Operating device of conveying facility and operating state management system

Abstract

To provide an operation device of a conveying facility capable of collecting operation state information of the conveying facility with a simple mechanism.SOLUTION: An operation device 1 to operate a conveying facility is provided with a detection device to detect whether or not the conveying facility is within an operation state considering the operation part operated by an operator as a detection target. The operation part includes an operation handle 2 configured that a rod-shaped body 2a is rotated around its end axis. The detection device comprises an electrostatic sensor 4 of a proximity sensor to detect in a non-contact manner whether or not the operation handle 2 is in non-operation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device for transport equipment and an operating status management system using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a demand for the ability to grasp the operating status of overhead cranes and other transport equipment. Understanding the operating status makes it possible to improve the efficiency of operations by reviewing work procedures and to improve the operating skills of inexperienced workers. Patent Document 1 discloses a crane operation recording device that is configured to collect time-series signals including time-series operation data handled by a control device and time-series video data captured by a camera. Patent Document 2 discloses an operation recorder for a mobile crane, which is configured to record the operating status and operation status of the mobile crane together with the time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-109732 [Patent Document 2] JP 2000-159477 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is necessary to extract a signal from a programmable logic controller (PLC) that constitutes the control device. Therefore, when installing it on existing conveying equipment, it becomes necessary to modify the program, etc., which makes the mechanism complicated and costly. In Patent Document 2, operation detection means such as an operating lever is provided, but the specific configuration is not disclosed, and depending on the configuration of the operation detection means, the mechanism may become complicated and costly.In addition, in Patent Document 2, data including the operating status and operation status of the mobile crane is recorded in the recorder, but it is necessary to go to the site to check the data.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to collect information on the operation status of a conveying facility using a simple mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The operating device for conveying equipment of the present invention is an operating device for operating conveying equipment, and is characterized in that it is provided with a detection device that detects whether the conveying equipment is in an operating state by using an operating unit operated by an operator as a detection object. The operation status management system for conveying equipment of the present invention is an operation status management system for conveying equipment that manages the operation status of the conveying equipment, and is characterized in that it comprises a collection means that collects detection results from the detection device of the operation device of the conveying equipment of the present invention, and a management means that stores information based on the detection results of the detection device collected by the collection means in a memory unit and makes it viewable from an external device via a network. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, information on the operation status of the transport facility can be collected using a simple mechanism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an operating device and an electrostatic sensor according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a relationship between an operating handle and an electrostatic sensor according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an indicator light and an illuminance detection unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 4]1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation status management system for an overhead crane according to an embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the transport equipment is exemplified by an overhead crane used to transport products in factories, warehouses, etc. The overhead crane runs on tracks provided along the walls on both sides of a building, and is capable of three operations: traveling, traversing, and hoisting / lowering.

[0010] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an operation device 1 for operating the overhead crane, which is installed in the driver's cab 50 of the overhead crane, will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the operation device 1 and an electrostatic sensor 4. Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between an operation handle 2 and the electrostatic sensor 4, where (a) shows a state in which the operation handle 2 is in a non-operation position, and (b) shows a state in which the operation handle 2 has moved from the non-operation position. An operation device for traveling, an operation device for traversing, and an operation device for hoisting / lowering are installed in the driver's cab 50, and all of them are configured as the operation device 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] 1, the operating device 1 includes an operating device main body 3 and an operating handle 2 which is an operating part operated by an operator. The operating handle 2 includes a rod-shaped body 2a extending horizontally, and an end of the rod-shaped body 2a is journaled on the upper surface of the operating device main body 3. In this manner, the operating handle 2 is an operating part configured to rotate the rod-shaped body 2a around the axis A of its end.

[0012] In the traveling operation device 1, when the operating handle 2 is in a non-operating position (which may also be called a stopped position, a neutral position, etc.) as shown in Fig. 2(a), the overhead crane is in a non-operating state in which traveling is stopped under the control of a control device for the overhead crane (not shown). Then, as shown in Fig. 2(b), when the operating handle 2 is rotated and moved from the non-operating position, the overhead crane enters an operating state in which it travels under the control of a control device for the overhead crane (not shown). The overhead crane is controlled to travel in a direction (forward or backward) according to the rotation direction of the operating handle 2, at a speed according to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 2. Similarly, in the operation device 1 for traverse, when the operation handle 2 is in the non-operation position, the traverse of the overhead crane is stopped in a non-operation state under the control of a control device for the overhead crane (not shown). When the operation handle 2 is rotated and moved from the non-operation position, the overhead crane enters an operation state in which it travels traversely under the control of a control device for the overhead crane (not shown). The overhead crane is controlled to travel traverse in a direction (left or right) that corresponds to the rotation direction of the operation handle 2, at a speed that corresponds to the amount of rotation of the operation handle 2. Similarly, in the operation device 1 for hoisting / lowering, when the operation handle 2 is in the non-operation position, the overhead crane is in a non-operation state where hoisting / lowering is stopped under the control of a control device for the overhead crane (not shown). Then, when the operation handle 2 is rotated and moved from the non-operation position, the overhead crane enters an operation state where it hoists / lowers under the control of a control device for the overhead crane (not shown). The overhead crane is controlled to hoist / lower in a direction (up or down) that corresponds to the rotation direction of the operation handle 2, and at a speed that corresponds to the amount of rotation of the operation handle 2.

[0013] Here, the electrostatic sensor 4 is disposed and fixed at the non-operation position on the upper surface of the operating device main body 3. The method of fixing the electrostatic sensor 4 to the operating device main body 3 may be appropriately selected. The electrostatic sensor 4 is a proximity sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner by a change in electrostatic capacitance when the object enters an electric field. In this embodiment, the electrostatic sensor 4 is attached by utilizing the gap between the operating device main body 3 and the operating handle 2, and detects in a non-contact manner whether the operating handle 2 is in the non-operation position or not. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the electrostatic sensor 4 detects when the operating handle 2 is in the non-operation position and outputs the detection result. Then, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the electrostatic sensor 4 detects when the operating handle 2 moves from the non-operation position and outputs the detection result. For example, the output of the electrostatic sensor 4 when the operating handle 2 is in the non-operation position is set to 0 V, and the output of the electrostatic sensor 4 when the operating handle 2 moves from the non-operation position is set to 5 V.

[0014] In this way, a detection device is provided that detects whether the overhead crane is in an operating state or not, with the operating handle 2 as the detection target. By providing the detection device with a proximity sensor, compared to a configuration in which a mechanical switch is used to detect the position of the operating handle 2, unnecessary external forces are not applied to the operating handle 2, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the operability of the operating handle 2. Furthermore, when a proximity sensor is used, it is easy to retrofit it to an existing operating device 1. Although the electrostatic sensor 4 is used as the proximity sensor, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a metal sensor, etc. may be used as the proximity sensor. Depending on the type of the proximity sensor, other components may be added as the detection device in addition to the proximity sensor. For example, when a metal sensor is used, a metal may be fixed to an appropriate position on the lower part of the operating handle 2. In addition, in this embodiment, the proximity sensor (electrostatic sensor 4) is disposed on the top surface of the operation device main body 3, directly below the operation handle 2, but this is not limiting. For example, the proximity sensor may be disposed below the operation handle 2 on the side surface of the operation device main body 3. The position of the proximity sensor does not necessarily have to be below the operation handle 2, and may be any position where it can detect in a non-contact manner whether or not the operation handle 2 is in the non-operation position. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operating device 1 has been described as a single device including the operating device main body 3, but it may also be configured such that one or more operating handles 2 are provided on a control panel, for example.

[0015] Next, referring to Fig. 3, the indicator light 5 installed in the driver's cab 50 of the overhead crane will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the indicator light 5 and an illuminance detection unit. An indicator light 5 that indicates whether the power to the overhead crane is on or off is installed in the driver's cab 50. The indicator light 5 is a type in which a lamp unit 5a is provided inside a cylindrical hood 5b, and the lamp unit 5a lights up when the power to the overhead crane is on and goes out when the power is off.

[0016] Here, an illuminance detection unit including an illuminance sensor 6 is installed beside the indicator light 5, and the illuminance sensor 6 is disposed and fixed so as to face the indicator light 5 and detect its illuminance. The illuminance detection unit comprises a base 8 which is installed on an installation surface 7 on which an indicator light 5 is installed, an illuminance sensor holder 9 which holds the illuminance sensor 6, a bracket 10 attached to the base 8, and an illuminance sensor bracket 11 which holds the illuminance sensor holder 9 at an appropriate angle and is connected to the bracket 10 so that its vertical position can be adjusted.

[0017] The base 8 includes two plates 8a and 8b stacked one on top of the other, and is configured to hold the sensor substrate 8c sandwiched between them. A fixing member for fixing the base 8 to the installation surface 7, a magnet 12 in the illustrated example, is provided on the bottom of the base 8.

[0018] Bracket 10 is disposed on the side of base 8 and extends in the vertical direction. Illuminance sensor bracket 11 is disposed adjacent to bracket 10 and extends in the vertical direction with its upper end extending diagonally to hold illuminance sensor holder 9 so that illuminance sensor 6 faces lamp unit 5a. Both brackets 10, 11 are fixed with screws 13. Although not shown in FIG. 3, illuminance sensor bracket 11 has an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction or multiple screw holes lined up in the vertical direction, and by changing the fastening position of screw 13, the vertical position of bracket 10 can be adjusted.

[0019] A cylindrical hood 14 is removably attached to the illuminance sensor holder 9. The hood 14 is disposed so as to surround the center line S of the sensor surface of the illuminance sensor 6, and prevents external light from entering the illuminance sensor 6. The illuminance sensor 6 held by the illuminance sensor holder 9 and the sensor board 8c held by the base 8 are connected via a harness 15. The illuminance sensor 6 detects whether the lamp unit 5a is on or off, and outputs the detection result. For example, the output of the illuminance sensor 6 is set to 0V when the lamp unit 5a is off, and the output of the illuminance sensor 6 is set to 5V when the lamp unit 5a is on.

[0020] Thus, another detection device is provided for detecting whether the power supply to the overhead crane is on or not. Although the indicator light has been described as a type in which the lamp portion 5a is provided inside the cylindrical hood 5b, the type is not limited to this, and examples include dome-shaped indicator lights and digital indicator lights that are displayed on a display screen. The type and sensitivity of the illuminance sensor 6, the height and inclination of the illuminance sensor 6, and the length of the hood 14 can be appropriately selected according to the shape and color of the indicator light. As in this embodiment, the vertical position of the illuminance sensor holder 9 can be adjusted and the hood 14 can be replaced, making it possible to easily make adjustments according to the indicator light.

[0021] Hereinafter, the operation status management system for an overhead crane will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation status management system for an overhead crane. The operation status management system for an overhead crane includes an information processing device 100 and a server 200, and the information processing device 100 and the server 200 are connected via a network 300 such as a LAN.

[0022] The information processing device 100 includes a collection unit 101 and a control unit 102. The information processing device 100 is configured by a computer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and the functions of the units 101 and 102 are realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program stored in, for example, the ROM.

[0023] The collection unit 101 collects detection results from the electrostatic sensors 4 of the operation device 1 for traveling, the operation device 1 for traversing, and the operation device 1 for hoisting / lowering. Moreover, the collecting unit 101 collects the detection results from the illuminance sensor 6 . The collection unit 101 also collects the reading result of the RFID tag 403 from the RFID reader 401. In detail, an RFID tag 403 is attached to each helmet worn by an operator entering the cab 50. The RFID tag 403 stores identification information for identifying the operator. An RFID antenna 402 that communicates with the RFID tag 403, and an RFID reader 401 that reads the identification information stored in the RFID tag 403 via the RFID antenna 402 are installed in the cab 50. The collection unit 101 collects the identification information of the operator as the reading result from the RFID reader 401.

[0024] The control unit 102 generates information based on each detection result and reading result collected by the collection unit 101, and periodically uploads it to the server 200. The information based on each detection result and reading result includes, for example, at regular time intervals, whether the overhead crane is in an operating state for traveling, traversing, and hoisting / lowering, whether the power supply of the overhead crane is on, and identification information of the operator in the cab 50.

[0025] In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 is installed in the driver's cab 50, but it may be installed outside the driver's cab 50 as long as it can collect the detection results and reading results from the electrostatic sensor 4, the illuminance sensor 6, and the RFID reader 401.

[0026] The server 200 includes a management unit 201 and a storage unit 202. The server 200 is configured by a computer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and the functions of the units 201 and 202 are realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program stored in, for example, the ROM.

[0027] The management unit 201 stores information based on each detection result and reading result uploaded from the information processing device 100 in the storage unit 202 and makes it possible to view the information from an external device (not shown) via a network such as a LAN. This allows the manager to check the operation status of the overhead crane in real time from a personal computer in an office or the like without having to go to the site.

[0028] The storage unit 202 stores information based on each detection result and reading result uploaded from the information processing device 100.

[0029] As described above, by equipping the overhead crane with the electrostatic sensor 4 and illuminance sensor 6, it is possible to collect and grasp the operation status of the overhead crane with a simple mechanism without the need to modify the PLC program, etc. Understanding the operation status makes it possible to improve the efficiency of operations by reviewing work procedures and to improve the operating skills of inexperienced workers.

[0030] For example, a report creation function may be provided in the server 200 or an external device (not shown) accessible to the server 200. It is useful if the report includes, based on information managed by the server 200, for example, a collection period (period designated for creating a report), operation time (time in an operating state) when the power is on during the collection period, standby time (time in a non-operating state) when the power is on during the collection period, total time when the power is off during the collection period, operator identification information, and the like.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the specific examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1: operation device, 2: operation lever, 2a: rod-shaped body, 3: operation device body, 4: electrostatic sensor, 5: indicator light, 6: illuminance sensor, 100: information processing device, 101: collection unit, 102: control unit, 200: server, 201: management unit, 202: storage unit, 300: network

Claims

1. An operating device for operating a conveying facility, 1. An operating device for a transport facility, comprising a detection device for detecting whether or not the transport facility is in an operating state, the detection device detecting an operating portion operated by an operator.

2. The operation portion is an operation handle configured to rotate a rod-shaped body around an axis of an end portion thereof, 2. The operation device for a conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein the detection device includes a proximity sensor that detects in a non-contact manner whether the operation handle is in a non-operation position.

3. An operation status management system for a transport facility that manages an operation status of the transport facility, A collection unit that collects detection results from the detection device of the operation device for the transport facility according to claim 1 or 2; and a management means for storing information based on the detection results of the detection device collected by the collection means in a memory unit and making it viewable from an external device via a network.

4. The collecting means collects detection results from another detection device that detects whether or not the power supply of the transport facility is on; The system for managing the operation status of a conveying facility according to claim 3, characterized in that the management means stores information based on the detection results of the other detection devices collected by the collection means in a memory unit and makes it viewable from an external device.

5. The management system for managing an operation status of a transport facility according to claim 4, wherein the other detection device includes an illuminance sensor for detecting the illuminance of an indicator light indicating whether the power supply of the transport facility is on or off.

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