Optical Sensor Locking Cover for Stable Safety Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-optical axis sensors lack a reliable locking mechanism to prevent malfunction and ensure safe operation during maintenance, particularly in environments where worker safety is critical.
Innovation Solution
A locking device is designed with a bracket, a movable body, and a pivotally connected cover that blocks the optical path of the sensor, preventing light from reaching the sensor and thus stopping mechanical equipment when a worker enters a dangerous area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is added to the sensor, then safety and malfunction prevention are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is integrated with the sensor housing to form a unified structure. The cover that blocks the optical path is simultaneously the locking mechanism cover, merging the safety locking function with the sensor housing into a single component system, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cover serves multiple functions: it blocks the optical path to trigger safety shutdown, acts as a locking mechanism to secure the sensor, and provides structural protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, addressing the contradiction between reliability improvement and complexity increase
2Reliability
If the cover is made to block the optical path effectively, then safety is improved, but the cover stability and positioning become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to rotate into specific positions: when rotated to block the optical path, it triggers the safety shutdown; when rotated to an open position, it allows light passage. This periodic rotational action provides stable, repeatable positioning states that ensure both effective optical path blocking and cover stability
Solution Approach 2:
A pivot connection mechanism serves as an intermediary between the cover and the sensor housing, enabling the cover to rotate into stable positioned states. This pivot mechanism ensures the cover can effectively block the optical path while maintaining stable positioning during both blocked and open states
3Reliability
If the locking device is integrally coupled to the sensor, then safety is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed as a modular assembly that can be manufactured separately and then integrated with the sensor. The cover, pivot connection, and optical path blocking components can be produced as discrete parts, allowing for easier manufacturing and quality control while maintaining integral coupling for 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
The locking device effectively prevents sensor malfunction, ensures the cover is stably fixed, and integrates seamlessly with the sensor, allowing for safe operation by stopping mechanical equipment when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
when the locking device covers an optical path of the sensor, light to be incident on the sensor is blocked
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor and a locking device therefore are disclosed. The locking device may comprise: a bracket including a first part and a second part bent and extending from the first part; a body coupled to the sensor part to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the second part of the bracket; and a cover pivotally connected to the body, wherein: the cover includes a center plate and a plurality of bridges which extend from the center plate to have a long shape in one direction and include a first bridge extending in the one direction and a second bridge extending in the one direction and spaced apart from the first bridge; the body is positioned between the plurality of bridges; and the plurality of bridges are pivotally connected to the body.