Device with safety system

The present invention relates to a device, in particular a bending apparatus.

There are bending presses are known which use a light barrier arrangement for monitoring of a protected zone. For some processing operations, it is necessary to turn off one or more light barriers to selectively allow certain interventions in the scope. This is done according to the prior art, for example, an emergency stop of the device, which is triggered by the ultimately admitted engaging, and a subsequent, renewed start pulse the operator to continue the processing operation during which continuation of the processing operation then defined photocells are disabled. However, this has the disadvantage that the processing process is interrupted. Alternatively, is known to provide an additional switch for switching off the light barrier, which is operated before the start of the bending operation, which means that certain photocells are deactivated for a single, subsequent bending operation. Such bending press is known for example from DE 197 17 299 A1. However, this has the disadvantage that an additional actuable switch must be provided on the bending press and is actuated by the operator.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a device which enables a simple and inexpensive manner an adaptation of a protection zone of a device.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an apparatus having the features specified in claim 1 or claim fifth

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 the device and a second signal for stopping the device is triggered;</li><li>a protective device for monitoring of a protected zone of the apparatus; and</li><li>a device for the selective adaptation of the protected zone before the actuation of the device,</li><li>the means for adjusting the scope by means of a third signal of the operating device can be acted upon.</li></ul>

Thus, can be signaled by means of the third signal of the operating device, that the scope changed, preferably reduced, to be.

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

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

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

The third signal of the operating device is preferably triggered by repeatedly pressing the operating device. In particular it can be provided that the third signal is triggered by a fast sequential double pressing or double-pressing the operating device.

Alternatively it can be triggered, the third signal of the operating device by an additional switch position. Here, the additional switch position be realized that the switch times, especially before the actual machining process, is brought into a position that is substantially opposite to the operating position or that is substantially opposite. When a foot switch, this additional switch position can accordingly be achieved for example by raising the foot switch.

According to a second variant of the solution of the invention is also 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 the device and a second signal for stopping the device is triggered;</li><li>a protective device for monitoring of a protected zone of the apparatus; and</li><li>a device for the selective adaptation of the protected zone before the actuation of the device, </li><li>the means for adjusting the scope includes a voice input device.</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 described in the description of the figures in more detail.

Subsequent preferred embodiments of the invention are useful in both solution variants described above.

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

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

Preferably, the protection device comprises at least one light barrier. More preferably, it can be provided with a plurality of photoelectric light barrier arrangement.

Alternatively, the protective device for monitoring a volume shaped protective field with a predetermined detection zone expansion transmitting means for transmitting at least a light beam and a receiving device for detecting comprise at least one light beam, wherein the protective field being variably adjustable expansion. It is preferred if the transmission means consists of at least one light source, in particular a laser diode, whose transmitted light is expanded by an optical transmitter device and the receiving device of a sheet-like arrangement of individual receivers, in particular of a CMOS matrix, wherein at least some, preferably all of the individual receiver are selectively activated and deactivated.

Preferably, the protective device further comprises means for stopping the apparatus when an abnormality has been detected in the protected area. An abnormality may occur especially when there is during operation, for example, an object or a human body part in the just currently active scope.

The protective device is preferably arranged on the movable part of the device and with this move. Thus it can be achieved that the danger zone is continuously monitored in the vicinity of the movable apparatus part. Furthermore, this does not have the entire region in which the movable part of the device can move, be monitored with an unnecessarily large or big guard.

Further, according to the invention provides the use of a protection device as well as an operating device of the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof, for protecting a device, especially a bending device, is proposed.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

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 these shows<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a front view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with a workpiece arranged thereon;</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 another arranged thereon workpiece,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a front view of an apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the invention with a workpiece arranged thereon, and </dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a schematic side view of parts of the apparatus of FIG. 4 with a reduced scope.</dd></dl>

Hereinafter, a device according to a first preferred embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in detail. The illustrated apparatus is a bending press.

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

At the lower tool 10 a workpiece to be machined can be placed 50th In the illustrated embodiment, a recess 14 is provided in which can enter portions of the workpiece when it is processed or bent.

The upper tool 12, which can be moved to the lower tools 10 towards and away from, including one in the shape of the recess 14 complementary portion 16 which enters during the machining operation in the recess 14 and thus the workpiece 50 is deformed.

On the upper tool 12, a protection device 18 is provided. The protective 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 protective area surrounding the portion 16 at least partially. Thereby, for example, into the path of movement of the top tool 12 existing human body part, such as a finger or a hand, is detected and the machining operation can be interrupted in order to avoid injury to the operator. When all light barriers 20, 22, 24 is activated, it is called a default of the light barriers. The arrangement and number of light barriers 20, 22, 24 can be varied depending on the application.

The protective device 18 is further configured such that the light barriers are deactivated, when the upper tool 12 as close located on the workpiece to be processed that a presence of an unwanted article or a human body part can be excluded in the space between upper and lower tool essentially ,

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 can be brought. If the foot pedal 26 is in the first position, this corresponds to an idle state of the device. Further, the operation of the apparatus can be stopped when the foot pedal 26 is brought into the first position. Using the second position of the foot pedal 26 is a work function or a processing operation of the device can be activated. Preferably, the foot pedal 26 during the entire machining process in the second position must be maintained. The third position allows a so-called. Emergency stop or emergency stop. Here, the movement of the device is immediately stopped and blocked the device in the current switch position.

In addition to the three positions described above, a further, in this case, the fourth position is provided in the foot pedal 26 in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention. When the foot 26 is brought into this fourth position, one or more of the light barriers 20, 22, 24 can be switched off for a single processing operation in a predefined manner. Thus, a deviating from the standard setting, in particular a reduced or reduced scope can be adjusted. Reducing the scope is particularly advantageous when a workpiece to be machined, would protrude from the areas during the machining operation in the scope and thus lead to an unwanted stopping of the apparatus. The fourth position is preferably designed such that it is achieved by movement of the foot pedal 26 in a direction which is opposite to the direction of movement to the second position or substantially opposite.

Further, an additional switch 28 is provided as selection means in the device by means of which different combinations of light barriers 20, 22, 24 can be adjusted, which are to be deactivated depending on the application. Depending on what is to be machined on a workpiece, it may be necessary, one or more light barriers 20, 22, 24 turn off to allow uninterrupted operation. The switch 28 can preferably be brought into at least two positions. This two non-default settings for the light barriers in particular two different, reduced protection areas may at least be provided.

Hereinafter, the operation of the device described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3 will be described.

First, with reference to Figures 1 and 2 the so-called. "Standard mode" explained in the apparatus. Here, a workpiece 50 is machined, for which the default setting of the protection area can be used.

The operator places the workpiece 50 on the lower tool 10 and brings the foot pedal 26 from the first to the second position. This editing process is started. The upper tool 12 moves to the lower tool 10 back and comes into contact with the workpiece 50. The workpiece is deformed, in particular bent.

When an object or a human body part comes during the machining process in unexpected ways in the path of movement of the upper finished 12 and particularly in the built-up through all three light barriers 20, 22, 24 scope, the movement of the upper tool 12 is immediately stopped in order for example of a violation to avoid operator.

The operation of the apparatus will be described, when a workpiece 52 to be processed, for which a reduced scope needs to be provided. This case is illustrated in Fig. 3.

During the movement of the upper die 12 to the die 10 toward the towering in Fig. 3 area of ​​the workpiece 52 comes into the room covered by the light barrier 20 and thus would lead to an unwanted interruption of the machining operation. Thus, it is necessary in this case to reduce the scope of protection. To this end, the operator means of the switch 28 selects first, as the scope is to be reduced, that is, which of the light barriers 20, 22, 24 should be switched off. In the present case, the light barrier 20 is switched off.

To confirm that the scope should actually be reduced during a machining operation to be carried out concretely in the preset manner, brings the operator before the actual machining process, the foot pedal 26 in the fourth position. Characterized the protective device is signaled that in the present case, the light barrier 20 is to be turned off for the subsequent machining operation. Subsequently, the machining operation is carried out as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 without unnecessary interruption. Thus, with the help of the foot pedal 26 is performed, the signaling that the protection area is to be reduced.

After processing is complete, the scope is reset to the default again. Thus, it is prevented that during a subsequent machining operation by mistake, a reduced protection area is used. For a subsequent machining operation, the reduced scope may have to be selected according to anew by selectively actuating the foot pedal 26 fourth in his position and optionally actuating the switch 28 again.

As an alternative to the provision of the fourth position of the foot pedal 26, the signaling or confirmation of the changed scope may be performed by the foot pedal 26 is consecutively moved to the second position before the actual machining operation twice. The machining operation is then performed as described above.

In a further preferred embodiment can be dispensed with the switch 28th This will be described in the following.

In the event that there is only one, preferably permanently set, limited scope provided, by means of the foot pedal 26, as described above, indicates that the scope should be limited.

however, several different reduced protection areas are provided, additional Fußpedalstellungen can be provided by means of which the scope to be used in each case can be selected. Alternatively, it is signaling by different, multiple operation of the foot pedal 26th

In a further preferred embodiment (not shown) embodiment, the signaling of the change in scope by means of a voice input device is carried out.

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

preferably command words and / or command sets are used for voice input. Preferably, the voice input is via a headset microphone (headset) to ensure better recognition performance.

In this embodiment may be provided in accordance with the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, a switch for selecting the reduced scope. In this case, it is confirmed or signaled by the speech input, that the scope, 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 signaled by the voice input. In addition, can be dispensed with on the foot switch, though the activation of the processing operation is realized by means of voice input.

Further, it is conceivable that the activation of the reduced scope takes place by means of the foot pedal 26 and the indication of how the changed scope to be designed is realized by means of voice input.

The following description of Figures 4 and 5 relates to an alternative embodiment of the protective device, wherein the means for adaptation of the protected zone can be formed in this embodiment as well, as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3

The apparatus shown in Fig. 4, which is designed as a bending press, having an upper tool 12 ', which to a working movement vertically downward against a lower mold 10' may be driven to turn onto the lower tool 10 'resting work piece 54. During this working movement, an opening gap 30 between the upper die 12 'and the workpiece 54 is gradually closed.

On both sides of the upper tool 12 'an arm 32 is provided respectively. The holding arms 32 carry a transmitter 34 and a spatially resolving receiver device 36, the parts of an optoelectronic sensor are. The transmitting device 34 has a laser diode having an optical transmitting system (not shown in the figures), which expands the transmitted light of the laser diode into a light beam 38th The receiving device 36 has a rectangular CMOS matrix receiver, which is acted upon by the light beam 38th

The light beam 38 passes through the opening gap 30 below the upper tool 12 '. The outline of the activated portion of the receiving means 36 is defined within the light beam 38 thus a volume shaped protection field 40 between the upper die 12 'and the lower tool 10', as will be explained. Once an evaluation and control device of the sensor (not shown in the figures) detects an interruption of the light beam 38 within the protective field 40, it triggers a shutdown to stop the upper tool 12 'from. This is an operator that introduces, for example, the workpiece 54 into the opening gap 30, protected from injury by the top tool 12 '.

Fig. 5 shows the location of the upper tool 11, the light beam 38, the receiving device 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 field that would be available upon activation of all receiving elements of the receiver 36th Accordingly, 5 worked in FIG. With a reduced protected field 40, in which intervene during the bending process no parts of the box 54 ', so that no interruption of the bending operation is carried out.

Switching between a maximum possible protection field, in which all the receiving elements of the receiving means 36 are activated and a reduced guard field 40 of FIG. 5 can be effected by any of the above-described principles of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>10</dt><dd>lower tool</dd><dt>10 '</dt><dd>lower tool</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>upper tool</dd><dt>12 '</dt><dd>upper tool</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>recess</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>section</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>guard</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>photocell</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>photocell</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>photocell</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>pedal</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>switch</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>opening gap</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>holding arm</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>transmitting device</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>receiver</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>beam of light</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>protection box</dd></dl><dl id="dl0003" compact="compact"><dt>50</dt><dd>workpiece</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>workpiece</dd><dt>54</dt><dd>workpiece</dd><dt>54 '</dt><dd>workpiece</dd></dl>