for example, the radio wave intensity when the tank is full and the deterioration state of the fuel tank 165 are stored in the storage unit 72.

[0045] Furthermore, since the remaining fuel level and the deterioration status of the fuel tank 165 are detected from the received signal strength of the radio waves transmitting the data, only one receiver 60 is needed, thus reducing the number of parts.

[0046] Furthermore, since the system uses radio waves to transmit data to detect the remaining fuel level and the deterioration status of the fuel tank 165, a dedicated transmitter that emits radio waves for detecting these is not required. This further reduces the number of parts.

[0047] Although the communication device 50 and receiver 60 are located on opposite sides of the fuel tank 165, for example, as shown in Figure 7, either the communication device 50 or the receiver 60 may be located on the top plate of the fuel tank 165 and the other on the bottom plate.

[0048] Figure 8 is an example of a graph showing the relationship between the received signal strength of the radio waves received by the receiver 60 and the remaining fuel level. As shown in Figure 8, when the amount of fuel is high, the radio waves that reach the receiver 60 from the communication device 50 through the fuel tank 165 become weaker, and the signal strength received by the receiver 60 decreases. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, when the amount of fuel is low, the radio waves that reach the receiver 60 from the communication device 50 through the fuel tank 165 become easier to reach, and the signal strength received by the receiver 60 increases linearly. This is used in the state detection unit 73 of this embodiment to detect the remaining amount of fuel inside the fuel tank 165.

[0049] In this embodiment, an example of detecting the state of the fuel tank 165 as a component state is shown. However, it is not limited to this. The state of the main frame 154 may also be detected by providing a communication device 50 on one side of the main frame 154 (see Figure 3), which is a component that constitutes the framework of the work vehicle 1, and a receiver 60 on the other side of the main frame 154. Figure 9 is an example of a graph showing the relationship between the received signal strength of the radio waves received by the receiver 60 and the remaining fuel level. As shown in Figure 9, the received signal strength differs between the normal state and the state after aging. The state of the main frame 154 can be detected by utilizing this property.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, the fuel tank 165 and main frame 154 were exemplified as parts, but the parts may also be the lifting device (connecting part) 4, vehicle frame 5, clutch housing 6, transmission case 7, prime mover (engine) 8, cabin 11, bonnet 29, etc. In other words, by providing a communication device 50 and a receiver 60 on at least one of the lifting device (connecting part) 4, vehicle frame 5, clutch housing 6, transmission case 7, prime mover (engine) 8, cabin 11, and bonnet 29, the status of the lifting device (connecting part) 4, vehicle frame 5, clutch housing 6, transmission case 7, prime mover (engine) 8, cabin 11, and bonnet 29 can be detected.

[0051] As described above, according to the present invention, while the work vehicle 1 transmits data such as operational information to external devices (mobile terminal 200, fixed base station 300), the receiver 60 attached to the component receives radio waves from the communication device 50 for transmitting operational information, etc., thereby detecting the state of the component. The communication device 50 can be used not only as a communication device but also as part of a sensor for detecting the state of the component.

[0052] Although a tractor was used as an example in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various types of agricultural machinery, such as backhoes, tractors, combine harvesters, and rice transplanters.

[0053] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1: Tractor 2: Vehicle body 3: Running gear 3F: Front wheel 3R: Rear wheel 4: Lifting device (connecting part) 4a: Lift arm 4b: Lower link 4c: Top Link 4d: Lift rod 4e: Lift cylinder 5: Vehicle frame 6: Clutch Housing 7: Mission Case 8: Prime mover 9: PTO axis 11: Cabin 29: Hood 50: Communication device 60: Receiver 70: Control device 71: Arithmetic section 72: Storage section 73: State detection unit 88: Entrance / Exit 100: Parts monitoring system 140: Boarding / Alighting Steps 141: Upper step 141L: Upper step 141R: Upper step 142: Lower step 142L: Lower step 142R: Lower step 143:Support 143a: Front support 143b: Rear support 143c: Connecting plate 154: Mainframe 160: Urea tank 165: Fuel tank (part) 165L: First fuel tank 165R: Second fuel tank 200: Mobile devices 300:Fixed base station

Claims

1. A work vehicle equipped with parts, A communication device provided in the aforementioned component and capable of communicating with at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed base station, A receiver provided on the aforementioned component and capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from the communication device, A state detection unit detects the state of the component based on the radio waves received by the receiver, Equipped with, The communication device is provided on one side of the component, and the receiver is provided on the side of the component opposite to the aforementioned one side. An agricultural machine that detects the state of the component based on the intensity of radio waves received by the receiver.

2. The agricultural machine according to claim 1, wherein the state detection unit detects the deterioration state of the part as the state of the part.

3. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the state detection unit detects the state of the inside of the part as the state of the part.

4. The agricultural machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication device transmits operational information corresponding to the operating status of the work vehicle to either the mobile terminal or the fixed base station.

5. A communication device provided on a component of a work vehicle, and capable of communicating with at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed base station, A receiver provided on the aforementioned component and capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from the communication device, A state detection unit detects the state of the component based on the radio waves received by the receiver, Equipped with, The communication device is provided on one side of the component, and the receiver is provided on the side of the component opposite to the aforementioned one side. A component monitoring system for agricultural machinery that detects the state of the component based on the intensity of radio waves received by the receiver.

6. The agricultural machinery parts monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the state detection unit detects the deterioration state of the part as the state of the part.

7. The agricultural machinery parts monitoring system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the state detection unit detects the state of the inside of the part as the state of the part.

8. The agricultural machinery parts monitoring system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the communication device transmits operational information corresponding to the operating status of the work vehicle to either the mobile terminal or the fixed base station.

9. A work vehicle equipped with a fuel tank, A communication device provided in the fuel tank and capable of communicating with at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed base station, A receiver provided in the fuel tank and capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from the communication device, A state detection unit that detects the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank based on the radio waves received by the receiver, Equipped with, The communication device and the receiver are installed with the fuel tank in between them. An agricultural machine that detects the state of the fuel tank based on the intensity of radio waves received by the receiver.

10. The communication device is provided on one side of the fuel tank, and the receiver is provided on the side of the fuel tank opposite to the one side, or The agricultural machine according to claim 9, wherein either the communication device or the receiver is provided on the top plate of the fuel tank, and the other is provided on the bottom plate of the fuel tank.

11. A communication device installed in the fuel tank of a work vehicle, and capable of communicating with at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed base station, A receiver provided in the fuel tank and capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from the communication device, A state detection unit that detects the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank based on the radio waves received by the receiver, Equipped with, The communication device and the receiver are installed with the fuel tank in between them. A component monitoring system for agricultural machinery that detects the status of the fuel tank based on the intensity of radio waves received by the receiver.

12. The communication device is provided on one side of the fuel tank, and the receiver is provided on the side of the fuel tank opposite to the one side, or The agricultural machinery parts monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein either the communication device or the receiver is provided on the top plate of the fuel tank, and the other is provided on the bottom plate of the fuel tank.

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