Safety Device Collision Detection via Sensor State Vectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for movable elements, such as gates, fail to accurately detect collisions with objects in their movement path, leading to potential accidents when objects enter the movement space during operation.
Innovation Solution
A safety device equipped with multiple sensors and an evaluation unit that generates a switch-off signal by analyzing the state vectors of sensor signals to differentiate between the moving element and potential collision objects, using a bijective mapping to determine the presence of objects and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect objects in the movement space, then the reliability of collision detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement space is divided into multiple detection zones, each monitored by individual sensors. This segmentation allows the system to identify the precise location and pattern of detected objects, improving collision detection reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular sensor placement and evaluation.
2Measurement precision
If the evaluation unit analyzes state vectors from multiple sensors to differentiate between moving element and collision objects, then the measurement precision of object detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit continuously monitors sensor signals and compares current state vectors against expected patterns of the moving element's normal operation. When deviations are detected that indicate an external object, the system generates a switch-off signal. This feedback mechanism enables precise object differentiation through pattern recognition rather than complex hardware, improving measurement precision while controlling evaluation unit complexity.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of collisions by accurately detecting objects in the movement space, providing a high level of security and reliability with minimal structural changes required for retrofitting existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least two sensors (4a to 4e) for detecting the object or the moving element and for outputting signals depending on the detection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A safety device is proposed for safeguarding a movable, guided motion element against unintended collisions with an object (9) lying on the motion element's path (2, 2a, 2b, 2c). The device comprises at least two sensors (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) for detecting the object and the motion element and for outputting signals depending on the detection. It also includes an evaluation unit (K) for evaluating the sensor signals and generating a shutdown signal based on the evaluation. To improve collision detection, the evaluation unit is configured to capture a currently detected state vector (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) from a set of state vectors that uniquely encompass all possible combinations of sensor signals from the at least two sensors, and to generate the shutdown signal (7) if a predetermined state vector is present.