Work vehicle management system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023143201
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-09-04
AI Technical Summary
【0015】 本発明によれば、複数の管理項目を取り扱いつつ、管理者の監視負担を軽減することのできる作業車両管理システムを提供できる。
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control system for controlling a work vehicle that performs agricultural work.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, interest in smart agriculture that realizes ultra省力· high-quality production by utilizing robot technology and ICT has been increasing. In the technical field of work vehicles that perform agricultural work in the field, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a technology for determining the current position of a work vehicle using a positioning satellite system such as GPS and driving the work vehicle by unmanned operation is known.
[0003] Furthermore, a work vehicle management system for managing work vehicles that drive a plurality of work vehicles by unmanned operation is known. For example, Patent Document 2 below discloses a work vehicle management system configured to monitor the remaining fuel amount of a plurality of work vehicles, display a list of work vehicles and the remaining fuel amount on a management screen, and notify a manager when the remaining amount of a work vehicle decreases.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] When managing multiple work vehicles, there is a need to manage various information, not just fuel levels, but also things like the scheduled completion time of work and the remaining amount of agricultural materials. However, while increasing the number of management items in the work vehicle management system improves the system's usability, it also increases the monitoring burden on administrators, as they have to identify which management items need to be monitored. Furthermore, this problem becomes more pronounced as the number of work vehicles managed by the work vehicle management system increases.
[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve these problems and provide a work vehicle management system that can handle multiple management items while reducing the monitoring burden on administrators. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] To achieve the above objective, the first invention is: A work vehicle management system configured to acquire information detected or identified by various sensors from multiple work vehicles and to display management information indicating the status and work progress of multiple work vehicles under its management, The management device includes a system that stores the acquired detection or identified information in a vehicle information storage unit for each work vehicle, and displays the management information on a display unit based on the vehicle information stored in the vehicle information storage unit. The management device comprises a display method setting means for setting a display method for displaying the management information, and a display method changing means for changing the display method set by the display method setting means. The display method changing means is configured to determine from the detected or identified information stored in the vehicle information storage unit whether the display method changing conditions, which are the conditions for changing the display method of the management information, are satisfied, and if they are satisfied, to automatically change the display method. The present invention provides a work vehicle management system characterized by including, as a display method, a fuel level order that displays information on work vehicles in order of lowest fuel level, and a scheduled completion time order that displays information on work vehicles in order of latest scheduled completion time.
[0008] According to the first invention described above, the display method changing means, which changes the display method set by the display method setting means, can automatically switch the display to the management items that the administrator should monitor. This reduces the monitoring burden on the administrator while handling multiple management items. Furthermore, the administrator can learn the order of work vehicles that need refueling by displaying them in order of fuel level, and the order of work vehicles that will finish their work by displaying them in order of scheduled completion time, thus simplifying the management of work vehicles.
[0009] The second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, further comprises a weather information acquisition unit for acquiring weather information, In the display of management information in the order of expected completion, the system is configured to highlight and display information for work vehicles whose scheduled completion time is later than the expected time of rainfall, based on the weather information.
[0010] According to the second invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first invention, the manager can identify work vehicles that are not expected to finish their work before rainfall, and can take measures such as increasing the work pace or suspending work for those work vehicles.
[0011] The third invention is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention described above, the display method further includes a material remaining amount order that displays information on work vehicles in order of decreasing material remaining amount, and a tank remaining amount order that displays information on work vehicles in order of decreasing tank remaining amount.
[0012] According to the third invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first or second invention described above, it is possible to know the order in which work vehicles that require material replenishment will be located, and furthermore, by displaying the order in which tank levels remain, it is possible to know the order in which work vehicles that require operations such as discharging the contents will be located, thus improving convenience.
[0013] The fourth invention further includes, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention, a cooling water temperature order as the display method, in which the information of the work vehicle is displayed in descending order of the cooling water temperature of the radiator that cools the engine. The management device is configured to acquire temperature information indicating the air temperature and, when the air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, change the display method to the cooling water temperature order by the display method changing means.
[0014] According to the fourth invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second invention, when the air temperature rises and the cooling water temperature is likely to rise, the administrator can start monitoring the cooling water temperature and prevent the occurrence of abnormalities (overheating) and the like.
Advantages of the Invention
[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a work vehicle management system that can reduce the monitoring burden on the administrator while handling a plurality of management items.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a work vehicle of a work vehicle management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a work vehicle management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the travel of a work vehicle by travel control means. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing the content of vehicle information data, and FIG. 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing the content of field information data. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen display by display method setting means. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of display of management information when the fuel remaining amount order is selected and set. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an example of display of management information when the scheduled end time order is selected and set. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is another display example of the management information when the end-scheduled time order is selected and set. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a display example of the management information when the corresponding time order is selected and set. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the display change process of the display change means. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a display example of the management information when an alert is output.
[0017] <1. Regarding the schematic configuration of the work vehicle> Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a work vehicle 100 of a work vehicle management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the forward direction of the work vehicle 100 is taken as the front, the reverse direction as the rear, the right side when facing forward as the right, and the left side as the left. Also, the work vehicle 100 may be referred to as the vehicle body.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the work vehicle 100 is a vehicle that performs farming operations while traveling in the field F. In this embodiment, it has a configuration as a so-called tractor in which various work implements W can be attached and detached to the rear of the vehicle body, but it is not limited thereto, and any vehicle body that can be equipped with a work implement W for performing farming operations and travel is acceptable. Also, in the illustrated example of FIG. 1, a tiller for tilling the field is shown as the work implement W, but it is not limited thereto, and various implements such as a mower for mowing weeds in the field, a hay collector for collecting the mowed grass scattered on the field surface, a sprayer for spraying chemicals on the field, and a fertilizer applicator for fertilizing the field can be adopted.
[0019] An engine 105 covered by a bonnet 107 is disposed at the front of the vehicle body. By transmitting the rotational power of this engine 105 to the front wheels 103 and the rear wheels 104 via a plurality of transmission devices, the vehicle can travel. Also, a control unit 106 is provided behind the engine 105, and an operator can board the control unit 106.
[0020] The control unit 106 is equipped with a cabin 108 which includes a steering wheel 106a for steering the front wheels 103 (which are the steering wheels) and a cockpit 106b. The cabin roof 8, which is the ceiling of the cabin 108, is equipped with a GNSS receiver 102, which is a position information acquisition device that acquires position information and is configured to receive radio waves from artificial satellites 170 at predetermined time intervals to measure the position of the work vehicle 1.
[0021] The steering wheel 106a is configured to steer (direct) the front wheels 103 by a steering device 106c, and this steering device 106c is configured to enable automatic steering by a steering actuator (not shown).
[0022] Furthermore, a liquid crystal display vehicle monitor 106d is provided near the steering wheel 106a, allowing the operator seated in the control unit 106 to check various information displayed on the vehicle monitor 106d. In addition, the control unit 106 is equipped with operating members 106e that accept operator input, such as a main gear lever, sub-gear lever, brake pedal, clutch pedal, and various switches. Although not shown in Figure 1, the work vehicle 100 is also equipped with various sensors at appropriate locations to detect and transmit detection information to the vehicle control unit C, which will be described later (see Figure 2).
[0023] <2. Configuration of the work vehicle management system (work vehicles)> Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a work vehicle management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the work vehicle management system 1 comprises a plurality of work vehicles 100, 100, 100, ..., a management device 200 for managing the plurality of work vehicles 100, 100, 100, ..., and an information terminal 300 capable of inputting and displaying various types of information.
[0024] The work vehicle 100 is equipped with a vehicle control unit C that performs various information processing. This vehicle control unit C is a control function unit that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs predetermined calculations or control processing, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) that stores predetermined control programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores processing data, a timer with a calendar function for timing, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and the like.
[0025] The input side of the vehicle control unit C is connected to a position information acquisition device 102, a fuel sensor S1, a material level sensor S2, a full level detection sensor S3, a coolant temperature sensor S4, an anomaly detection sensor S5, and an operating member 106e, enabling the acquisition of various types of information (such as detection information and operation information).
[0026] Furthermore, the steering device 106c, vehicle monitor 106e, and work equipment W are connected to the output side, enabling the transmission of control signals, image output information, etc. The vehicle control unit C is also configured to send and receive various information by connecting to a network NW via a transmitting / receiving unit 109, which is an information communication device. Here, the network NW is a system in which at least two devices are connected and information can be transmitted between them, such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or LTE (Long Term Evolution) (registered trademark). As a result, the vehicle control unit C is configured to send and receive various information with the management device 200 connected to the network NW.
[0027] As described above, the position information acquisition device 102 is a GNSS receiver, and by receiving radio waves at predetermined time intervals, the vehicle control unit C is configured to acquire information indicating the current position of the work vehicle 1 at predetermined time intervals.
[0028] Fuel sensor S1 is a sensor that detects the remaining amount (%) of fuel in work vehicle 1. Material remaining amount sensor S2 is a sensor that detects the remaining amount (%) of materials loaded on work vehicle 1. Materials include, for example, fertilizer, seeds for sowing, and chemicals for spraying, and the type of materials varies depending on the type of work performed by work vehicle 100. Fullness detection sensor S3 is a sensor that detects the fullness of the storage tank loaded on work vehicle 100, and is capable of detecting the remaining amount (%) of the tank. Storage tanks include, for example, tanks for storing harvested crops and grass collection tanks for storing cut grass, and the type of tank varies depending on the type of work performed by work vehicle 100. For example, when the fullness detection sensor S3 detects that the remaining amount (%) of the tank is 30%, it indicates that there is 30% remaining until the tank is full (100%). Thus, fullness detection sensor S3 is a storage rate detection sensor that detects the storage rate of the tank. The coolant temperature sensor S5 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the coolant in the radiator (not shown) of the work vehicle 100. The abnormality detection sensor S5 is a sensor that detects abnormalities in the work vehicle 100 (such as malfunctions of various devices).
[0029] The vehicle control unit C comprises a driving control means c1, a route calculation means c2, a work machine control means c3, an information transmission means c4, and a setting information storage unit c5, which is a memory area, all of which are information processing programs that perform predetermined functions.
[0030] The driving control means c1 uses position information acquired from the position information acquisition device 102 to drive the machine along the planned driving path R. Here, with reference to Figure 3, the driving path of the work vehicle 100 during automatic driving will be explained. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the driving of the work vehicle 100 by the driving control means c1. As shown in Figure 3, the planned driving path R is a path that automatically drives through the field F in a single continuous line, for example, by repeating a straight driving path r1 that travels in a straight line from the work start point P1 to the work end point P2, and a turning path r2 that moves by turning between the straight driving paths r1. However, the planned driving path R is not necessarily limited to this path.
[0031] Returning to Figure 2, the route calculation means c2 acquires field information Df from the management device 200 (described later) and calculates the planned travel route R from information such as the working width input from the operating member 106e. The information regarding the calculated planned travel route R is stored in the setting information storage unit c5 and is referenced during automatic travel.
[0032] The work equipment control means c3 performs the function of controlling the work equipment W, and is capable of controlling the start and stop of the drive of the work equipment W, as well as raising and lowering it.
[0033] The information transmission means c4 transmits detection information from various sensors S1 to S6 to the management device 200 via the network NW using the transmitting / receiving unit 109. This allows the management device 200 to acquire detection information from various sensors S1 to S6 as needed. The detection information from various sensors S1 to S6 is linked to information regarding the vehicle number (vehicle ID) of the work vehicle 100 that was detected and stored in the vehicle information storage unit m8 of the management device 200.
[0034] The setting information storage unit c5 stores information regarding vehicle numbers (vehicle IDs) for uniquely identifying multiple work vehicles 100, as well as various setting information.
[0035] <3. Configuration of the work vehicle management system (management device)> The management device 200 is an information processing device, and can be, for example, a personal computer, a server computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc.
[0036] The management device 200 is equipped with a management control unit M that performs various information processing. The management control unit M is a functional unit that manages control and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs predetermined calculations or control processing, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) that stores predetermined control programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores processing data, and a timer with a calendar function for timing.
[0037] The management control unit M is equipped with a weather information acquisition unit 201 and an input member 202 on the input side, and a management monitor 203 on the output side. It is also configured to be able to send and receive various information by connecting to a network NW via a transmitting / receiving unit 204, which is an information communication device. As a result, the management control unit M is configured to be able to send and receive various information with multiple work vehicles 100, 100, 100, ... and information terminals 300 connected to the NW.
[0038] Furthermore, the management control unit M is configured to acquire weather information from the weather information acquisition unit 201. Here, the weather information includes at least information on the area and time when rainfall is expected. The weather information acquisition unit 201 consists of an automated execution program, such as an application program, and is configured to connect to the network NW via the transmission / reception unit 204 at predetermined timings and acquire weather information from external websites and servers.
[0039] The input component 202 is an input device that accepts operations from the administrator and allows various types of information to be entered, and is composed of, for example, a keyboard.
[0040] The management monitor 203 is a display device having a display screen capable of showing various types of information, and is, for example, composed of a liquid crystal display. This management monitor 203 allows administrators to check the various types of information displayed on the screen.
[0041] The transmitting / receiving unit 204 is configured to send and receive various types of information to and from multiple work vehicles 100, 100, 100, ... and information terminals 300 via a network NW.
[0042] The management device 200 includes a management information display means m1, a display method setting means m2, a scheduled end time calculation means m3, a corresponding estimated time calculation means m4, a display method changing means m5, a vehicle information storage unit m6, a field information storage unit m7, and a display method storage unit m8, all of which are information processing programs that perform predetermined functions.
[0043] The management information display means m1 is a program that performs the function of displaying management information on the management monitor 203 or information terminal 300 based on the vehicle information Dt stored in the work vehicle storage unit m6. Here, management information refers to information indicating the status of the work vehicle 100 and the progress of the work, which is created based on detection information acquired from the work vehicle 100. The administrator can pre-set whether to display the management information on the management monitor 203 or the information terminal 300.
[0044] The display method setting means m2 is a program that performs a predetermined screen display and sets the display method of the management information (i.e., the display order and display content) based on the operation information entered into the input member 202 or the information terminal 300. The setting of the display method by the display method setting means m2 will be described later. The display method of the management information set by the display method setting means m2 is stored in the display method storage unit m8.
[0045] The scheduled completion time calculation means m3 is a program that calculates the scheduled time when the work of the work vehicle 100 will be completed. For example, it can estimate the work speed of the work vehicle 100 from the change in the position information of each work vehicle 100 stored in the vehicle information storage unit m6, and calculate the scheduled completion time for each work vehicle 100 from the distance of the planned travel route R stored in the field information storage unit m7. The information regarding the calculated work completion time is stored in the vehicle information Dt each time.
[0046] The response time calculation means m4 is a program that performs the function of calculating the time of an event (response) that will require work for each work vehicle 100. Examples of events include running out of fuel, a full tank, or running out of materials for the work vehicle 100. The response time calculation means m4 calculates the expected time (response time) when the work vehicle 100 runs out of fuel, a full tank, or materials, based on the change in the location information of each work vehicle 100 stored in the vehicle information storage unit m6, and the change in the amount of fuel remaining, material remaining, and tank remaining per unit time. The information regarding the calculated response time is stored in the vehicle information Dt along with the event information each time.
[0047] The display method changing means m5 is a program that automatically changes the display method of the management information set by the display method setting means m2. Details of the display change process by the change method changing means m5 will be described later.
[0048] The vehicle information storage unit m6 is a storage area that stores vehicle information Dt. Figure 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the vehicle information data Dt. Vehicle information Dt refers to various information about the work vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 4(a), the vehicle information Dt stores records consisting of field information such as "vehicle number" which uniquely identifies the work vehicle 100, "operation setting" which stores whether each work vehicle T is in manual or automatic driving mode, "fuel level" (%) which records the detection information of the fuel sensor S1, "material level" (%) which records the detection information of the material level sensor S2, "tank level" (%) which records the detection information of the full-level detection sensor S3, "coolant temperature" (°C) which records the detection information of the coolant temperature sensor S4, "abnormality" which records the detection information of the abnormality detection sensor S5, "field to be worked on" which records the field number (field ID) of the field where the work vehicle 100 is working, "current location" which records the location information acquired by the location information acquisition device 102, "scheduled end time" which records the scheduled end time calculated by the scheduled end time calculation means m3 described above, and "working equipment" which records the type of working equipment W attached to the work vehicle 100. In this way, the vehicle information Dt stores the necessary information for each of the 100 work vehicles under its management.
[0049] The field information storage unit m7 is a memory area that stores field information Df. Figure 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the field information data Df. Field information Df stores records consisting of field information such as "Field Number" (Field ID) which uniquely identifies field F, "Field Location" which indicates the location of field F, "Field Size" which indicates the size of the field, "Field Shape" which indicates the shape of the field, "Field Entrance / Exit Point" which indicates the location information of the entrance / exit point P3 of field F, "Work Start Point" which indicates the location information of the work start point P1 of field F, "Work Start Point" which indicates the location information of the work end point P2 of field F, and "Planned Driving Route" which indicates the location information of the trajectory of the planned driving route R.
[0050] Returning to Figure 2, the display method storage unit m8 stores the display method set by the display method setting means m2, the display method changed by the display method changing means m5, and so on.
[0051] The information terminal 300 is an information processing device equipped with a communication mechanism that can connect to a network NW and capable of displaying and inputting various types of information. For example, it can be a personal computer, smartphone, tablet device, wearable device, etc.
[0052] <4. Setting how management information is displayed> Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen display using the display method setting means m2. Figure 5 shows, in detail, a display screen D for setting the display method, which is displayed on the management monitor 203 or information terminal 300 by the display method setting means m2. The administrator can set the corresponding display method by selecting buttons for fuel level order d1, material level order d2, tank level order d3, coolant temperature order d4, scheduled end time order d5, and response time order d6 using the selection cursor d7. As a result, management information can be displayed as management items in the order of fuel level, material level, tank level, coolant temperature, scheduled end time, and response time. The selected display method for the management information is then stored in the display method storage unit m8. The display method setting means m2 also obtains vehicle information Dt, which includes the necessary information for displaying the management information, from the vehicle information storage unit m6.
[0053] Figure 6 shows an example of the display of management information when the fuel level sorting order is selected and set. The management information display means m1 displays the management information on the management monitor 203 or information terminal 300 based on the management information display method set by the display method setting means m2.
[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the fuel level sorting display screen D2 is configured to display a heading section d21 indicating that the display is sorted by fuel level, a vehicle number display section d22 which displays the vehicle numbers of the work vehicles 100 under management in order of lowest fuel level, and a data content display section d23 which displays the fuel level. In a similar manner, if the material level sorting is selected, the vehicle numbers of the work vehicles 100 under management are displayed in order of lowest material level; if the tank level sorting is selected, the tank level sorting is in order of lowest tank level; and if the coolant temperature sorting is selected, the coolant temperature sorting is in order of highest coolant temperature. In addition, the data content display section d23 displays the remaining amount and temperature data corresponding to the displayed vehicle number.
[0055] Figure 7 shows an example of how management information is displayed when the sorting by scheduled end time is selected and set. As shown in Figure 7, the display screen D3, which is sorted by scheduled completion time, is configured to display a heading section d31 indicating that it is sorted by scheduled completion time, a vehicle number display section d32 which displays the vehicle numbers of the work vehicles 100 under management in order of the latest scheduled completion time, and a data content display section d33 which displays the scheduled completion time.
[0056] Figure 8 shows another example of how management information is displayed when the sorting by scheduled end time is selected and set. In the display example in Figure 8, in addition to the display in Figure 7, the display screen D4 sorted by scheduled completion time may be configured to highlight the display of any work vehicles 100 whose scheduled completion time is later than the time when rainfall is expected, based on the weather information acquired from the weather information acquisition unit 201. That is, in the illustrated example, the management control unit M refers to the field information Df, acquires information on the location of the target field F, and refers to the weather information for that location. As a result, for example, when it is determined that rainfall is expected from 15:00, the rows for vehicle numbers T02 and T03, whose scheduled completion time is after 15:00, are highlighted by shading or a change in background color, and a rain mark d47 is displayed to alert (notify) the manager. The contents of the heading section d41 and the data content display section d33 are the same as in the illustrated example in Figure 7, so their explanation is omitted. Furthermore, to draw attention, a warning message d44 and a message d45 prompting the display of the weather forecast are also displayed on the screen display D4. When displayed on the information terminal 300, message d44 may include a link to a weather forecast website. With the above configuration, the administrator can identify work vehicles 100 that are not expected to finish their work before rainfall, and can take appropriate measures such as increasing the work pace or suspending work for those work vehicles 100.
[0057] Figure 9 shows an example of how management information is displayed when the sorting by response time is selected and set. As shown in Figure 9, the display screen D5, which shows the display in order of response time, is configured to display a heading section d51 indicating that the display is in order of response time, a vehicle number display section d52 which displays the vehicle numbers of the work vehicles 100 under management in order of the earliest estimated response time, an estimated response time display section d53 which displays the estimated response time, and an event display section d54 which indicates an event.
[0058] In the example shown in Figure 9, the vehicle numbers are displayed in order of response time. However, if there are events for multiple work vehicles 100, they may be displayed together for each work vehicle 100. Specifically, in the example in Figure 9, the row for vehicle number T04 is displayed as the 6th position. However, since there is a row for vehicle number T04 as the 2nd position, the row for vehicle number T04 (the 6th position) is moved up to the 3rd position, and the rows from the 3rd position onward are shifted down by one position. This improves convenience by making it easier for workers to check and perform necessary tasks for each work vehicle 100 together.
[0059] <5. Display method switching process> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the display change process of the display method change means m5. The display change process begins, for example, after the display method has been set by the display method setting means m2 and the management information according to the set display method has been displayed on the management monitor 203 or information terminal 300.
[0060] As shown in Figure 9, the display method changing means m5 acquires the display method setting information for the current management information (step #1). Next, it acquires the latest detection information from the vehicle information storage unit m6 of each work vehicle 100 (step #2).
[0061] The display method changing means m5 determines from the acquired detection information whether the display method change conditions, which are the conditions for changing the display method of management information, are met (step #3). If the conditions are met, the display method settings are changed (step #4). Examples of display method change conditions (condition 1) to (condition 3) and the changes to the display method settings are listed below.
[0062] (Condition 1) Fuel level is below a specified value For any of the work vehicles 100 under management, if the fuel level falls below a predetermined value (for example, 30%), the display method is changed to sort by fuel level. This allows for quick identification of any work vehicle 100 with low fuel levels.
[0063] (Condition 2) The amount of remaining materials is below the specified value. For any work vehicle 100 under management, if the remaining material level falls below a predetermined value (for example, 30%), the display method is changed to sort by remaining material level. This allows for quick identification of work vehicles 100 that are running low on materials.
[0064] (Condition 3) Tank volume is below the specified value For any of the work vehicles 100 under management, if the remaining fuel level in the tank falls below a predetermined value (for example, 30%), the display method is changed to sort by fuel level. This allows for quick identification of any work vehicle 100 with low fuel levels.
[0065] Note that (Condition 1) to (Condition 3) can be adopted individually, or the system can be configured to change the display method when any of (Condition 1) to (Condition 3) is met. In that case, if multiple conditions from (Condition 1) to (Condition 3) are met, the system can be configured to set the display method to the one with the lowest detected value (%). For example, in the example below, if there is a work vehicle 100 with a fuel level of 25%, a material level of 15%, and a tank level of 20%, the display method will be changed to prioritize the material level. This allows the administrator to check management items that require urgency first.
[0066] Next, the display method change means m5 causes the management information display means m1 to display the management information (step #5). If the display method change conditions are not met in step #3, the display of the management information using the previously set display method is maintained. If the display method setting is changed in step #4, the management information is displayed using the changed display method.
[0067] Next, the display method changing means m5 determines from the acquired detection information whether the alert output conditions, which are the conditions for outputting an alert to the management monitor 203 or information terminal 300, are met (step #6). If the alert output conditions are met, an alert is output to the management monitor 203 or information terminal 300 (step #7).
[0068] Alert output conditions include, for example, when the fuel level, material level, or tank level of any of the work vehicles 100 under management reaches a predetermined lower limit, when the coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined upper limit, or when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection sensor S5.
[0069] Figure 11 shows an example of how management information is displayed when an alert is issued. As shown in Figure 11, when the alert output conditions are met, an alert message d61 is displayed on the management information display screen D6, and a toggle button d62 is displayed. Furthermore, by selecting the toggle button d62 through a predetermined operation (moving the cursor and clicking in the case of the management monitor 203, or tapping the screen in the case of the information terminal 300), the display method corresponding to the alert content is switched. For example, if an alert is issued because the fuel level has reached a predetermined lower limit, the display will switch in order of fuel level. If an abnormality is detected, the vehicle number of the work vehicle 100 where the abnormality was detected, the field number where the work is being performed, etc., will be displayed.
[0070] Returning to Figure 10, the display method change means m5 determines whether the display change process is complete (step #8). If it is determined to be complete, the process is terminated; otherwise, the process returns to step #2. Conditions for the display change process to be completed include, for example, when the administrator completes their administrative duties through a predetermined operation, or when the execution of the display change process is switched (execution is turned OFF).
[0071] In this way, the work vehicle management system 1 can automatically switch the display to the management items that the administrator should monitor by changing the display method set by the display method setting means m2 using the display method changing means m5. This reduces the monitoring burden on the administrator while handling multiple management items.
[0072] <6. Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It goes without saying that modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea. Regarding the display method change conditions (step #3) and the change of the display method settings (step #4) in Figure 9, the management control unit M may be configured to obtain temperature information indicating the current temperature from an external server and, when the temperature is above a predetermined temperature (for example, 30°C), change the display method to be sorted by coolant temperature. This allows the administrator to start monitoring the coolant temperature when the temperature rises and conditions are likely to cause the coolant temperature to rise, thereby preventing the occurrence of abnormalities (overheating), etc.
[0073] Furthermore, the change in the display method setting by the display method changing means m5 described above may be temporary, and the system may be configured to automatically revert to the original display method if the conditions for changing the display method are no longer met after the change in the display method setting. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0074] 1. Work Vehicle Management System 100 work vehicles 102 Location information acquisition device (GNSS receiver) 103 Front Wheel 104 Rear wheel 105 engine 106 Control Unit 106a Steering wheel 106b Cockpit 106c Steering gear 106d Vehicle Monitor 107 Bonnet 108 Cabin Roof 200 Management device 300 Information Terminals NW Network W work machine Field F
Claims
1. A work vehicle management system configured to acquire information detected or identified by various sensors from multiple work vehicles and to display management information indicating the status and work progress of multiple work vehicles under its management, The management device includes a system that stores the acquired detection or detected information in a vehicle information storage unit for each work vehicle, and displays the management information on a display unit based on the vehicle information stored in the vehicle information storage unit. The management device comprises a display method setting means for setting a display method for displaying the management information, and a display method changing means for changing the display method set by the display method setting means. The aforementioned display method includes a fuel level order that displays information on work vehicles in order of lowest fuel level, a material level order that displays information on work vehicles in order of lowest material level, a tank level order that displays information on work vehicles in order of lowest tank level, and a scheduled completion time order that displays information on work vehicles in order of latest scheduled completion time. The display method setting means, upon receiving a predetermined input from the administrator, sets the display method in order of scheduled end time. A work vehicle management system characterized in that the display method changing means determines whether the display method changing conditions, which are conditions for automatically changing the display method settings, are met, and for any of the work vehicles under management, if the fuel level falls below a predetermined value, the display method is automatically changed in order of fuel level; if the material level falls below a predetermined value, the display method is automatically changed in order of material level; and if the tank level falls below a predetermined value, the display method is automatically changed in order of tank level.
2. The aforementioned management device further comprises a weather information acquisition unit that acquires weather information, The work vehicle management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, in displaying management information in order of scheduled completion time, if there are work vehicles whose scheduled completion time is later than the time when rainfall is expected based on the weather information, the information of those work vehicles is highlighted and displayed.
3. The work vehicle management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when a plurality of the display method change conditions are satisfied simultaneously, the display method is set to change to the display method corresponding to the smallest remaining amount based on the detected remaining amount value.
4. The aforementioned display method further includes a coolant temperature order that displays information on work vehicles in descending order of coolant temperature of the radiator that cools the engine, The work vehicle management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the management device acquires temperature information indicating the temperature, and when the temperature is above a predetermined temperature, the display method changing means is configured to change the display method to the order of the coolant temperature.
Citation Information
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