Safety System for Guided Motion Elements Using Active Shut-Off Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety systems for guided motion elements, such as doors, often incorrectly interpret objects as the motion element, leading to undesired blocking of monitoring beams and potential collisions, due to the interruption of light curtains during the closing motion.
Innovation Solution
A safety system that includes an object-detection device and electronic control unit, utilizing a shut-off mechanism with a transmitting element and reflector to ensure that only signals from the motion element can block object detection, preventing incorrect shut-off and enhancing reliability by using distance sensors and specific signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monitoring beams are blocked by a motion element to prevent object detection, then the safety system can distinguish the motion element from objects, but objects may be incorrectly interpreted as approaching motion elements causing false blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses active shut-off means with transmitting elements that send signals to receivers on the motion element. This feedback mechanism allows the system to receive confirmation that a detected object is actually the motion element itself, enabling reliable blocking of object detection while preventing false triggers from misidentified objects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shut-off means as an intermediary component between the object-detection device and the motion element. This intermediary actively transmits signals and receives confirmations, serving as a mediator that enables the system to reliably distinguish the motion element from actual objects without causing false blocking
2Reliability
If the object-detection device is blocked when the motion element approaches, then false triggers are prevented, but the device cannot detect actual objects in the motion area
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off means are positioned specifically in the motion area of the motion element, creating a localized blocking zone. This allows the object-detection device to maintain full detection capability in areas outside the motion path while selectively blocking detection only where the motion element passes, preserving overall productivity
3Reliability
If a transmitting element and reflector are used for shut-off signals, then the motion element can be reliably identified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting elements and receivers are integrated into the existing safety system infrastructure, allowing these components to serve dual functions: both as part of the object-detection device and as shut-off means. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device 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
This solution significantly increases the reliability of blocking the object-detection device only when the motion element approaches, preventing false triggers and ensuring safe operation by distinguishing between the motion element's signal and object reflections, thus reducing the risk of collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting element for a shut-off signal which is tuned to a reflector for electromagnetic radiation, in particular an optical reflector on the motion element
Implementation Method 2
the object-detection device and/or shut-off means is/are a distance sensor, in particular a time of flight sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A safety system for safeguarding a moving, guided motion element against unwanted collisions with an object located on a motion path in the direction of motion of the motion element, including an object-detection device that includes a plurality of parts for detecting an object in an area of the motion element, wherein the object-detection device can be blocked with respect to object detection by a motion of the motion element, and an electronic unit that controls the motion of the motion element and is configured to assign a blocked state to the object-detection device when the motion element approaches, wherein in the blocked state an object and motion element does not trigger a safety mode, and wherein shut-off means are provided which, when a shut-off signal coming from the motion element is detected, transfer one or more parts of the object-detection device into the blocked state.