阅读说明：本技术 用于载入人员的升降椅载入装置及其相关的检测方法 (Lift chair loading device for loading personnel and related detection method thereof ) 是由 C·马修 于 2021-04-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种升降椅载入装置(10),其包括至少两个邻近的定时闸门(20),用于调节通过该定时闸门(20)的人员的流通,载入装置(10)包括高风险状况检测系统(100),该系统包括：检测装置(30),其能够确定通过每个定时闸门(20)的潜在人员的存在,并且确定潜在人员的身高是否大于预定高度(G)；数据处理单元(40),其配置为根据来自检测装置(30)的数据,确定以下高风险状况的存在：在邻近的闸门(20)之间的指定的闸门(20)之前检测到身高小于预定高度(G)的人员,以及在邻近的闸门(20)中的一个之前,没有检测到身高大于预定高度(G)的人员。(The invention relates to a lift chair loading device (10) comprising at least two adjacent timed gates (20) for regulating the circulation of persons through the timed gates (20), the loading device (10) comprising a high risk situation detection system (100) comprising: -detection means (30) able to determine the presence of a potential person passing through each timed gate (20) and to determine whether the height of the potential person is greater than a predetermined height (G); a data processing unit (40) configured to determine, from data from the detection device (30), the presence of the following high risk condition: people having a height less than the predetermined height (G) are detected before a given gate (20) between adjacent gates (20), and no people having a height greater than the predetermined height (G) are detected before one of the adjacent gates (20).)

1. A lift chair loading device (10) for loading persons on a load bearing structure, said loading device (10) comprising at least two adjacent timing gates (20) for regulating the circulation of the persons to be loaded through said timing gates (20), characterized in that the loading device (10) comprises a system for detecting high risk conditions, said system comprising at least:

-detection means (30), said detection means (30) being able to determine the presence of a potential person when passing through each timing gate (20) and to determine whether the height of said potential person is greater than a predetermined height (G);

a data processing unit (40), the data processing unit (40) being configured to determine the presence of the following high risk condition from data from the detection device (30): detecting a person having a height less than a predetermined height (G) before a given gate (20) between adjacent gates (20); and when passing at least one gate (20) adjacent to the designated gate (20), no person having a height greater than a predetermined height (G) is detected.

2. A loading device (10) according to claim 1, wherein each timing gate (20) is movable between two extreme timing positions, a closed position (20A) obstructing access to the designated gate (20) and an open position (20B) providing access to the designated gate (20).

3. A loading device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the opening and closing movements of the timed gates (20) are synchronized, each gate being expected to close upon detection of the passage of a user.

4. A loading device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (40) is connected to instructions for opening each gate (20) and is adapted to inhibit the opening of a given gate (20) of adjacent gates (20) or to force a person having a height less than the predetermined height (G) to remain in a closed position during the passage of a person having a height less than the predetermined height (G) as long as the passage of a person having a height greater than the predetermined height (G) through at least one gate (20) adjacent to the given gate (20) is not detected.

5. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (40) is connected to an alarm system (50), said alarm system (50) preferably comprising an audible and/or visual alarm.

6. A loading device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection means (30) comprise at least one first presence detector (31) and/or second presence detector (32), said first presence detector (31) for each timed gate (20) being able to determine the presence of any person of height greater than the predetermined height (G), said second presence detector (32) for each timed gate (20) being able to determine the presence of any person of height less than the predetermined height (G).

7. The loading device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (30), preferably the first and/or second presence detector (31, 32), comprises at least one sensor, preferably a sensor comprising at least one photocell.

8. A method for detecting a high risk condition on a load device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least:

a detection step configured to determine the presence of a potential person as the person passes each timing gate (20) and to determine whether the height of the potential person is above a predetermined height (G);

a data processing step configured to determine the presence of the following high risk condition prior to a given gate (20) between adjacent gates (20) based on the data generated by the detecting step: detecting a person with a height less than a predetermined height (G); and when passing at least one gate (20) adjacent to the designated gate (20), no person having a height greater than a predetermined height (G) is detected.

9. Method for detecting a high risk condition according to claim 9, characterized in that the method comprises an alarm step, preferably an audible and/or visual alarm step, activating an alarm signal after a high risk condition is detected in the alarm step.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of lift chair loading devices.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a lift chair loader for loading persons on a load bearing structure including a vehicle, and to a method for detecting high risk conditions on such a loader.

Background

Currently, a known lift chair is a passenger transportation device comprising a traction rope and at least one support rope on which carriages supporting a single or a plurality of seats are suspended at regular intervals. In some configurations, the same cable may be both a pull line and a support line. Regardless of the configuration employed, each vehicle typically includes a walkway attached to the pull-cord by fixed or detachable clamps, the walkway being supported by the pull-cord continuously moving between the loading and unloading stations.

One of the main concerns for manufacturers and purchasers of lift chairs is to ensure the best safety for the user. In particular, the safety of the user on or near the walkway is ensured, whether the user is an adult or a child.

In order to ensure the safety of the users on the lift chairs, it is known to equip these walkways with guardrails. Such a barrier is movable between an open or raised position that allows a user to access the seat of the walkway and a closed or lowered position that obstructs access and ensures the safety of the person sitting on the walkway during transport.

Lift chair manufacturers and lift chair purchasers must also comply with extremely specific regulations regarding child transport. In particular, children below 1.25m in height can only be transported on the seat accompanied by at least one person who is able to provide the necessary assistance to these children, in particular when handling the guard rails and complying with the safety instructions. In the case of a supervision group, the supervisor group leader has the responsibility to distribute the child to the seats according to the means provided by the operator and to ensure that the person affected by the child's accompanying person does not object this prior to loading.

Another concern of lift chair manufacturers and purchasers is to design a device that provides an optimal rate of hourly flow rates while ensuring adequate user circulation.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to alleviate all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing in particular a solution that will increase the hourly flow rate of the number of users delivered, while still ensuring the safety of the users, in particular of the children.

To this end, according to a first feature of the invention, a lift chair loading device for loading persons on a load-bearing structure is proposed, the loading device comprising at least two adjacent timed gates for regulating the flow of the persons to be loaded through the timed gates, the loading device being remarkable in that it comprises a system for detecting high risk conditions, the system comprising at least:

a detection device capable of determining the presence of a potential person when passing through each timing gate and determining whether the person's height is greater than a predetermined height;

a data processing unit configured to determine the presence of the following high risk condition from data from the detection device: people having a height less than the predetermined height are detected before a given gate between adjacent gates, and no people having a height greater than the predetermined height are detected when passing at least one gate adjacent to the given gate.

This combination of features allows the loading device to be equipped with a detection system that allows detection of high risk conditions corresponding to the presence of a child who is not accompanied directly by an adult.

According to an embodiment, the predetermined height corresponds to a height between 1m and 1.5m, preferably equal to 1.25 m.

In one embodiment, each timed gate is movable between two timed end positions, a closed position preventing access to the designated gate, and an open position allowing access to the designated gate. In a particular arrangement, each gate comprises a post standing vertically relative to the ground and supporting a locking arm extending in a horizontal plane, the locking arm being pivotally connected with a vertical axis relative to the post and being movable between a closed position in which access to the gate is prevented by extending substantially transversely relative to the direction of travel of the user, and an open position in which the locking arm is pivoted to be positioned longitudinally relative to the direction of travel of the user, preferably along the direction of travel.

According to one embodiment, the opening and closing movements of the timed gate are synchronized to allow all users ready to load simultaneously on the same walkway. Each gate can be expected to close once the passage of the user is detected.

According to an embodiment, the data processing unit is connected to the opening instructions from each gate and is able to inhibit the opening of a given one of the adjacent gates, or to force it to remain in the closed position during the passage of a person of height less than a predetermined height, as long as no person of height greater than the predetermined height is detected during the passage of at least one gate adjacent to the given gate. This configuration can further ensure the security of the loaded device by compensating for the possible lack of vigilance of the supervisor.

In an embodiment the data processing unit is connected to an alarm system, which preferably comprises an audible and/or visual alarm. Such an alarm system makes it possible to warn the load zone supervisor when such high risk conditions are encountered, in particular when a child is to be loaded without an appropriate accompanying adult.

In an embodiment, the detection means comprise at least a first presence detector for each timed gate, capable of determining the presence of any person of height greater than a predetermined height, and/or a second presence detector for each timed gate, capable of determining the presence of any person of height less than the predetermined height. Such detectors are easy to manufacture and install on a timed gate, whether for a new gate or provided with an existing timed gate.

According to an embodiment, the detection means, preferably the first and/or second presence detector, comprises at least one sensor, preferably a sensor comprising at least one photo cell.

According to an embodiment, the detection means comprise at least one camera, preferably a single camera. Preferably, in this case, the data processing unit is able to determine the presence of a high risk condition from an image or a set of images common to all gates.

According to another feature of the invention, the latter relates to a method for detecting a high risk condition on a loading device as described above, which is remarkable in that it comprises at least:

a detecting step configured to determine the presence of a potential person as the person passes each timing gate and determine whether the height of the potential person is above a predetermined height;

a data processing step configured to determine, from the data generated by the detecting step, the presence of the following high risk condition: detecting a person having a height less than a predetermined height before a designated gate between adjacent gates; and when passing at least one gate adjacent to the designated gate, no person greater than a predetermined height is detected.

According to an embodiment, the detection method comprises an alert step, preferably an audible and/or visual alert step, activating an alert signal after a high risk condition is detected in the alert step.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a loading unit including a plurality of timing gates in one embodiment;

fig. 2 is a top view of fig. 1.

For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to identify the same or similar features.

In the description and claims, for the sake of clarity of the description and claims, the term will be adopted with reference to the X, Y, Z trihedron shown in the drawings: longitudinal, transverse and vertical.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, there is shown a lift chair loading apparatus 10 for loading persons on a walkway forming a load bearing structure (not shown). The loading device 10 comprises six timed gates 20 arranged adjacent to each other, the timed gates 20 being aligned along an axis Y transverse to the direction of travel of the user towards the loading platform (not shown) to load the walkway. The direction of travel of the user extends along the longitudinal reference axis X.

The number of timing gates 20 corresponds exactly to the number of positions (in particular seats) on the lift chair walkway. The timed gate 20 is used to regulate the circulation of the people to be loaded, who must pass through the timed gate 20 one by one, to enter the loading platform downstream of the gate 20 in the direction of travel X. Each timing gate 20 is movable between two extreme timing positions, a closed position 20A in which the timing gate 20 obstructs access to the designated gate 20 and an open position 20B in which the timing gate 20 provides access to the designated gate 20 (see fig. 2). To ensure better circulation, the loading device 10 is configured such that the opening and closing actions of the timing shutter 20 are synchronized. Thus, the timed gates 20 are programmed to open simultaneously, and to close simultaneously or once the user passes. Each timing gate 20 is (locally) associated with an access corridor 70, which corridor 70 is used for the passage of people. In practice, floor markings or obstructions may be used to indicate each access channel 70 on the loading device, or this may be accomplished by a simple channel limited primarily by the timing gate 20 itself. Regardless of which solution is chosen, in all cases, whether or not upstream personnel are waiting for their passage in a queue-ordered fashion, in timed passages only one person at a time can stand in front of and pass through the timed gate 20.

Each timing gate 20 comprises a vertical pillar 21, i.e. parallel to the vertical axis Z. Each timing gate 20 also comprises a locking arm 22, which locking arm 22 extends substantially perpendicular to the vertical post 21 in a non-limiting manner and is connected to the post 21 with a pivot axis Z. The locking arm 22 is rotatable relative to the strut 21 between a closed position in which the locking arm 22 obstructs access to the gate 20 by extending substantially transversely to the direction of travel X of the user towards Y, and an open position in which the locking arm is pivoted (preferably forwardly relative to the direction of travel X) so that it is positioned longitudinally relative to the direction of travel of the user and does not constitute an obstacle in operating the locking arm 22.

Each entry passage 70 is abutted on one side (left side in the drawing) against the pillar 21 of the timing shutter 20 of the specified entry passage 70, and is abutted on the other side (right side in the drawing) against the pillar 21 of the shutter 20 adjacent to the specified shutter 20. For an outer access channel 70 that does not have an adjacent channel on the other side, the access channel 70 abuts a post (e.g., post 61 of at least one signaling device 60) and a signaling panel 62 (surrounding other items) may be mounted on the signaling device 60. The space between these struts 21 and 61 constitutes an access channel 70.

According to an advantageous embodiment, all the timed gates 20 are connected by a base which ensures the connection of the gates 20 by connecting the lower ends of the uprights 21, 61 forming the channel 70. Such a base ensures the structural stability of the shutter 20.

According to the present invention, the loading device 10 comprises a high risk situation detection system comprising at least one detection device 30, which detection device 30 is capable of determining the presence of a potential person when passing through each timing gate 20 and is capable of determining whether the height of the potential person is above a predetermined height G. In particular, a suitable height G is determined which is consistent with the average height of the child, for example 1.25 m.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the detection means 30 comprise at least one first presence detector (presence detector)31 and a second presence detector 32, the first presence detector 31 for each timed gate 20 being capable of determining the presence of any person of height greater than or equal to the predetermined height G, the second presence detector 32 for each timed gate 20 being capable of determining the presence of any person of height less than the predetermined height G.

More precisely, each timing gate 20 is equipped with a first and a second presence detector 31, 32, each of the first and second presence detectors 31, 32 comprising a sensor, for example a sensor comprising at least one photocell. The first presence detector 31 is arranged at a height of 1.25m to determine the presence of a potential person having a height greater than or equal to the predetermined height G. Furthermore, in order to determine the presence of a potential person having a height less than the predetermined height, the second presence detector 32 is arranged at an intermediate height H less than the predetermined height G. The height H is chosen such that it is high enough to avoid any interaction with anything that might constitute an obstacle at ground level (or even snow level), but low enough to detect the passage of a potential person. For example, a height H of between 0.5m and 1m may be selected.

The first and second detectors 31, 32 are photocells emitting light beams 31', 32', respectively, which are preferably arranged in a horizontal plane and are positioned transversely with respect to the access passage 70 towards Y (i.e. also with respect to the direction of movement X of the user). In this way, the photocell of the first detector, arranged at a height of 1.25m, is able to detect the passage of any person having a height of 1.25m or higher. In a similar manner, the photocell of the first detector, arranged at a height H lower than this height (for example 0.75m from the ground), is able to detect the passage of any person whose actual height is less than the predetermined height.

In this embodiment, the first and second detectors 31, 32 of each shutter 20 are carried by the associated vertical column 21 and are guided along an axis transverse to the direction of travel. Preferably, the strut 21 has a longitudinally elongated profile or cross-section. In this way, the strut 21 may support the locking arm 22 and the first and second detectors 31, 32, and more generally also the longitudinally offset detection means 30. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that: the sensor beams 31', 32' are directed angularly and horizontally with respect to the transverse axis Y to allow detection of a person upstream of the shutter.

Alternatively or in combination, the detection device 30 may be at least partially remote from the gate. In this case, all or a part of the detection device 30 may be located at the level of the entry gate 20. It may also be offset a predetermined distance, for example a few meters upstream of the front gate 20, in anticipation of an alarm by an alarm.

The loading means 10 further comprise a data processing unit 40, which data processing unit 40 is preferably remote from the timing gate 20 and is configured to determine, based on data from the detection means 30 (in particular the presence detectors 31, 32), the presence of the following high risk condition: detecting a person having a height less than a predetermined height G before a given gate 20 between adjacent gates 20; and no person having a height greater than the predetermined height G is detected when passing through at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20.

The data processing unit 40 is connected to instructions for opening each gate 20, and as long as it has not been detected that a person of a height greater than a predetermined size passes through at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20, the data processing unit 40 is able to inhibit the opening of the designated gate 20 of the adjacent gates 20 or to force it to remain in a closed position (a person of a height less than the predetermined size has been detected to pass through the designated gate 20). In this way, the device may be restricted to avoid high risk conditions. Additionally or alternatively, the data processing unit 40 is connected to an alarm system 50, for example an audible and/or visual alarm 50. A visual alarm device may be arranged, for example on the upper end of the support 61 of the signaling device 60. Of course, other configurations are possible. For example, each timed gate 20 may be provided with an alarm device that will activate a separate alarm signal in the event that any of the associated timed gates 20 is detected as being in a high risk condition. This allows for rapid location to a location of high risk conditions.

In use of the system, one or more persons are present before the timing gate 20 and at most one person is located in the passageway before the locking arm 22 of the designated gate 20 (the locking arm 22 being in the closed position 20A blocking passage).

Then, a detection step is performed to determine the presence of a prospective person when passing through each timing gate 20 and to determine whether the height of the prospective person is greater than a predetermined height G, here a height in excess of 1.25 m. This step is performed as soon as a person comes to stand in the path of the beams 31', 32' from the photocells of the first and second detectors 31, 32.

Once the information about each timing gate 20 has been collected, a data processing step is performed to determine the presence of the following high risk condition from the data generated in the detection step: detecting a person having a height less than a predetermined height G before a given gate 20 between adjacent gates 20; and when passing at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20, no person of a height greater than the predetermined height is detected.

If a high risk condition is not detected, the locking arm 22 of the associated gate 20 may be pivoted forwardly in the direction of travel to an open position 20B to allow personnel to enter the passageway and then to a closed position 20A to block passage. This return may be after a predetermined time delay of opening or after detecting the passage of a person. The detection of the passage can be performed by means of presence detectors 31, 32 and a time delay can be combined with the detection signal so that, once the detector detects a change of state (from a state with the presence of a person to a state without the presence of a person), a certain time delay elapses before the associated shutter 20 is closed. Each timing gate 20 facilitates the synchronization of passengers landing at the loading area of the lift chair, thereby particularly avoiding any collision of seats and passengers before the pickup (pick up) of passengers.

The loading device is configured such that each timing gate 20 opens automatically once the front passenger's seat enters the loading zone upstream of the gate 20, which gives the passenger time to reach the loading zone before the seat arrives to pick up the passenger at the loading zone.

If a high risk condition is detected, i.e. a person with a height less than the predetermined height G is detected before the timed gate 20 and no person with a height greater than the predetermined height is detected through at least one gate 20 adjacent to the designated gate 20, an alarm step will be performed in which an alarm signal is passed to the alarm 50 and the designated gate remains in the closed position 20A until no further high risk condition is detected. The regional supervisor can then view the gate and intervene if necessary.

Naturally, the present invention has been described above by way of examples. It will be appreciated that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variants of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is emphasized that even if only certain other features are described, either individually or in any combination, all features will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this specification, the drawings and the appended claims, all features may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that such combination is not explicitly excluded, or that technical conditions render such combination impossible or meaningless.