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GB2586777A - Storage safety system - Google Patents

Storage safety system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2586777A
GB2586777A GB1910030.4A GB201910030A GB2586777A GB 2586777 A GB2586777 A GB 2586777A GB 201910030 A GB201910030 A GB 201910030A GB 2586777 A GB2586777 A GB 2586777A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
alert
control unit
alerting device
signal
detection zone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1910030.4A
Other versions
GB2586777B (en
GB201910030D0 (en
Inventor
Clifford Simon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pallet Alarm Ltd
Original Assignee
Pallet Alarm Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pallet Alarm Ltd filed Critical Pallet Alarm Ltd
Priority to GB1910030.4A priority Critical patent/GB2586777B/en
Publication of GB201910030D0 publication Critical patent/GB201910030D0/en
Publication of GB2586777A publication Critical patent/GB2586777A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2586777B publication Critical patent/GB2586777B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G43/00—Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V8/00—Prospecting or detecting by optical means
    • G01V8/10—Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers
    • G01V8/12—Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using one transmitter and one receiver
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V8/00—Prospecting or detecting by optical means
    • G01V8/10—Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers
    • G01V8/20—Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
    • G08B13/181—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using active radiation detection systems
    • G08B13/183—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using active radiation detection systems by interruption of a radiation beam or barrier
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B7/00—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00
    • G08B7/06—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
    • B65G2203/04—Detection means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
    • B65G2203/04—Detection means
    • B65G2203/042—Sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
    • B65G2203/04—Detection means
    • B65G2203/042—Sensors
    • B65G2203/044—Optical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
    • B65G2203/04—Detection means
    • B65G2203/042—Sensors
    • B65G2203/046—RFID
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
    • B65G2207/40—Safety features of loads, equipment or persons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/008—Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geophysics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for use in warehouse storage comprising at least one through beam photoelectric sensor with ends 20, 20’adapted to provide a detection signal when an associated through-beam 22 is broken. Through beam 22 forms a boundary of a detection zone and side beams 100 of shelf 10 have racking beams 102 linking side beams 100 to form shelf 10. A control unit (200, Fig 5) is adapted to receive a detection signal and to provide an activation signal to an alerting device (202) which may have a display screen (206). The alert provided may be audible (such as a horn) and/or visual (such as a lamp), with illumination in a colour which is particular to a specific alert. Control unit (200) may provide a deactivation signal to alerting device (202) when predetermined conditions such a removal of an item from the detection zone or the entry of a code in to code panel.

Description

Storage safety system
Field of the invention
The present inventive concept relates to a storage safety system, including an apparatus and accompanying method.
Background to the invention
The basics of warehouse storage arrangements are well known. In general racks of shelves are arranged in columns and rows. An item may be stored by placing the item on an allocated shelf, and removed subsequently.
Photoelectric sensors are widely used in various fields. For example, a through beam photoelectric sensor can be used to detect the presence of a vehicle at an entrance gate.
Safe and efficient storage of items in warehouses is important, for the safety of people working in warehouses and for economically efficient storage and removal of items. -2 -
Summary of invention
The present inventive concept provides an apparatus for use in warehouse storage, comprising at least one through beam photoelectric sensor adapted to provide a detection signal when the through beam is broken, the through beam forming a boundary of a detection zone, the apparatus further comprising a control unit adapted to receive a detection signal and to provide an activation signal to an alerting device.
Thus, if a part of an item to be stored is moved to a position within the detection zone, an alert will be provided.
Such an arrangement can provide substantially immediate feedback via an alert to a warehouse operative to identify a safety risk. Furthermore, it can be important to ensure that all items are stored in a precise position, for efficiency. Thus, the present arrangement can improve safety and efficiency of a warehouse. The present inventive concept can also reduce the risk of build-up of material or debris and thus reduce the risk of fire.
In use, a shelf will often have a front edge which faces towards an access aisle and a rear edge which faces away from such an access aisle.
The detection zone may be located near one edge of a shelf. Preferably, the detection zone is located near a rear edge of a shelf. The sensor may be Located so that the through beam is substantially parallel to and vertically distanced from the back of the shelf.
As the rear edge of the shelf is likely to be more difficult for a warehouse operative to see from the front, detection of erroneous positioning of an item near the rear edge is less likely. The item itself may obscure the warehouse operative's view of the rearmost parts of the item.
The apparatus may be provided with a plurality of through beam photo electric sensors, each with a discrete detection zone. -3 -
A warehouse may comprise more than one shelf. Thus the apparatus may provide a detection zones for a plurality of shelves. For example, each shelf may be provided with a through beam photoelectric sensor having a detection zone.
A shelf may have more than one through beam photo electric sensor and more than one detection zone.
The alerting device may be adapted to generate an alert on receipt of an activation signal. The alert may be audible or visible or both audible and visible. Thus, the alerting device may be adapted to generate an audible and/or visual alert on receipt of an activation signal. The generation of a visual and/or audible alert may be determined by the nature of the activation signal. For example, the activation signal may carry information as to the nature of the alert to be generated.
The control unit may be adapted to provide a deactivation signal to the alerting device.
Generation of the or each of a visual and/or audible alert may ceased by a deactivation signal. Such ceasing may be determined by the nature of the deactivation signal. For example, the deactivation signal may carry information as to the nature of the alert to be ceased. For example, the deactivation signal may be adapted to cease only the visual alert or only the audible alert or both.
The control unit may be adapted to provide a deactivation signal to the alerting device only if one or more predetermined conditions are met.
Thus, an audible and/or visual alert may be activated by the presence of an item within a detection zone. However, removal of such an item from the detection zone need not automatically result in the said alert being ceased.
This is advantageous for safety management because it enables a separation of activation and deactivation actions.
Predetermined conditions may include one or more of: removal of an item from the detection zone, entry of a code into a code panel. The nature of a deactivation signal -4 -may depend on the condition or conditions met. For example removal of an item from the detection zone may cause a deactivation signal to cease an audible alert only; to cause a cessation of a visible alert entry of a code into a code panel may be required. The visible alert may comprise an illumination of an indicator. The indicator may be a bulb, or an LED or the like.
The control unit may comprise a display screen. The visible alert may comprise an indication on the display screen. Such an indication on the display screen may be in addition to or as an alternative to a visible alert formed by an illumination of an indicator.
The visible alert may comprise an illumination of an indicator with a particular colour. The visible alert may comprise changing an indicator from one colour to another.
For example, in an initial state an indicator may be illuminated green. If an item is moved to a position within the detection zone a visible alert may be provided by changing the colour of illumination of the indicator to red. If the item is subsequently removed from the detection zone a visible alert may be provided by changing the colour of illumination of the indicator to amber. If the item is removed from the detection zone and a code is entered into a code panel, the visible alert may be ceased and the illumination of the indicator may be changed back to green.
In the same example, in an initial state a sounder is silent. If an item is moved to a position within the detection zone an audible alert may be provided by activating the sounder. If the item is subsequently removed from the detection zone the audible alert may be ceased by silencing the sounder.
The control unit may comprise a logging device adapted to record detection signals, activation signals sent, conditions met, deactivation signals sent, and the like.
The control unit may comprise a display screen adapted to display extracts of information recorded by the logging device. -5 -
Information recorded by the legging device may be stored and retrieved Later for analysis. This information can be used to improve safety management and efficiency.
Detailed description of the invention
Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a first exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of a second exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of a third exemplary embodiment; Figure 4 shows a similar arrangement to that of Figure 3, from a side view; Figure 5 shows a representation of an exemplary control unit; Figure 6 shows a representation of features inside exemplary control unit of Figure 5; and Figure 7 shows an exemplary display screen.
In the first exemplary embodiment, shown in Figure 1, side beams 100 of a shelf 10 have racking beams 102 Linking the side beams 100 to form a shelf. Along the shelf are provided a series of through beam photo electric sensors each having ends 20 and 20' respectively. A through beam 22 is generated at end 20 and directed towards end 20'. If the through beam 22 is not detected at end 20' then a detection signal is generated by the through beam photoelectric sensor.
In Figure 2 a second exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein a section of shelving 10 having side beams 100 and racking beams 102 connecting side beams 100 to other side beams (not shown because Figure 2 is a side view). A through beam is generated by through beam generators 24 and directed across the shelving 10 (the other end is not -6 -shown because Figure 2 is a side view). The through beam generators 24 are connected electronically to a controller 30.
Figure 3 shows a similar arrangement to that shown in Figure 1, wherein side beams 100 of a shelf 10 have racking beams 102 linking the side beams 100 to form a shelf. Along the shelf are provided a series of through beam photo electric sensors each having ends 20 and 20' respectively. A through beam 22 is generated at end 20 and directed towards end 20'. In Figure 3 there are two rows of shelving, although for simplicity not every feature of both rows has been included in the drawing. Items to be stored B interrupt the beams 22. In use this would trigger the generation of a detection signal.
Figure 4 shows a similar arrangement to that of Figure 3, from a side view.
Figure 5 shows a control unit 200. The control unit 200 has a visual alerting device 202 in the form of a lamp, and an audible alerting device 204 in the form of a horn. The control unit 200 also has a display screen 206.
Figure 6 shows the same control unit 200 of Figure 5, with a cover 208 open to show the inside of the control unit 200. Inside is an electronic circuit 210 which is connected to the visual alerting device 202, the audible alerting device 204, a through beam photoelectric sensor (not shown) and a router 212.
Figure 7 shows a display screen 206, showing various information about the status of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus. 7 -

Claims (19)

  1. Claims 1. An apparatus for use in warehouse storage, the apparatus comprising at Least one through beam photoelectric sensor adapted to provide a detection signal when the through beam is broken, the through beam forming a boundary of a detection zone, the apparatus further comprising a control unit adapted to receive a detection signal and to provide an activation signal to an alerting device.
  2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection zone may be located near a rear edge of a shelf.
  3. 3. An apparatus according to cLaim 2, wherein the sensor is Located so that the through beam is substantially parallel to and vertically distanced from the back of the shelf.
  4. 4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of through beam photo electric sensors is provided, each with a discrete detection zone.
  5. 5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the alerting device is adapted to generate an audible alert on receipt of an activation signal.
  6. 6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the aLerting device is adapted to generate a visual alert on receipt of an activation signal.
  7. 7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the alerting device is adapted to generate an audible and visual alert on receipt of an activation signal.
  8. 8. An apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the generation of a visual and/or audible alert is determined by the nature of the activation signal.
  9. 9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is adapted to provide a deactivation signaL to the aLerting device.
  10. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to provide a deactivation signal to the alerting device only if one or more predetermined conditions are met.
  11. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined condition comprises: removal of an item from the detection zone, entry of a code into a code panel.
  12. 12. An apparatus according to any of claim 11, wherein the nature of a deactivation signal depends on the condition or conditions met
  13. 13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the alert comprises an illumination of an indicator.
  14. 14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit comprises a display screen.
  15. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the alert comprises an indication on the display screen.
  16. 16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the alert comprises an illumination of an indicator with a particular colour.
  17. 17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the alert comprises changing an indicator from one colour to another.
  18. 18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit comprises a Logging device.
  19. 19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the control unit comprises a display screen adapted to display extracts of information recorded by the Logging device.
GB1910030.4A 2019-07-12 2019-07-12 Storage safety system Active GB2586777B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1910030.4A GB2586777B (en) 2019-07-12 2019-07-12 Storage safety system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1910030.4A GB2586777B (en) 2019-07-12 2019-07-12 Storage safety system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201910030D0 GB201910030D0 (en) 2019-08-28
GB2586777A true GB2586777A (en) 2021-03-10
GB2586777B GB2586777B (en) 2021-10-20

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5848707A (en) * 1996-02-16 1998-12-15 Hill; Brian I. Storage rack with position sensing
CN201562332U (en) * 2009-12-22 2010-08-25 林宏 Alarm for merchandise on shelf being touched
CN107973043A (en) * 2018-01-08 2018-05-01 吴怡锦 A kind of intensive storage intelligently pushing formula access pallet piling up method and device
CN207434324U (en) * 2017-11-17 2018-06-01 广东易库智能仓储设备科技有限公司 A kind of intelligent cabinet
CN108222605A (en) * 2018-01-16 2018-06-29 江苏海天科技有限公司 It is a kind of that there is the stereo garage for intercepting ultrahigh detection device
CN208708038U (en) * 2018-08-01 2019-04-05 江苏云工场信息技术有限公司 A kind of Internet of Things cabinet warning device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5848707A (en) * 1996-02-16 1998-12-15 Hill; Brian I. Storage rack with position sensing
CN201562332U (en) * 2009-12-22 2010-08-25 林宏 Alarm for merchandise on shelf being touched
CN207434324U (en) * 2017-11-17 2018-06-01 广东易库智能仓储设备科技有限公司 A kind of intelligent cabinet
CN107973043A (en) * 2018-01-08 2018-05-01 吴怡锦 A kind of intensive storage intelligently pushing formula access pallet piling up method and device
CN108222605A (en) * 2018-01-16 2018-06-29 江苏海天科技有限公司 It is a kind of that there is the stereo garage for intercepting ultrahigh detection device
CN208708038U (en) * 2018-08-01 2019-04-05 江苏云工场信息技术有限公司 A kind of Internet of Things cabinet warning device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2586777B (en) 2021-10-20
GB201910030D0 (en) 2019-08-28

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