Counterweighted Movable Guard for Compact Machine Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movable guards for machines, such as presses, face challenges in achieving a compact and energy-efficient design for their protective covers, often requiring large safety clearances and lacking effective protection against process-related debris, and conventional drives are not space-efficient.
Innovation Solution
A movable guard design that incorporates a counterweight connected to the protective cover via a connecting element and deflection mechanism, allowing the counterweight to move in opposite directions, with the drive acting on the counterweight to minimize force and optimize space usage, and includes features like cable controls and magnetic couplings for safety and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional drive system is used to move the protective cover, then the protective cover can be moved, but the drive system occupies large space and consumes excessive energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterweight mechanism where a counterweight is connected to the protective cover through a connecting element and deflection element. The counterweight moves in the opposite direction to the protective cover, creating a balanced system that reduces the energy required by the drive and allows for a more compact drive system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the drive system by using a counterweight that moves vertically while the protective cover moves horizontally. This dimensional change allows the drive system to be more space-efficient by utilizing vertical space for counterbalancing rather than requiring large horizontal space for conventional drive mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If protective devices with contactless action are used, then access to working area is enabled, but large safety clearances are required reducing ergonomics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contactless protective devices (like light barriers) with a mechanical movable guard system. This allows the protective cover to be positioned closer to the working area while maintaining safety through physical barriers and interlock mechanisms, improving ergonomics by reducing the required safety clearance distance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective devices with contactless action are used, then access control is provided, but protection against process-related splintering is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of access control and physical protection against debris by combining the movable protective cover with the guard structure. The protective cover serves dual purposes: controlling access through safety switches and providing physical protection against chips and projectiles, eliminating the need for separate protective devices.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the protective cover is moved directly by the drive, then the drive system is simple, but the system is not energy-efficient and lacks space optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a counterweight connected via a connecting element and deflection element to create a balanced system. The counterweight offsets the weight of the protective cover, significantly reducing the energy required by the drive system to move the cover, while the connecting and deflection elements manage the mechanical linkage efficiently.
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
This design results in a compact, energy-efficient, and safe operation of the protective cover, minimizing the risk of jamming and injury while allowing controlled access to the machine's working area, with improved protection against debris and ergonomic operation.
Implementation Method 1
a counterweight (38) which can be moved in a mutually opposite direction to the protective cover (34) by the action of gravity
Implementation Method 2
The slider (58) is connected to the counterweight (38) by means of a magnetic coupling (76)
Data Source
AI summary
A movable guard for safeguarding a machine, comprising: a protective cover for covering a working area of the machine; a counterweight; a connecting element for connecting the protective cover to the counterweight; a deflection element, which is configured to deflect the connecting element in such a way that the protective cover and the counterweight are movable in mutually opposite directions; and a drive, which acts on the counterweight in order to drive the counterweight.