Component management device for work machine

Abstract

A component management device for a work machine that facilitates determination of whether components can be collected and reproduced comprises: a machine operation information reception unit that receives machine operation information indicating the operation state of the work machine; a machine operation information database in which the machine operation information is recorded; a maintenance information reception unit that receives maintenance information relating to maintenance performed on the work machine; a maintenance information database in which the maintenance information is recorded; a component information reception unit that receives component information specifying a component removed from the work machine; a component information database in which the component information is recorded; a component record generation unit that associates the component information recorded in the component information database, the machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database, and the maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database, and generates a component record, which is information indicating the manner in which to use the component until collection; and a component record database in which the component record is recorded.

Description

Parts management device for a working machine

[0001] The present invention relates to a parts management device for a working machine.

[0002] There is a recycling business in which reusable parts used in a working machine are collected, repaired, and treated as reusable recycled parts. When replacing parts of a working machine, a determination is mainly made based on the appearance of the parts as to whether or not to collect the parts. Also, by disassembling the collected parts, a determination is made as to whether or not they can be recycled. A system for managing the return status of these parts is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-215779

[0004] Since each operation of collecting and recycling these parts takes a lot of man-hours, there is a need to facilitate the determination as to whether or not parts can be collected and recycled.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to facilitate the determination as to whether or not parts can be collected and recycled.

[0006] The parts management device for a working machine according to the present invention includes a machine operation information receiving unit that receives information detected by a sensor attached to the working machine as machine operation information indicating the operating state of the working machine, a machine operation information database that records the machine operation information received by the machine operation information receiving unit, a maintenance information receiving unit that receives maintenance information regarding maintenance performed on the working machine, a maintenance information database that records the maintenance information received by the maintenance information receiving unit, a parts information receiving unit that receives parts information for identifying parts removed from the working machine, a parts information database that records the parts information received by the parts information receiving unit, a parts chart generation unit that generates a parts chart which is information associating the parts information recorded in the parts information database, the machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database, and the maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database, and a parts chart database that records the parts chart generated by the parts chart generation unit.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether or not parts can be recovered and recycled. Further features related to the present invention will become apparent from the description herein and the accompanying drawings. In addition, problems other than those described above, configurations and effects will become apparent from the following description of embodiments.

[0008] Figure 1 shows the minimum configuration of a parts management system for a work machine, including a worker's portable terminal, a maintenance computer, a remanufacturing plant's portable terminal, and the parts management device for the work machine. Figure 1 shows an expanded configuration of the parts management system for the work machine, with the addition of a remanufacturing plant's computer and the expanded functionality of the parts management device for the work machine. Figure 2 shows an example of data in the machine operation information database. Figure 3 shows an example of data in the maintenance information database. Figure 4 shows an example of data in the parts information database. Figure 5 shows an example of data in the manufacturing information database. A flowchart showing the process of generating parts records. Figure 6 shows an example of data in the association of parts information, machine operation information, and maintenance information in the generation of parts records. Figure 7 shows an example of data in the association of parts records and manufacturing information. A flowchart showing the process of calculating differences. Figure 8 shows an example of data in the calculation of differences. A flowchart showing the process of association of parts records generated and calculation of the number of remanufacturing cycles for each part record generation. Figure 9 shows an example of data in association of parts records generated and calculation of the number of remanufacturing cycles for each part record generation. A flowchart showing the process of calculating cumulative costs. Figure 1 shows an example of data in calculating cumulative costs. Figure 1 shows an example of how the part record is displayed by the part record display unit. A flowchart shows the process of generating a trained classification model. A figure shows an example of how to create training data. A flowchart shows the process of estimating whether the inner parts of a part are reusable. A figure shows an example of how the reusability of the inner parts estimated in the process of Figure 19 is displayed. A flowchart shows the process of estimating whether the inner parts of a part attached to a work machine are reusable. A figure shows an example of how the reusability of the inner parts estimated in the process of Figure 21 is displayed.

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the minimum configuration of the parts management system 100A for the work machine 20 of the embodiment, including the work machine 20, the worker's portable terminal 31, the maintenance computer 41, the remanufacturing plant's portable terminal 51, and the parts management device 1A for the work machine 20. Figure 2 shows the parts management system 100B, which is an expanded version of the parts management system 100A in Figure 1, with the addition of the remanufacturing plant's computer 52. The parts management device 1B includes a control unit 2B instead of the control unit 2A of the parts management device 1A. In this embodiment, the minimum configuration of the parts management device 1A and parts management system 100A shown in Figure 1 makes it easy to determine whether or not parts can be recovered and remanufactured. However, to avoid redundant explanations, the following description will focus on the parts management device 1B and parts management system 100B shown in Figure 2.

[0010] The parts management device 1B and parts management system 100B shown in Figure 2 manage the recovery of parts 21 removed from the work machine 20, the reuse of inner parts 22 of parts 21, and the regeneration of parts 21. Part 21 refers to, for example, the base part used for regeneration. Part 21 is a part that is removed from the work machine 20 when parts of the work machine 20 are replaced. Inner parts 22 are the parts that make up part 21. Inner parts 22 include parts exposed to the outside of part 21 and parts inside part 21. Regeneration means the remanufacturing of part 21. Regeneration includes reuse and recycling.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the parts management system 100B comprises a parts management device 1B, a work machine 20, a worker's portable terminal 31, a maintenance computer 41, a remanufacturing plant's portable terminal 51, and a remanufacturing plant's computer 52. The parts management device 1B is a server that manages the collection and remanufacturing of parts 21 based on information received via the network 60. The parts management device 1B is, for example, a computer installed by the manufacturer of the work machine 20. Note that the term "server" refers to a processing device that can send and receive information with a communication device via a communication line, etc., and does not refer to hardware forms such as so-called personal computers and embedded information devices.

[0012] The work machine 20, also known as construction machinery, is a machine used for civil engineering and construction work and construction, such as a hydraulic excavator. The worker's mobile terminal 31 is a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or tablet that is carried and operated by workers, such as the operator of the work machine 20. The maintenance computer 41 is a computer installed at the manufacturer's agent 40 of the work machine 20. The manufacturer's agent 40 performs maintenance on the work machine 20. The maintenance computer 41 manages information related to the maintenance of the work machine 20. Maintenance refers to the process of keeping the work machine 20 in a normal state. Maintenance includes servicing, repair, upkeep, maintenance, inspection, and care of the work machine 20.

[0013] The remanufacturing plant's mobile terminal 51 is a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or tablet that is carried and operated by workers in the remanufacturing plant 50. The remanufacturing plant 50 remanufactures the parts 21 by disassembling the parts 21 removed from the work machine 20 and replacing and repairing the inner parts 22. The remanufacturing plant's computer 52 is a computer installed in the remanufacturing plant 50. The remanufacturing plant's computer 52 manages information related to the disassembly and remanufacturing of the parts 21. In the parts management system 100B, the parts management device 1B, the work machine 20, the worker's mobile terminal 31, the maintenance computer 41, the remanufacturing plant's mobile terminal 51, and the remanufacturing plant's computer 52 are connected to each other via the network 60.

[0014] The parts management device 1B comprises a control unit 2B, a machine operation information database 14, a maintenance information database 15, a parts information database 16, a manufacturing information database 17, and a parts record database 18. The control unit 2B is a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The memory includes main memory and auxiliary memory. The main memory is used as the CPU's work area, a storage area for computer programs and data, and a buffer area for communication data. The main memory is formed, for example, by a combination of RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Computer programs such as the operating system and firmware are installed in the memory. The auxiliary memory is, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The CPU loads the computer programs stored in memory into the main memory and executes the processing described in the programs, thereby executing the processing of each part of the control unit 2B and parts management device 1B described below.

[0015] The machine operation information database 14, maintenance information database 15, parts information database 16, manufacturing information database 17, and parts record database 18 are databases equipped with auxiliary storage devices such as SSDs and HDDs. The machine operation information database 14, maintenance information database 15, parts information database 16, manufacturing information database 17, and parts record database 18 record the information described below. The information recorded in the machine operation information database 14, maintenance information database 15, parts information database 16, manufacturing information database 17, and parts record database 18 can be accessed by the worker's mobile terminal 31, the maintenance computer 41, the remanufacturing plant's mobile terminal 51, and the remanufacturing plant's computer 52.

[0016] The control unit 2B includes a machine operation information receiving unit 3, a maintenance information receiving unit 4, a parts information receiving unit 5, a manufacturing information receiving unit 6, a parts record generation unit 7, a difference calculation unit 8, an accumulation unit 9, a regeneration count calculation unit 10, a parts record display unit 11, a model learning unit 12, and a reuse estimation unit 13. The machine operation information receiving unit 3 receives information detected by a sensor 24 attached to the work machine 20 as machine operation information indicating the operating status of the work machine 20. The machine operation information database 14 records the machine operation information received by the machine operation information receiving unit 3.

[0017] Machine operation information for the work machine 20 is recorded daily in the machine operation information database 14 via the network 60. Figure 3 shows an example of data in the machine operation information database 14. As shown in Figure 3, the machine operation information database 14 records the operating time of the work machine 20, as well as the operating times for excavation, slewing, and travel. The machine operation information includes oil properties such as hydraulic oil temperature and hydraulic oil viscosity. The machine operation information also includes alarm history. The alarm history is a record of alarms for abnormal conditions of the work machine 20, such as overheating, detected by the sensor 24 of the work machine 20. The machine operation information also includes time in load sections of 34 MPa or higher, time in load sections of 34 to 32 MPa, time in temperature sections where the hydraulic oil temperature is 100°C or higher, and time in temperature sections where the hydraulic oil temperature is 100 to 90°C.

[0018] The maintenance information receiving unit 4 receives maintenance information regarding maintenance performed on the work machine 20 from the maintenance computer 41 of the manufacturer's agent 40. The maintenance information database 15 records the maintenance information received by the maintenance information receiving unit 4. Maintenance such as inspection and repair of the work machine 20 is performed through the manufacturer's agent 40, etc. Maintenance information related to service reports from the manufacturer's agent 40, etc. is recorded in the maintenance information database 15 via the network 60 and the maintenance information receiving unit 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of data in the maintenance information database 15. As shown in Figure 4, the maintenance information database 15 records maintenance information related to maintenance services such as inspection, repair, and parts sales for the work machine 20.

[0019] The parts information receiving unit 5 receives parts information that identifies the parts 21 removed from the work machine 20 from a portable terminal 31 used by an operator of the work machine 20. The parts information receiving unit 5 also receives parts information that identifies the parts 21 removed from the work machine 20 as parts reception information from a portable terminal 51 used by an operator of the remanufacturing plant 50 that received the parts 21. The parts information database 16 records the parts information received by the parts information receiving unit 5. The parts information includes, for example, a serial number unique to the part 21, the part number of the part 21, and the machine number of the work machine 20 to which the part 21 was attached.

[0020] When a part 21 is removed from a work machine 20 by a service worker at the remanufacturing plant 50 and the part 21 is recovered from the work machine 20, a recovery report for the part 21 is created using a dedicated application and recorded in the part information database 16. Figure 5 shows an example of the data in the part information database 16. As shown in Figure 5, the part information database 16 includes the date the recovery report was created, the part number, a serial number unique to the part 21, the model of the work machine 20 from which the part 21 was recovered, the machine number of the work machine 20, an external photograph of the part 21, and information determining whether or not the part 21 was recovered. In addition, when the part is recovered at the remanufacturing plant, a unique factory management number managed by the plant is entered upon receipt. The serial number is the identification information of the part 21 that is assigned to the part 21.

[0021] In this embodiment, the part information includes, for each refurbishment, the old identification information that was assigned to part 21 immediately before the refurbishment and the new identification information that was assigned to part 21 immediately after the refurbishment. In other words, in this embodiment, new identification information such as a serial number is assigned to part 21 each time it is refurbished. The serial number shown in Figure 5 is the old identification information.

[0022] The manufacturing information receiving unit 6 receives manufacturing information from the computer 52 for the remanufacturing plant 50 regarding whether the inner parts 22 of the part 21 can be reused when the part 21 is remanufactured and reattached to the work machine 20. The manufacturing information database 17 records the manufacturing information received by the manufacturing information receiving unit 6. The part 21 collected at the remanufacturing plant 50 is then disassembled and its condition checked. If the part 21 can be remanufactured, it is remanufactured by repair and replacement of the inner parts 22, etc. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data in the manufacturing information database 17. As shown in Figure 6, the manufacturing information database 17 records the factory management number, a unique serial number issued when the part 21 is remanufactured (next serial number), the result of the reuse judgment for each inner part 22 of the disassembled part 21 and the reason for non-reusability (damage mode). The serial number unique to the next part 21 in Figure 6 is new identification information.

[0023] The parts record generation unit 7 generates parts records. The parts record is information that shows how parts 21 were used until their retrieval, by associating parts information recorded in the parts information database 16, machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database 14, maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database 15, and manufacturing information recorded in the manufacturing information database 17. In other words, the parts record is information that shows how parts 21 were used and how they were refurbished. The parts record database 18 records the parts records generated by the parts record generation unit 7.

[0024] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the process of generating a parts record. As shown in Figure 7, the parts record generation unit 7 refers to parts information such as the serial number of a part 21 that has been newly received at the remanufacturing plant 50 and recorded in the parts information database 16 (S11). It refers to the parts record for that serial number recorded in the parts record database 18 (S12). The parts record generation unit 7 determines whether a parts record for that serial number has been generated (S13). If a parts record has been generated (S13), the parts record generation unit 7 terminates the process.

[0025] If a parts record has not been created (S13), the parts record generation unit 7 refers to the machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database 14 (S14). The parts record generation unit 7 refers to the maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database 15 (S15). The parts record generation unit 7 refers to the manufacturing information recorded in the manufacturing information database 17 (S16). The parts record generation unit 7 generates a parts record, which is information that associates parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information (S17).

[0026] Figure 8 shows an example of data in the association of part information, machine operation information, and maintenance information in the generation of a part record. As shown in Figure 8, the part record generation unit 7 associates the serial number with part information such as the model and unit number up to the date of creation, machine operation information such as the operating time up to the date of creation, and maintenance information such as the details of maintenance up to the date of creation. The part record generation unit 7 calculates the daily operating time of the machine operation information as the cumulative usage time up to the date of creation and outputs it as a part record to the part record database 18. Through the above processing, the part record generation unit 7 generates a part record that shows how the part 21 was used up to the date of creation.

[0027] Figure 9 shows an example of data in the association between the parts record and manufacturing information. As shown in Figure 9, the parts record generation unit 7 refers to the parts record database 18 and the manufacturing information database 17, and associates the parts record, which associates parts information, machine operation information, and maintenance information as described above, with the manufacturing information corresponding to the factory management number of the parts record. As described above, the parts record, which associates parts information, machine operation information, and maintenance information and shows how the parts 21 was used until its retrieval, includes the previous serial number, which is the old identification information that was assigned to the parts 21 immediately before the parts 21 were refurbished. The manufacturing information includes the new serial number, which is the new identification information that was assigned to the parts 21 immediately after the parts 21 were refurbished. Therefore, the above process makes it possible to refer to the next serial number when the parts 21 are refurbished, the determination of whether the inner parts 22 can be reused, and the reason why they cannot be reused, for the previous serial number.

[0028] The parts record display unit 11 displays the parts records recorded in the parts record database 18. The worker's mobile terminal 31, the maintenance computer 41, the remanufacturing plant's mobile terminal 51, and the remanufacturing plant's computer 52 can refer to the parts records displayed on the parts record display unit 11. This makes it possible to refer to how the parts 21 were used and remanufactured up to the time of their collection.

[0029] In the minimum configuration of the parts management device 1A shown in Figure 1, a control unit 2A, a machine operation information database 14, a maintenance information database 15, a parts information database 16, and a parts record database 18 are included. The control unit 2A includes a machine operation information receiving unit 3, a maintenance information receiving unit 4, a parts information receiving unit 5, a parts record generation unit 7, and a parts record display unit 11. In the parts management device 1A, the parts record generation unit 7 associates parts information, machine operation information, and maintenance information to generate a parts record, which is information indicating how the parts 21 were used until their retrieval. The parts record database 18 records the parts record, which is information that associates parts information, machine operation information, and maintenance information.

[0030] In this embodiment, the parts record generation unit 7 generates a parts record when the parts 21 is removed from the work machine 20. The parts record database 18 records the parts record at the time the parts record was generated by the parts record generation unit 7. In this embodiment, the difference calculation unit 8 calculates the difference in machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information for the parts records recorded in the parts record database 18 at each of two temporally adjacent parts record generation times. The parts record database 18 records the parts record including the difference.

[0031] The difference refers to information that shows how part 21 was used and refurbished from the time part 21 was removed from the work machine 20, the refurbished part 21 was reattached to the work machine 20, and the part 21 was removed from the work machine 20 again; in other words, it is information that shows the usage history of part 21. The difference in machine operation information includes, for example, the operating time, excavation time, turning time, travel time, hydraulic oil temperature history, hydraulic oil viscosity history, alarm history, time spent with an excavation load of 34 MPa or higher, time spent with an excavation load of 34 to 32 MPa or higher, time spent with a hydraulic oil temperature of 100°C or higher, and time spent with a hydraulic oil temperature of 100 to 90°C, etc., from the time part 21 was removed from the work machine 20, reattached to the work machine 20, and removed from the work machine 20 again.

[0032] The difference in maintenance information refers to the details of the maintenance performed on the work machine 20 from the time part 21 is removed from the work machine 20, reattached to the work machine 20, and then removed again from the work machine 20. The difference in manufacturing information refers to information regarding the repair, replacement, and reuse of inner parts 22 of part 21 from the time part 21 is removed from the work machine 20, reattached to the work machine 20, and then removed again from the work machine 20. A temporally adjacent part record generation time refers to another part record generation time immediately preceding or following a given part record generation time.

[0033] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the process for calculating the difference. As shown in Figure 10, the difference calculation unit 8 refers to the part record of the serial number of the part 21 newly received at the remanufacturing plant 50 (S21). The difference calculation unit 8 determines whether a difference has been calculated in the part record of the serial number (S22). If a difference has been calculated (S22), the difference calculation unit 8 terminates the process.

[0034] If no difference has been calculated (S22), the difference calculation unit 8 refers to the parts record database 18 and determines whether the calculated difference is for a part 21 with a serial number that is being registered in the parts record for the first time (S23). A part 21 with a serial number that is being registered in the parts record for the first time is, for example, a part 21 with a serial number that has been removed from the work machine 20 for the first time, for which a parts record has been generated, for which it has been reattached to the work machine 20, and for which it has been removed from the work machine again.

[0035] If the calculated difference is for part 21 with a serial number that is being registered in the part record for the first time (S23), the difference calculation unit 8 uses the currently referenced part record as the difference (S24). If the calculated difference is not for part 21 with a serial number that is being registered in the part record for the first time (S23), the difference calculation unit 8 calculates the difference in machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information for two temporally adjacent part records recorded in the part record database 18 (S25).

[0036] Figure 11 shows an example of data used in calculating the difference. As shown in Figure 11, the difference calculation unit 8 associates the part record with the serial number of the part record with the closest entry date in the past to the entry date of the currently referenced part record, in terms of part number, model, and machine number corresponding to the serial number of the currently referenced part record. For example, if the cumulative operating time of the currently referenced part record is 20,000 and the cumulative operating time of a related past part record is 12,000, the difference with the past will be calculated using a cumulative operating time of 8,000. This allows for a usage history from when the part 21 is attached to the work machine 20 until it is removed, enabling a more accurate understanding of how the part 21 is used.

[0037] In this embodiment, the parts record generation unit 7 generates a parts record that associates the parts records generated at each of two temporally adjacent parts record generation times by associating the corresponding old identification information and new identification information of the parts records generated at each of the parts record generation times. The parts record database 18 records the parts record that associates the parts records generated at each of the parts record generation times. The regeneration count calculation unit 10 calculates the number of times the part 21 has been regenerated and reattached to the work machine 20 based on the manufacturing information contained in the parts record. The parts record database 18 records the parts record including the regeneration count.

[0038] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the process of associating the generated parts records and calculating the number of remanufacturing cycles at each stage of parts record generation. As shown in Figure 12, the parts record generation unit 7 refers to the parts record of the serial number of the part 21 newly received at the remanufacturing plant 50 (S31). The parts record generation unit 7 starts the process of generating a parts record that associates the parts records generated at each stage of parts record generation (S32). The parts record generation unit 7 determines whether the currently referenced parts record is associated with the parts record of the previous serial number (S33). If it is associated with the parts record of the previous serial number (S33), the parts record generation unit 7 proceeds to S35.

[0039] If the serial number is not associated with the previous serial number's part record (S33), the part record generation unit 7 associates the corresponding previous serial number of the part record generated in each of two temporally adjacent part record generation times with the new serial number, thereby generating a part record that associates the part records generated in each part record generation time (S34). Figure 13 shows an example of data used in the association of part records generated in each part record generation time and the calculation of the number of replays.

[0040] As shown in Figure 13, the previous serial number (old identification information) of the currently referenced part record is "aaaaa". The new serial number (new identification information) of the part record recorded in the part record database 18 is the same "aaaaa", and its previous serial number is "aaaa9". Since the old identification information and the new identification information correspond, the part record generation unit 7 associates the part record with the previous serial number "aaaa9" as the part record one generation prior to the currently referenced part record. Similarly, the part record generation unit associates the part record with the previous serial number "aaaa9" as the part record two generations prior to the part record one generation prior to the part record with the previous serial number "aaaaa". The new serial number (new identification information) is the same "aaaa9", and the previous serial number is "aaaa8". As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the parts record generation unit 7 performs the same processing up to the oldest and earliest serial number of the parts record (S35).

[0041] By referring to the manufacturing information contained in the associated part record through the above process, the number of recycles can be calculated. As shown in Figure 12, the recycle count calculation unit 10 determines whether the number of recycles indicated in the associated part record has been calculated as described above (S36). If the number of recycles has been calculated (S36), the recycle count calculation unit 10 terminates the process. If the number of recycles has not been calculated (S36), the recycle count calculation unit 10 calculates the number of recycles by referring to the manufacturing information contained in the associated part record and records it in the part record (S37).

[0042] By the above processing, it becomes easy to grasp how many times the component 21 has been circulated and regenerated, and it can be used as a judgment material for whether to recover the component 21. Note that the component management device 1B may manage the difference between the limit of the regeneration times of the component 21 and the regeneration times calculated by the regeneration times calculation unit 10 as the remaining number of regeneration times.

[0043] In this embodiment, the integration unit 9 calculates the integration of the machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information of the component cart at the time of generating the component cart recorded in the component cart database 18. The component cart database 18 records the component cart including the integration. The integration is information indicating how the component 21 has been used and regenerated from when the component 21 was first attached to the working machine 20 until now.

[0044] The integration of the machine operation information is, for example, the total of the operation time, excavation time, turning time, and traveling time of the working machine 20 from when the component 21 was first attached to the working machine 20 until now. The integration of the machine operation information is, for example, the history of the operating oil temperature, the history of the operating oil viscosity, and the alarm history of the working machine 20 from when the component 21 was first attached to the working machine 20 until now. The integration of the machine operation information is, for example, the total of the time when the excavation load is 34 MPa or more, the time when the excavation load is 34 to 32 MPa or more, the time when the operating oil temperature is 100 °C or more, and the time when the operating oil temperature is 100 to 90 °C from when the component 21 was first attached to the working machine 20 until now.

[0045] The integration of the maintenance information is, for example, the content of the maintenance performed on the working machine 20 from when the component 21 was first attached to the working machine 20 until now. The integration of the manufacturing information is information regarding the repair, replacement, and reused inner components 22 of the component 21 from when the component 21 was first attached to the working machine 20 until now.

[0046] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the process of calculating the integration. As shown in Figure 14, the integration unit 9 refers to the parts cart of the serial number of the part 21 newly received at the recycling factory 50 (S41). The integration unit 9 determines whether the process of calculating the above difference and the process of associating the parts carts generated at the time of generating the parts cart are completed (S42). If the process is not completed (S42), the integration unit 9 completes the process. If the process is completed (S42), the integration unit 9 proceeds to S43.

[0047] The integration unit 9 refers to the parts cart and determines whether the integration of the parts carts generated at the time of generating the parts cart has not been calculated (S43). If the integration has not been calculated (S43), the integration unit 9 calculates the integration of the machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information of the parts cart at the time of generating the parts cart recorded in the parts cart database 18 (S44). Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of data in the calculation of the integration. As shown in Figure 15, the integration unit 9 refers to the parts cart database 18, integrates the difference (usage history) of the parts cart from the present to the past, and outputs a new parts cart.

[0048] By the above process, it becomes possible to grasp the usage method including the history of the part 21 being recycled. The fatigue of the part 21 is related to the cumulative load so far. Since the relationship between the fatigue of the part 21 and the damage modes such as deterioration due to the total heat history, scratches due to dust contamination in the hydraulic oil during the attachment operation, and rust due to dust contamination in the hydraulic oil becomes clearer, it is a good indicator for estimating the damage state of the part 21.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the parts cart display unit 11 displays the part information, machine operation information, maintenance information, manufacturing information, difference, integration, and number of recycling times included in the parts cart on the same screen. The screen is the display screen of the portable terminal 31 for workers, the computer 41 for maintenance, the portable terminal 51 for the recycling factory, and the computer 52 for the recycling factory. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the parts cart by the parts cart display unit 11.

[0050] As shown in Figure 16, when the serial number of the desired part 21 is selected from the search box, the basic information displayed includes the machine model, machine number, part number, the date the recovery report was issued, the cumulative operating time of part 21, and the number of times part 21 has been refurbished. The usage of part 21, such as cumulative excavation time, cumulative turning time, and cumulative travel time, is displayed in comparison to the average usage for the machine model, allowing users to determine if it has been used more heavily than average. In addition, the reuse judgment result, alarm history, and service history are also displayed.

[0051] In this embodiment, by displaying this information on a series of screens, it becomes easy to consider the reasons why an inner part cannot be reused by referring to other information. For example, if there is damage to the inner part 22, it becomes easy to compare and contrast possible causes such as impurities entering due to a clogged filter in the alarm history being left unattended, maintenance of part 21 or inner part 22 not being performed in response to an alarm history from the service history, or the operating time being longer than the average for the model. If the part 21 with the corresponding serial number has not been disassembled at the remanufacturing plant 50, the reuse judgment result display unit will show that it is waiting for manufacturing information to be linked. In addition, the item on how the part was used can be switched to display any other linked item.

[0052] Even just by displaying the parts record using the parts record display unit 11 described above, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the parts 21 can be recovered and refurbished. However, in this embodiment, the model learning unit 12 generates a trained classification model using the parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, difference, cumulative, and refurbishment count included in the parts record recorded in the parts record database 18 as explanatory variables, and the manufacturing information included in the parts record recorded in the parts record database as the objective variable.

[0053] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the process of generating a trained classification model. As shown in Figure 17, the model learning unit 12 refers to the part record of part 21 (S51). The model learning unit 12 generates a trained classification model from the information in the part record (S52). Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of creating training data.

[0054] As shown in Figure 18, the model learning unit 12 data labels each part number in the part record database 18 with the manufacturing information's reuse determination, reason for unusability, and inner part 22 items. The model learning unit 12 statistically analyzes the time-series values ​​of the usage history. For example, operating time is statistically analyzed into the maximum operating time, minimum operating time, average operating time, and variance of operating time. The model learning unit 12 creates a learning dataset for cumulative information, itemized by the number of reuses and the cumulative value at each reuse count. As shown in Figure 17, the model learning unit 12 performs training using the learning dataset and outputs the generated trained classification model to the reuse estimation unit 13 (S53).

[0055] The reuse estimation unit 13 uses a trained classification model generated by the model learning unit 12 to input part information, machine operation information, maintenance information, differences, cumulative values, and regeneration counts included in the part record recorded in the part record database 18, and outputs whether or not the inner part 22 of part 21 can be reused. Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the process for estimating whether or not the inner part 22 of part 21 can be reused. Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of the display of whether or not the inner part can be reused as estimated by the process in Figure 19.

[0056] As shown in Figure 20, the serial number of the desired part 21 is selected from the search box. As shown in Figure 19, the reuse estimation unit 13 refers to the part record for the corresponding serial number (S61). The reuse estimation unit 13 determines whether all processing, such as the calculation of the difference, has been completed for the part record for the corresponding serial number (S62). If all processing is not completed, the reuse estimation unit 13 terminates the process. If all processing is completed, the reuse estimation unit 13 inputs the part information, machine operation information, maintenance information, difference, cumulative value, and number of regenerations contained in the part record into the trained classification model (S63). The reuse estimation unit 13 displays the output of whether the inner part 22 of part 21 can be reused, based on the trained classification model (S64).

[0057] As shown in Figure 20, even if the part 21 with the corresponding serial number has not been disassembled at the recycling plant 50, the display frame for the reuse determination result will show whether the estimated inner part 22 of the part 21 can be reused. This makes it possible to make decisions about the collection and disassembly of part 21 in advance, based on the estimated reuse determination result by the trained classification model.

[0058] In this embodiment, even if the part 21 remains attached to the work machine 20 and a part record has not been generated, it is possible to estimate whether the inner part 22 of the part 21 can be reused. Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the process for estimating whether the inner part 22 of the part 21 attached to the work machine 20 can be reused. Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of the display of whether the inner part 22 can be reused, as estimated by the process in Figure 21.

[0059] As shown in Figure 22, the serial number of the desired part 21, the part number, the model of the work machine 20, and the unit number of the work machine 20 are selected from the search box. As shown in Figure 21, the reuse estimation unit 13 receives input of part information that identifies the part 21 attached to the work machine 20 in the manner described above (S71). The reuse estimation unit 13 refers to the machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database 14 (S72). The reuse estimation unit 13 refers to the maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database 15 (S73). The reuse estimation unit 13 refers to the manufacturing information recorded in the manufacturing information database 17 (S74).

[0060] The reuse estimation unit 13 generates pre-processing information, which is information that associates the input part information with the machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database 14, the maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database 15, and the manufacturing information recorded in the manufacturing information database 17 (S75). The reuse estimation unit 13 generates pre-processing information for each regeneration when the part 21 is regenerated and reattached to the work machine 20.

[0061] The reuse estimation unit 13 calculates the difference in machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information for each of two temporally adjacent regeneration times with respect to the pre-processing information (S76). Two temporally adjacent regeneration times mean the other regeneration time immediately preceding or immediately following a given regeneration time. The reuse estimation unit 13 calculates the sum of machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information for each regeneration time with respect to the pre-processing information (S77). Based on the manufacturing information of the pre-processing information, the reuse estimation unit 13 calculates the number of regenerations in which the part 21 has been regenerated and reattached to the work machine 20 (S78).

[0062] The reuse estimation unit 13 inputs pre-processing information such as part information, machine operation information, maintenance information, difference, cumulative value, and number of regenerations into the trained classification model generated by the model learning unit 12 (S79). The reuse estimation unit 13 displays whether the inner part 22 of part 21 can be reused (S80). The display screens of the worker's mobile terminal 31, the maintenance computer 41, the remanufacturing plant's mobile terminal 51, and the remanufacturing plant's computer 52 output the display shown in Figure 22. This makes it possible to determine whether part 21 is reusable when the work machine 20 is in operation, and can be used to make a decision on replacing part 21 in advance.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the parts record generation unit 7 associates parts information, machine operation information, and maintenance information to generate a parts record, which is information indicating how the parts 21 were used until their retrieval. The parts record is then recorded in the parts record database 18. As a result, the usage of the parts 21 becomes clearer, and it becomes easier to determine whether or not the parts 21 can be retrieved and refurbished. This improves the accuracy of the determination of whether or not the parts 21 can be retrieved and refurbished, and reduces the number of parts 21 that cannot be refurbished. The accuracy of the determination of whether or not the parts 21 can be retrieved and refurbished improves as the amount of parts record information recorded in the parts record database 18 increases. Therefore, the rate and number of retrieval reports issued when parts 21 of the work machine 20 are retrieved can be spontaneously increased, further improving the accuracy of the determination of whether or not the parts 21 can be retrieved and refurbished.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the parts record generation unit 7 generates a parts record, which is information that associates parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information, and the parts record database 18 records the parts record. As a result, the method of recovering parts 21 becomes clearer, and it becomes even easier to determine whether or not the parts 21 can be recovered and recycled.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the difference calculation unit 8 calculates the difference in machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information for two temporally adjacent parts records recorded in the parts record database 18, and the parts record database 18 records the parts record including the difference. As a result, the usage history from when the parts 21 are attached to the work machine 20 until they are removed becomes clear, making it possible to understand how the parts 21 are used more accurately.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the accumulating unit 9 calculates the cumulative total of machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information of the part record at the time of part record generation, which are recorded in the part record database 18, and the part record including the cumulative total is recorded in the part record database 18. As a result, information such as cumulative load related to the damage state of the part 21 can be easily grasped. In addition, the relationship between the damage state of the part 21 and the cumulative load, etc. becomes clearer, so the accuracy of estimating the damage state of the part 21 can be improved.

[0067] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the regeneration count calculation unit 10 calculates the number of times the part 21 has been regenerated and reattached to the work machine 20, based on the manufacturing information contained in the part record, and the part record database 18 records the part record including the number of regenerations. Therefore, it becomes easy to understand how many times the part 21 has been circulated and regenerated, and this can be used as a basis for deciding whether or not to collect the part 21.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the parts record display unit 11 displays the parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, manufacturing information, difference, cumulative total, and number of regenerations included in the parts record on the same screen. This makes it easy to understand the status of the parts 21 and to determine whether or not the parts 21 can be recovered and regenerated.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the model learning unit 12 generates a trained classification model, and the reuse estimation unit 13 outputs whether or not the inner component 22 of the component 21 can be reused using the trained classification model. Therefore, even if the component 21 with the corresponding serial number has not been disassembled at the recycling plant 50, it is possible to make a decision in advance regarding the collection and disassembly of the component 21 based on the estimated reuse determination result by the trained classification model. In addition, even users who find it difficult to determine whether or not the inner component 22 of the component 21 can be reused from the component record information can make a decision based on the estimated reuse determination result by the trained classification model.

[0070] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the reuse estimation unit 13 receives input of part information that identifies the part 21 attached to the working machine 20 while it is in operation, and outputs whether the inner part 22 of the part 21 can be reused using a trained classification model. As a result, it becomes possible to determine whether the part 21 is reusable while the working machine 20 is in operation, and this can be used to make a decision on whether to replace the part 21 in advance.

[0071] Furthermore, for the manufacturer of the work machine 20 and its distributors, it becomes easier to plan sales strategies for the replacement of parts 21 and inner parts 22, and to prepare parts 21 and inner parts 22 in advance in accordance with those strategies. This also helps in identifying potential customers. On the other hand, for users, it becomes possible to trade in and replace parts 21 and inner parts 22 at a better time. This also makes it possible to purchase parts 21 and inner parts 22 at a lower cost through trade-in. In addition, by being able to recycle parts 21, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of waste parts.

[0072] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the part record generation unit 7 associates the corresponding old identification information and new identification information of the part records generated at each of two temporally adjacent part record generation times, thereby generating a part record that associates the part records generated at each part record generation time, and the part record database 18 records the part record that associates the part records generated at each part record generation time. For this reason, even if a new serial number is assigned to part 21 each time it is reproduced, for example, a lot of information about part 21 can be obtained by tracing past part records.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the machine operation information includes an alarm history, which is a history of alarms issued for abnormal conditions of the work machine 20 detected by the sensor 24 of the work machine 20. Therefore, it is possible to obtain information specific to how the work machine 20 has been used, such as what kind of excessive load has been placed on the work machine 20 in the past.

[0074] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, configurations in which any component is omitted from the above embodiments can be easily conceivable. These variations are included within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims.

[0075] 1A, 1B Parts management device 2A, 2B Control unit 3 Machine operation information receiving unit 4 Maintenance information receiving unit 5 Parts information receiving unit 6 Manufacturing information receiving unit 7 Parts record generation unit 8 Difference calculation unit 9 Accumulation unit 10 Regeneration count calculation unit 11 Parts record display unit 12 Model learning unit 13 Reuse estimation unit 14 Machine operation information database 15 Maintenance information database 16 Parts information database 17 Manufacturing information database 18 Parts record database 20 Working machine 21 Parts 22 Inner parts 24 Sensor 31 Worker's mobile terminal 40 Manufacturer's agent 41 Maintenance computer 50 Remanufacturing plant 51 Remanufacturing plant's mobile terminal 52 Remanufacturing plant's computer 60 Network

Claims

1. A parts management device for a work machine, comprising: a machine operation information receiving unit that receives information detected by a sensor attached to the work machine as machine operation information indicating the operating status of the work machine; a machine operation information database that records the machine operation information received by the machine operation information receiving unit; a maintenance information receiving unit that receives maintenance information relating to maintenance performed on the work machine; a maintenance information database that records the maintenance information received by the maintenance information receiving unit; a parts information receiving unit that receives parts information identifying parts removed from the work machine; a parts information database that records the parts information received by the parts information receiving unit; a parts record generation unit that associates the parts information recorded in the parts information database, the machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database, and the maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database to generate a parts record which is information indicating how the parts were used until they were recovered; and a parts record database that records the parts record generated by the parts record generation unit.

2. The parts management device for a work machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a manufacturing information receiving unit that receives manufacturing information regarding whether the inner parts of the part can be reused when the part is refurbished and reattached to the work machine; and a manufacturing information database that records the manufacturing information received by the manufacturing information receiving unit, wherein the parts record generation unit generates a parts record which is information relating the parts information, the machine operation information, the maintenance information, and the manufacturing information recorded in the manufacturing information database; and the parts record database records the parts record which is information relating the parts information, the machine operation information, the maintenance information, and the manufacturing information.

3. The parts management device for a work machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the parts record generation unit generates a parts record when the parts are removed from the work machine, the parts record database records the parts record at the time the parts record was generated by the parts record generation unit, and the parts record database further comprises a difference calculation unit that calculates the difference between the machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information of the parts record at each of two temporally adjacent times the parts record was generated, and the parts record database records the parts record including the difference.

4. The parts management device for a work machine according to claim 3, further comprising an accumulation unit that calculates the sum of the machine operation information, maintenance information, and manufacturing information of the parts record at the time of generating the parts record, which is recorded in the parts record database, wherein the parts record database records the parts record including the sum.

5. The parts management device for a work machine according to claim 4, further comprising a regeneration count calculation unit that calculates the number of times the part has been regenerated and reattached to the work machine based on the manufacturing information contained in the parts record, wherein the parts record database records the parts record including the number of regenerations.

6. The parts management device for a work machine according to claim 5, further comprising a parts record display unit that displays the parts record recorded in the parts record database, wherein the parts record display unit displays the parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, manufacturing information, difference, cumulative amount, and number of regenerations included in the parts record on the same screen.

7. A parts management device for a work machine according to claim 6, further comprising: a model learning unit that generates a trained classification model with the parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, difference, cumulative value, and number of regenerations included in the parts record database recorded in the parts record database as explanatory variables, and the manufacturing information included in the parts record database recorded in the parts record database as the objective variable; and a reuse estimation unit that uses the trained classification model generated by the model learning unit to input the parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, difference, cumulative value, and number of regenerations included in the parts record database recorded in the parts record database and outputs whether or not the inner parts of the parts can be reused.

8. The reuse estimation unit receives input of part information that identifies the part attached to the work machine, generates pre-processing information which is information that associates the input part information with the machine operation information recorded in the machine operation information database, the maintenance information recorded in the maintenance information database, and the manufacturing information recorded in the manufacturing information database, generates pre-processing information for the regeneration time when the part is regenerated and reattached to the work machine, calculates the difference between the machine operation information, the maintenance information, and the manufacturing information for two temporally adjacent regeneration times with respect to the pre-processing information, calculates the sum of the machine operation information, the maintenance information, and the manufacturing information for each regeneration time with respect to the pre-processing information, calculates the number of times the part has been regenerated and reattached to the work machine based on the manufacturing information of the pre-processing information. The parts management device for a work machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, using the trained classification model generated by the model learning unit, it takes the parts information, machine operation information, maintenance information, difference, cumulative amount, and number of regenerations of the preprocessed information as input and outputs whether or not the inner parts of the parts can be reused.

9. The parts information includes, for each regeneration, old identification information that was assigned to the parts up until immediately before the regeneration and new identification information that was assigned to the parts immediately after the regeneration; the parts record generation unit generates a parts record that associates the parts records generated at each of two temporally adjacent parts record generation times by associating the corresponding old identification information and new identification information of the parts records generated at each of the parts record generation times; and the parts record database records the parts record that associates the parts records generated at each of the parts record generation times, characterized in that it is a parts management device for a work machine according to 8.

10. The parts management device for a work machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the machine operation information includes an alarm history which is a history of alarms for abnormal conditions of the work machine detected by the sensor of the work machine.

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