3D Safety Sensor Monitoring for Goods Access Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring devices for securing danger areas in systems require multiple sensors and complex control systems, leading to high construction and operational costs, incomplete detection of transported goods, and potential safety risks due to the need for muting sensors and temporary deactivation of safety sensors.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring device utilizing a single safety sensor capable of three-dimensional spatial monitoring, classifying objects as permissible or impermissible, allowing only permitted objects to access a defined sub-area, with a fail-safe system that remains permanently active, eliminating the need for muting sensors and ensuring continuous security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If muting sensors are added to detect transported goods, then the safety sensor can be bypassed during goods transport, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single safety sensor performs multiple functions: it monitors the protective field for safety-critical objects and simultaneously detects transported goods through characteristic beam interruption patterns. This eliminates the need for separate muting sensors while maintaining safety reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the safety monitoring function and the goods detection function into a single safety sensor system. The safety sensor evaluates both safety-critical intrusions and goods transport sequences, merging previously separate sensor systems into one integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the safety sensor is deactivated during goods transport, then goods can pass through without triggering shutdown, but safety monitoring is compromised during deactivation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidsafety monitoring reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The safety sensor dynamically adjusts its evaluation mode based on the detected object type. When goods transport is detected through characteristic beam interruption sequences, the sensor switches to a monitoring mode that allows goods passage. When no goods transport pattern is detected, it maintains full safety monitoring activation, ensuring continuous safety coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the safety sensor's continuous monitoring to determine whether to allow passage or trigger safety shutdown. The sensor evaluates beam interruption patterns in real-time, providing feedback that dynamically controls system state without requiring full deactivation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to fully detect transported goods, then detection accuracy improves, but the design and cost effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety sensor is designed to universally detect both safety-critical objects and transported goods using the same detection mechanism. By analyzing characteristic beam interruption sequences, the single sensor achieves accurate goods detection without requiring additional sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system distinguishes between goods and safety-critical objects by analyzing changes in detection parameters, specifically the temporal patterns and sequences of beam interruptions. This parameter-based differentiation enables accurate classification using a single sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4290117A1Monitoring device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 LEUZE ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4290117A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4290117A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4290117A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a monitoring device (1) with a security sensor (2) by means of which a three-dimensional spatial area (7) is monitored. Within the spatial area (7) a defined sub-area (8) is present. Objects present in the spatial area (7) can be classified by means of the security sensor (2). Only objects classified as permissible are granted access to the sub-area (8).