Device with safety system

The present invention relates to a device, in particular a Bender.

There are known bending presses, which for a light dispensing assembly use monitoring of a protected zone. For some processing operations it is necessary to turn off one or more light barriers, certain interventions specifically permit in the scope. This carried out according to the prior art, for example an emergency stop of the device, the triggered by the ultimately admitted engagement is, and a subsequent, renewed start pulse of the operator the continuation of the operation, during which continued the processing operation then deactivated defined photocells are. However, this has the disadvantage that the manufacturing process is interrupted. Alternatively, it is known, an additional switch to turn off the provide light barriers, which prior to the start of the bending operation is actuated, which causes certain light barriers for a individual, subsequent bending operation are disabled. Such bending press is known for example from DE 197 17 299 A1. This has However, the disadvantage that an additional actuable switch located on the must be bending press provided and actuated by the operator.

It is thus an object of the present invention, an apparatus providing, on a simple and inexpensive manner an adaptation allows a scope of a device.

This object is according to the invention by a device with the dissolved in claim 1 or claim 5 stated features.

According to a first variant of the solution of the invention is a device, in particular a bending apparatus, comprising:<ul><li>at least one movable apparatus part;</li><li>an operating device for operating the device, via the operating device at least a first signal for actuating of the device and a second signal for stopping the apparatus be triggered;</li><li>a protective device for monitoring of a protected zone of the Device; and</li><li>a device for the selective adaptation of the protected zone before the actuation of the apparatus, wherein</li><li>the means for adjusting the scope by means of a is the third signal of the operating device acted upon.</li></ul>

Thus, signals with the aid of the third signal of the operating device be that the scope changed, preferably reduced, shall be.

The scope is preferably a region near the movable Device part. Using the protective device can be monitored, whether, for example, an object or a human body part in a danger zone of the device is.

Preferably, in addition via the operating device a fourth signal are output by means of which an emergency stop of the device can be triggered is.

Preferably, the operating device comprises a switch, in particular a foot switch.

The third signal of the operating device is preferably by repeated Operating the operation device triggered. Specifically, be provided that the third signal to each other by a fast following double pressing or double-pressing the operating device is triggered.

Alternatively, the third signal of the operating device by an additional Switch position be triggered. Here, the additional switch position be realized in that the switch times, especially brought before the actual machining process, into a position is, opposite to the operating position is substantially and this is substantially opposite. When a foot switch this additional switch position accordingly eg by a Lifting of the foot switch can be achieved.

According to a second variant of the solution of the invention also is a Device, in particular a bending apparatus, comprising:<ul><li>at least one movable apparatus part;</li><li>an operating device for operating the device, via the operating device at least a first signal for actuating of the device and a second signal for stopping the apparatus be triggered;</li><li>a protective device for monitoring of a protected zone of the Device; and</li><li>a device for the selective adaptation of the protected zone before the actuation of the apparatus, wherein </li><li>the means for adjusting the scope of a voice input device includes.</li></ul>

Further, preferably, a voice processing device is provided for processing the input data, in particular speech data. The Solution variant with voice input device is in the description of the figures explained in more detail.

The following preferred embodiments of the invention are useful in two solution variants described above can be used.

Preferably, the protective device of an apparatus according to the invention a default setting of the scope, and the apparatus further comprises a reset means for automatically resetting the scope in the default setting after each completed processing operation of the device. In addition it can be provided that the scope of each in Switching on or initializing the device to factory settings reset.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for Adjusting the scope further, an additional selector for selecting the scope. In this case, preferably signaled by means of the operating device or the voice input device be that a scope from the standard settings should be provided, and can by means of the selector be selected, as the scope is to be changed in practice. Preferably, by means of the selection means a scope of at least two different, non-default selected protection areas.

Preferably, the protection device comprises at least one light barrier. Further preferably, a light barrier arrangement with several be provided photocells.

Alternatively, the protective device can for monitoring a volume shaped Protective field with a given protected area expansion a transmitting device for emitting at least one light beam and a Receiving means for detecting the at least one light beam have, wherein the protective field being variably adjustable expansion. there it is preferred if the transmitting means of at least one light source, in particular a laser diode is, the transmitted light from a Transmitting optical system is expanded and the receiving device comprises a flat Arrangement of individual beneficiaries, in particular a CMOS matrix, , wherein at least some, preferably all of the individual receiver are selectively activated and deactivated.

Preferably, the protecting means further comprises means for Stopping of the apparatus when an abnormality occurs in the scope was detected. An abnormality may occur in particular when during operation, for example, an object or a human body part in the just currently active scope is.

The protective device is preferably on the movable part of the device arranged and movable therewith. Thus it can be achieved that the danger zone near the movable apparatus part continuously is monitored. Further, this does not need the entire area, in which the movable part of the device can move, with a unnecessarily extensive and large protective device to be monitored.

Further, according to the invention provides the use of a protective device as well as an operating device of the invention or a preferred Embodiment thereof to secure a device, in particular a bending device, is proposed.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are in the dependent claims described.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred Embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings; in shows this<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a front view of an apparatus according to a preferred Embodiment of the invention arranged with a mind Workpiece;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a side view of FIG. 2 with a different mind arranged workpiece,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a front view of a device according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention with a thereon arranged workpiece, and </dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a schematic side view of parts of the apparatus FIG. 4 with a reduced scope.</dd></dl>

Hereinafter, an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment, 1 and 2 described with reference to Fig. In detail. The Illustrated apparatus is a press brake.

The device comprises a fixed lower tool 10 and a relative to the lower tool 10 movable upper die 12. Alternatively, can be provided that the lower die 10 is movable and the Upper tool 12 is fixed or that both tools 10, 12 movable are.

At the lower tool 10, a workpiece to be machined 50 to be ordered. In the illustrated embodiment, a recess 14 in which regions of the workpiece occur, can, when it is machined or bent.

The upper tool 12, which to the lower tools 10 towards and this can be moved away, comprises a recess in the mold to the 14 complementary portion 16 during the machining operation enters the recess 14 and thus the workpiece 50 deformed.

On the upper tool 12, a protection device 18 is provided. The Protection device 18 comprises in the illustrated embodiment, three Light barriers 20, 22, 24 (see also FIG. 2). The light barriers 20, 22, 24 are arranged such that they form a guard zone which the section 16 surrounds at least partially. This allows, for example, an existing in the movement path of the upper tool 12 human body part, such as a finger or a hand, and detects the Machining operation can be interrupted to an injury to the operator to avoid. When all the light barriers 20, 22, 24 is activated are, this is called a default of the light barriers. The arrangement and number of the light barriers 20, 22, 24 may vary depending on Application be varied as desired.

The protective device 18 is further configured such that the light barriers be disabled when the upper die 12 so close located on the workpiece to be processed that a presence of an undesirable object or a human body part in the space between upper and lower tool essentially can be excluded.

The operation of the device is effected by means of a foot pedal 26. The Foot pedal 26 includes at least three positions, in which it brought can be. If the foot pedal 26 is in the first position, this corresponds to an idle state of the device. Further, the Operation of the device to be stopped when the foot pedal 26 in the first position is brought. Using the second position of the foot pedal 26 may have a work function or a processing operation of the device to be activated. Preferably, the foot pedal 26 must during the entire machining operation are held in the second position. The third position allows a so-called. Emergency stop or emergency stop. in this connection the movement of the device is immediately stopped and the device blocks in the current switch position.

In addition to the three positions described above, in the Foot pedal 26 according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention a further, in this case, the fourth position is provided. If that Foot pedal 26 is brought in this fourth position, one or more the light barriers 20, 22, 24 for a single processing operation be switched off in a predefined manner. Thus, a deviating from the standard setting, in particular a reduced or reduced scope can be adjusted. A reduction of the Scope is particularly advantageous when a workpiece machined to be in from the fields during the machining process the scope protrude and thus to an unwanted stop the device would lead. The fourth position is preferably such a way that it by a movement of the foot pedal 26 in a Direction it is achieved that the direction of movement to the second Position substantially opposite or opposite.

Furthermore, an additional switch 28 is connected to the device as a selector provided by means of which different combinations can be set by light barriers 20, 22, 24, depending on the Application are to be deactivated. Depending on what kind of a workpiece to be processed, it may be necessary, one or more light barriers 20, 22, 24 off, to an interruption-free to enable operation. The switch 28 can preferably at least in two positions are brought. This allows at least two of By default, the photoelectric different settings for particular two different, reduced protection areas be provided.

The operation of the device described above is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3

First, with reference to Figures 1 and 2 the so-called. "Standard mode" the device described. Here, a workpiece 50 is machined, for which used the default setting of the scope can.

The operator places the workpiece 50 on the lower die 10 and bringing the foot pedal 26 from the first to the second position. Thereby the machining operation is started. The upper tool 12 moves to the lower tool 10 back and comes into contact with the workpiece 50. As a result, the workpiece is deformed, in particular bent.

If an object or during the working operation human body part in unexpected ways in the trajectory the upper tools and equipment, 12 and in particular in the through all three Light barriers 20, 22, 24 constructed scope comes, the Movement of the upper tool 12 immediately stopped in order as a violation the operator to be avoided.

In the following, the operation of the apparatus will be described when a Workpiece 52 to be processed, for which a reduced scope must be provided. This case is illustrated in Fig. 3.

During the movement of the top tool 12 to the lower tool 10 toward the towering in Fig. 3 area of ​​the workpiece 52 comes to by the light barrier 20 covered space and would therefore be a cause unwanted interruption of the machining operation. is therefore in this case it is necessary to reduce the scope. To this end, the operator selects by the switch 28, first, as the Scope should be reduced, that is, which of the light barriers 20, 22, 24 to be turned off. In the present case, the light barrier 20 off.

To confirm that the scope of concrete executed in a Machining operation actually in the preset manner is to be reduced, bringing the operator before start of the actual Machining process the foot pedal 26 in the fourth position. Thereby the protective device is signaled that in the present case, the Photocell 20 off for the subsequent machining operation shall be. Subsequently, the machining operation is as with Referring to Figures 1 and 2 described without unnecessary disruption performed. Thus, using the foot pedal 26 is performed, the signaling, that the protection area is to be reduced.

After processing is complete, the protection conferred back to the standard setting. This prevents accidentally in a subsequent machining operation a reduced scope is used. For a subsequent Machining operation takes the reduced scope again new accordingly by selectively actuating the foot pedal 26 in selected its fourth position and optionally actuating the switch 28 will.

Alternatively to the provision of the fourth position of the foot pedal 26 signaling or acknowledgment of the modified scope be carried out by the foot pedal 26 before the actual machining process twice consecutively brought into the second position becomes. The machining operation is then performed as described above.

In a further preferred embodiment, the switch 28 be waived. This will be described in the following.

In the event that there is only one, preferably permanently set, limited Scope is provided, using the foot 26, as described above, signals that the scope is to be restricted.

however, several different reduced protection areas are provided, may be provided additional Fußpedalstellungen means where the scope to be used in each case are selected can. Alternatively, the signaling by different, multiple Press the treadle 26 done.

In a further preferred embodiment (not shown) embodiment is signaled to the changed scope by means of a Voice input device.

This can be dispensed with the additional foot pedal. The Operator indicates by means of voice input, that the scope to be reduced. This input is by means of a speech recognition device processed.

preferably command words for the speech input and / or Command sets used. Preferably, the voice input is via a Headset microphone (headset) to better detection performance guarantee.

In this embodiment, a switch may for selecting the reduced Scope in accordance with the with reference to Figures 1 to 3 be provided described embodiment. In this case, confirmed by the voice input or signals that the scope of protection as selected by the switch, to be reduced.

Alternatively, the switch can be omitted. In this case, specifying how the scope is to be reduced, also by the voice input signals. In addition, the foot pedal right be waived if the activation of the machining operation is realized by means of voice input.

Further, it is conceivable that the activation of the reduced scope by means of the foot pedal 26 and the indication of how the altered Scope should be configured realized by speech input becomes.

The following description of the Figures 4 and 5 refers to a alternative embodiment of the protective device, wherein the means for designed adaptation of the protected area in this embodiment as well can be as described previously in connection with Figures 1 to 3 described.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 4, which is formed as a bending press is, has an upper tool 12 ', the vertical to a labor movement can be driven down to a lower tool 10 ' a on the lower tool 10 'resting workpiece to bend 54th During this working movement is an opening gap 30 between the Top tool 12 'and the workpiece 54 is gradually closed.

On both sides of the upper tool 12 'is in each case a support arm 32 provided. The holding arms 32 carry a transmitter 34 and a spatially resolving receiver device 36, the parts of an optoelectronic Sensors are. The transmitting device 34 includes a laser diode with a transmitting optical system (not shown in the figures) of the transmitted light Laser diode to a light beam 38 expands. The receiving device 36 has a rectangular CMOS matrix receiver from the Beam 38 is applied.

The light beam 38 passes through the opening gap 30 underneath the upper tool 12 '. The outline of the activated portion of the receiving device 36 defined within the light beam 38 thus shaped a volume Protective field 40 between the upper die 12 'and the lower tool 10 ', as will be explained. Once an evaluation and Control means of the sensor (not shown in the figures) an interruption the light beam 38 is detected within the detection zone 40 dissolves, it a turn-off for stopping the upper tool 12 'from. This is an operator, for example, the workpiece 54 in the opening gap 30 introduces, from injuries caused by the upper tool 12 'protected.

Fig. 5 shows the location of the upper tool 11, the light beam 38, the receiving means 36 and the protective field 40. When workpiece 54 'is here to be processed box on the lower tool 10 'stored. The box 54 'would engage in a protective box that when activated, all receiving elements the receiver 36 would be present. Accordingly working in accordance with FIG. 5 only with a reduced protected field 40, in which the bending process no parts of the box 54 'engage, so that no interruption of the bending operation is carried out.

Switching between a maximum protective field in which all receiving elements of the receiver 36 are activated and a reduced protected field 40 of FIG. 5, after any the above-mentioned principles of the invention take place.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

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