Manually handled rescue device, method and system for rescuing a target object in water

Abstract

The invention relates to a manually operable rescue device (1) for rescuing a target object in the water, comprising a rescue line and a buoyant floating body (3) having at least one engagement region, and comprising a drive device that can be controlled via a control unit that interacts with a sensor device for control purposes. In order to simplify the rescue of a target object in the water, the drive device comprises at least one electric motor-driven propeller that can be rotated about an axis of rotation on an underside (7) of the floating body (3) that is in the water during a rescue operation, in order to steer the manually operable rescue device (1) in the water towards the target object in the water.

Description

The invention relates to a manually operable rescue device according to the preamble of claim 1.International Patent Application WO 2019 / 010 549 A1 discloses an autonomous rescue ring, which has a drive unit for moving the rescue ring and a control unit for controlling the drive unit, wherein the control unit can be wirelessly connected to a camera. Chinese utility model specification CN 2 14 729 564 U discloses a rescue ring for rescue a person in the water, comprising a rescue line and an underwater propeller for moving the rescue ring in the water, wherein a drone is equipped with an environment detection unit by which a person to be rescued can be located, wherein the rescue ring can be navigated manually to the person by a remote control. Chinese Laid-Open Patent Application CN 1 15 230 914 A discloses a rescue ring which has a plurality of propeller units by means of which the rescue ring can be operated in a flight state. Chinese utility model specification CN 2 07 328 783 U discloses a propeller which can be pivoted through 360 degrees and serves for controlling a rescue buoy.The object of the invention is to provide a manually operable rescue device which can be controlled in any desired direction.The object is achieved by a manually operable rescue device having the features of claim 1. The manually operable rescue device is preferably a rescue ring. Manually manageable means, with respect to the rescue device, that it can be handled manually by the target object. The target object is preferably a living being to be rescued, which has passed over board a ship or boat, for example. Otherwise, the rescue device is preferably operated substantially automatically, because automated processes generally proceed more quickly than manually executed processes. The claimed rescue device creates an intelligent rescue ring which is operated in water as a watercraft and is driven to the target object. The rescue device is, as it were, automatically remotely controlled. Depending on the embodiment, the rescue device, like the drone, could also be controlled by a human. In combination with the rescue device manually manipulated by the person to be rescued, however, this is advantageously operated in an automated manner, just like the drone. The axis of rotation about which the driven propeller is rotatable preferably extends perpendicular to the water surface. The driven propeller is advantageously rotatable by three hundred sixty degrees. This easily enables precise control in any direction. The sensor device is integrated into a drone, for example. The sensor device or a further sensor device can, however, also be advantageously integrated into the rescue device. Because the propeller driven by electric motor is formed from a flexible material, injuries are prevented if a person to be rescued grasps the rescue ring. The electric motor driven propeller is formed from a sufficiently stable, but flexible plastic material, for example.A preferred exemplary embodiment of the manually manageable rescue device is characterized in that the manually manageable rescue device is designed as a rescue ring, in which a plurality of drive devices, which are advantageously designed identically, are arranged preferably uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction. Thus, the control of the rescue device operated as a watercraft can be considerably improved with structurally simple means.A further preferred embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the drive device comprises an electric motor which is embedded in the floating body. Thus, a drive for the rescue device that is available cost-effectively is provided in a simple manner.A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the drive device comprises an actuator which is embedded in the floating body and serves to align the electric motor-driven propeller about the first axis of rotation in a direction of travel with the target object. The actuator system or adjusting mechanism advantageously serves for rotating the electric motor and the propeller driven by the electric motor about the first axis of rotation. This simplifies the construction of the drive device.A further preferred embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the drive device comprises an electric motor which is mounted in the floating body rotatably about the first axis of rotation. In this case, the increased outlay for mounting the electric motor is accepted in order to simplify the construction of the drive device.A further preferred embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the drive device comprises an electrical energy storage device which is embedded in the floating body. Thus, autonomous operation of the rescue device is made possible in a simple manner.A further preferred embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the drive device is connected in terms of power supply and / or control to a supply cable which is integrated into the rescue line. Thus, an electrical energy storage device in the rescue device can be advantageously dispensed with.A further preferred embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the electromotively driven propeller is movable between an active position, in which the electromotively driven propeller protrudes from the floating body at the bottom side thereof, and a passive position, in which the electromotively driven propeller is arranged completely or almost completely in the floating body. Thus, firstly, injuries are avoided when the electric motor-driven propeller is in its passive position. Moreover, the housing of the rescue device is simplified when the electric motor-driven propeller is in its passive position.A further preferred embodiment of the manually manageable rescue device is characterized in that the manually manageable rescue device comprises the sensor device, which is suitable for detecting the target object and is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The axis of rotation about which the sensor device is rotatable preferably extends perpendicular to the water surface. The sensor device is preferably rotatable by three hundred sixty degrees. The rotation of the sensor device relative to the rescue ring significantly simplifies the detection of the target object. The sensor device comprises, for example, an optical camera and / or a thermal imaging camera. The optical camera is advantageously equipped with suitable software, which enables detection and identification of the target object. The thermal imaging camera advantageously serves to localize the target object on the basis of a temperature difference between the target object and the water in which the target object is located.A further preferred embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the sensor device is movable between an active position, in which the sensor device protrudes from the floating body at an upper side thereof, and a passive position, in which the sensor device is arranged completely or almost completely in the floating body. Damage to the sensor devices is thus avoided when the rescue device is not used. Moreover, injuries to the person to be rescued are avoided if the sensor device has fulfilled its task, i.e. the person to be rescued is successfully localized.A further preferred embodiment of the manually operable rescue device is characterized in that the sensor device is integrated into a drone which is equipped with an RGB camera and with an infrared sensor for optically and thermally detecting the target object, wherein the drone is connected to the rescue device in terms of control. The control connection between the drone and the rescue device is preferably implemented wirelessly. The capital letters RGB stand for the colors red, green, blue. The infrared sensor advantageously serves in the sensor device for displaying a thermal imaging camera.In a method for rescue a target object located in the water using a rescue device described above, the object indicated above is alternatively or additionally achieved in that the rescue device is ejected, wherein the target object is detected using at least one sensor device, wherein the at least one propeller driven by electric motor is rotated about the first axis of rotation in order to control the rescue device in the water to the target object located in the water. Thus, the rescue device, for example from a boat from which the person to be rescued has passed over board, can first be ejected simply before the rescue device is then actuated, for example via the drone which has detected the target object.The object indicated above is also achieved by a system for rescue a target object located in the water, having a rescue device described above and having a drone which comprises at least one sensor device which detects the target object optically and / or via the heat radiation thereof and transmits control commands to the rescue device, wherein it is continuously monitored whether a distance between the rescue device and the target object decreases. The claimed method advantageously runs fully automatically alone or with the aid of the claimed system until the target object, i.e. the person to be rescued, is reached by the rescue device, i.e. the rescue ring. Then, the rescue device is manually handled by the person to be rescued gripping the rescue device by hand.Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing. The following are shown: FIGS. 1 to 5 show a manually operable rescue device designed as a rescue ring for rescue a target object located in the water in various views; FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a boat having a parking space for a drone; and FIG. 7 shows the boat from FIG. 6 in water with a person to be rescued and a manually manageable rescue device from FIGS. 1 to 5.FIGS. 1 to 5 show different views of a manually operable rescue device 1. The rescue device 1 is designed as a rescue ring 2 with a floating body 3. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, a lifeline 4 is fastened to the life ring 2.The rescue ring 2 comprises a floating body 3 which is formed from a buoyant material, for example a buoyant plastics material such as styropor. The lifeline 4 is fastened to the floating body 3.On an upper side 6, the floating body 3 has a gripping region 5, in particular for packing with one hand. On an underside 7, the floating body 3 has a floating region 8 which is arranged in the water during a rescue action.In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rescue ring 2 with the floating body 3 is designed in a known manner to be circular with an oval circular ring cross section.Integrated into the floating body 3 of the rescue device 1 is at least one drive device 10; 41 to 44. It is indicated in FIG. 1 that, for example, four drive devices 41 to 44 are provided on the underside 7 in the floating region 8 of the rescue ring 2. The four driving devices 41 to 44 are arranged evenly distributed in a circumferential direction.It is schematically indicated in FIG. 3 that the drive device 10 comprises an electric motor 11 which is integrated into the floating body 3. On the underside 7 of the floating body 3, the drive device 10 has a propeller 12 which is driven by the electric motor 11.It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the propeller 12 is designed as or as similar to a ship's propeller. Furthermore, in FIGS. 3 and 4 an axis of rotation 13 is indicated about which at least the propeller 12 is rotatable in order to vary a drive direction. At least the propeller 12 is advantageously rotatable about the axis of rotation 13 by three hundred sixty degrees in order to continuously adjust the drive direction of the drive device 10.Depending on the design of the drive device 10, only the propeller 12 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 13 relative to the rescue ring 2. The rescue device as claimed, however, also comprises an advantageous embodiment in which the electric motor 11 together with the propeller 12 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 13 relative to the rescue ring 2.The rotatable arrangement of the drive device 10 about the axis of rotation 13 significantly simplifies the control of the rescue device 1. The rotational movements for controlling the rescue ring 2 are carried out by a suitable actuator 15. The actuator system 15 is controlled via a control unit 16. The actuator system 15 and the control unit 16 are integrated together with the electric motor 11 into the floating body 3 of the rescue ring 2.It is indicated in FIG. 4 that an electrical energy storage device 17 is additionally embedded in the floating body 3 of the rescue ring 2. The electrical energy storage device 17 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery.Furthermore, it is indicated in FIG. 4 that, alternatively or in addition to the electrical energy storage device 17, a supply cable 18 can be connected to the drive device 10 with the actuator system 15. The supply cable 18 serves on the one hand to ensure the energy supply of the drive device 10, preferably with electrical energy.In addition, a control line can be integrated into the supply cable 18. The control line in the supply cable 18 advantageously serves to actuate the actuator system 15 and / or the electric motor 11 via the control unit 16.It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the supply cable 18 is advantageously integrated into the lifeline 4. In this case, the electrical energy storage device 17 in the rescue ring 2 can optionally be omitted.FIG. 3 also shows that the rescue device 1 of an advantageous embodiment is combined with a sensor device 20. The sensor device 20 advantageously comprises an RGB camera 21 and an infrared sensor 22. The infrared sensor 22 of the sensor device 20 advantageously serves to record the target object in the water with heat. The infrared sensor 22 is used in the sensor device 20 to display a thermal imaging camera.As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor device 20 is rotatable about a rotation axis 24. The axis of rotation 24 is advantageously arranged parallel to the axis of rotation 13, i.e. perpendicular to a water surface, when the rescue ring 2 floats in the water. The rotation of the sensor device 20 significantly simplifies detection of the target object in the water. The sensor device 20 advantageously protrudes so far from the upper side 6 of the rescue ring 2 that the target object can be detected quickly and reliably even in the case of waves.It is indicated in FIG. 5 that the propeller 12 of the drive device 10 is movable between an active position illustrated in FIG. 4, in which the propeller 12 driven by electric motor projects out of the floating body 3 on the underside 7, and a passive position illustrated in FIG. 5. In its passive position, the propeller 12 is advantageously arranged completely in the floating body 3.The propeller 12 can be extended downward, when appropriately activated, through an opening 28 on the underside 7 of the floating body 3. The opening 28 can advantageously be closed by a cover 29. Opening and closing of the opening 28 by the cover 29 takes place, preferably just like the inward and outward movement of the propeller 12 on the underside 7 of the floating body 3, advantageously automatically by corresponding control via the control unit 16.In FIG. 6, a boat or ship 31 is schematically shown. A rescue device 1 designed as a rescue ring 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, is fastened to the boat 31 by means of a rescue line 4.The boat 31 further includes a drone parking space 32 on which a drone 25 is parked. The drone 25 is equipped with a sensor device 23. Like the sensor device 20 described above, the sensor device 23 comprises an RGB camera 26 and an infrared sensor 27 which serves to display a thermal imaging camera.FIG. 7 illustrates the function of the rescue device 1 with the boat 31 from FIG. 6. The boot 31 floats in the water 34. the rescue ring 2 floats on a water surface 35. the rescue ring 2 is connected to the boot 31 via the rescue line 4. A target object 36 also floats in the water 34.The target object 36 is a person 37 to be rescued with the aid of the rescue ring 2, the rescue ring 2 is located in the water 34 between the boat 31 and the target object 36, and the drone 25 floats above the boat 31, the rescue ring 2 and the person 37 to be rescued.The target object 36, i.e. the person 37 to be rescued, is localized with the aid of the sensor device 20 and / or with the aid of the sensor device 23. The rescue ring 2 is then controlled to the target object 36 by appropriate control of the drive device 10. The activation is optionally carried out independently by the control unit 16 with the aid of the sensor device 20 provided on the rescue ring 2.Within the scope of the claimed method, the data transmission advantageously takes place wirelessly and automatically. This relates in particular to the data transmission between the drone 25 and the rescue ring 2. Within the scope of the method claimed, the target object 36, that is to say the person 37 to be rescued, is permanently marked by the drone 25 or the sensor device 23, while the rescue ring 2 is navigated to the person 37 to be rescued.The drone 25 thereby advantageously constantly monitors whether and how the distance between the rescue ring 2 and the person 37 to be rescued changes, in particular whether the distance continuously decreases. If the distance does not decrease, the control commands are adapted such that the person 37 to be rescued is reached as quickly as possible with the rescue ring 2.Alternatively or additionally, a communication is established between the rescue ring 2 and the drone 25. Via this communication, control commands are transmitted to the rescue ring 2, i.e. to the drive device 10 in the rescue ring 2, with the aid of which the rescue ring 2 is navigated to the person 37 to be rescued.The drone 25 advantageously locates itself on the boat 31 relative to its starting position, i.e. the drone parking space 32, A live image captured by the sensor device is advantageously displayed in a control house of the boat 31. A heat input of a boat engine is selectively blocked out or ignored during the search.In this case, further heat inputs on the deck of the boat 31 are advantageously also detected and taken into account. Further heat inputs are caused, for example, by further persons who are located on the deck of the boat 31.Advantageously, the entire boat or ship 31 is hidden within the scope of the claimed method and in the claimed system. This is advantageously made possible in that a starting position of the drone 25 on its drone parking space 32 is known. Furthermore, the dimensions of the boat or ship 31 are advantageously also known and are taken into account accordingly. Thus, within the scope of the claimed method, all heat inputs in the area of the own boat or ship 31 can be advantageously masked with the claimed system.A start of the drone 25 can be initiated manually, for example by pressing a corresponding button. Advantageously, however, the drone 25 is started automatically. The launching of the drone 25 is triggered, for example, when corresponding keywords, such as men on board, have been detected and recognized by a speech recognition on board the boat 31.Once the person 37 to be rescued is located, the communication is established between the rescue ring 2 and the drone 25. The drone 25 subsequently searches in a meaningful pattern for heat inputs in the water in the environment of the boat 31 in order to locate the person 37 to be rescued. The rescue ring 2 remains permanently connected to the boat 31 via the rescue line 4. Thus, the person 37 to be rescued can be towed with the rescue ring 2 on board the boat 31.After successful rescue, i.e. recognition with the drone 25 and confirmation in the command state, the drone 25 automatically returns to its starting point on the drone parking space 32. The localization of the person 37 to be rescued can be supported manually by assuming the control of the drone 25.

Claims

Manually manageable rescue device (1) for rescue a target object (36) located in the water (34), with a rescue line (4) and with a floating body (3) which is capable of floating and which has at least one engagement region (5), and with a drive device (10; 41-44) which can be controlled by a control unit (16) which interacts with a sensor device (20; 23) in terms of control, wherein the drive device (10; 41-44) comprises at least one propeller (12) which is driven by an electric motor, characterized in that the electrically driven propeller (12) is rotatable about a first axis of rotation (13) on an underside (7) of the floating body (3) located in the water (34) during a rescue action, in order to control the manually manageable rescue device (1) in the water (34) to the target object (36) located in the water (34), wherein the electric motor driven propeller (12) is formed from a flexible material.Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the manually manageable rescue device (1) is designed as a rescue ring (2), in which a plurality of drive devices (10; 41-44), which are advantageously designed identically, are arranged preferably uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction.Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive device (10; 41-44) comprises an electric motor (11), which is embedded in the floating body (3).Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterised in that the drive device (10; 41-44) comprises an actuator (15) which is embedded in the floating body (3) and serves to align the electric motor-driven propeller (12) about the first axis of rotation (13) in a direction of travel to the target object (36).Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterised in that the drive device (10; 41-44) comprises an electric motor (11), which is mounted rotatably about the first axis of rotation (13) in the floating body (3).Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 3 to 5, characterised in that the drive device (10; 41-44) comprises an electrical energy storage device (17), which is embedded in the floating body (3).Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 3 to 6, characterised in that the drive device (10; 41-44) is connected in terms of energy supply and / or control to a supply cable (18) which is integrated into the rescue line (4).Manually manipulable rescue device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the propeller (12) driven by an electric motor is movable between an active position, in which the propeller (12) driven by an electric motor projects out of the floating body (3) on the underside (7) of the floating body, and a passive position, in which the propeller (12) driven by an electric motor is arranged completely or almost completely in the floating body (3).Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manually manageable rescue device (1) comprises the sensor device (20), which is suitable for detecting the target object (36) and is rotatable about a second axis of rotation (24).Manually manageable rescue device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (20) is movable between an active position, in which the sensor device (20) protrudes from the floating body (3) at an upper side (6), and a passive position, in which the sensor device (20) is arranged completely or almost completely in the floating body (3).Manually operable rescue device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sensor means (23) is integrated into a drone (25) equipped with an RGB camera (26) and with an infrared sensor (27) for optically and thermally detecting the target object (36), the drone (25) being controlledly connected to the rescue device (1).Method for rescue a target object (36) located in the water (34) with a rescue device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rescue device (1) is ejected, wherein the target object (36) is detected with at least one sensor device (20; 23), wherein the at least one propeller (12) driven by electric motor is rotated about the first axis of rotation (13) in order to control the rescue device (1) in the water (34) to the target object (36) located in the water (34).System for rescue a target object (36) located in the water (34), having a rescue device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11 and having a drone (25) which comprises at least one sensor device (23) which detects the target object (36) optically and / or via the heat radiation thereof and transmits control commands to the rescue device (1), wherein it is continuously monitored whether a distance between the rescue device (1) and the target object (36) decreases.

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