FR2598485A1 - Device indicating mechanical contact making it possible in particular to make an active protection wall - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for indicating contact and for triggering an emergency stop on an automated system. It consists of a fastening layer 1, a layer of material 2, a layer of conductive material 3, a layer of spaced-apart and deformable elements 4, a layer of conductive material 7, a layer of spaced-apart and deformable elements 8, a layer of conductive material 9 and of a layer of protective material 10. The device according to the invention is particularly intended to protect robots and their working space.

Description

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a device signaling mechanical contacts. This device is mainly intended to play the role of signaling device, trip device, emergency switch or safety contactor.

It allows in particular the interruption of an automated or robotic system in the event of a failure of this system.

 The use of contactors is widespread in multiple fields.

In certain cases requiring contact signaling, current means do not allow an adequate solution to the problems posed. Thus, for example, many operations or series of operations comprising one or more movements are entrusted to apparatus or robots whose automated task is programmed. It sometimes happens that a disturbance occurring during operation leads to an unforeseen movement which can cause deterioration of the equipment or its environment.

 Certain automated systems can be equipped with a device comprising inflatable stops. Such devices do not have sufficient reliability.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to guarantee high security and great flexibility of use. It is characterized by the application on the surfaces or areas to be monitored or protected from mechanical contact and shock, of protection in the form of plates or sheaths, adaptable and conformable to all types and shapes of surfaces on all equipment and appliances. It constitutes an effective protection for equipment and people
This device once in place, allows, in the event of abnormal contact of a protected part with any other element, to signal the failure and / or cause the interruption of the operation of the system before there is deterioration any. The protection is carried out in such a way that in the event of a pressure being exerted on it an electrical control signal is transmitted instantaneously or deferred. The device according to its embodiment can be removable and repositionable at will and constitutes a protection against mechanical deformation, insulating and explosion proof.

 Figures (1) and (2) show in section the device according to the invention and according to different embodiments.

 The device represented in FIGS. (7) and (2) is characterized by the succession of several layers of materials, of numbers and of variable thicknesses according to the embodiment and joined together by gluing or any other fixing system.

If sufficient pressure is exerted on one of the faces of the device, the consequent deformation on the different layers allows the contact of at least two conductive layers triggering the passage of an electric current from one to the another signaling the presence of this pressure. The device shown comprises, in the order in which it is shown in Figure (1):
(I) A layer of material, which may be adhesive or magnetic, fixed directly to the support to be protected.

 (2) A layer of material which may be more or less flexible, elastic insulating and protective. The material used can be, among other things and according to the possible manufacturing variants, a natural or synthetic foam, a plastic material, a rubber, a cork, a composite material, etc.

 (3J A layer of conductive material. The material used can be, among other things and according to the possible manufacturing variants, a film coated with conductive ink, a metal, copper, iron, etc.

 (4) A layer of deformable or non-deformable elements, insulators, of variable shapes and dimensions and spaced such that they can allow the contact of layers (3) and (5) in the event of pressure exerted on one of the faces of the device. The material used may or may not be of the same nature as that of the layer (2).

 (5) A layer of conductive material which may be or of the same nature as that of the layer (3l.

 (6) According to the embodiment, a layer of more or less insulating material which may or may not be of the same nature as that of the layers (2) and (4).

 <7) According to the embodiment, a layer of conductive material which may or may not be of the same nature as that of the layers (3) and (5).

 (8) A layer of deformable or non-deformable elements, insulators, of variable shapes and sizes, and spaced such that they can allow the contact of the layers (7) and (9) fig. (1) or according to the embodiment (5) and (9) fig. (2). The arrangement of the elements of this layer will be such that with respect to that of the elements of the layer (4) sufficient pressure on one of the faces of the device will certainly lead to the contact of at least two conductive layers (3) and (5), (7) and (9) fig. (1) or (5) and (9) fig. (2).

 (9) A layer of conductive material which may or may not be of the same nature as that of layers (3), (5) and (7).

 (10) A layer of more or less flexible, elastic, insulating and protective material which may or may not be of the same nature as that of layers (2), (4) and (8).

 The device according to the invention is in particular intended for the protection of robots and their environment during the production of an automated sequence, or of any other moving device requiring an emergency stop in the event of unplanned mechanical contact. . It can also, for example, constitute a mat or a security or signaling band delimiting an area to be protected or monitored for the triggering of a subsequent and consecutive operation.

Claims (7)

 1) Device for signaling mechanical contacts, main intended  play the role of signaler, trigger, emergency switch  or safety contactor allowing in particular the interruption of a system  automated or robotic; characterized in that it is composed of several elements  elements arranged in superimposed layers in variable numbers and thicknesses, allows  both by consequent deformation at sufficient pressure, the contact of layers  conductors triggering the passage of an electrical signal.  2) Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that  that it is adaptable and conformable to all types and shapes of surfaces on  all equipment and appliances.  constitute a fixed installation.  that it can be removed and repositioned once or several times and / or that it can ~ 3) Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that  4) Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that  that it can be fixed in particular by one or more adhesive parts and / or  Magnetic.  contacts and shocks.  that it constitutes in itself an explosion-proof and mechanical action against  that it is flexible and rigid according to the embodiment, that it is insulating and  5) Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that  composites.  cork, film coated with conductive ink, copper or iron, materials  flexible or rigid ticks, made of synthetic or natural foam, rubber,  that the different layers can in particular be made of plas  6) Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that  7) Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that  that it can be used in the form of plates or sheaths, adaptable and  conformable to all types and forms of surface, thus ensuring  effective protection for equipment and / or people.