GB2319858A

GB2319858A - Control system for a construction machine

Info

Publication number: GB2319858A
Application number: GB9714817A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joo Kyung Kim
Original assignee: Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd
Priority date: 1996-11-30
Filing date: 1997-07-14
Publication date: 1998-06-03
Also published as: DE19729819A1; CN1184191A; KR19980041620A; GB9714817D0; JPH10159134A

Abstract

In a control system for a construction machine comprising a plurality of actuators 111,112, a controller 100 controls the drive of the actuators, and a plurality of sensor units 121,122 detect and transfer the state of the actuators to the controller. The system enables a plurality of actuators to be driven by a single controller. The controller 100 receives the signals from the sensor units 121,122, determines the function performed by the actuators and the state detected by the sensor units, and then drives the actuators according to a relevant stored program. Therefore, if a function is to be added to the system, it is only necessary to add a sensor unit to detect the actuator performing a predetermined function and the state of the actuator, and develop a program to be performed by the controller.

Description

2319858 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTION MACHINE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a control system for a construction machine controlling the drive of each actuator carrying out a predetermined function. Generally, construction machines such as excavators comprise various actuators driving the construction machine automatically, which have been operated for desired action. Conventionally, separate controllers have been used to control each of these actuators.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram with a controller 1, an actuator 2, and a sensor unit 3 describing such a prior art. The actuator 2 is driven by the control of the controller 1. and the sensor unit 3 detects and inputs signals to the controller 1 according to the movement of the actuator 2. When power is supplied to each part of a construction machine by initiation of the driving, the controller 1 drives the actuator 2 according to a stored program. Then the sensor unit 3 detects the state of the actuator 2, and inputs the state into the controller 1. The controller 1 determines the state of the actuator 2 with the signal of the sensor unit 3 and drives the machine exactly as desired. In this conventional control system one controller controls one movement of an actuator. Therefore, when an automatic drive driving an actuator is added, an extra controller 11 to drive this actuator 12, and a sensor unit 13 connected to the controller 11 has to be added to determine the state of the actuator 12.

Use of the conventional technique, however, needs expensive controllers at each actuator. raising the production costs. Furthermore, because each program driving the actuators must be developed for controller, the period for the development of the production is extended.

- 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control system for a construction machine driving a plurality of actuators with a single controller.

In order to achieve the object, the control system for a construction machine of the present invention includes a plurality of actuators, a controller controlling the drive of the actuators and a plurality of sensor units detecting the state of the actuators and transferring them to the controller.

The controller drives the actuators, inputs signals of the sensor units, determines the function of the actuators and the state detected by the sensor units, then drives the actuators according to the relevant stored program.

Therefore. even when a certain function is added, only a sensor unit detecting the actuator which performs the predetermined function and a sensor detecting the state of the actuator has to be added, and the development of a separate program performing that function, instead of a separate controller, is needed.

According to the present invention, the production cost can be reduced by controlling the drive of actuators with a single controller and by inputting signals from a sensor unit detecting the movement state according to the drive of actuators. Also, in case a predetermined function has to be added, only a program applicable to the function can be stored in the ROM, rendering the addition of the function and reducing the period -3 and the expense needed for the development.

4 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional control system; Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a control system of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the internal structure of the controller of Fig 2; and Fig. 4 is a signal flow diagram showing a movement of a micro-processor according to the control system of the present invention.

- D DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a control system according to the present invention. As shown in this diagram, the control system comprises actuators 111. 112, performing a predetermined function, sensor units 121, 1222, detecting the state of actuators 111, 112,..., and a controller 100 determining the state of actuators Ill, 112,... according to the output signals of sensor units 121, 122,... and then driving actuators 111, 112,... according to the stored programs.

Referring to Fig. 3, a controller 100 is composed of a micro-processor 110 controlling a predetermined movement, a ROM 120 storing and outputting a predetermined program to be performed by the micro processor 110. a RAM 130 temporarily storing and outputting data performed by the micro-processor 110, a sensor signal input unit 140. 141,... inputting the detected signal output of the sensor unit 121, 122 micro-processor 110 and a function control signal output unit 150. 151,... outputting the function control signal output of the micro -processor 110 to the actuators 111, 112, In an embodiment of a control system for a construction machine of the present invention, an engine of a construction machine driven and power is supplied to each unit. A micro-processor 110 of a controller,100 inputs detecting signals of sensor units 121, 122,... through sensor signal input units 140. 141,... in a step S1 as shown in Fig. 4. and outputs 1... to the - 6 function control signals to actuators 111, 112, through function control signal output parts 150, 151, in step S2.

In the next step S3, signals detected by the sensor units 121, 122,... and functions performed by the actuators 111, 112.... are determined by states of the actuators 111, 112,... which are signals transferring through the sensor signal input part 140, 141,... and function control signals output through the function control signal output units 151, 151,. ..

In step 4, when signals detected by the sensor unit 121, 122, and the function carried'out by the actuators 111, 112, is complete, microprocessor 110 determines function to be carried out at step S5.

In the next step S6, programs according to the determined functions are selected from a ROM 130, and a predetermined function is performed by outputting function control signals to the actuators 111, 112, through the function control signal output units 151, 151, according to the selected program.

- 7

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A control system for a construction machine comprising: a plurality of actuators each for performing a predetermined function; a plurality of sensor units each for detecting each state of said actuators; and a controller for determining the state of said plurality of actuators according to the output signals of said sensor units, driving said plurality of actuators according to stored programs, determining the signals of said sensor units and the function of said actuators, and controlling the drive of the actuator by selecting a program with respect to the result of the determination.

2. The control system for the construction machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a micro-processor for controlling a predetermined movement.

3. The control system for the construction machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller comprises a ROM for storing and outputting a predetermined program to be used by said micro -processor.

4. The control system for the construction machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the controller comprises a RAM for temporarily storing and outputting a predetermined data to be used by said micro -processor.

5. The control system for the construction machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller comprises a sensor signal input unit for inputting detection signals generated by the sensor unit to said micro -processor.

6. The control system for the construction machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the controller comprises a function control signal output unit for outputting function control signals generated from said micro- processor to said actuator.

7. A control system for a construction machine comprising: a plurality of actuators each for performing each a predetermined function; a plurality of sensor units for detecting each the state of said actuators; and a controller for determining the state of said plurality of actuators according to the output signals of said sensor units, driving said plurality of actuators according to stored programs, determining the signals of said sensor units and the function of said actuators, and controlling the drive of the actuator by selecting a program in respect to the result of the determination, said controller comprising; a microprocessor for controling a predetermined movement; a ROM for storing and outputting a predetermined program to be used by said micro -processor. a RAM for temporarily storing and outputting a predetermined data which will be used by said micro -processor. a sensor signal input unit for inputting detection signals generated by said sensor unit to said micro -pro ces sor; and a function control signal output unit for outputting function control signals generated by said micro-processor to said actuator.