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EP-4739939-A1 - LIDAR DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MACHINE SAFETY

EP4739939A1EP 4739939 A1EP4739939 A1EP 4739939A1EP-4739939-A1

Abstract

A LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) detection system for use with a machine includes a LiDAR sensor disposed overhead and structured to scan and create at least one of a three-dimensional (3D) image or a 3D point map of a machine and surroundings thereof, and (ii) a controller communicatively coupled to the LiDAR sensor and structured to collect data including at least one of the 3D image or the 3D point map from the LiDAR sensor, analyze the data, and detect a human, and determine if a detected human is in the vicinity of a hazardous zone associated with the machine.

Inventors

  • CHANDRAKANTHAN, SAYON

Assignees

  • Stolle Machinery Company, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240617

Claims (20)

  1. What is claimed is: 1. A LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) detection system for use with a machine, comprising: a LiDAR sensor disposed overhead and structured to scan and create at least one of a three-dimensional (3D) image or a 3D point map of the machine and surroundings thereof; and a controller communicatively coupled to the LiDAR sensor and structured to collect data including at least one of the 3D image or the 3D point map from the LiDAR sensor, analyze the data, and detect a human, and determine if a detected human is in the vicinity of a hazardous zone associated with the machine.
  2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine is a machine used in a can manufacturing process.
  3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the machine is a can decorator.
  4. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further structured to issue an alert in response to a determination that the detected human is in the vicinity of the hazardous zone.
  5. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a control panel of the machine and the controller transmits the alert to the control panel such that the control panel performs a partial or full shut down of the machine based on the alert.
  6. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a user device disposed on the detected human and the controller transmits the alert to the user device such that the detected person takes a corresponding safety precaution.
  7. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the user device comprises at least a wristband, a watch, a headset or a cellular phone.
  8. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional LiDAR sensors disposed around the machine or in the vicinity of the hazardous zone.
  9. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further structured to: detect if the machine is operating normally; and in response to a determination that the machine is not operating normally, transmit an alert indicative of the determination such that inspection, maintenance or repair is performed on the machine subsequently.
  10. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the LiDAR sensor is a rotating sensor with a 360-degree field of vision.
  11. 11. A LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) detection system for use with a plurality of machines, comprising: a LiDAR sensor disposed overhead and structured to scan and create at least one of a three-dimensional (3D) image or a 3D point map of the plurality of machines and surroundings thereof; and a controller communicatively coupled to the LiDAR sensor and structured to collect data including at least one of the 3D image or the 3D point map from the LiDAR sensor, analyze the data, and detect a human, and determine if a detected human is in the vicinity of a hazardous zone associated with one or more machines of the plurality of machines.
  12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of machines comprises machines used in a can manufacturing process.
  13. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the machines are can decorators.
  14. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further structured to issue an alert in response to a determination that the detected human is in the vicinity of the hazardous zone.
  15. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a control panel of the machine and the controller transmits the alert to the control panel such that the control panel performs a partial or full shut down of the machine based on the alert.
  16. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a user device disposed on the detected human and the controller transmits the alert to the user device such that the detected person takes a corresponding safety precaution.
  17. 17. The system of claim 11, further comprising one or more additional LiDAR sensors disposed around the machine or in the vicinity of the hazardous zone.
  18. 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the LiDAR sensor is a rotating sensor with a 360-degree field of vision.
  19. 19. A method of detecting a human in the vicinity of a machine, the method comprising: providing a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) detection system that comprises (i) a LiDAR sensor disposed overhead and structured to scan and create at least one of a three-dimensional (3D) image or a 3D point map of the machine and surroundings thereof, and (ii) a controller communicatively coupled to the LiDAR sensor and structured to collect data including at least one of the 3D image or the 3D point map from the LiDAR sensor, analyze the data, and detect a human, and determine if a detected human is in the vicinity of a hazardous zone associated with the machine; analyzing data including at least one of the 3D image or the 3D point map; detecting a human based on the analyzed data; and determining if a detected human is in the vicinity of a hazardous zone.
  20. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: in response to a determination that the detected human is in vicinity of the hazardous zone, issuing an alert to at least one of a control panel of the machine or a user device disposed on the detected person.

Description

LIDAR DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MACHINE SAFETY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/219,233, filed July 7, 2023, entitled, LIDAR DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MACHINE SAFETY, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION: [0002] The disclosed concept relates generally to a system and method for detecting human in vicinity of an equipment and, more particularly, to a system and method of detecting human using LiDAR for machine safety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: [0003] Currently, guards and light curtains are used to ensure safety of machine operators and other persons in the work area. Guards are barriers which prevent access to hazardous areas. There are four types of guards: fixed, interlocked, adjustable, and self-adjusting. A fixed guard is a permanent part of a machine and not dependent upon moving parts to function. It can be constructed of sheet metal, screen, wire cloth, bars, plastic or any other materials that can withstand an impact. However, it may interfere with visibility and be limited to specific operations. Further, it needs to be removed for machine adjustment and repair, thereby requiring alternative means of protection for maintenance personnel. An interlocked guard is a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other type of detection and safety device. When it is opened or removed, a tripping mechanism and/or power automatically shuts off or disengages, and the machine cannot be restarted until the guard is back in place. However, an interlocked guard requires extensive wiring, careful adjustment and continuous maintenance. An adjustable guard is a barrier that may be adjusted to facilitate a variety of production operations and allow flexibility in accommodating various sizes of stock. However, with the adjustable guard, humans may still enter a dangerous area. Further, it may interfere with visibility. A self-adjusting guard is a barrier that moves according to the size of the material entering the dangerous area. As such, as the operator moves the material into the danger area, the guard is pushed away, providing an opening which is only large enough to admit the material. However, it may interfere with visibility and requires frequent maintenance and adjustment. [0004] A light curtain is an opto-electronic device that detects presence of personnel in the vicinity of a moving machine. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary light curtain 200 placed over an exemplary can decorator 2. A can decorator 2 is used for decorating cans and may include an infeed conveyor 15, which receives cans 16 from a can supply (not shown) and directs them to arcuate cradles or pockets 17 along the periphery of spaced parallel rings secured to a pocket wheel 12. The pocket wheel 12 is secured to a continuously rotating mandrel carrier wheel 18, which in turn is keyed to a continuously rotating horizontal drive staff 19. Downstream from the infeed conveyor 15, each spindle or mandrel is in closely spaced axial alignment with an individual pocket 17, and undecorated cans 16 are transferred from the pockets 17 to the mandrels. Suction applied through an axial passage of the mandrel draws the can 16 to a final seated position on the mandrel. While mounted on a mandrel, each can 16 is decorated by being brought into engagement with a blanket (e.g., without limitation, a replaceable adhesive-backed piece of rubber) disposed on a blanket wheel of the multicolor printing unit indicated generally by reference numeral 22. Thereafter, and while still mounted on the mandrels, the outside of each decorated can 16 is coated with a protective film of varnish applied by engagement with the periphery of a varnish applicator roll (not shown) rotating on a shaft 23 in the overvarnish unit indicated generally by reference numeral 24. Cans 16 with decorations and protective coatings thereon are then transferred from the mandrels to suction cups (not shown) mounted adjacent the periphery of a transfer wheel (not shown) rotating on a shaft 28 of a transfer unit 27. From the transfer unit 27 the cans 16 are deposited on generally horizontal pins 29 carried by a chain-type output conveyor 30, which carries the cans 16 through a curing oven (not shown). As such, the can decorator 2 is a high-speed continuous motion machine, including numerous moving parts and motors, and thus can be hazardous to its operator or persons in vicinity of a hazardous zone 40, e.g., without limitation, a zone including the moving parts and motors. [0005] The light curtain 200 is supplied as a pair with a transmitter 210 and a receiver 220. The transmitter 210 is disposed at one corner of the can decorator 2 and projects an array of parallel infrared light beams 230 to the receiver 220 that is disposed at another corner and consists of a plurality of photoelectric cells. When an object breaks one or more beams 230, a st