Crane suspended load and worker approach alarm system

Abstract

To provide a crane suspended load and a worker approach alarm system capable of alerting danger to both a crane operator and a worker, and which is highly reliable for a safety confirmation and can be used at a work site where the crane operator is unable to see the suspended load.SOLUTION: A worker approach alarm system comprises a camera 4 provided on the tip of a boom 2 of a crane 1, GNSS receivers 5a, 5b to always measure the tip position of the boom 2, a GNSS receiver 5c to always measure the position of a worker W installed on a mounting tool V mounted on the worker W, a monitor 6 installed in an operator cab to display the image captured by the camera 4, the tip position of the boom 2, and the position of the worker W, and an alarm approach device 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane load and worker proximity warning system, and more particularly to a crane load and worker proximity warning system used at work sites where the crane operator cannot visually observe the load suspended by the crane. [Background technology]

[0002] At construction sites and other locations where cranes are used for work, in order to ensure the safety of workers, the crane operator visually checks for safety or a supervisor is stationed and the operator operates the crane at the supervisor's signal. However, as long as human error exists, there is no guarantee that the crane operator's visual checks or safety confirmations based on supervisory signals between the operator and the crane operator will be carried out reliably, and there is a risk that the operator will operate the crane even when a worker is in a dangerous area, such as below a suspended load.

[0003] To address this problem, for example, a technology has been proposed in which light is projected from the tip of a crane boom toward the ground, drawing a ring of light on the ground to indicate the danger zone, thereby informing the worker of the danger zone (see Patent Document 1), and a technology in which a transmitter attached to the tip of a crane boom issues a warning signal limited to the danger zone below, and if the worker enters the danger zone, a receiver attached to the worker's helmet or the like receives the warning signal and issues an alarm (see Patent Document 2).

[0004] However, the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 only notify workers of danger, and there is a risk that workers may not notice the information, which poses problems in terms of reliability as a safety confirmation method and practicality.

[0005] To address this issue, a technology has been proposed (see Patent Document 3), which includes a recognition unit that recognizes the helmet H of the worker W from images of the area around the crane 1 captured by cameras 4a to 4e installed at multiple locations, such as the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and displays the image of the helmet H recognized by this recognition unit on the image of the area around the crane 1 displayed on a monitor, along with the area B below the suspended load and the danger area C, thereby enabling the crane operator to detect danger.

[0006] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3 has problems with its reliability as a safety confirmation method, as there is a risk that the helmet H may not be recognized depending on the posture of the worker W, etc., and there are issues with its practicality. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-7384 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-327330 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-241548 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In view of the problems with the above-mentioned conventional methods for confirming safety in crane work, the present invention aims to provide a crane load and worker proximity warning system that can notify both the crane operator and the worker of danger, is highly reliable as a safety confirmation method, and can be used even at work sites where the crane operator cannot visually check the load suspended by the crane. The purpose is to [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the crane load and worker proximity alarm system of the present invention comprises: A crane load and worker proximity warning system, a camera provided at the tip of the boom of the crane for capturing an image of the area around the crane, including the area below the suspended load, from above; A GNSS receiver is installed at the tip of the crane boom to constantly measure the position of the tip of the boom, a GNSS receiver attached to a device worn by the worker that constantly measures the worker's position; a monitor provided in the crane cab that displays an image of the area around the crane captured by the camera, the position of the tip of the boom measured by a GNSS receiver provided at the tip of the crane boom, and the position of the worker measured by a GNSS receiver provided on a harness worn by the worker; and The crane is provided with a proximity alarm device that issues an alarm when the position of the worker measured by the GNSS receiver attached to the attachment worn by the worker approaches a predetermined alarm range, which is the position of the tip of the boom measured by the GNSS receiver attached to the tip of the boom worn by the worker. It is characterized by:

[0010] In this case, a GNSS receiver can be provided on both sides of the camera.

[0011] The wearing tool worn by the worker may be in the form of a safety vest, and the proximity warning device may be in the form of a wristwatch.

[0012] Furthermore, the GNSS receiver can be provided at the shoulder position of a safety vest-shaped attachment worn by the worker.

[0013] Furthermore, the crane can be used at a work site where the operator of the crane cannot visually check the load suspended by the crane.

[0014] In addition, the monitor can be configured to display a single image that is superimposed on an image of the area around the crane captured by the camera, the position of the tip of the boom measured by a GNSS receiver attached to the tip of the crane boom, and the position of the worker derived based on the position of the worker measured by a GNSS receiver attached to a harness worn by the worker. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The crane load and worker approach warning system of the present invention is capable of notifying both the crane operator and the worker of danger, is a highly reliable method of safety confirmation, and can be used even at work sites where the crane operator cannot visually see the load being lifted by the crane. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a crane load and worker proximity warning system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram of the unit box that incorporates the camera and GNSS receiver of the system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on a monitor installed in the driver's cab of the system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional approach warning system for a load suspended by a crane and a worker. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on a monitor installed in the driver's cab of the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a crane load and worker proximity alarm system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a crane load and worker proximity alarm system according to the present invention. This crane load and worker approach warning system includes a camera 4 mounted on the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 for capturing images of the area around the crane 1, including the area below the load 3, from above, GNSS receivers 5a and 5b mounted on the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 for constantly measuring the position of the tip of the boom 2, a GNSS receiver 5c mounted on a harness V worn by the worker W for constantly measuring the position of the worker W, and a GNSS receiver 5b mounted on the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 for constantly measuring the position of the worker W. The crane 1 is provided with a monitor 6 in its cab that displays the position of the worker W derived based on the position of the worker W measured by the GNSS receiver 5c attached to the attachment V worn by the worker W and the tip position of the boom 2 (plan view) measured by the GNSS receivers 5a, 5b attached to the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 worn by the worker W, and a proximity warning device 7 that issues a warning when the position of the worker W measured by the GNSS receiver 5c attached to the attachment V worn by the worker W approaches a predetermined warning range.

[0019] In this case, the camera 4 and GNSS receivers 5a, 5b are incorporated into a unit box 8 together with a power supply 81, a controller 82, etc., and the unit box 8 is attached to the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 via a rotating hinge 83. This ensures that the camera 4 always faces vertically downward, allowing the area around the crane 1, including the area below the suspended load 3, to be imaged from above, while maintaining the posture of the GNSS receivers 5a, 5b in a stable state. Here, the camera 4, GNSS receivers 5a, 5b and power supply device can be designed to be compatible with either wireless or wired connections so as to be compatible with both crawler cranes and crawler cranes.

[0020] The camera 4 allows zoom control via serial communication.

[0021] The GNSS receivers 5a and 5b are provided on both sides of the camera 4, sandwiching it therebetween. Here, the two GNSS receivers 5a and 5b function as a GNSS compass, and are installed at a distance of 40 cm or more, preferably 50 cm or more, from each other. This makes it possible to measure the coordinates and azimuth angle of the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1, and to display the position of the worker W derived based on the position of the tip of the boom 2 measured by the GNSS receivers 5a, 5b provided at the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 and the position of the worker W measured by the GNSS receiver 5c provided on the attachment V worn by the worker W on the monitor 6 in accordance with the azimuth angle.

[0022] The monitor 6 displays an image of the area around the crane 1 captured by the camera 4 (FIG. 3(a)), the position of the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 measured by the GNSS receivers 5a and 5b attached to the tip of the boom 2, and the position of the worker W calculated based on the position of the worker W measured by the GNSS receiver 5c attached to the harness V worn by the worker W (FIG. 3(b)). The two images are then overlaid with each other in terms of azimuth and scale, and the resulting image (FIG. 3(c)) can be selectively displayed. It is also possible to install a plurality of monitors 6 and display the images shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) respectively (or selectively display any one of them). As a result, at a work site where the operator of the crane 1 cannot see the load 3 suspended from the crane 1 because the operator's view is obstructed by a structure S or the like, the operator will usually operate the crane 1 while looking at a single image (Figure 3(c)) that is created by superimposing the images shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b).

[0023] The wearing device V worn by the worker W is in the shape of a safety vest, and a storage pocket is provided at the shoulder (one of the shoulders) to store the GNSS receiver 5c. Here, the power supply device of the GNSS receiver 5c is separate from the GNSS receiver 5c, and is stored in a storage pocket provided inside the wearing tool V, for example. This allows the GNSS receiver 5c mounted on the attachment V worn by the worker W to be stably maintained in a horizontal, easy-to-receive state regardless of the worker W's posture, allowing the GNSS receiver 5c to be reliably recognized and the worker W's position to be accurately measured.

[0024] The proximity warning device 7 worn by the worker W is a wristwatch type device, and when the worker W enters a danger area, the proximity warning device 7 receives a warning signal and issues an alarm (e.g., vibration, alarm sound, alarm display, etc.). Here, the danger area C can be set to the area around the lower area B of the suspended load 3 (any set value, for example, 2 m).

[0025] It is also possible to install a fixed approach warning device 9 that receives a warning signal and issues a warning (for example, a warning sound, a warning display (revolving light), etc.) when a worker W enters a dangerous area.

[0026] This crane load and worker approach warning system can be used at work sites where the operator of the crane 1 cannot see the load 3 suspended from the crane 1, for example, because the operator's view is obstructed by a structure S or the like. The operator operates the crane 1 while looking at an image on the monitor 6 (usually an image (Figure 3(c)) obtained by superimposing the images shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b)) that displays the position of the worker W derived based on an image of the area surrounding the crane 1 taken by a camera 4 installed in the driver's cab of the crane 1, the position of the tip of the boom 2 of the crane 1 measured by GNSS receivers 5a, 5b installed at the tip of the boom 2, and the position of the worker W measured by GNSS receiver 5c installed on the attachment V worn by the worker W. When the worker W enters the danger zone, the proximity warning device 7 worn by the worker W receives the warning signal and issues a warning (for example, vibration and warning sound). This makes it possible to notify both the operator of the crane 1 and the worker W of danger, making it a highly reliable method of safety confirmation, and it can also be used at work sites where the operator of the crane 1 cannot visually see the load 3 suspended by the crane 1.

[0027] The crane load and worker proximity warning system of the present invention has been described above based on its embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0028] The crane load and worker proximity warning system of the present invention can notify both the crane operator and the worker of danger, is highly reliable as a safety confirmation method, and can be used even at work sites where the crane operator cannot visually see the load being lifted by the crane. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used as a crane load and worker approach warning system used to ensure the safety of workers at construction sites where work is performed using cranes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 crane 2. Boom 3 Suspended load 4. Camera 5a GNSS receiver 5b GNSS receiver 5c GNSS receiver 6 monitors 7 Proximity warning device 8 Unit Box 81 Power supply 82 Controller 83 Rotating Hinge 9 Proximity warning device (fixed installation) V attachment W Worker

Claims

1. A crane load and worker proximity warning system, a camera provided at the tip of the boom of the crane for capturing an image of the area around the crane, including the area below the suspended load, from above; a GNSS receiver installed at the tip of the crane boom to constantly measure the position of the tip of the boom; a GNSS receiver attached to a harness worn by the worker, which constantly measures the position of the worker; a monitor provided in the crane cab that displays an image of the area around the crane captured by the camera, the position of the tip of the boom measured by a GNSS receiver provided at the tip of the crane boom, and the position of the worker measured by a GNSS receiver provided on a harness worn by the worker; and The crane is provided with a proximity alarm device that issues an alarm when the position of the worker measured by a GNSS receiver attached to a device worn by the worker approaches a predetermined alarm range, in accordance with the position of the tip of the boom measured by a GNSS receiver attached to the tip of the boom worn by the worker. A crane load and worker proximity warning system.

2. 2. The crane load and worker proximity warning system according to claim 1, wherein GNSS receivers are provided on both sides of the camera.

3. 3. A crane load and worker proximity warning system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment worn by the worker is in the form of a safety vest, and the proximity warning device is in the form of a wristwatch.

4. 4. The crane load and worker proximity warning system according to claim 3, wherein a GNSS receiver is provided at the shoulder position of a safety vest-shaped attachment worn by the worker.

5. 3. The crane load and worker proximity warning system according to claim 1, wherein the system is used at a work site where the crane operator cannot visually check the load hoisted by the crane.

6. 3. A crane load and worker proximity warning system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the monitor displays an image of the area around the crane captured by a camera, the position of the tip of the crane boom measured by a GNSS receiver attached to the tip of the boom, and the position of the worker derived based on the position of the worker measured by a GNSS receiver attached to a harness worn by the worker, superimposed on one another to form a single image.

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