Protective Door Monitoring Module With Three-Position Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety door monitoring modules are difficult to install in various installation situations and prone to incorrect assembly due to alignment and orientation issues of the actuator and actuator holder, posing a risk of injury and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A safety door monitoring module with a base unit and mounting bracket that allows the actuator to be inserted from three different directions and includes a mechanical locking device to prevent incorrect orientation, ensuring easy and flexible installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuator and actuator holder are designed with strict alignment requirements, then the reliability of the safety door monitoring module is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates due to orientation and alignment issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator holder is designed with an asymmetric recess that only accommodates the actuator in the correct orientation. The recess has a specific shape that matches the actuator's geometry, preventing incorrect insertion while ensuring reliable alignment when properly installed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

A mounting bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the actuator holder and the safety door. The mounting bracket provides a standardized interface that simplifies installation while the actuator holder maintains precise alignment requirements through its asymmetric recess design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple installation orientations are allowed, then the adaptability to different installation situations is improved, but the risk of incorrect assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidrisk of incorrect assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator holder features an asymmetric recess that physically prevents the actuator from being installed in incorrect orientations. Only one specific orientation allows the actuator to fit into the recess, eliminating the risk of wrong assembly while maintaining adaptability through the mounting bracket's flexible positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If the actuator receptacle accepts actuators from multiple directions, then the ease of installation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two functional parts: the mounting bracket that provides installation flexibility and the actuator holder that ensures precise alignment. The mounting bracket can be positioned in various locations on the safety door, while the actuator holder maintains fixed precision requirements through its asymmetric recess design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetric recess in the actuator holder creates a unique geometric interface that guides the actuator into the correct position automatically. This design allows easy installation from a single direction while maintaining high manufacturing precision through the self-aligning geometric constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4361491B1Protective door monitoring module
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 PILZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4361491B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4361491B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4361491B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Safety door monitoring module (16) for monitoring the state of a safety door, comprising a basic unit (34) for generating a safety door signal, which has an actuator receptacle (38) for receiving an actuator (36) and is configured to generate a safety door signal when the actuator (36) is inserted into the actuator receptacle (38) of the basic unit (34), wherein the basic unit (34) has an axis (50) and a first end face (51) arranged transversely to the axis (50) with a first interface (44); and a mounting bracket (46) with a second interface (48) which is designed to be coupled to the first interface (44) of the base unit (34) in a first position, a second position rotated 90° clockwise around the axis (50) of the base unit (34) relative to the first position, and a third position rotated 90° clockwise around the axis (50) of the base unit (34);wherein the first interface (44) and the second interface (48) have a mechanical locking device (90) which is designed to prevent coupling of the first interface (44) with the second interface (48) in a fourth position rotated 90° clockwise around the axis (50) of the base unit (34) relative to the third position.