Contact Accident Prevention Warning System

Abstract

To provide a contact accident prevention system for preventing contact accidents between workers in a work site where danger occurs when the distance between workers becomes short. [Solution] A contact accident prevention warning system 1 includes a plurality of terminals 2 configured to be worn on the body of a worker 3, and each of the terminals 2 includes an alarm unit 23 that alerts the worker 3 when the distance from the other terminals falls below a predetermined value.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a collision accident prevention warning system. [Background technology]

[0002] At a work site, a worker and a work vehicle may come into contact with each other. For this reason, a warning system that issues a warning when a worker and a work vehicle come close to each other is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that issues a warning to the operator of the work vehicle and stops the work vehicle regardless of the operator's operation when it is determined that the distance between the worker and the work vehicle is close and there is a high risk. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-049838 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] At work sites, dangers can arise not only from contact between workers and work vehicles, but also from workers coming too close to each other. For example, multiple workers may be working together to cut grass using brush cutters. In this case, the workers work while calling out to each other and using whistles to warn them not to get too close. However, if the workers are too focused on their work, they may come too close to each other and the brush cutter they are holding may come into contact with the other workers.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a contact accident prevention system that prevents contact accidents between workers in a work site where danger occurs when the distance between workers becomes too short. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a contact accident prevention alarm system (1) comprising a plurality of terminals (2) configured to be worn on the body of a worker (3), and each of the terminals is provided with an alarm unit that issues an alarm (23) to the worker when the distance from the other terminals falls below a predetermined value.

[0007] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the distance between workers from becoming equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, and therefore, in a work site where danger would arise if workers get too close to each other, it is possible to prevent contact accidents caused by contact between workers or between a worker and a machine held by the worker.

[0008] In the above aspect, each of the terminals includes a magnetic field generating unit (21) that generates a magnetic field in a predetermined range and a magnetic field detection unit (22) that detects the magnetic field generated by the other terminals, and the notification unit issues the notification when the magnetic field detection unit detects the magnetic field generated by the other terminals.

[0009] According to this aspect, it is possible to detect, using a magnetic field, that the distance between the traders has fallen below a predetermined value, and therefore, even if the workers have difficulty recognizing each other's positions due to obstacles such as grass and trees, it is possible to reliably prevent the distance between the workers from falling below the predetermined value.

[0010] In the above aspect, the notification unit preferably includes at least one of a vibrator (16), a speaker (17), and a lamp (18), and notifies the operator by at least one of vibration, sound, and lighting of the lamp.

[0011] According to this aspect, the worker can be notified by at least one of the senses of touch, hearing, and vision.

[0012] In the above aspect, the terminal may notify the worker by a combination of at least vibration and sound.

[0013] According to this aspect, even if the warning sound is difficult to hear due to work sounds, the worker can be reliably notified by a combination of touch and hearing. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a contact accident prevention system that prevents contact accidents between workers in a work site where danger occurs when the distance between workers becomes too short. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an application example of a contact accident prevention system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 3 is a front view of the terminal according to the embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a contact accident prevention system according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the contact accident prevention system according to the present invention will be described in detail. The contact accident prevention system according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminals configured to be worn on the body of a worker, and is intended to prevent the workers wearing the terminals from coming close to each other. In the present invention, the terminals configured to be worn on the body of a worker are, for example, wristwatch-type or belt-type devices, and are configured to hold a part of the body of the worker and be in close contact with the body of the worker.

[0017] First, an outline of the contact accident prevention system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an application example of the contact accident prevention system 1 according to the present invention. The contact accident prevention system 1 according to the present invention is used when a plurality of workers 3 work in the same area. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the contact accident prevention system 1 can be used when a first worker 3a and a second worker 3b use a brush cutter 4 to perform grass cutting work. Here, the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b perform grass cutting work at a predetermined interval with the terminal 2 attached to the arm of the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b. As the grass cutting work progresses, the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b may come close to each other. In this case, each terminal 2 determines that it has come close to the other terminal 2 (i.e., the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b have come close to each other) using a method described later, and notifies the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b by vibration, a warning sound, and a light that is on or flashes. The first worker 3a and the second worker 3b, upon noticing the vibration, warning sound, and lighting or flashing light of the terminal 2, recognize that they are in close proximity to each other and each moves so as to eliminate the close proximity state.

[0018] In this way, in the contact accident prevention system 1, when the workers 3 are in close proximity to each other, each terminal 2 notifies the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b, respectively. Therefore, in a work site where danger occurs when the workers 3 are in close proximity to each other, it is possible to prevent contact accidents caused by contact between the workers 3 or between the machines held by the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b.

[0019] Next, the terminal 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a front view of the terminal 2 according to this embodiment. The terminal 2 is a wristwatch-type device that can be worn on the wrist of the worker 3, and has a main body 10 and a wearing part 11 for detachably wearing the terminal 2 on the wrist of the worker 3. The main body 10 is substantially square in plan view. The main body 10 includes a power switch 12, a conductor 13, an RFID tag 14, a battery 15, a vibrator 16, a speaker 17, and a lamp 18.

[0020] The power switch 12 is used to switch the power state of the terminal 2. The power switch 12 is configured by a push button. However, the power switch 12 is not limited to a push button, and may be a slide switch or a snap switch. The conductor 13 is a known cable and is electrically connected to the battery 15. The conductor 13 generates a magnetic field when energized. The vibrator 16 has an electric motor and an eccentric weight connected to the drive shaft of the electric motor. The vibrator 16 generates vibrations when the electric motor rotates. The speaker 17 outputs a warning sound such as a voice or an alarm to notify the worker 3 of a dangerous situation. The lamp 18 is, for example, an LED lamp, and lights up or flashes in a color indicating danger or caution, such as red or yellow. In FIG. 2, the components of the conductor 13, the RFID tag 14, the battery 15, and the vibrator 16 are omitted from the illustration.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the contact accident prevention system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the contact accident prevention system 1 includes a first terminal 2a and at least one second terminal 2b (only one is shown in Fig. 3). Since the first terminal 2a and the multiple second terminals 2b have the same configuration, the first terminal 2a will be described below, and the same elements of the second terminal 2b will be assigned the same reference numerals as those of the first terminal 2a, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0022] The first terminal 2a includes a magnetic field generating unit 21 that generates a magnetic field, a magnetic field detecting unit 22 that detects a magnetic field generated by another terminal 2 (second terminal 2b), a notifying unit 23 that notifies the worker 3, and a battery 15 that supplies power to the magnetic field generating unit 21 and the notifying unit 23. The conductor 13 functions as the magnetic field generating unit 21, the RFID tag 14 functions as the magnetic field detecting unit 22, and the vibrator 16, the speaker 17, and the lamp 18 function as the notifying unit 23.

[0023] The magnetic field generating unit 21 generates a spherical magnetic field centered on the first terminal 2a. Specifically, the magnetic field generating unit 21 applies an AC current from the battery 15 to the conductor 13. This generates a magnetic field around the conductor 13. The radius of the magnetic field can be adjusted by the shape of the conductor 13, the frequency of the AC current applied to the conductor 13, the current value, etc.

[0024] The magnetic field detection unit 22 detects the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the second terminal 2b. Furthermore, when the magnetic field detection unit 22 detects the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the second terminal 2b, it transmits a signal to the notification unit 23.

[0025] The magnetic field detection unit 22 is configured not to detect the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the first terminal 2a, i.e., the magnetic field generated by the same terminal 2. For example, the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the first terminal 2a and the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the second terminal 2b may generate magnetic fields of different frequencies, and the magnetic field detection unit 22 of the first terminal 2a may be configured to detect the frequency of the magnetic field of the second terminal 2b, but not to detect the frequency of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the first terminal 2a.

[0026] The notification unit 23 notifies the worker 3 by at least one of the vibration of the vibrator 16, the warning sound of the speaker 17, and the lighting or blinking of the lamp 18. This allows the terminal 2 to notify the worker 3 by at least one of the senses of touch, hearing, and sight. In this case, the notification unit 23 may notify the worker 3 by a combination of the vibration of the vibrator 16 and the warning sound of the speaker 17. This allows the worker 3 to be reliably notified by a combination of touch and hearing, for example, even if the worker 3 has difficulty hearing the warning sound due to work sounds.

[0027] Next, the operation of the contact accident prevention system 1 configured as above will be described. In the following explanation, a case where a first worker 3a wearing a first terminal 2a and a second worker 3b wearing a second terminal 2b work in the same area will be described. In the contact accident prevention system 1, the first terminal 2a and the second terminal 2b perform the same operation, so for convenience of explanation, the following will explain the process executed by the first terminal 2a worn on the arm of the first worker 3a.

[0028] When the power switch 12 of the first terminal 2a is pressed by the first worker 3a to turn on the power, the magnetic field generating unit 21 of the first terminal 2a generates a magnetic field in a predetermined range. In addition, the magnetic field detecting unit 22 becomes capable of detecting the magnetic field of the second terminal 2b.

[0029] When the magnetic field detection unit 22 of the first terminal 2a detects the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the second terminal 2b, that is, when the distance to the second worker 3b is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the magnetic field detection unit 22 transmits a signal to the notification unit 23 of the first terminal 2a. The notification unit 23 that receives the signal starts operating and notifies the first worker 3a. Thereafter, when the magnetic field detection unit 22 of the first terminal 2a no longer detects the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit 21 of the second terminal 2b and the notification unit 23 no longer receives the signal, that is, when the distance to the second worker 3b becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the notification unit 23 stops operating. On the other hand, when the magnetic field detection unit 22 continues to detect the magnetic field and the notification unit 23 continues to receive the signal, that is, when the distance to the second worker 3b continues to be equal to or less than a predetermined value, the notification unit 23 continues to notify the first worker 3a.

[0030] In this way, when the distance between the first worker 3a and the second worker 3b becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the first terminal 2a notifies the first worker 3a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the distance between the workers 3 from becoming equal to or less than a predetermined value. In addition, since a magnetic field is used to detect whether the distance between the workers 3 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is possible to reliably prevent the distance between the workers 3 from becoming equal to or less than a predetermined value even when the workers 3 have difficulty recognizing each other's positions due to obstacles such as grass and trees.

[0031] Although the description of the specific embodiment is finished above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified. For example, when three workers 3 work in the same area, the magnetic field detection unit 22 of the terminal 2 may be configured to detect the frequency of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field detection unit 22 of the other two terminals 2. In the above embodiment, the magnetic field detection units 22 of the multiple terminals 2 generate magnetic fields with different frequencies, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the magnetic field detection unit 22 of the terminal 2 may be configured not to detect the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field detection unit 22 of the same terminal 2, or may be configured to identify the magnetic field even if it is detected.

[0032] The shape and range of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 21 can be changed as appropriate, and a different shape and range of the magnetic field can be set for each terminal 2. In this embodiment, an RFID tag 14 is used as the magnetic field detecting unit 22, but the magnetic field detecting unit 22 is not limited to this and may be any unit capable of detecting the magnetic field of another terminal 2.

[0033] For example, each terminal 2 may be configured to be able to transmit and receive wireless signals, and when the first terminal 2a detects a magnetic field generated by the second terminal 2b, the first terminal 2a may transmit a wireless signal to the second terminal 2b, and the second terminal 2b that receives the signal may notify the second worker 3b. This allows both terminals 2 to notify the worker 3 at the same time.

[0034] In the above embodiment, whether or not the distance between the terminals 2 is less than or equal to a predetermined value is determined based on a magnetic field, but this is not limited to this. For example, when a transmitter unit of a first terminal 2a transmits a wireless signal toward the surroundings at a predetermined period and a second terminal 2b receives the wireless signal, it may be determined whether or not the distance from the first terminal 2a is less than or equal to a predetermined value based on the wireless signal.

[0035] In addition, the specific configuration, arrangement, quantity, material, etc. of each member or part may be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the above embodiments may be combined in part or in whole. On the other hand, each component shown in the above embodiments is not necessarily required, and may be appropriately selected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1: Contact accident prevention system 2: Terminal 3: Worker 16: Vibrator 17: Speaker 18: Lamp 21: Magnetic field generating unit 22: Magnetic field detection unit 23: Information Department

Claims

1. A contact accident prevention alarm system, A plurality of terminals configured to be worn on the body of a worker, Each of the terminals, A contact accident prevention warning system comprising an alarm unit that issues an alarm to the worker when the distance from another terminal becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.

2. Each of the terminals A magnetic field generating unit that generates a magnetic field in a predetermined range; a magnetic field detection unit that detects a magnetic field generated by the other terminal; The contact accident prevention alarm system according to claim 1 , wherein the notification unit issues the notification when the magnetic field detection unit detects a magnetic field generated by the other terminal.

3. 3. The contact accident prevention alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes at least one of a vibrator, a speaker, and a lamp, and notifies the worker by at least one of vibration, sound, and lighting of the lamp.

4. The contact accident prevention alarm system according to claim 3 , wherein the terminal notifies the worker by a combination of at least a vibration and an alarm sound.

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