Machine tool use situation monitoring device using reflected signal

• US 8,311,661 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Krapf, Reiner, Braun, Heiko, Mahler, Michael, Hees, Alexander Werner, Green, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/439,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20100106284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 700/174, 700/177, 82/49, 83/73, 833/64
• US Class Current: 700/174
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/001 Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/0082 by determining whether the operator is in a dangerous position B23Q17/2438 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/24 using optics or electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2438 of an operator or a part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/147 using electro-magnetic technology, e.g. tags or radar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/16049 Combined with means to sharpen tool[s]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/145 Including means to monitor product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/531 With plural work-sensing means

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine tool monitoring device having a detection unit for detecting an application in a machine tool. According to the invention, at least one component of the machine tool is used as a reflector for a transmitting and/or receiving signal of the detection unit.

Claims

1. A machine tool monitoring device, comprising:

a detection unit for detecting a use situation of a machine tool, wherein at least one portion of the machine tool is used as a deflector for a transmitting and receiving signal of the detection unit, the detection unit being positioned such that the transmitted or received signal is directed or redirected at an angle of about 90 degrees by the portion of the machine tool used as a deflector.

2. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises at least one ultra wide band radar sensor.

3. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to allow a position and a speed determination.

4. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the position and speed determination is a position and speed determination of one of:

human tissue; and

animal tissue.

5. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one portion of the machine tool is an element that processes a work piece.

6. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 5, wherein the at least one portion is a saw blade or a saw band.

7. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises at least one antenna with a transmitting and receiving direction directed towards the at least one portion.

8. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises at least two sensors arranged in a machine tool basic assembly position on a first and second side of a machine tool work surface for positioning a work piece.

9. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to determine an electrical constant of at least one medium.

10. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to determine a work piece thickness by a deflection of the transmitting and receiving signal on a work piece.

11. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the at least one antenna forms an antenna array.

12. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the antenna array is a phase variable antenna array.

13. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the antenna array comprises at least one ultra wide band radar antenna.

14. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to determine a plurality of monitoring areas for monitoring an application of the machine tool.

15. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of monitoring areas are each assigned to a different operating mode of the machine tool.

16. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 14, wherein at least one monitoring area of the plurality of monitoring areas is assigned to a warning mode of the machine tool.

17. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 16, wherein the detection unit and a machine tool monitoring device for driving the machine tool are configured to slow down a machine tool drive in the warning mode.

18. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 14, wherein at least one monitoring area of the plurality of monitoring areas is assigned to a security switch-off of the machine tool.

19. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the detection unit is configured to distinguish between human and animal tissue and wood or metal or plastics.

20. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises an arithmetic unit that is configured to detect the use situation by an evaluation of one or more parameters based on one of:

a fuzzy logic; and

a neuronal logic.

21. The machine tool monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit further comprises a data base, wherein the data base includes a set of parameters assigned to the situation.

22. A machine tool, comprising:

a machine tool monitoring device comprising a detection unit for detecting a use situation in the machine tool, wherein at least one portion of the machine tool is used as a deflector for a transmitting and a receiving signal of the detection unit, the detection unit being positioned such that the transmitted or received signals is directed or redirected at an angle of about 90degrees by the portion of the machine tool used as a deflector.

23. The machine tool of claim 22, further comprising an ultra wide band radar sensor for detecting the use situation at an application tool.

24. A method of detecting a use situation in a machine tool, the method comprising:

a detection unit transmitting a signal;

using a portion of the machine tool as a deflector for the transmitted signal;

the detection unit receiving the deflected signal; and

detecting at least one parameter of human or animal tissue in the received signal for detecting the use situation;

wherein the detection unit is positioned such that the transmitted or received signal is directed or redirected at an angle of about 90degrees by the portion of the machine tool used as a deflector.