Safety alarm device for heavy machinery, heavy machinery equipped with this safety alarm device

Abstract

Ensure that external signals are reliably communicated regarding whether heavy machinery operation is prohibited or permitted. [Solution] A safety notification device for heavy machinery, provided on heavy machinery, which has a locking part that can take on a locked state that prohibits the operation of the heavy machinery and an unlocked state that enables the operation of the heavy machinery, comprising: a locking state detection unit that detects whether the locking part is in the locked state or the unlocked state; and a notification unit that notifies the detection result by the locking state detection unit to the outside of the heavy machinery.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a safety notification device for heavy machinery. 【Background Art】 【0002】 At sites where people and heavy machinery coexist, such as construction sites, various safety measures are taken to prevent contact between people and heavy machinery. As an example, Patent Document 1 describes a system in which an imaging device is provided at a construction site, a restricted entry area is set within an image captured by the imaging device, and an alarm is output when a person is detected within the restricted entry area. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-196788 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 Generally, heavy machinery such as backhoes operating at construction sites is provided with a safety lever as a safety measure. It is possible to switch between a state in which the safety lever is locked to prohibit the operation of the heavy machinery and a state in which the safety lever is unlocked and the operation of the heavy machinery is possible. When the invention described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a site where such heavy machinery operates, the operating range of the heavy machinery is set as a restricted entry area. For this reason, the safety lever is locked and the operation of the heavy machinery is prohibited, and even if the surrounding area of the heavy machinery is in a safe state, entry by people is prohibited, and the area where people can work is unnecessarily restricted. 【0005】 Furthermore, conventionally, indicator plates have been prepared to show whether the safety lever is in the locked or unlocked position, and when the operator of the heavy machinery switches the safety lever, the indicator plate corresponding to the switched position is displayed in a position that is easily visible from outside the heavy machinery. However, there were instances where the operator forgot to change the indicator plate when switching the safety lever. Furthermore, there was a concern that after completing work with heavy machinery, the operator might forget to lock the safety lever altogether, and instead only change the indicator plate to one indicating the locked position. 【0006】 This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to reliably notify the outside whether the heavy machinery is in a locked state where operation is prohibited, or in an unlocked state where operation is possible. [Means for solving the problem] 【0007】 To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a safety notification device for heavy machinery, which is provided on heavy machinery equipped with a locking part that can take on a locked state that prohibits the operation of the heavy machinery and an unlocked state that enables the operation of the heavy machinery, comprising: a locking state detection unit that detects whether the locking part is in the locked state or the unlocked state; and a notification unit that notifies the detection result by the locking state detection unit to the outside of the heavy machinery. 【0008】 According to the present invention, the lock state detection unit can detect whether the locking part is in a locked state or an unlocked state and reliably notify the outside of the heavy machinery. 【0009】 In the present invention, the notification unit may include at least one of a light-emitting unit and a speaker, and may notify the detection result with light or sound in different forms depending on the detection result by the lock state detection unit. In this case, the light-emitting unit may consist of two light-emitting elements of different colors, and either one of the light-emitting elements may be illuminated depending on the detection result. In this case, the two light-emitting elements may be provided at diagonal corners of the roughly rectangular roof surface of the heavy machine. 【0010】 Furthermore, in the present invention, the locking unit may include an operating member whose posture or position differs between the locked state and the unlocked state, and the locking state detection unit may include a switch whose state changes depending on the posture or position of the operating member, and a notification circuit that outputs the detection result corresponding to the state of the switch from the notification unit. 【0011】 Furthermore, in the present invention, the lock state detection unit and the notification unit may be retrofitted to existing heavy machinery. [Effects of the Invention] 【0012】 According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably notify the outside whether the heavy machinery is in a safe state where its operation is prohibited, or in a dangerous state where the heavy machinery may be operated. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0013】 [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view of an example of heavy machinery to which a safety notification device, which is one embodiment of the present invention, is applied. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the interior of the operator's cab of the heavy machinery of this embodiment, where (a) shows the case where the safety lever is locked and (b) shows the case where the safety lever is unlocked. [Figure 3] This is a circuit diagram of the notification circuit included in the safety notification device of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0014】 The following describes one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an example of a heavy machine 2 to which the safety notification device 1 of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the case in which the heavy machine 2 is a backhoe will be described. As shown in Figure 1, a warning light 10B, 10R, as an example of the light-emitting part of the present invention, is attached to the roof surface 2b of the operator's cab 2a of the heavy machinery 2. In this embodiment, the warning lights 10B, 10R are installed at diagonal positions on the substantially rectangular roof surface 2b. The warning lights 10B, 10R can be retrofitted to the existing heavy machinery 2 using magnets, adhesive, double-sided tape, etc. 【0015】 A police light, also known as a rotating light, is designed to attract attention when power is supplied. When power is applied, an LED or other bulb lights up, and a reflector installed around the bulb rotates, creating the illusion of a rotating light. In this embodiment, a blue-colored police light is used as police light 10B, and a red-colored police light is used as police light 10R. 【0016】 Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the interior of the operator's cab 2a of the heavy machinery 2. As shown in the figures, an operator's seat 100 is installed on the floor 50 inside the operator's cab 2a, and control levers 101 for operating the heavy machinery 2 are provided next to the operator's seat 100. 【0017】 The control lever 101 extends upward from the housing 101a. A safety lever 102 is provided on the side of the housing 101a so as to be tiltable between an upright position as shown in Figure 2(a) and a forward-tilted position as shown in Figure 2(b). When the safety lever 102 is pulled towards the operator, it enters the upright position (locked state) as shown in Figure 2(a). In this locked state, the housing 101a is lifted off the floor 50, and operation of the heavy machinery 2 using the control lever 101 is prohibited. In other words, the operation of the heavy machinery 2 is prohibited. On the other hand, when the safety lever 102 is tilted forward, it enters the tilted state (unlocked state) shown in Figure 2(b). In this unlocked state, the housing 101a lowers, and the heavy machinery 2 can be operated using the control lever 101. In other words, the heavy machinery 2 becomes operational. 【0018】 On the lower side of the side surface of the housing 101a of the control lever 101, an operation member 11 is attached so as to extend sideward. Also, a switch 12 is attached to the side portion of the floor portion 50 below the operation member 11. As shown in FIG. 12(a), when the safety lever 102 is in the locked state, the operation member 11 is spaced upward from the actuator 12a of the switch 12. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12(b), when the safety lever 102 is in the unlocked state, as the housing 101a descends, the operation member 11 pushes down the actuator 12a of the switch 12. 【0019】 The operation member 11 and the switch 12 are respectively attached to the housing 101a and the floor portion 50 by, for example, adhesion, double-sided tape, screwing, or, when the attachment surface is metal, by a magnet, as a retrofit to the existing heavy machine 2. 【0020】 FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the notification circuit 1a that constitutes the safety notification device 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the switch 12 is a single-pole double-throw switch having a common terminal 12b and changeover terminals 12c and 12d. In the off state where the actuator 12a of the switch 12 is not operated externally (a state where the operation member 11 is spaced upward from the actuator 12a as in the locked state of FIG. 12(a)), the common terminal 12b and the changeover terminal 12c are conducted by the movable piece 12e. On the other hand, in the on state where the actuator 12a is operated (a state where the operation member 11 is pushed down by the actuator 12a as in the unlocked state of FIG. 12(b)), the common terminal 12b and the changeover terminal 12d are conducted by the movable piece 12e. 【0021】 As shown in FIG. 3, in the notification circuit 1a, the common terminal 12b of the switch 12 is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 20. Also, a blue pilot lamp 10B is connected between the changeover terminal 12c and the negative electrode of the DC power supply 20, and a red pilot lamp 10R is connected between the changeover terminal 12d and the negative electrode of the DC power supply 20. 【0022】 Furthermore, the DC power supply 20 can be, for example, the battery provided by the heavy machinery 2. In this case, power can be supplied to the switch 12 and the warning lights 10B and 10R via a cigarette lighter plug from the cigarette lighter socket provided in the driver's cab 2a. Alternatively, a separate battery dedicated to the safety alarm device 1 may be provided. The polarity of the DC power supply 20 may be reversed from that shown in Figure 3, or an AC power supply may be used. 【0023】 With the above configuration, as shown in Figure 2(a), when the safety lever 102 is in the locked state, the switch 12 is in the off state. Therefore, the notification circuit 1a connects the blue warning light 10B between the two poles of the DC power supply 20, causing it to light up. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2(b), when the safety lever 102 is pushed forward and released, the switch 12 is in the on state. Therefore, the notification circuit 1a connects the red warning light 10R between the two poles of the DC power supply 20, causing it to light up. 【0024】 In other words, in this embodiment, when the safety lever 102 is locked (the operation of the heavy machinery 2 is prohibited), the blue warning light 10B lights up to inform those around that the heavy machinery 2 is not operating, that is, it is safe to approach the heavy machinery 2. On the other hand, when the safety lever 102 is unlocked (the heavy machinery 2 can be operated), the red warning light 10B lights up to inform those around that the heavy machinery 2 may be operating and it is dangerous to approach it. 【0025】 As described above, according to this embodiment, depending on whether the safety lever 102 of the heavy machinery 2 is locked or unlocked, the blue warning light 10B is automatically switched between being illuminated and the red warning light 10R is illuminated, thereby notifying those around the heavy machinery 2 whether or not it is safe. Therefore, the operator of the heavy machinery 2 can reliably and accurately notify those around them of the status of the safety lever 102 of the heavy machinery 2 without having to switch between displaying the locked and unlocked states. 【0026】 Furthermore, as described above, the warning lights 10B and 10R, the operating member 11, and the switch 12 can be retrofitted to the heavy machinery 2, so the safety notification device 1 can be easily applied to existing heavy machinery 2. 【0027】 In the above embodiment, by installing the warning lights 10B and 10R diagonally on the upper surface 2b of the roof of the heavy machinery 2, the distance between the warning lights 10B and 10R can be maximized. As a result, the orientation in which the warning lights 10B and 10R appear to overlap when the heavy machinery 2 is viewed from the surroundings can be minimized, and this makes it easier to see which of the warning lights 10B and 10R is lit from the surroundings. 【0028】 However, the mounting positions of the warning lights 10B and 10R on the roof surface 2b are not limited to diagonal positions, but can be set at any appropriate location. For example, if workers often work to the side of the heavy machinery 2, they can be mounted in two places along the side edge of the roof surface 2b, and if workers often work at the rear, they can be mounted in two places along the rear edge. Depending on the site conditions, the warning lights 10B and 10R should be mounted in positions that allow them to be seen without overlapping as much as possible. 【0029】 Furthermore, the warning lights 10B and 10R can be installed not only on the rooftop 2b, but also on any other external location on the heavy machinery 2, such as the sides or back, as long as they are easily visible from the outside. 【0030】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the housing 101a of the control lever 101 moves up and down according to the state of the safety lever 102, and the switch 12 is switched according to the up and down movement of the housing 101a by the operating member 11 attached to the housing 101a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the case of heavy machinery 2 in which the housing 101a does not move up and down, the switch 12 can be switched according to the position of the safety lever 102. Furthermore, the means for switching between a locked state that prohibits the operation of the heavy machinery 2 and an unlocked state that allows operation is not limited to a lever type such as the safety lever 102, but may be any other type, and the locked state and unlocked state should be detected according to the type used. 【0031】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in order to distinguish between the locked and unlocked states of the safety lever 102, a blue warning light 10B was used to illuminate in the locked state (safe), and a red warning light 10R was used to illuminate in the unlocked state (danger). However, the invention is not limited to these, and warning lights of other colors may be used as long as they can distinguish between the two states. 【0032】 Furthermore, as a means of notifying the locked and unlocked states, a light-emitting element such as a regular light bulb may be used instead of a warning light. Alternatively, a speaker may be used to notify the surroundings of the status of the heavy machinery 2 with a sound emitted from the speaker (such as a buzzer, melody, or voice), and a warning light or light-emitting element may be used in combination with a speaker. 【0033】 Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the case in which the present invention is applied to a backhoe, it is not limited to this, and can be applied to heavy machinery such as crawler cranes, which can switch between a state in which the operation of the heavy machinery is prohibited and a state in which the heavy machinery is operational. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0034】 1. Safety alarm device 1a Notification circuit 2 Heavy machinery 2a Driver's cab 2b Top surface of the roof 10B, 10R patrol lights 11 Operating member 12 switches 20 DC power supply 50 Floor 100 Driver's seat 101 Control Lever 101a enclosure 102 Safety lever

Claims

[Claim 1] A safety notification device for heavy machinery, provided on the heavy machinery, which includes a locking mechanism capable of taking between a locked state that prohibits the operation of the heavy machinery and an unlocked state that allows the operation of the heavy machinery, A lock state detection unit that detects whether the locking unit is in the locked state or the unlocked state, A safety notification device for heavy machinery, comprising: a notification unit that notifies the detection result by the lock state detection unit to the outside of the heavy machinery. [Claim 2] A safety notification device for heavy machinery according to claim 1, The notification unit includes at least one of a light-emitting unit and a speaker, and is a safety notification device for heavy machinery that notifies the detection result of the lock state detection unit with light or sound in different modes depending on the detection result. [Claim 3] A safety notification device for heavy machinery according to claim 2, The light-emitting unit consists of two light-emitting elements of different colors, and the safety notification device for heavy machinery illuminates one of the light-emitting elements according to the detection result by the lock state detection unit. [Claim 4] A safety notification device for heavy machinery according to claim 3, The two light-emitting elements are safety notification devices for the heavy machinery, installed at diagonal corners of the roughly rectangular roof surface of the heavy machinery. [Claim 5] A safety notification device for heavy machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The locking mechanism includes an operating member whose orientation or position differs between the locked state and the unlocked state. The aforementioned lock state detection unit, A switch whose state changes depending on the orientation or position of the operating member, A safety notification device for heavy machinery, comprising: a notification circuit that outputs the detection result corresponding to the state of the switch from the notification unit. [Claim 6] A safety notification device for heavy machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The lock state detection unit and the notification unit are a safety notification device for heavy machinery that can be retrofitted to existing heavy machinery. [Claim 7] A heavy machine equipped with a safety notification device for heavy machines as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images