Wireless Safety Device for Assembly and Repair Well Covers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional safety devices for assembly and repair pits, which rely on cable connections for power and signal transmission, are vulnerable to damage and unreliable, posing a risk to operators from moving pit covers.

Innovation Solution

A wireless safety device using a transmitting antenna and a transponder antenna arranged along guide profiles and the cover's transverse edge, respectively, to transmit energy and signal states, eliminating the need for direct cable connections and enhancing reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cable-connected safety devices are used, then power and signal transmission are established, but the cables are vulnerable to being torn off or crushed by moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety device reliabilityVSAvoidcable damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. The safety edge uses a transponder antenna that communicates wirelessly with a control unit via radio frequency signals, eliminating physical cables that could be damaged by moving parts. This substitution maintains safety functionality while removing the vulnerability to cable damage.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless signal as an intermediary between the safety edge and the control unit. Instead of direct cable connections, information and power are transmitted through electromagnetic fields, serving as a non-contact mediator that avoids the mechanical wear and damage issues of cable-based systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless transmission is used, then cable damage risk is eliminated, but energy and signal transmission must be maintained at constant distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable damage riskVSAvoidantenna arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transponder antenna with the safety edge structure itself, integrating the wireless communication function into the existing safety component. This merging approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating separate cable management requirements while maintaining the necessary wireless transmission capabilities at constant distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 wireless safety device effectively prevents crushing injuries by ensuring the pit cover stops when an operator is detected, with improved reliability and reduced risk of cable damage, and is maintenance-free with no need for wired power supply.

Implementation Method 1

energy and signal states can be transmitted wirelessly between the transmitting antenna and the transponder antenna during a movement of the cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the transponder antenna can transmit a signal state of the safety edge to the transmitting antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2426294B1Covering device for an assembly and repair well
Publication Date: 2015.09.02 BALZER HANS
  • EP2426294B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2426294B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2426294B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device has a cover supported in guiding profiles, and a safety device (19) comprising a primary circuit (21) with a transmission antenna (27) and a switching device (25). A secondary circuit (23) has a transponder antenna (29) and a switch rail (31). The switch rail is arranged in an area of a transverse edge of the cover. The transponder antenna has a constant distance to the transmission antenna during displacement of the cover in the guide profiles in such a manner that the transponder antenna transfers a signal condition of the switch rail to the transmission antenna.