Machine Tool Access Control via Mobile Data Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine tool access control systems lack efficient management of user authorization levels and operational functions, leading to inadequate security and maintenance issues due to insufficient tightness against environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

A machine tool system incorporating a mobile data carrier-based access control system, utilizing RFID technology or other data carriers to selectively grant users access to authorized operating functions, with hierarchical authorization levels and registration processes, ensuring secure and adaptable access management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional key switches are used for access control, then the system is simple to implement, but the security and authorization management capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical key switches with an electronic access control system using mobile data carriers (RFID, NFC, or contactless smart cards). The receiving device reads data from these carriers to determine user authorization levels, eliminating the need for physical key switches while providing more robust security and flexible authorization management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile data carrier serves multiple functions: it stores user identification, contains authorization level data, and can be used across different machine tools. The system provides universal access control that works with various carrier types (RFID tags, NFC devices, contactless cards) while maintaining a unified authorization framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive authorization data are stored locally, then detailed authorization levels can be managed, but the device complexity and maintenance burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization level specificationVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts extensive authorization data from the machine tool and stores it on mobile data carriers. The receiving device only needs to read the carrier and determine authorization levels based on the retrieved data, rather than maintaining large local databases. This reduces the computational and storage burden on the machine tool while enabling detailed authorization management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Authorization data are pre-loaded onto mobile data carriers before use. The carriers contain predetermined authorization levels and user identification information that are read by the receiving device during access control operations, eliminating the need for real-time data processing or complex local storage management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If key switches are exposed to the environment, then they are easily accessible, but they suffer from maintenance issues due to insufficient tightness against environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces exposed mechanical key switches with a contactless data reading system. The receiving device reads authorization data from mobile carriers without physical contact, eliminating mechanical components that are vulnerable to environmental factors such as dust, moisture, and cooling lubricants. This maintains ease of access while significantly improving reliability and reducing maintenance needs.

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

The system provides enhanced manageability and security by accurately defining user permissions, reducing maintenance needs, and ensuring only authorized personnel can perform specific functions, while maintaining operational integrity.

Implementation Method 1

Both the reading device and the transponder are preferably based on RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2034378B1Machine tool with access control device
Publication Date: 2015.10.14 DECKEL MAHO PFRONTEN GMBH
  • EP2034378B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2034378B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2034378B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a machine tool 101 with a plurality of operating functions and a selection device 113a-113d for a user to select one or more operating functions. The machine tool 101 receives data from a mobile data carrier 311 via a receiving device 112, which determines which operating functions the user is authorized to execute. An access control device 130 grants the user access only to those selected operating functions for which they are authorized to execute.