Safety Device for a Mechanical Motion Device

• US 20160257005A1
• Filed: 03/03/2015
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Salimian, Alexander Cyrus, Bollinger, Robert Scott, Gordon, Robert Paul, Werner, Jeffrey Kyle, Swenson, Keith Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,937,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/086 Proximity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/04 with provision for the remote detachment or exchange of the head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/063 working only upon contact with an outside object
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1676 Avoiding collision or forbidden zones
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40202 Human robot coexistence

Abstract

A safety device for a mechanical motion device and a method for protecting a person or object in the vicinity of a mechanical motion device are described herein. The safety device may include: a shroud; a coupling mechanism; and a detection device. The coupling mechanism joins the shroud in a displaceable manner to a mechanical motion device. The detection device is configured for communication with the safety control system of a mechanical motion device. The detection device is capable of detecting misalignment of the shroud from its initial aligned position and/or a collision between the shroud and a person or object. The detection device may send a signal to the safety control system of the mechanical motion device to at least slow the movement of the mechanical motion device before the mechanical motion device reaches the location of the collision of the shroud with an object or person.

Claims

1. A safety device for a mechanical motion device which has a safety control system and a working end, said safety device comprising:

a) a shroud having an initial aligned position;

b) a coupling mechanism for coupling the shroud in a displaceable manner to the working end of a mechanical motion device; and

c) a detection device joined to one of the other components of the safety device, or to the mechanical motion device, said coupling mechanism being configured for communication with the safety control system of a mechanical motion device, wherein said detection device is configured to;

(1) detect at least one of;

misalignment of said shroud from its initial aligned position and/or collision between the shroud and a person or object; and

(2) send a signal to the safety control system of a mechanical motion device to at least slow the movement of the mechanical motion device.

2. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said shroud at least partially surrounds the working end of the mechanical motion device.

3. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said shroud completely surrounds the working end of the mechanical motion device on four sides.

4. The safety device of claim 1 which is configured so that when the shroud contacts an object or person, the shroud breaks away from the coupling mechanism and isolates the hazardous energy of the mechanical motion device from being imparted onto the object or person with which the shroud made contact.

5. The safety device of claim 4 which is configured to stop the movement of the mechanical motion device before the mechanical motion device reaches the location of the collision of the shroud with an object or person.

6. The safety device of claim 5 wherein the shroud has an inside surface and an outside surface, and the shroud is sized so that there is sufficient space between the inside surface of the shroud and the adjacent portion of the working end of the mechanical motion device to allow the mechanical motion device to decelerate after the outside surface of the shroud contacts a person or an object and a signal is sent to the safety control system to stop the movement of the mechanical motion device, so that no part of the mechanical motion device continues its motion and contacts the object or person.

7. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said coupling mechanism is capable of self-aligning to position the shroud in its aligned position.

8. The safety device of claim 3 wherein said coupling mechanism is magnetic.

9. The safety device of claim 1 wherein said coupling mechanism comprises at least one spring coupling mechanism.

10. A method for protecting a person or object in the vicinity of a mechanical motion device, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a mechanical motion device which has a safety control system and a working end, and providing said mechanical motion device with a safety device, said safety device comprising;

i. a shroud disposed adjacent at least one side of the working end of the mechanical motion device;

ii. a coupling mechanism for joining the shroud in a displaceable manner to the working end of said mechanical motion device;

b. detecting at least one of the following;

misalignment of the shroud and/or a collision between said shroud and a person or object;

c. sending a signal to the safety control system of the mechanical motion device to at least slow the movement of the mechanical motion device; and

d. at least slowing the movement of the mechanical motion device.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the collision takes place at a location, and the step d) of at least slowing the movement of the mechanical motion device stops the movement of the mechanical motion device before the mechanical motion device reaches the location of the collision of the shroud with an object or person.