Movable Foot Switch with Foreign Object Detection for Bending Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In step bending processes, workers face inefficiencies and safety hazards due to the long distance between the foot switch and actual bending points, leading to improper posture, reduced accuracy, and potential accidents from the foot switch moving while a worker's body part is in its path.
Innovation Solution
A bending apparatus with a movable foot switch that positions itself in front of the actual bending point, equipped with a foreign object detection system using a light emitter and receiver to prevent movement when a foreign object enters the area, ensuring safety by emergently stopping the foot switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the foot switch is positioned at a fixed location away from the actual bending point, then the device structure is simple, but the worker must maintain improper posture and work efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foot switch is made movable along the workpiece in the left-right direction, allowing it to dynamically reposition to different bending locations. This dynamic positioning capability enables the foot switch to be placed close to the actual bending point, improving worker posture and efficiency without requiring complex reconstruction of the entire bending apparatus
2Productivity
If the foot switch moves to different positions for each bending sequence, then work efficiency is improved, but safety hazards arise from foreign objects entering the movement path
Solution Approach 1:
A foreign object detection device is introduced as an intermediary safety mechanism between the moving foot switch and the worker. This detection device monitors the foot switch's movement path and triggers emergency stopping when foreign objects are detected, allowing the foot switch to maintain its movable, efficiency-enhancing functionality while eliminating the safety hazards associated with its movement
3Manufacturing precision
If the foot switch is positioned closer to the actual bending point, then work efficiency and accuracy are improved, but the risk of foreign objects entering the movement region increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foreign object detection device serves as an intermediary safety mechanism that enables the foot switch to be positioned close to the actual bending point for improved accuracy. The detection device monitors the movement region and prevents foreign object entry risks by triggering emergency stopping, thus allowing the foot switch to maintain its proximity-to-bending-point positioning without compromising safety
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 improves work efficiency by reducing the distance between the worker and the foot switch, maintaining proper posture, and enhancing safety by preventing accidents from foreign objects entering the foot switch's movement path.
Implementation Method 1
foreign object detecting device (light emitter 8 and light receiver 9) that detects the entry of a foreign object into a region of movement of the foot switch 2
Data Source
AI summary
A bending apparatus is provided with a ram start-up device so as to be movable in a lateral direction. A controller moves the ram start-up device to a point in front of positioning points of abutments corresponding to points of selected edges of a workpiece. The bending apparatus includes a foreign object detector that detects the entry of a foreign object into a region of movement of the ram start-up device. A controller prevents the ram start-up device from moving when the entry of the foreign object is detected.