Ground clearance notification system

Abstract

To provide a ground height notification system capable of confirming use of a life line appropriate for the height of a workbench.SOLUTION: This ground height notification system comprises: a distance detection unit 20 that detects a distance of a workbench from the ground surface; a high place notification unit 211 that gives a notification to a high-place worker; and a control unit 5 that controls the high place notification unit 211 to give a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects a distance preset as a distance appropriate for switching a life line for connecting the high-place worker to the workbench between a high-place life line and a low-place life line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ground height notification system used by aerial workers when they work at places higher than the ground. [Background technology]

[0002] When work must be done at a location higher than the ground, such as on a utility pole, a vehicle for working at height is used, for example, as described in Patent Document 1. This vehicle for working at height comprises a vehicle body which is the main part of the vehicle having a traveling function, a swivel base mounted so as to be freely rotatable on the vehicle body, a bracket erected on the swivel base, a boom whose base end is rotatably attached to a support shaft installed horizontally on the bracket, so that it can be raised and lowered and which is extendable in the length direction, and a work platform attached to the tip of the boom and on which a worker performing work at height sits.

[0003] With this aerial work vehicle, when a worker sits on the work platform, the boom is raised relative to the bracket and extended, causing the work platform attached to the tip of the boom to move from the ground to a high location, allowing the worker on the work platform to easily move from the ground to a high location. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-152518 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When working at a location higher than the ground, workers wear a safety rope that is tethered to the work platform to prevent them from falling. There are two types of safety ropes: one for high altitudes and one for low altitudes. Under current laws and regulations, workers are required to wear a high altitude safety rope at all times when working at a location higher than the ground. However, when a worker on a work platform works at a low altitude, a high altitude safety rope would cause the worker to reach the ground if they fell from the low altitude, so the worker must wear a low altitude safety rope. On the other hand, when working from a low altitude to a high altitude, once the work platform reaches the high altitude, the worker will remove the low altitude safety rope and wear only the high altitude safety rope.

[0006] When performing high-altitude work using the aerial work platform described in Patent Document 1, the boom is raised and lowered relative to the bracket, and the boom is extended and retracted to raise and lower the work platform, allowing the worker to move between high and low altitudes. However, it is difficult for the worker on the work platform to confirm whether they are at a high or low altitude, even when the work platform is raised and lowered. This could lead to a situation where, for example, the worker does not remove the low-altitude lifeline even though they are at a high altitude.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides a ground height notification system that can confirm that an appropriate lifeline is used for the height of the work platform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a ground height warning system that is applicable to a high-altitude work device that includes a work platform on which a high-altitude worker working at a height above the ground can board, and a lifting device that raises and lowers the work platform, and includes a distance detection unit that detects the distance of the work platform from the ground, a high-altitude warning unit that issues a warning to the high-altitude worker, and a control unit that controls the high-altitude warning unit to issue a warning when the distance detection unit detects a distance that is preset as a distance suitable for switching between a high-altitude lifeline and a low-altitude lifeline that serve as lifelines connecting the high-altitude worker and the work platform.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when the distance detection unit detects a distance that is predetermined as a distance suitable for switching between the high-altitude lifeline and the low-altitude lifeline, the control unit controls the high-altitude alarm unit to make an alert, so that the high-altitude alarm unit can notify the high-altitude worker that the work platform has risen or fallen a predetermined distance, and can encourage him to switch between the high-altitude lifeline and the low-altitude lifeline.

[0010] In addition, the ground height notification system of the present invention may include a notification stop unit that inputs a signal to stop the notification by the high altitude notification unit, and the control unit may control the high altitude notification unit to stop the notification when the notification stop unit is operated while the high altitude notification unit is notifying, and may control the high altitude notification unit to make a notification when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance again after the high altitude notification unit has stopped notifying.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the alarm stop unit is operated while the high-altitude alarm unit is making an alarm, the control unit controls the high-altitude alarm unit to stop making an alarm, and after the alarm unit has stopped making the alarm, when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance again, the control unit controls the high-altitude alarm unit to make an alarm.Therefore, for example, after the high-altitude alarm unit has stopped making an alarm, when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance again by raising or lowering the work platform with the lifting device, the high-altitude alarm unit will again make an alarm to the high-altitude worker, and the high-altitude worker can be prompted to switch lifelines each time the high-altitude worker ascends or descends the predetermined distance.

[0012] In the ground height notification system of the present invention, the notification stopping unit may be provided on the work platform.

[0013] According to the above configuration, since the alarm stop unit is provided on the work platform, the high-altitude worker on the work platform can operate the alarm stop unit to stop the alarm from the high-altitude alarm unit.

[0014] In addition, in the ground height notification system of the present invention, the height notification unit includes a first notification unit that changes the notification mode when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, and a second notification unit that issues a notification when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, and a notification stop unit that inputs a signal to stop the notification by the second notification unit, and the control unit may be configured to control the second notification unit to stop the notification when the notification stop unit is operated while the second notification unit is issuing a notification.

[0015] According to the above configuration, when the distance detection unit detects a distance, the first alarm unit changes its alarm mode and the second alarm unit issues an alarm. Furthermore, when the alarm stop unit is operated while the second alarm unit is issuing an alarm, the control unit controls the second alarm unit to stop issuing an alarm. Therefore, when the work platform rises or falls the predetermined distance, the change in alarm mode by the first alarm unit and the alarm by the second alarm unit can prompt the high-altitude worker to switch lifelines; for example, the high-altitude worker can stop issuing an alarm by operating the alarm stop unit.

[0016] In addition, the ground height notification system of the present invention may include a ground notification unit that notifies ground workers working on the ground, and the control unit may be configured to control the ground notification unit to make an alert when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance.

[0017] According to the above configuration, when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, the control unit controls the ground alarm unit to make an alarm. Therefore, the ground alarm unit can notify the ground worker that the work platform has risen or fallen the predetermined distance, and the ground worker who receives the alarm can confirm or urge the high-altitude worker to switch the lifeline.

[0018] In addition, the ground height notification system of the present invention includes a ground notification unit that is provided on the ground side of the work platform and that notifies ground workers working on the ground, and a notification stop unit that inputs the stopping of notifications by the high altitude notification unit and the ground notification unit and is operated by the high altitude worker, wherein the high altitude notification unit and the notification stop unit are provided on the work platform, and the control unit controls the high altitude notification unit and the ground notification unit to make an alert when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, and controls the high altitude notification unit and the ground notification unit to stop the alert when the notification stop unit is operated by the high altitude worker.

[0019] According to the above configuration, when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, the control unit controls the high altitude alarm unit and the ground alarm unit to issue an alarm, so that the high altitude alarm unit and the ground alarm unit can issue an alarm.Furthermore, when the high altitude worker operates the alarm stop unit provided on the work platform, the high altitude alarm unit and the ground alarm unit stop issuing an alarm, so that only the high altitude worker on the work platform can stop the alarms issued by the high altitude alarm unit and the ground alarm unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, a worker working at height can know when the work platform is at a predetermined distance, and can therefore ensure that he or she is using a lifeline appropriate for the height of the work platform. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a high-altitude work device to which a ground height notification system according to a first or second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a part of the work platform of the aerial work apparatus according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the ground height notification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow for explaining the processing of the ground height notification system according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the relationship between the work platform and a preset distance in the first and second embodiments, where (a) shows when the work platform is lower than the preset distance, (b) shows when the work platform is at the preset distance, and (c) shows when the work platform is higher than the preset distance. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a ground height notification system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A first embodiment of a ground height notification system according to the present invention will now be described. This ground height notification system is for notifying a worker when, for example, a work platform of an aerial work device has ascended or descended a preset distance.

[0023] The ground height notification system is applied to an aerial work apparatus 1 used for various high-altitude work tasks, such as pole-top work for repairing electric wires. The aerial work apparatus 1 comprises a work platform 2 and a lifting device 3 that raises and lowers the work platform 2 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , the aerial work apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an aerial work vehicle configured based on a travellable vehicle body 4. Therefore, the aerial work apparatus 1 of this embodiment is itself movable. Therefore, the lifting device 3 of this embodiment is mounted on the vehicle body 4. The aerial work apparatus 1 is also provided with a control unit 5.

[0024] The lifting device 3 of this embodiment is composed of a swivel base 30 that rotates about an axis in the vertical direction in FIG. 1 relative to the vehicle body 4, a support column 31 extending upward from the swivel base 30, a boom 32 whose base end is supported on the upper part of the support column 31 via a foot pin (not shown), and a hoisting unit 33 that raises and lowers the boom 32 relative to the support column 31. The hoisting unit 33 shown in FIG. 1 raises the boom 32 relative to the support column 31 by the extension of a hydraulic cylinder. Therefore, the boom 32 of this embodiment is configured to raise and lower as a whole, centered on the base end supported by the support column 31. Furthermore, the boom 32 of this embodiment is telescopically configured with a base boom 320, an intermediate boom 321, and a tip boom 322. In addition, a work platform 2 (described later) is attached to the tip of the boom 32.

[0025] A worker working at heights above the ground rides on the work platform 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the work platform 2 is composed of a work platform 23 on which the worker stands and a side panel 24 that protrudes upward from the floor surface of the work platform 23 and surrounds the periphery of the floor surface. Therefore, the work platform 2 of this embodiment is configured in a generally box-like shape with an open top, allowing the worker to ride on it. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the side panel 24 of the work platform 2 of this embodiment is attached to the tip of a boom 32 (specifically, a tip boom 322). Therefore, the work platform 2 is configured to rise and fall by raising and lowering the boom 32 relative to the support 31 or by extending and retracting the boom 32. In addition, the work platform 2 of this embodiment is configured to rotate about a vertical axis by rotating a swivel base 30 provided on the vehicle body 4.

[0026] The workbench 2 of this embodiment is provided with a distance detection unit 20. This distance detection unit 20 detects the distance from the ground to the workbench 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the distance detection unit 20 of this embodiment is provided on the underside of the work floor 23. This distance detection unit 20 detects the vertical distance from the ground in a non-contact manner using laser light, infrared light, ultrasonic waves, or the like. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the workbench 2 is raised by the lifting device 3 in the order of, for example, FIGS. 5(a), (b), and (c), and when it is lowered in the order of, for example, FIGS. 5(c), (b), and (a), the distance detection unit 20 detects the distance from the ground.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the work platform 2 is provided with a control panel 21 that can be operated by a worker working at height on board. This control panel 21 is provided inside the box-shaped work platform 2. As shown in Figure 2, this control panel 21 is provided with an operation lever 210 for extending and lowering the boom 32 and for rotating the swivel base 30, and an alarm unit 50 (specifically, a high-altitude alarm unit 211), which will be described later. Therefore, a worker working at height on board the work platform 2 operates the operation lever 210 to extend and lower the boom 32, etc., and raise and lower the work platform 2.

[0028] The notification unit 50 issues a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the notification unit 50 includes a high altitude notification unit 211 and a ground notification unit 310 provided on the work platform 2.

[0029] The high-altitude notification unit 211 notifies the high-altitude worker when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. The high-altitude notification unit 211 in this embodiment consists of two units: an alarm device 2111 that notifies the high-altitude worker by sound, and an indicator lamp 2110 that notifies the high-altitude worker by light. As shown in FIG. 2, the alarm device 2111 and the indicator lamp 2110 serving as the high-altitude notification unit 211 are provided on the operation panel 21.

[0030] The notification stop unit 212 is a switch for inputting the stop of notification by the notification unit 50 (specifically, the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310). This notification stop unit 212 is operated after the notification unit 50 has issued a notification. When this notification stop unit 212 is operated, the notification by the notification unit 50 stops. As shown in FIG. 2 , the notification stop unit 212 in this embodiment is provided only on the work platform 2 (specifically, the operation panel 21). Therefore, the notification stop unit 212 is configured to be operable only by a high altitude worker on the work platform 2.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the work platform 2 of this embodiment is provided with an attachment portion 22 for attaching a lifeline. There are two types of lifelines: one for high altitudes and one for low altitudes. The low altitude lifeline X is shorter than the high altitude lifeline described below, and is attached to a waist belt worn by the high altitude worker when he or she boards the work platform 2. In this embodiment, the low altitude lifeline X is attached to the attachment portion 22, and is therefore permanently installed on the work platform 2. On the other hand, the high altitude lifeline is longer than the low altitude lifeline X, and is attached in advance to a harness worn by the high altitude worker.

[0032] The ground alarm unit 310 is for notifying ground workers who are standing on the ground and working on the ground (for example, this includes a supervisor who monitors workers working at height from the ground and a person in charge at the site). This ground alarm unit 310 issues an alarm when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. The ground alarm unit 310 of this embodiment is provided on both sides of the support 31 (only one side is shown in FIG. 1). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the ground alarm unit 310 of this embodiment is provided closer to the ground than the work platform 2. Furthermore, the ground alarm unit 310 of this embodiment is an indicator lamp 3100 that issues an alarm by light.

[0033] The control unit 5 controls the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 to issue a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. The control unit 5 in this embodiment is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and is configured by a board or microcomputer equipped with nonvolatile memory elements such as a read-only memory (ROM) or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) that pre-store various programs executed by the CPU and data required for their execution, volatile memory elements such as a random access memory (RAM) that serves as the so-called working memory of the CPU, and peripheral circuits, etc. Therefore, the control unit 5 in this embodiment includes a memory unit 52, as shown in FIG. 3 . The memory unit 52 pre-stores the distance from the ground to be used for notification by the notification unit 50.

[0034] Here, the "predetermined distance" refers to a distance suitable for switching between the high-altitude lifeline and the low-altitude lifeline X. If the high-altitude lifeline is used to connect the work platform 2 and the high-altitude worker when the height is lower than this distance, the high-altitude worker will reach the ground before the high-altitude lifeline is fully extended if he falls from the work platform 2. On the other hand, if the low-altitude lifeline X is used to connect the work platform 2 and the high-altitude worker when the low-altitude lifeline X is fully extended, the high-altitude worker will receive the impact of the fall and may be injured. Therefore, when the height is lower than the predetermined distance, the low-altitude lifeline X is used to connect the work platform 2 and the high-altitude worker, and when the height is higher than the predetermined distance, the high-altitude lifeline is used to connect the work platform 2 and the high-altitude worker. In this embodiment, the predetermined distance is, for example, 5 m vertically from the ground. In FIG. 5, the predetermined distance is indicated by a two-dot chain line K.

[0035] The control unit 5 of this embodiment includes a notification control unit 53 that controls notifications from the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310, and a lifting control unit 51 that controls the lifting operation of the lifting device 3 of the aerial work apparatus 1. The notification control unit 53 controls the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 to make a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance, and then controls the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 to stop making the notification when the notification stop unit 212 is operated while the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 are making a notification. Furthermore, the notification control unit 53 of this embodiment controls the notification unit 50 to make a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects the preset distance again after the notification unit 50 has stopped making the notification.

[0036] Next, a series of processes related to the above-described ground height notification system will be described. Here, it is assumed that a preset distance of 5 m in the vertical direction from the ground is recorded in the storage unit 52.

[0037] First, as shown in FIG. 5(c), a case will be described in which the work platform 2 is raised to a point (8 m from the ground) higher than a preset distance (5 m) from the ground. When working at height, first, a high-altitude worker wearing a harness and waist belt gets on to the work platform 2 located near the vehicle body 4 as the boom 32 is lowered. Here, when getting on the work platform 2, the high-altitude worker attaches the other end of the high-altitude lifeline attached to the harness to the attachment part 22, and also attaches one end of the low-altitude lifeline X attached to the attachment part 22 to the waist belt. Then, the high-altitude worker operates the operation lever 210 provided on the operation panel 21. As a result, the lifting control part 51 controls the lifting operation of the lifting device 3, causing the boom 32 to rise or extend, and the work platform 2 to rise.

[0038] As the work platform 2 rises, the distance detection unit 20 provided on the floor surface of the work floor 23 detects the distance from the ground (S1 in FIG. 4). For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when the work platform 2 rises and the distance detected by the distance detection unit 20 is 3 m, this is not the preset distance (5 m) (S2: No in FIG. 4), so the process returns to S1 in FIG. 4, and the distance detection unit 20 detects the distance from the ground in conjunction with the rise of the work platform 2. Then, as the work platform 2 rises from FIG. 5(a) to FIG. 5(b), when the distance detected by the distance detection unit 20 becomes the preset distance (5 m) (S2: Yes in FIG. 4), the notification control unit 53 controls the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 to issue a notification (S3 in FIG. 4). As a result, the alarm device 2111 serving as the high-altitude alarm unit 211 emits a sound to notify the high-altitude worker that the platform 2 has reached a preset distance from the ground, and the indicator lamp 2110 provided on the operation panel 21 lights up. Furthermore, on the ground side of the work platform 2, the ground alarm unit 310 provided on the side of the support 31 issues an alarm (specifically, two indicator lamps 3100 light up). Therefore, the high-altitude worker and the ground worker can confirm that the work platform 2 has risen to a height of 5 m from the ground. The high-altitude worker then removes one end of the low-altitude lifeline X attached to his waist belt. The high-altitude worker then operates the alarm stop unit 212 provided on the operation panel 21 (S4: Yes in FIG. 4 ) to stop the alarms from the high-altitude alarm unit 211 and the ground alarm unit 310 (S5 in FIG. 4 ). As shown in FIG. 5( c ), the work platform 2 then rises and reaches a point 8 m above the ground.

[0039] Next, a case will be described in which, after the above upward movement, the work platform 2 located at a point 8 m moves downward to a point 3 m from the ground.

[0040] When descending, the aerial worker first operates the operating lever 210 provided on the operation panel 21 to retract or lower the boom 32, thereby lowering the work platform 2 as shown in FIG. 5(c) to (b). Then, when the distance detection unit 20 detects 5 m (S1 in FIG. 4), the preset distance is reached (S2 in FIG. 4: Yes), and the high-altitude alarm unit 211 and the ground alarm unit 310 issue an alarm (S3 in FIG. 4). After that, the aerial worker attaches one end of the low-altitude lifeline X to his / her waist belt and then operates the alarm stop unit 212 (S4 in FIG. 4: Yes) to stop the alarms from the high-altitude alarm unit 211 and the ground alarm unit 310 (S5 in FIG. 4). Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b) to (a), the work platform 2 descends and arrives at a point 3 m above the ground.

[0041] As described above, according to the ground height notification system of the present invention, when the distance detection unit 20 detects a predetermined distance, the control unit 5 controls the high-altitude notification unit 211 to make a notification. Therefore, the high-altitude notification unit 211 notifies the high-altitude worker that the work platform 2 has ascended or descended a predetermined distance, thereby prompting the worker to switch between the high-altitude lifeline and the low-altitude lifeline X. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(b) or 5(c) to 5(b), the work platform 2 ascends or descends, and the distance detection unit 20 provided on the work floor 23 records the data in the memory unit 52. When the distance detection unit 20 detects the predetermined distance (5 m), the notification control unit 53 controls the high-altitude notification unit 211 to make a notification, and the high-altitude notification unit 211 makes the notification. Therefore, the high-altitude worker can know that the distance of the work platform 2 from the ground has reached 5 m, and can attach or detach the low-altitude lifeline X.

[0042] Furthermore, the high-altitude notification unit 211 of this embodiment includes an alarm device 2111 that notifies by sound, so that, for example, even if the high-altitude worker does not check the control panel 21, the high-altitude worker can be notified, thereby preventing the high-altitude worker from forgetting to confirm that he or she has reached a preset distance.

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, the high altitude notification unit 211 notifies the worker of the distance from the ground to the work platform 2, so the worker at height does not need to be conscious of the distance from the ground, thereby reducing the burden on the worker during work.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the notification control unit 53 controls the ground notification unit 310 to issue a notification in addition to the high-altitude notification unit 211, so that the ground notification unit 310 can issue a notification. Therefore, a ground worker working on the ground can also know that the distance from the work platform 2 to the ground has reached a preset distance, and therefore, for example, a ground worker who has received a notification from the ground notification unit 310 can confirm or urge the high-altitude worker to check whether the lifeline has been switched.

[0045] In addition, in this embodiment, by operating the alarm stop unit 212, the alarm by the high altitude alarm unit 211 and the ground alarm unit 310 can be stopped, so that after switching between the high altitude lifeline and the low altitude lifeline X (specifically, attaching or removing the low altitude lifeline X), the high altitude worker can stop the alarm by the high altitude alarm unit 211 and the ground alarm unit 310 as confirmation that he or she has switched between the high altitude lifeline and the low altitude lifeline X.

[0046] In this embodiment, the notification stop unit 212 is provided only on the operation panel 21 of the work platform 2, so that only the worker at height can stop the notifications from the high-altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the notification by the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 can be stopped by operating the notification stop unit 212, there is no need to provide a notification stop unit 212 corresponding to each notification unit 50, which saves the trouble of stopping the notification for each notification unit 50. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, since both the indicator lamp 2110 and the alarm device 2111 as the high altitude notification unit 211 can be stopped by operating the notification stop unit 212, it is possible to save the trouble of performing stop operations corresponding to each of the indicator lamp 2110 and the alarm device 2111.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the notification stop unit 212 is operated to stop the notifications from the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310, when the distance detection unit 20 detects the preset distance again, the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 will again make an alert, so that, for example, when working at an altitude higher than the preset distance, the high altitude notification unit 211 and the ground notification unit 310 can make an alert when the work platform 2 moves upward and when the work at the altitude is completed and the work platform 2 moves downward. Thus, the notification unit 50 can notify the high altitude worker and the ground worker of both the timing of attaching and detaching the low altitude lifeline X without omission.

[0049] 1, in this embodiment, the ground notification unit 310 is provided on the vehicle body 4 (specifically, on both sides of the support pillar 31), so that the ground worker can confirm the notification by the ground notification unit 310. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, when the ground worker is working beside the vehicle body 4, it is easy for him or her to confirm the notification by the ground notification unit 310.

[0050] Next, a ground height notification system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. When describing the ground height notification system according to the second embodiment, Figures 1, 2, and 4 to 6 will be used, and descriptions of the same configurations and operations as those of the ground height notification system according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6 , the high-altitude alarm unit 211 of the second embodiment includes a visual alarm unit 2110′ as a first alarm unit. This visual alarm unit 2110′ corresponds to the indicator lamp 2110 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the visual alarm unit 2110′ of the second embodiment alerts the high-altitude worker's vision and is, for example, an indicator lamp that emits light. Unlike the indicator lamp 2110 of the first embodiment, the visual alarm unit 2110′ is configured to change the alarm mode when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. Therefore, the visual alarm unit 2110′ of the second embodiment changes the alarm mode by switching the indicator lamp on and off. The ground alarm unit of the second embodiment is a visual alarm unit 310′ configured as an indicator lamp.

[0052] 6, the high-altitude alarm unit 211 of the second embodiment includes an auditory alarm unit 2111', which is an alarm device that issues an alarm by sound as a second alarm unit. The auditory alarm unit 2111' is configured to issue an alarm to the auditory sense of the high-altitude worker. The auditory alarm unit 2111' is configured to issue an alarm when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. The auditory alarm unit 2111' is configured to stop the alarm when the alarm stop unit 212 is operated. Therefore, the auditory alarm unit 2111' of the second embodiment is configured similarly to the alarm device 2111 of the first embodiment.

[0053] The notification stop unit 212 of the second embodiment is configured to input a command to stop notification by the auditory notification unit 2111'. That is, in the second embodiment, the notification stop unit 212 is configured to stop only notification by the auditory notification unit 2111'.

[0054] Unlike the first embodiment, the notification control unit 53 of the second embodiment is configured to change the notification mode of the visual notification unit 2110' when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the notification control unit 53 switches between turning on and off the indicator lamps serving as the visual notification units 310', 2110'.

[0055] Furthermore, the notification control unit 53 of the second embodiment controls the auditory notification unit 2111' to issue a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. In addition, the notification control unit 53 of the second embodiment controls the auditory notification unit 2111' to stop issuing a notification when the notification stop unit 212 is operated while the auditory notification unit 2111' is issuing a notification. Therefore, the notification control unit 53 of the second embodiment controls the alarm device to issue and stop issuing a notification, similar to the first embodiment.

[0056] Next, the processing of the ground height notification system according to the second embodiment will be described. As in the first embodiment, first, a case will be described in which the work platform 2 moves upward to a point (8 m) higher than a preset distance (5 m) from the ground. Then, a case will be described in which the work platform 2, which has moved to the high point (8 m), moves downward to a point (3 m) lower than the preset distance (5 m).

[0057] First, in the second embodiment, before the work platform 2 is raised, that is, when the aerial worker boards the work platform 2, the indicator lamps serving as the visual alarm units 310′ and 2110′ are turned on. Then, when the aerial worker operates the control lever 210, the work platform 2 starts to rise while the distance detection unit 20 detects the distance to the ground (S1 and S2 in FIG. 4: No). When the raised work platform 2 reaches a preset distance (5 m), the distance detection unit 20 detects the preset distance (5 m) (S2 in FIG. 4: Yes). At this time, the alarm control unit 53 controls the indicator lamps serving as the visual alarm units 310′ and 2110′ to be turned off. As in the first embodiment, the alarm control unit 53 also controls the alarm device serving as the auditory alarm unit 2111′ to emit a sound to provide an alarm (S3 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the worker at height and the worker on the ground can confirm that the work platform 2 has risen to the preset distance (5 m) by the indicator lamps serving as the visual alarm units 310', 2110' going out and the alarm device emitting a sound. After that, the worker at height removes one end of the low-altitude lifeline X attached to one end of his waist belt. In addition, the worker at height operates the alarm stop unit 212, which causes the alarm control unit 53 to stop the alarm device from emitting a sound (S4: Yes, S5 in FIG. 4). Then, with the indicator lamps remaining out, the work platform 2 rises to a point (8 m) higher than the preset distance.

[0058] Next, when the work platform 2 descends from the high point (8 m) to the ground, the indicator lamp remains off until the work platform 2 descends to a preset distance (5 m) from the ground. Then, when the work platform 2 descends to the preset distance (5 m), the distance detection unit 20 detects the preset distance. Therefore, the notification control unit 53 controls the indicator lamp to be switched from off to on. The notification control unit 53 also controls the alarm device to emit a sound (S3 in FIG. 4). Therefore, when the work platform 2 descends to the preset distance (5 m), the indicator lamp is turned on and the alarm device emits a sound. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the notification control unit 53 controls the auditory notification unit 2111′ to issue a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects the preset distance again after the auditory notification unit 2111′ has stopped issuing a notification. Thereafter, the worker at a height attaches one end of the low-altitude lifeline X to his waist belt and operates the alarm stop unit 212 to stop the alarm device (S4: Yes, S5 in FIG. 4). Then, with the indicator lamp remaining lit, the work platform 2 descends toward the ground.

[0059] As described above, in the second embodiment of the ground height notification system, when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance (5 m) from the ground when the work platform 2 is raised or lowered, the indicator lamps serving as visual notification units 310', 2110' switch on or off, thereby allowing the high-altitude worker and the ground worker to know that the work platform 2 has been raised or lowered to the preset distance (5 m) from the ground.

[0060] In addition, in the ground height notification system of the second embodiment, the indicator lamp that has been switched on or off remains on or off, so that workers working at height and on the ground can check the indicator lamp to confirm that the work platform 2 is at a position lower or higher than a predetermined distance (5 m) from the ground.

[0061] In the ground height notification system of the second embodiment, the notification stop unit 212 is configured to stop only the notification by the auditory notification unit 2111'. Therefore, even if the worker at a height operates the notification stop unit 212, he or she cannot change the notification mode of the visual notification units 310' and 2110'.

[0062] The ground height notification system of the present invention is not limited to the first or second embodiment described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0063] In the first or second embodiment, the other end of the high-altitude lifeline is always attached to the attachment part 22, and the high-altitude lifeline and the low-altitude lifeline X are switched by attaching and detaching (attaching and detaching) the low-altitude lifeline X. However, this is not limited to this. For example, when a high-altitude worker gets on the work platform 2, he or she attaches one end of the low-altitude lifeline X to the waist belt portion he or she wears, and when the work platform 2 rises to a preset distance, he or she attaches the other end of the high-altitude lifeline attached to the harness to the attachment part 22, and then detaches one end of the low-altitude lifeline X from the waist belt portion. As a result, when one end of the low-altitude lifeline X is detached from the waist belt portion, the high-altitude lifeline is still attached to the waist belt portion, ensuring safety. In addition, when the work platform 2 has descended to a predetermined distance, the other end of the high-altitude lifeline can be removed from the attachment portion 22 and one end of the low-altitude lifeline X can be attached to the belt portion, and switching between the high-altitude lifeline and the low-altitude lifeline X can be performed by selectively using (changing) the high-altitude lifeline and the low-altitude lifeline X based on a predetermined distance.

[0064] In the first or second embodiment, the distance detection unit 20 is described as being provided on the underside of the working platform 23, but this is not limiting, and the distance from the ground may be derived from the lifting mechanism of the lifting device 3, for example, the raising and lowering or extension of the boom 32. Furthermore, the distance detection unit 20 may be disposed on the ground, and detect the distance of the working platform 2 from the ground by measuring the distance from the ground to the working platform 23 of the working platform 2.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the high-altitude notification unit 211 is described as being the alarm device 2111 and the indicator lamp 2110 attached to the operation panel 21, but this is not limiting, and for example, a display may be attached to the work platform 2, and a notification may be given to a high-altitude worker by displaying characters or the like on the display. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0066] In the first or second embodiment, the high-altitude alarm unit 211 is attached to the control panel 21 provided on the work platform 2, but this is not limiting. For example, the high-altitude alarm unit 211 may be attached to the boom 32, or may be worn by the worker at high altitude. Furthermore, the high-altitude alarm unit 211 may be located on the ground. In this case, to avoid a situation where the worker at high altitude is not notified, the high-altitude alarm unit 211 may be a buzzer that audibly alerts the worker at high altitude.

[0067] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which two alarm units are provided: a high altitude alarm unit 211 that notifies workers at height and a ground alarm unit 310 that notifies workers on the ground, but this is not limiting, and for example, one alarm unit 50 may function as both the high altitude alarm unit 211 and the ground alarm unit 310 to notify both workers at height and workers on the ground. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0068] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the aerial work apparatus 1 is provided with both the high altitude reporting unit 211 and the ground reporting unit 310, but this is not limiting, and for example, the aerial work apparatus 1 may be configured to not be provided with the ground reporting unit 310, but to be provided with only the high altitude reporting unit 211. In this case, in the ground height reporting system of the present invention, the ground reporting unit 310 may be provided as a separate unit from the aerial work apparatus 1. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the case has been described in which the notification stop unit 212 is provided on the work platform 2, and the aerial worker operates the notification stop unit 212 to cause the notification unit 50 to stop the notification. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a ground operation console provided with an operation lever 210 for operating the lifting device 3 may be provided at the rear of the vehicle body 4, and the notification stop unit 212 may be provided on the ground operation console. As a result, for example, when the aerial worker is unable to operate the notification stop unit 212 provided on the operation panel 21, the ground worker can operate the notification stop unit 212 provided on the ground operation console to stop the notification from the notification unit 50. Note that the notification stop unit in the second embodiment may be provided on a ground operation console provided at the rear of the vehicle body 4.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above first or second embodiment, the case where the alarm stop unit 212 is a switch has been described, but for example, the alarm stop unit 212 may be a timer that stops the alarm from the alarm unit 50 after a certain time has elapsed since the alarm unit 50 made the alarm.

[0071] For example, in the first or second embodiment, in both cases where the lifting device 3 raises and lowers the work platform 2 as shown in Fig. 5(a) to (b) or Fig. 5(c) to (b), the control unit 5 controls the high-place notification unit 211 to issue a notification when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance, but this is not limited thereto. For example, in the case where the lifting device 3 raises the work platform 2 vertically from the ground, the control unit 5 may control the notification unit 50 to issue a notification only when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance. Also, in the case where the lifting device 3 lowers the work platform 2, the control unit 5 may control the notification unit 50 to issue a notification only when the distance detection unit 20 detects a preset distance.

[0072] In the above first embodiment, a case has been described in which both the high altitude alarm unit 211 and the ground alarm unit 310 are stopped by operating the alarm stop unit 212 provided on the work platform 2, but it is sufficient that the configuration is such that at least the alarm by the high altitude alarm unit 211 is stopped by operating the alarm stop unit 212. In this case, for example, a ground alarm stop unit for stopping the alarm by the ground alarm unit 310 may be provided separately from the alarm stop unit 212, and the alarm by the ground alarm unit 310 may be stopped by operating the ground alarm stop unit.

[0073] In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 1, the ground alarm unit 310 is provided on the side of the vehicle body 4 (specifically, on both sides of the support pillar 31), but this is not limiting, and for example, the ground alarm unit 310 may be provided on the work platform 2. In other words, the ground alarm unit 310 only needs to be provided in a location that can be confirmed by a ground worker (for example, the side plate portion 24 of the work platform 2 or the work floor 23), and as long as the ground worker can confirm the notification from the ground alarm unit 310, the ground alarm unit 310 may be provided on the work platform 2 as described above. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the ground notification unit 310 is described as being the indicator lamp 3100 that notifies by light, but may be, for example, an alarm device that notifies by sound instead of the indicator lamp 3100. Furthermore, the ground notification unit 310 may be provided with an alarm device in addition to the indicator lamp 3100.

[0075] In the above first and second embodiments, the aerial work apparatus 1 has been described as an aerial work vehicle configured based on a drivable vehicle body 4, and therefore the aerial work apparatus 1 is mobile, but this is not limiting, and for example, the aerial work apparatus 1 may be a stationary type. Also, for example, the aerial work apparatus 1 may be portable so that it can be carried by multiple ground workers.

[0076] In the above first or second embodiment, the case where the preset distance is 5 m was described, but this is not limited to this. For example, the system may be configured so that the user of the ground height notification system of the present invention can change the preset distance as appropriate, such as to set the preset distance to 6.75 m or less from the ground.

[0077] In the first or second embodiment described above, the control unit 5 is configured to include a memory unit 52, as shown in FIG. 3, but this is not limited thereto, and the memory unit 52 may be provided separately from the control unit 5.

[0078] In the second embodiment, the notification mode of visual notification unit 310', 2110' is changed by switching the indicator lamp between on and off. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the notification mode of visual notification unit 310', 2110' may be changed by switching the color of the indicator lamp when lit. Alternatively, the notification mode may be changed by changing the blinking mode of the indicator lamp.

[0079] In the second embodiment described above, the indicator lamps serving as the visual notification units 310', 2110' were in a lit state before the work platform 2 was raised, i.e., when the aerial worker boarded the work platform 2. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the indicator lamps may be turned off when the aerial worker boards the work platform 2. In this case, for example, when the work platform 2 is raised to a preset distance from the ground, the indicator lamps may be turned on, and the visual notification units 310', 2110' may change the notification mode.

[0080] In the second embodiment, the first notification unit is the visual notification unit 2110′, and the second notification unit is the auditory notification unit 2111′. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the first notification unit may be the auditory notification unit 2111′, and the second notification unit may be the visual notification unit 2110′. In this case, the auditory notification unit 2111′ as the first notification unit may change the notification mode by generating and stopping a sound. Alternatively, the auditory notification unit 2111′ may change the notification mode by changing the volume or tone. Note that both the first notification unit and the second notification unit may be the visual notification unit 2110′ or the auditory notification unit 2111′.

[0081] In the first and second embodiments, the "preset distance" is, as an example, 5 m in the vertical direction from the ground. That is, the "preset distance" in the first and second embodiments is set to be the same distance when the work platform 2 is raised and when it is lowered. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the "preset distance" when the work platform 2 is raised and the "preset distance" when the work platform 2 is lowered may be different distances.

[0082] In the first and second embodiments, the "predetermined distance" is 5 m in the vertical direction from the ground. However, this is not limiting, and the "predetermined distance" may be, for example, a distance (e.g., 5.5 m) selected from a range of values ​​from the ground, such as 3.0 to 8.0 m, 4.0 to 7.0 m, or 4.5 to 6.75 m. Alternatively, the "predetermined distance" may be a range of values ​​included in the above-mentioned ranges (e.g., 5.5 to 5.9 m, 4.8 to 5.2 m). [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1: high altitude work equipment, 2: work platform, 20: distance detection unit, 211: high altitude alarm unit, 2110': visual alarm unit, 2111': auditory alarm unit, 212: alarm stop unit, 3: lifting device, 310: ground alarm unit, 4: vehicle body, 5: control unit

Claims

1. The present invention is applied to an aerial work device including a work platform on which an aerial worker working at a height higher than the ground can ride, and a lifting device for raising and lowering the work platform, a distance detection unit that detects the distance from the ground to the work platform; a high-altitude notification unit that notifies the high-altitude worker; a control unit that controls the high-altitude alarm unit to issue an alarm when the distance detection unit detects a distance that is preset as a distance suitable for switching between a high-altitude lifeline and a low-altitude lifeline as lifelines connecting the high-altitude worker and the work platform, a notification stop unit that inputs a stop of notification by the high altitude notification unit; A ground height notification system characterized in that the control unit controls the high altitude notification unit to stop the notification when the notification stop unit is operated while the high altitude notification unit is notifying, and controls the high altitude notification unit to make a notification when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance again after the high altitude notification unit has stopped notifying.

2. 2. The ground height notification system according to claim 1, wherein the notification stopping unit is provided on the work platform.

3. The present invention is applied to an aerial work device including a work platform on which an aerial worker working at a height higher than the ground can ride, and a lifting device for raising and lowering the work platform, a distance detection unit that detects the distance from the ground to the work platform; a high-altitude notification unit that notifies the high-altitude worker; a control unit that controls the high-altitude alarm unit to issue an alarm when the distance detection unit detects a distance that is preset as a distance suitable for switching between a high-altitude lifeline and a low-altitude lifeline as lifelines connecting the high-altitude worker and the work platform, a ground notification unit that is provided on the ground side of the work platform and that notifies ground workers working on the ground; a notification stop unit that receives an input to stop notifications from the high-altitude notification unit and the ground notification unit and is operated by the high-altitude worker; The high altitude alarm unit and the alarm stop unit are provided on the work platform, A ground height notification system characterized in that the control unit controls the high altitude notification unit and the ground notification unit to make an alert when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, and controls the high altitude notification unit and the ground notification unit to stop the alert when the alert stop unit is operated by the high altitude worker.

4. The high altitude notification unit includes a first notification unit that changes a notification mode when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, and a second notification unit that issues a notification when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance, a notification stop unit that inputs a stop of notification by the second notification unit, The ground height notification system described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit controls the second notification unit to stop the notification when the notification stop unit is operated while the second notification unit is notifying.

5. a ground notification unit that notifies ground workers working on the ground; 4. The ground height notification system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the ground notification unit to issue a notification when the distance detection unit detects the predetermined distance.

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