WO2020106259A2

WO2020106259A2 - A randomly moving work safety compliance inspection device

Info

Publication number: WO2020106259A2
Application number: PCT/TR2019/050970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onur Kaya; Yilmaz DİNDAR; Fatih ATEŞ
Original assignee: Ermetal Otomoti̇v Ve Eşya Sanayi̇ Ti̇caret Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2018-11-20
Filing date: 2019-11-19
Publication date: 2020-05-28
Also published as: TR201817465A2; WO2020106259A3

Abstract

A work safety compliance inspection device which is a robotic system for providing the work safety compliance inspection in a dynamic manner; comprises a motion mechanism (101) for enabling the movement of the work safety compliance inspection device (100), an environment recognition device (102) which is used for scanning the environment for realizing the work safety compliance and determining the usage of the personal protective equipment (113) by the workers (112), a triggering device (103) which activates the work safety compliance inspection mechanism by generating signal when a worker (112) or a danger factor (114) is determined, an electronic controller (104) which controls the hardware on the work safety compliance inspection device (100), enables the communication of these hardware between them and enables the communication of the inspection device (100) with outside, an electronic device (105) which enables communication with the inspection device (100), data entry and data receiving; characterized in comprising a recording unit (107) which is within the electronic device (105) structure, enables recording the realized events in the inspection device (100), an information unit (108) which is within the electronic device (105) structure, includes the information used for the evaluation of the events by the inspection device (100).

Description

A Randomly Moving Work Safety Compliance Inspection Device Technical Field

The invention is in general related to a randomly moving work safety compliance inspection device which inspects the work safety compliance within a working environment.

The invention is particularly related to a randomly moving work safety compliance inspection device which enables the work safety compliance inspection by means of the movement of the inspection device. Prior Art

Today the work safety and rules are the precautions taken for providing the employees to work within a healthy and safe environment. Provision of the work safety eliminates the loss of labor, expenses and legal sanctions; also, it shall be taken into consideration in terms of the moral and conscience responsibilities. In order to provide work safety, an effective inspection shall be maintained.

When the work safety inspection in the present state of the art is enabled by means of human factor, the inspector shall apply the inspection procedure without using initiative. However, it is not always possible; there can be situations which are not noticed and missed by the inspector. In the present state of the art, there are various applications in which human factor are directly eliminated from the work safety compliance inspection. One of these methods is monitoring and evaluating the received image. In the present state of the art, there are many applications for the work safety inspection by means of image evaluation. In the technical content of a patent research of the prior art with publication no US8208681 (B2); an image of the employees are taken before they enter to the working environment, the personal protective equipment such as eyeglasses and helmet etc. are inspected. In the technical content of a patent research of the prior art with publication no WO201 1 123741 (A2); a system which determines the persons who do not use personal protective equipment by means of taking image of the working environment in determined periods, determine the dangerous conditions and vehicles which are not authorized within the production field, gives warning or stops the operation of the machines when necessary.

In the technical content of a patent research of the prior art with publication no US9695981 (B2); the usage of the personal protective equipment of the person is inspected in the first place by means of taking a picture of the person, the usage of appropriate type of personal protective equipment is inspected in the second phase.

In the technical content of a patent research of the prior art with publication no WO2015050608 (A1 ); the following characteristics are disclosed; determining the entries to the working environment, determining the usage of the protective equipment by the detected person, giving instructions to the person when required for displaying the protective equipment in a proper manner, transmitting a message in case a person is detected for not using the protective equipment in terms of not using the protective equipment, preventing the person not using the protective equipment to the determined field or preventing the usage of the machine etc.

In the work safety compliance inspection by means of monitoring, in the present state of the art, work safety compliance inspection is performed in a stable manner and the monitoring field ability is limited.

In the technical content of a patent research of the prior art with publication no US9463574; an inspection robot performs on electronic equipment in a field with designated map. In this manner the robot performs inspection with detection devices by means of visiting the predetermined locations.

As a result, the work safety compliance inspection device is required to be improved, for this reason new structures which would eliminate the abovementioned disadvantages and bring solution to the current systems are required. Description of the Invention

The present invention is related to a work safety compliance inspection device which fulfills the abovementioned requirements, eliminates all disadvantages and brings some additional advantages. The main aim of the invention is to eliminate current disadvantages by means of the environment detection, information evaluation, location determination, communication provision and motion equipment which perform the detection of the work safety violation for the inspection of work safety compliance from any point within the work environment by means of moving on the ground. An aim of the invention is the random movement of the work safety compliance inspection device within the work environment.

Another aim of the invention is to provide the safety compliance inspection which is not a routine by means of the random inspection of the employees at any time period in any location due to its random movement within the work environment. Another aim of the invention is to provide inspection without missing and omitting any inspection procedure during the inspection process by means of inactivating the human factor during work safety inspection.

In order to realize all advantages to be understood from the abovementioned and below detailed description, the present invention is a work safety compliance inspection device which is a robotic system for providing the work safety compliance inspection in a dynamic manner; comprises a motion mechanism for enabling the movement of the work safety compliance inspection device, an environment recognition device which is used for scanning the environment for realizing the work safety compliance and determining the usage of the personal protective equipment by the workers, a triggering device which activates the work safety compliance inspection mechanism by generating signal when a worker or a danger factor is determined, an electronic controller which controls the hardware on the work safety compliance inspection device, enables the communication of these hardware between them and enables the communication of the inspection device with outside, an electronic device which enables communication with the inspection device, data entry and data receiving; characterized in comprising a recording unit which is within the electronic device structure, enables recording the realized events in the inspection device, an information unit which is within the electronic device structure, includes the information used for the evaluation of the events by the inspection device.

The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following drawings and the detailed description made with reference to these drawings and therefore the evaluation shall be made by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

Figures Clarifying the Invention

In order to understand the structure of the present invention with its additional aspects, it shall be evaluated together with the following figures which are described below. Figure-1 ; is a general view of the work safety compliance inspection device of the invention.

Figure-2; is a two dimensional view of the information transmission chart of the work safety compliance inspection device subject to invention.

Figure-3; is a two dimensional view of the decision points on the inspection field of the work safety compliance inspection device subject to invention.

Figure-4; is a two dimensional view of the inspection sections in the working environment of the work safety compliance inspection device subject to invention.

Figure 5; is a schematic view showing how the work safety compliance inspection device subject to invention moves within the inspection field by using decision points during the random work safety compliance inspection.

Figure-6; is a table view of the operation method of the work safety compliance inspection device subject to invention. Part Numbers

100- Work safety compliance inspection device

101 - Motion mechanism

102- Environment recognition device

103- T riggering device

104- Electronic controller

105- Electronic device

106- Manager panel

107- Recording unit

108- Information unit

109- Inspection field

1 10- Decision point

1 1 1 - Inspection section

1 12- Worker

1 13- Personal protective equipment

1 13.1 - Head protective equipment

1 13.2- Eye protective equipment

1 13.3- Hand protective equipment

1 13.4- Foot protective equipment

1 14- Danger factor

1 - First step 2- Second step

3- Third step

4- Fourth step

5- Fifth step

6- Sixth step

7- Seventh step

8- Eighth step

9- Ninth step

10- Tenth step

1 1 - Eleventh step

12- Twelfth step

13- Thirteenth step

14- Fourteenth step

15- Fifteenth step

16- Sixteenth step

17- Seventeenth step

18- Eighteenth step

19- Ninetieth step

A- Mobile Inspection

B- Evaluation process

C- Performance of the Inspection D- Selection of the decision points E- Random selection of the decision point

Detailed Description of the Invention

In Figure-1 , a general view of the work safety compliance inspection device (100) subject to invention is illustrated. The invention is related to the work safety compliance inspection device (100) which is a robotic system for enabling a dynamic work safety compliance inspection. There is a motion mechanism (101 ) in the invention which enables the movement of the work safety compliance inspection device (100). There is an environment recognition device (102) which is used for scanning the environment for realizing the work safety compliance and determining the usage of the personal protective equipment (1 13) by the workers (1 12). The triggering device (103) activates the work safety compliance inspection mechanism by generating a signal when a worker (1 12) or a danger factor (1 14) is determined. An electronic controller (104) controls the hardware on the work safety compliance inspection device (100), enables the communication of this hardware between each other and enables the communication of the inspection device (100) with outside. There is an electronic device (105) which enables communication with the inspection device (100), data entry and data receiving. The manager panel (106) enables data entry of the user to the electronic device (105) or receiving data from the electronic device (105). There is a recording unit (107) which is within the electronic device (105) structure, enables recording the realized events in the inspection device (100). There is an information unit (108) within the electronic device (105) structure which includes the information used for the evaluation of the events by the inspection device (100). In Figure 6, a table view of the operating method of the inventive work safety compliance inspection device (100) is illustrated. The invention comprises the following process steps; realizing the work safety compliance inspection in a movable manner by means of an inspection device (100) which has a motion mechanism (101 ) (A), determining the worker (1 12) and the object in the environment by means of the environment recognition device (102) and realizing the evaluation process by means of the electronic controller (104) (B), keeping the events determined by the inspection device (100) in the recording unit (107), inspecting the work safety by the rules entered in the information unit (108) and reaching these modules on the electronic device (105) by the user through the manager panel (106) (C), realizing the work safety compliance inspection in a movable manner by the work safety compliance inspection device (100) via the decision points (1 10) (D), randomly selecting the decision point (1 10) to be reached by the work safety compliance inspection device (100) (E).

The operating principle of the inventive work safety compliance inspection device (100) is as follows;

In Figure-1 , a general view of the work safety compliance inspection device (100) subject to invention is illustrated. The inspection device (100) can move by means of the motion mechanism (101 ). There is an environment recognition device (102) on the inspection device (100). The environment recognition device (102) can be able to detect the work safety aspects such as the worker (1 12), danger factor (150), personal protective equipment (1 13) for example head protective equipment (1 13.1 ), eye protective equipment (1 13.2), hand protective equipment (1 13.3), foot protective equipment (1 13.4). The environment recognition device (102) may be a displaying device which can be able to recognize mentioned elements, RFID reader, code reader (barcode or QR code), thermal camera, and various sensors etc. to be used for recognition purpose. The triggering device (103) is a signal generating device located on the inspection device (100) when a worker (1 12) or a danger factor (1 14) is detected. The electronic controller (104) receives data from the environment recognition device (102), the triggering device (103) and the electronic device (105), evaluates the received data and sends data to the motion mechanism (101 ), environment recognition device (102), and electronic device (105). The electronic controller (104), is particularly used for evaluating the data gathered by the environment recognition device (102). The danger factor (1 14) may be a forklift, boxes and all predetermined and non-determined objects within the inspection field (109).

In Figure-2; a two dimensional view of the information transmission chart of the work safety compliance inspection device (100) subject to invention is illustrated. The electronic device (105) seen in Figure-2 has; a manager panel (106), a recording unit (107) and an information unit (108). The electronic device (105) may be within the structure of the inspection device (100), may be far from the inspection device (100). The electronic device (105) can be able to make a connection with the inspection device (100) in a wired or wireless manner. The wireless communication between the electronic device (105) and the inspection device (100) can be provided by means of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, infrared or a different technology. Data entry is made by the manager panel (106) to the information unit (108) and data is received from the recording unit (107). The manager panel (106) can be a physical displaying device such as a monitor; can also be a computer application or a program. The information belong to the inspection field (109) can be entered to the information unit

(108) through the manager panel (106). The information belong to the inspection field (109) can be the information such as the sizes of the inspection field (109), number of the decision points (1 10), location of the decision points (1 10), location of the production vehicles, information and location of any object, number of the inspection sections (1 1 1 ), location of the inspection sections (1 1 1 ), the personal protective equipment (1 13) required to be used in each controlling section (1 1 1 ). The event information data is included in the recording unit (107). The event information data can be followed by means of the manager panel (106). The event information can be the information such as the data received by means of the environment recognition device (102), instant location information of the inspection device (100), location and time information of any data received from the recognition device.

In Figure-3 a two dimensional view of the decision points (1 10) on the inspection field (109) of the work safety compliance inspection device (100) subject to invention is illustrated. The inspection device (100) can move based on the decision points (100) or independent from the decision points (1 10). The decision points (1 10), are the physical or virtual points to be followed by the inspection device (100) in order to move. The inspection device (100) can be able to move within the inspection field

(109) by means of progress from one decision point (1 10) to another decision point. The inspection device (100) selects the next decision point (1 10) at each decision point (1 10) in a random manner or according to the information received from the information unit (108). The decision points (1 10) can be defined through the manager panel (106) according to the required locations to be inspected, with required numbers, with required locations and with required frequency. The inspection device (100) can move within the inspection field (109) independent from the decision points (1 10). Information can be identified to each decision point (1 10) over the manager panel (106). The identified information is kept within the information unit (108) to be transmitted to the inspection device (100) when necessary. This information can be the information such as the personal protective equipment required to be used in the relevant decision point (1 10), existence of an object in the relevant decision point etc.

There are different work safety rules in different regions in the environment where a work safety inspection is required to be made. For example, in an environment where welding processes are done, the eye protective equipment must be absolutely used; in other regions it is not necessary to use eye protective equipment. In a similar manner, the head protective equipment must be used in all regions. These rules which enable to take a decision can be identified one by one to the decision point (1 10) over the information unit (108), can also be identified in a separate manner to each inspection section (1 1 1 ) by separating the inspection field (109) into inspection sections (1 1 1 ) as seen in Figure 4. Thus, the same personal protective equipment (1 13) usage rule can be identified to all decision points (1 10) in each inspection section (1 1 1 ). In addition to this, another advantage of identifying the personal protective equipment (1 13) usage rule to the inspection sections (1 1 1 ) is that; the inspection device (100) can be able to make inspection of personal protective equipment (1 13) usage when it is not in the decision point (1 10).

In Figure 5; a schematic view showing how the work safety compliance inspection device (100) moves within the inspection field (109) by using decision points (1 10) during the random work safety compliance inspection is illustrated. When the inspection device (100) initiates an inspection within the inspection field (109), the electronic controller (104) first of all identifies a random decision point (1 10) mentioned in the first step (1 ). The inspection device (100) proceeds to the decision point (1 10) which is determined in the first step (1 ) by means of the motion mechanism (101 ) in the second step (2). During progress of the inspection device (100) to the randomly selected decision point (1 10), it controls whether a signal comes from the triggering device (103) or not according to the third step (3). As long as a signal is not received from the triggering device (103), the inspection device (100) determines its instant location according to the ninth step (9) and compares its instant location with the location that it has selected in the first step (1 ) according to tenth step (10), determines whether it has reached the target or not. In case the inspection device (100) has not already reached the decision point (1 10), it returns back to the second step (2). In this manner, a cycle is formed for the inspection device (100) to proceed to the decision point (1 10) which is selected in the first step (1 ) as long as a signal is not received from the triggering device (103). In case the inspection device (100) reaches to the decision point (1 10) at the tenth step (10), it identifies a new decision point (1 10) in a random manner according to the eleventh step (1 1 ) and continues its movement by following the second step (2). In the third step (3), in case a signal is received from the triggering device (103), according to the fourth step (4), an image is received from the environment recognition device (102). According to the fifth step (5), it is determined that whether a worker (1 12) exists in the received image or not. If a worker (1 12) is detected in the received image, the location is determined according to the twelfth step (12). The determined location is identified in terms of its inspection section (1 1 1 ) within the inspection field (109). In the thirteenth step (13), the information about the personal protective equipment (1 13) required to be used in this inspection section (1 1 1 ) is received from the information unit (108). In the fourteenth step (14); the personal protective equipment (1 13) used instantly by the determined worker (1 12) are identified by means of evaluating the image received in the fourth step (4) previously or by receiving a new image from the environment recognition device (102). In the fifteenth step (15); it is determined whether the worker (1 12) uses the required personal protective equipment (1 13) or not by comparing the information of the personal protective equipment (1 13) required to be used which is determined in the thirteenth step (13) and the information of the personal protective equipment (1 13) used by the worker (1 12) instantly which is determined in the fourteenth step (14). If it is evaluated that the required personal protective equipment (1 13) is not used; the information of “not obeying to the work safety rule” according to the seventieth step (17) is created when non-usage is determined, the information of “obeying to the work safety rule” according to the eighteenth step (18) is created when usage is determined, this information is then sent to the recording unit (107) according to the nineteenth step (19). Following this, the inspection device (100) would continue the decision point (1 10) which was selected in the first step (1 ) or the eleventh step (1 1 ) and performs the eighth step (8) by means of continuing its progress in a manner such that it does not contact with the determined object or the worker (1 12). In the fifth step (5), in case the worker (1 12) is not detected, the inspection device (100) compares the location of the determined object with the decision point (1 10) at that point and it is determined that whether there is a predetermined object or not at this decision point (1 10) according to sixth step (6). According to the seventh step (7) if there is an identified object at this decision point (1 10) to the information unit (108), it continues its cycle according to the eighth step (8). According to the seventh step (7) if there is not an identified object at this decision point (1 10) to the information unit (108), it evaluates a danger factor (1 14) on its route and sends the danger factor (1 14) information such as location, time, image according to the nineteenth step (19) to the recording unit (107) and continues its cycle with the eighth step (8).

Claims

1 A work safety compliance inspection device which is a robotic system for providing the work safety compliance inspection in a dynamic manner; comprises a motion mechanism (101 ) for enabling the movement of the work safety compliance inspection device (100), an environment recognition device (102) which is used for scanning the environment for realizing the work safety compliance and determining the usage of the personal protective equipment (1 13) by the workers (1 12), a triggering device (103) which activates the work safety compliance inspection mechanism by generating signal when a worker (1 12) or a danger factor (1 14) is determined, an electronic controller (104) which controls the hardware on the work safety compliance inspection device (100), enables the communication of these hardware between them and enables the communication of the inspection device (100) with outside, an electronic device (105) which enables communication with the inspection device (100), data entry and data receiving; characterized in comprising;

- a recording unit (107) which is within the electronic device (105) structure, enables recording the realized events in the inspection device (100),

- an information unit (108) which is within the electronic device (105) structure, includes the information used for the evaluation of the events by the inspection device (100).

2 The work safety compliance inspection device (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in comprising decision points (1 10) which are physical or virtual locations used for realizing the movement of the inspection device (100) in the inspection field (109) where the work safety rules are valid.

3- The work safety compliance inspection device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the work safety compliance inspection device (100) can be able to move dependent to the decision points (1 10) or independent from the decision points (1 10).

4 The work safety compliance inspection device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the work safety compliance inspection device comprises inspection sections (1 1 1 ) within the inspection field (109) as the working field which enables different inspection in different sections.

5 A work safety compliance inspection method which comprises the process step of detecting the worker (1 12) and the object in the environment by the environment recognition device (102) during the work safety compliance inspection and realizing the evaluation process by means of the electronic controller (104) (B), characterized in comprising the following process steps;

- realizing the work safety compliance inspection in a movable manner by means of an inspection device (100) which has a motion mechanism (101 ) (A),

- keeping the events determined by the inspection device (100) in the recording unit (107), inspecting the work safety by the rules entered in the information unit (108) and reaching these modules on the electronic device (105) by the user through the manager panel (106) (C). 6 The work safety compliance inspection method according to claim 5, characterized in comprising the process step of realizing the work safety compliance inspection with the work safety compliance inspection device (100) in a movable manner via the decision points (1 10) (D).

7 The work safety compliance inspection method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in comprising the process step of selecting the decision point (1 10) to be reached by the work safety compliance inspection device (100) in a random manner (E).