WO2018127681A1

WO2018127681A1 - Safety systems for mobile machinery

Info

Publication number: WO2018127681A1
Application number: PCT/GB2017/053811
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Steven YARWOOD
Original assignee: CMY Holdings Limited
Priority date: 2017-01-04
Filing date: 2017-12-19
Publication date: 2018-07-12
Also published as: GB201700071D0; GB2559048A; GB201721316D0

Abstract

A mobile machine (2) having an outer perimeter and comprising a safety system, characterised in that the safety system comprises one or more light projection means (8) mounted on the mobile machine (2). At least one of the light projection means (8) is comprised of a light source (12) and a pattern generator (14), the light source (12) and pattern generator (14) are so arranged that when the light source (12) is emitting light(24)the pattern generator(14) causes a pattern(26)of that light(24)to be projected onto a surface (6) supporting the mobile machine(2)and / or the surface adjacent thereto. The pattern (26) is projected onto an area of that support surface(6)proximal to a portion of, or a position on, the outer perimeter of the mobile machine (2) and outside that perimeter. The outer perimeter is determined in a plane substantially parallel to the surface on which the mobile machine is supported.

Description

SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE MACHINERY

This invention relates to safety systems for mobile machinery and, in particular, to systems for increasing the safety of people in the vicinity of the mobile machinery when that machinery is moving or about to move.

Mobile machinery is a collective term for machinery that is capable of moving across the surface on which it is supported and it includes machines such as but not limited to buses, lorries, articulated lorries, motor vehicles, cars, autonomous vehicles (self-driving vehicles, robotic vehicles) cranes, fork-lift trucks, tractors, trailers and similar devices, that may under their own power or, as a result of being pushed or pulled by another power source, move across the surface on which it rests. That surface is generally a road or similar structure, rails or other load bearing surface. The term surface as used herein refers to the surface on which the mobile machinery rests and adjacent surfaces whether or not there is a discontinuity, such as a kerb, between those surfaces.

When mobile machinery is moving, descriptions or positions relative to the mobile machinery are related to the direction of travel of the mobile machinery. Specifically, "in front" describes a position towards which the mobile machinery is moving, "behind" describes a position away from which the mobile machinery is moving, and "beside" is a position one or the other side of the line of travel of the mobile machinery. If the mobile machinery changes direction then the relative position of an object may change relative to the mobile machinery. Such relative terminology and analogous terms are to be understood to have such meanings when relating to position relative to an item of mobile machinery in the description of the present invention. It is known that mobile machinery can represent a safety hazard to people who are on foot, people who are in or on a vehicle (such as but not limited to a bicycle, scooter, moped or motorbike), or people who are in vehicles (such as but not limited to a car) (hereafter collectively referred to as "people" or "person") in the vicinity of that machinery when it is moving. This hazard can arise:

• because the operator (or operating system in the case of an autonomous machine) of the mobile machine may not be aware of a person in the vicinity of the machinery because the operator has not seen or become aware of that person despite that person being within line of sight;

• because the operator (or operating system in the case of an autonomous machine) of the mobile machine may not be able to see / be aware of a person in a blind spot (the operator of the mobile machine may not be able to see / be aware of all of the space surrounding the mobile machine that might contain a person, such spaces that cannot be seen by the operator / of which the operator is unaware of the content of that space are often described as "blind spots").

This lack of awareness on the part of the operator (or operating system) may result in inadvertent contact between a person and the mobile machinery. Such a contact can injure a person who is close to that machinery.

Further, or alternatively, a person in the vicinity of a mobile machine may not be aware that a mobile machine is moving, be aware that the mobile machine is close to them, and / or be aware of or understand what the result of movement of the mobile machine will be. For example, if an articulated lorry is turning left or right, the middle of the lorry will, during the turn, swing much further into the corner than either the front or back wheels. The problem and / or likelihood of a person in the vicinity of a mobile machine not being aware that the mobile machine is moving or is close to them is increased if that person's senses are suppressed or distracted. For example, if a person has earphones in both ears and music playing through those earphones, and they are concentrating / focussed on looking at a screen of a mobile phone or other handheld computing device held in front of them at approximately waist height they are unlikely to be aware of mobile machinery that is close to them. This lack of awareness may result in the person inadvertently moving into a position in which they come into contact with the mobile machinery. Such contact may lead to that person being injured.

The injuries that a person can experience as a result of contact with a moving machine, irrespective of the cause for the contact, can range from minimal to fatal. It is desirable, however that all such contacts and injuries are avoided if possible.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile machine comprising a safety apparatus that is intended to decrease the likelihood of contact between a person and the mobile machine, a safety apparatus suitable for attachment to a mobile machine intended to decrease the likelihood of contact between a person and a mobile machine, and a method of seeking to decrease the likelihood of contact between a person and a mobile machine.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile machine having an outer perimeter and comprising a safety apparatus, characterised in that the safety apparatus comprises one or more light projection means mounted on the mobile machine, in which at least one of the light projection means is comprised of a light source and a pattern generator, the light source and pattern generator are so arranged that when the light source is emitting light the pattern generator causes a pattern of that light to be projected onto a surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto, the pattern being projected onto an area of that support surface proximal to a portion of, or a position on, the outer perimeter of the mobile machine and a predetermined distance out from the perimeter or a position on the perimeter of the mobile machine, and the outer perimeter of the mobile machine is determined in a plane substantially parallel to the surface on which the mobile machine is supported.

The area of the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto proximal to the outer perimeter of the mobile machine is an area that extends from a position proximal to at least a portion of, or a position on, the outer perimeter of the mobile machine for a predetermined distance away from that portion of, or position on, the outer perimeter of the mobile machine. The predetermined distance may, in some embodiments, be fixed, for example, in the range of from about 1 .5m to about 3.0m. Other distances may be contemplated and fall within the scope of the present invention.

In other embodiments, the predetermined distance may be varied by a control means, said control means varying the distance in response to one or more characteristics of the mobile machine and / or the environment local to the mobile machine.

This arrangement has the benefit that it provides a visual indication to a person of an area proximal to the outer perimeter of the mobile machine in which they are at greater risk than if they were not in that area. The advantage of the pattern being projected onto the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto is that if a person is at risk it is likely that they are also on that surface or may move onto that surface. The pattern being projected onto that surface has the result that if the person is looking down or in the general area of the mobile machine, for example at a phone or other handheld computing device, the person may be expected to notice the pattern on the surface around the sides of the mobile machine. The person would thus become aware that they were in or near an area exposed to a risk from the mobile machine.

When the mobile machine is moving, the area onto which the pattern is projected will likewise move. If the area onto which the pattern is projected is in front or front and side of the mobile machine then a person who finds themselves in the patterned area when they were not previously in the patterned area will have warning of the approach of the mobile machine.

A further benefit of projecting the pattern onto the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto is that to do this the light source must be pointing in a downward direction from a location on the mobile machine to which it is attached. This means that if the location on the mobile machinery to which the light source is attached is chosen to be below the eyeline of operators of other mobile machines or people close to the mobile machine they will not have light shone into their eyes. The possibility of light shining into their eyes would cause a risk of accidents because it would be likely to be distracting and / or could lead to a temporary reduction in vision.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the pattern projected onto the surface may be of a uniform nature and made up of one or more repeated shapes or lines. In some embodiments, the pattern could be a repeating pattern comprised of elements of one or more shapes that will convey an appropriate message to a viewer of the shapes. Such shapes could, in one embodiment, be shapes that, in the culture in which the mobile machinery is to be used, represent danger or that a person should not be in the area on which the pattern is being projected. In other embodiments the shapes could be such as to give a visual message to a user, for example a series of arrows and pictograms directing the user away from the mobile machinery. In other embodiments the shapes could give a textual message to a user, for example "danger".

In some embodiments of the present invention the pattern projected onto the surface may be of a non-uniform nature.

In some such embodiments the pattern may be made up of one or more shapes or lines in which the distance between the shapes or lines at any given position in the pattern being related to the distance of that position from the perimeter of the mobile machinery. In such embodiments, the pattern could be a pattern comprised of elements of one or more shapes that will convey an appropriate message to a viewer of the shapes. Such shapes could, in one embodiment, be shapes that, in the culture in which the mobile machinery is to be used, represent danger or that a person should not be in the area on which the pattern is being projected. In other embodiments the shapes could such as to give a visual message to a user, for example a series of arrows and pictograms directing the user away from the mobile machinery. In other embodiments the shapes could give a textual message to a user, for example "danger".

In some embodiments the positioning of the shapes or lines relative to each other can be related to one or more characteristics of the mobile machinery and / or the environment local to the mobile machinery. Those characteristics may, without limitation, be movement of the mobile machinery; movement of the mobile machinery in a predetermined direction, that direction being either an absolute direction or relative to the configuration of the mobile machine itself; a change in the direction of travel of the mobile machinery; the speed of movement of the mobile machinery; an aspect of the operation of the mobile machinery; the light level proximal to the mobile machinery; or detection by suitable means of one or more objects upstanding from the support surface in a predetermined area proximal to the mobile machine. In such embodiments, the pattern could be a pattern comprised of elements of one or more shapes that will convey an appropriate message to a viewer of the shapes. Such shapes could, in one embodiment, be shapes that, in the culture in which the mobile machinery is to be used, represent danger or that a person should not be in the area on which the pattern is being projected. In other embodiments the shapes could such as to give a visual message to a user, for example a series of arrows and pictograms directing the user away from the mobile machinery. In other embodiments the shapes could give a textual message to a user, for example "danger".

In some embodiments of the present invention the pattern projected onto the surface may be of a single colour. Appropriate colours may be employed, those colours including, but not being limited to red. The principle requirement of the colour is that it is noticeable to a person in an area adjacent the mobile machinery. In some embodiments of the present invention the intensity and / or brightness of the colour may be varied with the distance from the mobile machinery.

In some embodiments of the present invention the pattern projected onto the surface may include one or more elements that relate to the direction of travel of the mobile machinery. Such elements may include but not be limited to pictograms and arrows.

In some embodiments of the present invention the pattern projected onto the surface may include one or more elements that relate to the intended future direction of travel of the mobile machinery, for example an indication that the mobile machinery intends to turn left or right. Such elements may include but not be limited to pictograms and bent arrows.

In some embodiments of the present invention the light source may be repeatedly turned on and off with the result that the pattern projected onto the surface may be repeatedly turned on and off. This has the advantage that the pattern may be more noticeable than a continually visible pattern.

In some embodiments of the present invention the light source may be repeatedly caused to emit light of one or more different colours, this will result in the pattern projected onto the surface repeatedly changing colour. This may assist in a person noticing the pattern. If the person is colour blind to one or more colours changing the colour of the pattern may have the effect that for at least some of the time the pattern is visible to the colour blind person.

In some embodiments of the present invention the pattern generator may be a means for generating a predetermined pattern on the surface when the light source projects light through the pattern generator. In other embodiments, the pattern generator may be adapted to generate different patterns or shapes in response to one or more control signals from a control means. The pattern may be generated by the pattern generator creating a number of shadowed or unilluminated and a number of non-shadowed or illuminated areas on the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto. Other known light projection devices and technologies that can project patterns of light onto a surface may be employed in the present invention and fall within the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that in the context of the present invention the term pattern includes arrangements of shapes, lines, pictograms, and or textual elements that are repeated across the area of the projection; and arrangements of shapes, lines, pictograms, and or textual elements that are asymmetric, discontinuous, and / or non-repeating.

In some embodiments of the present invention the light source is comprised of one or more LEDs (such LEDs can be high brightness LEDs, super bright LEDs or other appropriate LEDS), one or more lasers, or other appropriate light generating means.

In some embodiments, the or each light projection means may further comprise a power source. In other embodiments, the or each light projection means may further comprise means for drawing power from the mobile machine. In some embodiments, the means for drawing power from the mobile machine is a wiring loom suitable for drawing electrical power from the mobile machine.

In some embodiments the or each light projection means is located under a portion of the machine. This gives the or each light projection means some protection from the weather and / or being knocked off the mobile machine.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention the safety system further comprises a control means. In such embodiments the control means is adapted to cause the light source to emit light dependent upon receipt of one or more signals relating to one or more characteristics of the mobile machinery and / or the environment local to the mobile machinery. Those characteristics may, without limitation, be movement of the mobile machinery; movement of the mobile machinery in a predetermined direction, that direction being either an absolute direction or relative to the configuration of the mobile machine itself; a change in the direction of travel of the mobile machinery; the speed of movement of the mobile machinery; an aspect of the operation of the mobile machinery; the light level proximal to the mobile machinery; or detection by suitable means of one or more objects upstanding from the support surface in a predetermined area a proximal to the mobile machine.

The control means of such embodiments may, in some embodiments, turn at least the light source on and off in response to the signal or signals received. In other embodiments, the control means can cause the pattern generator to give rise to different patterns on the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto in dependence on one or more signals received from the control means.

In some embodiments the control means receives one or more signals dependent on the speed of the mobile machine and, dependent on those signals, turns the or each light projection means on and off. For example, the control means could cause the light projection means to turn on when the speed of the mobile machine is less than 15 Km/h. Other speeds could be set for the on and off values for the light projection means.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an item of mobile machinery according to the first aspect of the present invention may be provided with sufficient light projection means that when the light projection means are all operating, all or substantially all of the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto surrounding the outer perimeter of the mobile machine has a pattern projected on to it for at least a minimum predetermined distance from the mobile machine. In some embodiments the minimum predetermined distance from the mobile machine is substantially the same around the whole outer perimeter. In other embodiments, the minimum predetermined distance from the mobile machine varies dependent upon the position around the outer perimeter of the mobile machinery.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an item of mobile machinery according to the first aspect of the present invention may be provided with sufficient light projection means that when the light projection means are all operating, only parts of the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto have a pattern projected on to it. For example, a rectangular mobile machine (rectangular in a plane substantially parallel to the surface that supports the mobile machine) may have patterns projected on to the surface around the corners of the mobile machine.

The mobile machine according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise one or more audible alarms which sound when the light projection means are actuated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a light projection means suitable for mounting on a mobile machine to create a safety system, in which the light projection means is comprised of a light source and a pattern generator, the light source and pattern generator are so arranged that when the light source is emitting light the pattern generator causes a pattern of that light to be projected onto a surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto, the pattern being projected onto an area of that support surface proximal to and outside the outer perimeter of the mobile machine. The light projection means of the second aspect of the present invention has the features and method of operation of the light projection means described in association with the mobile machine according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The light projection means of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise a control means as described in association with the mobile machine according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The light projection means of the second aspect of the present invention may be suppled in a kit comprising at least one light projection means and instructions for fitting the or each light projection means to a mobile machine. The kit may further comprise one or more of a control means as described in association with the mobile machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, and / or a wiring loom suitable for drawing electrical power from the mobile machine. The kit may further comprise one or more means for integrating the or each light projection means with a control means already integral with the mobile machine.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing the risk of contact between the person and a mobile machine. In one embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention the method comprises providing a mobile machine having a safety apparatus as described in association with the first aspect of the present invention. This method includes operation of the safety apparatus causing a pattern of light to be projected onto an area of the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto and / or the surface proximal to a portion of, or position on, the outer perimeter of the of the mobile machine; and a person seeing said pattern being deterred from entering, or encouraged to leave, the area on which the pattern is projected. This leads to a reduced risk of contact between the person and the mobile machine.

In another embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention the method comprises fitting a mobile machine with one or more light projection means as described in association with the second aspect of the present invention characterised in that the operation of the safety system causes a pattern of light to be projected onto an area surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto proximal to a portion of or position on the outer perimeter of the of the mobile machine, and a person seeing said pattern is deterred from entering or encouraged to leave the area of the pattern leading to a reduced risk of contact between the person and the mobile machine.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

The present invention will be further described and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a mobile machine according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the mobile machine of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of one of the safety apparatus of the mobile machine of Figure 1 .

With reference to Figures 1 , 2 and 3, a forklift truck 2 having wheels 4 is resting on a road surface 6. Attached to the forklift truck 2 are four light projection means 8. They are attached to the forklift truck 2 via fixing means 10. The outer perimeter of the forklift truck 2 is the outer edge of the forklift truck 2 in a plane substantively parallel to the plane of the road surface 6 and is as shown as the outer edges of the forklift truck 2 in Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 3, the light projection means 8 is comprised of a light source 12, a pattern generator 14, and a control means 16. The light source 12 is powered by the battery 20 of the forklift truck 2 via a wiring loom 22. The operation of the light source 12 is controlled by the control means 16. The control means 16 sends appropriate control signals to the light source 12 in response to signals received from signal generation means 18. Signal generation means 18 generates signals in response to one or more characteristics of the operation of the forklift truck 2.

The pattern generator 14 is so located that light 24 emitted by light source 12 passes through pattern generator 14 and some of that light is blocked by a partially opaque film therein. The film is partially opaque in such a fashion that the light 24 creates an illuminated pattern 26 on the road surface 6. The four light sources 8 mounted on the forklift truck 2 combine to result in the creation of four illuminated patterns 26 on the road surface 6 as illustrated in Figure 2.

A person in the vicinity of the forklift truck 2 is likely to see the patterns 26 on the road surface 6 if they are looking down and do not notice the forklift truck 2 itself. This decreases the risk that the person 2 inadvertently comes into contact with the forklift truck 2.

Claims

1 A mobile machine having an outer perimeter and comprising a safety apparatus, characterised in that the safety apparatus comprises one or more light projection means mounted on the mobile machine, in which at least one of the light projection means is comprised of a light source and a pattern generator, the light source and pattern generator are so arranged that when the light source is emitting light the pattern generator causes a pattern of that light to be projected onto a surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto, the pattern being projected onto an area of that support surface proximal to a portion of, or a position on, the outer perimeter of the mobile machine a predetermined distance out from the perimeter or a position on the perimeter of the mobile machine, and the outer perimeter of the mobile machine is determined in a plane substantially parallel to the surface on which the mobile machine is supported.

2 A mobile machine according to claim 1 in which the predetermined distance may be varied by a control means, said control means varying the distance in response to one or more characteristics of the mobile machine and / or the environment local to the mobile machine.

3 A mobile machine according to claim 1 or 2 in which the light source points in a downward direction from a location on the mobile machine to which it is attached.

4 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the pattern projected onto the surface is of a uniform nature and made up of one or more repeated shapes or lines. 5 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the pattern projected onto the surface is of a non-uniform nature and is made up of one or more shapes or lines.

6 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the pattern projected onto the surface is comprised of one or more shapes that convey a message to a viewer of the shapes.

7 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the distance between the shapes or lines at any given position in the pattern is in a predetermined relationship to the distance of that position from the outer perimeter of the mobile machine.

8 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 7 in which the positioning of the shapes or lines of the pattern relative to each other is related to one or more characteristics of the mobile machine and / or the environment local to the mobile machine.

9 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 8 in which the pattern projected onto the surface is of a single colour, or pattern projected onto the surface is successively of a number of different colours.

10 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 9 in which the light source is comprised of one or more high brightness LEDs, one or more super bright LED, one or more LEDs, or one or more lasers. 1 1 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 10 in which the or each light projection means is located under a portion of the mobile machine when the mobile machine is orientated for use.

12 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 1 1 in which the safety apparatus further comprises a control means.

13 A mobile machine according to claim 12 in which the control means is adapted to cause the light source to emit light dependent upon receipt of one or more signals relating to one or more characteristics of the mobile machine and / or the environment local to the mobile machine.

14 A mobile machine according to any of claims 12 to 13 in which the control means causes the pattern generator to give rise to different patterns on the surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto in dependence on one or more signals received by control means relating to one or more characteristics of the mobile machine and / or the environment local to the mobile machine.

15 A mobile machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 in which the control means receives one or more signals dependent on the speed of the mobile machine and, dependent on those signals, turns the or each light projection means on and off. 16 A mobile machine according to any of claims 1 to 15 in which the safety apparatus further comprises one or more audible alarms which sound when the light projection means are turned on.

17 A light projection means suitable for mounting on a mobile machine in which the light projection means is suitable for a safety system, in which the light projection means is comprised of a light source and a pattern generator, the light source and pattern generator are so arranged that when the light source is emitting light the pattern generator causes a pattern of that light to be projected onto a surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto, the pattern being projected onto an area of that support surface proximal to and outside the outer perimeter of the mobile machine.

18 A light projection means according to claim 17 having the characteristics of the light projection means according to any of claims 1 to 16.

19 A kit comprising at least one light projection means according to claim

17 or 18 and instructions for fitting the or each light projection means to a mobile machine.

20 A kit according to claim 19 further comprising a control means.

21 A method of reducing the risk of contact between a person and a mobile machine in which the method comprises providing a mobile machine having a safety system according to any of claims 1 to 16 characterised in that the operation of the safety system causes a pattern of light to be projected onto an area surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto proximal to a portion of, or position on, the outer perimeter of the of the mobile machine, and a person seeing said pattern is deterred from entering or encouraged to leave the area of the pattern leading to a reduced risk of contact between the person and the mobile machine.

22 A method of reducing the risk of contact between a person and a mobile machine in which the method comprises fitting a mobile machine with one or more light projection means according to claim 17 or 18 to create a safety system characterised in that the operation of the safety system causes a pattern of light to be projected onto an area surface supporting the mobile machine and / or the surface adjacent thereto proximal to a portion of, or position on, the outer perimeter of the of the mobile machine, and a person seeing said pattern is deterred from entering or encouraged to leave the area of the pattern leading to a reduced risk of contact between the person and the mobile machine.