Safety system

Abstract

The system provides a safety mechanism that takes into account the needs of people who wish to enter a roadway where a moving object is traveling, while also ensuring their safety when they enter the roadway. [Solution] The system includes an opening / closing door 1, a locking mechanism 2, an operating unit 3, and a control unit 4 installed at the entrance D to the travel path B. The operating unit 3 includes a first operating means 31 for requesting entry from the entrance D. The control unit 4 checks whether the mobile body A is traveling in a designated area B1 near the entrance D when the first operating means 31 is operated. If the mobile body A is not traveling in the designated area B1, the control unit 4 stops the mobile body A at a predetermined position outside the designated area B1 or sends a stop signal to immediately stop the mobile body A and sends an unlocking signal to unlock the locking mechanism 2. If the mobile body A is traveling in the designated area B1, the control unit 4 waits until the mobile body A passes through the designated area B1, and then sends an unlocking signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety system for ensuring the safety when a person enters a traveling path on which a moving body travels. Here, in this specification, the "moving body" refers to a moving body having at least an automatic stop function. Typically, such a moving body includes an automatic guided vehicle (AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle)) which is an automatically guided vehicle, but as long as it has at least an automatic stop function, manned vehicles, carts, etc. are also included in the "moving body". In the following description, a moving body having at least an automatic stop function is simply referred to as a "moving body".

Background Art

[0002] As a safety measure when a person enters a traveling path on which a moving body travels, in Patent Document 1, when the moving body approaches a door, a reed switch installed near the door is activated by a permanent magnet attached to the moving body to lock the electric lock of the door, and then, when the moving body passes through, the reed switch ahead is activated to unlock the electric lock. Also, in Patent Document 2, a technique is disclosed in which when the opening of the door is detected, the power supply to the moving body is stopped to stop the moving body.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a safety system that can ensure the safety of a person entering a roadway while taking into account the needs of the person entering the roadway on which the moving object is traveling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the following safety system is provided. A safety system for ensuring the safety of people entering a roadway where a moving object is traveling, The system comprises an opening / closing door installed at the entrance to the aforementioned roadway, a locking mechanism for locking or unlocking the opening / closing door based on an external electrical signal, an operating unit installed near the opening / closing door, and a control unit. The operating unit includes a first operating means for requesting entry from the entry unit, The control unit checks whether the moving body is traveling in the designated area near the entry section at the time the first operating means is operated. If the moving body is not traveling within the designated area, the system will either stop the moving body at a predetermined location outside the designated area or transmit a stop signal to immediately stop the moving body, and transmit an unlock signal to unlock the locking mechanism. A safety system that, when a moving object is traveling through the designated area, waits until the moving object passes through the designated area, and after confirming that the moving object has passed through the designated area, transmits an unlocking signal to unlock the locking means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the safety system of the present invention, it is possible to ensure the safety of a person entering a roadway while taking into account the needs of the person intending to enter the roadway on which the moving object is traveling. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A conceptual system diagram of a safety system, which is one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 conceptually shows the system configuration of a safety system, which is one embodiment of the present invention. The safety system shown in the figure is for ensuring the safety of a worker C when entering a travel path B on which a mobile automated guided vehicle A travels. It comprises an opening / closing door 1 installed at the entrance D to the travel path B, a locking means 2 that locks or unlocks the opening / closing door 1 based on an external electrical signal, an operating unit 3 installed near the opening / closing door 1, and a control unit 4. A worker RFID tag 5 is attached to worker C. In this embodiment, the travel path B is a one-way path, and the automated guided vehicle A travels in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1.

[0010] In this embodiment, there are two access points D to allow worker C to cross the travel path B, and an opening / closing door 1 is installed at each access point D. In addition, two locking mechanisms 2 and two operating parts 3 are installed corresponding to each opening / closing door 1. Thus, in this embodiment, the opening / closing door 1, locking mechanism 2, and operating part 3 are installed in two locations. The configurations of these two opening / closing doors 1, locking mechanisms 2, and operating parts 3 are the same, but for the sake of explanation, when distinguishing them, the opening / closing door 1, locking mechanism 2, and operating part 3 installed on one access point D side (lower side in Figure 1) will be called opening / closing door 1A, locking mechanism 2A, and operating part 3A, and the opening / closing door 1, locking mechanism 2, and operating part 3 installed on the other access point D side (upper side in Figure 1) will be called opening / closing door 1B, locking mechanism 2B, and operating part 3B. When not distinguishing them, they are simply called opening / closing door 1, locking mechanism 2, and operating part 3.

[0011] Door 1A and Door 1B each contain two doors 11, and a total of four doors 11 are connected by a link mechanism (not shown). The specific operation of Door 1 will be described later. The locking mechanism 2 locks or unlocks the opening / closing door 1 based on an electrical signal from the outside, and is, for example, an electric lock. The operation unit 3 includes a first operating means 31 for requesting entry from the entry area D and a second operating means 32 for notifying exit from the entry area D, as well as a first indicator means 33 for indicating that the locking means 2 is in an unlocked state and a second indicator means 34 for indicating that the locking means 2 is in a locked state. The first operating means 31 and the second operating means 32 are, for example, push buttons. The first indicator means 33 and the second indicator means 34 are, for example, a blue lamp and a red lamp. The control unit 4 controls the entire system, and specifically has the function of controlling the automated guided vehicle A, the locking mechanism 2, and the operating unit 3. The specific control functions of the control unit 4 will be described later.

[0012] A designated area B1 is set near the entry point D on the travel path B on which the automated guided vehicle (AGV) A travels. Two RFID tags 6A and 6B for the travel path are embedded in the travel path B to define the designated area B1. The AGV A is equipped with a detector A1 for detecting the RFID tags 6A and 6B. In other words, in this embodiment, when the detector A1 on the AGV A detects the RFID tag 6A, it is determined that the AGV A has entered the designated area B1, and then when the detector A1 detects the RFID tag 6B, it is determined that the AGV A has passed through the designated area B1. Furthermore, four detectors 7A to D are installed on the travel path B to detect the RFID tags 5 used by workers.

[0013] In the system configuration described above, the operation of the system when worker C enters the travel path B from one entry point D, crosses the travel path B, and exits from the other entry point D will be explained below. When worker C attempts to enter the travel path B from one of the entry points D, worker C presses the push button 31 on the operation unit 3A. When the push button 31 is pressed, a signal indicating this (hereinafter referred to as the "entry request signal") is transmitted to the control unit 4. Upon receiving the entry request signal, the control unit 4 checks whether the automated guided vehicle A is currently traveling in the designated area B1. The control unit 4 confirms whether the automated guided vehicle A is currently traveling in the designated area B1 by communicating with the automated guided vehicle A. As described above, in this embodiment, when the detector A1 of the automated guided vehicle A detects the travel path RFID tag 6A, it is determined that the automated guided vehicle A has entered the designated area B1, and thereafter, when the detector A1 detects the travel path RFID tag 6B, it is determined that the automated guided vehicle A has passed through the designated area B1. In other words, based on communication with the automated guided vehicle A, the control unit 4 determines that the automated guided vehicle A is traveling in the designated area B1 if the detector A1 of the automated guided vehicle A has detected the RFID tag 6A for the travel path but has not detected the RFID tag 6B for the travel path, and determines that the automated guided vehicle A is not traveling in the designated area if the detector A1 of the automated guided vehicle A has detected the RFID tag 6A for the travel path and has detected the RFID tag 6B for the travel path.

[0014] If the control unit 4 determines that the automated guided vehicle A is not traveling within the designated area B1, it will either stop the automated guided vehicle A at a predetermined location outside the designated area B1 or send a stop signal to immediately stop the automated guided vehicle A, and also send an unlock signal to unlock the electric lock 2. The predetermined location outside the designated area B1 can be, for example, the stopping position B2 immediately before the designated area B1, as shown in Figure 1, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, as described above, the control unit 4 will send a stop signal to stop the automated guided vehicle A at a predetermined location (for example, stopping position B2), or a stop signal to immediately stop the automated guided vehicle A. On the other hand, if the control unit 4 determines that the automated guided vehicle A is traveling through the designated area B1, it waits until the automated guided vehicle A has passed through the designated area B1. After confirming that the automated guided vehicle A has passed through the designated area B1, it sends an unlocking signal to set the electric lock 2 to the unlocked state. The control unit 4 determines that the automated guided vehicle A has passed through the designated area B1 based on communication with the automated guided vehicle A as described above.

[0015] When the electric lock 2 receives the unlocking signal transmitted by the control unit 4, the electric lock 2 enters an unlocked state and transmits a signal indicating this (hereinafter referred to as the "unlocking completion signal") to the control unit 4. Upon receiving the unlocking completion signal, the control unit 4 confirms that the electric lock 2 is in an unlocked state and then transmits a signal to illuminate the blue lamp, which is the first indicator means 33. When the operation unit 3 receives this signal, the blue lamp, which is the first indicator means 33, lights up.

[0016] Worker C enters the travel path B by opening the opening / closing door 1A. As described above, in this embodiment, opening / closing doors 1A and 1B each include two doors 11, and a total of four doors 11 are connected by a link mechanism. Specifically, when one of the four doors 11 is rotated in the opening direction (the direction in which opening / closing door 1 is opened), the other three doors 11 rotate in conjunction in the opening direction. This allows worker C to enter the travel path B from one entry point D, cross the travel path B, and exit from the other entry point D.

[0017] After Operator C exits from the other entrance D, the operator rotates the door 11 of the opening / closing door 1B in the closing direction (the direction to close the opening / closing door 1) to close the opening / closing door 1B. As a result, the opening / closing door 1A is also closed in联动. Then, Operator C presses the push button 32 of the operation unit 3B to notify the exit from the entrance D. When the push button 32 is pressed, a signal indicating this (hereinafter referred to as "exit notification signal") is transmitted to the control unit 4. When the control unit 4 receives the exit notification signal, it transmits a locking signal for setting the electric lock 2 to the locked state. When the electric lock 2 receives the locking signal transmitted by the control unit 4, the electric lock 2 becomes the locked state and transmits a signal indicating this (hereinafter referred to as "locking completion signal") to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 confirms that the electric lock 2 has become the locked state by receiving the locking completion signal, and then transmits a lighting signal for lighting the red lamp, which is the second display means 34. When the operation unit 3 receives the lighting signal, the red lamp, which is the second display means 34, lights up. At the same time, after the control unit 4 confirms that the electric lock 2 has become the locked state, it transmits a release signal for releasing the above-mentioned stop signal. As a result, the automated guided vehicle A will travel in the normal mode.

[0018] In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the operator RFID tag 5 is attached to Operator C, and four detectors 7A to D are installed on the travel path B to detect the operator RFID tag 5. Among these four detectors 7A to D, the detector 7A is installed near the opening / closing door 1A, and the detector 7B is installed near the opening / closing door 1B. By installing these two detectors 7A and 7B in this way, it is possible to detect that Operator C has crossed the travel path B and record the history. That is, when the two detectors 7A and 7B detect the operator RFID tag 5 in the order of detector 7A and detector 7B or in the order of detector 7B and detector 7A, it is detected that Operator C has crossed the travel path B and the history is recorded. Furthermore, by recording information on whether or not entry into the travel path B is permitted in the worker RFID tag 5, only the worker having the worker RFID tag 5 permitted to enter the travel path B can unlock the electric lock 2 and enter the travel path B. That is, the electric lock 2 can be unlocked only when the detector 7A or the detector 7B detects the worker RFID tag 5 permitted to enter the travel path B. In other words, when the detector 7A or the detector 7B does not detect the worker RFID tag 5 permitted to enter the travel path B, the electric lock 2 cannot be unlocked even if the push button 31 is pressed. On the other hand, the other two detectors 7C and 7D are installed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the designated area B1, respectively. By installing the two detectors 7C and 7D in this way, it is possible to detect that the worker C has entered the upstream side or the downstream side of the designated area B1 and record the history thereof.

[0019] As described above, in the present embodiment, the control unit 4 unlocks the electric lock 2 after confirming that there is no automated guided vehicle A in the designated area B1 near the entry section D, triggered by the worker C operating the first operation means 31. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure the safety when the worker C enters the travel path B while reflecting the convenience of the worker C who tries to enter the travel path B on which the automated guided vehicle A travels.

[0020] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Hereinafter, main modification examples will be illustrated. Modification example (1) In the present embodiment, the automated guided vehicle A is used as the moving body, but in the present invention, the moving body is not limited to an automated guided vehicle and may be any device having at least an automatic stop function. That is, for any moving body having at least an automatic stop function, when receiving a stop signal, it can stop at a predetermined position outside the area of the designated area or stop immediately. When a manned vehicle is used as the moving body, a brake operated by a driver may be provided separately. [[ID=...]] [[ID=...]]

[0021] Variant example (2) In this embodiment, when the control unit 4 determines that the automated guided vehicle A is traveling in the designated area B1, it waits until the automated guided vehicle A passes through the designated area B1, and after confirming that the automated guided vehicle A has passed through the designated area B1, it sends an unlocking signal to set the electric lock 2 to the unlocked state. However, for safety reasons, or in cases where the travel path is a circular course and the distance of the circular course is short, resulting in a short time between passing through the designated area and returning, the control unit may, after confirming that the moving body has passed through the designated area, stop the moving body at a predetermined position outside the designated area or send a stop signal to immediately stop the moving body, and also send the unlocking signal described above.

[0022] Variation (3) In this embodiment, an RFID tag is installed on the travel path B and a detector is installed on the automated guided vehicle A to confirm whether or not the automated guided vehicle A is traveling in the designated area B1. However, the opposite may be true: an RFID tag may be installed on the automated guided vehicle A and a detector may be installed on the travel path B. In this case, the control unit 4 confirms whether or not the automated guided vehicle A is traveling in the designated area B1 based on communication with the detector installed on the travel path B. Furthermore, in this embodiment, RFID tags were used to confirm whether or not the automated guided vehicle A was traveling in the designated area B1, but magnetic tape or magnetic rods may also be used. In addition, the location information of the moving object may be obtained using GPS or the like, and the location information may be used to confirm whether or not the moving object was traveling in the designated area.

[0023] Variant example (4) In this embodiment, there are two entry points D so that worker C can cross the travel path B, but there may be only one entry point D, or there may be three or more. If there is only one entry point D, the worker can enter the travel path B from that entry point D and then exit from that entry point D.

[0024] Variant (5) In this embodiment, the opening / closing doors 1A and 1B open and close in conjunction, but the opening / closing doors 1A and 1B may also open and close independently.

[0025] Variation (6) In this embodiment, a second operating means 32 is provided in the operating unit 3, and a locking signal is transmitted when the second operating means 32 is operated. However, the second operating means 32 and the transmission of the locking signal based on its operation are not necessarily required. That is, in cases where the locking means has a function to lock after a certain period of time has elapsed since it was unlocked, or where the locking means has a function to automatically unlock when the door of the opening and closing door is closed, the second operating means 32 and the transmission of the locking signal based on its operation can be omitted.

[0026] Variant example (7) In this embodiment, a release signal is sent to cancel the stop signal, but sending a release signal is not necessarily required. For example, if the system is set to cancel the stop signal after a certain period of time has elapsed since the stop signal was sent, sending a release signal is not necessarily required. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] A. Automated Guided Vehicle (Mobile Unit) A1 Detector B Driving path B1 Designated Area B2 Stop position C Operator (person) D Entrance section 1, 1A, 1B Opening / Closing Doors 11 Doors 2, 2A, 2B Locking mechanism (electric lock) 3, 3A, 3B operation section 31. First operating means (push button) 32 Second operating means (push button) 33. First indicator (blue lamp) 34. Second indicator (red lamp) 4. Control Unit 5. RFID tags for workers 6A, 6B RFID tags for use on roadways 7A~D Detectors

Claims

1. A safety system for ensuring the safety of people entering a roadway on which a mobile vehicle equipped with at least an automatic stopping function (hereinafter simply referred to as "mobile vehicle") is traveling, The system comprises an opening / closing door installed at the entrance to the aforementioned roadway, a locking mechanism for locking or unlocking the opening / closing door based on an external electrical signal, an operating unit installed near the opening / closing door, and a control unit. The operating unit includes a first operating means for requesting entry from the entry unit, The control unit checks whether the moving body is traveling in the designated area near the entry section at the time the first operating means is operated. If the moving body is not traveling within the designated area, the system will either stop the moving body at a predetermined location outside the designated area or transmit a stop signal to immediately stop the moving body, and transmit an unlock signal to unlock the locking mechanism. A safety system that, when a moving object is traveling through the designated area, waits until the moving object passes through the designated area, and after confirming that the moving object has passed through the designated area, transmits an unlocking signal to unlock the locking means.

2. The operating unit further includes a second operating means for notifying the exit from the entry unit, The safety system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits a locking signal to lock the locking means when it detects that the second operating means has been operated.

3. The safety system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit, after transmitting the locking signal, confirms that the locking means has entered a locked state, and then transmits a release signal to release the stop signal.

4. The safety system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating unit further includes a first indicator means for indicating that the locking means is in an unlocked state.

5. The safety system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operating unit further includes a first indicator means for indicating that the locking means is in an unlocked state, and a second indicator means for indicating that the locking means is in a locked state.

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