Machine Tool Ergonomic Housing Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools require frequent setup, adjustment, and operation changes, which can be ergonomically challenging for operators due to the spatial arrangement of components and lack of intuitive access points.
Innovation Solution
The workpiece holder, tool carriers, machine control display, control panel, and warning elements are strategically arranged within an ergonomic area between the lower and upper geometric horizontal planes on the machine housing, with distinct surface designs to enhance operator orientation and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the machine housing is designed with standard vertical dimensions, then the machine structure remains compact and simple, but the operator experiences ergonomic difficulties during setup and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The machine housing front side is segmented into three distinct vertical sections (base section below lower horizontal plane, ergonomic section between planes, head section above upper plane), each with different surface designs. This segmentation allows the patent to provide ergonomic benefits in the critical working area while maintaining a standard overall machine structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface designs are applied to different vertical sections of the machine housing front side. The ergonomic section features a distinct surface design (such as different color, texture, or pattern) to provide visual orientation cues for operators, while other sections maintain standard designs. This local differentiation improves operator orientation without requiring complete redesign of the entire housing.
2Productivity
If the workpiece holder and tool carriers are positioned for easy access, then setup and operation efficiency improves, but the machine tool requires more spatial volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the workpiece holder and tool carriers within a specifically defined ergonomic area bounded by lower and upper geometric horizontal planes at heights suitable for operator access. By concentrating these components within this vertical dimensional constraint, the patent achieves improved ergonomics without requiring excessive horizontal or vertical expansion of the machine tool volume.
3Ease of operation
If the access door and control elements are arranged for optimal operator access, then ease of operation improves, but the machine housing design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The access door is designed with an ergonomic section that corresponds to the ergonomic section of the machine housing front side, featuring a matching distinct surface design. This local design consistency provides continuous visual orientation cues for operators accessing the door, while the overall door and housing structures remain relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The distinct surface design on the ergonomic sections of the machine housing and access door may involve color differentiation to provide visual orientation cues. This use of color or surface pattern changes enhances operator orientation and accessibility without requiring complex mechanical or structural modifications.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Machine tool (10) comprising a machine frame (12), at least one workpiece spindle (14) arranged on the machine frame (12) and within a working area (32) of the machine tool (10) with a workpiece holder (16), at least one tool carrier (22) with tool holders (24) arranged on the machine frame (12) and in the working area (32) of the machine tool (10), a machine housing (42) which encloses the machine frame (12) and the working area (32) with the at least one workpiece spindle (14) and the at least one tool carrier (22) arranged therein and which has an access door (48) to the working area (32) arranged on a front side (54) of the machine housing (42), and a machine control (10) for controlling relative movements between the at least one workpiece spindle (14) and the at least one tool carrier (22), characterized in thatthat the workpiece holder (16) of the at least one workpiece spindle (14) is arranged within an ergonomic area (80) of the machine tool (10) which extends vertically between a lower geometric horizontal plane (82) intersecting the machine housing (42) and an upper geometric horizontal plane (84) tangent to or intersecting the machine housing (42), and that a front face (54) of the machine housing (42) has a surface design in an ergonomic section (100) located within the ergonomic area (80) and extending vertically from the lower geometric horizontal plane (82) to the upper geometric horizontal plane (84), which differs from a surface design of a base section (120) of the front face (54) of the machine housing (42) located vertically below the lower geometric horizontal plane (82).