COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM WITH AT LEAST ONE FLOOR CONVEYOR AND AT LEAST ONE COLLISION DETECTION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a collision warning system, wherein the system consists of at least one industrial truck and at least one collision detection device.

[0002] In the field of industrial trucks, shelf uprights are a particularly sensitive part of a vertical rack, as they bear the entire load due to their design. Damage to shelf uprights, for example, caused by a forklift truck hitting them, can cause the rack to tip over or collapse, endangering people and goods.

[0003] US patent 2014 / 0361883 A1 discloses a collision sensor setup that, when mounted on a shelving structure, detects contact with a moving work vehicle. The sensor detects the collision, and an output signal generator produces a signal, such as an illuminated light, but also an SMS message or an email containing a damage report about the collision.

[0004] EP 3 315 432 A1 discloses a shelf support protection device comprising a collision sensor and a transmission module. When a collision is reported, data is transmitted from the transmission unit to a higher-level, central computer. From this central computer, the message is sent to the responsible warehouse manager, who can then confirm the collision report.

[0005] DE 10 2010 052 108 A1 discloses an impact body for protecting a component. The impact body is equipped with a pressure sensor that transmits its measurement signals to receivers mounted stationary in the bearing using a receiving and transmitting device. For multiple impact bodies in the bearing, one receiver serves as the corresponding receiver, evaluating or forwarding the collision signals.

[0006] A disadvantage of all these known concepts for impact or ramming protection in the warehouse is that the driver is not immediately informed about the collision and therefore cannot react to the detected collision.

[0007] WO 2021 / 186077 A1 is prior art according to Art. 54(3) EPC.

[0008] From GB 2 550 586 A, a rack protection device is known, comprising a housing and a vibration monitor designed to record the vibrations transmitted by a rack component. The housing has an alarm unit that alerts a user when the rack needs to be inspected. The vibration monitor records the frequency and time of each collision and has a memory that accumulates the number of minor collisions to alert the user after a predetermined number of minor collisions or a major collision. It is also known to configure the sensor unit to cooperate with transmitters or sensors in an industrial truck.

[0009] EP 3 035 074 A1 discloses a method and device for avoiding collisions between moving vehicles. For this purpose, the vehicle position and movement within a designated operating zone are recorded. The system receives information about the position of each vehicle and uses this to determine a predicted trajectory for each vehicle. Potential collisions are detected based on the predicted trajectories.

[0010] From DE 10 2009 006 174 A1, a forklift truck with an accident detection system is known. For this purpose, the forklift truck is equipped with sensor means for detecting accident events, wherein at least two accident sensors are provided, one of which is arranged on a component that can be damaged by accident events.

[0011] From DE 10 2010 052 108 A1 an impact body for the protection of a component has become known which detects a pressure sensor for measuring pressure waves, wherein the pressure waves propagate in a gas-filled cavity.

[0012] From US 2014 / 0361883 A1, a collision sensor unit that can be attached to a shelf and generates a collision signal is known.

[0013] The invention is based on the object of providing a collision warning system that ensures reliable forwarding of collision information.

[0014] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a collision warning system having the features of claim 1, advantageous embodiments form the subject matter of the subclaims.

[0015] The collision warning system according to the invention consists of at least one industrial truck and at least one collision detection device. The collision detection device comprises a mounting unit, a shock-sensitive sensor unit, a data processing unit, and a transmitter unit. The shock-sensitive sensor detects a pulse or pulse transmission. In the collision warning system according to the invention, the mounting unit is configured to attach at least the sensor unit to a racking system that is to be monitored for collisions. The sensor unit, in turn, is configured to measure a pulse transmission from the industrial truck to the racking system and apply it to the data processing unit. The data processing unit compares the measured pulse with a reference pulse and, if the reference pulse is exceeded, activates the transmitter unit to send a collision signal.

[0016] The particular advantage of the collision warning system according to the invention lies in the fact that the industrial truck has a receiver unit that is matched to the transmitter unit and designed to receive the transmitted collision signal from the transmitter unit and trigger a warning message on the industrial truck. In contrast to the prior art discussed in the introduction, the difference here is that the industrial truck is integrated into the communication system. This offers numerous advantages: for example, a warning message can be triggered directly from the industrial truck, allowing the operator to react. It is also possible to design the transmitter unit of the collision detection device with lower power output, since the industrial truck is located near the rack immediately after the collision.In addition, by transmitting the collision signal to the industrial truck, the data can be expanded with one or more additional pieces of information when transmitted to a higher-level or central location. By integrating the industrial truck itself into the information chain, an existing communication channel on the vehicle can be used, and the collision signals to be transmitted can be supplemented with vehicle-specific information, such as speed, load, and / or steering angle.

[0017] According to the invention, vehicle-internal signals (e.g., an acceleration sensor) are evaluated to confirm the collision signal received by the vehicle. In practical use, it may happen that the collision signal is received by other vehicles. In this case, evaluating an internal vehicle signal, such as an acceleration sensor, can confirm the collision. If the collision signal is not confirmed, the industrial truck discards the received collision signal.

[0018] According to the invention, the received collision signal is forwarded from the industrial truck to a higher-level warehouse system, where one or more additional pieces of information are forwarded. This information is preferably one or more of the following: identification of the colliding industrial truck, time of the collision, location of the collision, speed of the vehicle at the time of the collision, and weight of the load being transported by the industrial truck. This data is not available in conventional, centralized communication structures.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the collision warning system according to the invention, the collision signal transmitted and received by the industrial truck contains at least one of the following information: identification of the transmitting unit, measured strength and / or duration of the collision, and time of the collision. With regard to the measured strength and / or duration of the collision, the total transmitted pulse is of course the determining factor. This can be determined in various ways, with the duration and maximum strength generally being a good indicator of the collision and the pulse transmission that has occurred.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the collision detection device has a housing that can be attached to the shelving system with the mounting unit. Using one housing for all components of the collision detection device simplifies installation. In addition, the housing can be designed to be sufficiently robust to protect the sensor, the data processing unit, and the transmitting unit.

[0021] The installation and use of the collision warning system are particularly simplified by the use of a battery. This can be configured so that the battery only powers the data processing and transmission units when needed, while otherwise keeping them in sleep or standby mode.

[0022] In principle, a whole range of different transmitter units are possible with the collision warning system according to the invention. One possible transmitter unit is a Bluetooth transmitter or an RFID transmitter. Both transmitters have a simple design and, although they have a limited range, this is sufficient for transmission to the industrial truck.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor unit is designed as a three- or six-axis accelerometer. This detects the momentum transfer, i.e., the acceleration and its direction. The accelerometer can process this in its entirety.

[0024] In a preferred implementation, the forklift truck displays the warning message to the operator visually, audibly, or directly on a screen. This display is significantly more direct and reliable than a message sent to the forklift truck via a central data processing system.

[0025] The receiving unit in the industrial truck is preferably connected to a vehicle control system that has a communication link to the higher-level control system of the warehouse system.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below.

[0027] The single figure shows a forklift 10 driving through a storage area with a shelf 14, carrying a raised load 12. During this process, one of the wheel arms 18 collides with the shelf 14.

[0028] The collision 16 may have been so severe that a collision signal 20 is sent from the shelf 14. The forklift 10 processes the collision signal 20 and combines it with the internal acceleration sensor to confirm the collision, triggering a visual warning indicator 22 in the forklift 10.

[0029] In addition to the warning indicator 22, the industrial truck also sends a signal 24 to a collision message 28 to a higher-level controller 26. The higher-level controller 26 receives a collision message 28. This contains, for example, the identification of the industrial truck 10 and the information contained in the collision signal 20 regarding the affected rack 14. Both pieces of information can also be provided with the date and time. It is also generally possible to add information about the driver to the collision message 28.

[0030] From the higher-level control unit 26, the data is transmitted via a connection 30 to a central control unit 32. Here, the data can be collected and presented clearly. Specific orders can also be sent to mobile devices 34 via the connection 30. Such an order may, for example, involve inspecting the damage to the rack 14 and / or inspecting the industrial truck 10 that caused the damage.

[0031] The collision warning system described above uses a collision detection device attached to the racking system. This device sends a corresponding collision signal 20 when a defined force or an adjustable impact intensity is reached. The collision signal 20 is received by the industrial truck 10. The received collision signal 20 initially triggers a visual, audible, or other warning on the industrial truck. Additionally, a radio signal 24 is transmitted from the industrial truck 10 and a transmitter / receiver located within the industrial truck 10 to a higher-level receiver 26 containing a collision message 28. The content of this collision message 28 consists of information originating from the racking system and information originating from the industrial truck.For example, the rack stand is identified preferentially, and the identification of the industrial truck and the time of the damage event are transmitted together. This allows the responsible person for the warehouse to be informed appropriately and the necessary steps to be taken. List of reference symbols

[0032] 10Industrial truck 12Load 14Shelf 16Collision 18Wheel arms 20Collision signal 22Warning indicator 24Signal 26Control / receiver 28Collision message 30Connection 32Control unit 34End devices

Claims

1. A collision warning system with at least one industrial truck (10) and at least one collision reporting apparatus that comprises a mounting unit, an impact-sensitive sensor unit, a data processing unit, and a transmission unit, wherein a. the mounting unit is designed to fasten at least the sensor unit to a rack system (14) to be monitored for collisions (16), b. the sensor unit is designed to measure a momentum transfer from the industrial truck (10) to the rack system (14) and to apply it to the data processing unit, c. the data processing unit compares the measured momentum with a reference momentum and actuates the transmission unit to emit a collision signal (20) if the reference momentum is exceeded, wherein the industrial truck (10) comprises a receiving unit that is adapted to the transmission unit, characterized in that the receiving unit is designed to receive the emitted collision signal (20) and to trigger a warning (22) at the industrial truck (10) and the industrial truck (10) is designed to forward the received collision signal (20) to a higher-level storage system, wherein one or more additional items of information are forwarded here with the collision signal (20) to the higher-level storage system, wherein the received collision signal is compared with one or more vehicle-internal signals in order to confirm a collision with the industrial truck.

2. The collision warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional items of information with the collision signal (20) relate to one or more of the following items of information: identification of the colliding industrial truck (10), time of the collision, location of the collision, speed of the vehicle during the collision, and weight of the transported load of the industrial truck.

3. The collision warning system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitted collision signal (20) comprises at least one of the following items of information: identification of the transmission unit, measured strength and / or duration of the collision, and time of the collision.

4. The collision warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the collision reporting apparatus comprises a housing that can be fastened to the rack system by means of the mounting unit.

5. The collision warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the collision reporting apparatus comprises a battery which powers the data processing and transmission unit as needed.

6. The collision warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a Bluetooth transmitter or RFID transmitter is provided as the transmission unit.

7. The collision warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the reference momentum can be adjusted for the sensor unit.

8. The collision warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sensor unit comprises a three- or six-axis acceleration sensor.

9. The collision warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the industrial truck (10) indicates the warning to an operator optically, acoustically, or on a display.

10. The collision warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the receiving unit of the industrial truck is connected to a vehicle controller and same establishes a communication link to the higher-level storage system.