Device for treating at least one dangerous good in at least one storage location for storing one or more dangerous goods

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the use of a storage location management device with multiple storage locations for the respective storage of one or more hazardous materials, wherein each storage location is designed as a safety cabinet. The control unit can be assigned to the respective storage location. Equally conceivable is a central control unit for multiple storage locations, which communicates wirelessly or via a wired connection with the corresponding storage location. The storage location for the storage of one or more hazardous materials is a defined area within which the hazardous materials can be stored. This demarcation can be achieved by appropriate mechanical barriers such as fences, walls, etc. Alternatively, the storage location can also be defined electronically, for example, in such a way that monitoring of the storage location is ensured to prevent unauthorized access.In the simplest case, the storage location is a safety cabinet or hazardous materials cabinet, as described in connection with the generic teaching according to EP 3 885 693 A1. Such safety cabinets are typically used for storing chemicals, solids, gases, batteries, etc., as hazardous goods, which must be protected, for example, from unauthorized access or from potential heat sources.

[0002] For this purpose, a control unit is provided, which can be used to identify both the respective hazardous material and its associated storage location. In the known teaching, the hazardous material is identified, for example, by means of a product-specific identification device, which can be a QR code. The storage location or safety cabinet in question can also be equipped with such a cabinet-specific identification device in the form of a QR code.

[0003] In this way, the control unit is informed about both the hazardous material in question and its corresponding storage location. If an operator removes the hazardous material from its storage location, this generally requires an authorization check of the operator or user. For this purpose, the operator or user must have an access code, which is transmitted to the control unit. If the control unit confirms the user's authorization, the identified hazardous material can be removed from its storage location and, for example, used. After use, the hazardous material should be returned to its storage location. This is often not done, or not reliably, and in practice, problems arise, for example, when hazardous materials of the same type are in circulation. For instance, it is conceivable that the hazardous material in question is an acetone cylinder that has been removed from a specific safety cabinet.

[0004] If, for example, this occurs in a large, sprawling laboratory and several acetone bottles are in circulation, a reliable assignment to their storage location can generally no longer be guaranteed. The same applies if, for example, multiple acetone bottles are stored at the same location. Therefore, the unambiguous identification of the hazardous material and its location may not be sufficient to ensure precise and reproducible storage management.

[0005] Such precise allocation of the hazardous material to its corresponding location and the correct storage location is particularly important when, for example, consumption values ​​are to be recorded, as taught in the generic teaching of EP 3 885 693 A1. This is because consumption values ​​correspond, for instance, to mass decreases in liquids, which are recorded by load cells located at the relevant storage location or inside the safety cabinet installed there. However, if, in the example given, the "wrong" acetone bottle is returned to the storage location, this leads to incorrect consumption values ​​and potentially unnecessary or unfulfilled reorders. Furthermore, this could result in safety risks if, in the example given, the quantity of acetone in the corresponding safety cabinet is too large or exceeds a predefined threshold.

[0006] While the further state of the art according to EP 3 832 343 A1 already deals with a warehouse management system that can record and manage the inventory of stored goods using sensor devices, a precise return of the hazardous material to its original and previously occupied place in the corresponding storage location is still not possible with this system.

[0007] The closest prior art according to US 2018 / 0365642 A1 relates to a system and a method for handling and receiving packages. In this context, the packages are received on individual shelves of a rack. Their exact position can be indicated, for example, by an arrow, using an additional display. The previously identified problems have not been significantly affected by this, so the invention as a whole aims to remedy them.

[0008] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a use in such a way that the dangerous goods can be clearly identified at the associated storage location with regard to their position, so that targeted removal and return of the dangerous goods is possible with simple means.

[0009] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes a method according to claim 1.

[0010] The invention thus utilizes and further develops the display unit, which is already provided for in the prior art, in a specific manner. In fact, the generic prior art according to EP 3 885 693 A1 operates such that an access control unit ultimately functions as the display unit at the storage location. Such an access control unit is also provided within the scope of the invention to verify the user's authorization.

[0011] According to the invention, the display unit is used to show the operator the location of the hazardous material at the storage site. That is, the display unit allows the storage location to be further detailed or subdivided so that not only is the hazardous material identified and linked to the storage location in the control unit, but the location of the hazardous material at the storage site is not only known, but also made visible and displayed to the operator by means of the display unit.

[0012] For this purpose, the display unit can, for example, be designed as or include at least one display. Usually, several displays are distributed throughout the storage area to differentiate individual locations for the respective hazardous materials stored there and to inform the operator accordingly.

[0013] The displays in question can generally be so-called electronic labels, which, within the scope of the invention, are designed to indicate the hazardous materials present. Alternatively or additionally, the display or the implemented electronic labels can also show an image of the location and make it available to the operator.

[0014] For this purpose, it is conceivable that the display could have an additional function for indicating the location of the hazardous material. This location corresponds to the position of the hazardous material within the storage area. This additional function could be implemented, for example, as a background color, an additional field, etc.

[0015] If, for example, the storage location is a safety cabinet with several drawers for holding hazardous materials, each individual drawer can be equipped with a display as an electronic label. Consequently, the display indicates which individual hazardous materials are located in the drawer, for example, an acetone bottle and a cleaning gasoline bottle. Within the scope of the invention, the display or electronic label in question is equipped with an additional display function, which can, for example, be designed as a background color.

[0016] Applied to the example, this means that when the cleaning fluid bottle is returned, the corresponding display on the relevant drawer will be highlighted in green to indicate that the cleaning fluid bottle was previously located in that drawer. Of course, instead of using the background color as an additional indicator, an additional field can be defined on the display to direct the operator to the drawer with the message "Cleaning fluid bottle here" and an arrow, indicating the original location for the cleaning fluid bottle.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the display unit includes at least one light source or is designed as such. In this case, the intention is to illuminate the drawer in question, in the example given, for holding the cleaning fluid bottle, using the display unit or the light source, in order to indicate the designated location for the cleaning fluid bottle to the operator. This can be achieved, for example, by a light source mounted above the drawer, multiple light sources on the ceiling, or in some other way. The display can also indicate the designated location of the cleaning fluid bottle with an arrow. It is understood that the light source is solely suitable for this indication function in the form of an arrow display, localized illumination, etc. That is to say...The procedure whereby the light source for illuminating the hazardous material is set up at the local position represents only one of many possibilities to make the original location of the hazardous material at the storage site visually identifiable for the operator.

[0018] The invention provides that, in addition to the stationary control unit, which identifies at least the hazardous material and its associated storage location, at least one mobile control unit is provided for the operator to carry. This mobile control unit is advantageously a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.—in any case, a control unit that typically exchanges data wirelessly with the stationary control unit to identify at least the hazardous material and its associated storage location. In this simplest case, the operator in the previously discussed example is informed that the cleaning gasoline bottle must be returned to "safety cabinet 2."Of course, further location information about the storage location, and thus about security cabinet 2 in the example case, can also be stored here and made available to the operator, for example the exact location in a building, the building itself, etc.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mobile control unit is designed such that it also evaluates location information and guides the operator to the specific position or location of the hazardous material at the storage site. In this case, the mobile control unit can, for example, use GPS (Global Positioning System) data to evaluate its own position and thus the operator's position, and then suggest a route to the operator so that they can precisely place the hazardous material in its designated location at the storage site. Instead of GPS data, it is also conceivable that the mobile control unit evaluates location information from the storage site or from transmitters assigned to multiple storage sites, using triangulation. Naturally, this information can also be combined.

[0020] Furthermore, it has proven beneficial for the storage location to be equipped with a detection device for the hazardous material and / or a detection device for the accessing operator. The detection device for the accessing operator can be the access control unit described previously. The operator must then identify themselves at the access control unit, for example, via a code, to gain access to the storage location. The detection device for the hazardous material at the storage location, or elsewhere, is, in the simplest case, designed as a QR code reader if the hazardous material is identified by an affixed QR code. Of course, other identification methods on the hazardous material, such as a transponder, are also conceivable, which would then require a correspondingly adapted detection device.

[0021] The aforementioned QR code reader or scanning device can be integrated into the operator's mobile control unit, allowing the operator to easily scan the desired hazardous material using their mobile control unit after passing through the access control unit at the entrance to the storage location. The scanning device can also be used to identify the storage location. This can be achieved, in the simplest case, by means of another QR code affixed to the outside of the safety cabinet, for example, indicating the storage location.

[0022] This means that the operator equipped with the mobile control unit is not only able to identify the storage location with its detection device, but also, after gaining authorized access to the storage location, the specific hazardous material that is desired and, as a rule, removed. Both data points are linked in the mobile control unit and transmitted to the stationary control unit, which is then informed that a specific operator has removed a defined hazardous material from a specific storage location.

[0023] In this context, the mobile control unit can essentially perform a dual function. As already explained, the mobile control unit can be designed as a display unit, function as such, or be a component of a display unit. Furthermore, and according to the invention, the mobile control unit can also define a component of the detection device for the hazardous material and / or the operator requesting access and / or the storage location. In this case, the mobile control unit thus has a dual functionality: on the one hand, as a display unit, and on the other hand, as a detection device or as a component thereof.

[0024] If one also considers that the individual hazardous materials at the storage location are defined and known with regard to their respective occupancy or defined local position, it can be ensured after the removal of the hazardous material in question that it is returned to its designated location after use or consumption. The identification of the hazardous material's location at the storage location can be carried out, for example, using a weighing device or load cells as a recording device, which are typically used for consumption measurement, as described in detail in the generic prior art according to EP 3 885 693 A1.

[0025] In fact, the aforementioned weighing device is equipped with several load cells, which can be used to determine the mass or weight of the hazardous material in question, as well as its presence or absence. From this, positional information for the hazardous material can be derived, for example, on the bottom of a drawer. Of course, the operator can also manually enter the relevant location of the hazardous material, thus linking it not only to its storage location but also to its original position within or at that storage location.

[0026] The detection device is, for example, a sensor, in particular a weighing sensor, as previously described. Alternatively or additionally, a reading device for, for example, a QR code is used, as also previously explained in detail and by way of example. The detection device can also include the respective sensor or the reading device. Furthermore, the aforementioned devices can also be linked together. The invention also relates to a storage location management device, as described in claim 13, which is equipped with several storage locations for the respective storage of one or more hazardous goods according to the previously described configuration.

[0027] The display unit allows the operator to identify the respective storage location and show the precise position of the hazardous material within that location. Naturally, the operator equipped with the mobile control unit can also see the location of the hazardous material within the storage location, or its exact position, displayed on the mobile control unit's screen. In other words, the mobile control unit is capable of at least schematically representing the storage location and indicating the location of the hazardous material within or at that location. This can be done, for example, with an arrow in the schematic representation of the location, a cross, or some other symbol on the mobile control unit's display.As already explained, the storage location is typically a cabinet, and in particular a security cabinet, as described by way of example and without limitation in the applicant's EP 3 396 094 B1.

[0028] The result is a described method that enables an operator not only to identify the hazardous material and its associated storage location, but also, for the first time according to the invention and further developed, to visually indicate to the operator the original or desired location of the hazardous material at the storage location. This ensures that the hazardous material in question always returns to its defined location after any removal, thus taking safety aspects into account compared to the prior art. For example, this ensures that an excessive volume of highly flammable liquids is not stored at a specific storage location or inside a safety cabinet, but rather that the quantity remains below a predetermined threshold.Furthermore, this ensures that the consumption values ​​recorded by the control unit are realistic and reflect actual usage, which is relevant for budget planning, reordering, etc. Such information and additional functions are not currently possible with existing technology.

[0029] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the only Fig. 1 This shows a warehouse management device that combines several storage locations for storing one or more hazardous materials.

[0030] In the Fig. 1 A device for handling at least one hazardous material 2, 3 at at least one storage location 1 for storing the hazardous materials 2, 3 in question is shown. In fact, it can be seen from the Fig. 1 , that in the example case a total of four different storage locations are provided: 1 1 ,1 2 ,1 3 and finally 1 4.

[0031] Storage location 11 is a safety cabinet suitable for storing one or more batteries. These batteries may be lithium-ion batteries. According to the exemplary embodiment, storage location 12 contains gas cylinders 2 as the hazardous material 2, whereas storage locations 13 and 14 each contain canisters 3 for chemicals as hazardous materials. In this exemplary embodiment, and without limitation, storage location 1 is a safety cabinet 1 or 11, 12, 13, 14, respectively.

[0032] It can be seen that the storage location 1 communicates with a typically stationary control unit 4. The storage location 1 itself may also have a control unit, which is not explicitly shown. Communication between the storage location 1 and the control unit 4 can be wired and / or wireless. With the help of the control unit 4, at least the hazardous material 2, 3 and its associated storage location, i.e., the relevant safety cabinet 1, 12, 13, or 14, can be identified. Furthermore, at least one display unit 5, 7 is implemented at the storage location 1.

[0033] In the example shown, display unit 5 is, according to the Fig. 1 a display 5, which according to the exemplary embodiment is designed as an electronic label on a drawer of the relevant safety cabinet 1 4. The relevant drawer serves to hold one or more hazardous materials 2, 3, according to the exemplary embodiment, to hold a canister 3 for a specific chemical.

[0034] Furthermore, the storage location 1 in question is equipped with an access control unit 6, which in this example is shown on the security cabinet 11. The access control unit 6 serves to identify a user wishing to enter. The user can enter an identifying code at the access control unit 6. Alternatively, the code can be transmitted to the stationary control unit via a mobile control unit 7. The mobile control unit 7 is typically a portable computer, such as a smartphone, tablet, etc., which can communicate with the control unit 4 and also with the individual storage locations 11, 12, 13, and 14, typically wirelessly. The mobile control unit 7 also functions as an additional display unit 5, 7. Furthermore, the mobile control unit 7 may, together with the access control unit 6, define a data capture device 6, 7.The mobile control unit 7 therefore performs a dual function as a display unit 5, 7 or as a recording device 6, 7 or as a respective component thereof.

[0035] In any case, a user wishing to access the storage location must first identify themselves to storage location 1 or 11, 12, 13, or 14 in order to gain access to the hazardous goods 2, 3 stored there. For this purpose, the control unit 4 compares the code transmitted by the operator with the authorized codes stored in the control unit 4, so that the user wishing to access is clearly identified as authorized or not.

[0036] Once the operator has gained access to the relevant storage location 1 in this manner, they must first identify the relevant storage location 1 or the associated safety cabinet 11, 12, 13, or 14 in order to subsequently retrieve the desired hazardous material 2, 3. For this purpose, the relevant safety cabinet 11, 12, 13, or 14 has an identification means 8, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is designed as a QR code affixed to or attached to the relevant safety cabinet 11, 12, or 13. Since, according to the exemplary embodiment, the mobile control unit 7 is equipped with a corresponding reading device for the QR code or the identification means 8, the previously identified operator or user can be identified and linked to the associated storage location 1.This usually happens both in the mobile control unit 7 and by transferring the relevant data to the control unit 4.

[0037] To remove the hazardous material 2, 3 in question from or at storage location 1, it is additionally necessary to identify the hazardous material 2, 3 in question. For this purpose, the hazardous material 2, 3 in question has a further means of identification 9, which is, as described in the Fig. 1 In the simplest case, it is again a QR code, which in this case is attached to or affixed to both gas cylinders 2 and canisters 3. Of course, the QR code can also be printed on.

[0038] In this way, the operator, the hazardous material 2, 3, and the storage location 11, 12, 13, and 14 have been identified and can be distinguished from one another. According to the invention, the location or position of the hazardous material 2, 3 at the storage location 1 can now also be determined and, furthermore, displayed to the operator. For example, when the hazardous material 2, 3 is removed from its associated storage location 1, the detection device 6, 7 identifies the location of the hazardous material 2, 3. The detection device 6, 7 can be a sensor, for example, a weighing sensor, which provides information about the position of the canister 3 as well as the respective gas cylinder 2 inside the associated safety cabinet 12, 13, or 14 in the example case. That is to say,The information in the sense of "Operator - Dangerous goods 2, 3 - Storage location 1" is additionally linked with the further information "Place".

[0039] In fact, the "location" of the hazardous material 2, 3 in question can be indicated, for example, by an additional indication such as "left" or "right" on the drawer shown in the safety cabinet 1 4. Further differentiation is possible and conceivable, for example, in the sense of "front left", "rear left", "front right" and "rear right".

[0040] In any case, all this information is interconnected and, according to the exemplary embodiment, is present in both the stationary control unit 4 and the mobile control unit 7 and can be accessed there. In this case, the mobile control unit 7, with its [information] in the Fig. 1 The indicated screen serves as a display unit 5, 7 to show the operator the location of the hazardous material 2, 3 at the associated storage location 1. In a further, and essentially dual, function, the mobile control unit 7 also forms part of the detection device 6, 7, serving, for example, to identify the user at the access control unit 6 or to identify the hazardous material 2, 3 in question via the identification means 9 using the associated reading device.

[0041] For example, if the operator has removed the "left" canister 3 from the safety cabinet 1 3 as storage location 1, the operator will be shown on the display of the mobile control unit 7 when returning the canister 3 in question that it is not only to be placed in the associated safety cabinet 1 3 as storage location 1, but also "left" on a floor there.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the aforementioned displays 5 or electronic labels on the corresponding drawers of safety cabinet 1 4 can also function as display units to show the operator the location of the hazardous material 2, 3 at storage location 1. For example, an arrow could appear on the electronic label on the lower drawer via the relevant display 5 or the respective electronic label as soon as the hazardous material 2, 3 is located there. Fig. 1 The canister 3 shown is to be removed and replaced. In the relevant safety cabinet 1 4, it can also be seen that several displays 5 can be distributed around the associated storage location 1 in the form of the safety cabinet 1 4. The display of the hazardous materials 2, 3 present and / or an image of the storage location 1 can be shown on the respective display 5, in particular on the display of the mobile control unit 7. Here, it is conceivable that the display of the mobile control unit 7 schematically shows the interior of the safety cabinet 1 4 in the example case, and that in this schematic representation, the position of the canister 3 on the lower drawer is indicated to the operator by, for example, an arrow, a cross, etc. That is, the display in question is equipped with an additional display function for indicating the local position of the hazardous materials 2, 3.A similar approach is of course also possible with the displays 5 in the security cabinet 1 4.

[0043] The additional display function can also be represented, for example, by a background color. Thus, it is conceivable that the lower drawer in safety cabinet 1 4 could be equipped with a green background color to indicate to the operator that the drawer in question is intended for holding the previously removed hazardous material 3 or canister 3.

[0044] Not explicitly shown in this context is the further possibility that the display unit 5, 7 has at least one light source or is designed as such. In this case, the position of the canister 3 inside the relevant safety cabinet 1 4 can be illuminated, for example, by means of an LED for its return on the floor of the lower drawer. A corresponding position indication can also be displayed on the screen of the mobile control unit 7, as explained previously.

[0045] It is also possible that the mobile control unit 7 additionally evaluates location information and guides the operator to the local position of the hazardous material 2, 3 at storage location 1. In this case, for example, location information already available inside the mobile control unit 7 is evaluated and used. This location information can be GPS data, or data obtained, for example, by triangulating at least three transmitters to define location 1.

[0046] Based on this location information, a "route plan" can then be carried out using the mobile control unit 7, which, for example, shows the operator equipped with the mobile control unit 7 the "shortest route" to the original location of the previously removed and returned hazardous material 2, 3. This is not shown in detail. Within the framework of the Fig. 1The diagram depicts a warehouse management system equipped with multiple storage locations 1 in the form of individual safety cabinets 11, 12, 13, and 14 for the storage of one or more hazardous materials 2, 3. The respective storage location 1 and its associated safety cabinet 11, 12, 13, and 14 can be identified. The same applies to the location of the associated hazardous material 2, 3 at the respective storage location 1, which is displayed to an operator as described.

[0047] As already explained, the safety cabinet 1 1 serves to hold and store one or more batteries, and in particular lithium-ion batteries. The safety cabinet 1 1 in question can, for example, be constructed as described in EP 3 396 094 B1 of the applicant. In this context, it is conceivable that the display unit 5, 7 not only displays the relevant dangerous goods 2, 3 or an image of the associated storage location 1, but also a position indication of the relevant dangerous goods 2, 3.

[0048] But with the help of the display unit 5, 7, the fill level of the dangerous goods 2, 3 in connection with the gas cylinders 2 or the canister 3 can also be indicated in general - if necessary in conjunction with the detection device 6, 7.

[0049] Since, in the exemplary embodiment, the mobile control unit 7 used here fulfills the previously described dual function as a display unit 5, 7 and / or a detection device 6, 7, or as a component thereof, the mobile control unit 7, and consequently also the display unit 5, 7, can also be used in the safety cabinet 1 1 to, for example, display quarantine periods for the batteries inside. These quarantine periods are, for example, times that typically need to be observed following an accident involving a lithium-ion battery in an electric car or bicycle. Such quarantine periods must be observed to monitor for any potential spontaneous combustion of the battery following the accident and to control any negative consequences. For this purpose, the battery in question is housed in the safety cabinet 1 1 in the example.

[0050] In addition to such quarantine periods, the display unit 5, 7 or the mobile control unit 7 can also indicate when the battery was stored and by which operator. Following the storage time, and taking the quarantine period into account, the display unit 5, 7 or the mobile control unit 7 can then also indicate when the quarantine period ends and the battery can consequently be removed from the safety cabinet 1.

[0051] Finally, the display unit 5, 7 visually indicates which operator is authorized to remove the battery in question from the safety cabinet 1. An additional authorization check may be performed at the access control unit 6 to further identify the operator seeking entry. All these specifications and data are monitored and exchanged with the control unit 4 and are therefore available within the control unit 4. Since the control unit 4 can also be connected wirelessly or via a wired connection to a global computer network (Internet), the relevant information can be accessed and, if necessary, controlled from virtually anywhere in the world.

Claims

1. Use of a storage location management device with multiple storage locations (1) for the purpose of storing one or more hazardous materials (2, 3) in each case, wherein the respective storage location (1) is designed as a safety cabinet, wherein further a stationary control unit (4) is provided for identifying the hazardous material (2, 3) and its associated storage location (1) in that the respective storage location (1) communicates with the stationary control unit (4), and identifying the place of the hazardous material (2, 3) at the storage location (1) is carried out with the aid of a weighing device as a recording device (6, 7), wherein, furthermore, the respective storage location (1) and the local position of the hazardous material (2, 3) at the storage location (1) are displayed for an operator by means of at least one display unit (5, 7) at the respective storage location (1) and for this purpose, the display unit (5, 7) is designed as at least one display (5) or has such a display, and the respective display (5) is designed as an electronic label for displaying the respective hazardous materials (2, 3) present and as an image of the storage location (1), and wherein in addition to the stationary control unit (4), at least one mobile control unit (7) is provided which can be taken along by an operator and which exchanges data with the stationary control unit (4) in order to at least identify the hazardous material (2, 3) and its associated storage location (1) and which functions as a display unit (7) and also evaluates location information and guides the operator to the local position of the hazardous material (2, 3) at the storage location (1), in that the mobile control unit (7) can evaluate its position and thus the position of the operator based on GPS data and provide the operator with a route suggestion so that the operator can accurately accommodate the relevant hazardous material (2, 3) in its proper place at the associated storage location (1).

2. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that multiple displays (5) are provided distributed over the storage location (1).

3. The use according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective display (5) has an additional display function for indicating the local position of the hazardous material (2, 3).

4. The use according to claim 3, characterized in that the additional display function is designed, for example, as a background color, additional field, etc. in the display (5).

5. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the display unit (5, 7) has at least one illuminant or is designed as such.

6. The use according to claim 5, characterized in that the illuminant is configured to illuminate the hazardous material (2, 3) at the local position at the storage location (1).