GB2474802A

GB2474802A - Floor conveyor and separate working means for operating the floor conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2474802A
Application number: GB1103201A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rolf-Peter Haelbich; Oliver Sammer; Wolf-Mathias Krabbe; Hendrik Schroeder
Original assignee: Jungheinrich AG
Current assignee: Jungheinrich AG
Priority date: 2008-07-16
Filing date: 2008-11-11
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-11
Also published as: GB201103201D0; GB0820605D0; GB2474802B; DE102008033990A1; GB2461760A; GB2461760B

Abstract

A floor conveyor 10 and a separate working means for the operation of the floor conveyor, wherein the floor conveyor has an access control system (40, figure 3) with an identification station and a first operational control element connected thereto for unblocking the operation of the floor conveyor, wherein an accommodation means 28 is arranged on the floor conveyor, which is designed to accommodate the working means (not shown), a locking element for the accommodation means is provided which unblocks the access to the accommodation means in the opened position, an actuation device for the locking element is provided, and that either the actuation device or a second operational control element is connected to the access control system, such that the actuation device unblocks the locking element only after the actuation of the first or the second operational control element. The locking element may be a locking bolt biased into the locking position by a spring, and actuated to unlock by the actuation device operated by an electric line. The access control system may be connected to a stationary central computer in order to receive a signal disabling access after a preset time interval.

Description

Floor conveyor and separate working means for operating the floor conveyor The present invention is related to a floor conveyor and a separate working means for operating the floor conveyor, according to the patent claim 1 or 2.

It is known to equip floor conveyors with a so-called access control system. The most simple access control takes place via a key, so that only the owner of the key can start the operation of the floor conveyor. However, it is also known to use a code card instead of a key, which contains an identifier which is typical for the owner. Therefore, it is possible that a plurality of operators actuate the same floor conveyor when they have the code card with the code for starting up the apparatus.

Furthermore, the personal identifier of the code card owner is also read out and stored in a suitable memory of the access control system. This memory or data recorder stores other operation data also, for instance the usage duration, the breaks and the like. The data recorder can be read out in a suitable manner, via a laptop for instance. However, it is also possible to send the data to a central database via a wireless module, where they can then be analysed.

With the aid of floor conveyors, a so-called commissioning operation can be performed also. Frequently, the floor conveyors are designed as special commissioning apparatuses. In the context of such apparatuses it is known to provide the operator with a hand-held device, with the aid of which he/she scans in the goods to be commissioned, via the bar code for instance which has the good or the associated pallets. It is also known to provide such hand-held devices with a keyboard for putting in data incurring in the commissioning. The hand-held devices have mostly also a wireless module for transmitting the data to a database and/or to receive them.

Such hand-held devices are relatively sumptuous. Therefore, since now they are kept in central issue stations and given to a user there. In the beginning of the job shift and at the end thereof, more or less long waiting queues are formed depending on the number of the vehicles of a fleet, which leads to a consumption of time.

The present invention is based on the objective to form a system of a floor conveyor and a separate working means for the usage of the of the floor conveyor, such that the working means remains blocked against undesired access on the one hand, but on the other hand, any use of the working means by an operator of the floor conveyor is recorded with a coupling to the identity of the user.

This objective is resolved by the features of the patent claim 1.

In the solution according to patent claim 1, an accommodation means is arranged on the floor conveyor, which is designed for the accommodation of the working means, it may be a pocket, which is formed by a deepening in the casing of the floor conveyor for instance, or a separate container or a box, which is attached on the floor conveyor at a suitable place. If possible, the fastening has to be made such that the container or the box, respectively, cannot be removed off the hand.

In the invention, the accommodation means can be locked up by a locking element, so that the working means cannot be taken out without unblocking the same. The working means is a lid or a dome, for instance, which can be preferably swivelled between a closed and an opened position. In the opened position, the pocket can permit to take out the working means. The locking element is coupled to an actuation device, or it can be locked up with the aid of a locking bar element. The locking bar element is actuated by a suitable actuation device, an electric magnet for instance. The actuation device is either connected directly with the access control system present in the floor conveyor, which on its turn has an operational control element, or with a second operational control element in the region of the accommodation means. The operational control element of the access control system is actuated as soon as the identification of the user has taken place. Mostly, this takes place after the operator has inspected the vehicle whether it seems to be fit for operation and the working means is in the accommodation pocket. When the driver ends the inspection with the result that the vehicle is not fully fit for operation, he/she pushes another button. By doing so, he/she still can move the vehicle to another location, a service station for instance. Any other function can no more be performed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a signal connection is provided between the operational control element for the access control device and a further operational control element on the accommodation means, on the pocket or on the actuation device for the working means or the locking bar element, respectively, such that firstly, the locking element can be opened only when the second operational control element is actuated, and secondly, an actuation of the second operational control element permits unlocking it via the actuation device only when the first operational control element of the access control system has been actuated before.

In an alternative solution, by actuating the first operational control element of the access control system, the actuation device for the working means or the locking bar element is actuated directly in order to perform unlocking, through which the operator gains access to the accommodation means, to the pocket for instance, in order to take out the working means. In order to permit to record in the memory of the access control system whether the operator has the opened the pocket and taken out the working means, a detector may be provided which detects this event and gives up a signal to the access control system when the locking element or the locking bar element is set into opening and/or locking position, for instance.

Alternatively, the working means inside the pocket can be detected by the detector.

Further, in one embodiment of the present invention there is a feedback when the second operational control element or the actuation device is actuated, in order to report the unblocking of the working means to the access control system.

In the invention, it is avoided that the working means has to be given to a user via a central delivery station. In order to track which user has taken out the working means at which point in time, the accommodation means for the working means is connected to the existing access control system in a suitable manner, so that the data of the users and the time of taking out or giving back, respectively, can be recorded and tracked. Taking out and giving back the working means takes place directly on the vehicle without time delay, and it can be unambiguously detennined which user is responsible for possible damages or for the absence of the working means.

Alternatively, a holding device may be arranged on the vehicle instead of an accommodation pocket, which locks the working means via a locking element and unblocks it only when the access control device is activated by the authorised user on the one hand, and the locking is disabled on the other hand. These processes or actuations, respectively, are reported to the access control system, through which it is recorded whether the working means can be taken out and when it has been taken out. The latter can be detected only via a detector. The advantages described above can be equally achieved in this.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the box or the dome or the lid for the box is made up of a transparent material. Through this, the user can determine before he/she starts the vehicle whether the working means is in the box or in the pocket, respectively, or whether it has visible damages.

The second operational control element can be arranged either immediately on the pocket or the box, or even in its vicinity.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the locking bar element or the actuation device is designed such that the locking element is locked up automatically when the locking element is in its locking position. For instance, the locking element or the locking bar element can be prestressed into its locked position by a spring. Thus, the user has to actuate the second operational control element again, for instance, even when the accommodation pocket is empty, in order to reach the interior of the pocket for instance. However, when the unlocking takes place already after the actuation of the first operational control element of the access control system, depending on the circumstances no automatic locking of the locking element into the locking position takes place. In this case, the locking or opening position of the lid or the dome, for instance, can be detected via a detector. In every case, it can be determined in the present invention how often and to which points in time the user has taken out the working means from the accommodation pocket.

The working means is often driven by rechargeable battery. For this reason, it is of advantage according to a further embodiment of the present invention that a charging device is arranged on the accommodation means, in the pocket for instance, or that a charging device is assigned to the same, respectively. The working means is held in a suitable manner in this way, and the holder can be realised such that when receiving the working means, its contact members are connected to the charging device at the same time. Thus, charging the working means takes place automatically when it is positioned in the pocket in the right manner.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that an optical or acoustical signal transmitter is provided on the accommodation means, which generates a signal when the locking element or the locking bar element has arrived in the locking position. Through this, it can de indicated for the user that the accommodation means has received the working means in a locking way and that it can unblock it again only when the procedure described above has been performed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an optical or acoustical signal transmitter is connected to the detector, which indicates when the detector is responsive. Even for this case that a detector indicates the reception of the working means in the accommodation means -in the pocket for instance -this may be indicated to the user or to a third person.

By unauthorised acquisition of a code card, it is possible for a trespasser to gain access to the accommodation means in a series of vehicles in order to steal the working means when no security measures have been taken. In fact, this can be prevented in that every user or operator can operate only one vehicle assigned to her/him, however, this does often not correspond to the real conditions, for instance when the vehicles are used in the job shift operation. Therefore, a further embodiment of the present invention provides for this case that unblocking the operation by the access control system is disabled when it has not received an unblocking or disabling signal from a stationary central computer, wherein the central computer generates the unblocking or disabling signal when a signal or no signal has been given to the central computer in a preset time interval for one and the same identity from a further access control system on another vehicle. When reading out a card by the access control system, the specific code card is reported to the central computer. The same examines whether the working means has already been taken out with this card in the defined time interval. Only when this is not the case, starting the vehicle or taking out the working means, respectively, can be made possible via the access control system. In this way, it is prevented that one and the same card is used plural times in order to steal a plurality of working means.

When the actuation device for the locking element or the lock for the accommodation means, respectively, is triggered only by a simple voltage signal, it is possible to cut the connection line and to apply a separate voltage in order to perform the unlocking and to steal the working means. In order to be safe with respect to this, one embodiment of the present invention provides that a triggering of the actuation device for the locking element or for the lock, respectively, takes place via an encoded signal of the access control system. Alternatively, according to a further embodiment of the present invention a monitoring voltage can be applied to the line, by which an optical or acoustical signal transmitter can be triggered.

One example of the realisation of the present invention is explained in more detail in the following by means of drawings.

Fig. 1 shows very schematically a floor conveyor as a commissioning apparatus in one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows in a perspective view the box for taking out a working means depicted in Fig. 1, in the opened condition.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram for explaining the operation of an access control system for the floor conveyor according to Fig. 1, and its connection to the box according to Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1, a commissioning apparatus 10 is depicted schematically in a perspective view, with a casing 12, in which can be arranged a travelling drive, a battery and a steering drive. The steering is actuated via a drawbar 14. A load portion contains a fork 16 for receiving containers or pallets, for instance. On the rear side of the casing 12 is arranged a driver stand 18, which has a rear wall 20. On the upper side of the rear wall 20, there is a switch arrangement with two operation control buttons 22, 24. Alongside to it is arranged a read-out module 26. The operation control buttons and the read-out module belong to an access control system for the floor conveyor 10 which is not shown in more detail. The drivers authorised for the operation of the floor conveyor 10 have a code card, which is read out on the read-out module 26. By doing so, the apparatus is ready to be set into the standby position. The driver inspects the vehicle 10 and determines whether it has obvious deficiencies which exclude its operation. When this is the case, he/she pushes the red coloured operation control button 22. Through this, it is recorded in the memory of the access control system not shown in Fig. 1 that the vehicle is not ready for function. Then, it can still only be driven to a service station by the driver. In the other case, i.e. at obvious ability to function, the driver pushes the green operation control button 24 and by doing so he/she permits the readiness of the vehicle 10 to start the desired operation.

On the upper side of the casing 12 is arranged a box 28, which is shown more clearly in Fig. 2. The box has a chest 30 which is open towards the upside, which can be closed by a transparent lid 32. The box 28 is suited to accommodate a not shown working means. At the upper edge on the inner side of the chest 30 is arranged an electromagnetic lock 33 (drawn in broken lines), with a locking bar element 34. At closed lid 32, the locking bar element 34 co-operates with a projection 36 on the lower side of the lid 32, in order to lock up or to unblock the lid selectively. At the front side of the casing 30 is arranged an operational control element 38, which is connected to the lock 32 in a not shown manner. Actuation of the operational control element 38 results in that the lock 32 actuates the locking bar 34 and unblocks the lid 32 for opening, admittedly only when a further condition is fulfilled which still has to be described.

In addition, there are contact members for a charging device (not shown) in the box 28, by which a rechargeable battery of the not shown working means can be charged. The charging device may be also arranged in the box 28, or even outside of it.

In Fig. 3, it can be recognised that there is an electric connection between the floor conveyor 10 and the box 28 via a DC/DC-converter, namely to the not shown charging device in the box 28. In Fig.3, the access control system 40 of the floor conveyor 10 is also schematically depicted. It contains an access module 42, a wireless module 44 and a data recorder 46. The operational control buttons 22, 24 and the read-out module 26 according to Fig. 1 belong to the access module 42. The user-specific unlocking of the floor conveyor 10 has been already explained above.

One recognises in addition that vehicle data and usage duration are output to the access module. The acquired data, i.e. driver data and operation data, go into the data recorder 26. From the data recorder 26, a line 48 is connected to the box 28, either to the operational control element 38 and/or to the lock 33. Only when the unblocking is effected through the access module, i.e. in the actual case the driver has pushed the operational control button 24 after putting in the card data into the access control system via the read-out module after successful inspection of the vehicle, the lock 32 can permit to open the lid by actuating the operational control element 38. The actuation of the operational control element 38 or of the lock 32, respectively, is fed back to the data recorder 46 via a line 50 and is recorded there.

Through a message to a not shown central computer it can be determined which driver at which point in time has used the vehicle and about which span he/she has opened the box two times, namely in order to take out a working means and to put it back. Via a further line 52 a signal can be given up to the data recorder 46 in addition, through which is indicated that the working means is regularly fit for operation. This may take place via a further operational control element for instance, which is arranged on the box or in the box, respectively, and which is actuated by the driver after the inspection of the working means.

As already mentioned, it can be determined which user has taken out the working means by recording the opening and closing process of the box 28. Because the data recorder 46 is connected to a wireless module which has an antenna, the data can be sent to a central database via the wireless module 44. In the latter case the take-out of the working means can be deduced only indirectly. When a detector connected to the access control system is assigned to the working means, a take-out can be recorded directly.

When the central computer states that the same identity has gained access in a relatively shorter time span with the same code card to the accommodation means or to the box of the floor conveyor, respectively, the access to an accommodation means or to the box of a further floor conveyor is blocked while the central computer sends corresponding signals to the access control systems of the further vehicles. Thus, the central computer can generate an unblocking or a blocking signal, respectively, before unblocking the working means takes place via the vehicle-specific access control system. In this way, it is prevented that the working means carried along are stolen from a plurality of floor conveyors, for instance with a stolen card.

The following section of the description consists of numbered paragraphs simply providing statements of the invention already described herein. The numbered paragraphs in this section are not claims. The claims are set forth below in the later section headed "claims".

1. A floor conveyor and a separate working means for the operation of the floor conveyor, wherein the floor conveyor has an access control system with an identification station and a first operational control element connected thereto for unblocking the operation of the floor conveyor, characterised in that an accommodation means is arranged on the floor conveyor (10) which is designed to accommodate the working means, a locking element for the accommodation means is provided which unblocks the access to the accommodation means in the opened position, an actuation device for the locking element is provided, and that either the actuation device or a second operational control element is connected to the access control system (40), such that the actuation device unblocks the locking element only after the actuation of the first or the second operational control element.

2. A floor conveyor according to 1, characterised in that an accommodation pocket (28) is arranged on the floor conveyor (10), which is dimensioned to accommodate the working means, and that a locking bar element, actuable by the actuation device (33), is provided for the locking element (32).

3. A floor conveyor according to 1 or 2, characterised in that a detector connected with the access control system (40) is assigned to the locking element (32) or to the locking bar element (34), which gives up a signal to the access control system (40) when the locking element (32) or the locking bar element (34) are set into the opening and/or the locking position.

4. A floor conveyor according to 1, characterised in that a holding device is arranged on the floor conveyor, which is designed for holding the working means, and that a lock-up device actuable by the actuation device is provided for the holding device.

5. A floor conveyor according to 4, characterised in that a detector connected with the access control system (40) is assigned to the actuation device, the lock-up device, the locking element or to the holding device, which gives up a signal to the access control system (40) when the lock-up device or the locking element (32) are set into the opening and/or the locking position or when the working means is removed from the holding device or is put into the holding device.

6. A floor conveyor according to 1, characterised in that the accommodation pocket (28) is formed by a separate box, which can be attached to the floor conveyor (10), with a dome or a lid as the locking element (32).

7. A floor conveyor according to 6, characterised in that the box or the dome or the lid is made up of a transparent material.

8. A floor conveyor according to 1 and 6, characterised in that the second operational control element (38) is arranged on the box.

9. A floor conveyor according to any one of 1 to 8, characterised in that the locking bar element (34) or the actuation device (33) or the lock-up device is designed such that the locking element (32) or the lock-up device is locked up automatically when the locking element (32) is in the locking position or the working means is in the accommodation means.

10. A floor conveyor according to any one of 1 to 9, characterised in that the locking element (32) or the locking bar element is prestressed into the locked position by a spring.

11. A floor conveyor according to any one of 2 to 10, characterised in that the locking bar element (34) or the lock-up device features an electro-magnetic actuation device.

12. A floor conveyor according to any one of 1 to 11, characterised in that the connection between the access control system (40) and the second operational control element (38), or between the access control system (40) and the locking bar element (34) or the actuation device (33), respectively, takes place via an electric line.

13. A floor conveyor according to any one of 1 to 12, characterised in that the working means features a rechargeable battery and that a charging device is arranged on the accommodation means or a charging device is assigned to the same.

14. A floor conveyor according to any one of 1 to 13, characterised in that an optical or acoustical signal transmitter is provided on the accommodation means, which generates a signal when the locking element or the locking bar element has gone into the locking position.

15. A floor conveyor according to any one of 5 to 14, characterised in that an optical or acoustical signal transmitter is connected to the detector, which indicates when the detector is responsive.

16. A floor conveyor according to any one of 1 to 15, characterised in that unblocking the operation by the access control system is disabled for a floor conveyor when it has not received an unblocking or disabling signal from a stationary central computer, wherein the central computer generates the unblocking or disabling signal when a signal or no signal has been given to the central computer from a further access control system in a preset time interval for one and the same identity.

17. A floor conveyor according to any one of 1 to 16, characterised in that a triggering of the actuation device for the locking element or for the lock, respectively, takes place via an encoded signal of the access control system.

18. A floor conveyor according to any one of 2 to 16, characterised in that a monitoring voltage is applied to the line, by which an optical or acoustical signal transmitter can be triggered.

Claims

Claims: 1. An apparatus, comprising: an accommodation means for attachment to a floor conveyor, which accommodation means is for accommodating a working means; a locking element for the accommodation means, which locking element unblocks access to the accommodation means in an opened position of the locking element; an actuation device connected to the locking element; and means for connecting one of the actuation device and a second operational control element of the apparatus to an access control system having a first operational control element; such that, in use, the actuation device unblocks the locking element only after actuation of the first operational control element or the second operational control element.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuation device is connected to the second operational control element.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, in use, the actuation device unblocks the locking element only after actuation of the first operational control element and the second operational control element.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein, in use, actuation of the second operational control element permits unlocking of the locking element by the actuation device only when the first operational element of the access control system has been actuated before.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for connecting comprises means for connecting the second operational control element to the access control system.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for connecting comprises means for connecting the second operational control element to the first operational control element.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the accommodation means comprises a box.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the locking element comprises a lid.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the second operational control element is arranged on the box.
10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for connecting comprises an electric line.
11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising means for sending feedback to the access control system when one of the second operational control element and the actuation device is actuated.
12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising means for sending a signal to the access control system when the locking element is set into the opened position and/or a locking position.
13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a detector for detecting the working means in the accommodating means.
14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking element is locked up automatically when the locking element is in a locking position.
15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a battery charging device is arranged on the accommodation means.
16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an optical or acoustical signal transmitter is provided on the accommodation means, which generates a signal when the locking element has arrived in the locking position.
17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the working means comprises a hand-held device.
18. An access control system for a floor conveyor, the access control system comprising: an access module having a read-out module for acquiring driver data and a first operational control element operable by a user; a data recorder for storing the driver data; and means for connecting the access control system to a box for accommodating a working means, which box has a lock and a second operational control element; such that, in use, only when a user has operated the first operational control element, after the read-out module has acquired the driver data, is the lock able to permit opening of the box by actuation of the second operational control element.
19. An access control system according to claim 18, wherein the read-out module is adapted to read a code card of a user.
20. An access control system according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the operational control element comprises a button.
21. An access control system according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the means for connecting comprises an electric line.
22. An access control system according to claim 21, wherein the means for connecting comprises a line from the data recorder for connection to the box.
23. An access control system according to any one of claims 18 to 22, comprising means for sending to the box an indication that the user has operated the first operational control element,
24. An access control system according to claim 23, comprising means for sending to the box and indication that the user has operated the first operational control element after the read-out module has acquired the driver data.
25. An access control system according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the first operational control element is operable by a user to unblock operation of a floor conveyor.
26. An access control system according to any one of claims 18 to 25, comprising means for sending an encoded signal to the box.
27. An access control system according to any one of claims 18 to 26, comprising a wireless module having an antenna, which wireless module is connected to the data recorder.
28. A system comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and an access control system according to any one of claims 18 to 27.
29. A kit of parts comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and an access control system according to any one of claims 18 to 27.
30. A method of controlling access to a working means, the method comprising: (i) after actuation of a first operational control element of an access control system, actuating a second operational control element of an apparatus; wherein the apparatus comprises: an accommodation means attached to a floor conveyor, which accommodation means is for accommodating the working means, a locking element for the accommodation means, which locking element unblocks access to the accommodation means in an opened position of the locking element, an actuation device connected to the locking element, and means connecting one of the actuation device and the second operational control element of the apparatus to the access control system; and wherein the access control system comprises: an access module having a read-out module for acquiring driver data and the first operational control element operable by a user, and a data recorder for storing the driver data.