Electromagnetic Safety System for Stone Breaking Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional stone-breaking machines face usability issues due to cumbersome safety systems and reliability problems in detecting operator hand positions, especially in dusty or dirty environments, leading to reduced productivity and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A safety system utilizing electromagnetic fields generated by wearable gloves and sensors to detect the position of the user's hands relative to the breaking blade, allowing safe operation while maintaining compact dimensions and reliability in various environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photocell systems or optoelectronic devices are used to detect operator hand positions, then safety monitoring capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates in dusty or dirty environments due to interference factors such as dust, dirt, rain, changes in light and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems (photocells, lasers, cameras) with electromagnetic field-based detection. The wearable device generates an electromagnetic field that is detected by a sensor near the tool, eliminating susceptibility to environmental optical interference such as dust, dirt, rain, light changes, and temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the operator and the detection system. Instead of directly detecting the operator's hands with optical sensors, the system detects changes in electromagnetic field characteristics caused by the operator's proximity, providing reliable detection regardless of environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If pushbutton panels are positioned far enough away from the tool to ensure safety conditions, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as the panels hinder user movement during stone breaking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pushbutton panels with an electronic detection system based on electromagnetic fields. This allows safety monitoring without physical barriers, enabling free movement of the operator while maintaining safety through automatic detection of hand positions relative to the tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety system transitions from a static mechanical barrier (pushbutton panels at fixed positions) to a dynamic electromagnetic field-based detection system that continuously adapts to the operator's movements, providing safety without constraining motion.
3Reliability
If photocell reading fields are used to detect operator hands, then safety monitoring is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to pointless machine stoppages when dust or impurities accumulate and prevent correct detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems with electromagnetic field detection, which is not affected by dust or impurities accumulating in the environment. This eliminates false stoppages caused by dust blocking optical sensors, thereby maintaining productivity while continuing to provide reliable safety monitoring.
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 electromagnetic field-based safety system enhances usability, reliability, and productivity by accurately detecting hand positions, preventing accidents, and operating effectively in dusty or dirty environments, thus reducing production costs and improving competitiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic field generator (6), which is suitable for generating an electromagnetic field (7) and which is mounted on at least one between the piece of clothing (5) and the machine (2a, 2b, 2c), and an electromagnetic sensor element (8), which is suitable for cooperating with the electromagnetic field (7) to detect the position of the piece of clothing (5) with respect to the tool (2a)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The plant (1) for working products (3) comprises a machine (2a, 2b, 2c) having a mobile tool (2a) for working products (3) and a safety system (4) for operating the tool (2a) in safety conditions for a user, which comprises at least a piece of clothing (5) wearable by the user, an electromagnetic field generator (6) which is mounted on at least one between the piece of clothing (5) and the machine (2a, 2b, 2c), and an electromagnetic sensor element (8) which is suitable for cooperating with the electromagnetic field (7) to determine the position of the piece of clothing (5) with respect to the tool (2a) and which is mounted on at least one between the piece of clothing (5) and the machine (2a, 2b, 2c), the electromagnetic field generator (6) and the electromagnetic sensor element (8) being electronically associated with a processing and control unit (9) suitable for calculating the position of the piece of clothing (5) with respect to the tool (2a) according to the signal read by the electromagnetic sensor element (8) and allowing the operation/deactivation of the tool (2a) according to such position.