GB2237107A

GB2237107A - Process and device for the identification of a person and a machine

Info

Publication number: GB2237107A
Application number: GB9020822A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reinhold Schuetz; Friedhelm Heilen
Original assignee: Bergwerksverband GmbH
Current assignee: Bergwerksverband GmbH
Priority date: 1989-10-12
Filing date: 1990-09-25
Publication date: 1991-04-24
Also published as: GB9020822D0; DE3934078A1; DE3934078C2

Abstract

Process and device for the identification of, for example, a person 6 transported on a conveyer-belt device 2, and a mobile machine, and in particular for stopping a conveyer-belt device and a machine prior to crossing danger zones. In order to allow quick and clear identification without physical contact, in particular of the person 6 prior to passing danger zones, a UV-light emitting transmitter and visible-light receiver 11 is used, and on the person and machine luminescent markings in the form of optical brighteners or colours are used. The excited luminescent radiation is picked up by the receiver, processed and converted into optical or acoustic warning signals, or processed to shut down the conveyer-belt device and machine. The invention may be applied to underground coal mining. <IMAGE>

Description

1 c, --?:2:2 -!--37 j_ Process for the identification of persons and

machines The invention relates to a process for the identification of, for example persons transported on conveyer-belt devices or mobile machines, and in particular for stopping cbnveyer-belt devices and machines prior to crossing danger zones.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the device for the execution of the process.

Transport by way of conveyer-belt devices, in particular in underground pit-coal mining, is increasing due to the great distances. Thereby, serious accidents occur frequently due to overrunning the boarding- and alighting stations. Although overrun safety devices for personnel transportation on conveyer-belt conveyers are known, they are mechanical/electrical devices which only guarantee inactivation of the conveyer device when initiated by the mobile persons, for example by way of contact with a lever. However, as lighting conditions in underground areas are very unsatisfactory, the travelling times are very long, and due to loss of concentration by the personnel during their work period, they do not pay attention to the respective devices, there is still a considerable number of accidents in spite of existing overrun safety devices.

Particularly in underground mining, overrunning of danger zones is not restricted to -personnel carrying conveyer-belt devices, but it creates a particular problem, for example with machine cutting where a certain distance to the drives has to be maintained in the strut regions. In the past, end switches have been provided for this purpose, but they are expepsive to construct as they have to be at least partially built into the haulage guide, and specific problems occur, even when the overrun location is to be only slightly displaced.

Based on the described problems, it is the object of the invention to provide a process or device respectively for executing said process, which alows quick, contact-free and clear recognition, In particular of persons or machines prior to passing danger zones, in which respect the recognition is linked to a rapid switch-off of the machines.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that UV-light radiating transmitters and sensors including receivers and markings machines in the form of optical on persons end brighteners or fluorescent colours are used, and the excited luminescent radiation Is picked up by the receiver of the sensors, processed and converted into optical or acoustic signals for inactivating of conveyer devices and machines.

The method utilises luminescent radiation, whereby socalled luminophores or luminescent materials are excited by means of W-light to release visible light. To the observer, a hereby obtained Increase in brightness appears whiter than the not radiated output material, such as for example conventional work cloths in underground mining.

Belt-conveyed persons who have overrun the alighting station are detected without physical contact from above and/or the sides of conveyer-belt devices by means of one or several sensors including a transmitter and a receiver via their work cloths, which is provided S1 3 with optical brighteners, white-toning means or made of a coloured woven material, the luminescent radiation excited in the work cloths is picked up by the sensor receiver, processed, and in the given e.,ample used to initiate an instruction to stop. Within the framework of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the work cloths is used as markers, in which respect the degree of whiteness of the materials can be evaluably improved by the addition of optical brighteners.

In order to increase the reliability of excitation of luminescence, it Is possible to weave coloured threads. yarns or twine into the textiles. As the work cloths are washed at regular time Intervals by the company, it is possible to assist said washing process by the apportioned addition of luminescent substances in the prescribed manner.

However, the markings do not only relate to optical brighteners, but can additionally be arranged to be fluorescent colours, disposed in the helmet, the belt or in the shoes, in parts of the work cloths and all other devices which are required in mining.

On the other hand, the identification not only relates to persons, but can be extended to all areas of machine- and equipment protection, such as underground machine cutters, which can be shut down or controlled by an identification of this type. Comparable with an arrangement of sensors above and at the sides of a conveyer-belt device, sensors of this type can likewise be used for supervising a plane in a strut. The sensors are attached to the extension, colour markings are attached to the mentioned use of the identification process conjunction with a machine cutter is only meant as an example of embodiment. The processes and the device for and the respective plane. The in the execution of said process are also applicable to mono-rail-, static rope- and ground-rail tracks,as well as diesel- and battery trolleys.

substantiall The execution of the process with respect to the device provided for the safety of personnel consists of a sensor including at least one transmitter and a receiver, which sensor is arranged laterally or above a conveyer-belt device and connected via a control line to the drive of the belt-conveyer device.

The functional reliability of a sensor of this type is guaranteed by a control device, consisting of an operating signal and a control signal.

The operating- and control signals, which function at c certain frequency, are here arranged to be signal packages of varying signal duration. For example, the operating signal has a signal duration of c-periods, the control signal one of elm period, whereby m extends from 1 to n. The signals of the control device are radiated one after the other with a gap inbetween c plurality of periods, and the signals reflected by the materials are received one after the other and evaluated as follows:

The presence of visible light radiation of certain wavelengths or a wavelength range respectively, ref lected by a fluorescent surface, is processed to give a shut-down Instruction, or the presence of UVlight reflected by a non-fluorescent surface is taken as a criterium of a properly operating luminiscence sensor and must not initiate a shut-down instruction. The functional reliability of the luminescence sensors can selectively be guaranteed by the integration of an additional receiver, which is switched to receive UVlight, which is reflected by nonfluorescent surfaces.

t - only periodically and for a restricted period of time. In order to overcome a UV-light breakdown, for example due to diffused scattering of the UV light, the UVlight receiver operates in an integrated manner for the limited time period.

The main advantage of the invention lies in that touchfree, automatic identification is made possible, which is of particular significance for safety reasons relative to belt-transportation, by means of a constructively simple, economical and quickly assembled device.

Below, the process Is described based on a device, which is diagramatically outlined in the only figure.

The conveyer-belt device 1, cross-sectionally represented in the drawing, consists substantially of a support frame 3, conveyer rollers 4 and a conveyer belt 2 to accommodate the bulk material 5. On conveyer belt 2 or on the bulk material 5 respectively is shown a person 6 in the lying positior, or a person 7 in the sitting position.

It is assumed that the person to be identified 6 or 7 is wearing usual work cloths together with helmet, belt, shoes etc. The work cloths, i.e. including helmet, shoes, belt and similar items, are saturated with markings in the form of luminescent optical brighteners. Whilst the work cloths can be provided with luminescent material during the wash cycle, coloured markings can be applied to helmet, belt or shoes.

The sensors 11, each including a UV-light emitting transmitter and a receiver, are arranged above and laterally of the conveyer-belt device 1 in such a manner that the lying or sitting person 6, 7 or their work cloths respectively are caused to be luminescent 6 - by the W-light radiation, which luminescence in turn is picked up by the receiver and converted into signals. which are passed via a respective control line 10 to the switch arrangement 9 of drive 8 of the conveyer- belt device 1. Sensors 11 are displaceably and cardanically suspended In a support structure 12.

7 Process for the identification of persons and machines

Claims

Patent Claims

2:

3:

Process for the identification of, for example persons transported on conveyer-belt devices or mobile machines, and in particular for stopping conveying devices and machines prior to crossing danger zones, characterised In that W-light, radiating transmitters, and sensors including receivers, and markings on persons and machines in the form of optical brighteners or colourg are used, and the excited luminescent radiation is picked up by the receiver of the sensors, processed and converted into optical or acoustic signals, or processed to shut down the conveyer devices and machines.

Process according to claim 1. characterised in that textiles, In particular work cloths, are used as markers, in which respect the degree of whiteness of the materials can be evaluabl"y improved by the addition of optical brighteners.

Process according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that luminescence improving threads, yarns or twine are woven into the textiles.

Process according to claim 2, characterised in that the establishment of luminescent properties in textiles, for example in the work cloths, is guaranteed by apportioned addition of fluorescent substances during the washing process.

8:

Process according to claim 1, characterised In that luminescent colours are used as markings In the form of fluorescent materials, for example on machines or items, work cloths, such as helmet, belt or shoes.

Process according to claim 5, charecterispd in that the luminescent materials are mixed with or bonded to other materials, such as ceramics, wood. metal or synthetic materials.

Device for the Identification of. for example persons transported on conveyer-belt devices or mobile machines, and in particular for stopping conveyer-belt devices and machines prior to crossing danger zones, characterised In that at least one W-light emitting transmitter and a receiver to pick up luminescent radiation, which has been excited by markings in the form of optical brighteners and colours, are provided at a lateral distance f rom the conveyer-belt devices (1), and that the radiation picked up in the receiver is converted into optical or acoustic signals, or into control signals to effect shut down.

Device according to claim 7, characterised in that transmitter and receiver are arranged within a common sensor housing.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the sensors, which accommodate both transmitters and receivers, are arranged in c displacable support (12), which is movable into - 9 all directions, for example laterally to or above the conveyer device (1) or machines.

10: Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the sensors (11) are connected via a control line (10) to the drive (8) of the conveyer device (0 or machine.

11: Device according to claim 7, characterised In that the sensors.(11) are provided with a control device. comprising an operational and c control signal, in which respect operationalend control signals are of different signal duration.

Published 1991 at The PatcntOMce. State House. 66/71 High Holborn. London WC I R4TP. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point Cwrnfelinlach. Cross Keys. Newport NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray. Kent