US20260009203A1

US20260009203A1 - Shovel

Info

Publication number: US20260009203A1
Application number: US19/249,068
Authority: US
Inventors: Kohei Kobayashi; Makoto Yanagisawa; Ryota Kurosawa
Original assignee: Sumitomo SHI Construction Machinery Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo SHI Construction Machinery Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-28
Filing date: 2025-06-25
Publication date: 2026-01-08
Also published as: CN120418509A; DE112023005422T5; JPWO2024143216A1; WO2024143216A1

Abstract

A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, an attachment provided on the upper turning body, an operation part configured to output an operation signal indicating a received operation direction as an electric signal, and a control device configured to perform drive control of at least one of the upper turning body or the attachment of the shovel in accordance with the operation signal. The control device is configured to acquire, from a storage, an operation pattern in which an operation direction receivable by the operation part is associated with drive control to be performed in response to an operation in the operation direction being received, and is configured to switch the operation pattern for performing the drive control, in accordance with a predetermined operation received while a condition for restricting movement of the shovel is satisfied.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2023/046224, filed on December 22, 2023 and designating the U.S., which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-212640, filed on December 28, 2022. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure herein relates to a shovel.

Description of Related Art

In a related-art shovel, a hydraulic operation is used as an operation method. In the hydraulic operation, drive control of an actuator of the shovel is performed by the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil flowing in accordance with a direction in which an operation lever is pushed down.
In the hydraulic operation, a technique that allows an operator to select an operation mode from a plurality of operation modes is proposed. For example, a technique by which an operation mode is selected from a plurality of operation modes by remotely operating a selector valve by a switch operation from an operation room so as to switch an oil passage is proposed.

SUMMARY

A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, an attachment provided on the upper turning body, an operation part configured to output an operation signal indicating a received operation direction as an electric signal, and a control device configured to perform drive control of at least one of the upper turning body or the attachment of the shovel in accordance with the operation signal. The control device is configured to acquire, from a storage, an operation pattern in which an operation direction receivable by the operation part is associated with drive control to be performed in response to an operation in the operation direction being received, and the control device is configured to switch the operation pattern for performing the drive control, in accordance with a predetermined operation received while a condition for restricting movement of the shovel is satisfied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a shovel (excavator) according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a drive control system of the shovel according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example configuration of a hydraulic system of the shovel according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the vicinity of a driver's seat in a cabin according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a controller of the shovel according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a table structure of an operation pattern storage part according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating switch circuits of a selector switch according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams illustrating a procedure of pressing the selector switch according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a display screen before an operation pattern is switched, which is displayed on a display device according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a display screen after the operation pattern is switched, which is displayed on the display device according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In recent years, there has been a tendency to mount electric-type operation devices on shovels. In such an electric-type operation device, drive control of an actuator is performed in accordance with an operation signal output from the operation device. Even when the electric-type operation device is used, there is a demand to select an operation mode. In the electric-type operation device, an operation mode is switched in a manner different from the hydraulic operation.
That is, in a case where an operation mode is selected in the electric-type operation device, it is necessary to achieve switching of the operation mode by taking into account that the operation device is electric-type.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an unintended movement of a shovel can be restricted when an operation pattern is switched in an electric-type operation device, and thus safety can be improved.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof may be omitted.
FIG. 1 illustrates a shovel 100 as a construction machine according to an embodiment. An upper turning body 3 is turnably mounted on a lower traveling body 1 of the shovel 100 via a turning mechanism 2. A boom 4 is attached to the upper turning body 3. An arm 5 is attached to the tip of the boom 4, and a bucket 6 serving as an end attachment is attached to the tip of the arm 5.
The boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6 constitute an excavation attachment that is an example of an attachment. The boom 4 is driven by a boom cylinder 7, the arm 5 is driven by an arm cylinder 8, and the bucket 6 is driven by a bucket cylinder 9.
The upper turning body 3 is provided with a cabin 10 serving as an operation room, an engine 11, and the like. Further, a controller 30 is mounted in the cabin 10. A driver's seat, an operation device, and the like are installed in the cabin 10.
The engine 11 is a drive source of the shovel 100. In the present embodiment, the engine 11 is a diesel engine. An output shaft of the engine 11 is connected to each of a plurality of input shafts of a main pump 14 and a pilot pump 15.
The controller 30 is a calculation device that performs various calculations. The controller 30 is provided in the cabin 10, for example, and performs drive controls of the shovel 100. Functions of the controller 30 may be implemented by any hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the controller 30 is mainly configured with a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), a memory device such as a random access memory (RAM), a nonvolatile auxiliary storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD), various input/output interface devices, and the like. The controller 30 performs various functions by executing various programs installed in the nonvolatile auxiliary storage device by the CPU, for example.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a drive control system of the shovel 100 of FIG. 1 .
A drive system of the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment includes the engine 11, a regulator 13, the main pump 14, and a control valve 17. Further, a hydraulic drive system of the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment includes hydraulic actuators such as a turning hydraulic motor 2A, the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, and the bucket cylinder 9 that hydraulically drive the upper turning body 3, the boom 4, the arm 5, and the bucket 6, respectively.
The engine 11 is a main power source in the hydraulic drive system, and is mounted, for example, on a rear portion of the upper turning body 3. Specifically, the engine 11 rotates at a constant target rotation speed that is set in advance as directly or indirectly controlled by the controller 30 described later, and drives the main pump 14 and the pilot pump 15. In the present embodiment, the engine 11 is, for example, a diesel engine.
The engine 11 is provided with an alternator 11A. The alternator 11A generates electric power by using power of the engine 11 that is being driven. The electric power generated by the alternator 11A is used to charge a battery 33 or to supply electric power to electronic devices in the shovel 100. The alternator 11A transmits a signal indicating a voltage generated by the power generation to the controller 30.
The regulator 13 controls the discharge amount of the main pump 14. For example, the regulator 13 adjusts the angle (tilt angle) of a swash plate of the main pump 14 in response to a control command from the controller 30.
Similar to the engine 11, the main pump 14 (see main pumps 14L and 14R in FIG. 3 ) is mounted on, for example, a rear portion of the upper turning body 3. The main pump 14 supplies hydraulic oil to the control valve 17 through a high-pressure hydraulic line. The main pump 14 is driven by the engine 11 as described above. The main pump 14 is, for example, a variable displacement hydraulic pump, and as described above, the stroke length of a piston is adjusted by the tilt angle of the swash plate being adjusted by the regulator 13 as controlled by the controller 30, and a discharge flow rate (discharge pressure) is controlled.
The control valve 17 is a hydraulic control device that controls a hydraulic system of the shovel 100. In the present embodiment, the control valve 17 includes control valves 171 to 176 (illustrated in FIG. 3 ). The control valve 17 is configured to selectively supply hydraulic oil discharged by the main pump 14 to one or a plurality of hydraulic actuators through the control valves 171 to 176. The control valves 171 to 176 control, for example, the flow rate of hydraulic oil flowing from the main pump 14 to hydraulic actuators and the flow rate of hydraulic oil flowing from the hydraulic actuators to a hydraulic oil tank. The hydraulic actuators include the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, the bucket cylinder 9, the turning hydraulic motor 2A, and travel hydraulic motors 1R and 1L (illustrated in FIG. 3 ). More specifically, the control valve 173 corresponds to the turning hydraulic motor 2A. The control valve 174 corresponds to the bucket cylinder 9, the control valve 175 corresponds to the boom cylinder 7, and the control valve 176 corresponds to the arm cylinder 8. The travel hydraulic motor 1L and the travel hydraulic motor 1R (illustrated in FIG. 3 ) correspond to the control valve 171 and the control valve 172 (illustrated in FIG. 3 ), respectively.
The pilot pump 15 is an example of a pilot pressure generating device, and is configured to supply hydraulic oil to the hydraulic control device via a pilot line. In the present embodiment, the pilot pump 15 is a fixed displacement hydraulic pump.
The hydraulic oil supplied from the pilot pump 15 is supplied to the control valve 17 via a proportional valve 31. In the present embodiment, the controller 30 adjusts the opening area of the proportional valve 31 in accordance with an operation signal received from an operation device 26, which will be described later. In this manner, in the present embodiment, an example in which the pilot pressure of hydraulic oil is adjusted by an electric-type operation lever will be described. Note that the pilot pressure generating device may be implemented by the main pump 14. That is, the main pump 14 may have a function to supply hydraulic oil flowing through a hydraulic oil line to the control valve 17, and a function to supply hydraulic oil to various hydraulic control devices via the pilot line. In this case, the pilot pump 15 may be omitted.
The operation device 26 includes, for example, a right operation lever 26R and a left operation lever 26L. The right operation lever 26R and the left operation lever 26L are devices used by an operator to operate an actuator. The actuator includes at least one of a hydraulic actuator or an electric actuator.
A plurality of operation sensors 29 (see operation sensors 29LA, 29LB, 29RA, and 29RB in FIG. 3 ) are configured to detect the details of operations performed by the operator using the right operation lever 26R and the left operation lever 26L. In the present embodiment, a combination of the operation device 26 and the operation sensors 29 will be described as an example of an operation part.
In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of operation sensors 29 detects the operation direction and the operation amount of the right operation lever 26R or the left operation lever 26L, corresponding to each of the actuators, and can output an operation signal indicating the detected values as an electric signal to the controller 30. In the present embodiment, the controller 30 controls the opening area of the proportional valve 31 in accordance with the operation signal input from each of the plurality of operation sensors 29. The controller 30 supplies hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to a pilot port of a corresponding control valve in the control valve 17. The pressure (pilot pressure) of hydraulic oil supplied to each pilot port is, in principle, a pressure corresponding to the operation direction and the operation amount of the right operation lever 26R or the left operation lever 26L corresponding to each of the hydraulic actuators. In this manner, each of the right operation lever 26R and left operation lever 26L is configured such that hydraulic oil discharged by the pilot pump 15 can be supplied to a pilot port of a corresponding control valve in the control valve 17.
The proportional valve 31 functioning as a control valve for machine control is disposed in a conduit connecting the pilot pump 15 to a pilot port of a control valve in the control valve 17, and is configured to change the flow passage area of the conduit. In the present embodiment, the proportional valve 31 operates in response to a control command that is output from the controller 30.
The proportional valve 31 according to the present embodiment includes eight electromagnetic proportional valves 311 to 318.
The electromagnetic proportional valve 311 switches whether to supply hydraulic oil from the pilot pump 15 to one pilot port of the control valve 175 based on a signal from the controller 30. Thus, the pilot pressure can be supplied to the one pilot port of the control valve 175. By pressurizing one end of the control valve 175, a flow path for allowing the hydraulic oil to flow into a bottom chamber of the boom cylinder 7 can be formed.
The electromagnetic proportional valve 312 switches whether to supply hydraulic oil from the pilot pump 15 to the other pilot port of the control valve 175 based on a signal from the controller 30. Thus, the pilot pressure can be supplied to the other pilot port of the control valve 175. By pressurizing the other end of the control valve 175, a flow path for allowing the hydraulic oil to flow into a rod chamber of the boom cylinder 7 can be formed.
In this manner, the electromagnetic proportional valve 311 and the electromagnetic proportional valve 312 are used to selectively supply hydraulic oil to the control valve 175 corresponding to the boom cylinder 7 based on the signals from the controller 30.
The other electromagnetic proportional valves 313 to 318 perform similar control.
For example, the electromagnetic proportional valve 313 and the electromagnetic proportional valve 314 are used to selectively supply hydraulic oil to the control valve 176 corresponding to the arm cylinder 8 based on signals from the controller 30. As another example, the electromagnetic proportional valve 315 and the electromagnetic proportional valve 316 are used to selectively supply hydraulic oil to the control valve 174 corresponding to the bucket cylinder 9 based on signals from the controller 30. As yet another example, the electromagnetic proportional valves 317 and 318 are used to selectively supply hydraulic oil to the control valve 173 corresponding to the turning hydraulic motor 2A based on signals from the controller 30.
A gate lock lever 32 is configured to receive a manual tilting operation when the operator gets on and off the driver's seat in the cabin 10.
The gate lock lever 32 is a mechanical input part (an operating part) configured to switch between a state in which the shovel 100 can be started and the shovel 100 can be operated by the operation device 26 and a state in which the shovel 100 cannot be started and operated. In the present embodiment, the gate lock lever 32 that has been switched to the state in which the shovel 100 cannot be started and operated is referred to as "the gate lock lever 32 is in a lock position".
A gate lock switch 32A is switched between open and closed in accordance with a tilting operation performed on the gate lock lever 32. As a result, a signal indicating whether the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position is output to the controller 30 and a gate lock control valve 32B.
The gate lock control valve 32B is provided partway in a pilot line connecting the pilot pump 15 and the proportional valve 31. When the gate lock switch 32A is in an off state, in other words, when the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position, the gate lock control valve 32B stops the supply of hydraulic oil (pilot pressure oil) from the pilot pump 15 to the proportional valve 31.
Conversely, when the gate lock switch 32A is in an on state, in other words, when the gate lock lever 32 is not in the lock position, the gate lock control valve 32B supplies hydraulic oil (pilot pressure oil) from the pilot pump 15 to the proportional valve 31.
The gate lock lever 32 is switched from the lock position in response to the operator pulling up the gate lock lever 32. As a result, the gate lock lever 32 is not in the lock position, and thus hydraulic oil (pilot pressure oil) can be supplied from the pilot pump 15 to the proportional valve 31, and drive control of the shovel 100 can be performed. Conversely, when the gate lock lever 32 is pulled down, the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position. Therefore, when the operator is seated on the driver's seat and pulls up the gate lock lever 32, the supply of hydraulic oil (pilot pressure oil) from the pilot pump 15 to the proportional valve 31 is stopped, and thus drive control of the shovel 100 is restricted.
The battery 33 supplies electric power to various components in the shovel 100.
A key switch 34 is a switch that is switched when the operator uses the shovel 100, and can select any one of "off", "on", "accessory", or "start". When the key switch 34 is in an off state, the engine 11 is controlled to be stopped and the entire shovel 100 is stopped. When the key switch 34 is in an accessory state, the engine 11 is not started and a low voltage device such as a radio can be used. When the key switch 34 is in an on state, electric power is supplied from the battery 33 to the components of the shovel 100. Thus, the electronic devices in the shovel 100 can be used. When the key switch 34 is in a start state, the engine 11 is started. The key switch 34 outputs a signal indicating a selected state to the controller 30.
A selector switch SW1 is a switch configured to switch between operation patterns of the operation device 26. Switching between operation patterns will be described later. A signal from the selector switch SW1 is output to the controller 30.
The controller 30 is a control device configured to control the entire shovel 100. A display device D1 is connected to the controller 30. Various information is displayed on the display device D1.

[Hydraulic System of Shovel]

Next, the hydraulic system of the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3 .
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example configuration of the hydraulic system of the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 3 , a mechanical power system, a hydraulic oil line, a pilot line, and an electric control system are indicated by a double line, a solid line, a dashed line, and a dotted line, respectively.
In the hydraulic system implemented by the hydraulic circuit, hydraulic oil is circulated from each of the main pumps 14L and 14R driven by the engine 11 to the hydraulic oil tank via center bypass oil paths C1L and C1R and parallel oil paths C2L and C2R.
The center bypass oil path C1L starts from the main pump 14L, passes through control valves 171, 173, 175L, and 176L arranged in the control valve 17 in this order, and reaches the hydraulic oil tank.
The center bypass oil path C1R starts from the main pump 14R, passes through control valves 172, 174, 175R, and 176R arranged in the control valve 17 in this order, and reaches the hydraulic oil tank.
The control valve 171 is a spool valve that supplies the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pump 14L to the travel hydraulic motor 1L and discharges the hydraulic oil discharged from the travel hydraulic motor 1L to the hydraulic oil tank.
The control valve 172 is a spool valve that supplies the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pump 14R to the travel hydraulic motor 1R and discharges the hydraulic oil discharged from the travel hydraulic motor 1R to the hydraulic oil tank.
The control valve 173 is a spool valve that supplies the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pump 14L to the turning hydraulic motor 2A and discharges the hydraulic oil discharged from the turning hydraulic motor 2A to the hydraulic oil tank.
The control valve 174 is a spool valve that supplies the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pump 14R to the bucket cylinder 9 and discharges the hydraulic oil in the bucket cylinder 9 to the hydraulic oil tank.
The control valves 175L and 175R are spool valves that supply the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pumps 14L and 14R to the boom cylinder 7 and discharge the hydraulic oil in the boom cylinder 7 to the hydraulic oil tank.
The control valves 176L and 176R supply the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pumps 14L and 14R to the arm cylinder 8 and discharge the hydraulic oil in the arm cylinder 8 to the hydraulic oil tank.
In accordance with the pilot pressure acting on the pilot port, each of the control valves 171, 172, 173, 174, 175L, 175R, 176L, and 176R adjusts the flow rate of the hydraulic oil supplied to and discharged from a corresponding hydraulic actuator or switches the flow direction.
The parallel oil path C2L supplies the hydraulic oil of the main pump 14L to the control valves 171, 173, 175L, and 176L in parallel with the center bypass oil path C1L. Specifically, the parallel oil path C2L is branched from the center bypass oil path C1L at the upstream side of the control valve 171, and is configured to supply the hydraulic oil of the main pump 14L in parallel with each of the control valves 171, 173, 175L, and 176R. Accordingly, in a case where the flow of the hydraulic oil passing through the center bypass oil path C1L is limited or blocked by any one of the control valves 171, 173 and 175L, the parallel oil path C2L can supply the hydraulic oil to control valve(s) arranged further downstream.
The parallel oil path C2R supplies the hydraulic oil of the main pump 14R to the control valves 172, 174, 175R, and 176R in parallel with the center bypass oil path C1R. Specifically, the parallel oil path C2R is branched from the center bypass oil path C1R at the upstream side of the control valve 172, and is configured to supply the hydraulic oil of the main pump 14R in parallel with each of the control valves 172, 174, 175R, and 176R. Accordingly, in a case where the flow of the hydraulic oil passing through the center bypass oil path C1R is limited or blocked by any one of the control valves 172, 174 and 175R, the parallel oil path C2R can supply the hydraulic oil to control valve(s) arranged further downstream.
The regulators 13L and 13R adjust the discharge amounts of the main pumps 14L and 14R by adjusting the tilt angles of the swash plates of the main pumps 14L and 14R as controlled by the controller 30.
A discharge pressure sensor 28L detects the discharge pressure of the main pump 14L, and a detection signal corresponding to the detected discharge pressure is taken into the controller 30. The same applies to a discharge pressure sensor 28R. Thus, the controller 30 can control the regulators 13L and 13R in accordance with the discharge pressures of the main pumps 14L and 14R.
The center bypass oil paths C1L and C1R are provided with negative control throttles 18L and 18R between the most downstream control valves 176L and 176R and the hydraulic oil tank, respectively. Thus, the flow of the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pumps 14L and 14R is limited by the negative control throttles 18L and 18R. The negative control throttles 18L and 18R generate control pressures (hereinafter referred to as "negative control pressures") for controlling the regulators 13L and 13R, respectively.
Negative control pressure sensors 19L and 19R detect the negative control pressures, and detection signals corresponding to the detected negative control pressures are taken into the controller 30.
The controller 30 may control the regulators 13L and 13R in accordance with the discharge pressures of the main pumps 14L and 14R detected by the discharge pressure sensors 28L and 28R to adjust the discharge amounts of the main pumps 14L and 14R. For example, the controller 30 may decrease the discharge amount by controlling the regulator 13L and adjusting the swash plate tilt angle of the main pump 14L in accordance with an increase in the discharge pressure of the main pump 14L. The same applies to the regulator 13R. Thus, the controller 30 can perform the total horsepower control of the main pumps 14L and 14R so that the absorption horsepower of the main pumps 14L and 14R represented by the product of the discharge pressure and the discharge amount does not exceed the output horsepower of the engine 11.
Furthermore, the controller 30 may adjust the discharge amounts of the main pumps 14L and 14R by controlling the regulators 13L and 13R in accordance with the negative control pressures detected by the negative control pressure sensors 19L and 19R. For example, the controller 30 decreases the discharge amounts of the main pumps 14L and 14R as the negative control pressures increase, and increases the discharge amounts of the main pumps 14L and 14R as the negative control pressures decrease.
Specifically, in the case of a standby state (state illustrated in FIG. 3 ) in which none of the hydraulic actuators in the shovel 100 is operated, the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pumps 14L and 14R passes through the center bypass oil paths C1L and C1R and reaches the negative control throttles 18L and 18R. The flow of the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pumps 14L and 14R increases the negative control pressures generated upstream of the negative control throttles 18L and 18R. As a result, the controller 30 reduces each of the discharge amounts of the main pumps 14L and 14R to the allowable minimum discharge amount, and suppresses the pumping loss when the discharged hydraulic oil passes through the center bypass oil paths C1L and C1R.
Conversely, when any hydraulic actuators are operated through the operation device 26, the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pumps 14L and 14R flows into the hydraulic actuators to be operated via control valves corresponding to the hydraulic actuators to be operated. The flow of the hydraulic oil discharged from the main pumps 14L and 14R reduces or eliminates the amount of the hydraulic oil that reaches the negative control throttles 18L and 18R, thereby reducing the negative control pressures generated upstream of the negative control throttles 18L and 18R. As a result, the controller 30 can increase the discharge amounts of the main pumps 14L and 14R, circulate sufficient hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuators to be operated, and reliably drive the hydraulic actuators to be operated.
The operation device 26 includes the left operation lever 26L, the right operation lever 26R, and a travel lever 26D. The travel lever 26D includes a left travel lever 26DL and a right travel lever 26DR.
The left operation lever 26L is operated in one or more of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The output destination of the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount when the left operation lever 26L is operated in the front-rear direction and the output destination of the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount when the left operation lever 26L is operated in the left- right direction are determined in accordance with an operation pattern described later.
For example, in the case of an operation of the arm 5 being allocated to the front-rear direction of the left operation lever 26L in the operation pattern, when the left operation lever 26L is operated in the front-rear direction, the controller 30 uses hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to introduce the control pressure corresponding -to the lever operation amount into the pilot port of the control valve 176. In the case of a turning operation being allocated to the left- right direction of the left operation lever 26L in the operation pattern, when the left operation lever 26L is operated in the left-right direction, the controller 30 uses the hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to introduce the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount into the pilot port of the control valve 173. In order for the controller 30 to perform such control, the output from an operation sensor 29 described later is used.
The right operation lever 26R is operated in one or more of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The output destination of the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount when the right operation lever 26R is operated in the front-rear direction and the output destination of the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount when the right operation lever 26R is operated in the left- right direction are determined in accordance with the operation pattern described later.
For example, in the case of an operation of the boom 4 being allocated to the front-rear direction of the right operation lever 26R in the operation pattern, when the right operation lever 26R is operated in the front-rear direction, the controller 30 uses the hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to introduce the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount into the pilot port of the control valve 175. In the case of an operation of the bucket 6 being allocated to the left-right direction of the right operation lever 26R in the operation pattern, when the right operation lever 26R is operated in the left-right direction, the controller 30 uses the hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to introduce the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount into the pilot port of the control valve 174. In order for the controller 30 to perform such control, the output from the operation sensor 29 described later is used.
The left travel lever 26DL is used to operate a left crawler 1CL and may be configured to work in conjunction with a left traveling pedal. When the left travel lever 26DL is operated in the front-rear direction, the controller 30 uses the hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to introduce the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount into the pilot port of the control valve 171. The right travel lever 26DR is used to operate a right crawler 1CR and may be configured to work in conjunction with a right traveling pedal. When the right travel lever 26DR is operated in the front-rear direction, the controller 30 uses the hydraulic oil discharged from the pilot pump 15 to introduce the control pressure corresponding to the lever operation amount into the pilot port of the control valve 172. In order for the controller 30 to perform such control, the output from the operation sensor 29 described later is used.
The operation sensor 29 is configured to detect the details of an operation performed by the operator using the operation device 26. In the present embodiment, the operation sensor 29 detects the operation direction and the operation amount of the operation device 26 corresponding to each of the actuators, and outputs the detected values to the controller 30.
The operation sensor 29 includes operation sensors 29LA, 29LB, 29RA, 29RB, 29DL, and 29DR. The operation sensor 29LA detects the details of an operation in the front-rear direction of the left operation lever 26L performed by the operator, and outputs the detected values to the shovel controller 30. The details of the operation are, for example, a lever operation direction, a lever operation amount (a lever operation angle), and the like.
Similarly, the operation sensor 29LB detects the details of an operation in the left- right direction of the left operation lever 26L performed by the operator, and outputs the detected values to the controller 30. The operation sensor 29RA detects the details of an operation in the front-rear direction of the right operation lever 26R performed by the operator, and outputs the detected values to the controller 30. The operation sensor 29RB detects the details of an operation in the left-right direction of the right operation lever 26R performed by the operator, and outputs the detected values to the controller 30.
The operation sensor 29DL detects the details of an operation in the front-rear direction of the left travel lever 26DL performed by the operator, and outputs the detected values to the shovel controller 30. The operation sensor 29DR detects the details of an operation in the front- rear direction of the right travel lever 26DR performed by the operator, and outputs the detected values to the shovel controller 30.
The controller 30 receives the output of the operation sensor 29, outputs a control command to the regulator 13 as necessary, and changes the discharge amount of the main pump 14. Further, the controller 30 receives the output of a control pressure sensor 19 provided upstream of a throttle 18 and, when necessary, outputs a control command to the regulator 13 to change the discharge amount of the main pump 14. The throttle 18 includes the left throttle 18L and the right throttle 18R, and the control pressure sensor 19 includes the negative control pressure sensors 19L and 19R.
FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the vicinity of the driver's seat in the cabin according to the present embodiment. Next, the driver's seat installed in the cabin 10 of the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4 .
First, a seat on which the operator is seated and a backrest are provided as a driver's seat 102 in the cabin 10. Armrests 106A and 106B are arranged on the left and right sides of the driver's seat 102. The armrests 106A and 106B are rotatably supported. Therefore, in the shovel 100, when the operator leaves the driver's seat 102, the operator can leave the driver's seat 102 without being blocked by the armrest 106A by rotating the armrest 106A rearward. A console 120A and a console 120B are arranged on the left side and the right side of the driver's seat 102, respectively.
The driver's seat 102 and the consoles 120A and 120B are supported movably on rails (not illustrated) fixed to the floor of the cabin 10. Therefore, the operator can move the driver's seat 102 and the consoles 120A and 120B to desired positions with respect to the travel levers 26DR and 26DL and the windshield of the cabin 10 and can fix them. Further, only the driver's seat 102 can be slid forward and rearward. Thus, the position of the driver's seat may be adjusted with respect to the positions of the consoles 120A and 120B.
The left operation lever 26L is provided on the front side of the left console 120A. Similarly, the right operation lever 26R is provided on the front side of the right console 120B. The operator seated on the driver's seat 102 operates the left operation lever 26L with the left hand and operates the right operation lever 26R with the right hand. The consoles 120A and 120B are rotatably supported, and the operator can adjust the angles of the operation levers 26L and 26R at the neutral positions by adjusting the angles of the consoles 120A and 120B.
A window side console 120C is installed to the right of the right console 120B of the driver's seat 102. For example, the window side console 120C extends along the front-rear direction of the cabin 10 and is provided substantially parallel to the right console 120B. A display device (not illustrated), a radio (not illustrated), and the like may be installed on the window side console 120C.
The operator seated in the driver's seat 102 can drive a left travel hydraulic motor 1A by operating the travel lever 26DL with the left hand. Further, the operator seated in the driver's seat 102 can drive a right travel hydraulic motor 1B by operating the travel lever 26DR with the right hand.
A dial 132 allows the rotational speed of the engine 11 to be selected from multiple levels. These multiple levels include, for example, an A mode, an H mode, and an SP mode as illustrated in FIG. 4 . The "SP (special)" mode is an operation priority mode. The "H" mode is a mode in which the second highest rotational speed of the engine 11 and the second highest acceleration/deceleration characteristic are used to achieve the work amount and fuel efficiency. The "A" mode is an automatic (auto) mode for balancing the operation and power consumption.
Further, a gate bar 140 is provided on the left side of the driver's seat 102 (that is, the side where the entrance door is provided in the cabin 10).
The gate bar 140 operates in conjunction with an operation state of the gate lock lever 32 provided on the console 120A. The gate bar 140 is attached to a frame inside the console 120A in a liftable manner around the axis in the left-right direction of the upper end portion.
In a case where the gate lock lever 32 is in a state in which the shovel 100 can be operated, the gate bar 140 is in a state (state illustrated in FIG. 4 ) in which the gate bar 140 is raised forward so as to block the left-right movement between the driver's seat 102 and the entrance door of the cabin 10. Conversely, in a case where the gate lock lever 32 is in a state in which the shovel 100 cannot be operated (is in the lock position), the gate bar 140 is accommodated in the console 120A in a state of being laid downward so as to allow the left-right movement between the driver's seat 102 and the entrance door of the cabin 10. Thus, the operator cannot start and operate the shovel 100 unless the gate bar 140 is in a state of projecting forward in accordance with an operation of the gate lock lever 32. Accordingly, the safety of the shovel 100 is improved.
Further, in the present embodiment, the selector switch SW1 is provided on the console 120B. The selector switch SW1 is an operation member configured to switch between operation patterns in which movements of the shovel 100 are allocated to respective operation directions of the operation levers 26L and 26R.
Because switching of an operation pattern is not frequently performed, the selector switch SW1 is provided at a position farther from the operator than other operation members (for example, the operation levers 26L and 26R and the travel lever 26DL and 26DR) are. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , the selector switch SW1 is disposed on the rear side (-X axis side) of the right operation lever 26R. Thus, the operator is less likely to erroneously press the selector switch SW1.
The selector switch SW1 illustrated in FIG. 4 is disposed on the rear side (-X axis side) of the right operation lever 26R and the rear side (-X axis side) of the dial 132 on the console 120B. Further, the selector switch SW1 is provided at a position spaced apart from the armrest 106B in the right direction (-Y axis direction). As described above, the selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment is preferably disposed at a position relatively distant from the operation device 26 and out of sight of the operator while the operator operates the shovel 100, so as to prevent the operator from erroneously pressing the selector switch SW1. The position of the selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 . The selector switch SW1 may be provided, for example, on the console 120A or the window side console 120C.
In the present embodiment, pressing the selector switch SW1 switches between operation patterns, in each of which an operation direction of the operation lever 26L or 26R and drive control of the shovel 100 to be performed when an operation is performed in the operation direction are associated with each other in advance.
Thus, when the operator operates the shovel 100, the operator can select an appropriate operation pattern, thereby improving work efficiency.
The operation levers 26L and 26R included in the operation device 26 according to the present embodiment are electric-type. Therefore, the controller 30 of the shovel 100 can easily switch an operation pattern.
However, if drive control of the shovel 100 is immediately switched upon the selector switch SW1 being pressed, there would be a possibility that the shovel 100 performs movement that is not intended by the operator. For example, when an operation pattern is switched to another operation pattern while the operation lever 26L or 26R is being operated, drive control of the shovel 100 is instantaneously switched. In such a case, depending on the other operation pattern to which the operation pattern is switched, drive control not intended by the operator would be performed.
In view of the above, in a case where pressing of the selector switch SW1 (an example of a predetermined operation) is performed while a condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied, the controller 30 according to the present embodiment is configured to switch an operation pattern in accordance with the received pressing operation. Details of a specific condition and switching control will be described below.
Note that the position of the selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 . That is, the selector switch SW1 may be provided at a position where the operator can operate the selector switch SW1. In addition, in order to prevent erroneous operations, the selector switch SW1 is preferably provided at a position farther from the operator than the operation levers 26L and 26R and the like are.

The functions of the controller 30 installed in the shovel 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the controller 30 of the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment. The controller (an example of a control device) is configured to perform drive control of the shovel 100 in accordance with an operation signal indicating an operation performed on the operation device 26.
Each functional block of the controller 30 is conceptual, and is not necessarily physically configured as illustrated in FIG. 5 . All or some of functional blocks may be configured to be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in arbitrary units. All or any part of processing functions performed by the functional blocks are implemented by a program executed by the CPU of the controller 30. Alternatively, each functional block may be implemented as hardware by wired logic. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the controller 30 includes an acquiring part 301, a determination part 302, a switching control part 303, an operation processing part 304, and a control part 305. Further, the controller 30 includes an operation pattern storage part 321 and a setting storage part 322 in the nonvolatile auxiliary storage device.
The operation pattern storage part 321 stores operation patterns that can be selected by the selector switch SW1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table structure of the operation pattern storage part 321 according to the present embodiment. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6 , drive control performed by the shovel 100 is associated with each operation direction of the left operation lever 26L and the right operation lever 26R in each operation pattern.
In the present embodiment, drive controls allocated to respective operation directions includes arm opening, arm closing, right turning, left turning, boom lowering, boom raising, bucket opening, and bucket closing. However, the drive controls allocated to the respective operation directions in the present embodiment are merely examples, and any other drive control may be allocated.
For example, in a case where a first operation pattern is selected, arm opening is allocated to the forward direction, arm closing is allocated to the rearward direction, right turning is allocated to the right direction, and left turning is allocated to the left direction of the left operation lever 26L. Similarly, in a case where the first operation pattern is selected, boom lowering is allocated to the forward direction, boom raising is allocated to the rearward direction, bucket opening is allocated to the right direction, and bucket closing is allocated to the left direction of the right operation lever 26R.
In a second operation pattern and the subsequent operation patterns, drive controls different from those in the first operation pattern are allocated to the operation directions of the left operation lever 26L and the right operation lever 26R, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The number of pieces of information corresponding to the number of the operation patterns, which can be selectable by the operator, is registered in the operation pattern storage part 321. Thus, the controller 30 can grasp the correspondence relationship between operation directions and drive controls in an operation pattern selected by the operator. In the present embodiment, the number of the operation patterns registered in the operation pattern storage part 321 may be any number, and may be determined according to an embodiment.
Referring back to FIG. 5 , the setting storage part 322 stores an operation pattern selected by the operator. For example, if the "first operation pattern" is selected, the "first operation pattern" is registered in the setting storage part 322. Thus, when the shovel 100 is started, an operation method in accordance with the operation pattern selected previously or earlier can be provided. The setting storage part 322 may store information for identifying an operator and the operation pattern in association with each other. In this manner, an operation method suitable for each operator can be provided.
The acquiring part 301 acquires signals of various components in the shovel 100. For example, the acquiring part 301 acquires an operation signal indicating detected values of the operation direction and the operation amount of the operation device 26 from the operation sensor 29.
Further, the acquiring part 301 acquires information indicating a voltage generated by power generation by the alternator 11A. Further, the acquiring part 301 acquires a signal indicating the on state or the off state from the gate lock switch 32A. Further, the acquiring part 301 acquires a signal indicating the on state, the off state, or the start state from the key switch 34.
Further, the acquiring part 301 acquires a signal indicating whether the selector switch SW1 is pressed.
The selector switch SW1 is configured to output, to the controller 30, a signal indicating whether a switching operation (an example of the predetermined operation) of an operation pattern is received. Thus, the selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment includes two switch circuits. Therefore, the acquiring part 301 acquires a signal from each of the two switch circuits.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the switch circuits of the selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the selector switch SW1 includes a first switch circuit 701 and a second switch circuit 702.
In the first switch circuit 701, a connection terminal is switched in response to the selector switch SW1 being pressed. As a result, a signal output to the controller 30 is switched between "off" and "on". In the example illustrated in FIG. 7 , when the selector switch SW1 is not pressed, a signal indicating "off" is output, and when the selector switch SW1 is pressed, a signal indicating "on" is output.
Similarly, in the second switch circuit 702, a connection terminal is switched in response to the selector switch SW1 being pressed. As a result, a signal output to the controller 30 is switched between "on" and "off". In the example illustrated in FIG. 7 , when the selector switch SW1 is not pressed, a signal indicating "on" is output, and when the selector switch SW1 is pressed, a signal indicating "off" is output.
That is, when the selector switch SW1 is not pressed, the acquiring part 301 acquires the signal indicating "off" from the first switch circuit 701 and acquires the signal indicating "on" from the second switch circuit 702.
Conversely, when the selector switch SW1 is pressed, the acquiring part 301 acquires the signal indicating "on" from the first switch circuit 701 and acquires the signal indicating "off" from the second switch circuit 702.
Thus, whether or not the selector switch SW1 is pressed can be recognized based on signals acquired by the acquiring part 301. Further, in the controller 30, the determination part 302, which will be described later, can determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the selector switch SW1, based on a plurality of signals input from the selector switch SW1.
Referring back to FIG. 5 , the determination part 302 performs various determinations based on signals acquired by the acquiring part 301.
The determination part 302 according to the present embodiment determines whether the selector switch SW1 is pressed based on signals from the two switch circuits 701 and 702 of the selector switch SW1.
Further, the determination part 302 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the selector switch SW1 (and a signal line from the selector switch SW1 to the controller 30) based on signals from the two switch circuits 701 and 702.
As described above, when the selector switch SW1 is not pressed, the signal indicating "off" is acquired from the first switch circuit 701 and the signal indicating "on" is acquired from the second switch circuit 702, and when the selector switch SW1 is pressed, the signal indicating "on" is acquired from the first switch circuit 701 and the signal indicating "off" is acquired from the second switch circuit 702.
Therefore, if the determination part 302 acquires signals other than the above combinations (for example, when signals indicating "off" are acquired from both the first switch circuit 701 and the second switch circuit 702 or signals indicating "on" are acquired from both the first switch circuit 701 and the second switch circuit 702), the determination part 302 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the selector switch SW1.
After the determination part 302 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the selector switch SW1, detection of the pressing of the selector switch SW1 is inhibited until the abnormality in the selector switch SW1 is eliminated by replacing the selector switch SW1 or the like. The control part 305, which will be described later, performs drive control of the shovel 100 in accordance with an operation pattern selected before determining that the abnormality has occurred in the selector switch SW1.
In the present embodiment, the controller 30 considers that the abnormality has occurred in the selector switch SW1, and inhibits switching of the operation pattern based on signals from the selector switch SW1. In other words, because switching the operation pattern to another operation pattern that is not intended by the operator can be inhibited, safety and operability can be improved. Further, because the operation pattern switched before the occurrence of the abnormality can be continuously used, operability can be improved.
In the present embodiment, while the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied, switching of the operation pattern by pressing the selector switch SW1 is allowed.
When the determination part 302 according to the present embodiment determines that the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position and the engine 11 is not in operation, the determination part 302 determines that the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied. Note that the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment is merely an example, and in the present embodiment, switching of the operation pattern is not necessarily allowed only when the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position and the engine 11 is not in operation. For example, when the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position or when the engine 11 is not in operation, it may be determined that the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied. That is, the controller 30 may receive an operation of switching the operation pattern while the shovel 100 is in a state of not moving.
In the present embodiment, the operation pattern can be switched when the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position in addition to when the engine 11 is not in operation. Thus, a situation in which the operation pattern is switched in a state in which the pilot pressure is applied from the electromagnetic proportional valves 313 to 318 to the control valves 173 to 176 can be inhibited. Therefore, a situation in which the shovel 100 moves in response to the operation pattern being switched can be inhibited. Accordingly, safety can be improved.
Note that the determination part 302 determines whether the gate lock lever 32 is in the lock position based on a signal from the gate lock switch 32A. Further, the determination part 302 determines that the engine 11 is not in operation when a state in which a voltage output from the alternator 11A is less than or equal to a specified value continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, one second). The specified value for determining whether the engine 11 is in operation is determined based on a voltage output from the alternator 11A when the engine 11 is in operation. If the alternator 11A outputs a voltage of 28 V when the engine 11 is in operation, for example, 20 V is set as the specified value. Note that the specified value is merely an example, and may be any value as long as whether or not the engine 11 is in operation (in other words, the operating condition of the engine 11) can be determined.
Further, when the selector switch SW1 is pressed, there would be a possibility that chattering occurs, in other words, there would be a possibility that "on" and "off" may be repeated due to mechanical vibration.
In view of the above, when the determination part 302 determines that the selector switch SW1 is pressed a plurality of times within a predetermined period of time (for example, 20 ms to 30 ms), the determination part 302 determines that the selector switch SW1 is pressed once.
The switching control part 303 switches the operation pattern when the determination part 302 determines that the selector switch SW1 is pressed while the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied.
The switching control part 303 acquires the operation patterns, in each of which an operation direction is associated with drive control performed in response to an operation in the operation direction being received, from the operation pattern storage part 321. Then, the switching control part 303 switches the operation pattern in response to the selector switch SW1 being pressed.
Each time the selector switch SW1 is pressed, the switching control part 303 according to the present embodiment switches the operation pattern in accordance with the order in which the operation patterns are stored in the operation pattern storage part 321. For example, if four operation patterns are stored in the operation pattern storage part 321, the operation pattern is switched in the order of the first operation pattern, the second operation pattern, the third operation pattern, and the fourth operation pattern each time the selector switch SW1 is pressed. Then, when the selector switch SW1 is further pressed, the fourth operation pattern is switched to the first operation pattern.
Then, the switching control part 303 stores information indicating a currently set operation pattern in the setting storage part 322.
The switching control part 303 may display information indicating the currently set operation pattern on the display device D1 in the cabin 10. Thus, the operator can recognize the currently set operation pattern.
When the acquiring part 301 acquires an operation signal indicating detected values of the operation direction and the operation amount of the operation device 26, the operation processing part 304 identifies drive control corresponding to the operation signal based on the currently set operation pattern.
The control part 305 performs the drive control identified by the operation processing part 304. Specifically, the control part 305 controls one or more of the eight electromagnetic proportional valves 311 to 318 in order to perform the drive control. In this manner, drive control of one or more of the boom cylinder 7, the arm cylinder 8, the bucket cylinder 9, and the turning hydraulic motor 2A can be performed.
The shovel 100 according to the present embodiment can switch an operation pattern by the above-described control.
In the shovel 100 according to the present embodiment, in a case where the key switch 34 is switched to the off state after the operation pattern is switched to a given operation pattern and then work using the shovel 100 is finished, the controller 30 performs a stop control of supply of electric power from a power source of the shovel 100 to various components of the shovel 100.
Thereafter, in the shovel 100, when the key switch 34 is switched to the on state or the start state, the supply of electric power from the power source of the shovel 100 to the various components of the shovel 100 is started again. At this time, the operation processing part 304 of the controller 30 reads out the given operation pattern stored in the setting storage part 322, and identifies drive control corresponding to an operation signal, acquired by the acquiring part 301, based on the given operation pattern. By performing the above control, the operation pattern that is set before the stop control of the power source of the shovel 100 is performed can be used, and thus operability can be improved.
Pressing of the selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIGS. 8A, 8B and BC are diagrams illustrating a procedure of pressing the selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment. In a state 1801 of FIG. 8A, the selector switch SW1 cannot be pressed. As illustrated in the state 1801 of FIG. 8A, a symbol representing operation patterns of the operation device 26 is displayed on the surface of the selector switch SW1. By pressing the selector switch SW1, the user can recognize that an operation pattern is switched.
The selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment illustrated in the state 1801 of FIG. 8A has a lock mechanism for minimizing erroneous pressing of the selector switch. The selector switch SW1 according to the present embodiment includes a slide switch SW2 for releasing the lock mechanism. The slide switch SW2 is a switch that can receive a slide operation (an example of a different operation from the predetermined operation) before receiving pressing of the selector switch SW1. The slide switch SW2 has a projection SW2A for hooking the operator's finger when a slide operation is performed. When the slide operation is received by the slide switch SW2, the lock mechanism is released and then the pressing of the selector switch SW1 can be received.
As illustrated in a state 1802 of FIG. 8B, the operator performs the slide operation on the slide switch SW2. In the example illustrated in the state 1802 of FIG. 8B, an example in which a downward slide operation is received by the slide switch SW2 will be described, but the slide direction is not limited thereto.
As illustrated in a state 1803 of FIG. 8C, after the slide operation is received by the slide switch SW2, the selector switch SW1 can be pressed. In a case where the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied when the selector switch SW1 is pressed, an operation pattern is switched.
In the present embodiment, because the selector switch SW1 has the above-described mechanism, erroneous pressing of the selector switch SW1 can be inhibited. Therefore, the operation pattern is less likely to be switched in a situation not intended by the operator, and thus safety can be improved.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating transition of screens displayed on the display device D1 according to the present embodiment.FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a display screen before an operation pattern is switched, which is displayed on the display device D1 according to the present embodiment.
The display screen illustrated inFIG. 9A displays an operation mode field 3001, a traveling mode field 3002, a power consumption display field 3003, and an indicator 3004 indicating power consumption.
The operation mode field 3001 is a display field of an operation mode for adjusting the amount of fuel consumption of the shovel 100. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9A, the "SP (Special)" mode in which output is prioritized is selected.
The traveling mode field 3002 is a selection field of a traveling mode of the shovel 100. In the present embodiment, for example, a low- speed traveling mode or a high-speed traveling mode can be selected. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9A, the low-speed traveling mode is selected.
The power consumption display field 3003 displays the amount of fuel consumed per hour. The indicator 3004 displays the ratio of the current fuel consumption to the maximum consumable fuel of the shovel 100.
In addition, the display screen illustrated in FIG. 9A displays a display field 3012 of the remaining amount of fuel, an indicator 3013 indicating the water temperature in a cooling system for cooling the engine 11 and the like of the shovel 100, and an indicator 3014 indicating the temperature of hydraulic oil.
Further, the display screen illustrated in FIG. 9A may display any information in a display region 3020. For example, image data captured by an imaging device (not illustrated) provided in the shovel 100 may be displayed in the display region 3020.
Further, the display screen illustrated in FIG. 9A displays a display field 3015A of the current operation pattern. The user can recognize the current operation pattern by viewing the display field 3015A.
Then, in a case where the selector switch SW1 is pressed while the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied, the controller 30 switches the operation pattern. The display screen is switched at the same time when the operation pattern is switched.
FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a display screen after the operation pattern is switched, which is displayed on the display device D1 according to the present embodiment.
The display screen illustrated in FIG. 9B displays a display field 3015B of an operation pattern after the switching. Further, in FIG. 9B, a message 3016 indicating that the operation pattern has been switched is displayed. Thus, the operator can recognize that the operation pattern has been switched.
Conversely, in a case where the operation pattern is not switched when the operator presses the selector switch SW1, the display field of the operation pattern is not switched and no message is displayed. Thus, the operator can recognize that the operation pattern is not switched.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the selector switch SW1 is physically provided has been described. That is, in the present embodiment, the operation pattern is switched by a physically independent switch mechanism instead of using a touch panel or the like provided on the display device D1. Thus, the switching operation of the operation pattern is easily performed. Further, because the occurrence of an abnormality in the display device D1 is not required to be considered, the necessity of complicated processing can be avoided, thereby allowing operability to be improved and a development load to be reduced.

(Modification)

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the selector switch SW1 is provided as a physically independent switch mechanism has been described. However, the above-described embodiment is not limited to the example in which the selector switch SW1 is provided as a physically independent switch mechanism. For example, an operation of switching an operation pattern may be received from a touch panel or the like. In the present modification, an example in which a selected operation pattern is received from the touch panel will be described.
In the present modification, the touch panel is provided on the surface of the display device D1. The controller 30 displays selectable operation patterns on the display device D1. Then, the controller 30 receives a selected operation pattern via the touch panel. The controller 30 switches to the selected operation pattern when the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied. In the present modification, an operation pattern can be easily switched by the above-described control, and thus improvement in convenience can be achieved.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, when the controller 30 determines that the condition for restricting movement of the shovel 100 is satisfied, the controller 30 switches an operation pattern by an operation (for example, pressing of the selector switch SW1 or selection from the touch panel or the like) performed by the operator. Because the movement of the shovel 100 is restricted when the operation pattern is switched, a situation in which the shovel 100 moves unintentionally based on the switched operation pattern can be suppressed. Thus, the shovel 100 is less likely perform movement that is not intended by the operator, and thus safety can be improved.
In the above-described embodiment and modification, an operation pattern can be switched by an operation (for example, pressing of the selector switch SW1 or selection from the touch panel or the like) performed by the operator in the cabin 10. Accordingly, work efficiency can be improved.
In the above-described embodiment and modification, an operation pattern of the electric- type operation device 26 is switched. Therefore, a valve or the like for changing an oil path is not required as compared to a conventional hydraulic operation, and thus space saving can be achieved as compared to the conventional operation. Accordingly, the above-described embodiment and modification can be applied to a small construction machine (shovel, for example).
In the above-described embodiment and modification, an operation pattern can be switched by the controller, and thus the number of components can be reduced as compared to the hydraulic operation. Accordingly, cost reduction can be achieved.
Although embodiments in which the shovel is used as an example of the construction machine have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shovel comprising:

a lower traveling body;

an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body;

an attachment provided on the upper turning body;

an operation part configured to output an operation signal indicating a received operation direction as an electric signal; and

a control device configured to perform drive control of at least one of the upper turning body or

the attachment of the shovel in accordance with the operation signal, wherein the control device is configured to acquire,

from a storage, an operation pattern in which an operation direction receivable by the operation part

is associated with drive control to be performed in response to an operation in the operation direction being received, and the control device is configured to switch the operation pattern for performing the drive control, in accordance with a predetermined operation received while a condition for restricting movement of the shovel is satisfied.

2. The shovel according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to, in a case where a stop control of supply of electric power from a power source of the shovel is performed after the

operation pattern is switched to a given operation pattern, perform drive control in accordance with the given operation pattern, to which the operation pattern is switched before the stop control is

performed, when the supply of the electric power from the power source of the shovel is restarted.

3. The shovel according to claim 1, further

comprising:a switch mechanism configured to output, to the control device, a signal indicating whether the predetermined operation is received, wherein the control device is configured to switch the

operation pattern in a case where a signal indicating that the predetermined operation is received is input into the control device from the switch mechanism.

4. The shovel according to claim 3, wherein the switch mechanism includes a plurality of switch circuits each configured to switch a connection terminal when the predetermined operation

is received, and in a case where the control device determines that there is an abnormality in the switch mechanism based on signals from the plurality of switch circuits included in the switch mechanism, the

control device is configured to perform the drive control in accordance with the operation pattern selected before determining that there is the abnormality.

5. The shovel according to claim 3, wherein the control device is configured to, in a case where a

signal indicating that the predetermined operation is performed a plurality of times within a predetermined period of time, determine that the predetermined operation is performed once and switch the operation pattern.

6. The shovel according to claim 3, wherein the switch mechanism is configured to receive a different operation from the predetermined operation

before receiving the predetermined operation, and is configured such that the predetermined operation is receivable in a case where the different operation is received.

7. The shovel according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to determine whether the condition is satisfied based on at least one of a position of a gate lock lever or an operating

condition of an engine.

8. The shovel according to claim 1, wherein,

in an operation pattern stored in the storage, drive controls of the upper turning body and the attachment are allocated to respective operation directions of the operation part, and

the control device is configured to switch the

drive controls allocated to the respective operation directions of the operation part when the operation pattern is switched.

9. The shovel according to claim 8, wherein the attachment includes a boom attached to the upper turning body, an arm attached to the boom, and an end attachment attached to the arm,

and, in an operation pattern stored in the storage,

drive controls of the boom, the arm, and the end attachment are allocated to respective operation

directions.

10. The shovel according to claim 1, wherein,

when the operation pattern is switched, the control

device causes a display device to display a message indicating that the operation pattern is switched.

11. The shovel according to claim 3, wherein

each time the switch mechanism receives the predetermined operation, the control device switches among three or more operation patterns in accordance with an order in which the three or more operation patterns are stored in the storage.

12. The shovel according to claim 3, wherein the switch mechanism is provided at a position

farther from an operator of the shovel than the operation part is.