Dynamic Light-Marked Safety Zones for Automated Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
In workspaces shared by people and machines, existing safety measures fail to effectively prevent injuries from collisions and flying sparks due to insufficiently visible safety zones, often leading to accidental entry into machine safety areas and unintended machine shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring spatially resolved controllable light sources that dynamically mark and adapt the safety area based on the machine's movement and operating state, allowing for customizable visibility and response to potential hazards, including the use of infrared markings and integrated sensory monitoring for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional safety monitoring systems are used, then safety functions are provided, but the safety area is not sufficiently visible to humans leading to accidental entries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing light sources (e.g., LEDs) that dynamically alter their color or intensity to indicate different safety states. The safety area is marked with visible light patterns that change color or brightness based on machine operational states, making the invisible safety zones perceptible to humans while maintaining reliable safety monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light sources as an intermediary element between the machine's safety monitoring system and human operators. These light sources translate machine states into visible visual signals that mark the safety area boundaries and alert humans to potential dangers, bridging the gap between machine operations and human perception.
2Reliability
If the safety area is dynamically adjusted based on machine movement, then safety is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multi-functional light sources that serve multiple purposes: marking safety area boundaries, indicating machine operational states, alerting humans to dangers, and providing visual feedback. This single element performs what would otherwise require separate monitoring and warning systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining dynamic safety area monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic light patterns that automatically adjust their position, shape, and intensity in response to machine movement and operational changes. The safety area marking is not static but dynamically reconfigures itself based on real-time machine states, providing adaptive safety monitoring without requiring complex manual intervention.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to mark the safety area, then visibility is improved, but the cost and complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the safety area marking into multiple discrete light sources distributed around the machine's operational space. Each light source independently marks a portion of the safety boundary, and collectively they create a comprehensive visual indication. This segmentation allows for localized control and reduces the need for a single complex high-power lighting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the light sources: boundary marking, state indication, and warning functions are integrated into single elements. By merging these functions into unified light sources rather than using separate systems for each function, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving high visibility and comprehensive safety coverage.
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 provides a highly visible and adaptable safety zone that reduces accidental entries by clearly marking hazards and triggering appropriate responses, such as machine shutdowns or alarms, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a multiplicity of spatially resolved controllable light sources... Each light source comprises at least one inactive operating state, for example 'off' or 'standby', and at least one active operating state, for example 'on' or 'flashing'
Implementation Method 2
The marking is designed as at least one of the light sources in an active operating mode... including the use of infrared markings
Data Source
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AI summary
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, wherein 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.