Method and system for starting a machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (200) comprising a machine (220), in particular a machine tool, having a safety region (250), a sensor device (260), a control device (210) and a warning signal output device (240), the control device (210) is configured for outputting a warning signal (235) via the warning signal output device (240) after receiving the activation signal (205), monitoring the safety area (250) using the sensor device (260) and activating the machine (220) after a predetermined delay time (215), the control device (210) being configured to stop the activation of the machine (220) if a hazard is recognized by means of the sensor device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for starting a machine, in particular a machine tool.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a system for starting a machine, in particular a machine tool. Background Art

[0003] Machines, especially machine tools, often pose a danger to people during use. For example, the moving parts of a machine may crush a person's body part, or a laser beam may harm a person.

[0004] EP 3 865 257 A1 describes a method for monitoring and controlling a technical work system that works automatically and works with people.

[0005] For machines that do not work with people, only less laborious monitoring is required during operation. However, when starting a machine, an inspection must be performed to determine that there is no one in the safety area. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention is based on the following object: to provide the system and the method mentioned at the beginning, which improve the safety when starting a machine.

[0007] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for starting a machine, in particular a machine tool, wherein at least one start signal is received, wherein at least one acoustic and / or visual warning signal is output after receiving the start signal, wherein at least one safety area of the machine is monitored by at least one sensor device, wherein the machine is started at the earliest after a predetermined delay time after receiving the start signal, and wherein if a danger is recognized by means of the sensor device, the start of the machine is stopped.

[0008] When the machine is in use, there must be no one in the safety area. In other words, when the machine is in use, no one is allowed in the safety area. A person in the safety area represents a danger to the person and possibly to the machine. A machine tool can be, for example, a laser cutting machine, a laser welding machine, a punching machine or a bending machine. A machine is also understood to include the automation devices belonging to the machine and, in some cases, the storage systems connected to the machine. It should be noted that the monitoring of the safety area does not have to be perfect. In particular, there may be areas inside or below the machine where people can remain but are not recognized by the sensor device. Just to prompt a person at such a location to leave these locations within the delay time and move to an area monitored by the sensing system by means of a warning signal, the method is designed to stop the start of the machine.

[0009] The term "start-up of the machine" is used to refer to the introduction of a dangerous situation. The dangerous situation can be introduced, for example, by the movement of machine components. An alternative example of introducing a dangerous situation is the switching on or release of a laser beam in a safety area.

[0010] Acoustic and / or visual warning signals can startle a person who is in the safety area but is not recognized by the sensor device in some cases. Thereby enabling the person to actively trigger the sensor device and / or enabling the person to be recognized due to involuntary movements caused by the person being startled. The warning signal is preferably output in the immediate vicinity of the machine. Thereby, the warning signal can be recognized as belonging to the machine and will not be misinterpreted as a warning signal from another machine.

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention enables the safety of the machine to be improved. The sensor device can recognize a person in the safety area. The warning signal improves the recognition of the person, for example, by startling a sleeping person or causing a person at a location where the sensor device cannot reach or has difficulty reaching to move and trigger the sensor device. This significantly reduces the likelihood of a person being injured by the machine. Since a person who cannot be recognized by the sensor device due to the delay time has time to trigger the sensor device after the warning signal, the method enables the start-up of the machine to be triggered remotely.

[0012] The delay time is preferably adapted specific to the machine (depending on the machine) and / or specific to the situation (depending on the situation). For example, for a large machine with many locations that are not visible to the sensor device, the delay time can be longer than that of a machine where the entire safety area is monitored by the sensor device. The delay time can also depend on which area or which component of the machine will move or otherwise create a dangerous situation during start-up. For example, for a fast-moving component of the machine, the delay time can be longer than that of a slow-moving component, because fast-moving components usually pose a greater danger. By adapting the delay time, the delay time only lasts as long as is required to achieve safety. This improves the productivity of the machine.

[0013] The delay time is preferably at least one second long. This ensures that a person can be recognized by the sensor device and the start-up of the machine can be stopped.

[0014] Preferably, the delay time is at least one second long after the start of the output of the warning signal. This ensures that the warning signal can take effect and the start-up of the machine can be stopped.

[0015] The warning signal is preferably output for at least one second. This ensures that the warning signal is heard by the person in the safety area.

[0016] The sensor device preferably has a radar sensor. The radar sensor is particularly suitable for monitoring a safety area. Movements can be detected particularly well with the aid of the radar sensor. Movement detection is an especially good way of detecting people.

[0017] The radar sensor is particularly preferably configured to detect micro-movements. A radar sensor configured to detect micro-movements is used, for example, in a hospital for monitoring the respiration of patients. By using a radar sensor configured to detect micro-movements to monitor a safety area, unconscious persons can be detected, for example, by their respiratory movements. This also makes it possible to detect persons who are not startled by warning signals.

[0018] Preferably, the sensor device includes a light barrier, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera device, an infrared sensor, a motion sensor, and / or a lidar sensor. These sensors are particularly suitable for detecting people in a safety area.

[0019] The sensor device preferably includes a plurality of sensors, preferably different sensors. Using a plurality of sensors can improve the coverage of the safety area. By using different sensors, the different advantages of the sensors can be utilized and detection improved. Overall, the monitoring of the safety area is significantly improved.

[0020] Preferably, movements in the safety area during a delay time are recognized as dangerous. Movements of the machine are preferably only permitted after the machine has been started. Any movement during the delay time thus represents a danger and causes the machine to stop starting up.

[0021] Preferably, a start signal is received via a network, in particular the Internet. The method makes it possible to start the machine remotely via a network. By this method, it is not necessary to start the machine at the location where it is installed, and at the same time the safety in the safety area is ensured.

[0022] Preferably, the warning signal is output acoustically as an alarm siren and / or a voice message. An alarm siren is a well-known warning signal, and thus the warning effect is intuitive. The voice message can indicate a specific danger and / or a specific danger location, such that the warning signal is not regarded as irrelevant and ignored.

[0023] Preferably, the warning signal includes a flashing light and / or a visual marker, in particular a visual marker of the safety area. The visual marker clearly highlights the safety area in which people are not permitted to stay.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising: a machine having a safety area, in particular a machine tool; a sensor device; a control device; and a warning signal output device, wherein the control device is configured to output a warning signal via the warning signal output device after receiving a start signal, monitor the safety area using the sensor device, and start the machine after a predetermined delay time, and wherein the control device is configured to: stop the start of the machine if a danger is recognized by means of the sensor device.

[0025] The sensor device preferably has a radar sensor, in particular a radar sensor configured to recognize micro-movements. The radar sensor is communicatively connected to the control device. The radar sensor is designed and configured to recognize movements at least in a part of the safety area.

[0026] Preferably, the sensor device includes a light barrier, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera device, an infrared sensor, a motion sensor, and / or a lidar sensor.

[0027] The warning signal output device is preferably located in the immediate vicinity of the machine. Description of the Drawings

[0028] The following description of the preferred embodiments serves to explain the present invention in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 a schematic representation of a method flow is shown; and

[0031] Figure 2 a schematic representation of the system is shown.

[0032] In all the drawings, elements that are the same or have equivalent functions are provided with the same reference numerals. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic representation of a method flow 100 is shown. The method will be described below in connection with Figure 2 the schematic representation of the system 200 therein.

[0034] In a first step 110, a start signal 205 is received. The start signal 205 is received by the control device 210 of the machine 220. The control device 210 can be part of the machine 220 or, as Figure 2 shown, can be communicatively coupled to the machine 220.

[0035] The start signal 205 can be transmitted, for example, from a remote master computer 230 to the control device 210. The master computer 230 can be connected to the control device 210 via a network 215, in particular the Internet. The master computer 230 can autonomously send the start signal 205 to the control device 210 based on the program flow, or as Figure 2 shown, the operator 280 can initiate the transmission of the start signal 205.

[0036] In the second step 120, a warning signal 235 is output. One or more warning signal output devices 240 are provided for outputting the warning signal 235. In Figure 2 it, an acoustic warning signal output device 240a and a visual warning signal output device 240b are shown. The warning signal output device 240 is connected to the control device 210. The warning signal 235 is sent from the control device 210 to the warning signal output device 240 and output by the warning signal output device 240. In this example, the acoustic warning signal output device 240a is a bell that outputs a warning sound in the immediate vicinity of the machine. In this example, the visual warning signal output device 240b is a light strip. The light strip delimits the safety area 250. The warning sound and the illumination of the light strip notify the person 270 that the machine 220 is about to start and that the safety area 250 should be free of people 270.

[0037] In the third step 130, the control device 210 waits for a predetermined delay time 215 before starting the machine 220. During the predetermined delay time 215, the safety area 250 is monitored by the sensor device 260. In this example, the sensor device 260 includes a radar sensor 260a and additionally includes a camera device 260b. The sensor device 260 is connected to the control device 210. The radar sensor 260a is designed to identify micro-movements. With the radar sensor 260a, the control device 210 can identify an unconscious person 270 in the safety area 250. The camera device 260b takes an image of the safety area 250, and the control device 210 can use image recognition to identify a person 270 or other hazards in the safety area 250.

[0038] In the fourth step 140, the control device 210 checks whether a risk has been identified. The data recorded by the sensor device 260 can be evaluated by the respective sensor device, and information about whether a risk has been identified can be transmitted from the sensor device to the control device 210. Preferably, the data recorded by the sensor device 260 is transmitted to the control device 210, and the control device 210 evaluates the data recorded by the sensor device 260. It is advantageous to evaluate the data with the control device 210 because data from different sensor devices can be evaluated together. Thereby, risk identification can be improved.

[0039] In the fifth step 150, after the end of the predetermined delay time 215, if no risk is recognized, the machine 220 is started 150a; or if a risk is recognized, the start is stopped 150b. Thus, the machine 220 is started at the earliest after the end of the predetermined delay time 215 and is started only if no risk is recognized in the safety area 250, in particular if no person 270 is recognized. In this example, the person 270 is located within the safety area 250. The control device 210 recognizes, by means of the sensor device 260, that the person 270 is in the safety area 250 during the predetermined delay time 215, and the start of the machine is stopped.

[0040] In the optional sixth step 160, the result of the method 100 is output. In this example, the control device 210 sends the result - in this example the stopping of the start process - to the main control computer 230. The main control computer 230 can decide to initiate a new start process or to inform the operator 280, and the initiation of a new start process is achieved by sending a new start signal 205 to the control device 210.

[0041] List of reference numerals

[0042] 100 Method flow

[0043] 110 First step

[0044] 120 Second step

[0045] 130 Third step

[0046] 140 Fourth step

[0047] 150 Fifth step

[0048] 150a Start machine

[0049] 150b Stop start

[0050] 160 Sixth step

[0051] 200 System

[0052] 205 Start signal

[0053] 210 Control device

[0054] 215 Network

[0055] 220 Machine

[0056] 225 Delay time

[0057] 230 Main control computer

[0058] 235 Warning signal

[0059] 240 Warning signal output device

[0060] 240a Alarm bell

[0061] 240b Light-emitting strip

[0062] 250 Safety area

[0063] 260 Sensor device

[0064] 260a Radar sensor

[0065] 260b Camera device

[0066] 270 Person

[0067] 280 Operator

Claims

1. A method (100) for starting a machine (200), in particular a machine tool, wherein, Receive (110) at least one start signal, and after receiving the start signal (205), output (120) at least one acoustic and / or visual warning signal (235). Monitor at least one safety area (250) of the machine (220) through at least one sensor device (260). Start (150a) the machine (220) at the earliest after a predetermined delay time (215) after receiving the start signal (205). If a danger is recognized by means of the sensor device (260), stop (150b) the start of the machine.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The delay time (215) is adapted specifically for the machine and / or specifically for the situation.

3. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sensor device (260) includes a radar sensor (260a).

4. The method (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The radar sensor (260a) is configured to identify micro-movements.

5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sensor device (260) includes a light barrier, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera device (260b), an infrared sensor, a motion sensor, and / or a lidar sensor.

6. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sensor device (260) includes a plurality of sensors (260a, 260b), preferably different sensors.

7. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Movements within the safety area (250) during the delay time (215) are recognized as dangerous.

8. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Receive the start signal (205) via a network (215), especially the Internet.

9. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Output the warning signal (235) acoustically as an alarm sound and / or a voice message.

10. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The warning signal (235) includes a flashing light and / or a visual marker, especially a visual marker of the safety area.

11. A system (200) comprising a machine (220), a sensor device (260), a control device (210) and a warning signal output device (240), said machine being in particular a machine tool, said machine having a safety area (250), wherein, The control device (210) is configured to: after receiving the start signal (205), output the warning signal (235) via the warning signal output device (240), monitor the safety area (250) by means of the sensor device (260), and start the machine (220) after a predetermined delay time (215). The control device (210) is configured to: if a danger is recognized by means of the sensor device, stop the start of the machine (220).

12. The system (220) according to claim 11, wherein, The sensor device (260) includes a radar sensor (260a), especially a radar sensor configured to identify micro-movements.

13. The system (220) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The sensor device (260) includes a light barrier, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera device (260b), an infrared sensor, a motion sensor, and / or a lidar sensor.

14. The system (220) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The warning signal output device (240) is present in the immediate vicinity of the machine (220).

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