Fiber Application Machine Safety Zone Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber application machines face challenges in operator safety and production efficiency due to the need for substantial safety zones and costly safety systems that restrict access and increase production time.

Innovation Solution

The fiber application machine design positions the creel and storing means outside the safety zone, with conveying means passing through or circumventing the perimeter barrier, allowing for reduced safety system dimensions and cost, enabling operators to access the machine without stopping it for maintenance or speed reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a substantial safety zone with perimeter barrier is implemented, then operator safety is improved, but production time increases and machine accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into two distinct zones: a safety zone containing the displacing system and application head, and a non-safety zone containing the storing means. This segmentation allows the safety barrier to enclose only the necessary hazardous area, reducing overall barrier dimensions and maintaining production efficiency while ensuring operator protection during automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storing means (creel) is extracted from the safety zone and positioned outside the perimeter barrier. This extraction eliminates the need for the barrier to encompass the entire machine, thereby reducing safety system dimensions and cost, and enabling operator access to the storing means without stopping the machine or breaching the safety zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a substantial safety zone with perimeter barrier is implemented, then operator safety is improved, but machine cost and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidmachine cost and size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into two distinct zones: a safety zone containing the displacing system and application head, and a non-safety zone containing the storing means. This segmentation allows the safety barrier to enclose only the necessary hazardous area, reducing overall barrier dimensions and cost while ensuring operator protection during automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storing means (creel) is extracted from the safety zone and positioned outside the perimeter barrier. This extraction eliminates the need for the barrier to encompass the entire machine, thereby reducing safety system dimensions and cost, and enabling operator access to the storing means without stopping the machine or breaching the safety zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Area of stationary object

If storing means are positioned inside the safety zone, then machine compactness is improved, but operator access and maintenance efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine footprintVSAvoidoperator access

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storing means (creel) is extracted from the safety zone and positioned outside the perimeter barrier. This extraction eliminates the need for the barrier to encompass the entire machine, thereby reducing safety system dimensions and cost, and enabling operator access to the storing means without stopping the machine or breaching the safety zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10207465B2Fiber application machine with safety system

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 CORIOLIS GRP

AI summary

A fiber application machine comprising a fiber application head, a displacing system to displace said fiber application head, fiber storage, and a fiber conveyor to convey the fibers from the fiber storage to the application head. The machine further comprises a safety system comprising at least one perimeter barrier defining a safety zone wherein the displacing system carrying the application head is placed, the fiber storage being arranged outside of said safety zone.