Excavator, excavator control system, and remote excavator operation system

Abstract

An excavator includes: a lower traveling body; an upper rotating body mounted on the lower traveling body; an attachment mounted on the upper rotating body; and an actuator configured to move the attachment. The excavator is configured such that the movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented at a site where a predetermined job takes place. The predetermined job is performed by moving the attachment while a worker works near the attachment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An excavator comprising:
 a lower traveling body;   an upper rotating body mounted on the lower traveling body;   an attachment mounted on the upper rotating body; and   an actuator configured to move the attachment,   wherein the excavator is configured such that movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented at a site where a predetermined job takes place, and   wherein the predetermined job is performed by moving the attachment while a worker works near the attachment.   
     
     
         2 . The excavator according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined job is deep excavation or craning. 
     
     
         3 . The excavator according to  claim 1 , wherein the excavator is further configured such that the movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented when an object is detected around an end attachment. 
     
     
         4 . The excavator according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein whether or not the excavator is at the site where the predetermined job takes place is determined based on information obtained by an information obtaining device, and   wherein, when the excavator is determined to be at the site where the predetermined job takes place, the movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented.   
     
     
         5 . The excavator according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein whether or not the excavator is at the site where the predetermined job takes place is determined based on location information obtained by a positioning device serving as the information obtaining device, and   wherein, when the excavator is determined to be at the site where the predetermined job takes place, the movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented.   
     
     
         6 . The excavator according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein whether or not the excavator is at the site where the predetermined job takes place is determined based on an image captured by an image-capturing device serving as the information obtaining device, and   wherein, when the excavator is determined to be at the site where the predetermined job takes place, the movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented.   
     
     
         7 . An excavator according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the object around the end attachment is detected based on an image captured by an image-capturing device attached to the attachment, and   wherein the image captured by the image-capturing device attached to the attachment includes an image of the end attachment.   
     
     
         8 . The excavator according to  claim 3 , wherein, when the worker is detected around the end attachment, an alert is issued to at least one of an operator of the excavator or the worker. 
     
     
         9 . The excavator according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, and   wherein movement of the hydraulic actuator is prevented or substantially prevented by controlling movement of at least one of:   a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator;   a control valve configured to control a flow rate of hydraulic oil that flows into the hydraulic actuator; or   a drive source configured to drive the hydraulic pump.   
     
     
         10 . The excavator according to  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented, at the site where the predetermined job takes place, without limiting a maximum value of an operating speed of the actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The excavator according to  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented by:
 stopping the actuator;   lowering a maximum operating speed of the actuator;   lowering a relief pressure of a relief valve provided in a center bypass pipeline;   lowering an output power of a drive source; or   switching an operation mode of the excavator.   
     
     
         12 . An excavator control system comprising:
 a lower traveling body;   an upper rotating body mounted on the lower traveling body;   an attachment mounted on the upper rotating body; and   an actuator configured to move the attachment,   wherein the excavator is configured such that movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented at a site where a predetermined job takes place, and   wherein the predetermined job is performed by moving the attachment while the worker works near the attachment.   
     
     
         13 . A remote excavator control system comprising:
 a lower traveling body;   an upper rotating body mounted on the lower traveling body;   an attachment mounted on the upper rotating body; and   an actuator configured to move the attachment,   wherein the excavator is configured such that movement of the actuator is prevented or substantially prevented at a site where a predetermined job takes place, and   wherein the predetermined job is performed by moving the attachment while the worker works near the attachment.