CZ309694B6 - Lifting device control system based on operator authorization and operating it - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a lifting device control system based on the operator's authorization and the method of its operation to prevent manipulation by an unauthorized person while simultaneously maintaining the operation of the machine. This system includes a lifting device (1), a remote control (3) and a login terminal (4) for operator authorization. The lifting device (1) includes a receiver (2) for controlling the lifting device (1) communicatively connected to the control elements of the lifting device (1). The remote control (3) is connected to the receiver (2) for controlling the lifting device (1). The lifting device (1) further includes a switching module (5) connected to the receiver (2) for controlling the lifting device. The switching module (5) includes a switching element (6) for switching the receiver (2) controlling the lifting device and a first communication unit (7) communicatively connected to the switching element (6). The first communication unit (7) of the switching module (5) is connected to the login terminal (4) for operator authorization.

Description

Lifting device control system based on operator authorization and its operation method

Field of technology

The invention relates to a lifting device control system based on operator authorization, especially in connection with the authorization of authorized persons and the digital management of records in the operating log of the lifting device.

Current state of the art

Currently, the control of industrial cranes and other lifting equipment most often works on the basis of wireless, radio-controlled communication, while the remote control set of the lifting equipment consists of two parts. The remote control is located at the operator's workplace, and the lifting device control receiver is fixed directly on the lifting device, which is often in a remote or difficult to access location. After the radio connection of the remote control and the control receiver, handling of the lifting equipment is possible, which brings a significant risk of damage to the lifting equipment or other equipment in its vicinity, and above all reduced work safety, if the lifting equipment is misused by an incompetent person. Especially in the industrial sector, it is therefore particularly appropriate to include in the management system the requirement to fulfill the condition of identification or authorization of the user and thus increase the control of professional handling of lifting equipment.

In the documents EP 3659567 A1 and EP 3019435 B1, a system for controlling a lifting device using a remote control connected to a receiver for controlling a lifting device is described. The system also includes a login terminal for operator authorization through communication with a remote server. Another document US 2010217657 A1 describes a system for controlling elevators and other devices for the vertical transport of people, which requires user authorization by means of an RFID tag to operate the device.

Document US 2017372188 A1 describes a system for verifying the operator and monitoring the movement of forklift trucks using an identification tag, with which the operator logs in to the respective truck and at the same time authorizes handling of the truck via a remote server. The forklift includes a communication unit and a switching device, whereby selected modules or components of the truck can be selectively controlled by the switching device.

In patent file KR 20050019403 A, a wireless switching device installed between electrical industrial equipment and a power source including an electromagnetic switch is described. An electromagnetic switch located on the electrical device is controlled by a radio signal sent from a remote control unit that includes a card reader for operator identification/authorization. After authorization, the operator can turn on and off the power supply of the electrical device by selecting the appropriate command, while the control unit allows controlling the power supply of several different electrical devices at the same time.

The above-mentioned system solutions only concern the control of the power supply or the function of the entire industrial equipment, while until the authorization and manual power-on of the industrial equipment, such equipment is completely without energy supply, which completely disables any processes carried out by the industrial equipment, even those that do not require manual operator control. In some cases, it is desirable for the device to have uninterrupted access to the power source and at the same time prevent unauthorized use by an incompetent person. Another disadvantage of the current solutions is the absence of verification of the competence of the operator to control the power supply of the electrical equipment, because the conditions of authorization to handle the switching equipment are not specified in any way. Therefore, at present there is no known way to simply ensure the control of the operator's authorization to handle the lifting equipment and to increase the safety of the work while simultaneously ensuring a permanent

- 1 CZ 309694 B6 access to the power source of the lifting industrial equipment, which would also meet the legislative and certification requirements for the operation of the lifting equipment.

The essence of the invention

To a certain extent, the above deficiencies are eliminated by the operator authorization control system of the hoisting device, which includes the hoisting device, a remote controller and an operator authorization login terminal, wherein the hoisting device includes a hoisting device control receiver communicatively connected to the control elements of the hoisting device, and the remote controller is communicatively connected to the hoist control receiver. The lifting device further includes a switching module connected to the receiver of the control of the lifting device, wherein the switching module includes a switching element for switching the receiver of the control of the lifting device and a first communication unit, wherein the first communication unit of the switching module is communicatively connected to the login terminal for operator authorization.

The advantage of the lifting equipment control system based on operator authorization according to the invention is the necessity of verifying the operator's authorization via a login terminal. The lifting device control receiver is blocked by the switching module until the operator authorization conditions are met, which ensures the necessary control of professional handling of the lifting device and increased safety at work. In addition, the switching module blocks and unblocks the receiver of the lifting device control by means of a switching element, while not limiting the functionality of the lifting device itself, but only of its receiver, thus preventing only manual control via the remote control.

The switching module advantageously includes a switching element in the form of a relay which is connected to the power supply of the receiver of the control of the lifting device, the relay being adapted to switch the power supply of the receiver of the control of the lifting device. By switching the power supply of the lifting device control receiver is meant to turn on or off, i.e. to release or disable the function of the power supply of the lifting device control receiver. In other embodiments, the switching element of the switching module can be connected to other elements of the lifting device control receiver, the deactivation of which completely or significantly limits its functionality, or its ability to receive and/or process a signal from a remote control.

In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the login terminal for operator authorization includes a second communication unit adapted for wireless communication with the first communication unit of the switching module. The wireless connection is advantageous in terms of elimination of cabling and easier control of the lifting equipment.

The login terminal for operator authorization is advantageously connected to the database of authorized persons and includes user input for entering operator authorization data. Access to the database of authorized persons provides an overview of holders of authorization to handle lifting equipment.

The login terminal for operator authorization is further advantageously connected to the digital operating log of the lifting device. The mentioned solution makes it possible to automatically record the persons operating the lifting equipment and at the same time to digitize these records in the digital operational logbook. By introducing a digital operating log of the lifting equipment, it is possible to replace impractical documentation in paper form.

The method of operation of the lifting device control system based on operator authorization consists in the fact that after entering the operator authorization data via user input, the operator authorization data is compared with the database of authorized persons by the login terminal, and in the event that the operator authorization data is entered, based on the comparison, it is evaluated as identifier of the authorized person, the operator is evaluated as authorized, which completes the authorization.

- 2 CZ 309694 B6

In an advantageous embodiment, after the authorization of the operator is completed, a record of this authorization is created in the digital operating log, while in order to send a signal from the second communication unit to the first communication unit and subsequently activate the function of the receiver for controlling the lifting device, it is also necessary to confirm the faultlessness of the lifting device after the completion of the authorization.

The aim of the invention is to block the power supply of the lifting equipment control receiver until several conditions are simultaneously met in an advantageous embodiment: authorization of the operator to handle the lifting equipment, inspection of the fault-freeness of the lifting equipment and the execution of relevant entries in the digital operating logbook.

Clarification of drawings

The essence of the invention is further clarified by examples of its implementation, which are described using the attached drawings, where on:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Examples of implementation of the invention

The invention will be further explained by examples of implementation with reference to the corresponding drawing. In an exemplary implementation according to the invention, the communication connection between the individual elements of the system is carried out wirelessly using a radio signal. The lifting device 1 includes a receiver 2 for controlling the lifting device 1 and a switching module 5 including a switching element 6 and a first communication unit 7 (Fig. 1). In the first exemplary embodiment, the switching element 6 is a relay, while the first communication unit 7 of the switching module 5 is wireless and includes its own integrated antenna 14 of the relay. The antenna 14 of the relay is adapted to receive a wireless radio signal transmitted from the second communication unit 9, while the second communication unit 9 is also wireless and in this embodiment includes the antenna 15 of the login terminal. For example, the AN-868 antenna can be used as the antenna 14 of the first communication unit 7.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the switching element 6 (relay) is connected to the parallel circuit of the power supply 8 of the receiver 2 of the control of the lifting device directly in the distribution box of the lifting device. The relay contacts are configured as switching, i.e. in the On/Off function, with the default state of the relay being in the off position. The relay can advantageously be mechanically disabled at any time if necessary. The switching module 5 also includes a control unit that processes the signal received by the first communication unit 7 and, based on the processing, evaluates whether or not to prevent the function of the receiver 2 of controlling the lifting device. For example, a wireless relay commercially known under the name Jablotron® AC-160-DIN or similar relay types can be used as the switching module 5.

The login terminal 4 includes an antenna 15 of the login terminal and a user input 11 for entering operator authorization data. The user input 11 is specifically a contactless card reader 13. The login terminal 4 further includes an interface for communication with the virtual server 18, whereby the virtual server 18 is configured to obtain data from the database 10 of authorized persons, the digital operating log 12 and further from the access and attendance database 19 (IMA® service).

The virtual server 18 is managed by the administrator of the lifting device on the computer device 20 of the administrator, and on the computer device 20 of the administrator, the administrator of the lifting device has access to the database of 10 authorized persons and the digital operating log 12. The administrator of the lifting device decides on the granting of authorization to the persons in the database of 10 authorized persons and manages an overview of faults on the lifting equipment. Communication between login terminal 4, virtual server 18, database 10 of authorized persons, digital logbook 12, access and attendance

- 3 CZ 309694 B6 of the database 19 and the computer device 20 of the lifting device manager takes place using the HTTPS, SQL and Wiegand protocols, while access to the database 10 of authorized persons, the digital operating log 12 and the access and attendance database 19 is protected by the Firewall security gate. The system of virtual server 18, database 10 of authorized persons, digital operating log 12 and access and attendance database 19 is created by an industrial computer for use in off-line mode, for online mode the data of virtual server 18 is stored on cloud storage.

The login terminal 4 is further configured to compare the authorization data entered in the user input 11 with the data stored in the database 10 of authorized persons via the virtual server 18. In the event that the entered authorization data of the attendant is evaluated as an identifier of the authorized person based on the comparison, the attendant is evaluated as authorized, which completes the authorization. Only successful operator authorization is considered a completed authorization.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, after the authorization of the operator is completed, a record of this authorization is created in the digital operating log 12. In order to send a signal through the antenna 15 of the login terminal to the antenna 14 of the relay, and thus the instruction to turn on the switching element 6 and release the power supply 8 of the control receiver, in this in the exemplary embodiment, it is also necessary to confirm the fault-freeness of the lifting device 1 after the authorization is completed. A record of the fault-free confirmation is also created in the digital operating log 12. This exemplary embodiment according to the invention therefore includes a multi-step process leading to the release of the control receiver 2 function.

The method of operation of the lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to the exemplary embodiment includes the following consecutive steps:

- entering operator authorization data into the reader of 13 contactless cards,

- comparison of the inserted authorization data with the database of 10 authorized users,

- completion of operator authorization,

- creation of a record of completion of authorization in the digital operating logbook 12 of lifting device 1,

- confirmation of fault-free lifting equipment by 1 operator,

- creation of a record of the faultlessness of the lifting device 1 in the digital operating logbook 12 of the lifting device 1,

- sending a signal from the antenna 15 of the login terminal to the antenna 14 of the relay,

- switching on the switching element 6 (relay),

- activation of the power supply 8 of the control receiver,

- work with lifting equipment.

In the following section, alternatives of the sub-elements of the system for controlling the lifting device 1 will be described based on the authorization of the operator according to the invention.

In addition to the radio signal, the method of communication between the first communication unit 7 and the second communication unit 9 can also be ensured by another wireless method (using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, infrared light, etc.) or by a regular cable connection.

- 4 CZ 309694 B6

The switching element 6 can be, for example, an electromagnetic, solid state relay or another type of switching relay. Furthermore, the switching element 6 can also be a contactor suitable for switching the receiver 2 for controlling the lifting device. The boundary between the terms contactor and relay is not quite clearly defined, while the superior term of these components can also be a device for switching and disconnecting an electrical connection.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the login terminal 4 can be a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a tablet or a barcode reader (for example, the codes of the ISO/IEC 18004:2015 standard published in February 2015, so-called QR codes). In this embodiment, the second communication unit 9 is part of the mobile device. The connection of the first communication unit 7 and the second communication unit 9 is made in the same way, i.e. wirelessly or with an electric cable.

In addition to the contactless card reader 13, the user input 11 for entering authorization data can be, for example, an input for entering an access password, barcode, QR code, identification key, identification chip, etc.

The condition of making entries about the completion of the authorization and confirmation of the fault-freeness of the lifting device in the digital operating log 12 of the lifting device 1 before activating the receiver 2 of the control can be extended by additional records in an alternative embodiment of the method of operation of the system according to the invention. This is, for example, a condition for recording the termination of each user's work with lifting device 1. This way, another worker will not be allowed to perform authorization and suddenly disconnect the previous user. At regular intervals, the authorized person may be further invited after the authorization has been completed, e.g. to make a record of revisions or maintenance of lifting equipment 1.

Among the main benefits of the lifting device 1 control system solution based on operator authorization according to the invention are checking the operator's authorization to handle the lifting device 1, preventing misuse of the lifting device 1 and increasing safety at work. At the same time, making the relevant entries in the digital operating logbook 12 makes it possible to completely digitize the overview of all records of the operation of the lifting device 1 and to eliminate the use of paper documentation. A great advantage of the solution according to the invention is the possibility of application to already installed lifting devices 1 without the need to intervene in the control system, because by including a wireless relay the operator does not lose the certificate for operating the lifting device 1. Supplementing the receiver 2 controlling the lifting device 1 with a relay does not affect legislative and certification requirements associated with the operation of the lifting device 1.

Industrial applicability

The lifting equipment control system described above, based on operator authorization, can also be used for other industrial equipment, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, etc.

Claims (6)

1. A lifting device control system based on operator authorization comprising a lifting device (1), a remote controller (3) and a login terminal (4) for operator authorization, wherein the lifting device (1) includes a receiver (2) controlling the lifting device (1) by communication connected to the controlled elements of the lifting device (1) and the remote control (3) is communicatively connected to the receiver (2) for controlling the lifting device (1), characterized in that the lifting device (1) includes a switching module (5) connected to the receiver ( 2) control of the lifting device (1), wherein the switching module (5) includes a switching element (6) for switching the receiver (2) control of the lifting device (1) and a first communication unit (7) communicatively connected to the switching element (6), and that the first communication unit (7) of the switching module (5) is communicatively connected to the login terminal (4) for operator authorization. 2. The lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching element (6) is a relay. 3. A lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching element (6) is connected to the power supply (8) of the lifting device control receiver (2), while the switching element (6) is adapted to power switching (8) receiver (2) control of the lifting device (1). 4. Lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the login terminal (4) for operator authorization includes a second communication unit (9), wherein the first communication unit (7) of the switching module (5) ) is wirelessly connected to the second communication unit (9). 5. Lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the login terminal (4) for operator authorization is communicatively connected to the database (10) of authorized persons and includes a user input (11) for entering operator authorization data. 6. The lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the login terminal (4) for operator authorization is further connected by communication with the digital operating log (12) of the lifting device for operator registration. 7. The method of operation of the lifting equipment control system based on operator authorization according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that after completion of the operator authorization on the login terminal (4) via the user input (11) a signal is sent from the second communication unit (9 ) to the first communication unit (7), while subsequently the switching element (6) of the switching module (5) activates the function of the receiver (2) of the control of the lifting device. 8. The method of operation of the lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to claim 7, characterized in that the operator authorization data is compared with the database (10) of authorized persons after entering the operator authorization data via the user input (11) by the login terminal (4), whereas in the event that the entered authorization data of the operator is evaluated as an identifier of the authorized person based on the comparison, the operator is evaluated as authorized, thereby completing the authorization. 9. The method of operation of the lifting device control system based on the authorization of the operator according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that after the authorization of the operator is completed, a record of this authorization is created in the digital operating log (12). 10. The method of operation of the lifting device control system based on operator authorization according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that after the authorization is completed, it is necessary to activate the function - 6 CZ 309694 B6 receiver (2) control of the lifting device, in addition, confirm via the user input (11) that the lifting device (1) is faultless.