Sliding-Coupled Safety Switch Head for Compact Machine Guarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety switches for industrial machines and plants are bulky, costly, and require additional fixing means, which can interfere with access operations and increase the risk of mechanical failure due to complex configurations and the need for metal components.
Innovation Solution
A compact safety switch design featuring a sliding coupling mechanism between the case and head, allowing stable anchoring without additional screws, using plastic and metallic materials to reduce size and cost while maintaining mechanical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If connecting screws are used to secure the head to the case, then the mechanical resistance and stability are improved, but the overall size increases and additional fixing means are required
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting screws are integrated into the head structure itself, forming a unified component. The head is designed with built-in screw elements that extend from its structure, eliminating the need for separate fixing means while maintaining the mechanical resistance provided by traditional screw connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The head serves multiple functions: it provides the interface for actuator device interaction, houses communication elements, and simultaneously acts as the fixing mechanism through its integrated connecting screws. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixing components, reducing overall size while maintaining stability.
2Strength
If the case is made of metal to guarantee sufficient resistance against mechanical forces, then the strength is improved, but the costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety switch employs a composite construction where the case is made of cost-effective polymeric material, while the head containing the critical mechanical interface and connecting screws is made of metallic material. This composite approach provides sufficient mechanical resistance at the critical points while reducing overall manufacturing costs compared to an all-metal construction.
3Volume of moving object
If the safety switch has a compact configuration, then the interference with access operations is reduced, but the mechanical resistance and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The safety switch is divided into functional modules: the case housing the switching means and the head with integrated connecting screws and actuator interface. This segmentation allows the compact case to maintain stability through the robust, metallic head portion that provides the necessary mechanical anchoring points, achieving both compactness and reliability.
4Strength
If additional fixing means are required, then the mechanical resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing means are merged with the head structure itself. The connecting screws are not separate components but are integrated into the head, forming a single piece. This eliminates the need for additional fixing means while maintaining the mechanical resistance required for stable installation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A safety switch for guarding access to industrial machines or plants comprises a case (4) housing switching means suitable for being connected to one or more power and/or service circuits of the machine or plant for their opening and/or closing upon interaction with an actuating device (2), a locking/unlocking mechanism (5) of the actuating device (2) housed in the case (4) and provided with a movable locking/unlocking pin (6) along a longitudinal direction (X) to protrude at least partially with one of its ends (7) from the case (4), a head (9) fixed to the case (4) and configured to allow the interaction of the locking/unlocking pin (6) with the actuating device (2), mutual coupling means (12, 13) between the case (4) and the head (9) suitable to allow their mutual stable fixing by relative sliding along at least one sliding direction (Y) transverse to the longitudinal direction (X).