Aerial lift for working at height, control method and assembly comprising such an aerial lift

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerial lift (1) comprising a platform (3) comprising a control console (8) equipped with controls (9) for a device (5) for driving the height-wise movement of the platform (3), an anchor point that can be occupied by an anchoring device for anchoring safety equipment (21), a detection system detecting whether the anchor point is occupied or unoccupied, and a device for emitting a warning signal. The aerial lift (1) comprises a system (13) for determining the position of the lifting structure (6) used for raising the platform (3). A control unit (7) is configured to control the device for emitting a warning signal according to whether the anchor point is occupied or unoccupied and according to the position of the lifting structure (6), the control unit (7) being configured so that when the anchor point is unoccupied the unit commands the emitting of a luminous or acoustic warning signal the intensity and / or frequency and / or tonality of which varies according to the position of the lifting structure (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a nacelle for working at elevation, its control method, as well as an assembly comprising such a nacelle.

[0002] It concerns in particular a nacelle comprising: a chassis, a platform having a location for receiving an operator, a device for driving the platform to move relative to the chassis, said device for driving the platform to move comprising at least one structure for raising the platform mounted to move at least in the direction of raising and lowering said platform and, a control unit, said platform comprising a control console equipped with one or more controls for the device for driving the platform to move, at least one anchoring location capable of being occupied by an anchoring of an anchoring device of safety equipment, a system for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location and a device for emitting a light or sound alert signal,said control unit being configured at least to acquire data from the detection system depending on the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location.

[0003] Such a cradle with an operator wearing a safety harness equipped with a lanyard terminated by a carabiner capable of being attached to the platform of the cradle to protect the operator from a fall from the platform is known as illustrated in patent US9245434, which includes the technical characteristics of the preamble of claim 1. Similarly, documents US 2019 / 152753 and US6330931 illustrate a safety system allowing the emission of an alert signal when the operator is not correctly attached to the platform. However, it is frequently found that the operator does not attach the carabiner to the platform. A radical solution may consist of preventing any operation of the cradle until the carabiner is attached to the platform. However, this solution poses many problems and can be potentially dangerous.

[0004] An aim of the invention is to propose a nacelle and an assembly comprising such a nacelle whose designs enable the operator to be alerted in an optimized manner.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a nacelle comprising: a chassis, a platform having an operator reception area, a device for driving the platform in movement relative to the chassis, said device for driving the platform in movement comprising at least one structure for raising the platform mounted to be movable at least in the direction of raising and lowering said platform and, a control unit, said platform comprising a control console equipped with one or more controls for the device for driving the platform in movement, at least one anchoring location capable of being occupied by an anchoring device of safety equipment, a system for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location and a device for emitting a light or sound alert signal, said control unit being configured at least to acquire data from the detection system as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location, characterized in that the nacelle comprises a system for determining the position of the lifting structure of the platform, in that the control unit is configured to control the device for emitting an alert signal at least as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location and the position of the lifting structure, said control unit being configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location, control the emission of an alert signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color for a light alert signal, or the melody for an audible alert signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lifting structure.

[0006] By virtue of the fact that the control unit is configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location, control the emission of a warning signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color, for a light warning signal, or the melody, for an audible warning signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lifting structure, the operator who has not attached his safety equipment to the platform can be alerted according to the level of risk of falling from the platform. This design makes it possible to alert the operator in proportion to the risk incurred.In particular, this design makes it possible to alert the operator more specifically when he controls the nacelle to move the nacelle from a so-called transport configuration which corresponds to a low position or a range of determined low positions of the lifting structure to a so-called work configuration in which the platform of the nacelle can be raised to a significant height.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lifting structure comprises a lifting arm mounted to pivot relative to the chassis between a low position and a high position and the system for determining the position of the lifting structure of the platform is a system for determining the position of the lifting arm of said lifting structure.

[0008] The control unit can therefore be configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location, control the emission of a warning signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color, for a light warning signal, or the melody, for an audible warning signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lifting arm of the lifting structure. The control unit can thus be configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location, control the emission of a so-called "loud" warning signal, i.e., whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone is modified so that it can be understood as an increase in risk by the operator, when the lifting arm leaves the low position.This movement of the lifting arm away from the low position corresponds for a large number of platforms to the transition of the platform from the transport configuration in which movement on the ground of the platform chassis is possible to the working configuration in which such movement on the ground of the platform chassis at a high speed is no longer possible.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for driving the platform to move relative to the chassis comprises at least one actuator, such as a jack, for driving the lifting arm to move and the system for determining the position of the lifting arm of the platform comprises at least one lifting arm position sensor and / or a position sensor of said actuator.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lifting arm of the platform, arranged between the chassis and the platform, is coupled to the platform by a pendulum arm and the controls of the platform movement drive device equipping the control console comprise at least one control for movement of the pendulum arm and one control for movement of the lifting arm. It is thus possible when the detection of the position of the lifting structure takes place at the level of the lifting arm to emit a “low” alert signal when only the pendulum arm is driven in movement while the lifting arm is still in the low position.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chassis is equipped with a ground movement drive system for said chassis and the control console is equipped with at least one control member for the ground movement drive system for said chassis. The control unit is configured to authorize / prohibit the control of the ground movement drive system of the chassis from the control console based on the data provided by the system for determining the position of the lifting structure of the platform.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises at least one member for activating / deactivating at least part of the control(s) of the platform movement drive device equipping the control console, said activation / deactivation member being mounted to move between an inactive position in which at least part of the control(s) of the platform movement drive device is inactive and an active position in which at least part of the control(s) of the platform movement drive device is activated, and the control unit is configured, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location, to control the emission of an alert signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color for a light alert signal or the melody for an audible alert signal, varies at least as a function of the position of said activation / deactivation member.

[0013] Preferably, the activation / inactivation member is a pedal or a lever, such as a trigger, equipped with at least one return member in the inactive position and is configured to move from the inactive position to the active position under the action of a thrust exerted on said activation / inactivation member against said at least one return member. This activation / inactivation member is frequently called a dead man's pedal or lever or trigger. Again, the activation of such a member signals the operator's desire to move the chassis or the platform and allows the control unit to command the emission of an alert signal taking into account this increased risk of the platform falling.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a floor and a guardrail surrounding at least part of the floor and the or at least one of the anchoring locations has the form of a frame delimiting an opening, said frame being arranged at the level of the guardrail. In the case of a device for anchoring the safety equipment to the platform formed by a carabiner, the carabiner only needs to surround one edge of the frame to be fixed to the frame. This results in simplicity of implementation.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location comprises, arranged along one face of the frame formed by the anchoring location, a mechanical member mounted to move between a position close to the anchoring location corresponding to the unoccupied position of the anchoring location and a position separated from the anchoring location corresponding to the occupied position of the anchoring location, an element for returning said mechanical member to a position close to the anchoring location and a sensor for determining the position of said mechanical member and the control unit is configured to acquire the data provided by said sensor for determining the position of said mechanical member.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for emitting a light or sound alert signal comprises at least one lighting member, such as a light-emitting diode, arranged around the or at least one of the anchoring locations within a radius of less than 15 cm. It is at least at the level of this lighting member that the light alert signal is emitted. This arrangement makes it possible to direct the operator's eye in the direction of the anchoring location to remind him that he has not attached his safety equipment to the platform.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for emitting a light or sound alert signal comprises a light indicator arranged on the control console. It is at least at the level of this light indicator that the light alert signal can be emitted. This redundancy of the alert signal makes it possible to avoid the operator not being able to see the light alert signal.

[0018] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a nacelle and safety equipment, such as a harness, equipped with an anchoring device, such as a carabiner, said nacelle comprising: a chassis, a platform having an operator reception area, a device for driving the platform to move relative to the chassis, said device for driving the platform to move comprising at least one structure for lifting the platform mounted to move at least in the direction of raising and lowering the platform and, a control unit, said platform comprising a control console equipped with one or more controls for the device for driving the platform to move, at least one anchoring location to allow the anchoring device of the safety equipment to be anchored, a system for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location by said anchoring device and a device for emitting a light or sound alert signal,said control unit being configured at least to acquire data from the detection system depending on the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location, characterized in that the nacelle, which conforms to that described above, comprises a system for determining the position of the lifting structure of the platform, in that the control unit is configured to control the device for emitting an alert signal at least as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location and the position of the lifting structure, said control unit being configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location, control the emission of an alert signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color for a light alert signal, or the melody for an audible alert signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lifting structure.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a nacelle comprising: a chassis, a platform having an operator reception area, a device for driving the platform to move relative to the chassis, said device for driving the platform to move comprising at least one structure for lifting the platform mounted to move at least in the direction of raising and lowering said platform and, a control unit, said platform comprising a control console equipped with one or more controls for the device for driving the platform to move, at least one anchoring location to allow anchoring of a device for anchoring safety equipment,a system for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location by said anchoring device and a device for emitting a light or sound alert signal and said control unit being configured at least to acquire data from the detection system as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location, characterized in that the nacelle comprising a system for determining the position of the lifting structure of the platform, the method comprises, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location, a step of emitting an alert signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color for a light alert signal or the melody for an audible alert signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lifting structure. Brève description des dessins

[0020] The invention will be clearly understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a perspective view of a nacelle according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] represents a perspective view of a nacelle according to the invention; [ Fig. 3 ] represents a partial perspective view of a nacelle according to the invention with a detailed view of the anchoring location of the anchoring device of the safety equipment; [ Fig. 4 ] represents a perspective view of a nacelle according to the invention taken at the level of the control console; [ Fig. 5 ] represents a partial perspective view of a nacelle according to the invention taken at the anchoring location; [ Fig. 6 ] represents a partial perspective view of a nacelle according to the invention taken at the level of the system for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location, the anchoring location being in the unoccupied state; [ Fig. 7 ] represents a partial perspective view of a nacelle according to the invention taken at the level of the system for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location, the anchoring location being in the occupied state.

[0021] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a nacelle 1 allowing work by lifting people as well as an assembly comprising such a nacelle 1 and safety equipment 21 equipped with an anchoring device 22 which will be described below. This nacelle 1 comprises a chassis 2. This chassis 2 is preferably a self-propelled chassis 2, that is to say motorized, equipped with a motor system for driving the chassis 2 for movement on the ground 15.

[0022] In the example shown, the chassis 2 is a rolling chassis 2 of which at least some of the wheels are driven. In the example shown, the chassis 2 is equipped with four wheels. Instead of the wheels, the chassis 2 could be equipped with tracks or other drive members for moving the chassis 2 on the ground, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0023] The ground movement drive system 15 of the chassis 2 therefore comprises one or more motors. Thus, as mentioned above, one or more wheels of the chassis 2 are drive wheels.

[0024] In the example shown, the drive wheels are wheels connected to an electric motor integrated into the chassis 2. Similarly, certain wheels are steered wheels, having a variable orientation relative to the chassis 2, to enable the nacelle 1 to be steered.

[0025] The electric motor(s) may be replaced by a thermal engine connected to the wheels via a transmission, preferably hydrostatic, which may include a hydrostatic pump and hydraulic motors each associated with a so-called drive wheel.

[0026] The detail of this transmission will not be described in detail, as such transmission is well known to those skilled in this art.

[0027] Likewise, the ground travel drive system 15 of the chassis 2 will not be described in detail, as it is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0028] The nacelle 1 also includes a platform 3 having an area 4 for receiving an operator.

[0029] This work platform 3 is here formed of a floor 18 and a guardrail 19 surrounding the floor while allowing access to the interior of said platform 3.

[0030] Operator 20 is generally standing inside the reception area 4 of the operator of platform 3.

[0031] The nacelle 1 also comprises a device 5 for driving the platform 3 in movement relative to the chassis 2 arranged at least partially between the chassis 2 and the platform 3.

[0032] This device 5 for driving the platform 3 in motion can affect a large number of shapes.

[0033] This device 5 for driving the platform 3 in movement comprises at least one structure 6 for raising the platform 3 mounted to move at least in the direction of raising and lowering said platform 3.

[0034] In the example shown, the lifting structure 6 comprises a lifting arm 61 mounted to pivot relative to the chassis 2 between a low position and a high position.

[0035] The pivot axis of the lifting arm 61 extends horizontally when the nacelle 1 is positioned on a horizontal support plane.

[0036] The platform 3 can be arranged directly at the end of this lifting arm 61. Alternatively, and as shown in figure 1 , the lifting arm 61 of the platform 3, arranged between the chassis 2 and the platform 3, is coupled to the platform 3 by a pendulum arm 62.

[0037] In the case of a lifting structure 6 comprising a lifting arm 61, the device 5 for driving the platform 3 to move relative to the chassis 2 comprises at least one actuator 14, such as a jack, for driving the lifting arm 61 to move between a high position and a low position.

[0038] In the examples shown, a first actuator 14 is arranged between the chassis 2 and the lifting arm 61. A second actuator is arranged between the lifting arm 61 and the pendulum arm 62. A third actuator may also be provided between the platform 3 and the pendulum arm 62 when it is present or between the lifting arm 61 and the platform 3.

[0039] Alternatively, and in a manner not shown, the lifting structure 6 may comprise one or more superimposed scissors, two of the ends of the scissors, or of the uppermost scissors in the case of a superposition of scissors, are connected to the platform.

[0040] Again, one or more actuators allow movement of such a movably mounted lifting structure 6 between a lower, folded position of the scissors and a higher, deployed position of the scissors.

[0041] The details of this device 5 for driving the platform 3 in movement will not be described in more detail because it is well known to those skilled in this art.

[0042] The nacelle 1 comprises a control unit 7. Said control unit 7 is in the form of an electronic and computer system which comprises for example a microprocessor and a working memory. According to a particular aspect, the control unit may be in the form of a programmable controller. In other words, the functions and steps described may be implemented in the form of a computer program or via hardware components (e.g. programmable gate arrays).In particular, the functions and steps performed by the control unit or its modules may be performed by instruction sets or computer modules implemented in a processor or controller or may be performed by dedicated electronic components or components of the programmable logic circuit type (or FPGA which is the acronym for field-programmable gate array, which literally corresponds to in-situ programmable gate array) or of the application-specific integrated circuit type (or ASIC which is the acronym for application-specific integrated circuit, which literally corresponds to application-specific integrated circuit). It is also possible to combine computer parts and electronic parts.Where it is specified that the unit or means or modules of said unit are configured to carry out a given operation, this means that the unit comprises computer instructions and the corresponding execution means which enable said operation to be carried out and / or that the unit comprises corresponding electronic components.

[0043] The nacelle 1 also comprises a control console 8 equipped with one or more controls 9 of the device 5 for driving the movement of the platform 4.

[0044] In the example shown, the controls 9 of the device 5 for driving the movement of the platform 3 equipping the control console 8 comprise a control for moving the pendulum arm 62 and a control for moving the lifting arm 61. These controls 9 can take the form of a pivoting lever, also called a joystick, buttons, switches or others.

[0045] In the example shown, the movement control of the pendulum arm 62 is a pivoting lever and the movement control of the lifting arm 61 is also formed by a pivoting lever.

[0046] The chassis 2 is equipped with a ground movement drive system 15 of said chassis, and the control console 8 is equipped with at least one member 16 for controlling the ground movement drive system 15 of said chassis.

[0047] This control member 16 of the ground movement drive system 15 of the chassis 2 is, in the example shown, formed by a pivoting lever.

[0048] The platform 3 also comprises at least one anchoring location 10 capable of being occupied by a device 22 for anchoring safety equipment 21, such as a harness. Indeed, generally and as in the example shown, the operator 20 wears safety equipment 21 in the form of a harness. This harness is equipped with a lanyard whose free end is provided with a device 22 for anchoring the lanyard to the anchoring location 10. This anchoring device 22 may be a carabiner as in the example shown in figure 7 .

[0049] Anchor location 10 can affect a large number of shapes. This anchor location 10 is particularly visible at the figure 5 and here has the form of a frame 100 delimiting an opening 101. The frame 100 is arranged at the level of the guardrail 19.

[0050] The anchoring device 22 can thus form a closed loop around an edge of the frame. This frame 100 is delimited using tubes used for the production of the guardrail, itself formed by the assembly of uprights and crosspieces where each upright or crosspiece is a tube.

[0051] The frame 100 is here formed using a tube connecting a crosspiece and an upright of the guardrail 19 to form a triangular-shaped frame. This frame has two opposite faces. Obviously, other designs of the anchoring location 10 can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0052] The platform 3 also comprises a system 11 for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location 10 by the anchoring device 22, and the control unit 7 is configured at least to acquire data from the detection system 11 as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location 10.

[0053] The system 11 for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location 10 comprises, arranged along one face of the frame 100 formed by the anchoring location 10, a mechanical member 110 mounted to move between a position close to the anchoring location 10, corresponding to the unoccupied position of the anchoring location 10, and a position separated from the anchoring location 10 corresponding to the occupied position of the anchoring location 10, a return element 111 of said mechanical member 110 in a position close to the anchoring location 10 and a sensor 112 for determining the position of the mechanical member 110. The control unit 7 is configured to acquire the data provided by the sensor 112 for determining the position of the mechanical member 110.

[0054] In particular, in the example shown in figures 6 And 7, the mechanical member 110 is a pivoting flap extending along the frame parallel to a face of the frame. This flap pivots about an axis parallel to a face of the frame. The return element 111 of the mechanical member 110 is an elastically deformable element, such as a return spring, which tends to return the mechanical member 110 to a position close to the frame 100. The sensor 112 for determining the position of the mechanical member 110 is an inductive sensor for detecting the pivoted or non-pivoted position of the mechanical member 110.

[0055] Thus, when an anchoring device 22, such as a carabiner, is introduced into the frame 100, it causes a pivoting movement of the mechanical member 110 in the direction of a separation of said mechanical member 110 from the frame. This movement is detected by the sensor 112 for determining the position of the mechanical member 110 and a signal is sent by said sensor 112 for determining the position of said mechanical member 110 to the control unit 7.

[0056] The nacelle 1 also comprises a device 12 for emitting a light or sound alert signal. In the examples shown, the device 12 for emitting a light or sound alert signal is a device 12 for emitting a light alert signal which comprises at least one lighting member 120, such as a light-emitting diode, arranged around at least one of the anchoring locations 10 within a radius of less than 15 cm.

[0057] This device 12 for emitting a light or sound alert signal also comprises a light indicator 121 arranged on the control console 8 which follows the same type of display as the lighting member 120 positioned as close as possible to the anchoring location 10. Thus, the operator has these light alert signals before his eyes.

[0058] The positioning of the light alert as close as possible to the anchoring location 10 makes it possible to remind the operator 20 of the origin of the alert, namely the absence of an anchoring device 22 at the anchoring location 10.

[0059] The nacelle 1 also comprises a system 13 for determining the position of the lifting structure 6 of the platform 3. In the case where the lifting structure 6 comprises a lifting arm 61 mounted so as to pivot relative to the chassis 2 between a low position and a high position, the system 13 for determining the position of the lifting structure 6 of the platform 3 is a system for determining the position of the lifting arm 61 of said lifting structure 6.

[0060] Thus, the system 13 for determining the position of the lifting arm 61 of the platform 2 may comprise at least one sensor 131 for the position of the lifting arm 61 and / or a sensor 132 for the position of the actuator 14 for driving the movement of the lifting arm 61 between a high position and a low position.

[0061] In the case of a position sensor 131 of the lifting arm 61, this position sensor 131 may be in the form of an angular sensor. In the case of a position sensor 132 of the actuator, this sensor may be a pressure sensor housed inside the actuator 14. In the case where the lifting structure is a scissor-type structure, the system 13 for determining the position of the lifting structure 6 of the platform 3 may be a sensor for detecting the low position of said scissor-type structure.

[0062] Finally, generally for safety reasons, the platform 3 comprises at least one activation / inactivation member 17 for at least part of the control(s) 9 of the device 5 for driving the platform 3 in movement, which is fitted to the control console 8. This activation / inactivation member 17 is mounted to move between an inactive position, in which at least part of the control(s) 9 of the device 5 for driving the platform 3 in movement is inactive, and an active position, in which at least part of the control(s) 9 of the device 5 for driving the platform 3 in movement is active. By active, it is meant that the signals from the control(s) 9 can be taken into account by the control unit 7.

[0063] This activation / inactivation member 17 may be a pedal or a lever equipped with at least one return member in the inactive position and configured to move from the inactive position to the active position upon the action of a thrust exerted on said activation / inactivation member 17 against said at least one return member.

[0064] In the example shown in the figures, a pedal called a dead man's pedal returned to the inactive position by a spring is provided. A position sensor of said activation / inactivation member 17 is provided. The control unit 7 is configured to acquire data from the position sensor of the activation / inactivation member 17 as a function of the position of said activation / inactivation member 17. In the positioned state of the activation / inactivation member 17 in the active position, the operator can use the control(s) 9 of the platform drive device 5 and the signals from the control(s) 9 are received and processed by the control unit 7.

[0065] The control unit 7 is configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location 10, control the emission of an alert signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color for a light alert signal or the melody for an audible alert signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the elevation structure 6.

[0066] The control unit 7 is also configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location 10, control the emission of an alert signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color for a light alert signal or the melody for an audible alert signal, varies at least as a function of the position of said activation / inactivation member 17.

[0067] The method for controlling the nacelle 1 therefore comprises, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location 10, a step of emitting an alert signal whose intensity and / or frequency and / or tone, i.e. the color for a light alert signal or the melody for an audible alert signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the elevation structure 6.

[0068] In practice, the lighting of the lighting device, such as the light-emitting diode, constituting the light alert signal operates as follows, it being understood that the lighting of the indicator light when it is present operates in a similar manner to that of the lighting device.

[0069] When the anchoring location 10 is occupied by the anchoring device 22, the lighting device is switched off and no light alert signal is emitted.

[0070] When the anchoring location 10 is not occupied by the anchoring device 22 and an operator 20 is on the platform 3 and has started the nacelle 1, the lighting member lights up and takes on, for example, a green color lit in a fixed manner.

[0071] As soon as the operator acts on the activation / inactivation member 17 of at least part of the controls 9 of the device 5 for driving the platform 3 in movement, this action is detected via the position sensor of the activation / inactivation member 17 and the control unit 7 commands a flashing of the lighting member at a first frequency. This flashing may be accompanied by a change in color of the lighting member which goes from green to orange.

[0072] As soon as the operator 20 commands a lifting of the lifting arm 61, this lifting is detected by the system 13 for determining the position of the lifting structure 6. The control unit commands a flashing of the lighting member at a higher frequency and possibly a change in color of the lighting member which goes from orange to red.

[0073] This allows the operator to be alerted very simply depending on the risk of falling and the light warning signal can vary depending on the risk.

Claims

1. An aerial lift (1) comprising: - a chassis (2), - a platform (3) having a zone for receiving an operator (20), - a device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) with respect to the chassis (2), said device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) comprising at least one lift structure (6) for the platform (3) mounted so as to be movable at least in the direction of a raising and a lowering of said platform (3), and - a control unit (7), - said platform (3) comprising a control console (8) equipped with one or more controls (9) for the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3), at least one anchoring location (10) liable to be occupied by a device (22) for anchoring an item of safety equipment (21), a system (11) for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10) and a device (12) for emitting a luminous or audible warning signal, said control unit (7) being configured at least to acquire data from the detection system (11) as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10), the aerial lift (1) comprising a system (13) for determining the position of the lift structure (6) for the platform (3), characterized in that the control unit (7) is configured to control the device (12) for emitting a warning signal at least as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10) and the position of the lift structure (6), said control unit (7) being configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10), control the emission of a warning signal, of which the intensity and / or the frequency and / or the tonality, i.e. the color for a luminous warning signal or the melody for an audible warning signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lift structure (6).

2. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lift structure (6) comprises a lifting arm (61) mounted so as to be pivotable with respect to the chassis (2) between a low position and a high position, and in that the system (13) for determining the position of the lift structure (6) for the platform (3) is a system for determining the position of the lifting arm (61) of said lift structure (6).

3. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) with respect to the chassis (2) comprises at least one actuator (14), such as a cylinder, for driving the movement of the lifting arm (61), and in that the system (13) for determining the position of the lifting arm (61) for the platform (3) comprises at least a position sensor (131) for the lifting arm (61) and / or a position sensor (132) for said actuator (14).

4. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in either of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the lifting arm (61) for the platform (3), disposed between the chassis (2) and the platform (3), is coupled to the platform (3) by a pendulum arm (62), and in that the controls (9) for the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) which equip the control console (8) comprise at least a movement control for the pendulum arm (62) and a movement control for the lifting arm (61).

5. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the chassis (2) is equipped with a system (15) for driving the movement of said chassis (2) along the ground, and in that the control console (8) is equipped with at least one member (16) for controlling the system (15) for driving the movement of said chassis (2) along the ground.

6. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the platform (3) comprises at least one member (17) for activating / deactivating at least a portion of the control or controls (9) for the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) which equip the control console (8), said activating / deactivating member (17) being mounted so as to be movable between an inactive position, in which at least a portion of the control or controls (9) for the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) is inactive, and an active position, in which at least a portion of the control or controls (9) for the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) is activated, and in that the control unit (7) is configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10), control the emission of a warning signal, of which the intensity and / or the frequency and / or the tonality, i.e. the color for a luminous warning signal or the melody for an audible warning signal, varies at least as a function of the position of said activating / deactivating member (17).

7. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the platform (3) comprises a floor (18) and a guardrail (19) surrounding at least a portion of the floor (18), and in that the or at least one of the anchoring locations (10) has the form of a frame (100) delimiting an opening (101), said frame (100) being provided at the guardrail (19).

8. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the system (11) for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10) comprises, disposed along a face of the frame (100) formed by the anchoring location (10), a mechanical member (110) mounted so as to be movable between a position close to the anchoring location (10), corresponding to the unoccupied position of the anchoring location (10), and a position spaced apart from the anchoring location (10), corresponding to the occupied position of the anchoring location (10), an element (111) for returning said mechanical member (110) into the position close to the anchoring location (10) and a sensor (112) for determining the position of said mechanical member (110), and in that the control unit (7) is configured to acquire the data supplied by said sensor (112) for determining the position of said mechanical member (110).

9. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device (12) for emitting a luminous or audible warning signal comprises at least one lighting member (120), such as a light-emitting diode, disposed around the or at least one of the anchoring locations (10) within a radius of less than 15 cm.

10. The aerial lift (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device (12) for emitting a luminous or audible warning signal comprises a luminous indicator (121) disposed on the control console (8).

11. An assembly comprising an aerial lift (1) and an item of safety equipment (21), such as a harness, equipped with an anchoring device (22), such as a carabiner, said aerial lift (1) comprising: - a chassis (2), - a platform (3) having a zone (4) for receiving an operator (20), - a device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) with respect to the chassis (2), said device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) comprising at least one lift structure (6) for the platform (3) mounted so as to be movable at least in the direction of a raising and a lowering of the platform (3), and - a control unit (7), - said platform (3) comprising a control console (8) equipped with one or more controls (9) for the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3), at least one anchoring location (10) for anchoring the device (22) for anchoring the item of safety equipment (21), a system (11) for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10) by said anchoring device (22) and a device (12) for emitting a luminous or audible warning signal, said control unit (7) being configured at least to acquire data from the detection system (11) as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10), characterized in that the aerial lift (1), which is in accordance with one of claims 1 to 10, comprises a system (13) for determining the position of the lift structure (6) for the platform (3), and in that the control unit (7) is configured to control the device (12) for emitting a warning signal at least as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10) and the position of the lift structure (6), said control unit (7) being configured to, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10), control the emission of a warning signal, of which the intensity and / or the frequency and / or the tonality, i.e. the color for a luminous warning signal or the melody for an audible warning signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lift structure (6).

12. A method for controlling an aerial lift (1) comprising: - a chassis (2), - a platform (3) having a zone (4) for receiving an operator (20), - a device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) with respect to the chassis (2), said device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3) comprising at least one lift structure (6) for the platform (3) mounted so as to be movable at least in the direction of a raising and a lowering of said platform (3), and - a control unit (7), - said platform (3) comprising a control console (8) equipped with one or more controls (9) for the device (5) for driving the movement of the platform (3), at least one anchoring location (10) for anchoring a device for anchoring an item of safety equipment (21), a system (11) for detecting the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10) by said anchoring device (22) and a device (12) for emitting a luminous or audible warning signal, and said control unit being configured at least to acquire data from the detection system (11) as a function of the occupied or unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10), the aerial lift (1) comprising a system (13) for determining the position of the lift structure (6) for the platform (3), characterized in that the method comprises, in the unoccupied state of the anchoring location (10), a step of emitting a warning signal, of which the intensity and / or the frequency and / or the tonality, i.e. the color for a luminous warning signal or the melody for an audible warning signal, varies at least as a function of the position of the lift structure (6).

Images