Security system for securing operating region of production plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety system for securing an operating region of a production plant, comprising a control device and at least one contactless protection device, by means of which, in the operating mode of the safety system, the safety of the operating region of the production plant can be ensured by means of the control device and the protection device. By forming a protection field spaced apart from the operating area, the operating area of the production plant is defined at a safety boundary, and in the event of a breakthrough of the safety boundary, the safety system can be shifted into an alarm state in which the control device can provide a control signal to the production plant. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution for ensuring the safety of a possible rear step-in area by means of an operating area boundary formed by a non-contact protection device (BWS). According to the invention, the solution to achieve the above-mentioned object is that the position of the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) for ensuring the safety of a rear step-in area (4) of the production plant, which is formed by a distance between an operating area (1.1) and a safety boundary (1.2) in the operating mode, can be adjusted by driving, and the position of the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) can be adjusted by the driving of the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) in order to ensure the safety of the rear step-in area (4) of the production plant, which is formed by the distance between the operating area (1.1) and the safety boundary (1.2). According to the invention, the protection field (5.1 a, 5.1 b, 5.2a, 5.2b, 5.3a, 5.3b) generated by the contactless protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) can be guided at least in sections through the rear access area (4) in a starting mode of the safety system by means of the drivable adjustment of the contactless protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a safety system for ensuring the safety of the operating area of ​​production equipment. The safety system includes a control device and at least one non-contact protection device. By means of the control device and the protection device, in the operating mode of the safety system, the operating area of ​​the production equipment is confined to a safety boundary by forming a protective field spaced apart from the operating area. If the safety boundary is breached, the safety system can switch to an alarm state. In the alarm state, the control device can provide a control signal to the production equipment.

[0002] The increasing prevalence of autonomous material supply systems (AGVs) and the resulting new interfaces between these systems and the production equipment being supplied have led to ever-increasing demands for ensuring the safety of production equipment. Operators and maintenance personnel must be able to trust the safety of the machines or equipment. Numerous laws, guidelines, and regulations (such as the machine safety standard DIN EN ISO 13849) stipulate minimum safety technical requirements that machine manufacturers and users must adhere to. In production equipment, it is particularly important to ensure the safety of the operating areas and the internal material supply systems. The operating areas of production equipment specifically refer to the areas formed by the moving parts of the equipment during operation.

[0003] This can be achieved technically through non-contact protective devices (NCPDs). Depending on the specific technology, these devices can monitor protected areas of different shapes, and their structure conforms to the equipment standard DIN EN IEC 61496-1 - 2021-06. A non-contact protective device (NCPD) is a protective device that identifies human body parts entering a protected area using sensors that operate without direct mechanical contact. This protective device can be based on different physical principles:

[0004] - Optical (light curtain, security laser scanner, infrared motion sensor, digital camera combined with pattern recognition or image comparison)

[0005] -Acoustics (via ultrasound)

[0006] - Inductive (Inductive proximity switch, for use with conductive objects only)

[0007] - Capacitive (capacitive distance sensor, only used for distances that are relatively small relative to the sensor diameter).

[0008] A security laser scanner operates, for example, by periodically scanning a monitored area with a laser beam by means of a deflection unit. The light is reflected at objects within the monitored area and evaluated in the scanner. In a preferred pulsed method in security technology, the laser scanner measures the transmission time until the emitted light pulse is received again. The laser scanner obtains angle and distance information, thus determining the two-dimensional position of the object within the monitored area and within the protected area. If the laser scanner detects an unauthorized intrusion into the protected area, it triggers an emergency stop. DE 43 40756 A1 discloses, for example, such a security laser scanner.

[0009] Safety laser scanners have a variety of applications, including industrial production and other fields. For example, DE 202012 101 250 U1 proposes a railway crossing monitoring system, and EP 3 754 244 A1 describes a monitoring device for open areas of production equipment.

[0010] Safety laser scanners can, in principle, be used to generate two-dimensional protective fields. By combining multiple two-dimensional protective fields, a three-dimensional protective space can be formed. These protective spaces, or the protective fields that generate them, must be separated from hazardous equipment parts (operating areas) by a specified distance, determined according to DIN EN ISO 13855-2010-10 (“Machine Safety – Arrangement of Protective Devices Considering the Approach Speed ​​of Body Parts”). Specifically, the laser scanning field must maintain a prescribed minimum distance from the operating area of ​​the production equipment, thereby creating a hintertrittzone between the laser scanning field and the operating area. In particular, based on the inertia of the drives and / or other mechanical systems of the production equipment that require safety, the distance between the laser scanning field and the operating area of ​​the production equipment must be such that there is still space within the hintertrittzone to accommodate one person. This presents a particular problem when activating (connecting) the laser scanning field. If a person is fully within the hintertrittzone before the laser scanning field is activated, that person cannot be identified when the laser scanning field is constructed at the safety boundary. The operating area is often referred to as the hazardous area or danger zone of the relevant equipment.

[0011] It is also known in the prior art that one or more other NCPDs, for example, are used to monitor the rear entry area during equipment operation. However, this approach has two main drawbacks. First, the cost of the safety system increases due to the additional equipment and its commissioning. Second, the additional equipment requires additional structural space for the safety system, which is often unavailable.

[0012] Another solution to ensure safety in the rear entry area is to use a camera system. However, this system has three main drawbacks. First, camera systems are very expensive. Second, there are currently no camera systems on the market that meet the performance level d required for the safety requirements of robotic equipment. Third, they cannot distinguish between complex machine movements and human movements, or their programming is extremely complex and error-prone, making them unsuitable for mass production in terms of equipment usability.

[0013] It is also known in the prior art to use radar solutions to monitor rear entry areas during equipment operation. However, such radar solutions also have a number of drawbacks. On the one hand, such systems are extremely expensive. Furthermore, these systems are susceptible to interference, specifically because steel equipment components reflect radiation. This results in poor availability of the safety system and the equipment equipped with it. Additionally, the status of equipment components moving within the safety zone is not clearly defined.

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide a safety system that ensures the safety of the operating area of ​​production equipment, and the safety system can also ensure the safety of the area that can be entered from behind.

[0015] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned objective is a safety system having the features of claim 1. The safety system ensuring the safety of the operating area of ​​the production equipment includes a control device and at least one non-contact protective device. In the operating mode of the safety system, the operating area of ​​the production equipment is defined at a safety boundary by forming a protective field spaced apart from the operating area by the non-contact protective device. If the safety boundary is breached, the safety system can switch to an alarm state, in which the control device can provide a control signal to the production equipment. Using this control signal, for example, an emergency stop of the production equipment can be initiated to bring the production equipment to a safe shutdown state. According to the invention, the position of the non-contact protective device for ensuring the safety of the rear entry area formed by the distance between the operating area and the safety boundary in the operating mode of the production equipment can now be adjusted by drive, thereby allowing the protective field generated by the non-contact protective device to be guided at least segmentally through the rear entry area in the activation mode of the safety system through the adjustable driveability of the non-contact protective device.

[0016] In the operating mode, the protective field is constructed at a preset safety boundary. In this context, "construction" indicates that the protective field at the safety boundary is activated. The activation mode includes constructing or providing a laser scanning field at the safety boundary to enter the operating mode. Within the scope of this invention, constructing the protective field includes activating the protective field and guiding it, at least segmentally, through the rear entry area to the safety boundary.

[0017] Because the protective field generated by the non-contact protective device can be guided through the rear entry zone at least segmentally in the safety system's activation mode due to the device's actuability and adjustability, the rear entry zone can be scanned at least segmentally with the protective field. This allows for the identification of individuals who were within the rear entry zone when the protective field was constructed.

[0018] In one embodiment, the non-contact protective device is configured to be pivotable by an angle in at least one plane, and the protective field generated by the non-contact protective device can pivot by exactly that angle relative to the operating area in activation mode. The pivoting of the protective field is used to scan the rear entry area at least segmentally to check for the presence of anyone.

[0019] This invention proposes that the non-contact protection device can pivot at an angle under the drive of an electric motor or pneumatic drive. This enables automated monitoring of the rear entry area.

[0020] In another embodiment, the non-contact protection device is implemented such that it can be driven to linearly displace in at least one spatial direction, and the protective field generated by the non-contact protection device can be moved relative to the operating area by exactly that displacement in the activation mode. This method of moving the non-contact protection device and the protective field provides another solution for monitoring the rear entry zone when the non-contact protection device is activated.

[0021] According to one technical solution, the non-contact protection device can be linearly displaced by a linear shaft or a telescopic shaft.

[0022] This invention proposes that the linear shaft or the telescopic shaft be driven by an electric motor or pneumatically. This enables automated monitoring of the rear entry area.

[0023] Of course, the pivoting of a non-contact protection device can also be combined with the linear displacement of the non-contact protection device.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the non-contact protection device has at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the signal emitted by the non-contact protection device, and this evaluation unit is connected to a control device. This achieves a compact structure.

[0025] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned objective also lies in a method having the features of claim 8. The method for ensuring the safety of the operating area of ​​the production equipment utilizes a safety system that, in operating mode, provides a protective field spaced apart from the operating area at a safety boundary by means of a non-contact protective device. In the event of a breach of the safety boundary, the safety system enters an alarm state, and in the alarm state, the control device of the safety system provides a control signal to the production equipment. In the activation mode of the safety system, a protective field is constructed at the safety boundary. According to the present invention, in the current activation mode, the non-contact protective device is driven and adjusted, and the protective field generated by the non-contact protective device is guided, at least segmentally, through a rear-entry zone formed between the operating area and the spaced-apart safety boundary until reaching the safety boundary.

[0026] Here, people entering the area from behind can also be identified when constructing the protective field.

[0027] In one implementation, in activation mode, the non-contact protective device is pivoted by an angle in at least one plane, wherein the resulting protective field pivots precisely at that angle from the operating area to the safety boundary. This pivoting of the protective field allows for the detection of any person within the rear entry zone created by distance adjustment.

[0028] In another embodiment, in the activation mode, the non-contact protection device is linearly displaced by drive in at least one spatial direction, wherein the resulting protection field moves from the operating area to the safety boundary by just the amount of displacement.

[0029] That is, the safety system and method of the present invention can ensure the safety of the rear entry area in such a way that at least one protective field moves between at least two positions in the activation mode, so that the protective field sweeps across the rear entry area at least in segments.

[0030] The present invention proposes that, in the safety system and the method, the non-contact protection device operates in an optical, acoustic, inductive, or capacitive manner.

[0031] In one advantageous embodiment, the non-contact protection device is a laser scanner that forms a laser scanning field as a protection field.

[0032] According to another technical solution, the non-contact protection device includes a light source and a light receiver, thus forming a light curtain as a protection field.

[0033] In another design, the non-contact protection device is an ultrasonic motion sensor that generates an ultrasonic protection field.

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 A perspective view of production equipment designed as a logistics unit.

[0036] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Another perspective view of the logistics unit shown.

[0037] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The top view of the logistics unit shown.

[0038] Figure 1 A perspective view of the production equipment implemented as logistics unit 1 is shown. This logistics unit 1 can be, for example, a container changing system for supplying containers containing production parts on the production line, which can be automatically loaded by a ground transport vehicle (FLT). The container changing system itself is not shown in the figure. Only the roller shutter safety door of the container changing system is visible. The movable parts (not shown) of the container changing system form the operating area 1.1 of the production equipment, which is a hazardous area for equipment operators. To prevent injury to equipment operators due to the movable parts, a safety system is provided to ensure the safety of the operating area 1.1 of the production equipment.

[0039] The safety system includes a control device and at least one non-contact protective device. In the illustrated embodiment, three non-contact protective devices are configured as laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 generate three protective fields designed as laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, which are arranged at a safety boundary 1.2 spaced apart from the operating area 1.1 during the operation of the safety system of the production equipment. In the event of a breach of safety boundary 1.2 (e.g., an operator entering the laser scanning field), the safety system can enter an alarm state, during which the control device can provide a control signal to the production equipment. In this case, the control signal can, for example, trigger a machine shutdown, causing the moving parts of the production equipment to stop operating, thus preventing harm to the operator.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the safety system has three laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, each providing a laser scanning field 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, thereby creating a three-dimensional safety space. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. The safety system may also have three or more laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. In the illustrated embodiment, the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 are secured to the support bracket 3 in the upper region of the logistics unit 1. However, the invention is not limited to this. The laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 may also be secured to suitable locations on the support brackets in the side or lower region of the logistics unit 1. The number and arrangement of the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 ultimately depend on the extent and geometry of the operating area 1.1 where safety needs to be ensured.

[0041] To ensure safety in the rear entry zone 4 formed by the distance between the operating area 1.1 and the safety boundary 1.2 in the operating mode, the position of at least one of the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 of the sensor device can be adjusted by drive, and the laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 generated by these laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 can be guided at least segmentally through the rear entry zone 4 in the safety system's activation mode by the drivable adjustability of the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. That is, when the laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are activated, the laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are constructed at the safety boundary 1.2. According to the present invention, in the activation mode, the laser scanner is driven and adjusted, and the laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 generated by the laser scanner are guided from the operating area 1.1 at least segmentally through the rear entry zone formed between the operating area 1.1 and the spaced-apart safety boundary 1.2 until the safety boundary 1.2.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 of the sensor device are configured to be pivotable by an angle 6 (pivot angle) in at least one plane, and the laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 generated by the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 can pivot exactly at this angle 6 relative to the operating area 1.1 in the activation mode. The laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 can be pneumatically driven to pivot. However, the invention is not limited to pneumatic drive. For example, an electric motor drive can also be implemented.

[0043] Using this implementation scheme, to ensure the safety of the rear entry area, in the activation mode, laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 are driven to pivot at an angle 6, generating laser scanning fields 5.1a, 5.1b, 5.2a, 5.2b, 5.3a, and 5.3b. Figure 2 , Figure 3 The laser scanner 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 does not necessarily all require pivoting at the same angle 6. The pivot angle 6 of the corresponding laser scanner 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 depends primarily on the size of the corresponding rear entry area or the corresponding segment of the rear entry area for the corresponding laser scanner 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3.

[0044] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The figure shows a perspective view of logistics unit 1. This figure highlights the vertical laser scanning field 5.2a of the laser scanner 2.2 and the laser scanning field 5.2b pivoted through the pivot angle 6, as well as the corresponding rear entry area 4.2.

[0045] Figure 3 The arrangement of the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, as described previously, is again shown in a top view. Laser scanner 2.1 generates a vertical laser scanning field 5.1a in operating mode. In startup mode, this laser scanning field pivots from position 5.1b in the working area to the safety boundary 1.2 (at position 5.1a). This similarly applies to laser scanners 2.2 at positions 5.2a and 5.2b, and laser scanners 2.3 at positions 5.3a and 5.3b. Laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 work together to ensure the safety of the entire rear access area 4 of the logistics unit 1.

[0046] Laser scanning fields 5.1a, 5.2a, and 5.3a can be constructed at safety boundary 1.2, for example, by activating laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, first generating laser scanning fields 5.1b, 5.2b, and 5.3b, then pivoting these laser scanning fields to safety boundary 1.2 to form laser scanning fields 5.1a, 5.2a, and 5.3a. Similarly, upon activation, the laser scanners can be oriented to generate laser scanning fields 5.1a, 5.2a, and 5.3a at safety boundary 1.2. Subsequently, laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 are pivoted to adopt the orientation of laser scanning fields 5.1b, 5.2b, and 5.3b. Then, the laser scanners are rotated back to re-orient laser scanning fields 5.1a, 5.2a, and 5.3a. That is, in both cases, the activated laser scanners pivot from operating area 1.1 to safety boundary 1.2.

[0047] In the illustrated application example, this scanning of the rear entry area 4 is performed periodically after the ground transport vehicle enters and before the start of the automated transport process between the FLT and the container changing system, which could cause personal injury. During container changing system operation or the automated transport process, vertical scanning areas 5.1a, 5.2a, and 5.3a remain operational. If any unauthorized personnel enter one of scanning areas 5.1a, 5.2a, or 5.3a, all relevant moving axes will immediately switch to emergency stop.

[0048] In another embodiment not shown, the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 of the sensor device are configured to be linearly displaceable in at least one spatial direction, and the laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 generated by the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 can be moved relative to the operating area 1.1 by exactly this displacement in the activation mode. The laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 can be linearly displaced by a linear axis or a telescopic axis, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0049] To ensure the safety of the rear entry area 4 formed by the distance between the operating area 1.1 and the safety boundary 1.2 in the operating mode, in this embodiment, in the activation mode, at least one of the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 of the sensor device is linearly displaced in at least one spatial direction by drive, wherein the laser scanning fields 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 generated by the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 move from the operating area 1.1 to the safety boundary 1.2 by exactly the amount of displacement.

[0050] Advantageously, the evaluation unit for evaluating the optical signals emitted by laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 is integrated into the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 of the sensor device itself, wherein the corresponding evaluation unit is connected to the control device. However, the evaluation unit does not necessarily have to be integrated into the laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3.

[0051] Non-contact protection devices are not limited to laser scanners 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. In other embodiments not shown, optical, acoustic, inductive, or capacitive methods may also be used. For example, non-contact protection devices (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) may include a light source and a light receiver to form a light curtain as a protective field. Alternatively, non-contact protection devices (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) may have an ultrasonic motion sensor that generates an ultrasonic protective field.

[0052] This invention is not limited to production equipment designed as logistics unit 1.

[0053] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0054] 1. Logistics Unit of Production Equipment

[0055] 1.1 Operating Area

[0056] 1.2 Safety Boundary

[0057] 2.1 Laser scanner, non-contact protection device

[0058] 2.2 Laser scanner, non-contact protection device

[0059] 2.3 Laser scanner, non-contact protection device

[0060] 3. Support bracket for laser scanner

[0061] 4. Step into the area

[0062] 4.2 Laser Scanner 2.2 Rear Entry Area

[0063] 5.1a Scanner 2.1 scanning area, vertical

[0064] The scanning area of ​​scanner 2.1 (5.1b) is pivoted.

[0065] 5.2a Scanner 2.2 scanning area, vertical

[0066] The scanning area of ​​scanner 2.2 (5.2b) is pivoted.

[0067] The scanning area of ​​the 5.3a scanner 2.3 is vertical.

[0068] The scanning area of ​​scanner 2.3 (5.3b) is pivoted.

[0069] 6. Pivot angle of the scan area.

Claims

1. A safety system for ensuring the safety of an operating area (1.1) of a production equipment (1), the safety system comprising a control device and at least one non-contact protective device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein, by means of the control device and the protective device, in an operating mode of the safety system, the operating area (1.1) of the production equipment is confined at a safety boundary (1.2) by forming a protective field spaced apart from the operating area (1.1), and in the event that the safety boundary (1.2) is breached, the safety system can switch to an alarm state, wherein, in the alarm state, the control device can provide a control signal to the production equipment, characterized in that, The position of the non-contact protective device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) used to ensure the safety of the rear entry area (4) formed by the distance between the operating area (1.1) and the safety boundary (1.2) of the production equipment in the operating mode is adjustable by drive, and the protective field (5.1a, 5.1b, 5.2a, 5.2b, 5.3a, 5.3b) generated by the non-contact protective device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) can be guided at least segmentally through the rear entry area (4) by the adjustable driveability of the non-contact protective device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) in the activation mode of the safety system.

2. The security system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is configured to be pivotable by an angle (6) in at least one plane, and the protection field (5) generated by the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is pivotable by the angle (6) relative to the operating area (1.1) in the activation mode.

3. The security system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The non-contact protection devices (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) can be pivoted by electric motor or pneumatic drive.

4. The security system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is implemented such that it can be driven to linear displacement in at least one spatial direction, and the protection field (5) generated by the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) can be moved by the displacement relative to the operating area (1.1) in the activation mode.

5. The security system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) can be linearly displaced by a linear shaft or a telescopic shaft.

6. The security system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The linear shaft or the telescopic shaft is driven by an electric motor or pneumatically.

7. The security system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) has at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the signal emitted by the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), and the evaluation unit is connected to the control device.

8. The security system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The non-contact protection devices (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) operate in an optical, acoustic, inductive, or capacitive manner.

9. The security system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is a laser scanner, and the laser scanner forms a laser scanning field as a protection field; or, the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) includes a beam source and a light receiver, thereby forming a light curtain as a protection field; or, the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) has an ultrasonic motion sensor, thereby generating an ultrasonic protection field.

10. A method for ensuring the safety of an operating area (1.1) of a production equipment (1) using a safety system, wherein the safety system, in an operating mode, provides a protective field spaced apart from the operating area (1.1) at a safety boundary (1.2) by means of non-contact protective devices (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein, in the event of a breach of the safety boundary (1.2), the safety system enters an alarm state, wherein, in the alarm state, a control device of the safety system provides a control signal to the production equipment, and wherein, in the activation mode of the safety system, the protective field is constructed at the safety boundary (1.2), characterized in that, In the startup mode, the non-contact protection device is driven and adjusted, and the protection field generated by the non-contact protection device is guided at least segmentally through the rear entry zone (4) formed between the operating area (1.1) and the spaced safety boundary (1.2) until the safety boundary (1.2).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, In the activation mode, the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is pivoted by an angle (6) in at least one plane, wherein the resulting protection field (5) pivots just at the safety boundary (1.2) at the angle (6).

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, In the activation mode, the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is linearly displaced by driving in at least one spatial direction, wherein the resulting protection field (5) moves to the safety boundary (1.2) by the amount of displacement.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The non-contact protection devices (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) operate in an optical, acoustic, inductive, or capacitive manner.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is a laser scanner, and the laser scanner forms a laser scanning field as a protection field; or, the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) includes a beam source and a light receiver, thereby forming a light curtain as a protection field; or, the non-contact protection device (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) has an ultrasonic motion sensor, thereby generating an ultrasonic protection field.

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