MOBILE SAFETY DEVICE

Abstract

A mobile safety device (1) is for rescuing at least one person at risk of falling. The safety device includes a support device (2) in the form of a jumping cushion, jumping sheet, platform, base plate or stretcher for receiving and transporting the person at risk of falling. A positioning device (3) locally positions the support device (2) at the location of the person at risk of falling. At least one unmanned, remote-controlled drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is provided as the positioning device (3).

Claims

1. Mobile safety device for rescuing at least one person at risk of falling, comprising a support device in the form of a jumping cushion, jumping sheet, platform, base plate or stretcher for receiving and transporting the person at risk of falling, a positioning device for locally positioning the support device at the location of the person at risk of falling, wherein the positioning device comprises at least one unmanned, remote-controlled drone.

2. Safety device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the drones.

3. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one drone is connected to an edge region and/or a corner region of the support device.

4. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one drone is located above the support device.

5. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one drone is located below the support device.

6. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one drone comprises a plurality of drones synchronized with one another in flight positions and/or flight movements.

7. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the safety device comprises a camera system having at least one camera.

8. Safety device according to claim 7, wherein data of the camera system are transmitted, in real time, to a receiver.

9. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the safety device comprises at least one sensor system for environment detection, having at least one sensor.

10. Safety device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor system of the safety device is at least one distance sensor.

11. Safety device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor system is at least one motion sensor for the person to be rescued.

12. Safety device according to claim 11, wherein a position of the safety device is matched to a determined jump path or fall trajectory of the person to be rescued.

13. Safety device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor system comprises at least one inclination sensor of the support device.

14. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein connection of the positioning device between the support device and at least one unmanned remotely controlled drone is rigid.

15. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein connection of the positioning device between the support device and at least one unmanned remotely controlled drone is flexible.

16. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the support device is at least partially permeable to air currents.

17. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein a jumping cushion is located on the support device.

18. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the support device (2) is rigid.

19. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the safety device is controllable by a computer.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ON THE BASIS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in more detail below. For the sake of clarity, recurring features are only provided with a reference sign once. In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1a shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a safety device according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 1b shows a schematic perspective view of an alternative support device;

[0034] FIG. 1c shows a schematic perspective view of a further alternative support device;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a safety device according to the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a safety device according to the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a safety device according to the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 5a shows an exemplary representation of the functional elements of a drone of the safety device, and of the functional elements of a base station for controlling the safety device;

[0039] FIG. 5b shows a schematic representation of a base station in the form of a tablet computer, and

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the use of a safety device according to the invention using the example of the safety device according to FIG. 1a.

[0041] Reference sign 1 in FIG. 1a refers to an embodiment of a mobile safety device according to the invention in its entirety. The mobile safety device 1 comprises a flat, e.g., square, support device 2 in the form of a base plate. Instead of a rectangular shape, the support device 2 can also have a different geometric shape, for example a round, oval, or polygonal shape.

[0042] The support device 2 is supported by, for example, four positioning devices 3, each positioning device 3 comprising an unmanned drone 4a-d and an associated connecting element 20. The connecting element 20 connects the respective drone 4a-d with the support device 2, preferably at its edge region and/or corner region.

[0043] In the version shown in FIG. 1, the drones 4a-d are located above the support device 2. The drones 4a-d are designed in such a way that in flight, the safety device 1 is able to transport at least one person. The drones 4a-d are advantageously synchronized with each other in their movement. As a safety device, the safety device 1 may include a circumferential railing 21. The railing 21 may be completely or at least partially missing on one side of the safety device 1 in order to allow access to the support device 2. The railing 21 extends upward at a certain height from the support device 2, comparable to a window or door parapet in a building. The railing 21 may, for example, be formed as a lattice structure.

[0044] The safety device 1 can comprise a camera system. The camera system comprises at least one camera 18, which transmits the data, preferably in real time, to a base station 8a, cf. FIG. 6. The camera system makes it possible to map the immediate operating environment of rescue facility 1 in the area of base station 8a, preferably in real time.

[0045] Furthermore, the safety device 1 may comprise a sensor system, which serves to enable a positioning of the safety device 1. The sensor system shown in FIG. 1a comprises various sensors.

[0046] These sensors are, for example, distance sensors 19a, which enable a measurement of the distance of the safety device 1 from the environment, such as a house wall; see FIG. 6. As a result, for example, a minimum distance to be automatically maintained can be set. The generated distance data can, for example, be sent to the base station 8a in order to support the controller.

[0047] Furthermore, the sensor system may include a motion detection system with at least one motion sensor 19b. The motion detection system is particularly suitable for aligning the position of the safety device 1 when a person to be rescued, cf. FIG. 6, tries to jump onto the safety device. As a result, the person 5 to be rescued can be caught safely.

[0048] Furthermore, the sensor system may include an inclination detection system with at least one inclination sensor 19c in order to determine the inclination of the support device 2. As a result, it can be ensured that the support device 2 is aligned in its horizontal position, in particular with a one-sided load. The sensors of the aforementioned sensor system may be located on and/or in the support device 2 and/or on a drone(s) 4a-d.

[0049] Furthermore, the sensor system can have at least one sensor for determining the flight altitude and/or the position (e.g., for determining the operational height and/or the distance) of the person to be rescued.

[0050] An alternative embodiment of the support device 2 is shown in FIG. 1b. In this case, the support device 2 is partially permeable to air currents. In this version, air current ducts 30 are provided at the corners of the support device 2. The air currents generated by the drones 4a-d can thus flow through these. As a result, the drones 4a-d have better aerodynamic properties, which allows them to work more efficiently. The air current ducts 30 can be, for example, grids or nets. The connecting elements 20 can preferably be connected to the support device 2 by the grille, or for example alternatively by struts or rods (not shown in FIG. 1b), so that the drones 4a-d are positioned above the air current ducts 30.

[0051] A further alternative embodiment of the support device 2 is shown in FIG. 1c. Here, the support device 2 is completely permeable to air currents. With a support device 2 completely permeable to air currents, the air currents generated by the drones 4a-d can flow even more efficiently through the support device 2. In particular, with a support device 2 completely permeable to air currents, the drones 4a-d can be positioned more freely in relation to the support device 2.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the safety device 1. Here, a single drone 4a is used, which is located above the support device 2. In all other respects, the safety device 1 corresponds to the other embodiments. The drone 4a is connected to the support device 2 via several connecting elements 20. For example, from each corner of the railing 21 of the support device 2, a connecting element 20 can run to the drone 4a. In this case, the connecting elements 20 can be not only rigid but also flexible.

[0053] The alternative version of the mobile safety device 1 shown in FIG. 3 shows a single drone 4a, which is located below the support device 2. In all other respects, the safety device 1 corresponds to the other embodiments. In this embodiment, however, the connecting elements 20 are rigid and connect the drone 4a to the support device 2, preferably via the four corners thereof.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows an alternative version of the safety device 1. On the support device 2, there is a jumping cushion 23. This embodiment can be used, in particular, when it is not possible to position the safety device directly by the person to be rescued, so consequently the person to be rescued must jump onto the jumping cushion 23. This can be the case, for example, if the person 5 to be rescued is, for example, below a balcony protrusion and the safety device 1 can therefore not reach as far as the person 5. The support device 2 comprises an outer frame 22, preferably a tubular frame, to which the jumping cushion 23 is attached. In order to prevent the drones 4a-d from being struck by a jumping person, they are, for example, offset further outward by an additional frame element 22a as compared to the surface of the support device 2. The connecting elements 20 connect the drones 4a-d to the frame element 22a. In all other respects, the safety device 1 corresponds to the other embodiments.

[0055] The safety device 1 according to the invention is controlled from the ground by an operator 32 by means of a base station 8a, which is connected to the at least one drone 4a-d via a wireless data connection (radio connection).

[0056] FIG. 5a shows an exemplary design of the functional elements of the base station 8a and an exemplary drone 4a in each case for controlling the safety device 1 according to the invention by the operator 32. The base station 8a comprises a control element 10, a control display 12, a control unit 25, as well as a transceiver 9 with antenna for bidirectional data transmission, preferably in real time. The functional elements of the base station 8a are supplied with electrical energy by an energy source 11 (for example, battery or rechargeable battery). The control unit 25 comprises a processor that performs the control and computing functions of the base station 8a. The control display 12 displays, for example graphically, the various camera and/or sensor data and/or status data of the safety device 1 and/or of the base station 8a. The base station 8a allows simple control of the safety device 1 with the aid of the control element 10. This can preferably take the form of a joystick. The control commands are transmitted via the transceiver 9 of the base station 8a to a transceiver 15 with antenna of the drones 4a.

[0057] The functional elements of the drone 4a are housed in a housing 13 of the drone and advantageously protected against external influences, such as moisture and/or dust. The functional elements of the drone 4a include a power supply 17 (e.g., battery or rechargeable battery), a control unit 16, a data interface 24 and a transceiver 15 with antenna. The transceiver 15 is suitable for bidirectional data transmission between the drone 4a and the base station 8a as well as for bidirectional data transmission between the drone 4a and other drones of the safety device 1. The data interface 24 regulates the inclusion of data from the various sensor and/or camera systems which the safety device 1 may include. The control unit 16 of the drone 4a controls the rotors 14 of the drone 4a. By targeted control of the lift of the individual rotors 14 of the drone 4a, the movement of the respective drone can be controlled. This enables a purposeful movement of the safety device 1 in three-dimensional space. Preferably, the control unit 16 receives the control commands for the drone from the base station 8a and, if necessary, additionally from sensors via the data interface 24.

[0058] During the control of the safety device 1, sensor data are preferably captured and transmitted in real time. Due to the bidirectional data transmission between the drones 4a-d and the base station 8a, control can be executed immediately. Thus, it may be possible, for example, to enable an automatic flight adjustment of the safety device 1, if, for example, the inclination detection system detects, via a setpoint, an inclination of the safety device 1 setting in, or to automatically steer the safety device 1 into the trajectory of the person 5 to be rescued.

[0059] The drones 4a-d are preferably controlled via an app. Live images of the camera systems and/or real-time data of the various sensor systems and/or status data, such as the charging voltage and the currently required power of the safety device 1, can be displayed in individual or different windows.

[0060] Control is preferably effected via a downloadable app that is downloaded onto the computer. Control data can be stored centrally, for example in a computer cloud. The centrally stored data can also be linked to location and/or environmental data and/or weather data from other databases. In this way, additional data can be included in the control of the safety device.

[0061] In an alternative embodiment, the control device of the drones 4a-4d is provided centrally at the safety device 1.

[0062] The drones 4a-d may accordingly be drones 4a-d that only include propulsion systems, whereby all propulsion systems are supplied by one (not shown in the figure) common control unit and/or energy source.

[0063] According to a special embodiment of the base station 8a, the base station 8a represents a computer 8b, preferably a tablet computer, as shown in FIG. 5b. The tablet computer comprises a conventional multifunction display 26, in which at least one finger-operated, touch-sensitive control element 31 generates a window 29 for displaying the live images of the camera systems, a window 27 for displaying the real-time data of the various sensor systems and a status display 28 of the drones 4a-4d. If necessary, the tablet computer may also be coupled with a control element 10 of the described type for controlling the safety device.

[0064] An application case of a safety device 1 according to the invention is presented in FIG. 6 using the example of the safety device 1 according to FIG. 1a. This can be, for example, a case of a building fire in which a person 5 to be rescued can only be rescued via a window 6. The safety device 1 can be positioned very close to the window 6 at the height thereof, so that the gap between the window 6 and the support device 2 is small. The distance sensor 19 prevents the safety device 1 from colliding with the house wall 7. This has the advantage that the person 5 to be rescued can enter the safety device 1 directly and fearful states of the person 5 to be rescued can be reduced. The inclination sensor 19c ensures a horizontal alignment of the support device 2 while the person is on it. Insofar as the support device 2 is at least partially permeable to air currents, thermals which occur in the event of a fire can flow through the support device.

[0065] It is expressly pointed out that the combination of individual features as well as secondary features should be regarded as essential to the invention and encompassed by the disclosure content of the application.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0066] 1 Safety device [0067] 2 Support device [0068] 3 Positioning device [0069] 4a Drone [0070] 4b Drone [0071] 4c Drone [0072] 4d Drone [0073] 5 Person to be rescued [0074] 6 Window [0075] 7 House wall [0076] 8a Base station [0077] 8b Computer [0078] 9 Antenna [0079] 10 Control element [0080] 11 Power supply [0081] 12 Control display [0082] 13 Base body [0083] 14 Rotor [0084] 15 Antenna [0085] 16 Control unit [0086] 17 Power supply [0087] 18 Camera system [0088] 19a Distance sensor [0089] 19b Motion sensor [0090] 19c Inclination sensor [0091] 20 Connecting element [0092] 21 Railing [0093] 22 Frame [0094] 22a Frame element [0095] 23 Jumping cushion [0096] 24 Data interface [0097] 25 Control unit [0098] 26 Display [0099] 27 Sensor data [0100] 28 Status data [0101] 29 Live image [0102] 30 Air current ducts [0103] 31 Touch-sensitive control element [0104] 32 Operator