DK2845985T3 - Port Security System - Google Patents

Description

Description [0001] The invention concerns a gate safety system with a light grid arrangement for detecting objects within the plane of movement of the gate and the gate edge, wherein the safety system distinguishes between the gate and the object.

[0002] Gate safety systems of the type mentioned are known from the prior art. The latter usually form a grid of light barriers within the plane of movement of the gate and transverse to the direction of motion of the forward-moving gate edge. In general, the light barriers are formed by a transmitter strip and a receiver strip, which are located opposite one another, and are both intended to be assembled on or in the duct of the gate edge, so that the gate sequentially interrupts the light barriers every time it closes. In addition, the known gate safety systems provide a method by means of which a distinction can be made between detecting an object and the gate edge.

[0003] Patent EP 0 902 157 B1 of EFAFLEX Transport und Lagertechnik GmbH filed in 1998 describes a gate safety system in the case of which the light barriers are sequentially dynamically allocated three different states in the direction of motion, depending upon the states allocated previously, wherein the next light barrier located in front of the gate edge is always disabled.

[0004] Patent EP 1 841 942 B1 of CEDES AG filed in 2006 describes a gate safety system in the case of which the next light barrier to be driven over by the gate edge is briefly disabled prior to the gate edge being driven over, depending upon the time required for the gate edge to travel between the light barriers, in order to guarantee a longer period of sensitivity for recognising objects.

[0005] Patent EP 2 229 496 B1 of CEDES AG filed in 2009 describes a gate safety system in the case of which the receiver strip includes additional transmission elements, which, together with the receiving elements of the receiver strip and via a reflector disposed at the gate edge, detect the position of the gate edge, in order to safely exclude the possibility of the gate safety system being manipulated.

[0006] The patent application EP 2 586 959 A1 of CEDES AG filed in 2011 describes a gate safety system in the case of which the pattern detected by the receiver strip is statically compared with pre-defined patterns, in order to even immediately be able to distinguish between an object and the gate edge after the gate safety system has failed and been re-started.

[0007] The patent application EP 2 506 034 A1 of CEDES AG filed in 2011 describes a gate safety system in the case of which the light grid is formed out of distance sensors and the object and the gate edge are differentiated based on the distance detected between them.

[0008] A disadvantage of said gate safety systems, with the exception of the CEDES EP 2 229 496 B1 and the CEDES EP 2 506 034 Al, is that the gate safety system can be manipulated by a narrow object, such as a rod or an arm, being inserted underneath the gate edge, i.e. in the route of the gate, in such a way that it only interrupts the light barrier still to be driven over that is located next to the gate edge. Such gate safety systems primarily distinguish between the gate edge and the object through the light barriers that are already interrupted by the gate edge, as well as the light barriers not yet interrupted located next to the gate edge, not being used to detect objects, or not without interruption. Should the object, in the process, be led away from the gate edge downwards or pushed downwards by the gate edge, the gate safety system usually recognises it as a gate edge, and not as an object. As a result, the object may be damaged, and in particular squashed to the ground by the fully closed gate.

[0009] The task of the invention is to provide an improved gate safety system.

[0010] This task is achieved, taking as a starting point the gate safety systems mentioned at the beginning, by a gate safety system in accordance with Claim 1 and a gate in accordance with Claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the further dependent claims.

[0011] The gate safety system in accordance with the invention serves the purpose of securing a gate with a gate edge adjustably moving forward within a plane of movement and in the direction of motion against colliding with an object, and comprises a light grid system having at least two transmitter elements and at least two receiver elements for forming light barrier rays within the plane of movement to detect an object within the plane of movement and the gate edge, and, moreover, comprises an evaluation device, which is designed to distinguish between the object and the gate edge based on the light grid system detecting this, and to generate a security signal when detecting an object, and, further, comprises a position sensor device, which is formed separately from the light grid system, for detecting a position of the gate and for emitting a position signal corresponding to a position area of the gate edge, wherein the evaluation device is, furthermore, designed to generate a monitoring signal based on the interruption of a particular light barrier ray of the light grid system, and wherein a surveillance system moreover exists, which is designed to carry out a plausibility check, depending upon the position signal and the monitoring signal, and generate a security signal, depending upon the result of the plausibility check.

[0012] The gate safety system may have the advantage that, if the evaluation device makes an incorrect distinction, which incorrectly allocates the gate edge, instead of an object, as the cause of the light grid system having detected an item, and therefore incorrectly fails to generate a security signal, the gate safety system nevertheless responds safely, as now the surveillance system can generate the security signal, instead of the evaluation device. The security of the gate safety system can be increased.

[0013] The position signal can preferably be a value taken from a range of values. The monitoring signal can preferably be allocated to the position of a light grid ray. The evaluation device can preferably generate for multiple light grid rays, when the latter are interrupted, a respective characteristic monitoring signal allocated, which is allocated to the respective positions of the light grid rays.

[0014] The evaluation device is preferably designed to generate a monitoring signal based on interrupting a respective light barrier ray of the light grid system, which is characteristically allocated to the respective light barrier ray and corresponds to a position area of the gate edge in the path of the respective light barrier ray and the closed position of the gate and/or the surveillance device is moreover designed to generate the security signal if the position area corresponding to the position signal falls outside the position area corresponding to the monitoring signal.

[0015] If the monitoring signal is generated, the respective light barrier should be interrupted by the gate edge or, should the body of the gate likewise interrupt the light barrier rays within the plane of movement, by the subsequent door leaves. The position signals should then reflect a position of the gate edge at the respective light barrier ray or between the respective light barrier and the closed position of the gate. Should that not be the case, an insecure state of the gate exists, so that a security signal is generated.

[0016] In the case of sectional gates, the body of the gate usually has sectional portions of a certain depth, which usually interrupt the light barrier rays. In the case of screen doors, the body of the door usually comprises a thin sheet of foil, which the the light barrier rays do not usually interrupt.

[0017] The position sensor device preferably comprises a rotary encoder and/or one or more end section switches.

[0018] This may have the advantage that the position sensor device has a number of different uses. The cost-effectiveness of operating the gate safety system can be increased.

[0019] Rotary encoders can be affixed to the drive shaft of the gate, and determine the position of the gate edge via the unwinding rotation of the gate.

[0020] End section switches can engage the gate edge as a cam or a curve, or engage with the body of the gate at a switch at the door guide, and thus determine the position or a position range of the gate edge.

[0021] The gate safety system preferably comprises a further control device, in particular for controlling the speed of the movement of the gate, depending upon its position, and/or in particular to deactivate a hose edge protector at the gate edge, depending upon its position. The position sensor device is preferably designed to pass on signals to at least one further control device, in particular for controlling the speed of the movement of the gate, depending upon its position, and/or in particular to deactivate a hose edge protector at the gate edge, depending upon its position.

[0022] The speed control that is dependent upon position may, for instance, enable braking prior to the closing position. The gate safety system may have the advantage that it increases the convenience for the user.

[0023] The evaluation device is preferably connected to the light grid system by a common carrier, in particular covered by a common housing. The monitoring device is preferably connected with the drive control of the gate, or likewise with the light grid system, by a common carrier, in particular covered by a common housing.

[0024] A common carrier or housing may facilitate the assembly and increase the level of robustness. The gate safety system can facilitate the assembly and/or increase the robustness against wear and tear.

[0025] The light grid configuration is preferably designed in such a way that the particular light barrier ray is disposed at a height of between 2 cm and 30 cm, in particular between 5 cm and 20 cm, in particular between 10 cm and 15 cm above the ground.

[0026] A low configuration of the respective light barrier ray can reduce the risk of crushing. The lowest light barrier ray is preferably not selected, so that it is still expediently possible to stop the gate. The gate safety system can reduce the risk of crushing.

[0027] The position sensoring device is preferably designed in such a way that the position signal is emitted when the gate is detected as being approx. +/- 20 cm, in particular approx. +/-10 cm, in particular approx. +/- 5 cm, in particular approx. +/-1 cm away from, in particular exactly at the position of the gate when the gate edge touches the respective light barrier. The position sensoring device is preferably designed in such a way that the position signal is emitted during a particular period of time after which the gate has reached a particular position.

[0028] The emission of the position signal, allowing a range of tolerance, can increase the stability of the plausibility check. The gate safety system can increase the system stability.

[0029] The position sensoring device is preferably designed in such a way as to record a position of the gate allocated to a position signal by means of a training drive of the gate, wherein in particular the monitoring signal(s) is/are drawn upon to recognise and/or store the position of the gate.

[0030] In that respect, the gate can, for instance, close from the top to the bottom, wherein, when the respective light barrier ray or rays is/are driven over and interrupted, the corresponding monitoring signal(s) is/are passed on to the monitoring device, which connects the latter, in its memory, with the position signal(s) simultaneously received. The position signals may be values from a range of values corresponding to the route of the gate.

[0031] This can reduce the effort when putting the gate safety system into operation.

[0032] The gate safety system and/or the evaluation device and/or the surveillance device are preferably designed to stop and/or reverse the gate when the security signal is generated.

[0033] The gate in accordance with the invention comprises a gate safety system in accordance with the invention of the above-mentioned type.

[0034] The gate in accordance with the invention may have the advantages of the gate safety system.

[0035] Further features of the invention are specified in the drawings.

[0036] The benefits specified in each case may also materialise for combinations of features in connection with which they are not mentioned.

Overview of the drawings: [0037] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In that respect, the same reference signs in the individual figures designate elements corresponding to one another. The figures show the following:

Fig. 1 A gate with a gate safety system and end section switch; and

Fig. 2 A gate with a gate safety system and rotary encoder.

Detailed description of the drawings: [0038] Fig. 1 shows a gate 1 with a gate safety system 2 having an end section switch 3, upon which a cam curve 4 has an impact. The cam operates the end section switch if the gate edge 5 is in a region between the respective light barrier ray 6 and the ground. A light grid device 7 consists of a transmitter strip 8 with transmitters 9 and a receiver strip 10 with receivers 11 allocated in parallel. The light barrier rays 12 are interrupted by the gate, the respective light barrier ray 6 is interrupted by an object, and the light barrier ray 13 is not interrupted. The receivers are connected via a link 14 with the evaluation device 15 which is to be found in the housing 16 of the light grid device 7. The evaluation device is connected with the motor control unit 17 via a link 18, via which a security signal can be transmitted. The receiver 19 of the respective light barrier ray 6 is connected with the surveillance device 21 via a link 20. The end section switch 3 is connected with the surveillance device 21 via a link 22. The surveillance device 21 is connected with the motor control unit 17, and can likewise transmit a security signal to the latter. The motor control unit 17 is connected to the motor 23 which drives the gate 1 through rolling it up or down over the shaft 24. The motor control unit stops and reverses the motor rolling down the gate in the event of a security signal being emitted.

[0039] The object 25 interrupts the respective light barrier ray 6. This leads to being detected by the receiver 19 allocated and to a monitoring signal allocated to the respective light barrier ray, which is transmitted to the surveillance device via the link 20, being generated. The end section switch 3 is not yet switched by the cam curve 4 of the gate. This switching state of a position of the gate edge 5 is transmitted still prior to the respective light barrier ray 6, and is transmitted to the surveillance device 21 as a position signal. The surveillance device has the position corresponding to the monitoring signal, as well as the position area corresponding to the position signal, stored in its memory. The surveillance device then compares the monitoring signal with the position signal for plausibility, i.e. whether the position area corresponding to the monitoring signal is located within the position area of the position signal. In the present case that is not the case, as the object 25, and not the gate edge, interrupts the respective light barrier ray 6. Because the position area corresponding to the position signal is located outside the position area corresponding to the monitoring signal, the surveillance device 21 generates a security signal, which is transmitted to the motor control unit 17, which stops and reverses the motor 23 and the gate 1.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows the gate 1 with a gate safety system 2 having a rotary encoder 26, which is connected with the [...] of the monitoring device 21. The rotary encoder detects the rotation of the shaft 24, and transmits the rotation to the monitoring device. The monitoring device calculates, from the rotation values, the position of the gate and the gate edge. The position corresponding to the gate edge at the respective light ray 6 is transmitted to the monitoring device, or learnt by the latter. The remainder of the configuration and method of operation corresponds to what is shown in Figure 1.

Claims (10)

A gate locking system for securing a gate having a movable forward edge edge against a collision with an object including a light grid device - having at least 2 transmitting elements and having at least 2 receiving elements - for generating photocell beams in the moving plane - for detecting of an object in the plane of motion and the edge of the gate; an evaluation device adapted to distinguish, on the basis of the detection of the light grating device, between object or gate edge - and upon detection of an object to produce a safety signal; a position sensor device - configured separately from the light grid device - for detecting a position of the gate and - for transmitting a position signal - corresponding to a position area of the gate edge, characterized in that the evaluation device is further adapted - on the basis of the interruption of a particular photocell beam from the light grating device to produce a verification signal, and - there is a control device adapted to perform a plausibility check in dependence on position signal and a verification signal - and in response to the plausibility control to produce a security signal. Gate security system according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation device is arranged to - on the basis of the disconnection of a particular photocell beam from the light grid device, produce a verification signal which is characteristic associated with the particular photocell beam and corresponds to a position area of the gate edge of the line the particular photocell beam or between the particular photocell beam and the closed position of the gate; and / or that the control device is arranged to produce the security signal when the position area corresponding to the position signal is outside the position area corresponding to the verification signal. Gate protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position sensor device comprises - a rotary encoder and / or - one or more limit switches. Gate security system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gate protection system comprises an additional control device - in particular for position dependent control of the speed of the door movement and / or - in particular for position dependent deactivation of a pipe edge protection at the gate edge, and / or the position sensor device is adapted for - transmitting signals to at least one further control device - in particular for position dependent control of the speed of the gate movement and / or - in particular for position dependent deactivation of a pipe edge lock at the gate edge. Gate security system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation device - connected to the light grid device by means of a common carrier, in particular enclosed by a common housing, and / or the control device - is connected to the drive control of the gate by means of a common carrier, in particular, is enclosed by a common housing, or - likewise is connected to the light grid device by means of a common carrier, particularly enclosed by a common housing. Gate security system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light grid device is arranged such that - the particular photocell beam is placed above the ground at a height between 2 and 30 cm, especially between 5 and 20 cm, especially between 10 and 15 cm. Gate security system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position sensor device is arranged so that - the transmission of the position signal occurs by detection of the gate about +/- 20 cm, especially about +/- 10 cm, especially about +/- 5. cm, especially about +/- 1 cm, especially at the gate position, precisely when the gate edge enters the particular photo cell, and / or the - the transmission of the position signal occurs for a specified period of time after the gate has reached a certain position. Gate security system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position sensor device is arranged for: - recording the position of the gate associated with a position signal, by means of a learning drive for the gate, - in particular the verification signal or verification signals are included for recognition and / or saving the position of the door. Gate security system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gate security system and / or the evaluation device and / or the control device are arranged to - stop and / or reverse the gate by a generated safety signal. A gate with a gate protection system according to any one of the preceding claims.