Automatic operation construction machine

JPWO2024075672A5Active Publication Date: 2025-05-20HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024555784
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-16
Publication Date
2025-05-20
Estimated Expiration
2043-10-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing self-driving construction machinery systems do not adequately prevent accidental vehicle movement when an operator transitions from manual to automatic mode, particularly when another worker is holding the remote control and the operator is dismounting, leading to potential interference between the vehicle and the operator.

Method used

A self-driving construction machine with a controller that determines the vehicle control state based on inputs from a switching device and a remote control device, requiring multiple operations of the remote control device to initiate automatic operation, ensuring the vehicle does not start operating immediately when the operator is dismounting, and providing awareness of the operation start procedure to the operator.

Benefits of technology

Prevents accidental vehicle movement by ensuring the vehicle only starts automatic operation after multiple remote control device activations, allowing the operator to recognize the operation start procedure and safely exit the vehicle, thus preventing interference.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic operation construction machine for enabling an operator to recognize, in advance, an operation start in an automatic mode when the operator switches a mode and leaves a vehicle body. A controller (40) does not start an operation of the vehicle body in an automatic control state until a remote control device (800) is operated a plurality of times when the operation of the machine body is not started in the automatic control state and the operator near the vehicle body can recognize that a non-final procedural operation, which is a non-final operation of the plurality of times of the operation of the remote control device (800), is performed.
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Description

Self-driving construction machinery

[0001] The present invention relates to an autonomously driven construction machine, and more particularly to an autonomously driven construction machine with improved conditions for switching between autonomous driving modes.

[0002] Construction machinery is used for a variety of tasks, not just civil engineering work, but in recent years, the development of semi-automated and automated construction machinery has progressed. This type of automated construction machinery can reduce the amount of operations that operators must perform, reducing the burden on operators and is expected to lead to an improvement in the working environment.

[0003] As a method for switching between automatic and manual driving modes of construction machinery, technologies have been disclosed that transition between modes on the condition that the vehicle body is stopped, or that stop the vehicle body's operation at the time of mode transition and then allow the vehicle body to continue operating from that point (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] JP 2016-168883 A

[0005] However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, when another worker holds the operation start remote control and the operator gets on board and sets the vehicle to automatic mode or remote mode, the worker holding the remote control may mistakenly give an instruction to start an operation, causing the vehicle body to move while the operator is getting off. In this case, the operator cannot detect the start of automatic or remote operation in advance, and there is a possibility that the vehicle body and the operator will interfere with each other before they can take evasive action.

[0006] The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned matters, and aims to provide an autonomous construction machine that allows the operator to detect in advance that operation in automatic mode will begin when the mode is switched and the operator leaves the vehicle body.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the autonomous construction machine of the present invention comprises a power source, an operating device mounted on the vehicle body, a switching device that outputs a request to switch the vehicle body control state, a communication device that receives signals from a remote control device operated outside the vehicle body, and a controller that determines the vehicle body control state based on the output from the switching device and performs operation control in accordance with the vehicle body control state, wherein the vehicle body control state is an autonomous construction machine having at least a manual control state in which the machine operates in accordance with operation commands from the operating device and an automatic control state in which the machine operates in accordance with predetermined operation commands or operation commands based on signals received by the communication device, and the automatic control states include an automatic control non-operating state in which the vehicle body is not operating, and an automatic control operating state in which the vehicle body is operating, and when the switching device switches the vehicle body control state from the manual control state to the automatic control state, the controller enters the automatic control non-operating state, and allows a transition from the automatic control non-operating state to the automatic control operating state by multiple operations of the remote control device in the automatic control non-operating state.

[0008] According to the present invention, even if an operator attempts to start an automatic operation while dismounting, the vehicle will not start operating immediately unless the operator operates the remote control device (remote control) multiple times, and the operator can be made aware that the procedure to start the operation is in progress while dismounting.

[0009] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

[0010] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a hydraulic excavator according to a first embodiment; a side view of a hydraulic excavator according to the first embodiment; a top view of a hydraulic excavator according to the first embodiment; a configuration diagram of a control system for the hydraulic excavator according to the first embodiment; a detailed configuration diagram of a solenoid valve unit according to the first embodiment; a detailed configuration diagram of a solenoid valve unit according to the first embodiment; a hardware configuration diagram of a controller for the hydraulic excavator according to the first embodiment; a functional block diagram of the controller according to the first embodiment; a state transition diagram of a state transition determination unit according to the first embodiment; a calculation flow diagram of a target action calculation unit according to the first embodiment; a calculation flow diagram of an engine stop command unit according to the first embodiment; an output state transition diagram of an engine drive command unit according to the first embodiment; a perspective view showing the configuration of a hydraulic excavator according to a modified embodiment of the first embodiment; a functional block diagram of a controller according to a second embodiment; a state transition diagram of a state transition determination unit according to the second embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, parts having the same function are given the same reference numerals, and repeated description may be omitted. In the following description, a hydraulic excavator equipped with a bucket 10 as a working implement (attachment) at the tip of a working device will be exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to hydraulic excavators equipped with working implements other than buckets, and to construction machines other than hydraulic excavators.

[0012] In the following description, when there are multiple identical components, an alphabet may be added to the end of the reference numeral (number), but the alphabet may be omitted to refer to the multiple components collectively. For example, when there are one travel hydraulic motor 3a and one travel hydraulic motor 3b on the left and one on the right (right travel hydraulic motor 3a and left travel hydraulic motor 3b), these may be collectively referred to as the travel hydraulic motors 3.

[0013] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG.

[0014] <Configuration of Hydraulic Excavator> The configuration of the hydraulic excavator in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0015] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a hydraulic excavator 1 according to a first embodiment. The hydraulic excavator 1 includes an articulated front working implement 1A, a vehicle body 1B, and a controller (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0016] The front working implement 1A has a boom cylinder 5, an arm cylinder 6, a bucket cylinder 7, a boom 8, an arm 9, a bucket 10, a bucket link 13, a boom angle sensor 30, an arm angle sensor 31, and a bucket angle sensor 32. The boom 8, the arm 9, and the bucket 10 are a plurality of driven members that each rotate in the vertical direction, and the front working implement 1A is formed by connecting these together.

[0017] The vehicle body 1B has a lower traveling body 11 and an upper rotating body 12. The lower traveling body 11 travels by being driven by a pair of left and right traveling hydraulic motors 3a (see FIG. 3, etc.) and 3b. The upper rotating body 12 is attached on top of the lower traveling body 11 and is configured to be able to rotate.

[0018] The base end of the boom 8 is rotatably supported via a boom pin at the front of the upper rotating body 12. An arm 9 is rotatably connected to the tip of the boom 8 via an arm pin. A bucket 10 is rotatably connected to the tip of the arm 9 via a bucket pin. The boom 8 is driven by a boom cylinder 5, the arm 9 is driven by an arm cylinder 6, and the bucket 10 is driven by a bucket cylinder 7.

[0019] Figure 2A is a side view of the hydraulic excavator 1. As shown in Figure 2A, when the X axis is defined parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lower traveling structure 11 and the Z axis is defined perpendicular to the X axis, the rotation angle of the boom 8 is defined as α, the rotation angle of the arm 9 is defined as β, and the rotation angle of the bucket 10 is defined as γ. The inclination angle of the upper rotating structure 12 (vehicle body 1B) with respect to a reference plane (for example, a horizontal plane) is defined as φ. The tip of the bucket 10 is defined as P.

[0020] Fig. 2B is a top view of the hydraulic excavator 1. As shown in Fig. 2B, the relative angle between the upper rotating body 12 and the lower traveling body 11 is set to θ.

[0021] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1, boom angle sensor 30 is attached to the boom pin so as to be able to measure the rotation angle α of boom 8. Arm angle sensor 31 is attached to the arm pin so as to be able to measure the rotation angle β of arm 9. Bucket angle sensor 32 is attached to bucket link 13 so as to be able to measure the rotation angle γ of bucket 10. Note that angle sensors 30, 31, and 32 can each be replaced with an angle sensor relative to a reference plane (for example, a horizontal plane).

[0022] The upper swing body 12 has a cab 120, a hydraulic pump 2, a swing hydraulic motor 4, an engine 18, a vehicle body tilt angle sensor 33, a swing angle sensor 34, and a tank 200. The cab 120 is provided with a right operating lever 22a, a left operating lever 22b, a right traveling lever 23a, a left traveling lever 23b, a gate lock lever 24, an engine rotation speed setting device 480, and a control state changeover switch 670. Hereinafter, in this specification, the right operating lever 22a and the left operating lever 22b may be referred to as operating devices 22, and the right traveling lever 23a and the left traveling lever 23b may be referred to as operating devices 23.

[0023] The swing hydraulic motor 4 swings the upper swing body 12. Herein, in this specification, the traveling hydraulic motors 3a and 3b, the swing hydraulic motor 4, the boom cylinder 5, the arm cylinder 6, and the bucket cylinder 7 may be collectively referred to as "actuators."

[0024] The vehicle body tilt angle sensor 33 is attached to an arbitrary position of the upper rotating body 12 and detects the tilt angle φ of the upper rotating body 12 (vehicle body 1B) with respect to a reference plane (for example, a horizontal plane). The swing angle sensor 34 is provided on the swing center axis of the upper rotating body 12 and measures the relative angle θ between the upper rotating body 12 and the lower traveling body 11.

[0025] The engine 18 is a prime mover (power source) that drives the hydraulic pump 2 and a pilot pump, which will be described later. The engine speed setting device 480 is a device for setting the speed of the engine 18. The engine speed setting device 480 is a dial-type variable resistor, and the voltage output from the engine speed setting device 480 varies with dial operation.

[0026] The control state changeover switch 670 is a switch for switching the vehicle body control state of the hydraulic excavator 1. The control state changeover switch 670 outputs a switch signal requesting switching of the vehicle body control state. In this embodiment, when the switch signal output from the control state changeover switch 670 is on, it is possible to switch to an automatic control state (automatic control mode) in which the vehicle operates in accordance with a preset operation command (target operation) regardless of the operation of the operation devices 22, 23, and when the switch signal is off, it is possible to switch to a manual control state (manual control mode) in which the vehicle operates in accordance with an operation command from the operation devices 22, 23.

[0027] The hydraulic excavator 1 also includes a communication device 650 (not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the remote control device 800.

[0028] The remote control device 800 is a device for remotely (outside the hydraulic excavator 1) starting or stopping the automatic operation of the hydraulic excavator 1, and is provided with a remote operation start / stop switch 880 and a remote engine start / stop switch 881. The switch state signals of the remote operation start / stop switch 880 and the remote engine start / stop switch 881 are transmitted to the controller 40 (not shown in FIG. 1 ) of the hydraulic excavator 1 via the communication devices 850 and 650.

[0029] In this embodiment, the remote control device 800 is illustrated as having two switches, a remote operation start / stop switch 880 and a remote engine start / stop switch 881, but the input method is not limited to switch input and may be lever input, touch panel input, voice input, etc. Furthermore, the number of switches (inputs) is not limited to two and may be three or more depending on the operation method of the autonomous driving.

[0030] The above is the configuration of the hydraulic excavator 1 in the first embodiment.

[0031] <Configuration of Control System for Hydraulic Excavator> Next, the configuration of the control system for the hydraulic excavator in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the hydraulic excavator 1. As shown in FIG. 3 , the control system of the hydraulic excavator 1 includes hydraulic pumps 2a and 2b, flow control valves 15a to 15f, load detection devices 16a to 16l, the engine 18, regulators 2aa and 2ba, a right operating lever 22a and a left operating lever 22b (operating device 22), a right traveling lever 23a and a left traveling lever 23b (operating device 23), a gate lock lever 24 ( FIG. 1 ), a lock valve 39, a control controller (also simply referred to as a controller) 40 as a control device, operating devices 45a and 45b, operating devices 46a and 46b, operating devices 47a and 47b, a pilot pump 48, a pump line 143, pilot lines 144a to 149b, hydraulic drive units 150a to 155b, a solenoid valve unit 160, a tank 200, an engine controller 470, an engine speed detection device 490, and an engine starter 471 (not shown in FIG. 3 but shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ).

[0033] The operating devices 22 and 23 and the gate lock lever 24 are provided in the operator's cab 120 and are operated by the operator. The operating devices 22 and 23 are of an electric lever type and generate electric signals corresponding to the amount and direction of operation by the operator. The electric signals thus generated are input to the controller 40 via the operating devices 45a to 47b. The controller 40 outputs electric signals to the solenoid valve unit 160 to drive the solenoid proportional valves corresponding to the operations input to the operating devices 22 and 23.

[0034] The operating devices 45a to 47b are provided in the operator's cab 120. The operating device 47a is connected to the right traveling lever 23a and outputs a signal to the controller 40 to operate the right traveling hydraulic motor 3a. The operating device 47b is connected to the left traveling lever 23b and outputs a signal to the controller 40 to operate the left traveling hydraulic motor 3b. The operating devices 45a and 46a are connected to a common right operating lever 22a and output signals to the controller 40 to operate the boom cylinder 5 and the bucket cylinder 7. The operating devices 45b and 46b are connected to a common left operating lever 22b and output signals to the controller 40 to operate the arm cylinder 6 and the swing hydraulic motor 4.

[0035] The engine 18 drives the hydraulic pumps 2a and 2b and the pilot pump 48. When the engine 18 starts to rotate, the engine starter 471 rotates to a certain extent to assist in starting the engine 18. The hydraulic pumps 2a and 2b are variable displacement pumps whose displacements are controlled by regulators 2aa and 2ba, respectively. The pilot pump 48 is a fixed displacement pump. The engine controller 470 controls the rotation speed and other parameters of the engine 18 in accordance with a control signal from the controller 40. The engine rotation speed detection device 490 is a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the engine 18.

[0036] The hydraulic pump 2 and the pilot pump 48 draw hydraulic oil from the tank 200. In this embodiment, a control signal output from the controller 40 is input to the regulators 2aa and 2ba. Although detailed configurations of the regulators 2aa and 2ba are omitted, the discharge flow rates of the hydraulic pumps 2a and 2b are controlled in response to the control signal.

[0037] The pressure oil discharged from the hydraulic pump 2 is supplied to the boom cylinder 5 via flow control valve 15a, to the arm cylinder 6 via flow control valve 15b, to the bucket cylinder 7 via flow control valve 15c, to the swing hydraulic motor 4 via flow control valve 15d, to the right traveling hydraulic motor 3a via flow control valve 15e, and to the left traveling hydraulic motor 3b via flow control valve 15f. The supplied pressure oil causes the boom cylinder 5, arm cylinder 6, and bucket cylinder 7 to extend and retract, thereby rotating the boom 8, arm 9, and bucket 10, respectively, and changing the position and attitude of the bucket 10. The supplied pressure oil also rotates the swing hydraulic motor 4, causing the upper swing unit 12 to swing relative to the undercarriage 11. The supplied pressure oil then rotates the right traveling hydraulic motor 3a and the left traveling hydraulic motor 3b, causing the undercarriage 11 to travel.

[0038] To detect cylinder pressure, the boom cylinder 5 is provided with load detectors 16a and 16b, the arm cylinder 6 is provided with load detectors 16c and 16d, and the bucket cylinder 7 is provided with load detectors 16e and 16f. In this embodiment, the load detectors 16a to 16f are pressure sensors that detect the pressure on the bottom side and the pressure on the rod side of each of the boom cylinder 5, arm cylinder 6, and bucket cylinder 7, and output the results as electrical signals to the controller 40. In addition, the right traveling hydraulic motor 3a is provided with load detectors 16g and 16h, the left traveling hydraulic motor 3b is provided with load detectors 16i and 16j, and the swing hydraulic motor 4 is provided with load detectors 16k and 16l. In this embodiment, the load detectors 16g to 16l are pressure sensors that detect the pressure in the input / output lines of the right traveling hydraulic motor 3a, the left traveling hydraulic motor 3b, and the swing hydraulic motor 4, and output the results as electrical signals to the controller 40. Due to space limitations, connection lines from the load detectors 16a to 16l to the controller 40 are not shown in FIG.

[0039] The pump line 143 is the discharge pipe of the pilot pump 48. After passing through the lock valve 39, it is connected to each electromagnetic proportional valve in the solenoid valve unit 160. In this embodiment, the lock valve 39 (locking device) is an electromagnetic selector valve, and its electromagnetic drive unit is electrically connected to a lock lever position detector 38 (not shown in FIG. 3 but shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) for the gate lock lever 24. The gate lock lever has a rotation center, allowing an operator to manually rotate the gate lock lever. The gate lock lever can be configured to rotate, for example, from an angle at which it contacts the upper limit stopper to an angle at which it contacts the lower limit stopper. The lock lever position detector 38 is a switch sensor, and can be configured so that a switch is pressed by the gate lock lever simultaneously when the gate lock lever contacts the lower limit stopper. As a result, the lock lever position detector 38 outputs a signal to the lock valve 39 according to the position of the gate lock lever 24, thereby detecting whether the operating devices 22 and 23 are enabled or disabled by the lock valve 39 (locking device). When the gate lock lever is in the locked position, the lock valve 39 closes and the pump line 143 is cut off, and when the gate lock lever is in the unlocked position, the lock valve 39 opens and the pump line 143 is open. In other words, when the pump line 143 is cut off, operation by the operating devices 22 and 23 is disabled, and operations such as traveling, swinging, and excavation are prohibited. When the pump line 143 is open, operation by the operating devices 22 and 23 is enabled, and operations such as traveling, swinging, and excavation are permitted.

[0040] The above is the configuration of the control system of the hydraulic excavator 1 in the first embodiment.

[0041] <Configuration of Solenoid Valve Unit of Hydraulic Excavator Control System> Next, the detailed configuration of the solenoid valve unit 160 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

[0042] 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the detailed configuration of the solenoid valve unit 160. The primary port side of the solenoid valve unit 160 is connected to the pilot pump 48 via the pump line 143. The solenoid valve unit 160 has solenoid proportional valves 54a to 59b that reduce the pilot pressure from the pilot pump 48 and output it to pilot lines 144a to 149b. The solenoid proportional valves 54a to 59b are used as control signals that drive the flow control valves 15a to 15f in accordance with input electrical signals.

[0043] 4, the electromagnetic proportional valves 54a and 54b are connected to hydraulic actuators 150a and 150b of the flow control valve 15a via pilot lines 144a and 144b. The electromagnetic proportional valves 55a and 55b are connected to hydraulic actuators 151a and 151b of the flow control valve 15b via pilot lines 145a and 145b. The electromagnetic proportional valves 56a and 56b are connected to hydraulic actuators 152a and 152b of the flow control valve 15c via pilot lines 146a and 146b.

[0044] 5, the electromagnetic proportional valves 57a and 57b are connected to hydraulic actuators 153a and 153b of the flow control valve 15d via pilot lines 147a and 147b. The electromagnetic proportional valves 58a and 58b are connected to hydraulic actuators 154a and 154b of the flow control valve 15e via pilot lines 148a and 148b. The electromagnetic proportional valves 59a and 59b are connected to hydraulic actuators 155a and 155b of the flow control valve 15f via pilot lines 149a and 149b.

[0045] The electromagnetic proportional valves 54a to 59b have a minimum opening when not energized, and the opening increases as the current, which is the control signal from the controller 40, increases. In this way, the opening of each of the electromagnetic proportional valves 54a to 59b corresponds to the control signal from the controller 40.

[0046] By outputting a control signal from the controller 40 to the solenoid valve unit 160 to drive the solenoid proportional valves 54a to 59b, pilot pressure can be generated even when the corresponding operating devices 22 and 23 are not operated by the operator, so that the operation of each actuator can be forcibly generated.

[0047] The above is the detailed configuration of the solenoid valve unit 160 in FIG.

[0048] <Hardware Configuration of Controller> Next, the hardware configuration of the controller of the hydraulic excavator in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of the controller 40. As shown in Fig. 6, the controller 40 is a computer device, and includes an input unit 91, a central processing unit (CPU) 92 which is a processor, a read-only memory (ROM) 93, a random access memory (RAM) 94, and an output unit 95.

[0050] 6 includes operation devices 22 and 23 connected to a controller 40 (control device), a posture detection device 50, an engine speed setting device 480, a control state changeover switch 670, a communication device 650 that receives signals from a remote control device 800, a lock lever position detector 38, an engine controller 470, an engine starter 471, and solenoid proportional valves 54 to 59. The posture detection device 50 is made up of the above-mentioned boom angle sensor 30, arm angle sensor 31, bucket angle sensor 32, vehicle body inclination angle sensor 33, and swing angle sensor 34. These angle sensors 30, 31, 32, and 33 function as posture sensors for the front working implement 1A.

[0051] The input unit 91 receives signals from the attitude detection device 50, signals indicating the amount of operation from the operation devices 22 and 23, signals from the engine speed setting device 480, signals from the control state changeover switch 670, signals from the engine controller 470, signals from the remote control device 800 via the communication device 650, and signals from the lock lever position detector 38, and converts these signals into data that can be calculated by the CPU 92. The ROM 93 is a recording medium that stores a control program for executing the control content described below and various information necessary for executing control calculations. The CPU 92 performs predetermined calculations on the signals received from the input unit 91, ROM 93, and RAM 94 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 93. The output unit 95 generates output signals according to the calculation results of the CPU 92 and outputs the signals to the engine controller 470, the engine starter 471, and the solenoid proportional valves 54a to 59b, thereby controlling the operation of the engine 18, the engine starter 471, and each actuator.

[0052] Although the controller 40 in FIG. 6 is provided with semiconductor memories such as ROM 93 and RAM 94 as storage devices, other types of storage devices can be substituted, and it may also be provided with a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive.

[0053] The above is the hardware configuration of the controller of the hydraulic excavator in the first embodiment.

[0054] <Functional Blocks Inside the Controller> Next, functional blocks inside the controller in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of the controller 40.

[0055] The control controller 40 includes a state transition determination unit 40a, a manual control target operation calculation unit 40b-1, an automatic control target operation calculation unit 40b-2, a target operation calculation unit 40b-3, a target engine speed calculation unit 40c, an electromagnetic proportional valve control unit 40d, an engine stop command unit 40e, and an engine drive command unit 40f.

[0056] State transition determination unit 40a receives a state switching flag Fm(t), which is a signal transmitted from control state changeover switch 670 and converted by input unit 91, an engine speed N(t), which is a signal transmitted from engine controller 470 and converted by input unit 91, a lock lever position L(t), which is a signal transmitted from lock lever position detector 38 and converted by input unit 91, and an automatic operation command (also referred to as an automatic driving start command) Rs(t) and a remote engine drive command Re(t), which are signals transmitted from communication device 650 and converted by input unit 91, and calculates (determines) control state information M(t) based on this information. Then, state transition determination unit 40a transmits the control state information M(t) to target operation calculation unit 40b-3, engine stop command unit 40e, and engine drive command unit 40f.

[0057] In this embodiment, the automatic operation command (automatic driving start command) Rs(t) is a signal of 0 or 1, with 1 commanding the start of automatic driving and 0 commanding the stop of automatic driving. The remote engine drive command Re(t) is a signal of 0 or 1, with 1 commanding the driving of the engine and 0 commanding the stopping of the engine. If the engine is to be kept running, the remote engine drive command Re(t) is always 1. The lock lever position L(t) is a signal of 0 or 1, with 1 indicating the locked position and 0 indicating the released position. The state switch flag Fm(t) is a signal of 0 or 1, with 1 commanding a transition to the automatic control state and 0 commanding a transition to the manual control state. Furthermore, the control status information M(t) is a signal ranging from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating manual control mode, 1 indicating automatic control non-operation mode 1, 2 indicating automatic control non-operation mode 2, 3 indicating standby mode, 4 indicating automatic control operation mode, and 5 indicating automatic control non-operation mode 3.

[0058] The manual control target movement calculation section 40b-1 receives operation amount information, which is a signal obtained by converting an electrical signal corresponding to the amount and direction of operation of the operator transmitted from the operation devices 22, 23, by the input section 91, and calculates the target actuator speed Vmt(t). The manual control target movement calculation section 40b-1 then transmits the information on the target actuator speed Vmt(t) to the target movement calculation section 40b-3.

[0059] Here, the operation amount information is angle information of each lever. The manual control target movement calculation unit 40b-1 inputs this angle information into an angle-target actuator speed table, and sets the output as the target actuator speed Vmt(t), which is the target speed of each actuator.

[0060] The automatic control target movement calculation unit 40b-2 receives the attitude information, which is a signal transmitted from the attitude detection device 50 and converted by the input unit 91, and calculates the target actuator speed Vat(t). Then, the automatic control target movement calculation unit 40b-2 transmits the information on the target actuator speed Vat(t) to the target movement calculation unit 40b-3.

[0061] The ROM 93 stores target operations of the hydraulic excavator 1, such as the target trajectory of the bucket tip and the travel path. The controller 40 performs feedback control using attitude information as an input so that the actual operation coincides with the target operation.

[0062] The target movement calculation unit 40b-3 receives the target actuator speed Vmt(t) transmitted from the manual control target movement calculation unit 40b-1, the target actuator speed Vat(t) transmitted from the automatic control target movement calculation unit 40b-2, and the control state information M(t) transmitted from the state transition determination unit 40a, and calculates a final target actuator speed. The target movement calculation unit 40b-3 then outputs the final target actuator speed to the solenoid proportional valve control unit 40d.

[0063] The electromagnetic proportional valve control section 40d outputs control command values ​​for the corresponding electromagnetic proportional valves 54 to 59 in accordance with the target actuator speed output by the target motion calculation section 40b-3.

[0064] The target engine speed calculation unit 40c receives an engine speed setting signal, which is a signal obtained by converting the voltage value output from the engine speed setting device 480 and read by the controller 40 at the input unit 91, and calculates a target engine speed. The target engine speed calculation unit 40c then transmits the target engine speed to the engine controller 470.

[0065] The engine speed setting signal is a voltage value. The target engine speed calculation unit 40c inputs the voltage value information into a voltage-target engine speed table, and the output is used as the target engine speed.

[0066] The engine stop command unit 40e receives the control state information M(t), calculates the value of the engine stop command, and outputs the engine stop command to the engine controller 470.

[0067] The engine drive command unit 40f receives the engine speed N(t) and the control state information M(t), calculates an engine starter drive command for starting the engine, and outputs the engine starter drive command to the engine starter 471.

[0068] The above is a functional block diagram of the controller in the first embodiment.

[0069] <State Transition Flow> Next, the state transition of the state transition determination unit 40a in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a state transition diagram of the state transition determination unit 40a. In this diagram, once a state is entered, that state is maintained until a condition for transitioning to another state is met.

[0070] The state transition determination unit 40a starts calculation from S101.

[0071] In S102, it is determined that the control state is the manual control mode, and the control state information M(t) is set to 0. When the state switching flag Fm(t) is set to 1 by switching the control state switching switch 670 in S102 and the engine speed N(t) is 0, the state transitions to S103. In other words, S103 is a state in which the vehicle is in an automatic control state and the vehicle body has not started to operate (automatic control non-operating state). The automatic control state is a state in which the vehicle operates according to a preset operation command (target operation) or an operation command based on a signal received by the communication device 650, regardless of the operation of the operating devices 22 and 23.

[0072] In S103, the control state is determined to be automatic control non-operation mode 1, and the control state information M(t) is set to 1. When the state switch flag Fm(t) becomes 0 by switching the control state switch 670 in S103, the state transitions to S102. Also, when the lock lever position L(t) is 0, the engine speed N(t) is 0, and the remote engine drive command Re(t) is 0, the state transitions to S104. That is, S104 is a state in which the vehicle is in automatic control mode, the vehicle body has not started operating (automatic control non-operation state), the gate lock lever is in the release position (unlocked position), and the engine is stopped. The engine may be stopped by operating the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 to the OFF side to set the remote engine drive command Re(t) to 0, or by other means.

[0073] In S104, the control state is determined to be automatic control non-operation mode 2, and the control state information M(t) is set to 2. When the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 is turned on in S104 to set the remote engine drive command Re(t) to 1, and the remote operation start / stop switch 880 is operated to set the automatic operation command Rs(t) to 0, the state transitions to S105. That is, S105 is a state in which the vehicle is in automatic control mode, the vehicle body has not started operating (automatic control non-operation state), the gate lock lever is in the released position (unlocked position), and the engine has been driven (started) by the remote control device 800. Also, when the lock lever position L(t) is set to 1 by operating the gate lock lever in S104, the state transitions to S107. That is, in this case, S107 is a state in which the vehicle is in automatic control mode, the vehicle body has not started operating (automatic control non-operation state), the gate lock lever is in the locked position, and the engine is stopped.

[0074] In S105, the control state is determined to be standby mode, and the control state information M(t) is set to 3. When the automatic operation command Rs(t) becomes 1 by operation of the remote operation start / stop switch 880 of the remote control device 800 in S105, the state transitions to S106. That is, S106 is a state in which the vehicle is in automatic control mode and automatic driving has been started by the remote control device 800 (automatic control activated state). When the lock lever position L(t) becomes 1 by operation of the gate lock lever in S105, the state transitions to S107. That is, in this case, S107 is a state in which the vehicle is in automatic control mode, the vehicle body has not started operating (automatic control inactivated state), the gate lock lever is in the locked position, and the engine has been driven (started) by the remote control device 800. When the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 becomes 0 by operation of the remote engine start / stop switch 881 in S105, the state transitions to S104. In other words, as described above, S104 is a state in which the vehicle is in automatic control mode, the vehicle body has not started operating (automatic control inactive state), the gate lock lever is in the released position (unlocked position), and the engine has been stopped by the remote control device 800.

[0075] In S106, it is determined that the control state is the automatic control operating mode, and the control state information M(t) is set to 4. If in S106 the automatic operation command Rs(t) becomes 0 by operation of the remote operation start / stop switch 880 of the remote control device 800, the state transitions to S105. In other words, as described above, S105 is a state in which the vehicle is in the automatic control state and automatic driving has been stopped by the remote control device 800 (a state in which the vehicle body has not started operating, the gate lock lever is in the release position (unlock position), and the engine has been driven (started) by the remote control device 800).

[0076] In S107, it is determined that the control state is automatic control non-operation mode 3, and the control state information M(t) is set to 5. If in S107 the remote engine drive command Re(t) becomes 0 by operating the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 (i.e., if an operation to stop the engine is performed by the remote control device 800), the state transitions to S103.

[0077] To switch from manual control mode to automatic control operation mode and operate automatically, first, the state switching flag Fm(t) is set to 1. This puts the vehicle into automatic control mode, and the vehicle body has not yet started operating (automatic control inactive state). Next, the lock lever position L(t) is set to 0, and the engine speed N(t) is set to 0, i.e., the engine is stopped. Next, the remote engine drive command Re(t) is set to 1, and the engine is driven (started) by the remote control device 800. After that, the automatic operation command Rs(t) is set to 1, and automatic operation is started by the remote control device 800 (automatic control active state). Note that the engine may be stopped by operating the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 to set the remote engine drive command Re(t) to 0, or by some other means.

[0078] To switch from the automatic control operation mode to the manual control mode and operate manually, first the automatic operation command Rs(t) is set to 0 and the automatic operation is stopped by the remote control device 800. After that, the lock lever position L(t) is set to 1, then the remote engine drive command Re(t) is set to 0 and the engine is stopped by the remote control device 800, and then the state switching flag Fm(t) is set to 0. Alternatively, before setting the lock lever position L(t) to 1, the remote engine drive command Re(t) may be set to 0 and the engine may be stopped by the remote control device 800.

[0079] The above is the state transition of the state transition determination unit 40a in the first embodiment.

[0080] <Calculation Flow of Target Motion Calculation Unit> Next, the calculation flow of the target motion calculation unit 40b-3 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a calculation flow diagram of the target motion calculation unit 40b-3. This calculation flow is processed repeatedly, for example, while the controller 40 is operating.

[0081] From S201, the calculation of the target movement calculation unit 40b-3 starts.

[0082] In S202, it is determined whether the control state information M(t) is 0, i.e., whether the control mode is manual. If the control state information M(t) is 0, the determination in S202 is Yes, and the process proceeds to S204. If the control state information M(t) is other than 0, the determination in S202 is No, and the process proceeds to S203.

[0083] In S203, it is determined whether the control status information M(t) is 4, i.e., whether the automatic control operation mode is active. If the control status information M(t) is 4, the determination in S203 is Yes, and the process proceeds to S205. If the control status information M(t) is other than 4, the determination in S203 is No, and the process proceeds to S206.

[0084] In S204, since the mode is manual control, the final target actuator speed is set to Vmt(t), and the target motion calculation unit 40b-3 outputs this value to the solenoid proportional valve control unit 40d.

[0085] In S205, since the automatic control operation mode is selected, the final target actuator speed is set to Vat(t), and the target movement calculation unit 40b-3 outputs this value to the solenoid proportional valve control unit 40d.

[0086] In S206, since the mode is either the standby mode or the automatic control non-operation modes 1 to 3, the final target actuator speed is set to 0. Then, the target movement calculation unit 40b-3 outputs this value to the solenoid proportional valve control unit 40d.

[0087] The above is the calculation flow of the desired motion calculation unit 40b-3 in the first embodiment.

[0088] <Calculation Flow of Engine Stop Command Unit> Next, the calculation flow of the engine stop command unit 40e in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a calculation flow diagram of the engine stop command unit 40e. This calculation flow is repeatedly processed while the controller 40 is operating, for example.

[0089] From S301, the calculation of the engine stop command section 40e starts.

[0090] In S302, it is determined whether the control state information M(t) is 1 or 2. As shown in FIG. 8, when the control state information M(t) is 1 or 2, it corresponds to the automatic control non-operating modes 1 and 2, in which the engine is stopped. If the control state information M(t) is 1 or 2, the determination in S302 is Yes, and the process proceeds to S303. If the control state information M(t) is other than 1 or 2, the determination in S302 is No, and the process proceeds to S304.

[0091] In S303, since the control state information M(t) is 1 or 2, it is determined that the engine should be stopped, and the engine stop command is set to TRUE. Then, the engine stop command unit 40e transmits the engine stop command to the engine controller 470.

[0092] In S304, since the control state information M(t) is other than 1 or 2, it is determined that the engine should be in a running state, and the engine stop command is set to FALSE. Then, the engine stop command unit 40e transmits the engine stop command to the engine controller 470.

[0093] The above is the calculation flow of the engine stop command unit 40e in the first embodiment.

[0094] <Output State Transition Flow> Next, the transition of the output state of the engine run command unit 40f in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a transition diagram of the output state of the engine run command unit 40f. In this diagram, once a state is entered, that state is maintained until a condition for transition to another state is met.

[0095] In this embodiment, the engine changes from a stopped state to a running state when the control state information M(t) transitions from 2 to 3. In other words, when the control state information M(t) transitions from 2 to 3, the engine starter 471 needs to be driven to start the engine 18.

[0096] The calculation of the engine drive command section 40f starts from S401.

[0097] In S402, it is determined that the engine starter is not to be driven, and the starter drive command is set to FALSE. When the control state information M(t) becomes 2 in S402, the process proceeds to S403.

[0098] In S403, since the control state information M(t) is 2, it is determined that the engine starter will not be driven, and the starter drive command is set to FALSE. If the control state information M(t) transitions to a value other than 2 or 3 in S403, the process transitions to S402. Also, if the control state information M(t) transitions to 3 in S403, the process transitions to S404.

[0099] In S404, since the control state information M(t) has transitioned from 2 to 3, it is determined that the engine starter should be driven, and the starter drive command is set to TRUE. If the engine speed N(t) exceeds the threshold value in S404, the process transitions to S402.

[0100] Due to the above output state transition, the control state information M(t) becomes 2 once, and then when the control state information M(t) becomes 3, the engine starter 471 can be instructed to drive the engine starter, and once the engine 18 starts and the engine speed exceeds a certain value (threshold value), the engine starter can be stopped.

[0101] The above is the transition of the output state of the engine drive command unit 40f in the first embodiment.

[0102] Effects of the First Embodiment Next, effects of the present embodiment will be described. Here, a situation will be considered in which an operator gets on the hydraulic excavator 1, starts the system, operates it manually, and then switches it to an automatic operation state to perform automatic operation or remote operation.

[0103] At this time, the onboard operator first switches the control state changeover switch 670 (S102 to S103 in FIG. 8 ), then operates the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 to send a command to stop the engine 18 (S103 to S104 in FIG. 8 ). Then, the remote engine start / stop switch 881 is operated to send a command to start the engine 18 (S104 to S105 in FIG. 8 ), and then the remote operation start / stop switch 880 is operated to send a command to start automatic operation (an automatic driving start command) (S105 to S106 in FIG. 8 ). In other words, unless the controller 40 operates the remote control device 800 multiple times (unless the remote engine start / stop switch 881 and the remote operation start / stop switch 880 are operated) in the automatic control state and the vehicle body has not yet started operating (automatic control non-operating state), the vehicle body will not start operating in the automatic control state. In other words, the controller 40 prohibits the start of operation of the vehicle body in the automatic control state until the remote control device 800 is operated multiple times while the vehicle body is in the automatic control state and operation has not yet started (automatic control non-operation state) (until the remote engine start / stop switch 881 and the remote operation start / stop switch 880 are operated. In further other words, when the vehicle body control state is switched from the manual control state to the automatic control state by the control state changeover switch 670, the controller 40 switches to the automatic control non-operation state, and allows the transition from the automatic control non-operation state to the automatic control operation state by operating the remote control device 800 multiple times in the automatic control non-operation state.

[0104] If the operator switches the control state changeover switch 670 and operates the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 while dismounting, the engine 18 will stop (S103 → S104 in FIG. 8 ). If the operator operates the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 again, the remote control device 800 will enter a standby state and the engine 18 will start (S104 → S105 in FIG. 8 ). At this point, the operator can recognize that the above procedure is progressing even though dismounting has not yet been completed. That is, the operator near the vehicle can recognize that a non-final procedure operation (e.g., an operation to start the engine 18 by the remote control device 800) has been performed, which is not the final operation among the multiple operations of the remote control device 800 (operations of the remote engine start / stop switch 881 and the remote operation start / stop switch 880).

[0105] If the operator then operates the gate lock lever to the lock position, the system transitions from the standby state to the automatic control non-operation state, and the above procedure can be stopped (S105 to S107 in FIG. 8).

[0106] After disembarking, the driver can then operate the remote engine start / stop switch 881 of the remote control device 800 to stop the engine 18 and move the gate lock lever to the release position, thereby restarting the above procedure. That is, when the automatic control is inactive and the power source is operating, and the control state changeover switch 670 is not operated (i.e., the automatic control state remains), the controller 40 will not resume operation of the vehicle body in the automatic control state until at least the remote control device 800 is operated to stop the engine 18. In other words, the controller 40 prohibits the resumption of operation of the vehicle body in the automatic control state until at least the remote control device 800 is operated to stop the engine 18. In yet another way, when the automatic control is inactive and the power source is operating, the controller 40 allows a transition from the automatic control inactive state to the automatic control active state by stopping the power source (engine 18). That is, when the driver operates the gate lock lever in the driver's cab 120 in the standby state, the automatic control is inactive and the power source is operating. Once the automatic control is inactive and the power source is running, the vehicle will not resume operation until the engine 18 is stopped by the remote control device 800. At that time, there is time to leave the vehicle before the procedure is completed.

[0107] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the operator attempts to start an automatic operation while the operator is off the vehicle, the vehicle will not start operating immediately unless the operator operates the remote control device 800 (remote control) multiple times, and the operator can sense that the operation start procedure is progressing by sensing that the engine has stopped and started. Then, the operator who is off the vehicle and has sensed that the operation start procedure is progressing can lock the vehicle operation by operating the gate lock lever.

[0108] <Modification of First Embodiment> In this embodiment, the vehicle body is rendered inoperable by operating the gate lock lever to transition to automatic control inactive mode 3, but this may be replaced with, for example, an automatic operation stop switch 700 that is provided outside the driver's cab 120 and can be operated even after the driver gets off the vehicle and closes the door of the driver's cab 120, as shown in Fig. 12. In other words, the controller 40 may transition to the automatic control inactive state when the automatic operation stop switch 700, which serves as an operating device, is operated in the automatic control state.

[0109] Also, a sounding device such as a buzzer or horn or a light-emitting device such as an LED may be installed, and the operation pattern of the sounding device such as a buzzer or horn or the light-emitting device such as an LED may be changed (change from silent to sounding, change in sound pattern, change from off to on, change in light pattern, etc.) during the operation start procedure (more specifically, during a non-final procedure operation among multiple operations) so that the operator can sense that the procedure is progressing. Furthermore, the sounding device or light-emitting device may automatically change its operation pattern as the operation start procedure progresses, so that the operator can sense that the procedure is progressing.

[0110] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Note that a description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0111] <Functional Blocks Inside the Controller> Functional blocks inside the controller in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a functional block diagram of the controller 40.

[0112] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that manipulated variable information is additionally input to the state transition determination unit 40 a, which calculates the control state information M(t) based on the manipulated variable information (taking the manipulated variable information into consideration).

[0113] The above is a functional block diagram of the controller in the second embodiment.

[0114] <State Transition Flow> Next, state transitions of the state transition determination unit 40a in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a state transition diagram of the state transition determination unit 40a.

[0115] What differs from the first embodiment is that in addition to when the lock lever position L(t) becomes 1 in S104, the state transitions to S107 when the operation amount of either of the operating devices 22, 23 is no longer 0.

[0116] In addition to when the lock lever position L(t) becomes 1 in S105, the state also transitions to S107 when the operation amount of either of the operating devices 22, 23 becomes non-zero.

[0117] That is, when the operator operates the operation devices 22 and 23 in the standby state of the automatic control state, the automatic control state is transitioned to the non-operating state.

[0118] The above is the state transition of the state transition determination unit 40a in the second embodiment.

[0119] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> As described above, according to the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when an operator attempts to start an automatic operation while the operator is dismounting, the operator can sense that the operation start procedure is in progress. Then, the operator who is dismounting and senses that the operation start procedure is in progress can lock the vehicle body operation by operating the gate lock lever. Furthermore, the vehicle body operation can also be locked by operating the operating devices 22 and 23.

[0120] [Summary] As described above, the autonomous construction machine (hydraulic excavator 1) of this embodiment includes a power source (engine 18), operating devices (22, 23) mounted on the vehicle body, a switching device (control state selector switch 670) that outputs a request to switch the vehicle body control state, a communication device (650) that receives a signal from a remote control device (800) operated outside the vehicle body, and a controller (40) that determines the vehicle body control state based on the output from the switching device (control state selector switch 670) and performs operation control in accordance with the vehicle body control state, and the vehicle body control state includes at least a manual control state in which the vehicle operates in accordance with an operation command from the operating device, and an automatic control state in which the vehicle operates in accordance with a preset operation command or an operation command based on a signal received by the communication device. The automatic control state includes an automatic control non-operation state in which the vehicle body is not operating, and an automatic control operation state in which the vehicle body is operating. The controller (40) switches the vehicle body control state from the manual control state to the automatic control state by the switching device (control state changeover switch 670) to the automatic control inactive state, and allows a transition from the automatic control inactive state to the automatic control active state by multiple operations of the remote control device (800) in the automatic control inactive state, and enables an operator near the vehicle body to recognize that a non-final procedure operation, which is an operation that is not the final operation among the multiple operations of the remote control device (800), has been performed. In other words, the non-final procedure operation, which is an operation that is not the final operation among the multiple operations of the remote control device (800), includes an operation that allows an operator near the vehicle body to recognize that the non-final procedure operation has been performed.

[0121] In addition, the start of the power source (engine 18) can be commanded by the remote control device (800), and the non-final procedure operation includes at least the operation of starting the power source (engine 18) by the remote control device (800).

[0122] The controller (40) transitions the vehicle body control state to the automatic control inactive state when the gate lock lever or the operating device is operated in the automatic control state. The controller (40) also has a locking device (lock valve 39) that switches between enabling and disabling the operating devices (22, 23), and the controller (40) transitions the vehicle body control state to the automatic control active state when the remote control device (800) is operated in the automatic control inactive state and the locking device or the operating device is operated.

[0123] Furthermore, when the automatic control is inactive and the power source is operating, and the switching device (control state changeover switch 670) is not operated, the controller (40) will not resume operation of the vehicle body in the automatic control state unless at least an operation to stop the power source (engine 18) is performed using the remote control device (800). Furthermore, when the automatic control is inactive and the power source is operating, the controller (40) allows a transition from the automatic control inactive state to the automatic control active state by stopping the power source (engine 18).

[0124] The device may further include a sounding device that generates a sound, and the operation pattern of the sounding device may be changed by the non-final procedure operation, or may further include a light-emitting device that generates a light, and the operation pattern of the light-emitting device may be changed by the non-final procedure operation.

[0125] In other words, in this embodiment, in a construction machine capable of automatic operation, after switching from manual control mode to automatic control mode, the machine will not operate unless the remote control device (800) is operated multiple times, and the operator who is off the machine can recognize that the procedure for starting operation is in progress.

[0126] According to this embodiment, even if the operator attempts to start an automatic operation while dismounting, the vehicle will not start operating immediately unless the remote control device 800 (remote control) is operated multiple times, and the operator can sense that the procedure to start the operation is in progress while dismounting.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0128] Furthermore, the functions of the controller in the above-described embodiments may be implemented in hardware, for example, by designing some or all of them as integrated circuits. Alternatively, the functions may be implemented in software, with a processor interpreting and executing a program that implements each function. Information such as the programs, tables, and files that implement each function may be stored in a storage device within the controller, a hard disk, a solid-state drive (SSD), or a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD.

[0129] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Hydraulic excavator (autonomous construction machine) 1A... Front working device 1B... Vehicle body 8... Boom 9... Arm 10... Bucket 16a to 16l... Load detection device 18... Engine (power source) 22, 23... Operation device 24... Gate lock lever 30... Boom angle sensor 31... Arm angle sensor 32... Bucket angle sensor 38... Lock lever position detector 39... Lock valve (locking device) 40... Control controller (controller) 50... Posture detection device 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59... Electromagnetic proportional valve 470... Engine controller 480... Engine speed setting device 650... Communication device 670... Control state changeover switch (changeover device) 700... Automatic operation stop switch (operation device) 800... Remote control device 850... Communication device 880... Remote operation start / stop switch 881... Remote engine start / stop switch

Claims

1. A power source; An operating device provided on the vehicle body; A switching device that outputs a request to switch a vehicle body control state; A communication device that receives a signal from a remote control device operated outside the vehicle body; a controller that determines the vehicle body control state based on an output from the switching device and performs operation control in accordance with the vehicle body control state, The vehicle body control state is an autonomous construction machine having at least a manual control state in which the vehicle body operates according to an operation command from the operating device, and an automatic control state in which the vehicle body operates according to a preset operation command or an operation command based on a signal received by the communication device, the automatic control state includes an automatic control non-operation state in which the vehicle body is not in operation, and an automatic control operation state in which the vehicle body is in operation, an automatic control device that controls the automatic control of a construction machine when the remote control device is turned on and the remote control device is turned on, and the remote control device is turned on and the remote control device is turned on.

2. 2. The autonomous construction machine according to claim 1, An autonomous construction machine characterized in that, among the multiple operations of the remote control device, a non-final procedure operation, which is an operation that is not the final operation, includes an operation that allows an operator in the vicinity of the vehicle body to recognize that the non-final procedure operation has been performed.

3. 3. The autonomous construction machine according to claim 2, the start of the power source is commandable by the remote control; An autonomous construction machine, wherein the non-final procedure operations include at least an operation of starting the power source by the remote control device.

4. 2. The autonomous construction machine according to claim 1, A lock device for switching between enabling and disabling the operating device is provided, An autonomous construction machine characterized in that the controller does not transition the vehicle body control state to the automatic control active state when the remote control device is operated in the automatic control non-active state and the locking device is switched from enabled to disabled on the operating device or when the operating device is operated.

5. 5. The autonomous construction machine according to claim 4, An autonomously operated construction machine, characterized in that, when the automatic control is inactive and the power source is operating, the controller allows a transition from the automatic control inactive state to the automatic control active state by stopping the power source.

6. 3. The autonomous construction machine according to claim 2, Further comprising a sound generating device, An autonomously operated construction machine, characterized in that the operation pattern of the sounding device is changed by the non-final procedure operation.

7. 3. The autonomous construction machine according to claim 2, Further comprising a light emitting device that generates light, An autonomous construction machine, characterized in that an operation pattern of the light emitting device is changed by the non-final procedure operation.