Lift chair loading device for loading persons and associated detection method

Abstract

The invention relates to a lift chair loading device (10) comprising at least two adjacent timing gates (20) for regulating the flow of people passing through the timing gates (20), the loading device (10) comprising a high risk condition detection system (100) comprising: a detection device (30) capable of determining the presence of a potential person passing through each timing gate (20) and determining whether the height of the potential person is greater than a predetermined height (G); a data processing unit (40) configured to determine, from data from the detection device (30), the presence of the following high risk condition: a person having a height less than the predetermined height (G) is detected in front of a given gate (20) between adjacent gates (20) and no person having a height greater than the predetermined height (G) is detected in front of one of the adjacent gates (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to the technical field of chairlift loading devices.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a lifting chair loading device for loading persons onto a load-bearing structure including a vehicle, and to a method for detecting high-risk situations on such a loading device. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, a seatlift is known as a passenger transport device comprising a traction rope and at least one support rope, with a carriage supporting one or more seats suspended at regular intervals on the support rope. In some configurations, the same cable can be both a traction rope and a support rope. Regardless of the structure, each vehicle typically includes a walkway attached to the traction rope by fixed or detachable clamps, the walkway being supported by the traction rope, which moves continuously between loading and unloading stations.

[0004] For chair manufacturers and buyers, a primary concern is ensuring optimal user safety. In particular, ensuring the safety of users in or near aisles, whether adults or children.

[0005] To ensure the safety of users on the chairlift, guardrails are known to be installed in these aisles. These guardrails can move between an open or raised position and a closed or lowered position. The open or raised position allows users to enter the seats in the aisle, while the closed or lowered position prevents entry and ensures the safety of people sitting in the aisle during transport.

[0006] Chair manufacturers and purchasers must also comply with extremely specific regulations regarding child transportation. In particular, children under 1.25m in height may only be transported in a seat when accompanied by at least one person capable of providing necessary assistance, especially while manipulating the handrails and following safety instructions. Where a supervisory team is present, the team leader is responsible for assigning children to seats according to the operator's instructions and ensuring that no one involved in the child's accompaniment objects before loading.

[0007] Another concern for chair manufacturers and buyers is designing a device that ensures adequate user flow while providing an optimal cost-per-hour flow rate. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to alleviate all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a solution that will increase the hourly throughput of the number of users while still ensuring the safety of users, especially children.

[0009] Therefore, according to a first feature of the present invention, a chairlift loading device for loading personnel onto a load-bearing structure is provided, the loading device comprising at least two adjacent timed gates for regulating the flow of personnel to be loaded through the timed gates, and a significant feature of the loading device being that it includes a system for detecting high-risk situations, the system comprising at least:

[0010] The detection device is capable of determining the presence of a potential person when passing through each timed gate and determining whether the person's height is greater than a predetermined height.

[0011] The data processing unit is configured to determine the presence of the following high-risk conditions based on data from the detection device: a person shorter than a predetermined height is detected before a designated gate between adjacent gates, and no person taller than a predetermined height is detected when passing through at least one gate adjacent to the designated gate.

[0012] This combination of features allows the loading device to be equipped with a detection system that can detect high-risk situations corresponding to the presence of children without direct adult supervision.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the predetermined height corresponds to a height between 1m and 1.5m, preferably equal to 1.25m.

[0014] In one embodiment, each timed gate is movable between two timed end positions: a closed position that prevents entry into a designated gate, and an open position that allows entry into a designated gate. In a particular configuration, each gate includes a support pillar that stands vertically relative to the ground and supports a locking arm extending in a horizontal plane. The locking arm is pivotally connected to the vertical axis relative to the support pillar and is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, entry into the gate is prevented by extending substantially laterally relative to the user's direction of travel. In the open position, the locking arm pivots to be positioned longitudinally relative to the user's direction of travel, preferably along the direction of travel.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the opening and closing movements of timed gates are synchronized to allow all users ready to load to enter simultaneously on the same aisle. Once a user is detected passing through, each gate can be expected to close.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the data processing unit is connected to the opening command from each gate, and can prevent the opening of the designated gate among the adjacent gates as long as no person taller than a predetermined height is detected during passage through at least one gate adjacent to the designated gate, or force a person shorter than a predetermined height to remain in the closed position during the detection of passage through the gate. This configuration further ensures the security of the loading device by compensating for a potential lack of vigilance from supervisors.

[0017] In one embodiment, the data processing unit is connected to an alarm system, which preferably includes audible and / or visual alarms. Such an alarm system allows for the alerting of the loading area supervisor in high-risk situations, particularly when a child is to be loaded without proper adult supervision.

[0018] In one embodiment, the detection device includes at least a first presence detector for each timed gate, capable of determining the presence of any person taller than a predetermined height, and / or a second presence detector for each timed gate, capable of determining the presence of any person shorter than a predetermined height. Such detectors are easy to manufacture and install on timed gates, whether for new gates or for equipping existing timed gates.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the detection device, preferably a first and / or second presence detector, includes at least one sensor, preferably a sensor including at least one photocell.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the detection device includes at least one camera, preferably a single camera. Preferably, in this case, the data processing unit is able to determine the presence of a high-risk situation based on images shared by all gates or a set of images.

[0021] According to another feature of the invention, the latter relates to a method for detecting high-risk conditions on a loading device as described above, the significant feature of which is that the method includes at least:

[0022] The detection steps are configured to determine the presence of potential personnel when personnel pass through each timed gate, and to determine whether the height of the potential personnel is higher than a predetermined height;

[0023] The data processing step is configured to determine the presence of the following high-risk conditions based on the data generated by the detection step: a person shorter than a predetermined height is detected before a designated gate between adjacent gates; and no person taller than a predetermined height is detected when passing through at least one gate adjacent to the designated gate.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the detection method includes an alarm step, preferably an audible and / or visual alarm step, wherein an alarm signal is activated after a high-risk condition is detected in the alarm step. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a front view of a loading device including multiple timed gates in one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view.

[0028] For clarity, the same or similar features are identified using the same reference numerals in all the accompanying drawings.

[0029] In the specification and claims, for clarity, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," and "vertical" will be used with reference to the X, Y, Z trihedrons shown in the drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0030] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows a chairlift loading device 10 for loading personnel onto an aisle forming a load-bearing structure (not shown). The loading device 10 includes six timed gates 20 arranged adjacent to each other, aligned along an axis Y to load the aisle. This axis Y is transverse to the user's direction of travel toward the loading platform (not shown). The user's direction of travel extends along a longitudinal reference axis X.

[0031] The number of timed gates 20 corresponds precisely to the number of positions (specifically, seats) on the chairlift aisle. The timed gates 20 regulate the flow of people waiting to be loaded; these people must pass through the timed gates 20 one by one to enter the loading platform located downstream of the gates 20 in the direction of travel X. Each timed gate 20 is movable between two extreme timed positions: a closed position 20A and an open position 20B. In the closed position 20A, the timed gate 20 prevents entry into the designated gate 20; in the open position 20B, the timed gate 20 allows entry into the designated gate 20 (see...). Figure 2 To ensure better flow, the loading device 10 is configured such that the opening and closing of the timed gates 20 are synchronized. Therefore, the timed gates 20 are programmed to open simultaneously and close simultaneously, or close once a user has passed. Each timed gate 20 is (locally) associated with an access channel 70 for personnel passage. In practice, each access channel 70 on the loading device can be indicated by floor markings or barriers, or this can be achieved by a simple passage primarily defined by the timed gates 20 themselves. Regardless of the solution chosen, in all cases, whether or not people upstream are waiting in an orderly queue for their passage, during timed passage, only one person can stand before and pass through the timed gate 20 at a time.

[0032] Each timed gate 20 includes a vertical support 21, i.e., parallel to the vertical axis Z. Each timed gate 20 also includes a locking arm 22, which extends substantially perpendicular to the vertical support 21 in a non-restrictive manner and is pivoted to the support 21 about the vertical axis Z. The locking arm 22 is rotatable relative to the support 21 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, by extending substantially laterally toward the Y relative to the user's direction of travel X, the locking arm 22 obstructs entry into the gate 20. In the open position, the locking arm pivots (preferably pivoting forward relative to the direction of travel X) such that the locking arm is positioned longitudinally relative to the user's direction of travel and does not obstruct operation of the locking arm 22.

[0033] Each entry channel 70 is adjacent to a post 21 of a designated entry channel 70's timing gate 20 on one side (left side of the figure) and to a post 21 of a gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20 on the other side (right side of the figure). For external entry channels 70 that do not have an adjacent channel on the other side, the entry channel 70 is adjacent to a post (e.g., a post 61 of at least one signal device 60), on which a signal panel 62 may be mounted (surrounded by other objects). The space between these posts 21 and 61 constitutes the entry channel 70.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment, all timed gates 20 are connected via a base, which ensures the connection of the gates 20 by connecting the lower ends of the supports 21, 61 that form the channel 70. Such a base ensures the stability of the gate 20 structure.

[0035] According to the present invention, the loading device 10 includes a high-risk situation detection system, which includes at least one detection device 30 capable of determining the presence of a potential person when passing through each timed gate 20, and capable of determining whether the height of the potential person is higher than a predetermined height G. In particular, a suitable height G, such as 1.25m, is determined to be consistent with the average height of a child.

[0036] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the detection device 30 includes at least one first presence detector 31 and a second presence detector 32. The first presence detector 31 for each timed gate 20 is capable of determining the presence of any person whose height is greater than or equal to a predetermined height G, and the second presence detector 32 for each timed gate 20 is capable of determining the presence of any person whose height is less than the predetermined height G.

[0037] More precisely, each timed gate 20 is equipped with first and second presence detectors 31, 32, each of which includes a sensor, such as a sensor including at least one phototube. The first presence detector 31 is positioned at a height of 1.25m to determine the presence of potential persons with a height greater than or equal to a predetermined height G. Furthermore, to determine the presence of potential persons with a height less than the predetermined height, the second presence detector 32 is positioned at an intermediate height H below the predetermined height G. The height H is chosen such that it is high enough to avoid any interaction with anything that might constitute an obstacle at ground level (or even snow level), but low enough to detect the passage of potential persons. For example, a height H between 0.5m and 1m can be selected.

[0038] The first and second detectors 31 and 32 are phototubes that emit light beams 31' and 32', respectively. Preferably, the beams are arranged in a horizontal plane and positioned laterally relative to the entrance channel 70 (i.e., also relative to the user's direction of movement X). In this way, the phototube of the first detector positioned at a height of 1.25m can detect the passage of any person with a height of 1.25m or taller. Similarly, the phototube of the first detector positioned at a height H below this height (e.g., 0.75m above the ground) can detect the passage of any person whose actual height is less than a predetermined height.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first and second detectors 31, 32 of each gate 20 are supported by an associated vertical support 21 and guided along an axis transverse to the direction of travel. Preferably, the support 21 has a longitudinally elongated profile or cross-section. In this way, the support 21 can support the locking arm 22 and the first and second detectors 31, 32, and more generally, also support the longitudinally offset detection device 30. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor beams 31', 32' can be arranged to be angled and horizontally guided relative to the transverse axis Y to allow detection of people upstream of the gate.

[0040] Alternatively or in combination, the detection device 30 may be at least partially located away from the gate. In this case, all or part of the detection device 30 may be located at the level of the login gate 20. It may also be offset by a predetermined distance, such as a few meters upstream of the gate 20, to anticipate the alarm.

[0041] The loading device 10 also includes a data processing unit 40, which is preferably located away from the timing gate 20 and configured to determine, based on data from the detection device 30 (in particular presence detectors 31, 32), the presence of the following high-risk conditions: a person with a height less than a predetermined height G is detected before a designated gate 20 between adjacent gates 20; and no person with a height greater than the predetermined height G is detected when passing through at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20.

[0042] The data processing unit 40 is connected to instructions for opening each gate 20, and can prevent the opening of the designated gate 20 among the adjacent gates 20, or force it to remain closed (if a person shorter than the predetermined size has been detected passing through the designated gate 20), as long as no person larger than the predetermined size has been detected passing through at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20. In this way, the device can be restricted to avoid high-risk situations. Additionally or alternatively, the data processing unit 40 is connected to an alarm system 50, such as an audible and / or visual alarm 50. A visual alarm device can be arranged, for example, on the upper end of the support 61 of the signaling device 60. Of course, other configurations are also possible. For example, an alarm device can be provided for each timed gate 20, activating a separate alarm signal if any of the associated timed gates 20 is detected to be in a high-risk situation. This allows for rapid location of the high-risk situation.

[0043] When using the system, one or more personnel appear in front of the timed gate 20, and at most one person is in the passage before the locking arm 22 of the designated gate 20 (which is in the closed position 20A that blocks passage).

[0044] Then, a detection step is performed to determine the presence of a potential person when passing through each timed gate 20, and to determine whether the potential person's height is greater than a predetermined height G, i.e., more than 1.25m. This step is performed once someone comes and stands in the path of the beams 31', 32' from the phototubes of the first and second detectors 31, 32.

[0045] Once information about each timed gate 20 has been collected, a data processing step is performed to determine the presence of the following high-risk conditions based on the data generated in the detection step: a person shorter than a predetermined height G is detected before a designated gate 20 between adjacent gates 20; and no person taller than a predetermined height is detected when passing through at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20.

[0046] If no high-risk condition is detected, the locking arm 22 of the relevant gate 20 can pivot forward in the direction of travel to move to the open position 20B, allowing personnel to enter the passage, and then return to the closed position 20A, obstructing passage. This return can occur after a predetermined time delay of opening or after personnel passage is detected. Passage detection can be performed by presence detectors 31, 32, and the time delay can be combined with the detection signal so that once the detector detects a change in state (from the presence of personnel to the absence of personnel), a certain time delay has elapsed before closing the relevant gate 20. Each timed gate 20 facilitates the synchronization of passengers landing at the chairlift loading area, thereby specifically avoiding any collisions between seats and passengers before pick-up.

[0047] The loading device is configured such that each timed gate 20 opens automatically once the seat of the preceding passenger enters the loading area upstream of the gate 20, giving the passenger time to reach the loading area before the seat arrives, so as to pick up and drop off passengers in the loading area.

[0048] If a high-risk situation is detected—that is, a person shorter than a predetermined height G is detected before the timed gate 20, and no person taller than the predetermined height is detected when passing through at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20—an alarm procedure is executed. In this procedure, an alarm signal is transmitted to the alarm device 50, and the designated gate remains in the closed position 20A until no further high-risk situations are detected. The area supervisor can then inspect the gates and intervene if necessary.

[0049] Naturally, the invention has been described above by way of examples. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can implement different variations of the invention without departing from its scope.

[0050] It should be emphasized that, even if described only in conjunction with certain other features (whether individually or in any combination), all features are obvious to those skilled in the art from this specification, the drawings and the appended claims, and all features can be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that such combination is not expressly excluded or that the technical conditions make such combination impossible or meaningless.

Claims

1. A lifting chair loading device (10) for loading personnel onto a load-bearing structure, the loading device (10) comprising at least two adjacent timed gates (20) for regulating the flow of personnel to be loaded through the timed gates (20), characterized in that, The loading device (10) includes a system for detecting high-risk conditions, said system comprising at least: The detection device (30) is capable of determining the presence of a potential person when passing through each timed gate (20) and determining whether the height of the potential person is greater than a predetermined height (G). A data processing unit (40) is configured to determine, based on data from a detection device (30), the presence of the following high-risk conditions: a person with a height less than a predetermined height (G) is detected before a designated gate (20) between adjacent gates (20); and no person with a height greater than the predetermined height (G) is detected when passing through at least one gate (20) adjacent to the designated gate (20).

2. The loading device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each timing gate (20) can move between two extreme timing positions, namely a closed position (20A) that prevents entry into the specified gate (20) and an open position (20B) that provides entry into the specified gate (20).

3. The loading device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The opening and closing movements of the timed gates (20) are synchronized, and each gate can be expected to close once the passage of a user is detected.

4. The loading device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The data processing unit (40) is connected to the instruction for opening each gate (20) and is adapted to prevent the opening of the designated gate (20) among the adjacent gates (20) as long as no person with a height greater than a predetermined height (G) is detected passing through at least one gate (20) adjacent to the designated gate (20), or to force it to remain in the closed position while a person with a height less than a predetermined height (G) is detected passing through.

5. The loading device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data processing unit (40) is connected to an alarm system (50), which includes audible and / or visual alarms.

6. The loading device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device (30) includes at least one first presence detector (31) and / or a second presence detector (32), wherein the first presence detector (31) for each timed gate (20) is capable of determining the presence of any person whose height is greater than a predetermined height (G), and the second presence detector (32) for each timed gate (20) is capable of determining the presence of any person whose height is less than the predetermined height (G).

7. The loading device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection device (30) includes at least one sensor.

8. The loading device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first presence detector (31) and / or the second presence detector (32) include at least one sensor.

9. The loading device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The at least one sensor includes at least one phototube.

10. A method for detecting high-risk conditions on a loading device (10) according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method includes at least: The detection steps are configured to determine the presence of a potential person when a person passes through each timed gate (20) and to determine whether the height of the potential person is higher than a predetermined height (G). The data processing step is configured to determine the presence of the following high-risk conditions before a designated gate (20) between adjacent gates (20) based on the data generated by the detection step: detecting a person whose height is less than a predetermined height (G); and not detecting a person whose height is greater than the predetermined height (G) when passing through at least one gate (20) adjacent to the designated gate (20).

11. The method for detecting high-risk situations according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method includes an alarm step, in which an alarm signal is activated after a high-risk situation is detected.

12. The method for detecting high-risk situations according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method includes audible and / or visual alarm steps.

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