# US 10,310,484 B2 · Device and method for failsafe monitoring of a moving machine part > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,484 B2 - Document ID: US10310484B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/336,050 - Filed: 2016-10-27 - Published: 2017-02-16 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-02 - Assignees: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG - Applicants: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: Michael Schlecht - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310484B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/406: characterised by monitoring or safety (G05B19/19 takes precedence) - G05B 9/02: electric - G05B 23/0291: {Switching into safety or degraded mode, e.g. protection and supervision after failure} - H02H 7/0844: {Fail safe control, e.g. by comparing control signal and controlled current, isolating motor on commutation error} - G05B 2219/24008: Safety integrity level, safety integrated systems SIL SIS - G05B 2219/24182: Redundancy - G05B 2219/50177: Protection for operator during operation, machining - G05B 2219/50198: Emergency stop - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A device for failsafe monitoring a number of passes of a moving machine part through a defined movement region comprising an input for receiving an encoder signal, which represents a motion value of the moving machine part. The device further comprises a failsafe evaluation unit for providing a failsafe shutdown signal as a function of the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region. The failsafe evaluation unit is configured to determine the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region from the motion value. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for failsafe monitoring a number of passes of a moving machine part through a defined movement region, comprising: an input for receiving an encoder signal, which represents a motion value of the moving machine part, and a failsafe evaluation unit for providing a failsafe shutdown signal as a function of the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to determine, from the motion value, the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region and a first and a second moving direction of the moving machine part, in a failsafe manner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a counter, in which the number of passes is storable, wherein the counter is increased by a first defined absolute value when the moving machine part has completely passed through the defined movement region in a first moving direction and is reduced by a second defined absolute value when the moving machine part has completely passed through the defined movement region in a second moving direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a memory, in which a value, which represents a boundary of the defined movement region, is storable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to provide an output signal, which represents the first or second moving direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to provide a warning signal if the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region exceeds a defined value. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to provide the shutdown signal upon exceeding a first defined value of the motion value. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to provide a release signal if the motion value falls below a second defined value or represents a stop. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a failsafe signal encoder for providing the encoder signal having a first and a second measurement channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the failsafe signal encoder is a rotary encoder having either one of an optical or a magnetic sampling unit attached to a driving shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is a two-channel, redundant evaluation unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit comprises a first and a second processing unit, each configured to generate an output signal, which represents the shutdown signal, wherein the first and the second processing units are configured to mutually monitor one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is further configured to establish the defined movement region based upon the motion value and at least one additional factor associated with said moving machine part which, in combination with said motion value, establishes the boundaries of the defined movement region. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first and a second switching element and the shutdown signal is provided as a function of the switch position of the first and second switching elements. ### Claim 14 A method of operating a safety system including a failsafe evaluation unit for failsafely monitoring a number of passes of a moving machine part through a defined movement region, the method comprising: receiving an encoder signal at an input of the failsafe evaluation unit, which represents a motion value of the moving machine part, configuring the failsafe evaluation unit to determine, from the motion value, the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region and a first and a second moving direction of the moving machine part, in a failsafe manner, and further configuring the failsafe evaluation unit to provide a failsafe shutdown signal as a function of the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, including the further step of establishing the defined movement region based upon the motion value and at least one additional factor associated with said moving machine part which, in combination with said motion value, establishes the boundaries of the defined movement region. ### Claim 16 A non-transitory computer readable storage medium containing a computer program having a program code which when executed on a processor of an evaluation unit in a safety system for failsafely monitoring a number of passes of a moving machine part through a defined movement region, causes the processor to perform the steps of: processing an encoder signal received at an input of the failsafe evaluation unit, which represents a motion value of the moving machine part, determining, from the motion value, the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region and a first and a second moving direction of the moving machine part, and providing a failsafe shutdown signal as a function of the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, including the further step of establishing the defined movement region based upon the motion value and at least one additional factor associated with said moving machine part which, in combination with said motion value, establishes the boundaries of the defined movement region. ### Claim 18 A device for failsafe monitoring a number of passes of a moving machine part through a defined movement region, comprising: an input for receiving an encoder signal, which represents a motion value of the moving machine part, a failsafe evaluation unit for providing a failsafe shutdown signal as a function of the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region, and a memory, in which a predefined value, which represents a boundary of the defined movement region, is stored, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to determine, from the motion value and the predefined value, the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region. ### Claim 19 A device for failsafe monitoring a number of passes of a moving machine part through a defined movement region, comprising: an input for receiving an encoder signal, which represents a motion value of the moving machine part, and a failsafe evaluation unit for providing a failsafe shutdown signal as a function of the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to: determine, from the motion value, the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region, and provide a further signal, the further signal being at least one of a warning signal if the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region exceeds a defined value and a release signal if the motion value falls below a second defined value or represents a stop. ### Claim 20 A device for failsafe monitoring a number of passes of a moving machine part through a defined movement region, comprising: an input for receiving an encoder signal, which represents a motion value of the moving machine part, and a failsafe evaluation unit for providing a failsafe shutdown signal as a function of the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region, wherein the failsafe evaluation unit is configured to: determine, from the motion value, the number of passes of the moving machine part through the defined movement region, and establish the defined movement region based upon the motion value and at least one additional factor associated with said moving machine part which, in combination with said motion value, establishes the boundaries of the defined movement region.