METHOD FOR OPERATING A TECHNICAL INSTALLATION, AND TECHNICAL INSTALLATION

Abstract

In a method for operating a technical installation that includes an outer zone, a danger zone, an access zone which provides for access from the outer zone to the danger zone, a light curtain for monitoring the access zone, and at least one mobile system: a protective field is generated and activated in the access zone by the light curtain before entry of the at least one mobile system into the access zone; when the at least one mobile system approaches the access zone, a mobile communication unit of the at least one mobile system transmits a request signal to a stationary communication unit of the light curtain; and after reception of the request signal by the stationary communication unit the protective field is deactivated by the light curtain. A technical apparatus is configured to carry out the method.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method for operating a technical installation that includes an outer zone, a danger zone, an access zone that provides access from the outer zone to the danger zone, a light curtain adapted to monitor the access zone, and at least one mobile system, comprising: generating and activating a protective field in the access zone by the light curtain before entry of the mobile system into the access zone; in response to approach by the mobile system to the access zone, transmitting, by a mobile communication unit of the mobile system, a request signal to a stationary communication unit of the light curtain to temporarily deactivate the protective field; and in response to reception of the request signal by the stationary communication unit, deactivating the protective field by the light curtain.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the protective field is partially deactivated by the light curtain in response to the reception of the request signal by the stationary communication unit.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the protective field is completely deactivated by the light curtain in response to the reception of the request signal by the stationary communication unit.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising reactivating the protective field in response to an exit of the mobile system from the access zone.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the request signal is transmitted from the mobile communication unit of the mobile system to the stationary communication unit of the light curtain by light communication.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in response to the approach of the mobile system to the access zone and in response to the mobile system being a predetermined distance from the protective field, the mobile communication unit of the mobile system transmits the request signal to the stationary communication unit of the light curtain.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising detecting, by a detection unit of the mobile system, in response to the mobile system being at the predetermined determined distance from the protective field, by detecting a marking, that is stationary with respect to the light curtain.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one mobile system includes a plurality of mobile systems.

21. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mobile system includes an autonomous driving vehicle.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the autonomous driving vehicle includes a drive device, an electrical energy storage device adapted to supply power to the drive device, and a control device adapted to control the drive device.

23. A system, comprising an outer zone; a danger zone; an access zone that provides access from the outer zone to the danger zone; a light curtain adapted to monitor the access zone; and at least one mobile system; wherein the system is adapted to perform the method recited in claim 13.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the mobile system includes an autonomous driving vehicle.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the autonomous driving vehicle includes a drive device, an electrical energy storage device adapted to supply power to the drive device, and a control device adapted to control the drive device.

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein the mobile system includes a mobile communication unit adapted to transmit a request signal by light communication.

27. The system according to claim 23, wherein the light curtain includes a stationary communication unit adapted to receive a request signal by light communication.

28. The system according to claim 23, wherein the mobile system includes a detection unit adapted to detect a marking arranged stationary with respect to the light curtain.

29. The system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one mobile system includes a plurality of mobile systems.

30. The system according to claim 26, wherein the mobile communication unit includes an LED adapted to transmit the request signal.

31. The system according to claim 27, wherein the mobile communication unit includes a photocell adapted to receive the request signal.

32. The system according to claim 23, wherein the light curtain includes a first column and a second column that are offset from each other in a horizontal direction and that extend parallel to each other in a vertical direction.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the first column includes a plurality of light sources arranged offset from each other in the vertical direction, and the second column includes a corresponding plurality of light sensors arranged offset from each other in the vertical direction.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the light sources include laser diodes, and the light sensors include photocells.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a technical installation when a mobile system approaches an access zone.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the technical installation while the mobile system is traveling through the access zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a technical installation when a mobile system 3 approaches an access zone 15. The technical installation is, for example, an industrial application, for example, a production plant, an industrial hall, or a logistics center. The technical installation includes, for example, an outer zone 1 and a danger zone 2. Through the access zone 15, access is possible from the outer zone 1 to the danger zone 2 as well as from the danger zone 2 to the outer zone 1.

[0029] The outer zone 1 includes traffic routes that can be freely used by people and objects, for example, forklifts or mobile systems 3. The danger zone 2 is an area in the technical installation in which dangerous work, such as, for example, welding, is carried out, or in which fast-moving robots or manipulators are located.

[0030] The danger zone 2 is separated from the outer zone 1 by a light curtain 6. The light curtain 6 is used to monitor the access zone 15. The light curtain 6 includes a first column 61 and a second column 62. The first column 61 and the second column 62 are offset from each other in a cross direction Y on a flat floor and extend parallel to each other in a vertical direction Z. The access zone 15 is located between the columns 61, 62.

[0031] A cross direction Y extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. A longitudinal direction X extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and perpendicular to the cross direction Y.

[0032] The technical installation further includes several mobile systems 3, each arranged as an autonomous driving vehicle. For example, the mobile systems 3 are used to transport material for producing products or to transport manufactured products within the technical installation. FIG. 1, for simplicity, illustrates only one such mobile system 3. The mobile system 3 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being located in the outer zone 1 and moves in a direction of travel, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction X, towards the access zone 15 and the danger zone 2.

[0033] The mobile system 3 includes a drive device for driving the mobile system 3, which drive device has an electric motor, a gearbox, and drive wheels. The mobile system 3 further includes an electrical energy store for supplying electrical energy to the drive device. The mobile system 3 also includes a control device for controlling the drive device.

[0034] The first column 61 of the light curtain 6 includes a plurality of laser diodes, which are arranged offset from each other in the vertical direction Z. The second column 62 of the light curtain 6 includes a plurality of photodiodes, which are arranged offset from each other in the vertical direction Z. The laser diodes emit laser beams in the cross direction Y. The light curtain 6 generates a protective field 7 by the columns 61, 62 and the laser beams, by which the access zone 15 is monitored.

[0035] As long as there is no object in the access zone 15, the laser beams strike respectively photodiode. In the event of unauthorized access of a person or object to the access zone 15, some or all of the laser beams are interrupted and thus some or all of the photodiodes are not struck by a laser beam. Unauthorized access of a person or object, e.g., a mobile system 3, from the outer zone 1 through the access zone 15 to the danger zone 2 is thus detected by the protective field 7.

[0036] Before entry of the mobile system 3 into the access zone 15, the protective field 7 is activated. If unauthorized access is detected by the activated protective field 7, a warning message is generated and, if necessary, the machines in the danger zone 2 are also switched off in this case in order to prevent hazards, damage, and accidents.

[0037] For example, the mobile system 3 has a rectangular cross-section. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile system 3 moves in a direction of travel corresponding to the longitudinal direction X and approaches the access zone 15. For example, the mobile system 3 is located at a distance A from the protective field 7. A front side of the mobile system 3 facing the protective field 7 is distanced by the distance A from the protective field 7.

[0038] The mobile system 3 has a mobile communication unit 4 for communication with the light curtain 6. For this purpose, the mobile communication unit 4 includes, for example, an LED for emitting a luminous flux for light communication. The mobile communication unit 4 is arranged at the front side of the mobile system 3.

[0039] The light curtain 6 has a stationary communication unit 5 for communication with the mobile system 3. For this purpose, the stationary communication unit 5 includes, for example, a photocell for receiving a luminous flux for light communication. For example, the stationary communication unit 5 is arranged at the second column 62 of the light curtain 6.

[0040] For example, the mobile system 3 is authorized to enter or, respectively, to drive in the danger zone 2. When approaching the access zone 15, a request signal is transmitted from the mobile communication unit 4 of the mobile system 3 to the stationary communication unit 5 of the light curtain 6 by light communication. This request signal is received by the stationary communication unit 5 of the light curtain 6. In response, the protective field 7 is deactivated by the light curtain 6.

[0041] Access of a person or object, e.g., a mobile system 3, from the outer zone 1 through the access zone 15 to the danger zone 2 is also detected by the deactivated protective field 7. However, no warning message is generated by the deactivated protective field 7 when such an access is detected. Authorized access is assumed.

[0042] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the technical installation while the mobile system 3 travels from the outer zone 1 through the access zone 15 to the danger zone 2. For example, the protective field 7 is partially deactivated by the light curtain 6. In particular, a part of the protective field 7, which is located in the vertical direction Z at the bottom, i.e., close to the floor, is deactivated. The remaining part of the protective field, which is at the top, i.e., facing away from the floor, remains activated. Alternatively, it is possible that the protective field 7 is completely deactivated by the light curtain 6.

[0043] The mobile system 3 has a height which corresponds to an extension in the vertical direction Z. The part of the protective field 7 which is being deactivated is dimensioned such that the mobile system 3, including its load, can travel through the access zone 15 without entering the remaining part of the protective field 7. This part of the protective field 7, which is being deactivated, thus has a slightly greater extension in the vertical direction Z than the mobile system 3, including its load. Alternatively, as mentioned above, it is possible that the protective field 7 is completely deactivated by the light curtain 6, regardless of the height of the mobile system 3.

[0044] After the mobile system 3 exits from the access zone 15 into the danger zone 2, the protective field 7 is completely activated again. When the mobile system 3 travels from the danger zone 2 through the access zone 15 to the outer zone 1, the protective field is deactivated in the same manner. After the mobile system 3 exits from the access zone 15 into the outer zone 1, the protective field 7 is completely activated again.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0045] 1 Outer zone [0046] 2 Danger zone [0047] 3 Mobile system [0048] 4 Mobile communication unit [0049] 5 Stationary communication unit [0050] 6 Light curtain [0051] 7 Protective field [0052] 15 Access zone [0053] 61 First column [0054] 62 Second column [0055] A Distance [0056] X Longitudinal direction [0057] Y Cross direction [0058] Z Vertical direction