CIVIL ENGINEERING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CIVIL ENGINEERING MACHINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a civil engineering machine having a mobile support device and a mast or boom arm, which are arranged on the support device. A civil engineering tool is also provided, which is adjustably arranged on the mast or the boom arm in order to carry out a civil engineering measure. Furthermore, a control unit is provided and an operator cabin for at least one operator and having at least one display device, which is connected to the control unit and is designed to display operating data detected by the control unit to the machine operator on the at least one display device in a plurality of display fields. According to the invention, it is provided that the control unit is configured such that the arrangement and/or the type of the display fields can be modified and set by the machine operator and can be stored as a personal configuration of the machine operator independently of the control unit. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a civil engineering machine.

Description

The invention relates to a civil engineering machine, in particular a drilling device, having a mobile support device, a mast or boom arm, which is arranged on the support device, and to a civil engineering tool, which is adjustably arranged on the mast or boom arm for carrying out a civil engineering measure. Furthermore, the civil engineering machine has a control unit and an operator cabin for at least one operator, having at least one display device, in particular a monitor, which is connected to the control unit and is designed to display operating data detected by the control unit to a machine operator on the at least one display device in a plurality of display fields. The invention also relates to a method for operating a civil engineering machine.

The civil engineering machine can be a trench cutter, a pile driver, a cable excavator, a grab excavator, but also a mobile crane or a mobile boom crane, for example.

Civil engineering machines, in particular for creating foundations in the ground, have been known for a long time. A foundation element can be formed, for example, by creating a hole in the ground, such as a drilled hole or a cut trench, wherein the hole is then filled with a hardenable medium, in particular a mortar, to form a foundation pile or a diaphragm wall segment, if necessary with additional reinforcement. A foundation element can also be created by driving or vibrating in a foundation pile or screed, for example. A foundation element is not limited to load-bearing or carrying capacity function, but can alternatively or additionally take on a sealing function and/or other tasks, as is known, for example, in the case of excavation pit enclosures with sealing walls from specialised civil engineering.

Nowadays, known civil engineering machines are equipped with electronic control units which make it easier for a machine operator to operate the civil engineering machine or can even take over operation partially or fully automatically. Various operating data can be recorded via sensors and fed to the control unit. Control commands can be issued to corresponding actuators, in particular drives and actuating cylinders, via corresponding data lines.

Such civil engineering machines are known from EP 3299523 A1 and EP 3296467A1 , for example.

Display devices in civil engineering machines are used to display operating data that are recorded by the control unit from internal and/or external sensors, to the machine operator so that the machine operator can control the civil engineering machine effectively and safely. For example, this data can be the current depth of the civil engineering tool, a torque of a winch or even a temperature of the oil in an oil circuit.

On large construction sites, a large number of civil engineering machines are often used in parallel that are controlled by different machine operators. These machine operators have different levels of experience and also create different foundation elements. Depending on the work order and experience, different information is important for the machine operator.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a civil engineering machine and method for operating a civil engineering machine, which method facilitates the use of a civil engineering machine by different machine operators.

This object is achieved by a civil engineering machine having the features of claim 1, on the one hand, and by a method having the features of claim 12, on the other hand.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims, and in the figures and their description.

According to the invention, it is provided that the control unit is configured such that the display, the arrangement and/or the type of the display fields can be modified and set by a machine operator and can be stored as a personal configuration of the machine operator independently of the control unit. Within the meaning of the invention, independently of the control unit also means that the configuration can be stored independently of the civil engineering machine in which the control unit is provided.

A basic concept of the invention resides in that to allow the machine operator to arrange and configure the displays on the display device in a user-specific manner. This means that an experienced machine operator carrying out complicated objects can have certain information relevant to the operator work displayed, whereas a rather more inexperienced machine operator can arrange the display device and the information shown there in such a way that it also displays the appropriate data for the operator, including other data. In other words, the invention makes it possible to adapt the display device to the respective machine operator, but also to the respective work order. To ensure that this adjustment is not lost, it can be stored in accordance with the invention. In order to also enable a cross-device display, the invention provides that the information required for the user-specific display is not necessarily stored on the civil engineering machine or in the control unit, but independently of it.

It is advantageous if the control unit has a transmission device, in particular a data transmission device with which data for personal configuration of the display fields in a data memory can be transmitted outside the control unit. In other words, in accordance with the invention, it is envisaged that the information for the user-specific configuration is not stored in the control unit itself and also not necessarily in the civil engineering machine by means of the transmission device. This makes it possible to access the relevant information centrally.

In this respect, it is preferred if the transmission device is designed to transmit the data for the personal configuration to a mobile data carrier, a mobile computer unit, a central data depository and/or in a cloud storage facility. This is done in order to save the corresponding data there. The elements in the above list can be seen as alternative options to which the data for the personal configuration can be saved. However, it is also possible to use not just one, but several of these elements. Within the meaning of the invention, a mobile data carrier can be understood to be, for example, a machine key, a USB stick or another data storage that can be written wirelessly, such as via Bluetooth, RFID or NFC technologies. Within the meaning of the invention, a mobile computer unit can be considered to be, for example, a laptop, a tablet computer or a smart phone. In this way, it is possible to store the data to the personal configuration in different places so that, depending on the exact area of application, it is possible to transfer a personal configuration back to the civil engineering machine. This can also be done in a similar way via the transmission device in conjunction with the control unit, for example.

In principle, the display device can be of any design. For example, this can be a monitor, but also other types of display devices, such as data glasses, a head-up display or a tablet. The display device is preferably designed to display figures, functions, graphics, animations and/or photo and video images.

In other words, any information can be suitably displayed on the display device. It is also possible for the machine operator to define the way in which certain data is displayed. For example, the temperature of the engine oil of the civil engineering machine can be displayed as a number, but also as a bar graph and/or in the form of a circular display instrument. The machine operator can set the exact realization accordingly as it is easiest for them to read.

To make it easier to set up the display unit, it may be provided that a preselection of retrievable operating data, possible display types and/or arrangement options are stored in the control unit and/or can be retrieved by this and can be retrieved and selected by the machine operator to create the personalised configuration. In other words, the control unit or, alternatively to this, an external memory can simulate a kind of toolbox from which the individual machine operator can select the display and display type that is best for them in the respective work situation based on their experience. Templates can also be provided for this purpose. This makes such a setting easier for less experienced machine operators, in particular. Within the meaning of the invention, operating data can be understood to mean, for example, information on current and past operating/machine states, but also information on production data such as details to foundation elements to be constructed or soil information.

It is preferred if the control unit has a display configuration mode, wherein when the display configuration mode is activated, the display on the at least one display device can be modified and stored. In other words, the display configuration mode can be used, for example, to influence the position or type of a particular display on the display device. Furthermore, it may be possible to enlarge or reduce certain displays, which may also be referred to as windows or widgets, and/or to display them at different locations of the display device. This is advantageous, in particular if the display device consists of a plurality of monitors, for example, so that some displays are shown on the first monitor while other displays are shown on the second monitor. In this connection, different types of display devices can also be combined, for example a fixed monitor and a tablet PC, which can also be removed from the control cabin.

It is advantageous, for example, if the size, type, position and/or colour of the display field can be set. The graphic display of the information can also be set so that some information is displayed as digits or numbers, other information is displayed as graphics such as bars.

A particularly simple setting results if the at least one display device is designed as a touchscreen on which the display fields can be modified and/or set directly by touching the display device. This way makes it particularly easy to set the individual display fields intuitively. Alternatively or additionally, however, settings can also be obtained by using a mouse or touchpad. Setting can also be made via a web interface or a mobile phone app.

In an advantageous embodiment, an identification device is arranged by means of which a machine operator who wishes to operate the civil engineering machine can be identified. Furthermore, the control unit can be designed automatically and/or on request to call up a personal configuration of the identified machine operator in order to effect a desired display on the at least one display device. In this connection, it can be called up from an internal memory in the control unit or the civil engineering machine, but also from an external memory that is made available via an interface. This may, for example, also be a central data storage that is provided on servers of the manufacturer of the construction machine or the operating company. By using an identification device, it is particularly easy to assign the corresponding user-specific setting of the display device to a user and to make it available. In the simplest case, a user name, optionally in conjunction with a password, a fingerprint sensor or an appropriately coded key for the civil engineering machine can be used as an identification device.

The invention is particularly advantageous when used in connection with an arrangement comprising several civil engineering machines which can be selected by a machine operator. The advantages according to the invention then arise in a special way, as it is not necessary to strictly make sure that a machine operator respectively uses the same civil engineering machine. This makes it possible for a machine operator to use different civil engineering machines and actively transfer their desired configuration to the civil engineering machine or call it up there so that they have their usual display available on the display device.

It is advantageous if a central data depository is provided and the civil engineering machines can be connected to the central data depository to store and call up data in the personal configuration. In this way, it can be easily achieved that each machine operator is provided in each case with their specific representations on the display device. Alternatively, it is also possible to carry this configuration with the machine operator on a data carrier so that they actively transfer this data when starting the civil engineering machine or the control unit queries it. In principle, in the sense of the invention, a central data depository can be understood to be, for example, a database that can be queried by the internet. It is not necessary there that it is just one database, but several databases can also be available, that can be used as alternatives to each other or act as a backup to each other.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a civil engineering machine, as it is described above, or such an assembly. Here, it is provided that at least one machine operator creates a personal configuration for the display fields on the at least one display device and stores it in the data memory. It is also provided that on request and/or on automatic identification of the machine operator, the control unit calls up the personal configuration of the machine operator from the data memory and a corresponding display according to the personal configuration is effected on the at least one display device.

Within the meaning of the invention, a machine operator can also be regarded as an administrator or master user who defines individual personal configurations for various machine operators. In this connection, the settings of the different machine operators can also be copied, so that different display fields or different contents are shown on the at least one display device for an experienced group of machine operators than for inexperienced machine operators. The same also applies to different operating modes of the civil engineering machine. For example, the data on the display fields of a trench cutter that mills in hard rock is of different interest to the machine operator than that of a trench cutter that creates a trench wall in sandy ground. Here, the data memory can be located in the civil engineering machine or remote from it.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail, on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments. These are shown in the cited, schematic drawings. In these drawings show:

FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a civil engineering machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a display device having different display fields, and

FIG. 3 a schematic representation of possible data transmission paths.

A civil engineering machine 10 according to the invention, which, for example, is designed as a drilling unit according to FIG. 1, has an undercarriage 12 preferably designed as a crawler undercarriage and an upper carriage 14 rotatably mounted thereon. The undercarriage 12 and the upper carriage 14 form a support device 15. The drive units and the control station for a machine operator of the civil engineering machine 10 can be arranged on the upper carriage 14 in a known manner. A control unit 40 and a display device 50, in particular a monitor, can be arranged in the control station.

A substantially vertical mast 18 with an upper mast head 19 can be adjustably attached to a front side of the upper carriage 14 via a linkage kinematics 16 with neck cylinders. A carriage 20 can be guided moveably along a front side of the mast 18. A first drill drive 22 can be provided on the carriage 20, which can have a hydraulic motor 24. Furthermore, a second drive 26 with a sleeve-shaped rotating joint 27 can be provided on the carriage 20 to establish a non-rotatable connection to a support tube 4. The second drive 26 can, for example, essentially consist of a gearing connection to the first drill drive 22 with the hydraulic motor 24 in order to apply a torque to the rotating joint 27 and thus the support tube 4.

The approximately sleeve-shaped first drill drive 22 can, for example, be penetrated by a drill rod 30, which can be designed as a Kelly rod with outer driver strips. Here, the drill rod 30 can have an upper suspension 32, with which the drill rod 30 is connected to a main cable 39. The main cable 39 can be guided to a main winch 38 on the top side of the upper carriage 14 via deflection pulleys on the mast head 19. The drill rod 30 can be moved vertically by actuating the main winch 38.

The carriage 20 can be connected to a feed cable 37, which is guided above and below the carriage 20 along the mast 18 and can be actuated by a feed winch 36. The feed winch 36 can be used to move the carriage 20 up or down along a guide on the mast 18.

A drilling tool is attached to an underside of the drill rod 30 as a civil engineering tool 34 for removing soil material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the civil engineering tool 34 is designed as a drilling bucket. The diameter of the drilling tool is thereby designed so that this tool can be inserted into the inner cavity of the support tube 4.

A cased borehole can be created in the ground 1 by using the civil engineering machine 10. To form a foundation element in the ground 1, a hardenable compound can be introduced into the borehole, which then hardens to the foundation element. The support tube 4 can remain in the borehole as part of the foundation element or preferably be pulled out of the ground 1 before hardening.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic example of a display device 50. This shows as an example five display fields 51, each of which displays different information. The centre display 51 shows, for example, the current depth of a borehole and the drilling depth to be reached in graphical form. To the right of this, a display field 51 is shown in the upper area, which has a round element that shows, for example, the current torque of the motor.

Below this is a display field 51 with a bar graph. This can, for example, display the current transmission oil pressure in a clear manner.

A numerical display is shown in the upper area on the left-hand side of the display device 50. In the lower area, a display field 51 is shown, which displays a progression curve, for example of the depth of the borehole over time.

Based on the invention, it is possible to arrange the various display fields 51 in any desired manner on the display device 50. Different display fields 51 can also be added and configured using corresponding functions. The type of display can also be selected. This also applies, for example, to the selection of the information displayed, the position, the level of detail, or similar.

In this way, the display device 50 can be specially configured for the respective machine user so that the data required for their current task is displayed in a particularly advantageous manner. This also allows personal preferences to be taken into account.

In the context of the invention, not only one display device 50 can be used, but also several, which can, for example, be arranged one above the other or next to each other. This also makes it possible to move a display field 51 from a main display device to a secondary display device if the information of the display field 51 is rather rarely used.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view, which show an exemplary basic structure of the data flow of a civil engineering machine 10 according to the invention with respect to the display devices 50.

Here, a central element is the control unit 40. This contains data about a plurality of sensor devices 48. The sensor devices 48 can, for example, be about torque sensors or also temperature sensors. These do not necessarily have to be arranged on the civil engineering machine according to the invention, but can also be external sensors. The transmission to the control unit 40 can be carried out either wired or wireless. Other sources of information can also be used by the control unit 40, such as project or construction plans. In general, the sensor devices 48 can even be regarded as a data source.

This data and information are output via the control unit 40 to, in this case, two display devices 50. On the display devices 50, the data is shown in display fields 51, as previously being described with reference to FIG. 2. The machine user can here select which data and information is to be displayed and also how it is to be displayed.

This confrontation can be stored on an internal memory 42 in the civil engineering machine 10 by means of the control unit 40. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration can also be transferred to an external memory 44 by means of a transfer device 60. The external memory 44 can be about a data carrier, for example, but also about a storage location in a cloud, a server or similar. The design of the transmission device 60 concerning this matter can therefore be provided for a wired transfer, but also for a wireless transfer. For example, the transmission device 60 can be implemented in a simple manner in the form of a modem, which transmits the data to a server via a mobile phone network.

When a machine operator starts a civil engineering machine 10, the operator can load his configuration either from the internal memory 42 or from the external memory 44 via the transmission device 60, so that the display fields 51 are illustrated on the display devices 50 in the manner that is clearest for him. The arrangement of the display fields 51 on the display device 50 can preferably be carried out via a touchscreen if the display device 50 is designed in this way. Alternatively, this can also be carried out controlled by means of a rotary element, a slider or other human-machine communication devices.

An identification device can also be provided, which can correspond with the control unit, by means of which it can be recognised which machine operator is operating the civil engineering machine 10, wherein his individual configuration of the display devices 50 is loaded based on this information. This can be realised both locally from the internal memory 42 and via an external memory 44, which can be accessed accordingly.

As described above, the external memory 44 can also be used simultaneously by different civil engineering machines 10, so that a data transfer of the configuration from one civil engineering machine 10 to another is possible.

By means of the civil engineering machine according to the invention and the corresponding method, it is possible to illustrate machine operator-specific data on a display device and thus to enable more efficient working.

Claims

1. A civil engineering machine in particular a drilling unit,

Having

a mobile support device

a mast or a boom arm, which is arranged on the support device,

a civil engineering tool, which is adjustably arranged on the mast or the boom arm in order to carry out a civil engineering measure, a control unit and

an operator cabin for at least one operator, having at least one display device, in particular a monitor, which is connected to the control unit and is designed to display operating data detected by the control unit to the machine operator on the at least one display device in a plurality of display fields,

wherein

the control unit is designed such that a display, an arrangement and/or a type of the display fields can be modified and set by a machine operator and can be stored in a data memory as a personal configuration of the machine operator independently of the control unit and

the size, type, position and/or the colour of a display field can be set.

2. The civil engineering machine according to claim 1, wherein

the control unit has a transmission device with which data for personal configuration of the display fields in the data memory can be transmitted outside the control unit.

3. The civil engineering machine according to claim 2,

wherein

the transmission device is designed to transmit the data for the personal configuration to a mobile data carrier, such as a machine key, a mobile computer unit, a laptop, a tablet computer or a smart phone, a central data depository and/or to a cloud storage facility.

4. The civil engineering machine according to claims

wherein

at least one display device is designed to display figures, functions, graphics, animations and/or photo/video images.

5. The civil engineering machine according to claim 1,

wherein

a preselection of retrievable operating data, possible display types and/or arrangement options are stored in and/or can be retrieved by the control unit and can be retrieved and selected by the machine operator to create the personalised configuration.

6. The civil engineering machine according to claim 1,

wherein

the control unit comprises a display-configuration mode, wherein when the display-configuration mode is activated, the display on the at least one display device can be modified and stored.

7. (canceled)

8. The civil engineering machine according to claim 1,

wherein

at least one display device is designed as a touchscreen with which the display fields can be modified and/or set directly by touching the display device.

9. The civil engineering machine according to claim 1,

wherein

an identification device is arranged by means of which a machine operator who wishes to operate the civil engineering machine can be identified, and the control unit is designed to call up automatically and/or on request a personal configuration of the identified machine operator, in order to effect a desired display on the at least one display device.

10. An assembly comprising a plurality of civil engineering machines, which can be selected by one machine operator,

wherein

the civil engineering machine is designed according to claim 1.

11. The assembly according to claim 10,

wherein

a central data depository is provided and

the civil engineering machine can be connected to the data depository to store and/or retrieve data in the personal configuration.

12. A method for operating a civil engineering machine according to claim 1,

wherein

at least one machine operator creates a personal configuration for the display fields on the at least one display device and stores it in the data memory, and

on request and/or on automatic identification of the machine operator, the control unit calls up the personal configuration of the machine operator from the data memory and a corresponding display according to the personal configuration is effected on the at least one display device.