Dynamic Light Boundary Marking for Machine Safety Areas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In workspaces shared by humans and machines, existing safety systems fail to effectively make the safety area visible to humans, leading to accidental entries and potential injuries due to collisions or flying debris, as the safety distance is often imperceptible.
Innovation Solution
A device with spatially resolved light sources on the surface delimiting the safety area, controlled by a device that dynamically adjusts the illuminating marking in response to machine movements and operating states, ensuring the safety area is clearly visible and adaptable, with options for color-coded markings and sensor-based monitoring to prevent breaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety area is defined around an automatically operating machine, then the safety of humans in the workspace is improved, but the safety area becomes imperceptible to humans leading to accidental entries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded light sources (red, yellow, green LEDs) to mark the safety area boundary. Different colors indicate different safety levels or machine states, making the imperceptible safety area visually detectable by humans while maintaining the safety function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flashing or pulsing light patterns to draw attention to the safety area boundary. The dynamic illumination creates visual vibration that enhances perceptibility and warns humans of the hazardous zone
2Device complexity
If a static safety area is defined, then the safety marking is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to machine movements or changing operating states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic safety area system where the boundary marking automatically updates its position and shape in real-time based on machine location and operating state. The control unit continuously adjusts which light sources are activated to reflect current hazard zones
Solution Approach 2:
The same light source array serves multiple functions: marking the safety boundary, indicating machine state (via different colors), providing directional guidance, and adapting to various machine configurations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while enhancing adaptability
3Loss of information
If the safety area is made clearly visible with continuous illumination, then human awareness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic flashing or pulsing illumination instead of continuous lighting. The light sources are activated in cycles or only when needed (e.g., when machine is operating or hazard is present), reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective visibility during critical periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent activates only the specific light sources needed to mark the current safety boundary rather than illuminating the entire area continuously. The illumination is localized to the relevant hazard zone, minimizing energy usage while maintaining visibility where it matters most
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 solution enhances safety by making the safety area visibly distinct, reducing accidental entries, and dynamically adjusting the marking to match the machine's hazard level, thereby improving safety and reducing the risk of injuries through clear and adaptable visual cues.
Implementation Method 1
a multiplicity of light sources (6, 7) which can be actuated in a spatially resolved manner is arranged on or in the surface (2) delimiting the safety area
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for securing a safety area around at least one automatically operating machine (3), comprising an illuminating marking (4; 5) of the safety area and/or a boundary of the safety area, a sensor-based monitoring device for detecting a breach of the safety area, and a control device (1) for controlling the machine (3), for defining the safety area, for controlling a shape, structure and/or a location of the illuminating marking, and for changing the operating state of the machine (3) or the light source (6, 7) in a manner which is dependent on a detection of a breach of the safety area by way of the monitoring device. The device is characterised in that a multiplicity of light sources (6, 7) which can be actuated in a spatially resolved manner and in each case comprise an inactive and at least one active operating mode are arranged on or in the surface (2) which delimits the safety area, wherein the operating mode of the light sources (6, 7) can be controlled by way of the control device (1), and the illuminating marking (4; 5) is configured as at least one of the light sources (6, 7) in an active operating mode.