Cross-web labeler safety controller with laser distance monitoring

Solution Overview

Problem

Deep-drawing packaging machines with labeling devices face challenges due to the need for extensive and costly protective enclosures to ensure safety distances, which compromise accessibility and increase space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A labeling device with two cross-web labelers, each with its own motor drive, sharing a common work area and equipped with a safety controller that uses distance measuring systems to ensure a safety distance is maintained, disconnecting power to the drives if the distance falls below a predetermined value to prevent accidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective enclosures are used to ensure safety distances between labelers, then safety is improved, but accessibility deteriorates and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical protective enclosure system with an electronic safety system using optical distance measuring devices (lasers) and electronic controllers that monitor distances and automatically stop labelers when safety distances are violated. This substitution eliminates the need for physical enclosures while maintaining safety standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the safety monitoring approach from static physical barriers to dynamic electronic parameter monitoring. Distance measuring devices continuously measure positions and calculate distances between labelers, dynamically adjusting safety control based on real-time positional parameters rather than fixed mechanical constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If protective enclosures are used to ensure safety distances between labelers, then safety is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical protective enclosure system with an electronic safety system using optical distance measuring devices (lasers) and electronic controllers that monitor distances and automatically stop labelers when safety distances are violated. This substitution eliminates the need for physical enclosures while maintaining safety standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional approach to safety by adding electronic monitoring and control dimensions to the mechanical labeling system. The safety function is achieved through adding control signals and electronic monitoring layers rather than expanding physical space dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If protective enclosures are used to ensure safety distances between labelers, then safety is improved, but construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidconstruction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical protective enclosure system with an electronic safety system using optical distance measuring devices (lasers) and electronic controllers that monitor distances and automatically stop labelers when safety distances are violated. This substitution eliminates the need for physical enclosures while maintaining safety standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enhances safety by reliably preventing operator injuries while reducing the need for extensive protective enclosures, thus improving accessibility and reducing space requirements and costs.

Implementation Method 1

each cross-web labeler includes a distance measuring system, and that the labeling device includes a safety controller which may have inputs for the distance measuring systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistance measuring: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS9463892B2Labeling device with electronic distance monitoring

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 MULTIVAC MARKING & INSPECTION GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a labeling device and to a method for operating such a labeling device on a deep-drawing packaging machine. The labeling device includes two cross-web labelers, each displaced on one common guide system, and each having a drive and power supply. The labeling device further includes a safety controller configured to calculate a distance between the two cross-web labelers and interrupt the power supply of each drive of the cross-web labelers when the calculated distance is below an invariably predefined safety distance so as to ensure a reliable deactivation during the displacement of the cross-web labelers in the event of a fault.