FR2544100A1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GUIDE SETS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO THE INSTALLATION CONTROL INCLUDING FIXED SHELVES LR, RR AND MOBILE SHELVES A-D. ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION, WHEN A CORRIDOR MUST BE OPENED BETWEEN TWO SHELVES, AN OBSTACLE SUCH AS AN OPERATOR'S HAND IS PLACED BETWEEN THE SENSORS 24 OF THE TWO SHELVES TO BE SEPARATED, AND THE SIGNALS ARE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTED TO ALL THE SHELVES IN ORDER THAT A CORRIDOR IS SHAPED BETWEEN THE DESIRED SHELVES. LIMIT SWITCHES 18, 19 AND SAFETY SWITCHES 20, 21 STOP MOVEMENTS AT THE END OF MOVEMENT OR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN OBSTACLE. APPLICATION TO STORAGE FACILITIES.

Description

The present invention relates to the control of a plurality of mobile assemblies

  and in particular several sets having storage shelves, placed on a track and intended to move selectively in translation relative to each other, by implementation of devices sensitive to heat, to a capacitance or to electromagnetic waves emitted and

  reflected, intended to cause such displacement.

  Numerous systems have been described for causing translational movement of sets relative to each other along arrangements

  guide tracks, each set being self-propelled.

  U.S. Patent Nos. 3,829,189, 3,957,322, 4,017,131 and 4,039,040 suggest the use of manual switches mounted on the shelves so that each assembly is selectively moved. mechanical arrangements for determining shelf spacing (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,033,649).

  computer sets for determining the movement of

  a set of electrically connected shelves (see, for example, the United States Patent

No. 3,890,903).

  Safety switches are available in most systems to stop moving shelves and prevent personal injury or damage to objects as indicated

  in U.S. Patent No. 3,865,446.

  The invention eliminates many disadvantages

  and complications of these known systems.

  The invention generally relates to a system in which a plurality of moving assemblies are mounted on a guiding device, each assembly carrying a reversible self-propulsion motor, sensor control assemblies and an engine control assembly for causing operation. forward and backward, as well as limit and safety devices to prevent movement of the shelves and to stop their movement. Each control assembly receives signals from the sensor assemblies that are sensitive to the movement of the shelves. heat, capacity or electromagnetic waves

  reflective techniques emitted by the sensor assembly.

  Each control unit transmits signals via flexible cables to a fixed panel

  common line of supply and control, transmit-

  both in turn signals to other system shelves Limit and safety devices prevent the start-up (or shutdown) of the motor when the movable shelf is near a nearby shelf, getting closer to another shelf or a person or an object

placed between the shelves.

  The sensor assemblies have the detection characteristic of the presence of the hand of an operator for triggering the operation without use

  switches, buttons or levers.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the panel comprising the common line can be divided into two or more sections, which can operate separately, and consequently several shelves chosen can operate by feeding by a common line section while the other shelves are powered by a second common line section allowing a

  independent operation of each group of shelves.

  The invention also relates to the use of a sensor assembly for operating control

  of any arrangement of apparatus.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will emerge from the description which follows,

  with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a set of fixed shelves LR, RR and shelves A to D; Figure 2 is an elevation of a set of fixed shelves LR, RR and movable shelves E-O; Fig. 3 is a diagram of a sensor and control arrangement carried by one of the shelves; FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a

sensor assembly.

  Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an arrangement which comprises movable shelves having shelves and mounted on wheels, designated by references A, B, C and D, which can roll to the right or to the left on a lane 6 between shelves

  fixed LR and RR A space S constitutes an access corridor.

  Each movable shelf A, B, C and D is connected to a common supply and control panel 10 by a flexible cable 11 Although the fixed shelves LR and RR are shown this system can operate without fixed shelves, it is that is, when all the shelves are movable The cable 11 also carries circuits which interconnect with all the other shelves so that the shelves are switched on and off according to control signals from any shelf like described-in the sequel

of this memoir.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shelf A, like all the other movable shelves, is connected to the panel 10 by a cable 11. Each shelf carries a motor control assembly 14, a right panel 16 with a sensor and a control unit. a left panel 17 with sensor and control, a right limit switch 18, a left limit switch 19, a bar 20 of

  right security switch and a switch bar 21

  The limit switch and the safety switches ensure the stop of the operation of the right section 22 or the left section 23 with motor so that the shelf A is stopped. when it comes into contact with a nearby shelf, an object or a

  person who is on his commute.

  Each panel 16, 17 comprises a sensor assembly 24, an active lamp 25 indicating that the shelf is powered, a control lamp 26 indicating that the shelf

  was stopped by ordering a bar 20, 21 of

  safety device, a test and reset button 27

  and an all-or-nothing switch 29 that can be controlled by a possible key.

  The sensor assembly 24 emits electromagnetic waves

  on the surface 31 of his nose, with an inclination

  chosen so that when a human hand (or other object) is near the surface 31, the electromagnetic waves are reflected to the surface 31 at which the reflected waves are received and detected so that they give rise to the formation of a signal to be used- (a) for powering the shelf and (b) for transmission to other

shelves.

  Maneuvering the sensor 24 provides alternately -the power supply and the power off of the device

  of the shelf From the absence of food

  The first operation of a sensor 24 causes the supply of the panels 16, 17 of the shelves on both sides of a corridor at this location. On one side, the shelves move to form

  the new corridor and fill the previous corridor.

  On the other hand, the shelves can not move, under the control of a suitable circuit, given the presence of adjacent shelves and the fact that there is no previously formed lane and which can be filled The operator enters the newly formed corridor and finishes his task and, on leaving the corridor, he again controls the sensor 24 so that it stops

  feeding the panels 16, 17 of all the shelves.

  Until this power off of the panels, no other operator can maneuver the panels 16,

  17 to try to form a second corridor.

  Ensuring the integrity of the corridor ensures the safety of the operator when in the corridor Green active lamps 25 light up on all the shelves of the arrangement, on the side facing the formed corridor, so that other potential operators are

  informed of the presence of the first operator in the corridor.

  When the operator stops feeding the corridor, the green lamps go out. If an operator leaves the supplied corridor unintentionally after having left it, the following operator is informed of the state of the system supplied and must go to hallway open and can see if it is busy before stopping the corridor supply No other sensor and control panel can be used for power off

  of the corridor, if not those of this corridor.

  Reference is now made to Figure 4; the sensor 24 comprises a body 35 of plastics material, a surface 31 forming a nose, electrical contacts 32, an emitter 33 of electromagnetic waves and a sensor receiver 34 of the reflected waves The surface 31 of the nose is arranged so that it constitutes a convenient location for the operator who needs to put

  his hand for the control of the sensor assembly 24.

  Each sensor assembly 24 emits electromagnetic waves 36 with a certain inclination with respect to the central axis 37, the waves, when they reach a finger 38 (or a hand or another

  object) being reflected as waves 39 which

  on the detector-receiver 34 of the assembly 24.

  The reception of the waves by the detector 34 forms a signal which is transmitted to the panel 16 or 17. Each panel in turn transmits control signals of the motor circuit so that the motor operates, and also transmits signals to the other shelves.

optionally.

  Reference is now made in more detail to the operation of the shelves; the operator places his hand near the right sensor 24 of the shelf A or the left sensor 24 of the shelf B The sensor 24, when it has detected the presence of the hand, causes the transmission of a signal from the panel associated 16, 17 via the flexible cable 11, the common line panel 10, the second flexible cable 11 to the shelf C so that the right section 22 motor of the shelf C causes a displacement thereof to the right until its limit switch 18 is in contact with the shelf D and then stops the shelf C The shelf B is also moved to the right to the contact

  of the shelf C, in the continuation of the triggered sequence.

  Shelf B begins to move a fraction of a second after Shelf C begins moving. The delay is used to reduce the requested peak intensity and so that the shelves can not be in contact with each other. other when moving along the track Shelf A does not move as its limit switch 19 detects the immediate presence of the adjacent shelf L. When shelf C comes to hit an object or a person while moving , the security switch 20 ensures the stopping of the motor section of the shelf C The panel 16 of this shelf C also turns off the common security line of the group and stops all the other movable shelves in the group, preventing any other movement until the person or object has withdrawn and the safety stop of shelf C is removed by operating the reset or reset button 27 can also be held down and the sensor can be operated so that the shelf carrying the reset button moves until it is

separated from an object.

  The safety bars 20, 21 are placed along the length of the two faces of each shelf. These bars are operated when the shelf meets a person or an object. In this case, the shelf stops and causes the illumination to occur. a red pilot lamp 26 indicating the location of the safety stop

  the other shelves of the group also stop because the first

  my first shelf was stopped by a safety bar.

  When the cause of the stop has been removed, the shelf can be reset by operating the knob 27 Alternatively, if there is jamming which prevents the suppression of the cause of the stoppage, the button 27 of FIG. resetting can be maintained maneuvered with simultaneous operation of the associated sensor 24 so that the shelf is

  away from the obstruction source.

  The apparatus according to the invention comprises a common safety line circuit (not shown) which is placed from one end to the other of the row of shelves, via the common line panel 10, cables flexible 11 and all shelves The common line safety circuit voltage is maintained in a chosen range All shelves stop moving in case of failure of the common safety line circuit This last circuit is connected in series in all Group shelves and the failure of this common line for any reason, including an open circuit, a short circuit with a case or a power failure, causes the power supply to stop at all motor control assemblies of the system after mounted common line control circuits

on all shelves.

  When one of the shelves stops being powered by setting its switch all or nothing in the open state, this shelf remains fixed and the shelves on the right work by forming a first

  group and the shelves on the left-hand side

  form a second group; as shown in FIG. 2, when the shelf J is put in the stopped state, the shelves E-I form a first group and the shelves K-O form the second group The common line security circuit operates in a similar way to two sets

  separated without interaction between groups.

  The sensor assembly is preferably a device sold by TRW Optron Division of TRW, Inc.

  under the brand name "Optron" types OPB 4427.

  Other sensors that emit and receive energies

  in the form of reflected waves can be used.

  In addition, thermal or capacitive sensors can

where appropriate, be used.

Claims (8)

  A control apparatus of a storage assembly having shelves mounted parallel to each other, a guiding device for supporting and guiding the shelves as they move on the guiding and supporting device, each movable shelf having a powered device for moving the shelves to the right or to the left, said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises:   (a) a fixed device with a common power line   tation and control placed near the set so that it serves all the shelves; b) a flexible cable (11) connecting each shelf to the common line device; c) a motor device (22, 23) bridged on each shelf for driving the shelf to the right or to the left; d) a control device (14) mounted on each shelf; e) a circuit connecting the control device of each shelf through the flexible cable and the common line device, and f) right and left sensors (24) mounted on each shelf and for thermally detecting,   capacitively or by reflected electromagnetic waves   the presence of an object near the sensor device, each sensor device, when it detects an object, transmitting a signal intended for its control device which in turn transmits suitable signals to the other control devices. shelves so that the shelves are moved to the left or to the   right depending on the selection of the operation.   2 Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a delay device associated with the control device (14) and intended to   delay, for a short time chosen after the function-   of the sensor device, the power supply of the   2544 l I 00 tif motor of each shelves to be moved except   the furthest away from the sensor device.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized   in that each movable shelf has a switching device   all-or-nothing device and a control circuit such that, when the all-or-nothing device of a shelf is set in the open position, the common-line device is divided and serves all the shelves on the right-hand side of the shelf considered and separately stores all the shelves to the left of the shelf. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a sensor panel device comprising a reset button (27) and a separate sensor which can be maneuvered in unison so as to enable the movement of the sensor. a shelf that   has a jammed safety bar (20, 21).   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement of two adjacent shelves which separate form a corridor, and the apparatus comprises a circuit for preventing the movement of the other shelves until a sensor (24) one of the two shelves detected the presence of an object near the shelf, after moving the shelf for the formation of the corridor.   6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a common safety line device mounted in series, in all shelves, and having a safety control device for controlling the voltage of the common line. safety device, the control device ensuring the stopping of all shelves when the voltage varies beyond a chosen range of voltages.   * 7 Control method of several shelves movable on a path placed between two inactive shelves, characterized in that it comprises: a) the mounting of a drive device (22, 23) on each movable shelf and a device 2544,100   * (14) starting the driving device so that it moves the shelf in one direction, b) detecting the presence of an object near one of the shelves to be moved, c) the transmission of a signal by a sensor (24) to all the shelves to be moved, this received signal causing the shelves to move in the desired direction, and d) the use of a limit switching device for prevent shelves from moving when in contact with another shelf or comes to his touch.   8 A method of controlling a plurality of movable shelves on a track placed between fixed shelves, characterized in that it comprises: a) the arrangement, on each movable shelf, of a drive device on the right (22) of the shelf   and a drive device on the left (23) of the   manages, b) the emission of energy waves by each mobile shelf, c) the reception of the energy waves emitted by a shelf and reflected towards it, when they have been detected after their reception, d) the creation, to following the reception of these reflected waves of a signal intended to be transmitted by a circuit to the other shelves which must be   moved so that a corridor is formed at the location   where the energy waves are reflected, and e) the use of a limit switching device to prevent the shelves from moving or to stop shifting when the shelf is   near another shelf.   9 A method of controlling the operation of a device controlled by a signal, characterized in that it comprises: a) the arrangement on the apparatus, near or away from it, of a device 2544-100 control,   (b) the provision in the communication device   of a device intended to emit energy   c) the arrangement of a receiving device near the transmitting device to receive a portion of the energy waves when reflected, d) the arrangement of a signal generating device forming a signal as a result of the receiving a signal from the receiving device; and e) interposing an object near the controller to reflect the transmitted energy and a signal being generated by the generating device of signals.