Container Treatment Enclosure with Intrusion Sensing for Safe Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine protection technologies often cannot remain active outside of operating times, such as during retrofitting or change processes, due to the need for external intervention or materials to cross the protection barrier, leading to potential injuries even when no personnel should be present.
Innovation Solution
A container treatment system equipped with a sensor device and a processing device that can adapt the operation of the container treatment device and system based on signals indicating penetration into a specified protection area. This protection area can be activated in situations like automatic retrofitting or part changes, reducing the risk of injury to operating personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical protective housing is used to enclose the treatment area, then safety protection against moving parts is improved, but accessibility during changeover processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing is divided into a stationary base and a movable protective element that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the protective structure to be partially opened during changeover operations while maintaining protection in other areas, resolving the contradiction between safety and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element is made movable relative to the base, transitioning from a static enclosure to a dynamic structure. This allows the protection system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs - fully enclosed during normal operation and partially open during changeover processes.
2Ease of operation
If the protective housing is opened during changeover operations, then accessibility is improved, but injury risk deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Protection is applied locally rather than uniformly - the movable protective element can be positioned to protect specific high-risk areas (such as the container handling mechanism) while allowing access to other areas needed for changeover operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable protective element acts as an intermediary between the operator and the moving parts. It can be positioned to provide just enough protection for safe operation while not completely blocking access, serving as a flexible mediator that balances safety and accessibility.
3Reliability
If the protective housing remains closed during automatic changeover, then safety is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic configuration that can adapt its state based on operational requirements. The movable protective element can be positioned to allow automatic changeover operations while maintaining safety, providing the needed operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable protective element serves multiple functions - it provides full protection during normal operation, partial protection during manual changeover, and can be positioned to accommodate automatic changeover processes, making the protection system universally applicable to different operational modes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces the risk of injuries during non-operational times by automatically activating the protection area when necessary, allowing for faster conversion times and higher overall line efficiency without compromising safety.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device, preferably optical and/or selectively switchable, that is configured to detect an intrusion (e.g., of an object, such as a person) into a predetermined, preferably selectively switchable, protective area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a container treatment system (10) comprising a container treatment device (12) with a treatment area (14) for treating containers and a protective enclosure (16) that at least partially encloses the treatment area (14). The container treatment system (10) further comprises a sensor device (30) configured to detect intrusion into a predetermined protective area (32) in the vicinity of the container treatment device (12). The container treatment system (10) further comprises a processing device (38) configured to adjust the operation of the container treatment device (12) and/or the container treatment system (10) depending on a signal output from the sensor device (30).