Horizontal Safety Switch with Integrated Magnetic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional safety switches for automation systems have large interfering edges and are susceptible to manipulation, which can lead to false detection of a closed state, compromising safety and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A safety switch design with integrated housing parts and magnetic elements, where the signal transmitter and receiver are positioned to ensure accurate detection of the access state, and the magnetic locking force is balanced to prevent manipulation, with the housing parts mounted horizontally to compensate for weight and torque, preventing false closure signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional safety switches are installed with separate sensor and transmitter parts on access components, then the access state can be monitored, but large interfering edges are created in the access area and manipulation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor part and transmitter part into a single integrated safety switch housing that is mounted on the stationary access component. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting of sensor and transmitter on different access parts, thereby removing the interfering edges and reducing manipulation risk while maintaining monitoring functionality.
2Measurement precision
If the safety switch uses magnetic elements for signal transmission, then reliable detection is achieved, but the system becomes susceptible to manipulation by attaching transmitter to sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the signal transmitter and receiver. The magnetic elements are embedded within the housing structure, creating a controlled magnetic field that mediates signal transmission only when the access is properly closed. This prevents direct attachment manipulation while maintaining accurate signal detection through the magnetic coupling.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the housing parts are mounted horizontally, then weight and torque are compensated for stable operation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a horizontal mounting configuration where the housing parts are positioned to balance weight distribution and compensate for gravitational torque. The design incorporates counterbalancing elements that offset the weight of the housing and internal components, achieving stable operation without requiring complex active stabilization systems.
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 ensures reliable detection of the access state, preventing manipulation and maintaining system safety by accurately communicating the closed or open state to the PLC, thus ensuring the automation system operates safely.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic locking force is balanced to prevent manipulation
Implementation Method 2
the signal transmitter and receiver are positioned to ensure accurate detection of the access state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety switch (1) for monitoring an access point (Z) of an automation system (R) consisting of a stationary and a movable part (Z1, Z2), wherein the safety switch (1) has a first housing part (2) with an elongated, preferably cuboid, shape and a second housing part (3) with a form-fitting connection to the first housing part (2), the first housing part (2) having a first magnetic element (2a) and the second housing part (3) having a second magnetic element (3a), the first housing part (2) being arranged stationary in the stationary part (Z1) of the access point (Z) and the second housing part (3) being arranged in the movable part (Z2) of the access point (Z), such that in a closed state of the access point (Z) the magnetic elements (2a, 3a) are opposite each other, the magnetic elements (2a, 3a) are magnetically effective with each other, and a magnetic holding force is measurable is,wherein the first housing part (2) comprises a signal receiver (4) and an evaluation unit (6) and the second housing part (3) comprises a signal transmitter (5) or vice versa, and wherein the first or second magnetic element (2a, 3a) is provided at a first end (E1) of the elongated shape of the first or second housing part (2, 3) respectively, and the signal receiver (4) or the signal transmitter (5) is provided at a second end (E2) of the elongated shape of the first or second housing part (2, 3) respectively, and wherein the first and second housing parts (2, 3) are arranged in the stationary and movable parts (Z1, Z2) of the access (Z) such that a longitudinal axis (LA) of the first and second housing parts (2, 3) is in a horizontal position.