Warning device for a self-protection circuit breaker

Abstract

Warning device (1) for warning a user of a self-protection circuit breaker (11) with a signaling unit (2) for issuing a warning signal and a control unit (3) for controlling the warning device (1), characterized in that that the warning device (1) includes a sensor unit (4), which is trained to recognize an initial state in which a safety device (5) of the self-protection circuit breaker (11) is attached to a safety interface (6) of the user.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a warning device for alerting a user to a self-protection circuit breaker. The warning device comprises a signaling unit for outputting a warning signal and a control unit for controlling the warning device. The present invention further relates to a self-protection circuit breaker.

[0002] Climbing facilities, especially indoor climbing gyms, increasingly feature auto-belay devices that allow users to climb routes without an additional belayer. These auto-belay devices are typically connected to the user via a safety device, such as a lanyard or rope, and provide controlled belaying and arrest of falls during climbing.

[0003] Before climbing begins, the belay device must be properly connected to the user, for example, via a designated belaying interface on the user. Only with a correct connection can the belaying function of the auto-belay device be guaranteed.

[0004] In practice, however, it sometimes happens that users, especially inexperienced or distracted individuals, fail to attach the belay device to the designated belay point, or do so incorrectly, and still begin climbing. Such situations can occur particularly in busy climbing gyms, in noisy environments, or when multiple climbing routes are being used simultaneously.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to increase the safety when using self-protection circuit breakers.

[0006] The problem is solved by a warning device and a self-protection circuit breaker with the features of independent claims 1 and 11. Advantageous or preferred embodiments are each the subject of a corresponding dependent claim.

[0007] A warning device for warning a user of a self-protection circuit breaker is proposed, comprising a signaling unit for issuing a warning signal and a control unit for controlling the warning device.

[0008] An automatic belay device is a self-activating safety device designed to establish and / or maintain a safety connection between a user and a belay structure, particularly a climbing wall or other anchor structure. Automatic belay devices are particularly suitable for use in climbing facilities, such as climbing gyms, and may include, for example, a rope and / or webbing reel that automatically retracts and / or dispenses a belay device.

[0009] The warning device includes a sensor unit. A sensor unit, as used here, is understood to be an arrangement designed to detect one or more physical quantities and generate at least one sensor signal from them. The sensor unit may, in particular, comprise one or more optical, acoustic, inductive, capacitive, magnetic, and / or mechanical sensors. The sensor unit may be designed as an integral component or consist of several spatially spaced sensor elements.

[0010] The sensor unit is designed to detect an initial state in which a safety device of the self-protection circuit breaker is attached to a user's safety interface.

[0011] For the purposes of this application, the safety device is a connecting element that serves to secure the connection between the auto-belay device and the user, in particular a safety rope, a webbing strap, a sling, a carabiner, a hook and / or a combination thereof. The user's safety interface is a receiving or connection structure provided on the user for the detachable attachment of the safety device, in particular a tie-in loop, a tie-in loop, an eyelet or other attachment point on a climbing harness worn by the user.

[0012] By detecting the first state, the warning device can preferably verify whether the user is properly connected to the auto-belay device. This increases user safety by reducing the risk of accidentally forgetting to tie in or clip in. This is particularly advantageous when using auto-belay devices in climbing gyms, where a supervisor or instructor is not necessarily present at all times to monitor every belaying action.

[0013] It is advantageous if the sensor unit is designed to detect a second state in which the safety device's belay device is detached from the user's belay interface. This is the case, for example, when the belay device is mounted on a climbing wall or suspended freely. In other words, the second state describes a condition in which the belay device is not attached to the user's belay interface.

[0014] The distinction between the first state, in which the locking device is attached to the user's locking interface, and the second state, in which the locking device is detached from the locking interface, enables particularly reliable monitoring of the locking status, as it reduces the risk of misuse or incorrect operation.

[0015] It is advantageous if the signaling unit includes at least one display element for outputting a visual warning signal. Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the signaling unit includes an audio element for outputting an audible warning signal. Preferably, the display element comprises a first display element and a second display element.

[0016] In this context, a display element refers to a means for optical signaling, in particular a light source such as an LED or lamp, and / or a screen, in particular a display. An audio element refers to a means for acoustic signaling, in particular a loudspeaker, for generating an acoustic warning signal.

[0017] The indicator light clearly signals a warning condition, while the audio element warns the user even if they are not looking in the direction of the indicator light. Furthermore, by providing a first and a second indicator light, different conditions and / or warning levels can be visually distinguished, for example, through different colors or flashing patterns.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the warning device comprises a proximity unit for detecting the approach of the user.

[0019] In this context, a proximity unit is understood to be a unit designed to detect the presence and / or approach of a user within the monitored area. The proximity unit may, for example, include an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (e.g., a light barrier, a time-of-flight sensor, a camera with evaluation electronics), an infrared sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, and / or a radar sensor.

[0020] Preferably, the proximity unit includes an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor is specifically designed to detect the distance to an object, particularly a user, by means of emitted ultrasonic waves and received reflections. This makes it possible to activate certain functions of the warning device, especially the output of an acoustic warning signal, only when a user is near the safety device and / or in the danger zone. This reduces false alarms and unnecessary noise disturbances, and allows the user's attention to be focused on relevant situations.

[0021] Advantageously, the control unit is designed to activate the warning device when the user approaches the self-protection device as detected by the proximity unit.

[0022] This allows the warning device to be automatically activated only when a user is actually present in the relevant area. This reduces energy consumption, avoids unnecessary signal outputs when no user is present, and simultaneously increases ease of use, as no manual activation or deactivation of the warning device is required.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control unit is designed to activate the first display element when the sensor unit detects the first state. As a supplement or alternative, it is advantageous if the control unit is designed to activate the second display element when the sensor unit detects the second state. Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the control unit is designed to activate the audio element when the sensor unit detects the second state.

[0024] By activating the first indicator element in its first state, the user is visually notified that a proper safety connection exists. Activating the second indicator element in its second state, on the other hand, provides a clear visual indication of an unsafe or faulty safety connection, thereby reducing confusion and preventing operating errors.

[0025] The additional or alternative activation of the audio element in the second state ensures that the user is alerted to the unsafe condition even without direct visual contact with the warning device. This increases the user's attention and contributes to a further increase in operational safety.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit is designed to detect the first and second states by means of an electrical circuit, wherein preferably the electrical circuit in the first state has an electrical resistance that differs from that in the second state.

[0027] For example, the belay device can have an electrical contact that can be connected either to a contact at the user's belay interface or to a contact on a bracket, particularly on the climbing wall. A different resistance value, particularly through associated resistors, can be introduced into the circuit at the user's belay interface and / or at the bracket. The sensor unit can detect the respective resistance value and deduce from this whether the belay device is in the first state (attached to the user) or in the second state (e.g., hooked onto the wall or hanging freely).

[0028] This allows the fuse status to be detected with a simple, cost-effective, and robust electrical circuit, without the need for complex sensors or evaluation algorithms. Furthermore, reliable state differentiation is ensured, as well as easy integration into existing circuit breakers.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the electrical circuit is closed in the first state and the electrical circuit is open in the second state.

[0030] For example, the fuse device can have a first contact and the user's fuse interface a corresponding second contact. These contacts are conductively connected when the fuse device is inserted, thus closing the circuit. When the fuse device is removed from the fuse interface, the conductive connection is broken and the circuit is interrupted. Alternatively, a mechanical switching contact, such as a microswitch or a reed switch with an associated magnet, can be actuated when the fuse device is inserted and released when it is removed.

[0031] This results in clearly defined and electrically distinct states that can be reliably detected. This reduces susceptibility to interference and enables a robust, cost-effective implementation.

[0032] It is advantageous if the first indicator element is a green light and / or the second indicator element is a red light. This allows the user to intuitively understand the safety status without explanation, as green is generally associated with a safe state and red with a dangerous or unsafe state. This reduces confusion and increases operational safety.

[0033] It is advantageous if the control unit includes a microcontroller, especially an Arduino microcontroller. A microcontroller, in this context, refers to an integrated processing unit with, in particular, a processor, memory, and input / output interfaces, designed to execute a control program. An Arduino microcontroller is specifically a commercially available, microcontroller-based control module of an Arduino board with its associated development environment.

[0034] The use of a microcontroller enables flexible, software-based implementation of the control logic, easy adjustment of thresholds and operating modes, and the evaluation of various sensor signals. Furthermore, the use of an Arduino microcontroller allows for cost-effective implementation, rapid development, and proven standard hardware, which reduces design effort and increases reliability.

[0035] Furthermore, a self-belaying device with a warning device for alerting a user and a belay device for securing the user is proposed. The warning device is preferably designed according to the preceding description, whereby the aforementioned features can be present individually or in any combination. A self-belaying device typically serves to automatically secure a user while traversing a climbing route by automatically extending and retracting a belay device, in particular a rope or webbing, and locking it in the event of a fall, thus limiting the fall distance. It is used particularly in climbing gyms, high ropes courses, or similar facilities where users climb without a separate belaying partner.

[0036] This increases user safety by eliminating the possibility of human error in belaying and providing a reproducible belaying function. Combined with the warning device, it also reduces the risk of the user forgetting to properly attach themselves to the belay device, further enhancing the overall safety of the system.

[0037] Advantageously, the safety device includes at least one climbing rope, the climbing rope having at least a section made of electrically conductive material.

[0038] The conductive material can be designed as a conductor integrated into the climbing rope, for example as a woven wire or conductive fiber, and serve to form the electrical circuit. This allows the climbing rope itself to be used for state detection (first or second state), thus eliminating the need for additional separate wires, simplifying the setup, and increasing the system's robustness.

[0039] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a self-protection circuit breaker with a protection device in a first state and Fig. 2 A schematic representation of the self-protection circuit breaker with the protection device in a second state.

[0040] In the following descriptions of the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical and / or at least comparable features in the various figures. The individual features, their design, and / or mode of action are usually only explained in detail upon their first mention. If individual features are not explained again in detail, their design and / or mode of action corresponds to the design and mode of action of the similarly functioning or identically named features already described with reference to the preceding or subsequent figures.

[0041] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a self-belaying device 11 with a belay device 5 in a first state. The self-belaying device 11 is arranged on a climbing wall 13 and serves to secure a user while climbing. The self-belaying device 11 includes the belay device 5, which is located in the Fig. 1. The embodiment shown is designed as a climbing rope 12.

[0042] The self-protection circuit breaker 11 has a warning device 1. The warning device 1 comprises a control unit 3 for controlling the warning device 1 and a signaling unit 2 for emitting a warning signal. The signaling unit 2 has a display element 7 and an audio element 8.

[0043] The display element 7 is designed to output a visual warning signal and the audio element 8 is designed to output an acoustic warning signal.

[0044] The warning device 1 further comprises a sensor unit 4. The sensor unit 4 is configured to detect a first state in which the safety device 5 is attached to a user's safety interface 6. In the Fig. In the first state shown in 1, the safety device 5 is attached to the safety interface 6.

[0045] Furthermore, the warning device 1 includes a proximity unit 9, which is designed to detect a user approaching the self-protection device 11.

[0046] Furthermore, the self-protection circuit breaker 11 includes an electrical circuit 10. This circuit is located between the sensor unit 4, the control unit 3, and the fuse 5. The electrical circuit 10 is designed such that its electrical state allows its initial state to be identified. This electrical state can be a different electrical resistance or the electrical circuit 10 being closed in its initial state.

[0047] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the self-protection circuit breaker 11 with the protection device 5 in a second state. In the Fig.In the second state shown in Figure 2, the belay device 5 is detached from the user's belay interface 6. The climbing rope 12 is therefore not connected to the user and is not in a user-secured state. In this state, the user is not secured by the belay device 5.

[0048] By releasing the locking device 5 from the locking interface 6, the electrical state of the electrical circuit 10 changes. For example, in the second state, the electrical circuit 10 may be open compared to the first state, or it may exhibit a different electrical resistance than in the first state. This allows the sensor unit 4 to clearly detect the second state and transmit it to the control unit 3.

[0049] The second state therefore corresponds to a safety-relevant state in which a user should generally not use the self-protection circuit breaker 11 without first properly reattaching the safety device 5 to the safety interface 6.

[0050] The detection of the second state enables a reliable distinction between a secured and an unsecured state. This increases the operational reliability of the automatic belay device 11, as operating errors, in particular unintentional climbing without a belay, can be detected early.

[0051] Preferably, the signaling unit 2 is configured such that when a user approaches the self-protection circuit breaker 11 in the second state, as detected by the proximity unit 9, a warning signal is emitted. The warning signal is emitted as an acoustic warning signal via the audio element 8.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, a first and a second indicator element can be activated, the second being a red indicator element. The illumination of the second indicator element clearly and intuitively signals to the user that the safety device 5 is not in a secure state. The combination of an audible warning signal and a visual indicator increases the perceptibility of the warning and helps to raise the user's awareness immediately before the climbing operation begins. Reference symbol list 1 warning device 2 Signal unit 3 Control unit 4 sensor units 5 safety devices 6 Backup interface 7 Display element 8 Audio element 9 Approximation unit 10 electrical circuits 11 self-protection circuit breakers 12 climbing rope 13 Climbing wall

Claims

[1] Warning device (1) for warning a user of a self-protection circuit breaker (11) with a signaling unit (2) for issuing a warning signal and a control unit (3) for controlling the warning device (1), characterized by , that the warning device (1) includes a sensor unit (4), which is trained to recognize an initial state in which a safety device (5) of the self-protection circuit breaker (11) is attached to a safety interface (6) of the user. [2] Warning device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the sensor unit (4) is designed to detect a second state in which the safety means (5) of the self-protection circuit breaker (11) is detached from the user's safety interface (6). [3] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the signaling unit (2) comprises at least one display element (7) for outputting an optical warning signal and / or an audio element (8) for outputting an acoustic warning signal, wherein the display element (7) preferably comprises a first display element and a second display element. [4] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the warning device (1) comprises a proximity unit (9) for detecting an approach of the user, wherein the proximity unit (9) preferably comprises an ultrasonic sensor. [5] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (3) is designed to activate the warning device (1) when the user approaches the self-protection device (11) as detected by the proximity unit (9). [6] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the control unit (3) is designed to control the first display element when the sensor unit (4) detects the first state and / or to control the second display element and / or the audio element (8) when the sensor unit (4) detects the second state. [7] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor unit (4) is designed to detect the first and second states by means of an electrical circuit (10), wherein the electrical circuit (10) has an electrical resistance in the first state that differs from that in the second state. [8] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electrical circuit (10) is closed in the first state and the electrical circuit (10) is open in the second state. [9] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first display element is designed as a green light element and / or the second display element as a red light element. [10] Warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (3) includes a microcontroller, in particular an Arduino microcontroller. [11] Automatic circuit breakers (11) with a warning device (1) for warning a user and a safety device (5) for securing the user, characterized by , that the warning device (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. [12] Self-protection devices (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the safety device (5) comprises at least one climbing rope (12), wherein the climbing rope (12) has at least a section of a conductive material.

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