Alert system

Abstract

To make a cargo handling operator strongly aware of a special dangerous event when it occurs.SOLUTION: An alert system comprises a vehicle control unit 10 to control a travel device 11 and a cargo handling device 12, an alarm device 4 to output an alarm by sound and / or light, and an information processing device 5 connected to the vehicle control unit 10 and to the alarm device 4. The information processing device 5 comprises an event detection unit 50 to detect a dangerous event based on the vehicle information from the vehicle control unit 10, an alarm control unit 51 to activate the alarm device 4 and make the alarm device 4 output the alarm when the event detection unit 50 detects any of the dangerous events, and a limit command unit 52 to transmit a limit command to limit the movement of a cargo handling vehicle 1 to the vehicle control unit 10 when the event detection unit 50 detects a part of a special dangerous event among the dangerous events. The vehicle control unit 10 limits the travel action of the travel device 11 and / or the cargo handling action of the cargo handling device 12 when it receives the limit command from the information processing device 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to an alert system that is applied to a cargo handling vehicle and that notifies an operator of the cargo handling vehicle of the occurrence of a dangerous event. [Background technology]

[0002] An operation management system is sometimes adopted as an option to manage the operation status of cargo handling vehicles such as forklifts (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

[0003] For example, in such a system, an on-board device including a data logger is mounted on a cargo handling vehicle, acquires vehicle information of the cargo handling vehicle (e.g., vehicle acceleration, speed, cargo load, etc.) and transmits this to a network server as an operating status. The on-board device also detects dangerous events (e.g., sudden acceleration, sharp turns, etc.) based on the vehicle information. When the on-board device detects a dangerous event, it also transmits this to the network server, and further transmits video of the surroundings of the cargo handling vehicle before and after the dangerous event occurred, captured by a camera, to the network server.

[0004] By accessing the network server from their own terminal, managers can check the operating status and videos, including the occurrence of dangerous events, which can be used to take measures to appropriately prevent operators from driving dangerously.

[0005] The systems of Patent Documents 1 and 2 also function as alert systems, and the on-board device outputs a warning by sound or light when a dangerous event occurs, in order to notify the operator of the occurrence of the dangerous event and encourage the operator to change his or her driving habits. The system of Patent Document 2 further calculates the degree of danger and changes the warning output depending on the degree of danger.

[0006] Such sound and light warnings alone may not be enough to deter dangerous behavior, as operators may become accustomed to the warnings and ignore them without changing their driving habits. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-3512 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-1888353 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-191828 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-1172464 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present application provides an alert system that makes the operator of a cargo handling vehicle more aware of the occurrence of a specific dangerous event. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The alert system of the present application is a vehicle control unit that controls the traveling device and the cargo handling device of the cargo handling vehicle; an alarm device mounted on the cargo handling vehicle and outputting an alarm by sound and / or light; an information processing device mounted on the cargo handling vehicle and connected to the vehicle control unit and the alarm device, The information processing device includes: an event detection unit that distinguishably detects a plurality of defined dangerous events related to the behavior or cargo handling state of the cargo handling vehicle based on vehicle information related to the cargo handling vehicle from the vehicle control unit; an alarm control unit that activates the alarm device when the event detection unit detects any of the dangerous events, and causes the alarm device to output an alarm; a restriction command unit that transmits a restriction command to the vehicle control unit to restrict the operation of the cargo handling vehicle when the event detection unit detects a specific dangerous event among the dangerous events, The vehicle control unit When the restriction command is received from the information processing device, the travelling operation of the travelling device and / or the loading operation of the loading device are restricted.

[0010] For example, the specified risk events include a first specified risk event and a second specified risk event different from the first specified risk event, The vehicle control unit When the event detection unit detects the first specified hazardous event, restricting only one of the traveling operation and the loading and unloading operation, When the event detection unit detects the second specified hazardous event, both the traveling operation and the loading and unloading operation may be restricted.

[0011] For example, the travel operation restriction may be implemented by setting the maximum travel speed of the cargo handling vehicle to a value that is lower than the maximum travel speed before the restriction, but is not zero.

[0012] For example, the cargo handling device is provided with forks for supporting cargo, The restriction on the loading / unloading operation may be performed by setting the maximum lift speed of the fork to a value that is lower than the maximum lift speed before the restriction and is not zero.

[0013] For example, the vehicle control unit may release the restriction when it detects that an operating unit for steering the loading vehicle has been operated in a predetermined manner while the driving operation and / or the loading operation is restricted.

[0014] For example, after detecting the dangerous event, the alarm control unit may continue to output an alarm by sound and / or light until it detects, based on the vehicle information, that an operating unit for operating the loading vehicle has been operated in a predetermined manner.

[0015] In one example, the information processing device a processing unit including the event detection unit; and an additional processing unit including the warning control unit and the restriction command unit.

[0016] In this example, the processing unit includes a first event detection unit as the event detection unit, the additional processing unit further includes a second event detection unit as the event detection unit; The second event detection unit may detect a dangerous event that is not detected by the first event detection unit.

[0017] The cargo handling vehicle is typically a forklift, but may be a cargo handling vehicle other than a forklift. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary alert system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an exemplary material handling vehicle (forklift) to which the alert system of FIG. 1 is applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a table illustrating examples of dangerous events and the warning modes and vehicle restriction modes set for each dangerous event. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another exemplary alert system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019]

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the components shown in the drawings are not necessarily to exact dimensions or proportions, but are merely representative of their function or operation. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to represent the same or similar components.

[0020] [First embodiment] 1 shows an example of an alert system, which is also an operation management system for managing the operation status of cargo handling vehicles, as described in the background art.

[0021] The alert system includes a cargo handling vehicle 1, an in-vehicle device 2, a network server 6, and an administrator terminal 7.

[0022] The cargo handling vehicle 1 is equipped with a vehicle control unit (vehicle controller) 10, a traveling device 11 for driving the cargo handling vehicle 1, a cargo handling device 12 for handling cargo, and a group of sensors 13 for acquiring vehicle information of the cargo handling vehicle 1.

[0023] 2, in this embodiment, the cargo handling vehicle 1 is a forklift. The cargo handling vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 16 having an operation unit 14 and a driver's seat 15. The operation unit 14 includes a steering wheel, an accelerator, a brake, a shift lever, a cargo handling lever (lift lever, etc.), etc.

[0024] The cargo handling device 12 is provided in front of the vehicle body 16. The cargo handling device 12 includes forks 17 for supporting cargo and a mast assembly 18 for raising and lowering the forks 17. The cargo handling device 12 may further include a tilting device for tilting the forks 17, a reach device for moving the forks 17 and the mast assembly 18 back and forth relative to the vehicle body 16, and the like.

[0025] The vehicle control unit 10 in FIG. 1 is provided in a vehicle body 16, and the traveling device 11 is made up of drive wheels provided on the vehicle body 16 and a drive system for driving and steering the drive wheels.

[0026] The sensor group 13 is provided at various locations on the cargo handling vehicle 1 for controlling the cargo handling vehicle 1, and is composed of a plurality of sensors connected to the vehicle control unit 10. The sensors that make up the sensor group 13 include, for example, a speed sensor that detects the traveling speed of the cargo handling vehicle 1, an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the cargo handling vehicle 1, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle (turning angle) of the traveling wheels of the cargo handling vehicle 1, a turning speed detection sensor that detects the turning speed, a load sensor that measures the weight of the load supported on the cargo handling device 12 (its forks 17), a height sensor that detects the lift height of the forks 17, and operation sensors (limit switches, etc.) that detect the operation of each member of the operation unit 14 (operation of the steering wheel, tilting of the shift lever or cargo handling lever, on / off of the accelerator or brake, etc.).

[0027] When an operator sits in the driver's seat 15 and operates the operating unit 14, some of the sensors in the sensor group 13 detect the operation, and the vehicle control unit 10 responds by controlling the traveling device 11 and / or the loading device 12, thereby causing the loading vehicle 1 to travel and / or load.

[0028] Information from each sensor constituting the sensor group 13 reflects the behavior and cargo handling state of the cargo handling vehicle 1. Therefore, the information from the sensor group 13 is vehicle information relating to the cargo handling vehicle 1.

[0029] The cargo handling vehicle 1 is not limited to an engine-powered forklift as shown in Fig. 2, but may also be a battery-powered forklift. The cargo handling vehicle 1 may be a cargo handling vehicle other than a forklift.

[0030] The on-board device 2 is mounted on an existing cargo handling vehicle 1. The on-board device 2 records the operating status of the cargo handling vehicle 1, detects dangerous events, takes videos, transmits the operating status to the network server 6, and, as will be described later, outputs alarms and transmits commands to restrict the operation of the cargo handling vehicle 1.

[0031] 1 also functions as an operation management system. The network server 6 stores information such as operation status and video transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 2 via the network N.

[0032] The administrator terminal 7 is a terminal operated by an administrator, and may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, or PC. The administrator can operate the administrator terminal 7 to access the network server 6 via the network N and check information such as the operating status and videos stored in the network server 6. The network server 6 and the administrator terminal 7 may be the same as conventional ones, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle-mounted device 2 includes an imaging device 3, an alarm device 4, and an information processing device 5.

[0034] The imaging device 3 captures video of the cargo handling vehicle 1 and its surroundings. In this embodiment, the imaging device 3 is composed of two cameras: a front camera 30 and a rear camera 31. The front camera 30 and the rear camera 31 may each be, for example, a hemispherical camera with a 360° field of view. As shown in FIG. 2, the front camera 30 is attached to the top of the mast device 18 and captures video of the front side of the cargo handling vehicle 1. The rear camera 31 is attached to the head guard of the vehicle body 16 and captures moving images of the rear side of the cargo handling vehicle 1. This makes it possible to capture video of the cargo handling vehicle 1 and its entire periphery. The number of cameras in the imaging device 3 may be one or three or more, and it does not have to be a hemispherical camera, and naturally, the installation positions are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2.

[0035] The warning device 4 is configured to output a warning by sound and / or light. In this embodiment, the warning device 4 includes a buzzer 40 that outputs sound and a lamp 41 that outputs light. For example, the buzzer 40 may be integrated with the lamp 41. The warning device 4 in this embodiment is a two-color stacked light with a buzzer, and can output a warning by any one or a combination of two or more of sound, yellow light, and red light. The warning device 4 is used to output a warning to the operator. Therefore, the warning device 4 is preferably disposed in a position on the vehicle body 16 that does not interfere with the operator's operation and is easily visible, such as on the side forward of the driver's seat 15 as shown in FIG. 2. The warning device 4 may be a device other than a two-color stacked light.

[0036] The information processing device 5 is connected to the vehicle control unit 10 and receives the above-mentioned vehicle information from the vehicle control unit 10. The information processing device 5 is connected to the imaging device 3 and receives video data acquired by the imaging device 3. The information processing device 5 is connected to the alarm device 4 and controls the alarm device 4.

[0037] The information processing device 5 includes an event detection unit 50. The event detection unit 50 distinguishably detects a plurality of dangerous events defined regarding the behavior or cargo handling state of the cargo handling vehicle 1 based on the vehicle information received from the vehicle control unit 10. The event detection unit 50 determines whether a defined dangerous event has occurred using the vehicle information and a preset threshold value as necessary.

[0038] The information processing device 5 further includes an alarm control unit 51. The alarm control unit 51 is triggered by the event detection unit 50 detecting any of the dangerous events, and activates the alarm device 4, causing the alarm device 4 to output an alarm in the form of sound and / or light. As will be described later, the alarm control unit 51 causes the alarm device 4 to output an alarm in a preset manner for each dangerous event.

[0039] In this example, the alarm control unit 51 continues to output an alarm after the dangerous event detection unit 50 detects any of the dangerous events until it detects, based on vehicle information from the vehicle control unit 10, that the operation unit 14 has been operated in a predetermined manner. In other words, the condition for stopping the alarm is that the operation unit 14 is operated in a predetermined manner. The predetermined operation is, for example, turning off the accelerator, placing the shift lever in neutral, placing the loading lever in neutral, and / or operating a button on the operation unit 14.

[0040] Alternatively, the alarm control unit 51 may output an alarm only while the dangerous event is occurring, or may output an alarm for a certain period of time (for example, several tens of seconds) from the moment the dangerous event occurs.

[0041] The information processing device 5 further includes a restriction command unit 52. When the event detection unit 50 detects a predetermined dangerous event (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "specific dangerous event") among the dangerous events, the restriction command unit 52 uses this as a trigger to transmit a restriction command to the vehicle control unit 10 of the cargo handling vehicle 1 in order to restrict the operation of the cargo handling vehicle 1. As will be described later, the contents of the vehicle restrictions for each specific dangerous event are set in advance.

[0042] When the vehicle control unit 10 receives the restriction command from the restriction command unit 52, it restricts the operation of the cargo handling vehicle 1 in accordance with the content of the command. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 10 restricts the traveling operation of the traveling device 11 and / or the cargo handling operation of the cargo handling device 12.

[0043] The travel operation restriction is a restriction on the travel speed and acceleration of the cargo handling vehicle 1. For example, the travel speed restriction is to limit the maximum travel speed to a value that is lower than before the restriction but is not zero. Furthermore, the acceleration restriction is to set the acceleration of the cargo handling vehicle 1 in response to accelerator operation lower than before the restriction.

[0044] The restriction on the cargo handling operation is, for example, a restriction on the lift operation of the fork 17 of the cargo handling device 12. Specifically, the restriction is to limit the maximum lift speed (lifting speed) to a non-zero value that is lower than before the restriction. For example, in addition to or instead of the restriction on the lift operation, there may be other restrictions, such as a restriction on the reach operation (e.g., reach speed).

[0045] The vehicle control unit 10 is configured to release the restriction in response to the operator operating the operation unit 14 in a predetermined manner during such a restriction. In other words, operating the operation unit 14 in a predetermined manner is a condition for releasing the restriction. For example, during a restriction on driving, the vehicle control unit 10 may release the restriction on driving in response to a detection by some of the sensors in the sensor group 13 that the operator has released the accelerator and / or placed the shift lever in neutral. For example, during a restriction on loading and unloading, the vehicle control unit 10 may release the restriction on loading and unloading in response to a detection by some of the sensors in the sensor group 13 that the operator has placed a loading and unloading lever (e.g., a lift lever) in neutral.

[0046] The information processing device 5 further includes a recording processing unit 53. The recording processing unit 53 links, for example, vehicle information, time information regarding operation time, date, time, operator identification information, and the like, and records this as an operation status in a storage medium 55, and also transmits it to the network server 6 via the network N.

[0047] In addition, when any of the dangerous events occurs and is detected by the event detection unit 50, the recording processing unit 53 links the occurrence information of this dangerous event with time information and operator identification information, records it in the storage medium 55, and also transmits it to the network server 6 via the network N.

[0048] The information processing device 5 is equipped with a reader (not shown), which reads an ID card (not shown) carried by the operator of the cargo handling vehicle 1, allowing the recording processing unit 53 to record vehicle information and information on the occurrence of dangerous events in association with the operator. This makes it possible to manage the operating status for each operator.

[0049] The recording processing unit 53 is triggered by the detection of any of the dangerous events by the event detection unit 50, and transmits video captured by the imaging device 3, which is video of a certain period of time before and after the occurrence of the dangerous event, to the network server 6 via the network N. Such a recording processing unit 53 may be substantially the same as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, etc., and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0050] The information processing device 5 further includes a notification sending unit 54. The information processing device 5 has an email sending function, and the notification sending unit 54 may be triggered by the event detection unit 50 detecting any of the dangerous events to wirelessly send an email containing a notification informing the administrator terminal 7 (its email address) of the occurrence of the dangerous event via the network N, without going through the network server 6. For example, in a configuration in which the network server 6 notifies the administrator terminal 7 after receiving a notification of the occurrence of a dangerous event from the information processing device 5, it takes time for the administrator terminal 7 to receive the notification. By not going through the network server 6 as described above, this time can be shortened.

[0051] The information processing device 5 further includes a storage medium 55. Information acquired from the vehicle control unit 10, the imaging device 3, the network server 6, the administrator terminal 7, etc. is recorded and saved in the storage medium 55. The storage medium 55 stores programs for realizing each function of the information processing device 5. The storage medium 55 may be composed of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory.

[0052] The information processing device 5 further includes a communication device 56. As described above, the communication device 56 is used for wireless communication between the information processing device 5 and the network server 6 and the administrator terminal 7 via the network N.

[0053] The above-described units 50 to 54 of the information processing device 5 are functional units that are realized when one or more processors of the information processing device 5 execute a program stored in the storage medium 55.

[0054] 3 shows examples of detectable dangerous events according to this embodiment, and the warning modes and vehicle restriction modes set for each. In FIG. 3, "◯" indicates that the corresponding warning / restriction is issued, and "-" indicates that the corresponding warning / restriction is not issued. Please note that the dangerous events in FIG. 3 and the corresponding warning modes and vehicle restriction modes are merely examples.

[0055] The occurrence of dangerous events related to the driving behavior of the cargo handling vehicle 1, such as "speeding," "sharp turns," "sudden deceleration (sudden braking)," "sudden acceleration," and "collision with objects," is determined by the event detection unit 50 based on a comparison of values ​​related to driving, such as driving speed, turning speed, acceleration, and turning angle, contained in the vehicle information with preset thresholds, as in Patent Document 1 and others.

[0056] Furthermore, the occurrence of a dangerous event related to the cargo handling state of the cargo handling vehicle 1, such as "overload" or "cargo collapse," is determined based on the cargo handling-related information included in the vehicle information. For example, when the load of the cargo on the fork 17 measured by the load sensor exceeds a preset threshold, the event detection unit 50 determines that "overload" has occurred.

[0057] "Load collapse" refers to cargo falling from the forks 17. The event detection unit 50 determines that a "load collapse" has occurred when the cargo handling-related information included in the vehicle information indicates that the load of cargo on the forks 17 has decreased even though the forks 17 have not been raised or lowered.

[0058] "Lift-up traveling (with / without load)," "lift-down traveling (with / without load)," "lift-up, traveling, and swinging (with load)," and "lift-down, traveling, and swinging (with load)" are dangerous events related to traveling behavior and loading / unloading behavior (dual operation). "Lift-up traveling (with / without load)" / "lift-down traveling (with / without load)" means that the operator is traveling the loading vehicle 1 while raising / lowering the forks 17, regardless of whether there is a load on the forks 17. "Lift-up, traveling, and swinging (with load)" / "Lift-down, traveling, and swinging (with load)" means that the operator is traveling and swinging the loading vehicle 1 while raising / lowering the forks 17 with a load on them. The occurrence of these dangerous events is a dual operation of the traveling device 11 and the loading device 12, and is therefore determined by the event detection unit 50 based on the information related to traveling and the information related to loading / unloading included in the vehicle information.

[0059] It should be noted that the hazardous events in Figure 3 are merely examples, and that the warning aspects and vehicle restriction aspects for each hazardous event described below are also merely examples.

[0060] The alarm control unit 51 operates the alarm device 4 to output an alarm in response to the event detection unit 50 detecting any of the dangerous events. As shown in Fig. 3, an alarm mode (a combination of sound, yellow light, and red light) is assigned to each dangerous event, and when a dangerous event is detected, the alarm control unit 51 causes the alarm device 4 to output an alarm in the mode assigned to the detected dangerous event.

[0061] Different alarm modes are assigned and set in advance according to the danger level of the dangerous event by the system provider, administrator, etc. As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, a yellow light is assigned to a dangerous event with a low danger level, a combination of sounding an alarm and lighting red is assigned to a dangerous event with a medium danger level, and a combination of sounding an alarm, lighting yellow, and lighting red is assigned to a dangerous event with a high danger level.

[0062] The occurrence of a dangerous event can be notified to the operator by issuing an alarm. Furthermore, by varying the mode of the alarm, the operator can be notified of the danger level of the dangerous event that has occurred.

[0063] Furthermore, this alert system is configured to impose vehicle restrictions (travel restrictions and / or cargo handling restrictions) on the cargo handling vehicle 1 in addition to outputting the above-mentioned alarm when a certain specific dangerous event occurs that has a risk level that is not low among the dangerous events.

[0064] Different vehicle restriction modes are assigned and set in advance by the system provider, administrator, etc. according to the risk level of the risk event. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, for risk event A, which is considered to have a low risk level, it is set so that neither driving restriction nor loading restriction is imposed. For risk event B, which is considered to have a medium risk level (an example of a "first specified risk event" in the present invention), it is set so that driving restriction is imposed but loading restriction is not imposed. Furthermore, for risk event C, which is considered to have a high risk level (an example of a "second specified risk event" in the present invention), it is set so that both driving restriction and loading restriction are imposed.

[0065] Therefore, even if the event detection unit 50 detects any of the risk events A with low risk levels, the restriction command unit 52 does not transmit a restriction command to the vehicle control unit 10. In other words, no vehicle restriction is imposed.

[0066] When the event detection unit 50 detects any of the dangerous events B, this triggers the restriction command unit 52 to send a restriction command to the vehicle control unit 10 indicating that a driving restriction will be imposed but no loading restriction will be imposed. Then, upon receiving the restriction command, the vehicle control unit 10 restricts the driving operation. In other words, when a dangerous event B with a medium risk level occurs, a driving restriction is imposed in addition to issuing an alarm. In this specific example, the restriction is to limit the maximum driving speed to a value that is lower than before the restriction and is not zero.

[0067] When the event detection unit 50 detects any of the dangerous events C, this triggers the restriction command unit 52 to send a restriction command to the vehicle control unit 10 indicating that both travel and loading / unloading restrictions will be imposed. Then, upon receiving the restriction command, the vehicle control unit 10 restricts both travel and loading / unloading operations. In other words, when a dangerous event C with a high risk level occurs, both travel and loading / unloading restrictions are imposed in addition to issuing an alarm. In this specific example, the restriction on travel is as described above, and the restriction on loading / unloading operations is to limit the maximum lift speed to a value lower than before the restriction but not to zero.

[0068] In this way, the alert system only outputs an alarm when a dangerous event A, which is a risky act with a low risk level, occurs. When specific dangerous events B and C occur, the alert system not only issues an alarm but also imposes vehicle restrictions (travel restrictions and / or cargo handling restrictions) in conjunction with the alarm.

[0069] There is a possibility that operators will become accustomed to receiving warnings alone and will not change their dangerous driving. When specific dangerous events B and C, which have a medium or high danger level, occur, vehicle restrictions are imposed. By feeling this vehicle restriction, operators will become more aware of the occurrence of a dangerous event. As a result, it is expected that dangerous driving will be more effectively discouraged. In particular, when a dangerous event C, which has a high danger level (second specific dangerous event), occurs, both driving restrictions and loading restrictions are imposed, making the operator even more aware of the situation.

[0070] As described above, the warning and vehicle restrictions (restrictions on driving and / or loading operations) continue until the operator operates the operation unit 14 in a predetermined manner. This configuration in which the warning is not stopped and the vehicle restrictions are not lifted unless the operator performs a predetermined operation also contributes to making the operator more aware of his or her own dangerous driving.

[0071] This example limits the maximum travel speed and maximum lift speed to non-zero values, without disabling travel and loading operations, in order to ensure that the operator can continue working when a specific hazardous event occurs, while also making the operator more aware of his or her own unsafe driving.

[0072] In the above specific example, no vehicle restriction mode is set that restricts loading but does not restrict driving, but of course such a vehicle restriction mode may be set depending on the content and risk level of the dangerous event.

[0073] It is preferable that the information processing device 5 is configured to be able to define and add detectable hazardous events and to assign warning modes and vehicle restriction modes to the added hazardous events. As an example, the information processing device 5 receives update information (update programs) from an external device, such as the device of the alert system provider or the administrator's administrator terminal 7, and rewrites the program stored in the storage medium 55, thereby enabling the event detection unit 50 to detect additional newly defined hazardous events and enabling the alarm control unit 51 and the restriction command unit 52 to output warnings and send restriction commands in the modes assigned to them. This allows detectable hazardous events to be added later in response to the administrator's (customer's) request, resulting in a system that can accommodate a wide range of customers.

[0074] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted. In the alert system of FIG. 4, the information processing device 5 is made up of two units: a processing unit 5A and an additional processing unit 5B. The processing unit 5A, the imaging device 3, the network server 6, and the administrator terminal 7 make up an operation management system. By adding on the additional processing unit 5B and the alarm device 4 to this operation management system, the operation management system also functions as an alert system.

[0075] The processing unit 5A includes an event detection unit 50A (first event detection unit), a recording processing unit 53, a notification transmission unit 54, a storage medium 55, a communication device 56, etc., and is connected to the vehicle control unit 10 and the imaging device 3, and is further connected to the additional processing unit 5B. The processing unit 5A in this embodiment is specifically a data logger unit.

[0076] The additional processing unit 5B includes an event detection unit 50B (second event detection unit), an alarm control unit 51, a restriction command unit 52, a storage medium 55, etc., and is connected to the vehicle control unit 10, the processing unit 5A, and the alarm device 4. Specifically, the additional processing unit 5B in this embodiment is a control box.

[0077] Vehicle information is transmitted from the vehicle control unit 10 to the processing unit 5A and the additional processing unit 5B, and dangerous events are detected by the event detection unit 50A and the event detection unit 50B. For example, of the dangerous events shown in FIG. 3, some of the dangerous events are detected by the event detection unit 50A, and the remaining dangerous events are detected by the event detection unit 50B. The event detection unit 50B of the additional processing unit 5B is preferably configured to be able to detect dangerous events that are not detected by the event detection unit 50A of the existing processing unit 5A. This is because it enables new dangerous events to be additionally detected.

[0078] In this embodiment, when the event detection unit 50A detects a dangerous event, the recording processing unit 53 and the notification sending unit 54 perform the same operations as in the first embodiment. Then, as an alarm system, when the event detection unit 50A detects a dangerous event, it sends a notice to that effect to the additional processing unit 5B. In the additional processing unit 5B, the alarm control unit 51 activates the alarm device 4 and outputs an alarm in the alarm mode set for the detected dangerous event. Furthermore, if the detected dangerous event is a specific dangerous event, the restriction command unit 52 also sends a restriction command to the vehicle control unit 10 to have the vehicle control unit 10 implement the vehicle restrictions (travel restrictions and / or cargo handling restrictions) set for the specific dangerous event.

[0079] When the event detection unit 50B detects a dangerous event, the alarm control unit 51 and the restriction command unit 52 perform the same operations as in the first embodiment. As an operation management system, when the event detection unit 50B detects a dangerous event, it transmits a notification to the processing unit 5A. In the processing unit 5A, the recording processing unit 53 transmits information about the occurrence of the dangerous event and video images captured by the imaging device 3 before and after the occurrence of the dangerous event to the network server 6. In addition, the notification sending unit 54 sends an email containing a notification of the occurrence of the dangerous event to the administrator terminal 7 without going through the network server 6.

[0080] The second embodiment can be expected to have the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the second embodiment is advantageous in that the operation management system can also function as an alert system by adding on the additional processing unit 5B and the alarm device 4 to the operation management system.

[0081] Both the first and second embodiments are merely examples, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Loading vehicles 10 Vehicle control unit 11 Running gear 12 Cargo handling equipment 14 Control section 17. Fork 2 Onboard equipment 3. Imaging device 4 Alarm device 5. Information processing equipment 50 Event detection unit 50A First event detection unit 50B Second event detection unit 51 Alarm control section 52 Restrictions Command 5A Processing Unit 5B Additional Processing Unit 6 Network Server

Claims

1. 1. An alert system, comprising: a vehicle control unit that controls the traveling device and the cargo handling device of the cargo handling vehicle; an alarm device mounted on the cargo handling vehicle and outputting an alarm by sound and / or light; an information processing device mounted on the cargo handling vehicle and connected to the vehicle control unit and the alarm device, The information processing device includes: an event detection unit that distinguishably detects a plurality of defined dangerous events related to the behavior or cargo handling state of the cargo handling vehicle based on the vehicle information related to the cargo handling vehicle from the vehicle control unit; an alarm control unit that activates the alarm device when the event detection unit detects any of the dangerous events, and causes the alarm device to output an alarm; a restriction command unit that transmits a restriction command to the vehicle control unit to restrict the operation of the cargo handling vehicle when the event detection unit detects a specific dangerous event among the dangerous events, The vehicle control unit When the restriction command is received from the information processing device, the traveling operation of the traveling device and / or the loading operation of the loading device are restricted. Alert system.

2. The specified risk events include a first specified risk event and a second specified risk event different from the first specified risk event, The vehicle control unit When the event detection unit detects the first specific hazardous event, restricting only one of the traveling operation and the loading and unloading operation, When the event detection unit detects the second specified hazardous event, both the traveling operation and the loading and unloading operation are restricted. The alert system of claim 1 .

3. The restriction on the traveling operation is to set the maximum traveling speed of the cargo handling vehicle to a value that is lower than the maximum traveling speed before the restriction and is not zero. The alert system of claim 1 .

4. The loading device is provided with forks for supporting the load, The restriction on the cargo handling operation is to set the maximum lift speed of the fork to a value that is lower than the maximum lift speed before the restriction and is not zero. The alert system of claim 1 .

5. The vehicle control unit When it is detected that an operating unit for steering the cargo handling vehicle is operated in a predetermined manner while the traveling operation and / or the cargo handling operation is restricted, the restriction is released. The alert system of claim 1 .

6. The alarm control unit After the dangerous event is detected, a warning is continuously output by sound and / or light until it is detected based on the vehicle information that an operation unit for operating the cargo handling vehicle has been operated in a predetermined manner. The alert system of claim 1 .

7. The information processing device includes: a processing unit including the event detection unit; an additional processing unit including the warning control unit and the restriction command unit; The alert system of claim 1 .

8. the processing unit includes a first event detection unit as the event detection unit, the additional processing unit further includes a second event detection unit as the event detection unit; the second event detection unit detects the dangerous event that is not detected by the first event detection unit; The alert system according to claim 7.

9. The cargo handling vehicle is a forklift. The alert system of claim 1 .

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