Virtual Machine Hazard Mapping Using Particle Spin Scattering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CE certification for machine safety, which involves hazard analysis and risk assessment, is manual and inefficient, lacking an automated method for detecting and protecting mechanical hazards such as sharp edges or points on machines.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a virtual model of a machine to simulate particle scattering, analyze spin changes, and filter based on threshold criteria to identify mechanical hazard locations, thereby determining the safety configuration parameters for a security system to secure these hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual hazard analysis is performed by inspector, then expertise and judgment can be applied, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecertification efficiencyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated computer-based simulation system. Particles are simulated to scatter across the machine model surface, and their spin changes are automatically analyzed to detect hazard points, eliminating the need for manual inspector analysis and significantly improving certification efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy or digital model of the machine to be inspected. This virtual model allows repeated simulation and analysis without requiring physical access to the actual machine, enabling efficient hazard detection during the design phase and reducing time loss during physical inspections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If comprehensive hazard analysis is performed, then safety is improved, but the complexity of the inspection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the hazard detection problem into a measurable physical parameter analysis by tracking particle spin changes. This parameter-based approach provides objective, quantifiable criteria for hazard identification, improving detection reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear measurement standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces particles as intermediary objects that interact with the machine model surface. These particles serve as mediators that translate complex surface geometry and hazard characteristics into measurable spin change data, simplifying the overall detection system while improving comprehensive hazard analysis capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If early-stage analysis is performed on virtual models, then time is saved, but measurement precision may be reduced compared to physical inspection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis timingVSAvoidhazard detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs hazard analysis on virtual models during the early design stage before physical prototypes are built. This preliminary action identifies potential hazards that can be corrected in the design phase, saving significant time while maintaining high measurement precision through accurate virtual model representation and rigorous particle simulation physics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enables automatic detection and protection of mechanical hazards, improving machine safety by allowing for quick, reliable, and early-stage analysis of danger points, reducing the need for manual inspection and enhancing the efficiency of CE certification.

Implementation Method 1

simulating the scattering of one or more particles on the virtual model of the machine in the virtual environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParticle scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4273734A1Computer-implemented method, method, computer program product for implementing a safety measure
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 PILZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4273734A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4273734A1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP4273734A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method (30) for determining at least one parameter of a safety configuration of a safety system (12) for a machine (10), comprising the following steps: providing (32) a virtual model of the machine (10) in a virtual environment; simulating (34) a scattering of one or more particles on the virtual model of the machine (10) in the virtual environment, wherein simulation data of the particles are acquired during the simulation; determining (36) spin changes of the particles based on the simulation data, wherein each spin change is assigned a location of the corresponding particle at the time of the spin change; filtering (38) the determined spin changes according to one or more filter criteria, wherein, according to a first filter criterion of the filter criteria, the spin changes are filtered to be greater than or equal to a defined threshold;Determining (40) mechanical hazard locations (19) based on the locations associated with the filtered spin changes; and determining (42) the at least one parameter of the safety configuration based on the determined mechanical hazard locations (18). The present invention further relates to a method (50) for setting up a safety system (12) for a machine (10). The present invention further relates to a computer program product.