Self-Propelled Wrapping Machine Obstacle Scanning and Auto Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled wrapping machines lack effective protection against impacts from the feeler element and require manual operator intervention for restart after emergency stops, leading to potential safety risks and prolonged wrapping cycle durations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a scanning device to detect obstacles in defined areas, including the path of the feeler element, and a control unit to automatically stop and restart the machine based on obstacle presence, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bumper is added to protect against impacts, then safety is improved, but the bumper cannot protect against impacts from the feeler element which extends laterally from the carriage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective coverage is extended from the frontal dimension (handled by the bumper) to the lateral dimension (handled by the scanning device monitoring the feeler element path). This multi-dimensional approach ensures comprehensive protection against impacts from different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning device acts as an intermediary between the feeler element and potential obstacles. It detects obstacles in the feeler element's path and triggers machine stopping before impact occurs, preventing harmful effects without requiring physical protective structures in the lateral direction.
2Ease of operation
If manual reset and restart procedure is required after emergency stop, then control simplicity is improved, but operator presence is required which causes stop times and long wrapping cycle durations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically manages the stopping and restarting of the machine based on obstacle detection and clearance. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational safety conditions and making autonomous decisions to stop or resume operations, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing cycle time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning device provides continuous feedback about obstacle presence to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the control unit to automatically adjust machine operation - stopping when obstacles are detected and restarting when the path is clear - creating a responsive automated safety system that minimizes interruptions to the wrapping cycle.
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-propelled wrapping machine (1) movable on a supporting plane (P) to wrap a load (100) with a film (50), comprises a self-propelled carriage (2) provided with a drive wheel (7), an upright (3) slidably supporting an unwinding unit (4) provided with a reel (51) of film (50), actuator means (20) to operate the drive wheel (7) and the unwinding unit (4) along the upright (3), a control unit (10) to control the actuator means (20) and a scanning device (30) to scan a defined area (A, B) of supporting plane (P) which extends frontally and laterally from a front portion (13) of carriage (2) in order to detect a possible obstacle in said area (A, B) and in presence of said obstacle to send an obstacle alarm signal (ALL1) to the control unit (10) to stop actuator means (20); the scanning device (30) is configured to scan a first area (A) of supporting plane (P) during a wrapping cycle of load (100) that is automatically performed by the self-propelled wrapping machine (1) and a second area (B) during a manual manoeuvring procedure of self-propelled wrapping machine (1) that is performed by an operator, the second area (B) having an extent smaller than the extent of the first area (A).