Adaptive Safety Function Control for Lower-Energy Machine Safeguarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety control systems for machines are inefficient in terms of energy usage, as they fail to adapt energy consumption to varying operational states, leading to suboptimal energy savings while maintaining compliance with safety standards.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that allow the safety device and processing unit to operate in multiple modes, with a reduced quality mode for energy savings, where the quality of the safety function is adjusted based on the operational state of the machine, allowing for flexible energy efficiency without compromising safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety devices and processing units operate continuously at high quality levels to ensure safety compliance, then safety reliability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the quality level of safety functions based on the operational state of the machine. During production phases, high quality levels ensure safety compliance, while during non-production periods, the system transitions to reduced quality levels with lower energy consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining safety reliability and reducing energy usage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (quality level, detection capability, reaction time) of safety devices based on machine operational states. By adjusting these parameters between high and reduced quality levels, the system maintains safety reliability when needed while reducing energy consumption during non-critical periods
2Use of energy by moving object
If safety devices operate at reduced quality levels to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but safety detection capability and reaction time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between reduced and high quality levels based on real-time operational states. During non-production periods, reduced quality levels provide energy savings while maintaining adequate safety monitoring. When production resumes or hazards are detected, the system transitions back to high quality levels with full detection capability and reaction speed
Solution Approach 2:
The safety system operates in periodic cycles, alternating between reduced quality mode during non-production periods and high quality mode during production periods. This periodic switching allows energy savings during low-risk periods while ensuring full safety capability is available when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex control systems are used to provide flexible safety adaptation, then adaptability to different operational states is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct operational modes (production mode, non-production mode, reduced quality mode, high quality mode) with clearly defined transition conditions. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different operational states without requiring continuously complex decision-making logic, as each mode has predetermined parameters and transition rules
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described for energy-efficient execution of a safety function used for safeguarding a technical installation. A safety device detects a triggering event of the safety function, and a processing unit executes a safety-related reaction of the safety function based on the detection by the safety device. The apparatus is selectively operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the safety device and the processing unit operate according to a first quality level, and, in the second operating mode, at least one of the safety device and the processing unit operates according to a second quality level. The second quality level is lower than the first quality level and at least one of (a) the safety device and (b) the processing unit is operable with a reduced capacity in the second operating mode to save energy.