Blocking Device Association by Signal Threshold in Worktables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for associating blocking devices with machines in woodworking and similar industries are prone to errors, signal interference, and manual data entry issues, leading to working waste, economic losses, and safety hazards due to the complexity and potential for incorrect wireless communication between machines.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a processing unit and transceiver means that compares the power of an association signal with a predetermined threshold to automatically associate blocking devices with a machine, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing signal interference by ensuring only compatible devices communicate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual data entry methods are used to associate blocking devices with machines, then the association process can be performed, but errors and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation accuracyVSAvoiddata entry time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry with automatic wireless signal-based association. The blocking device and machine exchange identification signals wirelessly, and the processing unit automatically matches them based on signal strength comparison, eliminating manual input operations entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The association process becomes self-service through automatic signal exchange and processing. The system autonomously compares received signals with stored thresholds, determines compatibility, and completes association without human intervention, making the system serve itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If wireless communication is used between machine and blocking devices, then wiring complexity is reduced, but signal interference and incorrect command execution occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring complexityVSAvoidcommand execution accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through signal strength monitoring and comparison. The processing unit continuously receives wireless signals, compares their strength against predetermined thresholds, and uses this feedback to verify proper association before allowing command execution, ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary association verification through signal strength comparison before enabling command execution. By pre-establishing and comparing signal thresholds during the association phase, the system prevents incorrect commands from being executed on wrong blocking devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automatic signal-based association is implemented, then association speed and precision improve, but signal power threshold management is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation speedVSAvoidsignal threshold management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing signal power thresholds before the association process begins. These predetermined thresholds are stored in the processing unit and used to automatically evaluate received signals, enabling fast and accurate association without real-time complex calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4272919A1Method for the association between components of a machine, and the machine that carries out the method
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SCM GRP
  • EP4272919A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4272919A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4272919A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the association of one or more blocking devices (24a, b, ..., i, .., m), to a machine for working (M) pieces (P) made of wood, glass, marble, plastic, metal, composite materials, wherein said working machine (M) comprises: a work table (2) having a plurality of fastening areas (20a, b, ..., k, ..., n) for the support of a piece (P) to be machined, on which one or more blocking devices (24a, b, ..., i, ..., m) can be mounted in an interchangeable way, main transceiver means (44), and a processing unit (45), connected to said main transceiving means (44), wherein each of said blocking devices (24i) comprises further transceiving means (43i). Said method comprising the step of: A. functionally associating by means of said processing unit (45) one of said blocking devices (24i) to said working machine (M), as a function of the comparison between the power of an association signal exchanged between said blocking means (24i) and said machine (M), and a signal power threshold, of predeterminable value. The present invention also relates to a working machine (M).