Obstacle detection device and working helmet equipped with obstacle detection device

Abstract

To provide a low-cost obstacle detection device and a working helmet equipped with the obstacle detection device, which can detect an upward protrusion while working regardless of a condition of a worker, and prevent an accident while working.SOLUTION: An obstacle detection device includes: a base portion 5 which is provided to be fixed in a predetermined position on a working helmet 1; and a main body portion 9 which is rotatably supported by the base portion 5, wherein the main body portion 9 includes: a casing 11; a sensor portion 25 provided in an upper portion of the casing 11; a weight unit 23 provided in a lower portion of the casing 11, facing the sensor portion 25 in a gravity direction H1; and a notification unit 27 receiving a detection signal from the sensor portion 25 and notifying the user of the fact that an obstacle is approaching, and the main body portion 9 is supported on a pivot in such a manner that at a position near the sensor portion 25, the weight unit 23 is always positioned downward in the gravity direction H1, and the sensor portion 25 faces upward in the gravity direction H1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an obstacle detection device attached to a work helmet, and more particularly to an obstacle detection device that is worn, for example, during high-altitude work and notifies when approaching an obstacle, and a work helmet equipped with such an obstacle detection device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, when working at a high altitude, a boom lift may be used as shown in FIG. 4. The boom lift has a boom that is provided on the vehicle so as to be able to rise and fall freely, and a bucket provided at the tip of the boom. The operator rides on the bucket to perform high-altitude work.

[0003] There are things to be careful about in high-altitude work, which is to pay attention so that the operator is not pinched between the ceiling and protrusions. That is, when riding on the bucket and operating the operating device to move the bucket, accidents frequently occur in which the operator is pinched between the obstacle and the bucket when approaching the obstacle. In particular, such accidents occur when moving the boom lift in a direction that is a blind spot for the operator.

[0004] Conventionally, various obstacle detection devices for boom lifts that detect obstacles above the bucket by contact or non-contact have been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-55983). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-55983 discloses a proximity sensor that is detachably attached to a bucket, a controller that controls to notify the operator and surrounding people about the proximity when the detected distance between the bucket and the upper obstacle is closer than a predetermined value, and a notification means that notifies the operator that the bucket is approaching the upper obstacle by this signal. It discloses a technical means for operating an emergency stop switch in the operating device and stopping the ascent of the lifting device by a signal from the controller.

[0005] However, since it would be costly to install the above-mentioned obstacle detection device on all vehicles for working at height, currently only some vehicles for working at height are equipped with the device. Furthermore, even if an obstacle detection device such as that described above is installed on an aerial work vehicle, tree branches, signs, etc. may slip through the detection area of ​​the proximity sensor and appear above the worker's head, causing problems such as the worker hitting his / her head on these protruding objects (obstacles) or getting pinched between the protruding object and the bucket's handrail. In other words, it can be said that many of these accidents occur because workers fail to check the area above them, causing the bucket to rise.

[0006] By the way, when working at a construction site or factory, you are required to wear a work helmet (also called a safety helmet). Even when working at height by riding in the bucket of a work vehicle, the worker is required to wear a work helmet.

[0007] Therefore, in order to prevent workers from being injured due to contact with the ceiling or protruding objects (obstacles) at low cost, a work helmet equipped with an obstacle detection device that senses what is above the worker has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). At this time, the sensor of the obstacle detection device is attached to the work helmet so that it faces upward to sense the upward direction.

[0008] Patent Document 1 discloses a helmet with an obstacle proximity detection device which is fitted to a safety helmet with a proximity sensor, discrimination means which receives a signal from the proximity sensor and determines that an obstacle is approaching within a specified range of the proximity sensor and outputs a discrimination signal, and alarm means which receives the discrimination signal and issues an alarm. Moreover, Patent Document 2 discloses an obstacle detection device that is detachable from a helmet.

[0009] However, since the obstacle detection device is fixed and installed on the work helmet, for example, when the operator looks down to check the operation part of the bucket or the like, the sensor of the obstacle detection device senses in the horizontal direction, so there may be a situation where protrusions (obstacles) above the operator at this time cannot be detected. In addition, if a large number of obstacle detection sensors are arranged for upward (gravity direction) sensing and horizontal direction sensing, it may be possible to detect protrusions (obstacles) whether the operator is looking upward or downward, but there is a problem that it will cost extra.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the prior art, and the problem to be solved is to provide an inexpensive obstacle detection device that can detect protrusions above during work and prevent accidents during work regardless of the state of the operator, and a work helmet equipped with the obstacle detection device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] To achieve this object, a first aspect of the present invention is an obstacle detection device attached to an arbitrary position of a work helmet, comprising: a base portion fixedly provided at a predetermined position of the work helmet; a main body portion pivotally supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the base portion. The main body portion includes a casing; A sensor unit provided on the upper part of the casing, A weight unit provided on the lower part of the casing facing the sensor unit in the direction of gravity, A notification unit that receives a detection signal from the sensor unit and notifies obstacle information, and includes, The main body unit is pivotally supported at a position near the sensor unit such that the weight unit is always positioned downward in the direction of gravity and the sensor unit faces upward in the direction of gravity, which is characterized as an obstacle detection device.

[0013] A second invention is an obstacle detection device characterized in that it is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a work helmet in the first invention.

[0014] A third invention is a work helmet characterized in that it is provided with the obstacle detection device according to any one of the first invention or the second invention.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inexpensive obstacle detection device that can detect protruding objects above during work and prevent accidents during work, regardless of the state of the worker, and a work helmet equipped with the obstacle detection device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that this embodiment is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as being limited in any way, and design changes can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0018] The obstacle detection device 3 of the present invention is attached to an arbitrary position of the work helmet 1, and is for notifying a worker during work that they are approaching an obstacle and preventing an accident of the worker. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the following description is made assuming that a worker wearing the work helmet 1 equipped with the obstacle detection device 3 of this embodiment rides on the bucket 101 of the aerial work platform 100 and works.

[0019] The obstacle detection device 3 includes a base portion 5 fixed to a predetermined position of the work helmet 1 and a main body portion 9 pivotally supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the base portion 5 (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

[0020] According to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base portion 5 is formed of a rectangular flat plate having a predetermined thickness, and an adhesive that can be firmly fixed to a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the work helmet 1 is applied to the helmet mounting surface (back surface) 5b. It is configured. Further, instead of applying an adhesive, a form in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having strong adhesion is provided and configured to be detachable may be used. Any form that can be firmly fixed so as not to be easily peeled off can be used, and design changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. Also, a bearing portion 7 for pivotally supporting the main body portion 9 is provided on the main body pivot surface 5a, which is the surface portion on the side opposite to the met wearing surface (back surface) 5b. The bearing portion 7 is provided in a region above the intermediate region in the plate length direction L1 of the main body pivot surface 5a.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body portion 9 includes a casing 11, a weight portion 23 provided at the lower part of the casing 11, a sensor portion 25 provided at the upper part of the casing 11 opposite to the weight portion 23, and a notification portion 27 that receives a detection signal from the sensor portion 25 and notifies obstacle information. The main body portion 9 is pivotally supported at an upper position near the sensor portion such that the weight portion 23 is always located downward in the gravitational direction H1 and the sensor portion 25 faces upward.

[0022] The casing 11 is composed of a long rectangular plate-shaped bottom plate portion 13, substantially rectangular left and right side plate portions 15 and 17 that are continuously raised and arranged side by side from the left and right long sides 13a of the bottom plate portion 13, and short rectangular closed plate portions 21 that are erected between the left and right side plate portions 15 and 17 on the short side 13b side of the bottom plate portion 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0023] According to, for example, the present embodiment, the left and right side plate portions 15 and 17 are composed of substantially rectangular plate-shaped first side plate portions 15a and 17a that are raised with the same width as the long sides 13a of the bottom plate portion 13, and second side plate portions 15b and 17b that are continuously raised with a predetermined width from a predetermined position in the central region in the length direction L2 of the first side plate portions 15a and 17a and have a predetermined length and a narrow rectangular plate shape. The whole is formed in a substantially inverted T shape. In the present embodiment, the switching regions 15c and 17c connecting the first side plate portions 15a and 17a and the second side plate portions 15b and 17b are formed in an R shape (see FIG. 2).

[0024] The left and right side plate portions 15 and 17 are arranged in parallel, and a weight portion accommodation space S1 for accommodating the weight portion 23 is formed between the two plates 15 and 17 (see FIG. 2).

[0025] In the upper region of one side plate portion 17, that is, the side plate portion 17 (second side plate portion 17b) on the side facing the helmet 1 during mounting, a rotating shaft (shaft) 19 that is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 7 disposed on the base portion 5 is integrally fixed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the rotating shaft 19 has one end inserted into a shaft hole 18 drilled near the upper end of one side plate portion 17 (second side plate portion 17b) and is firmly fixed.

[0026] The closing plates 21, 21 are detachably attached either both at the front and rear or only one of them, and the weight portion 23 accommodated in the weight portion accommodation space S1 is configured to be removable. In the drawings, the space between the side plate portions 15, 17 above the closing plates 21, 21 is in an open state, but it is of course possible to close this region to make it airtight and it is within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] With such a configuration, the casing 11 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the base portion 5 via the bearing portion 7.

[0028] The weight portion 23 is disposed in a weight portion accommodation space S1 formed in the lower part of the casing 11. In this embodiment, the weight portion 23 constitutes a power source including a case body 23a and a dry battery (not shown) accommodated in the case body 23a, and is electrically connected to the sensor portion 25 and the notification portion 27. Note that the weight portion 23 may adopt a configuration in which a dry battery arrangement region is directly provided in the weight portion accommodation space S1, and an opening lid portion is provided at an arbitrary position of either one of the left and right side plate portions 15, 17 so that the dry battery constituting the weight portion 23 can be accommodated in the dry battery arrangement region (not shown). The configuration of the weight portion 23 is not particularly limited to this embodiment, and any configuration may be used as long as it has a weight sufficient to rotate the casing 11 about the rotating shaft 19 so that the sensor portion 25 always faces upward, and design changes are possible within the scope of the present invention. That is, the 23 parts by weight do not constitute a power source as in the present embodiment, and may merely function as a weight. In this case, the power source part may be disposed at any location of the main body part 9 or the base part 5, or may be disposed outside the main body part 9 or the base part 5, and design changes are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] The sensor unit 25 uses a reflection type sensor, but design changes are possible within the scope of the present invention as long as it can detect obstacles. In the present embodiment, for example, a TOF (Time Of Flight) sensor disposed in the illustrated rectangular housing is assumed. The portion indicated by reference numeral 25a in the figure indicates a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. Note that the sensor unit 25 may be, for example, in a form in which an amplifier unit (not shown) is built in the housing or may have an amplifier unit outside the housing, and it is arbitrary. Reference numeral 29 in the figure is an ON / OFF switch for switching the ON / OFF of the sensor unit 25. Note that the ON / OFF switch is not limited to the illustrated form and design changes are possible within the scope of the present invention. Further, reference numeral 33 is an LED lamp, which is configured to blink red while the sensor unit 25 is in the ON state.

[0030] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor unit 25 is provided with a reaction height (distance) adjustment unit 31 for adjusting the reaction height of the sensor. The reaction height adjustment unit 31 enables adjustment of the height (distance) at which the sensor unit 25 can detect an obstacle, and can be adjusted up and down by aligning the illustrated knob portion 31a to a predetermined position. Note that the reaction height adjustment unit is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment and design changes are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the notification unit 27 is assumed to be, for example, a small electronic buzzer. The notification unit 27 emits an alarm sound when the sensor unit 25 detects a protrusion above the operator's head and a detection signal is sent. In this embodiment, the notification unit 27 is disposed so as to protrude from the outer surface of the first side plate portion 15a that constitutes the side plate portion 15. Further, the notification unit 27 may be disposed within the casing 11 and may notify through an opening or the like provided in the first side plate portion 15a. With this configuration, the protruding portion to the outside is reduced, which also prevents snagging. The electronic buzzer that constitutes the notification unit 27 is not limited to this embodiment, and other well-known buzzers are appropriately adopted according to the specifications. Moreover, not only buzzers, but anything that can emit sound as an alarm by any means is applicable. Further, the notification unit 27 may notify the detection of an obstacle by light in addition to the alarm sound, and well-known notification means can be adopted for the light notification means. For example, a pat lamp or the like is assumed. Of course, it is also possible to use both the sound notification and the light notification together.

[0032] Also, when an obstacle is detected and an alarm sound is notified from the notification unit 27, the alarm sound continues to sound for a certain period of time, but a program is set to automatically stop when that certain period of time elapses. This is because the work is often carried out in a narrow space, and if the alarm sound continues to sound even after the operator notices the obstacle, it may affect the operator's work. Also, set the program to automatically resume after stopping for a certain time and sound the alarm again when an obstacle is detected next. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to dispose an operation button (notification unit ON / OFF operation button) that can manually start and stop the operation of the notification unit 27 at an arbitrary position of the casing 11, which is within the scope of the present invention. With such an operation button, set the program so that it automatically resumes and turns ON after a certain period of time even if the operation button is manually stopped (OFF). That is, there is a risk that the operation button is pressed to stop (OFF) the operation of the notification unit 27 and the work is continued without performing the start (ON) operation as it is (while the notification unit 27 is in the OFF state).

[0033] According to this embodiment, for example, when working on the bucket 101 of the aerial work vehicle 100, it is possible to detect protrusions or the like above the operator and notify of the danger, thereby preventing accidents during work. That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment, due to the so-called gimbal function, the weight portion 23 is always positioned downward in the gravitational direction H1, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, since the sensor portion 25 faces upward in the gravitational direction H1, even when the operator is looking in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 1), looking upward (see FIG. 3(a)), or even tilting the head downward to look below (see FIG. 3(b)), protrusions or the like above the operator can always be detected, and the danger can be notified by the notification portion 27. As a result, even if the operator neglects to check the safety of the upper region, it is possible to ensure safety without hitting a protrusion or being pinched between a protrusion and the bucket railing. Further, according to this embodiment, since the sensor portion 25, the notification portion 27, and the weight portion 23 that also functions as a power source are all built into the main body portion 9, there is no need for wiring to extend outside, eliminating the risk of disconnection or the wiring being caught, further considering safety.

[0034] In this embodiment, an embodiment in which it is disposed only on one side of the outer peripheral surface of the work helmet 1 has been described, but it is also possible to dispose it on both the left and right sides, which is within the scope of the present invention. Also, for example, it is conceivable to mount it on the top of the work helmet 1, which is within the scope of the present invention. When mounting it on the top of the head in this way, although not shown, for example, it is preferable to have a configuration in which the base portion 5 is erected in the vertical direction (gravitational direction) from the top of the helmet, and the main body portion 9 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the erected base portion 5.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which an operator wearing the work helmet 1 equipped with the obstacle detection device 3 of this embodiment is boarding the bucket 101 of the aerial work vehicle 100 and working. In Fig. 5, a bucket 101 is provided at the tip of a scissor-type telescopic part 102 provided on a vehicle, and an operator rides on the bucket 101 and operates an operating device arranged on the bucket 101 to move the bucket 101 to a working position at a high place to perform work, showing a general vertical telescopic type aerial work platform. The arrow 300 in the figure indicates a state of sensing the presence or absence of an obstacle. Since the probability of contact accidents and the like occurring during work with such a vertical telescopic type aerial work platform is high, it is particularly useful when an operator rides on it to perform work. Fig. 5(a) shows a schematic of a working state where there is no obstacle above the operator riding on the bucket 101. Fig. 5(b) shows a schematic of a state where an obstacle 200 is detected when the operator riding on the bucket 101 is facing downward.

[0036] Fig. 6 shows another form of the aerial work platform 100, and in this embodiment, an example of an aerial work platform equipped with a boom 103 that can be raised and lowered is shown. For example, a bucket 101 is provided at the tip of a boom 103 that can be raised and lowered and provided on the vehicle 1, and an operator rides on the bucket 101 and operates an operating device arranged on the bucket 101 to move the bucket 101 to a working position at a high place to perform work, showing a general one.

[0037] In this embodiment, the working state has been described using the illustrated aerial work platform, but the aerial work platform is not limited to a telescopic boom type, a folding boom type, a hybrid boom type, etc., or a vertical telescopic type, etc., and the work on all types of aerial work platforms such as truck type and wheel type is applicable. Furthermore, the work on all construction machines on which an operator can ride is the subject. Of course, it also includes situations where work is performed without riding on a construction machine or an aerial work platform at the site.

[0038] The obstacle detection device of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the form described in this embodiment, and can be appropriately designed and changed within the scope of the present invention. For example, although the casing 11 has been described by taking an example of a form composed of a long rectangular plate-shaped bottom plate portion 13, inverted T-shaped side plate portions 15 and 17, and closing plate portions 21 and 21, it is not limited to the form composed of this combination, and various forms are conceivable.

Industrial Applicability

[0039] The present invention can be used for helmets in general, including work helmets.

Explanation of Signs

[0040] 1 Work helmet 3 Obstacle detection device 5 Base portion 9 Main body portion 11 Casing 15, 17 Side plates 19 Rotation axis (shaft) 21 Weight portion 23 Sensor portion 25 Notification portion S1 Weight portion accommodation space H1 Direction of gravity (vertical direction) 100 Aerial work vehicle 101 Bucket

Claims

1. An obstacle detection device attached to an arbitrary position of a work helmet, comprising: a base part fixedly provided at a predetermined position of the work helmet; a main body part pivotally supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the base part, wherein the main body part includes a casing, a sensor part provided at an upper part of the casing, a weight part provided at a lower part of the casing so as to face the sensor part in the direction of gravity, and a notification part that receives a detection signal from the sensor part and notifies obstacle information; The obstacle detection device is characterized in that the main body part is pivotally supported such that the weight part is always positioned downward in the direction of gravity and the sensor part faces upward in the direction of gravity at a position near the sensor part.

2. The obstacle detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided on an outer circumferential surface of a work helmet.

3. A work helmet, characterized in that it is provided with the obstacle detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

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