Method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle, and the cargo-handling vehicle by use of the method

• US 9,008,855 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift Co., Ltd. (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift Co., Ltd. (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Naoki
• Primary Examiner(s): YU, ARIEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/619,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20130073117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/04 using counting means or digital clocks

Abstract

An accumulated use time for cargo handling vehicles is accurately displayed by a time measuring device even if the time measuring device fails and is replaced. 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. The device may perform in 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. 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 are taken into consideration. The appropriate mode is selected and the time measurement is carried out in the selected mode.

Claims

1. 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.

2. 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 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, 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.