Patent classifications
G05B2219/50193
Functional safety module for industrial devices
The present disclosure provides a functional safety module for industrial devices, the functional safety module being connected between the industrial devices to manage safety according to a state of the industrial devices. The functional safety module may include a first controller and a second controller each configured to execute a common predetermined operation command including operation commands. The first controller is configured to output digital signals, and sequentially convert the digital signals into analog voltages. The second controller is configured to receive the analog voltages, sequentially converts the analog voltages, and outputs the digital signals, and determine whether the first controller is normal.
CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS
A construction site safety management apparatus which is wirelessly communicatively connected with a positioning device or a distance measuring device, the apparatus including a recognition unit for appropriately recognizing respectively mutual positions among the one or more construction machines and, the installation objects or the workers, based on positional information transmitted from the positioning devices and/or distance information transmitted from the distance measuring devices, and a judgement unit for judging mutual proximity among the one or more construction machine and, the installation objects or the workers, based on roles of the installation object and/or the workers preliminarily set for the said one or more of the construction machines, while searching said recognized mutual positions among the one or more construction machine and, the installation objects or the workers, thereby performing centralized control of safety of the construction site.
ANALYSIS ASSISTANCE APPARATUS, ANALYSIS ASSISTANCE METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM
An analysis assistance apparatus 10 includes: a control program obtainment unit 11 that obtains a control program of a plant based on sensor data from a sensor installed in the plant; an event information obtainment unit 12 that obtains event information, which includes a variable that defines a state of the plant when a predetermined event has occurred and a value thereof, as information necessary for searching the control program for a safety barrier for avoiding the occurrence of the predetermined event in the plant; and a safety barrier search unit 13 that extracts, from the control program, a causal relationship between an input variable and an output variable, and searches the control program for the safety barrier based on the variable and the value included in the event information and on the extracted causal relationship.
CONVEYANCE ROBOT SYSTEM, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CONVEYANCE ROBOT AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING A ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM
A conveyance robot system according to the present disclosure includes a conveyance robot, and a robot control unit configured to control an operation of picking up an object performed by the conveyance robot, wherein the robot control unit determines that a movable range area, which is an area outside a safety cover where a robot arm is operated, satisfies a safety ensuring condition that can regard safety of the movable range area as equivalent to the safety inside the safety cover and allow the robot arm to perform a work while projecting toward the shelf.
DETECTOR AND REFLECTOR FOR AUTOMATION CELL SAFETY AND IDENTIFICATION
Systems, methods, and apparatus for a detector and reflector for automation cell safety and identification are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for machinery safety comprises transmitting, by an active transponder, at least one interrogation signal. The method further comprises receiving, by at least one passive transponder located on a user or on an item, the interrogation signal(s). Also, the method comprises generating, by a non-linear device of the passive transponder(s) in response to the interrogation signal(s), at least one response signal. In addition, the method comprises receiving, by the active transponder, the response signal(s). Additionally, the method comprises determining, by at least one processor, a location of the passive transponder(s) based on the response signal(s). Further, the method comprises determining, by the processor(s), whether the passive transponder(s) is located within a threshold distance away from machinery by using the location of the passive transponder(s).
Rapid shutdown device capable of driving two MOSFETs connected in series through single drive signal
A rapid shutdown device capable of driving two MOSFETs connected in series through single drive signal, which includes a switch S1, a switch S2, a control IC and a drive circuit. The PV+ terminal of the photovoltaic module is connected to an output terminal OUT+ through the switch S1 and the switch S2 connected in series in sequence. The PV− terminal of the photovoltaic module is connected to an output terminal OUT−. The control IC, the switch S1 and the switch S2 are connected with the drive circuit respectively, and the two signal terminals of the control IC control the on-off of switch S1 and switch S2 through the drive circuit. The invention adopts two switches connected in series for on-off operation, greatly improving the shutoff reliability and safety of the photovoltaic power generation system.
SAFETY CONTROLLER
The present invention provides a mechanism for causing a safety controller to suitably display various pieces of information from a safety input device. A safety controller acquires a compatible port that connects at least one safety input device, and a safety input signal from the at least one safety input device connected via the compatible port and state information on the safety input device. Further, the safety controller 3 includes the MCU 23 that generates, in accordance with the safety program, a safety output signal based on the safety input signal acquired, and the display device 5a that displays, based on the state information acquired, a state of the safety input device from which the state information is acquired.
Configuring a hazard zone monitored by a 3D sensor
A method of configuring at least one hazard zone to be monitored by at least one three-dimensional (3D) sensor includes fixing outer surfaces, where the at least one hazard zone is a volume defined by the outer surfaces, and is a zone in which a machine to be secured is located. Additionally, a check is made during the configuration or after the configuration whether the outer surfaces are visible to the at least one 3D sensor.
System architecture for safety applications
Control systems for industrial machinery (e.g., robots) or other devices such as medical devices utilize a safety processor (SP) designed for integration into safety applications and computational components that are not necessarily safety-rated. The SP monitors performance of the non-safety computational components, including latency checks and verification of identical outputs. One or more sensors send data to the non-safety computational components for sophisticated processing and analysis that the SP cannot not perform, but the results of this processing are sent to the SP, which then generates safety-rated signals to the machinery or device being controlled by the SP. As a result, the system may qualify for a safety rating despite the ability to perform complex operations beyond the scope of safety-rated components.
IDENTIFYING AND MONITORING PRODUCTIVITY, HEALTH, AND SAFETY RISKS IN INDUSTRIAL SITES
A computer-implemented method for monitoring productivity, health and safety risks posed by activities and objects, and other signals present at industrial sites comprises: receiving data inputs from input devices at an industrial site; selecting a data model that is programmed to detect activities or objects associated with workers or equipment present at the industrial sites; applying the data inputs to the data model to receive output data specifying whether the activities or objects associated with workers or equipment are present at the industrial site; and if they are present: based the output data, determining characteristics of the activities or objects; based on the characteristics, determining whether that the activities or objects cause any productivity, health or safety risks at the industrial site; and if so, generating notifications indicating the health or safety risks at the industrial site.