METHOD FOR CLOCKING CUMULATIVE OPERATING TIME FOR A CARGO-HANDLING VEHICLE, AND THE CARGO-HANDLING VEHICLE BY USE OF THE METHOD

• US 20120035806A1
• Filed: 06/23/2009
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift Co., Ltd. (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Naoki
• Granted Patent: US 8,392,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33.4
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/04 using counting means or digital clocks

Abstract

An accumulated use time measuring method for cargo handling vehicles and a cargo handling vehicle both enable accurate continuation of the use time till a display unit containing a time measuring device is replaced even if the time measuring device fails and prevention of false alteration after shipping while infallibly resetting the time measuring device to zero when the time measure device is shipped from the factory. The function units such as a display unit and a control unit of the cargo handling vehicle each include a time measuring device and a storage device. A synchronization mode in which the difference between the accumulated use times of both devices is made the same and a synchronization inhibition mode in which the accumulated use times are not changed and the time measurement is continued are provided. The accumulated use times are communicated between the function units, and the accumulated use time of the cargo handling vehicle and the absolute value of the difference between the accumulated use times of both measuring devices of the function units are taken into consideration. The corresponding mode is selected from the two modes, and thereby the time measurement using the accumulated use time stored in the storage device is carried out in the selected mode.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle provided with a plurality of functional units, the functional units comprising at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit;

whereby,

each of the first functional unit having a first clocking device and the second functional unit having a second clocking device clocks the cumulative operating time of the cargo-handling vehicle, by use of each clocking device;

the data information regarding the clocked cumulative operating time is stored in a memory device provided in each functional unit;

the data information regarding cumulative operating time stored in each functional unit transmitted toward the other functional units, and the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are mutually transmitted one another, through a communication port provided in each functional unit for sending and receiving the data information;

the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units are estimated so that the greatest cumulative operating time and the unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time over all the functional units are identified;

each of the functional units selects either of a synchronous mode under which the data regarding the greatest cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time is overwritten on the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the remaining functional units so that all the differences among the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are cancelled, or a synchronization prohibition mode under which the process execution under the synchronous mode is prohibited;

thereby

each functional unit is placed under the synchronous mode in a case where the maximum value among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units is less than or equal to a predetermined T, whereas each functional unit is placed under the synchronization prohibition mode in a case where the maximum value is greater than the predetermined time T.

18. The method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 17, the first functional unit comprising the first clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the first memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the first memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the first functional unit;

the second functional unit comprising the second clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the second memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the second memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the second functional unit;

whereby,

the first clocking device and the second clocking device clock the cumulative operating time of the vehicle independently of each other so as to configure a duplex system for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle;

each of the first and second memory devices storing the cumulative operating time clocked by corresponding clocking device.

19. The method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 17, whereby an alarm message is issued from at least one functional unit, under the synchronization prohibition mode.

22. The method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 19, whereby the synchronization prohibition mode is cancelled and the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time are cancelled, in a case where any one of the functional units receives an order as to the cancellation of the synchronization prohibition mode as well as the differences.

23. The method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle according claim 17, the memory device in each functional unit comprising a non-volatile memory, whereby the data regarding the cumulative operating time is overwritten on the non-volatile memory, when the power source of the vehicle is placed under an OFF-state at predetermined or every time when predetermined time intervals pass.

20. A method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle provided with a plurality of functional units, the functional units comprising at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit;

whereby,

each of the first functional unit having a first clocking device and the second functional unit having a second clocking device clocks the cumulative operating time of the cargo-handling vehicle, by use of each clocking device;

the data information regarding the clocked cumulative operating time is stored in a memory device provided in each functional unit;

the data information regarding cumulative operating time stored in each functional unit transmitted toward the other functional units, and the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are mutually transmitted one another, through a communication port provided in each functional unit for sending and receiving the data information;

the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units are estimated so that the greatest cumulative operating time and the unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time over all the functional units are identified, in a manner that the relative differences are estimated on a condition that a reference cumulative operating time in a reference functional unit is predetermined;

each of the functional units selects either of a synchronous mode under which the data regarding the greatest cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time is overwritten on the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the remaining functional units so that all the differences among the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are cancelled, or a synchronization prohibition mode under which the process execution under the synchronous mode is prohibited;

thereby

each functional unit is placed under the synchronization prohibition mode in a case where the maximum value among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units is less than or equal to a predetermined time t;

each functional unit is placed under the synchronous mode in a case where the maximum value is greater than the predetermined time t and less than or equal to a predetermined time T;

and each functional unit is placed under the synchronization prohibition mode under which an alarm message is issued from any one of the functional units, in a case where the maximum value is greater than the predetermined time t and the predetermined time T.

21. The method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 20, the first functional unit comprising the first clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the first memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the first memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the first functional unit;

the second functional unit comprising the second clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the second memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the second memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the second functional unit;

whereby,

the first clocking device and the second clocking device clock the cumulative operating time of the vehicle independently of each other so as to configure a duplex system for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle;

each of the first and second memory devices storing the cumulative operating time clocked by corresponding clocking device.

33. The method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 20, whereby the synchronization prohibition mode is cancelled and the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time are cancelled, in a case where any one of the functional units receives an order as to the cancellation of the synchronization prohibition mode as well as the differences.

24. A method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle provided with a plurality of functional units, the functional units comprising at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit;

whereby,

each of the first functional unit having a first clocking device and the second functional unit having a second clocking device clocks the cumulative operating time of the cargo-handling vehicle, by use of each clocking device;

the data information regarding the clocked cumulative operating time is stored in a memory device provided in each functional unit;

the data information regarding cumulative operating time stored in each functional unit transmitted toward the other functional units, and the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are mutually transmitted one another, through a communication port provided in each functional unit for sending and receiving the data information;

the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units are estimated so that the greatest cumulative operating time and the unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time over all the functional units are identified;

each of the functional units selects either of a synchronous mode under which the data regarding the greatest cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time is overwritten on the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the remaining functional units so that all the differences among the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are cancelled, or a synchronization prohibition mode under which the process execution under the synchronous mode is prohibited;

thereby

the data regarding the cumulative operating time clocked and stored in each functional unit is reset to zero as per the 0-reset order from an external service tool, and a 0-reset prohibition flag is established in each functional unit.

25. A cargo-handling vehicle provided with a plurality of functional units, the functional units comprising at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit;

whereby,

each of the first functional unit having a first clocking device and the second functional unit having a second clocking device clocks the cumulative operating time of the cargo-handling vehicle, by use of each clocking device;

each functional unit is provided with a memory device for storing the data regarding the cumulative operating time clocked in the functional unit;

each functional unit is provided with a communication port for sending and receiving the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit;

the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units being mutually transmitted one another through the communication ports;

the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units are estimated so that the greatest cumulative operating time and the unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time over all the functional units are identified;

each of the functional units selects either of a synchronous mode under which the data regarding the greatest cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time is overwritten on the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the remaining functional units so that all the differences among the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are cancelled, or a synchronization prohibition mode under which the process execution under the synchronous mode is prohibited;

thereby, by use of a control device provided in each functional unit,

each functional unit is placed under the synchronous mode in a case where the maximum value among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units is less than or equal to a predeteimined T, whereas each functional unit is placed under the synchronization prohibition mode in a case where the maximum value is greater than the predetermined time T.

26. The cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 25, the first functional unit comprising the first clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the first memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the first memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the first functional unit;

the second functional unit comprising the second clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the second memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the second memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the second functional unit;

whereby,

the first clocking device and the second clocking device clock the cumulative operating time of the vehicle independently of each other so as to configure a duplex system for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle;

each of the first and second memory devices storing the cumulative operating time clocked by corresponding clocking device.

27. The cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 26, whereby an alarm message is issued from at least one functional unit, under the synchronization prohibition mode.

30. The cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 27, whereby the synchronization prohibition mode is cancelled and the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time are cancelled, in a case where any one of the functional units receives an order as to the cancellation of the synchronization prohibition mode as well as the differences.

31. The cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 25, the memory device in each functional unit comprising a non-volatile memory, whereby the data regarding the cumulative operating time is overwritten on the non-volatile memory, when the power source of the vehicle is placed under an OFF-state at predetermined or every time when predetermined time intervals pass.

32. The cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 25, whereby,

each of the first functional unit having a first clocking device and the second functional unit having a second clocking device clocks the cumulative operating time of the cargo-handling vehicle, by use of each clocking device;

each functional unit is provided with a memory device for storing the data regarding the cumulative operating time clocked in the functional unit;

each functional unit is provided with a communication port for sending and receiving the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit;

the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units being mutually transmitted one another through the communication ports;

the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units are estimated so that the greatest cumulative operating time and the unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time over all the functional units are identified;

by use of a control device provided in each functional unit,

each of the functional units selects either of a synchronous mode under which the data regarding the greatest cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time is overwritten on the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the remaining functional units so that all the differences among the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are cancelled, or a synchronization prohibition mode under which the process execution under the synchronous mode is prohibited;

thereby, by use of a control device provided in each functional unit,

the data regarding the cumulative operating time clocked and stored in each functional unit is reset to zero as per the 0-reset order from an external service tool, and a 0-reset prohibition flag is established in each functional unit.

28. A cargo-handling vehicle provided with a plurality of functional units, the functional units comprising at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit;

whereby,

each of the first functional unit having a first clocking device and the second functional unit having a second clocking device clocks the cumulative operating time of the cargo-handling vehicle, by use of each clocking device;

each functional unit is provided with a memory device for storing the data regarding the cumulative operating time clocked in the functional unit;

each functional unit is provided with a communication port for sending and receiving the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit;

the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units being mutually transmitted one another through the communication ports;

the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units are estimated so that the greatest cumulative operating time and the unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time over all the functional units are identified, in a manner that the relative differences are estimated on a condition that a reference cumulative operating time in a reference functional unit is predetermined, by use of a control device provided in each functional unit;

each of the functional units selects either of a synchronous mode under which the data regarding the greatest cumulative operating time stored in the functional unit corresponding to the greatest cumulative operating time is overwritten on the data regarding cumulative operating time stored in the remaining functional units so that all the differences among the data regarding cumulative operating time over all the functional units are cancelled, or a synchronization prohibition mode under which the process execution under the synchronous mode is prohibited;

thereby, by use of a control device provided in each functional unit,

each functional unit is placed under the synchronous mode in a case where the maximum value among the data regarding the cumulative operating time over all the functional units is less than or equal to a predetermined T, whereas each functional unit is placed under the synchronization prohibition mode in a case where the maximum value is greater than the predetermined time T.

29. The cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 28, the first functional unit comprising the first clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the first memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the first memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the first functional unit;

the second functional unit comprising the second clocking device for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle, the second memory device for storing the cumulative operating time clocked by the second memory, and the communication port for communicating with the outside of the second functional unit;

whereby,

the first clocking device and the second clocking device clock the cumulative operating time of the vehicle independently of each other so as to configure a duplex system for clocking the cumulative operating time of the vehicle;

each of the first and second memory devices storing the cumulative operating time clocked by corresponding clocking device.

34. The cargo-handling vehicle according to claim 28, whereby the synchronization prohibition mode is cancelled and the differences among the data regarding the cumulative operating time are cancelled, in a case where any one of the functional units receives an order as to the cancellation of the synchronization prohibition mode as well as the differences.