Working machine component monitoring system

• US 9,334,820 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2013
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Komine, Atsutomo, Tsuda, Yukihiro, Koizumi, Hidenori
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Adnan, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US13/914,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20130325288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 340/520, 340/691.1, 340/463, 340/426.24, 340/426.15, 340/426.1, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0235 in relation with the state of the exhaust gas treating apparatus control of exhaust gas treating apparatus per se F01N
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25296 Identification module, type connected I-O, device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25297 Identify controlled element, valve, and read characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49304 Tool identification, code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A component monitoring system monitors whether a component fitted to a working machine is a genuine component, and prevents the use of a counterfeit product or the like. A working machine is provided with a plurality of exchangeable components, and each component is provided with a wireless tag. A component ID is stored in advance in the wireless tag. When, on the side of the working machine, a component exchange timing or an engine starting timing is detected, the component ID stored in the wireless tag is acquired, and is transmitted to a working machine management device. The working machine management device checks the component ID which has been received from the working machine and a component ID which is stored in a component ID storage means against one another. And, if these two component IDs do not match one another, an abnormal state detection means outputs a warning signal.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a component which can be exchangeably mounted to a working machine, comprising a control device which is provided to said working machine, and a management device which is connected to said control device via a communication network so as to be capable of mutual communication therewith, wherein:

a wireless tag, in which first component identification information for identifying this component is stored, is provided in advance to said component;

said working machine comprises a position sensor that measures a position of the working machine and generate position information;

said control device comprises;

a checking timing detection means for detecting whether or not a checking timing, which has been set in advance, has arrived; and

a component identification information acquisition means which, if said checking timing has arrived, acquires said first component identification information from said wireless tag via an information reading means, and transmits said first component identification information which has been acquired, the position information of said working machine measured by the position sensor, and the identification information of the working machine to said management device via said communication network; and

said management device comprises;

a component information management means for managing second component identification information related to genuine components;

a component monitoring means which decides whether said first component identification information which has been received from said control device and said second component identification information which is managed by said component information management means agree with one another or not, which, if said first component identification information and said second component identification information do not agree with one another, outputs a decision result to the effect of non-agreement and associates and stores said disagreed first component identification information, the identification information of the working machine to which said disagreed first component identification information is transmitted, and said position information, and which, if said first component identification information and said second component identification information agree with one another, associates and stores said agreed first component identification information, the identification information of the working machine to which said disagreed first component identification information is transmitted, and said position information; and

an updating means which, if it has been decided by said component monitoring means that said first component identification information and said second component identification information agree with one another, updates the contents stored in said component information management means so that said second component identification information, for which this agreement has been decided, is not re-used by said component monitoring means.

2. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein said updating means also updates said received position information when the contents stored in said component information management means are updated.

3. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein said checking timing detection means detects said checking timing if said component is exchanged.

4. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein said control device comprises an abnormal state control means which acquires said decision result to the effect of non-agreement from said management device, and outputs abnormal state detection information on the basis of this decision result which has been acquired.

5. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein:

a product number information item for specifying the type of said component is included in said first and second component identification information; and

said component monitoring means checks the product number information item which is included in said first component identification information, and the product number information item which is included in said second component identification information.

6. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein:

a product number information item for specifying the type of said component, and a manufacturing serial number which is specific to said component, are included in said first and second component identification information; and

said component monitoring means checks the product number information item and the manufacturing serial number which are included in said first component identification information, and the product number information item and the manufacturing serial number which are included in said second component identification information.

7. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein:

said component is a component for an engine, which is used by said engine; and

said information reading means is provided in the vicinity of said component.

8. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 1, wherein, when said component is supplied to said working machine, said updating means updates said second component identification information which is stored in said component information management means to its newest state by acquiring the newest second component identification information related to this component which is supplied.

9. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 4, wherein said abnormal state detection information is warning information.

10. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 4, wherein said abnormal state detection information is information for limiting the operation of said working machine.

11. The component monitoring system for a working machine according to claim 4, wherein said abnormal state detection information is information for limiting the output of an engine of said working machine.

12. A management device for a working machine, the management device being connected via a communication network to a control device provided to said working machine so as to be capable of mutual communication therewith, wherein:

a wireless tag, in which is stored first component identification information for identifying a component which can be exchangeably mounted to said working machine, is provided in advance to this component; and

said first component identification information, position information measured in a position sensor mounted in said working machine, and an identification information of the working machine are acquired by said control device;

the management device comprising;

a component information management means for managing second component identification information related to genuine components;

a component monitoring means which receives said first component identification information which has been acquired and transmitted by said control device, decides whether said second component identification information which is managed by said component information management means and said first component identification information agree with one another or not;

if said first component identification information and said second component identification information do not agree with one another, outputs a decision result to the effect of non-agreement;

stores said disagreed first component identification information being associated with the identification information of the working machine of which disagreement of said first component identification information is transmitted, and said position information, and, if said first component identification information and said second component identification information agree with one another, associates and stores said agreed first component identification information, the identification information of the working machine to which said first component identification information is transmitted, and said position information; and

an updating means which, if it has been decided by said component monitoring means that said first component identification information and said second component identification information agree with one another, updates the contents stored in said component information management means so that said second component identification information, for which this agreement has been decided, is not re-used by said component monitoring means.

13. The management device for a working machine according to claim 12, wherein said updating means also updates said received position information when the contents stored in said component information management means are updated.