Slewing control device for hybrid construction machine and hybrid construction machine

• US 10,053,837 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2016
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Company Limited (Kobe Steel Limited)
• Original Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Company Limited (Kobe Steel Limited)
• Inventors: Doi, Takayuki, Koiwai, Kazushige
• Primary Examiner(s): Brushaber, Frederick M
• Application Number:
  US15/271,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20170096796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/32 working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/123 Drives or control devices specially adapted therefor E02F9/125 and E02F9/128 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/128 Braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2075 of the hybrid type for vehicles in general B60W20/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2095 Control of electric, electro-mechanical or mechanical equipment not otherwise provided for, e.g. ventilators, electro-driven fans control of hydraulic driven equipment E02F9/22
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/226 Safety arrangements, e.g. hydraulic driven fans, preventing cavitation, leakage, overheating

Abstract

A brake control unit operates a mechanical brake when a slewing operation amount detected by a slewing operation amount detection unit indicates slewing stop and when a slewing speed detected by a slewing speed detection unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed. A time measurement unit measures a brake operation time period during which a brake operation detection value detected by a brake operation detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the mechanical brake is operated and when the brake operation time period measured by the time measurement unit exceeds a predetermined reference time period, a slewing control unit stops outputting a slewing command.

Claims

1. A slewing control device including a processor having circuitry, the slewing control device for a hybrid construction machine comprising:

a slewing motor configured to slew a slewing superstructure;

a slewing operation amount detection sensor configured to detect a slewing operation amount of the slewing superstructure;

a slewing control unit configured to output a slewing command for operating the slewing superstructure at a slewing speed corresponding to the slewing operation amount, thereby controlling the slewing motor;

a slewing speed detection sensor configured to detect a slewing speed of the slewing superstructure;

a mechanical brake configured to mechanically stop and hold the slewing superstructure;

a brake control unit implemented by the circuitry, the brake control unit configured to, when the slewing operation amount indicates slewing stop, avoid operating the mechanical brake until the detected slewing speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, and operate the mechanical brake after the detected slewing speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed;

a brake operation detection sensor configured to detect a brake operation detection value representing a braking force of the mechanical brake; and

a time measurement unit implemented by the circuitry, the time measurement unit configured to measure a time period during which the detected brake operation detection value exceeds a predetermined threshold,

wherein, when the mechanical brake is operated, the slewing control unit outputs the slewing command until the time period measured by the time measurement unit exceeds a predetermined reference time period, and stops outputting the slewing command after the measured time period exceeds the predetermined reference time period.

2. The slewing control device for a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a hydraulic pressure operation valve configured to operate the mechanical brake with a hydraulic pressure; and

a hydraulic pressure detection sensor configured to detect the hydraulic pressure,

wherein the brake operation detection sensor detects the hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detection sensor as the brake operation detection value.

3. The slewing control device for a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1, further comprising an inclination angle detection sensor configured to detect an inclination angle of the hybrid construction machine with respect to a horizontal plane,

wherein the slewing control unit determines the reference time period based on the detected inclination angle.

4. The slewing control device for a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a hydraulic pressure operation valve configured to operate the mechanical brake with a hydraulic pressure; and

a temperature detection sensor configured to measure a temperature of drive oil supplied from the hydraulic pressure operation valve to the mechanical brake,

wherein the slewing control unit determines the reference time period based on the detected temperature of the drive oil.

5. A hybrid construction machine, comprising:

a slewing superstructure; and

the slewing control device for a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1.