Ring-Shaped Safety Door Actuator for Flexible, Safer Insertion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective door monitoring modules face challenges with flexibility in installation situations and pose a risk of injury due to their design, particularly with rod-shaped actuators and blind hole receptacles.

Innovation Solution

A protective door monitoring module featuring an essentially ring-shaped actuator element that allows for flexible insertion from various sides and orientations, reducing the risk of injury and simplifying installation, with a design that includes a ring nut and contactless identification systems for enhanced security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rod-shaped actuator with blind hole receptacle is used, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the installation flexibility is reduced and injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidinjury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator element is designed with a ring-shaped (annular) cross-section instead of a rod-shaped linear form. This curved geometry allows the actuator to be inserted into the receptacle from multiple orientations (at least two different spatial orientations), significantly improving installation flexibility while the rounded edges eliminate sharp points that could cause injury during handling or installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If precise alignment is required for actuator and receptacle, then the connection reliability is improved, but the installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is designed with an asymmetric internal structure including a locking pawl and cam surface that work together with the ring-shaped actuator. This asymmetric design creates a self-aligning mechanism where the actuator naturally orients itself correctly during insertion, ensuring reliable locking while reducing the need for precise pre-alignment by the installer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Use of energy by moving object

If the actuator is arranged on the movable part of the protective door, then the power supply requirements are reduced, but the accessibility for maintenance is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply requirementsVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The ring-shaped actuator element provides dimensional flexibility by allowing insertion from multiple spatial directions (at least two different spatial orientations). This enables the actuator to be positioned on the movable door part while still maintaining accessibility for maintenance, as technicians can access the receptacle from various angles depending on the specific installation geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3951120B1Safety door monitoring module

Publication Date: 2024.08.28 PILZ GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Safety door monitoring module (16) for monitoring the state of a safety door (14), comprising a basic unit (34) for generating a safety door signal and an actuator (36) movable relative to the basic unit (34) for actuating the basic unit (34), wherein the basic unit (34) has an actuator receptacle (38) for receiving the actuator (36) and is configured to generate the safety door signal when the actuator (36) is inserted into the actuator receptacle (38), wherein the actuator (36) has a substantially ring-shaped actuating element (40) that can be inserted into the actuator receptacle (38).