CH714678A1 - Method for distance warning of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for distance warning of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone. The danger zone is defined by a first surface around a static object, for example a railroad track, or by a second surface (27) around a dynamic object, for example another moving construction machine (29). A display device (17) is arranged on a piece of equipment of the construction worker or is arranged on a construction machine, in particular in the driver's cab, and the display device (17) indicates when it is in the danger zone. The first and second surfaces (27) are first and second polygons which are defined by a plurality of spatial data. The geodata of the first area are stored in the display device (17) and the geodata of the second area (27) are transmitted to the display device (17) at certain time intervals, whereby the geodata of the first and the second area (27) in the display device (27). 17) are stored. It is determined by GNSS whether the display device (17) is within the first or second area (27). The indicator (17) indicates when it is in the first or second surface (27).

Description

description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for warning the distance of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone according to the preamble of claim 1.

PRIOR ART [0002] Methods for warning the distance of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone are known from the prior art.

[0003] CA 2968 852 describes an apparatus and a method in which a construction worker is warned if he comes too close to a construction machine. An electromagnetic field is set up on the construction machine, which defines a danger zone around the construction machine. A PAD (personal alarm device) is arranged on a protective helmet, which generates an alarm when the worker is within the magnetic field.

[0004] WO 2009/158 471 A1 also discloses a PAD for arrangement on a protective helmet. When the wearer of the protective helmet gets into the danger zone of a construction machine, the PAD reacts to the magnetic field generated around the construction machine. The warning that the construction worker is in the danger zone of the construction machine is given by an acoustic or a visual signal.

Although these systems make it possible to warn construction workers when they come into the area of the electromagnetic field, the construction machine operators cannot be warned by these systems. The provision of an electromagnetic field to secure large distances is also very expensive.

Another disadvantage is that no gradation of the proximity of the construction worker to the construction machine is possible. The system only shows the construction worker whether he is in a danger zone or not. However, there may already be a danger to life in the danger zone.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The disadvantages of the prior art described result in the object initiating the present invention to further develop a method for distance warning on construction sites, in which construction workers and construction machine operators are warned as early as possible of a possible collision, the method simultaneously being extremely reliable features.

Description In a method for distance warning of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone, the danger zone is surrounded by a first area around a static object, for example a railroad track, or by a second area around a dynamic object, for example another moving construction machine , Are defined. According to the prior art, the surfaces are built up by an electromagnetic field. A display device is arranged on a piece of equipment of the construction worker or on a construction machine, in particular in the driver's cab, and the display device indicates when it is in the danger zone.

The object is achieved in the above method in that the first and the second surface is a first and a second polygon, which polygons are defined by a plurality of geodesics, that the geodesics of the first surface are stored in the display device and the geodetics of the second area are transmitted to the display device at specific time intervals, whereby the geodetics of the first and the second area are stored in the display device, GNSS is used to determine whether the display device is located within the first or second area and that Display device shows when it is in the first or the second area. The check of the stay within the first and second area defined by geodesics by means of GNSS is reliable and is cheaper and more precise in comparison to an electromagnetic field. The method works with the first and the second polygon as GNSS surfaces and not with GNSS points, as is common in conventional navigation.

The invention is preferably characterized in that the first and the second surface each in an inner surface, which is defined by a plurality of geodesists and is indicated as a damage zone, and an outer surface, which surrounds the inner surface by a plurality of geodesics is defined and displayed as a warning zone is divided. The definition of a warning zone and a damage zone, both of which are displayed on the display device depending on the distance to the static or dynamic object, enables a method with double security. The user of the display device takes the display of the warning zone and the damage zone seriously and will avoid going into the damage zone because he has been warned by the warning zone. The distance warning according to the invention is therefore a 2-stage warning display. The display device makes it possible to touch the border from the warning zone to the damage zone, should this be necessary on the construction site for reasons of space. When viewing only a single zone, the user will

CH 714 678 A1 of the display device do not take this warning seriously and react accordingly negligent, since it is in the zone and cannot estimate whether it is already at risk or not.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device (OPU - On-Person-Unit), which the construction worker wears, is arranged on a belt, which belt is worn by the construction worker on the construction site. A belt is preferably indicated by vibration. Because the belt is close to the wearer's body, the vibration is immediately felt without the wearer having to look at the belt.

The invention is also characterized in that the direction of the static object or the dynamic object is displayed on the belt by the display on the circumference of the belt at a point, the imaginary direction, substantially perpendicular to the belt circumference , points in the direction of the object. If the OPU vibrates, for example, on the left rear of the back, the wearer knows immediately that the danger in the form of the static or dynamic object threatens in this direction. So the wearer knows immediately in which direction he has to move in order to be able to move out of the danger area (first or second surface) as quickly as possible. In the present example, in order to leave the danger zone as quickly as possible, this direction is at the front right against the object, which from the point of view of the wearer is located at the rear left.

It has proven to be useful if the display device (OPU - On-Person-Unit), which the construction worker wears, is arranged on a protective helmet, which helmet is worn by the construction worker on the construction site. Attaching to the helmet, which must be worn on a construction site anyway, has the advantage that the construction worker feels a vibration on the head or the display device can be arranged in the field of vision of the construction worker. As a result, the construction worker always has an overview or feels whether he is in the warning zone, the damage zone or outside the zones.

The display device is expediently displayed when the display device is in the first surface or the second surface, by vibration and / or optically. The multiple display ensures that the construction worker or machine operator realizes that he is in the danger zone even if he does not notice one of the displays. An acoustic warning display is also conceivable. Since there is usually a high level of noise on construction sites, an acoustic warning display runs the risk of being ignored.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device (OBU - on-board unit), which is arranged on the construction machine, is positioned in the driver's cab such that it is always in the field of vision of the machine operator, regardless of the working position of the construction machine , The machine operator is therefore always informed whether the construction machine is outside or in a warning zone or a damage zone of a static or dynamic object and the display cannot be overlooked.

The invention is also preferably characterized in that the OBU of the construction machine locates and indicates when there is an OPU or another OBU within the second area around the construction machine. As a result, the distance warning method is doubly secured, since it not only indicates to the user of the display device when he is in the warning zone or the damage zone of a construction machine, but also to the machine operator of the construction machine that the area around the warning zone or damage zone indicates the Construction machine is an OPU or an OBU. This enables everyone involved to react, which greatly reduces the probability of an accident.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, all OPUs and OBUs, which are located in a defined area, for example the area of a construction site, are linked to one another by mobile radio or GPRS. The mobile radio or the GPRS can be used to transmit position data and the position of all OPUs and OBUs located on the construction site can be displayed on each OBU.

It proves to be advantageous if the location of an OPU or an OBU takes place within the second area around the construction machine by means of mobile radio or GPRS. Instead of GPRS, mobile radio can also be used. This allows all OPUs and OBUs that are located in the danger zone of the construction machine to be displayed. A collision or an accident can therefore be avoided in two ways by the display (optical or acoustic) on the OBU of the construction machine and by the display on all OPUs and OBUs that are located in the danger zone or the damage zone of the construction machine.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device has a vibration display, in which a vibration of the first type occurs when the display device is within the warning zone and a vibration of the second type occurs when the display device is within the damage zone. Since construction sites usually have a high level of noise and construction workers and machine operators cannot always keep an eye on a visual display, the vibration display is the optimal warning option on the display device. For example, the vibration in the warning zone may be weaker or at longer intervals than in the damage zone. To inform the machine operator, the display device can be worn by the machine operator, for example on a belt, or it is integrated in the operating devices of the construction machine so that the machine operator can perceive the vibration. The type of vibration also differs depending on whether a construction worker or another construction machine is displayed in the second area of the construction machine, or whether it is indicated that the construction machine is located in the second area of another construction machine.

CH 714 678 A1 In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device has an optical display according to a traffic light display by the functionality of the display device by lighting a green light, the stay within the warning zone by lighting a yellow light and the stay in the Damage zone is signaled by a red light. This color display is immediately understandable and makes it possible to avoid entering the damage zone, in which there is danger to life, by displaying the warning zone.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the second area increases depending on the speed of the dynamic object in the direction of travel of the dynamic object. The warning zone and the damage zone therefore increase proportionally with increasing speed. As a result, the safety distance to the dynamic object, in particular to the construction machine, is always kept within a sufficient tolerance and the machine operator and the construction worker have sufficient time to react, even if the driving speed of the construction machine is increased.

Advantageously, all OPUs and OBUs, which are located in a defined area, for example the area of a construction site, are linked to one another with WLAN if the GPRS or the mobile radio fails. This provides redundancy for the location of the OPUs and OBUs within the danger zone of a construction machine if the GPRS or the mobile radio fails.

It proves to be advantageous if the damage zone surrounds the object up to a distance of at least 2 m. The at least 2 m from the maximum extent of the object are measured. For example, the maximum extended excavator arm of an excavator or the maximum swivel range of a construction machine. This means that there is still a sufficient safety distance when a construction worker or construction machine enters the area of damage.

It proves to be advantageous if the warning zone surrounds the object up to a distance of at least 5 m. This means that the outer limit of the warning zone is at least 3 m away from the outer limit of the damage zone. There is therefore a sufficient distance from the damage zone and entering the damage zone can be prevented by leaving the warning zone.

Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of two exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. It does not show to scale:

Fig. 1: a danger and damage zone around a static object and Fig. 2: a danger and damage zone around a dynamic object.

1 and 2 are schematic diagrams for the function of a method for warning a distance of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone.

1 shows a first surface 11, which represents a danger zone around a static object. The static object is an immovable object from which a danger can arise on a construction site. For example, the static object can be railway tracks, an excavation pit or a slope.

2 the method is illustrated on a dynamic object, in particular a construction machine 29. The danger zone defines a second area 27 around the construction machine 29.

The first surface 11 is divided into a static damage zone 13a and a static warning zone 15a, the warning zone 15a surrounding the damage zone 13a.

Both the damage zone 13a and the warning zone 15a are a polygon, which polygon is defined by a plurality of geodesics. The geodesics are stored in a display device 17.

Preferably, the display device 17 is arranged on a belt 19, which is obligatorily worn by the construction worker on the construction site. The belt 19 is particularly suitable for the arrangement of the display device 17, since the direction in which the dangerous object is located can be displayed in a simple manner. For this purpose, the direction of the static object or the dynamic object is displayed on the belt 19 by the display on the circumference of the belt 19 being made at a point by vibration, the imaginary direction of which, essentially at right angles to the belt circumference, points in the direction of the object. If the display device 17 vibrates, for example, on the back left of the wearer, the wearer knows immediately that the danger in the form of the static or dynamic object threatens in this direction. So the wearer knows immediately in which direction he has to move in order to be able to move out of the danger area (first or second surface) as quickly as possible. In the present example, in order to leave the danger zone as quickly as possible, this direction is at the front right against the object, which from the point of view of the wearer is located at the rear left.

If the display device 17 is arranged on the belt 19 or another piece of equipment of a construction worker, it is referred to as an on-person unit (OPU) 21.

The display device 17 can also be arranged on a protective helmet, which a construction worker must wear on a construction site. The display device can also be arranged on other items of equipment which the

CH 714 678 A1

Construction worker carries. In the case of an arrangement on a helmet, however, it is advantageous for the display device 17 to be in the field of vision of the construction worker.

The display device can also be arranged in the driver's cab of a construction machine 29 in order to warn the machine operator of a danger zone 11. If the display device is arranged in the driver's cab of a construction machine, it is referred to as an on-board unit (OBU) 25.

The method has the particular advantage that on the display device 17, that is, both on the OPU 21 and on the OBU 25, it is displayed whether the display device 17 is functional, and in the warning zone 15a or in the damage zone 13a located. The display can be visual, acoustic and via vibration. GNSS, in particular GPS, is used to check whether the display device 17 is located within the warning zone 15a, defined by geodesists, or within the damage zone 13a, also defined by geodesists. This 2 level display has the advantage that it is taken seriously by the user. The user does not ignore the display because a danger zone is constantly being displayed, but is made aware that he is in the warning zone 15a and, if he is negligent, enters a damage zone 13a which is life-threatening.

The vibration display can be carried out by starting different vibrations, depending on whether the display device 17 is in the damage zone 13a, 13b or in the warning zone 15a, 15b. For example, the vibration intervals in the damage zone 13a, 13b can be shorter and / or more intensive than in the warning zone 15a, 15b.

[0037] The visual display is realized by a traffic light display. If the display device is functional and ready for operation, a green light lights up. If the display device 17 is located within the warning zone 15a, a yellow light also shines. If the user ignores the warning by the yellow light and is in the damage zone 13a, a red light lights up. The traffic light display can be supplemented by different acoustic signals and different vibrations.

In Fig. 1, an OPU 21 is shown arranged on a belt 19. The OPU 21 has exceeded the limit of the warning zone 15a, which is symbolized by the exclamation mark. The OPU 21 arranged on the belt therefore vibrates in the direction of the static object. In the case of an optical display, a green and a yellow light shine on this display device 17.

The method on a dynamic object, in particular a construction machine 29, is illustrated in FIG. 2. The danger zone defines a second area 27 around the construction machine 29.

The second surface 27 is divided into a dynamic damage zone 13b and a dynamic warning zone 15b, the warning zone 15b surrounding the damage zone 13b.

Both the damage zone 13b and the warning zone 15b are in turn a polygon, which polygon is each defined by a plurality of geodesics. The geodesics are continuously transmitted to all OPUs 21 and OBUs 25 in the construction site area at certain time intervals. As a result, the current geodesics of the dynamic damage zone 13b and the dynamic warning zone 15b are always stored in the OPUs 21 and OBUs 25.

Depending on the speed at which the construction machine 29 moves, the dynamic warning zone 15b and the dynamic damage zone 13b are enlarged in the direction of travel. This ensures that the display device 17, which is located in the warning zone 15b or in the damage zone 13b, indicates the presence in these zones with a sufficient safety distance from the construction machine 29.

In the method for distance warning in front of a dynamic object, it is also checked by means of GPS whether the display device 17 is located within the warning zone 15b or the damage zone 13b. A corresponding display is then generated, as described above.

2, one of the three OPUs 21 shown is located in the warning zone 15b of the construction machine 29. The other two OPUs 21 are located outside the dynamic warning zone 15b. As a result, the OPU 21 does not vibrate on the belt 19 and only the green light, which indicates the functionality, lights up on a visual display.

The method not only makes it possible for displays 17 to be displayed when they are in a warning zone 15a, 15b or a damage zone 13a, 13b, but it can also show the direction in which the static or the dynamic is Object is located. In addition, it also enables an OBU 25 to display which other OBUs 25 and OPUs 21 are in the dynamic warning zone 15b and the dynamic damage zone 13b of the construction machine 29.

To locate the OBUs 25 and OPUs 21, all OBUs 25 and OPUs 21, which are located in the area of the construction site, are linked to one another by mobile radio or GPRS. The OBUs 25 and OPUs 21 can be shown on a display. Such a display is shown in Fig. 2. The machine operator is shown on the display that two OPUs 21 are in the safe zone 31 and one OPU 21 is in the dynamic warning zone 15b. At the same time, the corresponding OPU 21 indicates that it is in the warning zone 15b. The method is therefore very safe, since it is displayed twice that an OPU 21 or an OBU 25 is in the dynamic warning zone 15b or the dynamic damage zone 13b: on the one hand on the display device 17, which is in the corresponding

CH 714 678 A1 is located on the second surface 27 and on the other hand on the display of the construction machine 29, which is surrounded by the second surface 27.

The display is arranged in the driver's cab of the construction machine 29 so that it is always in the field of vision of the machine operator. The machine operator thus always has an overview of the surroundings of the construction machine 29 and can stop the construction machine 29 immediately if an OBU 25 of another construction machine or an OPU 21 of a construction worker is in the warning zone 15b or the damage zone 13b.

Instead of the display or in addition to the display, a vibration indicator can be present in the driver's cab. The vibration indicator can be integrated into the operating lever of the construction machine 29 or can also be arranged on the body of the machine operator. Different vibrations show that there is an OPU 21 or an OBU 25 in the damage zone 13b or the warning zone 15b of the construction machine 29. Further differing vibrations indicate that the OBU 25 of the construction machine is in a warning zone 15a, 15b or in a damage zone 13a, 13b of a static or dynamic object.

The damage zones 13a, 13b and the warning zones 15a, 15b are dimensioned such that a sufficient distance from the static or dynamic object is ensured. The distance is measured from the outermost possible edge. If the dynamic object is an excavator, for example, the corresponding zones are measured by the maximum deflected excavator arm. For example, the damage zone 13a, 13b is at least 2 m from the static or dynamic object. The warning zone 15a, 15b has, for example, a distance of at least 5 m from the static or dynamic object. The distance between the outer limits of the damage zone and warning zone is therefore at least 3 m.

The present method for warning distance of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone has the advantage that it works very reliably. The so-called “geofencing” technology is used, that is, a check is made using GPS whether an imaginary closed area on the earth's surface, in particular a polygon, is crossed. Providing a warning zone and a damage zone makes the process particularly safe and precise. The persons who enter the danger zone are also warned twice by the provision of the two zones and are therefore less negligent when observing the danger zone.

Legend

[0051] 11 First area 13a Static damage zone 13b Dynamic damage zone 15a Static warning zone 15b Dynamic warning zone 17 display 19 belt 21 On-Person-Unit (OPU) 25 On-board unit (OBU) 27 Second area 29 Construction machinery 31 Safe zone

claims

Claims (15)

1. A method for warning distance of a construction worker or a construction machine in front of a danger zone, the danger zone being defined by a first area (11) around a static object, for example a railway track, or by a second area (27) around a dynamic object, for example another moving construction machine (29), and wherein a display device (17) is arranged on a piece of equipment of the construction worker or is arranged on a construction machine, in particular in the driver's cab, and displays the display device (17) when it is in the danger zone, thereby in CH 714 678 A1 that the first and second surfaces (11, 27) are first and second polygons, which polygons are defined by a plurality of geodesics, that the geodesics of the first surface (11) are stored in the display device (17) and the geodesics of the second surface (27) are transmitted to the display device (17) at specific time intervals, whereby the geodesics of the first and second surfaces (11, 27) are stored in the display device (17), which is determined by means of GNSS whether the display device (17) is located within the first or second area (11, 27) and that the display device (17) displays when it is located in the first or second area (11, 27). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second surface (11, 27) each in an inner surface, which is defined by a plurality of geodesics and is indicated as a damage zone (13a, 13b), and an outer Area which surrounds the inner area, is defined by a plurality of geodesists and is displayed as a warning zone (15a, 15b). 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display device (OPU - on-person unit (21)), which the construction worker wears, is arranged on a belt (19), which belt (19) by the construction worker is mandatory on the construction site. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the direction of the static object or the dynamic object is displayed on the belt (19) by the display on the circumference of the belt (19) at a point whose intended direction, in Points essentially perpendicular to the belt circumference, in the direction of the object. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display of the display device (17) when the display device (17) is in the first surface (11) or the second surface (27) by vibration and / or optically he follows. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (OBU - on-board unit (25)), which is arranged on the construction machine (29), is positioned in the driver's cab such that it is independent of the working position of the Construction machine (29) is always in the field of vision of the machine operator. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the OBU (25) of the construction machine (29) locates and indicates when there is an OPU (21) or another OBU (25) within the second area (27) around the construction machine (29). 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all OPUs (21) and OPUs (25), which are in a defined area, for example the area of a construction site, are linked to one another with mobile radio or GPRS. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the location of an OPU (21) or an OBU (25) takes place within the second area (27) around the construction machine (29) by means of mobile radio or GPRS. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (17) has a vibration display, in which a vibration of the first type takes place when the display device (17) is within the warning zone (15a, 15b) and a vibration second Kind occurs when the display device (17) is within the damage zone (13a, 13b). 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (17) has an optical display according to a traffic light display by the functionality of the display device (17) by glowing a green light, the stay within the warning zone (15a, 15b) is signaled by a yellow light and the presence in the damage zone (13a, 13b) is signaled by a red light. 12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second surface (27) increases depending on the speed of the dynamic object in the direction of travel of the dynamic object. 13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all OPUs (21) and OBUs (25), which are in a defined area, for example the area of a construction site, are linked to each other with WLAN, if the mobile radio or GPRS fails. 14. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the damage zone (13a, 13b) surrounds the object up to a distance of at least 2 m. 15. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the warning zone (15a, 15b) surrounds the object up to a distance of at least 5 m.