CN216053102U

CN216053102U - Visual recognition device, system, lifting appliance, pulley, conveying equipment and production line

Info

Publication number: CN216053102U
Application number: CN202121906570.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李因明; 张任领; 李军
Original assignee: BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd
Current assignee: BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-16
Filing date: 2021-08-16
Publication date: 2022-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-16

Abstract

The utility model relates to a visual recognition device for recognizing carbon deposition of a trolley line, which is arranged to be carried on a lifting appliance or a pulley moving along the trolley line, and comprises: the artificial intelligence camera comprises an image sensor, a processor and a signal interface, wherein the image sensor is used for collecting images of the trolley wires, the processor is used for analyzing whether black blocks exist in the collected images, and the signal interface is used for outputting the analysis result of the processor; and the control panel is connected with the signal interface of the artificial intelligence camera and is arranged to trigger an alarm signal according to an analysis result received from the artificial intelligence camera. Furthermore, the utility model relates to a spreader or trolley moving along a trolley line, a visual recognition system for recognizing carbon deposits on the trolley line, a conveying apparatus and a production line powered by the trolley line.

Description

Visual recognition device, system, lifting appliance, pulley, conveying equipment and production line

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a visual identification device for identifying carbon deposition of a trolley line, a lifting appliance or a pulley moving along the trolley line, a visual identification system for identifying the carbon deposition of the trolley line, a conveying device powered by the trolley line and a production line.

Background

In production, trolley lines are used in large quantities as a means of power supply. The sliding contact as a sliding contact line is usually contacted and conducted using a carbon brush to transmit electrical energy or signals. The carbon brush is mainly made of hard carbon graphite, natural graphite, resin graphite, electrochemical graphite, copper graphite or silver graphite. Because the carbon brush has mechanical wear when running on the sliding contact line, carbon powder produced by friction can be attached to the sliding contact line under the electrostatic action of the sliding contact line. However, the conductive carbon powder attached on the trolley wire can cause the danger of short circuit, ignition or phase loss of the trolley wire when accumulating carbon deposition in a certain area, and even endanger the safety of the conveying equipment powered by the trolley wire and even the whole production line.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned risks, it is common in today's production to arrange for service personnel to periodically (e.g. monthly) patrol the entire trolley line. However, since part of the trolley wire may be difficult to be inspected comprehensively and finely due to a narrow installation place or suspended at a high place. Moreover, such periodic inspection is labor and material intensive, and it is also difficult to eliminate the danger that occurs during the inspection interval.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model aims to provide automatic and reliable visual identification of carbon deposition on a sliding contact line, so that the carbon deposition on the sliding contact line can be prompted in time, the sliding contact line is effectively prevented from short circuit, ignition or phase failure due to the carbon deposition, and the safety of the sliding contact line, conveying equipment powered by the sliding contact line and a production line is effectively protected. Meanwhile, the utility model can save or even avoid the manpower and material resources consumed by the periodic inspection of the trolley line.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a visual recognition device for recognizing carbon deposition on a trolley line, the visual recognition device being provided for mounting on a hoist or a trolley that moves along the trolley line, characterized by comprising:

the artificial intelligence camera comprises an image sensor, a processor and a signal interface, wherein the image sensor is arranged for collecting images of the trolley wires, the processor is arranged for analyzing whether black blocks exist in the collected images, and the signal interface is arranged for outputting the analysis result of the processor; and

and the control panel is connected with the signal interface of the artificial intelligence camera and is used for triggering an alarm signal according to an analysis result received from the artificial intelligence camera.

In the present invention, the visual recognition device is provided for mounting on a spreader or a trolley that moves along a trolley line. This provides a follow-up visual recognition device, i.e. a visual recognition device which can be moved along with or by a spreader or a trolley moving along a trolley line, without the need for a separate drive for the visual recognition device and for controlling the operation of the visual recognition device on the trolley line. Moreover, the lifting appliance or the pulley generally runs on the whole sliding contact line or at least part of the section of the sliding contact line in a circulating manner, so that the visual recognition device can continuously recognize the range of the covered sliding contact line, the carbon deposition on the sliding contact line is recognized in time, and the short circuit, the ignition or the phase failure of the sliding contact line caused by the carbon deposition is effectively avoided.

In the present invention, an artificial intelligence camera is used in order to identify the carbon deposit on the trolley line. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera may be understood as a camera with an Artificial Intelligence chip set (e.g., CPU, lightweight GPU, ASIC, DSP, or FPGA hardware chip) that can implement an image recognition function based on a neural network using programming means known in the art. Here, the artificial intelligence camera includes an image sensor, a processor, and a signal interface. The image sensor is provided for capturing images of the trolley wire, in particular of one or more contact openings of the trolley wire (i.e. the side of the trolley wire on which the current collectors and/or brushes are provided). Based on the vision recognition device is driven by the lifting appliance or the pulley, the image sensor only needs to continuously acquire the images of the sliding contact line areas exposed in the front, the back or the middle of the lifting appliance or the pulley, so that all the sliding contact lines covered by the running range of the lifting appliance or the pulley can be covered. And transmitting the image of the trolley wire acquired by the image sensor to a processor for image recognition processing. Here, the processor may use well-known image recognition algorithms, in particular color recognition algorithms, to analyze the captured image for the presence of black regions. Preferably, in order to adapt to different lighting conditions, it may be considered to set a certain threshold value, such as an RGB threshold value or an HSV threshold value, for the color to be identified. Since there may be black clips, joints, etc. in the trolley lines, it is also possible to exclude the interference of these regularly shaped black blocks using well-known shape recognition algorithms. In particular, the artificial intelligence cameras currently on the market are provided with an intelligent learning function, so that the artificial intelligence cameras can learn images of typical carbon deposits, fixing clips and/or joints and the like in advance, so as to more reliably identify the existence of the carbon deposits and/or eliminate interference in subsequent operation. After the processor analyzes the image of the trolley wire, the processor can transmit the analysis result to the signal interface, and the signal interface outputs the analysis result outwards. Here, the analysis result may be a signal indicating the presence and/or absence of a black block in the image. The control panel connected with the signal interface of the artificial intelligence camera can trigger an alarm signal according to an analysis result received from the artificial intelligence camera. For example, when the control board receives a signal which triggers an alarm signal when the control board analyzes that a black block exists in the collected image, the image is collected by the artificial intelligence camera, and carbon deposition exists on the sliding contact line.

By the aid of the visual identification device, automatic identification of carbon deposition on the trolley line can be achieved through the visual identification device which is carried on the lifting appliance or the trolley moving along the trolley line. And image recognition based on the algorithm can ensure reliable recognition of carbon deposition on the trolley line. Therefore, the carbon deposition on the sliding contact line can be prompted in time, the sliding contact line is effectively prevented from being short-circuited, ignited or phase-lacking due to the carbon deposition, and the safety of the sliding contact line, conveying equipment powered by the sliding contact line and a production line is effectively protected. Meanwhile, the utility model can save or even avoid the manpower and material resources consumed by the periodic inspection of the trolley line.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the visual recognition device comprises a first power cat connected to the control board, which is provided for transmitting an alarm signal via the trolley line by means of power line communication. In order to realize that the alarm signal of the visual identification device can be output to the outside so that monitoring personnel can timely know the alarm of the carbon deposition, the visual identification device is internally provided with an electric cat. Here, the modem may be a Power Line Communication (PLC) modem or a Power Line Communication network bridge. In the application scenario of the trolley line, a factory area with a large floor area is usually involved, and wireless network communication is often difficult to guarantee. And the communication line of the trolley line itself may be in a position that is not allowed to be occupied for safety reasons. Based on this situation, it is advantageous to use some of the lines of the trolley line, in particular a phase line and a neutral line, to build up a power line communication network via the power line modem, so that the signals and/or data of the visual recognition device can be reliably output to the outside.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the visual recognition device comprises a monitoring camera which is provided for capturing and/or recording images of the trolley line. In order to further monitor the trolley line for any other possible danger, a monitoring camera, in particular a high-definition camera, can also be provided, which can capture and/or record images of the trolley line. Through the image that the surveillance camera head was gathered, the control personnel can inspect in detail the fatigue of wiping line, wearing and tearing, deformation, ageing, ablation etc..

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the visual recognition device comprises a second power cat connected to the monitoring camera, the second power cat being provided for transmitting image data acquired by the monitoring camera via a trolley line by means of power line communication. In this case, the image data acquired by the monitoring camera are also transmitted to the outside via the power modem, in order to allow the monitoring personnel to remotely view the images and/or to archive the real-time images. It should be noted that the first power cat and the second power cat may transmit via the same trolley line. However, for increasing safety and avoiding disturbances, it is also possible to consider using partially or completely different trolley lines.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the artificial intelligence camera further comprises a data interface, which is provided for outputting the image data captured by the image sensor, the first power modem being connected to the data interface and additionally transmitting the image data captured by the image sensor via a trolley line by means of power line communication. The embodiment provides a highly integrated visual recognition device, and the visual recognition device can simultaneously realize the recognition of carbon deposition of a trolley wire, the real-time image acquisition and the transmission of alarm signals and image data by only a few components. The manufacturing cost of the visual recognition device can be reduced.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the visual recognition device comprises an alarm which is connected to the control panel and which is designed as a warning light and/or as a loudspeaker and triggers a light and/or sound alarm when a warning signal from the control panel is received. Therefore, the alarm can be given on the site of finding the carbon deposition of the trolley line, so that personnel on the site can immediately know that the danger exists and visually recognize the position of the carbon deposition. If necessary, the alarm signal can be output to a driving device of the lifting appliance or the pulley, so that the lifting appliance or the pulley can be stopped in time to wait for maintenance on site under the condition that the danger of the trolley line is found.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the visual recognition device comprises an LED which is capable of illuminating the trolley line when there is insufficient illumination. Because the illumination condition of the mounting position of the trolley conductor is different, the LED can be used for light supplement when the illumination is insufficient.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the visual recognition device comprises a power supply unit which is capable of taking power from the trolley line. For powering the visual identification device, the power supply unit may be connected to a current collector on the spreader or trolley or to a power cat in communication with the trolley line for taking power from the trolley line. The power supply unit may be designed as a transformer, a rectifier, an inverter, or the like.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the visual recognition device further comprises a positioning means which is designed as a reader for reading the position code of the trolley line and/or as an encoder positioning mechanism. In this case, the visual recognition device can use a locating device in order to accurately describe the position of the identified carbon deposit on the trolley line while the warning signal is emitted. The positioning device may read a position code such as a character number, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, or an RFID electronic tag, etc. provided along the trolley line, and/or may be constituted as an encoder positioning mechanism by a rotating wheel and an encoder, wherein the rotating wheel rotates with the movement of the spreader or trolley, and the encoder converts the rotation of the rotating wheel into an electric signal, thereby recording the stroke of the spreader or trolley.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the trolley lines comprise unipolar trolley lines, multipolar trolley lines, combined trolley lines and rigid body trolley lines.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a spreader or a trolley that moves along a trolley line, the spreader or the trolley carrying the visual recognition apparatus according to the present invention.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a vision recognition system for recognizing carbon deposit of a trolley wire, the vision recognition system comprising:

a visual recognition apparatus according to the present invention; and

a general power line cat for power line communication via a trolley line.

In this case, the general modem can be in power line communication with the first modem and, if appropriate, the second modem to receive the warning signal and, if appropriate, the image data from the visual recognition device. Therefore, monitoring personnel can obtain the notice about the carbon deposition of the trolley line in time from a remote place, and can remotely check the image of the trolley line if necessary, thereby effectively avoiding the short circuit, ignition or phase loss of the trolley line caused by the carbon deposition, and saving or even avoiding the manpower and material resources consumed by regular inspection of the trolley line.

According to one embodiment of the utility model, the general power cat is in communication connection with the server. In this way, the warning signal and, if necessary, the image data from the visual recognition device can be archived, the viewing and playback functions provided and integrated into the production control, etc.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a conveyor apparatus powered by a trolley line, characterized by comprising:

a visual recognition apparatus according to the present invention; and/or

A spreader or trolley according to the utility model moving along a trolley line; and/or

A visual recognition system according to the present invention.

A fifth aspect of the utility model relates to a production line, characterized in that it comprises a conveyor apparatus according to the utility model, which is powered by a trolley line.

The embodiments, functions, advantages and effects according to one aspect of the utility model also apply in a corresponding manner to the other aspects of the utility model.

Other features of the utility model will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description. All the features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and also features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description and/or shown in the figures individually can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or in isolation.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary wiring diagram of a visual identification device and trolley line, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 shows an arrangement of a visual recognition device on a spreader according to an embodiment of the utility model; and

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a visual recognition device 1 for recognizing carbon deposits on a trolley line, the visual recognition device 1 being provided for mounting on a spreader or a trolley moving along the trolley line, the visual recognition device 1 comprising:

the artificial intelligence camera 2 comprises an image sensor 3, a processor 4 and a signal interface 5, wherein the image sensor 3 is arranged for collecting images of the trolley wires, the processor 4 is arranged for analyzing whether black blocks exist in the collected images, and the signal interface 5 is arranged for outputting the analysis result of the processor 4; and

a control panel 6 connected to the signal interface of the artificial intelligence camera 2, and the control panel 6 is configured to trigger an alarm signal according to the analysis result received from the artificial intelligence camera 2.

The artificial intelligence camera 2 can implement an image recognition function based on a neural network by using programming means known in the art, and particularly can relate to an artificial intelligence camera with an intelligent learning function which is commercially available at present. The artificial intelligence camera 2 can capture an image of the trolley line, analyze it, and output the analysis result to the control board 6 in the form of a signal, such as a protocol frame, if it is recognized whether a black block exists in the image. The signal interface 5 may be a UART interface or an I2C bus interface.

The control board 6 is configured as an Arduino control board, for example. The control board 6 receives and processes the analysis results from the artificial intelligence camera 2, for example, by querying the received signal, for example, a protocol frame, whether it contains data fields representing the identification objects, and by triggering an alarm signal if the corresponding data fields are found.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to fig. 1, the visual recognition device 1 shown in fig. 2 also comprises a first power cat 7 connected to the control board 6, which is provided for transmitting an alarm signal via a trolley line by means of power line communication. Here, the first power modem 7 is connected to the control board 6 via a network cable, for example. The first power cat 7 can output the warning signal of the visual recognition device 1 to the outside through the power line communication protocol using a part of the lines, particularly one phase line and one neutral line, of the trolley lines.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to fig. 2, the visual recognition device 1 shown in fig. 3 also comprises a monitoring camera 8 and a second power modem 9, wherein the monitoring camera 8 is preferably designed as a high-definition camera and is provided for capturing and/or recording images of a trolley line, and the second power modem 9 is connected to the monitoring camera 8, for example, by a network cable and is provided for transmitting image data captured by the monitoring camera 8 via the trolley line by means of power line communication.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A highly integrated embodiment of the visual recognition device is shown here. The artificial intelligence camera 2 further comprises a data interface 10 which is provided for outputting image data acquired by the image sensor 3, the first power modem 7 also being connected to the data interface 10 and additionally transmitting the image data acquired by the image sensor 3 via a trolley line by means of power line communication.

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition apparatus 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In distinction from the above-described diagrams, the visual recognition device 1 in fig. 5 also shows a power supply unit 11, and the power supply unit 11 can take power from a trolley wire. To power the visual recognition apparatus 1, the power supply unit 11 may be connected to the first power line cat 7 that is connected to the trolley line for taking power from the trolley line. In order to supply 5V low-voltage dc to the power supply interface 12 of the artificial intelligence camera 2, the power supply unit 11 may be configured as a rectifier or an ac-dc converter. Here, the control board 6 may take power from the artificial intelligence camera 2 via the signal interface 5 or may be directly powered by the power supply unit 11. Without being limited thereto, the power supply unit 11 may be merely turned on with the control board 6 and supply power to the artificial smart camera 2 via the control board 6.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary wiring diagram of the visual recognition apparatus 1 and the trolley wire 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a single-pole modular trolley line is shown by way of example, which enables a three-phase, five-wire system supply. The trolley line 13 here comprises a phase line L1, a phase line L2, a phase line L3, a neutral line N and a ground line PE. The first electric cat and the second electric cat in the visual recognition device 1 in the present embodiment are each connected to the phase line L1 and the neutral line N of the trolley wire 13 for taking electricity from the trolley wire 13 and performing power line communication by means of the trolley wire 13. The power supply unit is configured as an ac-dc converter for converting 220V ac power to 5V dc power. The power supply unit gets electricity from the trolley line 13 through the first power line cat and supplies power to the control panel and the artificial intelligence camera. The control panel also passes through the net twine simultaneously and is connected with first electric power cat signal to be used for transmitting alarm signal. And the monitoring camera in the visual recognition device can be directly powered by the trolley line 13. Image data collected by the monitoring camera is transmitted to the second power modem through the network cable. The first power modem and the second power modem transmit the alarm signal and the image data to the outside by means of power line communication via the trolley line 13, respectively.

Fig. 7 shows an arrangement of the visual recognition apparatus 1 on the spreader 16 according to one embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, only a portion of the spreader 16 is shown. It can be seen that the trolley lines 13 are fastened side by side to the rail 14 by means of fastening clips 15, and the current collectors 18 of the spreader 16 draw current from the trolley lines 13 via carbon brushes 17 which are in contact with each trolley line in order to supply the consumers of the spreader 16, such as the drive units. Each carbon brush 17 slides in a trolley line opening having a U-shaped cross section to achieve contact conduction. The current collector 18 and the carbon brush 17 are fixed to the frame. The spreader 16 is moved on the rail 14 by means of drive wheels 19. Also provided within the frame are lateral guide wheels 20. As can be seen from fig. 7, the frame is C-shaped on the side above the trolley line 13.

The visual recognition device 1 according to the utility model is arranged on one leg of the C-shape. The lens of the artificial intelligence camera 2 and the lens for the monitoring camera 8, which are aligned with the trolley line 13 at an obliquely lower position of the visual recognition apparatus 1 to capture an image of the trolley line 13, are visible from the front of the visual recognition apparatus 1. In order to avoid that the carbon brushes 17 protruding in front of the spreader 16 may interfere with the recognition due to vibrations, curves, etc. being captured in the image, the visual recognition device 1 captures an image of the area of the trolley line exposed in the middle of the spreader. Without being limited to the example shown, the visual recognition device 1 may also be arranged at any suitable position of a spreader or trolley moving along the trolley line.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a visual recognition system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Here, the visual recognition system exemplarily includes a visual recognition device as shown in fig. 6 and a general electric power cat that performs power line communication via a trolley line. The general power cat is in power line communication with the first power cat and the second power cat to receive the alarm signal and the image data from the visual recognition device. Thus, the monitoring personnel can timely obtain notice about carbon deposition of the trolley wire from a remote place, and can remotely view the image of the trolley wire. The total power modem is further in communication connection with the server through a network cable. In this way, for example, the alarm signal and image data from the visual recognition device can be archived to provide viewing and playback functions. And integration of the signals and data into production control etc. is also contemplated.

And the utility model is not limited to the embodiments shown but includes or extends to all technical equivalents that may fall within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. The positional references selected in the description, such as, for example, upper, lower, left, right, etc., refer to the direct description and to the illustrated drawings and can be transferred to new positions in the event of a change in position.

The features disclosed in the present document can be essential for the implementation of the embodiments in terms of different embodiments and can be implemented both individually and in any combination.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make variations and modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention by using the methods and technical contents disclosed above.

Claims

1. A visual identification device for discerning wiping line carbon deposit, visual identification device sets up to be used for carrying on hoist or coaster that move along the wiping line, its characterized in that, visual identification device includes:

a control panel connected to the signal interface of the artificial intelligence camera and configured to trigger an alarm signal according to an analysis result received from the artificial intelligence camera.

2. A visual identification device according to claim 1 wherein said visual identification device comprises a first power cat connected to the control board, said first power cat being arranged for transmitting an alarm signal via the trolley line by means of power line communication.

3. A visual recognition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the visual recognition apparatus comprises a surveillance camera arranged to capture and/or record images of the trolley line.

4. A visual recognition apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said visual recognition apparatus comprises a second power cat connected to said surveillance camera, said second power cat being arranged for transmitting image data acquired by said surveillance camera via a trolley line by means of power line communication.

5. The visual identification device of claim 2 wherein the artificial intelligence camera further comprises a data interface configured to output image data captured by the image sensor, the first power cat being connected to the data interface and additionally transmitting the image data captured by the image sensor via a trolley line by means of power line communication.

6. A visual identification device according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said visual identification device comprises an alarm connected to the control panel, said alarm being configured as an alarm light and/or speaker and triggering a light alarm and/or an audible alarm upon receipt of an alarm signal from said control panel.

7. A visual identification device according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said visual identification device comprises an LED, said LED being capable of illuminating the trolley line when under illumination.

8. A visual recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said visual recognition device includes a power supply unit capable of taking power from the trolley line.

9. Visual recognition device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the visual recognition device further comprises positioning means which are configured as a reader for reading the position code of the trolley line and/or as an encoder positioning mechanism.

10. The visual identification device of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the trolley lines comprise monopole trolley lines, multipole trolley lines, combined trolley lines and rigid body trolley lines.

11. A spreader or trolley for movement along a trolley line, wherein the spreader or trolley carries a visual recognition device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A visual identification system for identifying trolley line carbon deposition, the visual identification system comprising:

visual recognition apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 10; and

a general power line cat for power line communication via a trolley line.

13. The visual identification system of claim 12 wherein the general powercat is communicatively coupled to a server.

14. Conveying apparatus powered by trolley lines, characterized in that it comprises:

visual recognition apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10; and/or

A spreader or trolley according to claim 11 movable along a trolley line; and/or

A visual identification system as claimed in claim 12 or 13.

15. A production line, characterized in that it comprises a conveyor device powered by a trolley line according to claim 14.