Sensor-Locked Protective Sleeve for Safer Machining End Effectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end effectors for machining operations do not adequately prevent injuries to individuals by ensuring that body parts are not caught between the tool and the workpiece during force application, particularly in scenarios like screwing and welding.
Innovation Solution
An end effector design featuring a movable sleeve and a blocking element controlled by a sensor that detects proximity to the workpiece, allowing the sleeve to transition from a protective to a usage position only when safe, preventing accidental contact and ensuring no body part can be between the tool and the workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a tool is used for machining operations requiring force application, then machining functionality is achieved, but risk of injury to persons from force application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve is positioned in advance to surround the tool before machining begins, and the sensor system is pre-configured to detect proximity. The blocking element is set to prevent sleeve movement until the sensor confirms safe conditions, thus preparing protection measures before the harmful force application occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve acts as an intermediary barrier between the tool and potential contact with body parts. The sensor serves as an intermediary detection system that mediates between the tool position and the blocking element, enabling indirect control to prevent direct harmful contact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective sleeve surrounds the tool, then protection from injury is improved, but access to the tool for machining operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning dynamically between a retracted position during machining operations and an extended protective position when the tool is not in use. The blocking element similarly moves between blocking and release positions based on sensor detection, enabling the system to adapt its protective function according to operational needs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sleeve is always in the protective position, then injury prevention is maximized, but machining operations cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides continuous feedback about the proximity of the end effector to the workpiece or surrounding objects. This feedback controls the blocking element, which in turn controls the sleeve position. When the sensor detects that the end effector is close to a workpiece or object, it signals the blocking element to release, allowing the sleeve to move to the protective position. When the end effector is retracted, the sleeve returns to the retracted position, enabling machining operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector includes: a tool holder; a tool which is attached in protruding fashion to the tool holder; a sleeve which is movable on the tool holder between a protective position in which it surrounds the tool and a usage position in which it is pushed towards the tool holder and can release at least a tip of the tool; and a blocking element which is movable, under control of a sensor for detecting a proximity of the end effector to a workpiece, between a blocking position in which it blocks the sleeve in the protective position, and a release position in which it allows a movement of the sleeve into the usage position.