Device for emergency stop of industrial machine or plant

Abstract

To provide an emergency device that can be easily located by an operator in the event of an emergency.SOLUTION: An emergency stop device for a machine or an industrial plant includes: an emergency button; a rigid protective element close to the emergency button; and light signalling means designed to generate a light signal associated with the protective element. Therein the protective element includes at least one signalling portion that is transparent or translucent with respect to the light signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an emergency device adapted to find application in the field of industrial automation, in particular for the emergency shutdown of a dangerous operation of a machine or an industrial plant. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of industrial automation, it is known to provide emergency buttons in the vicinity of machines or plant to enable personnel to stop dangerous operation of the machine or plant in emergency situations.

[0003] In some cases, for example in large industrial plants such as process lines for manufacturing steel, aluminum, food, rubber, etc., or in large vehicles, machines, etc., it is known to provide multiple emergency buttons along the length of the industrial plant or machine so that workers can quickly stop the plant or machine from any position.

[0004] In this connection, known emergency buttons have certain drawbacks and disadvantages.

[0005] A first drawback is that in case of an emergency, it may be difficult for personnel to quickly locate the nearest emergency button, especially if the plant or machinery is very large and complex and / or the environment in which it operates is characterized by poor visibility, obstructions, etc.

[0006] Emergency devices of the type described, for example, in DE 4341501 are also known, which comprise a mushroom-shaped emergency button having a green part and a red part which is movable relative to the green part. When the emergency button is not pressed, both the green and red parts are visible, and when the emergency button is pressed, the red part covers the green part, making it possible to see that the button is pressed. DE 4341501 also describes a protective guard for protecting the emergency button, but the emergency device comprises a transparent part through which it is possible to see the green and / or red part of the emergency button and determine whether the emergency button has been pressed.

[0007] German Patent No. 4341501 also teaches that the emergency button can be illuminated with two lamps, one green and one red, to determine whether it has been pressed.

[0008] The second drawback, which is partly the opposite of the first, lies in the fact that when restarting the machine or plant after one emergency button has been pressed, it may be difficult to reset it because it is difficult to identify which emergency button was pressed previously. This drawback is also typical when the machine or plant is equipped with many emergency buttons and / or the plant or machine is very large and complex and / or the operating environment is characterized by poor visibility, obstacles, etc.

[0009] There is therefore a need for an emergency button that overcomes the shortcomings of the known art.

[0010] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency device that can be easily located by personnel in the event of an emergency.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency device that can be easily located after being pressed in an emergency situation.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an emergency device that is capable of preventing accidental or unintended activation.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency device that is economical and easy to manufacture industrially. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of a safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic axonometric view of a safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic axonometric view of a safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a simplified electrical circuit diagram of the safety device of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The invention relates to a device for the emergency shutdown of a machine or an industrial plant, comprising: an emergency button (12) designed to go through a non-operating state allowing the operation of the machine or industrial plant and an operating state stopping or not allowing the operation of the machine or industrial plant, the emergency button (12) having an actuating element (14), the actuating element (14) defining an actuating axis (X) and adapted to be pressed along the actuating axis (X) and designed to actuate a switching member (15) adapted to be connected to an external circuit of the machine or industrial plant; a hard protective element adjacent to the actuation element; The present invention relates to a device comprising:

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the emergency device also comprises an optical signal transmission means, designed to generate an optical signal and associated with the protective element, the protective element further comprising at least one signal transmission portion that is at least partially transparent or semi-transparent to the optical signal.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the safety device comprises a power supply and control circuit for the optical signal transmission means, the power supply and control circuit being designed or adapted to be designed to modify a characteristic of the optical signal depending on the state of the emergency button or the state of the machine.

[0018] The characteristic of the light signal is selected from the group including blinking frequency, color, and light intensity of the light signal.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the device further comprises a case housing the switching member and comprising a wall to which the actuating element is fixed.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the protective element is formed integrally with the wall and the optical signal transmission means is housed inside the case.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the walls of the case are also transparent or semi-transparent to the optical signal.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the optical signal transmission means is housed inside the case and the protective element is fixed to the wall in an opening formed in the wall and aligned with the optical signal transmission means.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the protective element is fixed to the wall and the optical signal transmission means are integrated in the protective element.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the power supply and control circuit comprises at least two different parts, each designed to cause the optical signal transmission means to generate a respective optical signal with a respective characteristic when powered, and one or more auxiliary switching elements, each associated to be activated by an actuation element and connected to the power supply and to one of the two parts, designed to power or not power depending on the state of the emergency button.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the power supply and control circuit is of digital type and comprises a sensor of the state of the emergency button and an electronic control unit connected to the sensor and to said optical signal transmission means and designed to control its operation depending on the state of said emergency button.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the device also comprises an audio signal transmission means, arranged inside the case and connected to said power supply and control circuitry, the power supply and control circuitry designed or adapted to be designed to also modify the characteristics of the audio signal depending on the state of the emergency button.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the device comprises an electronic control unit, connected to the optical signal transmission means and suitable for being connected to an external device to receive an external signal and for modifying properties of the optical signal in response to the external signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a device for emergency shutdown of an industrial machine or plant according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as emergency device 1) comprises a case 11, an emergency button 12 fixed to the case 11, and a protection element 13 associated with the emergency button 12.

[0029] The case 11 comprises a protective element 13 and at least one wall 16 .

[0030] The emergency button 12 comprises an actuating element 14 fixed to a wall 16 of the case 11 and movable along an actuating axis X when pressed by an operator. Furthermore, the emergency button 12 also comprises a switching member 15 (FIG. 3) housed in the case 11 and mechanically connected to the actuating element 14. In particular, the switching member 15 is designed to be connected to an external circuit of the industrial machine or plant and switches the latter in response to pressure on the actuating element 14 by the operator. The external circuit can be connected, for example, to a contactor, a safety module or a safety PLC connected to the power supply of the machine or industrial plant. Furthermore, but not necessarily, the switching element 15 is preferably of a dual-channel type comprising two mechanical contact units. Alternatively, the switching element 15 is of a dual-channel electronic type comprising two OSSDs (Output Signal Switching Devices). The switching element 15 may then be connected to an industrial communication bus to connect the emergency device 1 to the PLC of the machine or other external device.

[0031] The emergency button 12 may go through a non-operating state, in which the actuating element 14 is not pressed and is in a rest position and the switching element 15 allows the operation of the machine or industrial plant, and furthermore the emergency button 12 may go through a working state, in which the actuating element 14 is pressed to the emergency position and the switching element 15 does not allow or stops the operation of the machine or industrial plant.

[0032] The transition from the inactive state to the active state occurs by the operator pushing the actuating element 14, while the return from the active state to the inactive state occurs by the operator returning the actuating element 14 to a rest position. For example, the actuating element 14 is returned to the rest position by the operator rotating or pulling the actuating element 14.

[0033] However, the actuating element 14 and the switching element 15 may also be of any other known type without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0034] The protective element 13 is suitable for protecting the actuation element 14 of the emergency button 12 against pressure or accidental actuation caused by unintentional impacts or collisions by personnel or moving objects.

[0035] Preferably, the protective element 13 extends substantially parallel to said actuation axis X and at least partially overlaps the actuation element 14 along at least one radial direction R centred on a point of said actuation axis X.

[0036] In other words, the protective element 13 at least partially surrounds the drive element 14 .

[0037] In this case, the protective element 13 comprises a rigid body in the vicinity of the actuating element 14, for example a rigid body that at least partially surrounds the actuating element 14 around the actuating axis X and extends at least partially towards the outside of the case 11 in a direction approximately parallel to the actuating axis X. In this way, the protective element 13 overlaps with the actuating element 14 in at least one radial direction R centered on a point included in the actuating axis X.

[0038] It should be noted that the protective element 13 may have any shape suitable for protecting the actuation element 14. For example, it may have a circular, partially circular, square planar shape, or may be defined by any combination of straight and / or curved portions.

[0039] When in an inoperative state, the actuating element 14 projects from the wall 16 towards the outside of the case 11 by a first height H1, and the protective element 13 projects from the wall 16 towards the outside of the case 11 by a second height H2. Preferably, the second height H2 is at least 50% of the first height H1. Even more preferably, the second height H2 is at least 80% of the first height H1. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the second height H2 is greater than the first height H1.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the emergency device 1 also comprises optical signalling means 17 (Figures 2-5), which are associated with the protection element 13 and designed to generate an optical signal L (Figure 8). Furthermore, the protection element 13 comprises at least one signalling part 18 (Figure 1) which is at least partially transparent or semi-transparent to the optical signal L. The signalling part 18 is preferably at least partially transparent or semi-transparent to natural light.

[0041] The case 11 accommodates an optical signal transmission means 17 .

[0042] The optical signal transmission means 17 is at least partially superimposed on the protective element 13 so that the optical signal L passes through the signal transmission portion 18 and is visible from the outside.

[0043] In this case, the optical signal transmission means 17 comprises a number of LEDs arranged facing the inside of the case 11 below the signal transmission portion 18 of the protective element 13 .

[0044] The surface of the signal-transmitting portion 18 is preferably at least 50% of the total outer surface of the protective element 13. Even more preferably, the signal-transmitting portion 18 corresponds to the entire protective element 13. In this case, the entire protective element 13 is transparent or semi-transparent to the optical signal L.

[0045] In one embodiment, which is represented diagrammatically in Fig. 4, the optical signal transmission means 17 is housed in a case 11 and the protective element 13 is fixed to a wall 16. In this embodiment, the wall 16 is opaque to the optical signal L and comprises an opening 19 interposed between the optical signal transmission means 17 and the protective element 13.

[0046] In another embodiment, represented diagrammatically in FIG. 5, the protective element 13 is fixed to the wall 16 and the optical signal transmission means 17 are housed inside the protective element 13 .

[0047] In a further preferred embodiment, which is diagrammatically represented in Figures 1 and 3, the optical signal transmission means 17 is housed in a case 11 and the protective element 13 is formed seamlessly and integrally with the wall 16. In this embodiment, the protective element 13 and the wall 16 are preferably fully transparent or semi-transparent to the optical signal L.

[0048] The light signal transmission means 17 is connected to a power supply and control circuit 20 and is designed or adapted to be designed to activate or deactivate the light signal L and modify the characteristics of the light signal L depending on the state of the emergency button 12. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply and control circuit 20 is designed or adapted to be designed to activate or deactivate the light signal L and modify the characteristics of the light signal L depending on the state of the machine or its components.

[0049] By way of example, the alterable characteristics of the light signal L may be selected from among blinking frequency, color, light intensity, etc.

[0050] For example, the light signal transmission means 17 may emit a continuous light signal L when the emergency button 12 is in a non-operated state, i.e. when the actuation element 14 is not pressed, and generate an intermittent light signal L when the emergency button 12 is switched to an operative state, i.e. when the actuation element 14 is pressed, or vice versa. Alternatively, the light signal transmission means 17 may emit a continuous or intermittent light signal L when the emergency button 12 is in a non-operated state, and the light signal transmission means 17 may remain off without generating any light signal L when the emergency button 12 is switched to an operative state, or vice versa. Alternatively, a first color or a first level of light intensity of the light signal L may be associated with one state of the emergency button 12, and a second color or a second level of light intensity of the light signal L, different from the first color or the first level of light intensity, respectively, may be assigned to the other state of the emergency button 12.

[0051] In this way, on the one hand it becomes easier for workers to find the nearest emergency device 1 in an emergency situation, on the other hand it facilitates and speeds up the search for a specific emergency device 1 that has been activated when needed to restart a stopped machine or plant, which is highly advantageous, especially for industrial machines and plants where several emergency devices 1 are present.

[0052] In another embodiment, the light signal L may be activated when the machine is on and off when the machine is off, or vice versa, or may indicate any other state or operating cycle of the machine.

[0053] Optionally, the emergency device 1 also comprises an audio signal transmission means 30 (FIGS. 2 and 8) arranged inside the case 11 and designed or adapted to be designed to generate an audio signal S depending on the state of the emergency button 12. By way of example, the audio signal transmission means 30 comprises a buzzer, a loudspeaker or any other sound source.

[0054] The audio signal transmission means 30 is also connected to a power supply and control circuit 20 which is designed or adapted to be designed to activate or deactivate the audio signal S and modify the properties of the audio signal S depending on the state of the emergency button 12 or the machine.

[0055] By way of example, the modifiable characteristic of the audio signal S may be selected between frequency, volume, etc.

[0056] For example, when the emergency button 12 is in a non-operated state, the audio signal transmission means 30 does not generate an audio signal S and remains off, and when the emergency button 12 is switched to an operated state, the audio signal transmission means 30 may generate a continuous or intermittent audio signal S, or vice versa.

[0057] Alternatively, or additionally, the power supply and control circuitry 20 is designed or adapted to be designed to activate or deactivate the audio signal S and modify characteristics of the audio signal S depending on the state of the machine or its components.

[0058] In one embodiment, the power supply and control circuit 20 is of analog type and comprises at least two different parts 21, 22 (Figure 8), each suitable for causing the optical signal transmission means 17 to generate a respective optical signal L having a respective characteristic when powered. Furthermore, the power supply and control circuit 20 comprises one or more auxiliary switching members 23, 24 associated to be operated by the actuation element 14, connected to the power supply 25 and to at least one of said two parts 21, 22 and suitable for supplying power to one or the other depending on the state of said emergency button 12.

[0059] For example, the power supply and control circuitry 20 comprises a first portion 21, which is suitable for causing the optical signal transmission means 17 to generate a continuous optical signal L when powered. Furthermore, the power supply and control circuitry 20 also comprises a second portion 22, which is suitable for causing the optical signal transmission means 17 to generate an intermittent optical signal L when powered.

[0060] The auxiliary switching devices 23, 24 may be of normally open or normally closed type and may be connected to the continuous optical signal portion 21 and / or the intermittent optical signal portion 22 to obtain a particular desired behavior of the emergency device 1.

[0061] Each section 21, 22 is preferably associated with reversing connection means (not shown, such as a terminal block) to the auxiliary switching devices 23, 24 of each section 21, 22. This is advantageous as it allows the personnel installing the emergency device 1 of the invention to set the desired optical signalling effect.

[0062] By way of example, the normally closed auxiliary switching member 23 may be connected to the continuous light signal portion 21, and the normally open auxiliary switching member 24 may be connected to the intermittent light signal portion 22, so that the light signal transmitting means 17 emits the continuous light signal L when the emergency button 12 is in an inoperative state, and emits the intermittent light signal when the emergency button 12 is in an operative state. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the auxiliary switching members 23, 24 may be of any known type or combination, and may be arbitrarily connectable to the continuous light signal portion 21 and / or the intermittent light signal portion 22, or only one of them, to obtain a desired light signal effect.

[0063] In some cases, the power supply and control circuitry 20 comprises a third portion 26, which is adapted to cause the audio signal transmission means 30 to generate a continuous audio signal S when powered. Furthermore, the power supply and control circuitry 20 also comprises a fourth portion 27, which is adapted to cause the audio signal transmission means 30 to generate an intermittent audio signal S when powered.

[0064] In this case, the auxiliary switching members 23, 24 are designed to be connected to the continuous audio signal portion 26 and / or also to the intermittent audio signal portion 27.

[0065] For example, the normally open auxiliary switching member 24 may be connected to the intermittent audio signal portion 27 or the continuous audio signal portion 26, so that the audio signal transmitting means 20 issues a continuous signal or an intermittent signal when the emergency button 12 is in an activated state. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the auxiliary switching devices 23, 24 may be of any known type or combination and may be arbitrarily connected to the continuous audio signal portion 26 and / or the intermittent audio signal portion 27, or only one of them, to obtain a desired audio signal effect.

[0066] In another embodiment, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the power supply and control circuitry 20 may be of digital type and comprises a sensor for detecting whether the actuating element 14 is in an inactive or active state, and a programmable electronic control unit connected to the sensor and optical signalling means 17 for controlling them depending on the state of the actuating element 14. Optionally, in these embodiments, the control unit may also be connected to audio signalling means 30 for controlling them depending on the state of the actuating element 14.

[0067] Possibly, in these embodiments the control unit may be connected to external devices by an industrial communication protocol or BUS (IO-Link, ProfiNET, ProfiSafe or others) to receive external signals encoding desired properties of the optical signal L and / or the audio signal S. In this case the control unit is designed to control the optical signal transmission means 17 and / or the audio signal transmission means 30 in response to said external signals encoding desired properties of the optical signal L and / or the audio signal S.

[0068] Alternatively or additionally, the control unit may control the operation of the optical signal transmitting means 17 and / or the audio signal transmitting means 30 in response to said external signal.

[0069] For example, said external signal may change the characteristics of the light signal L and / or the sound signal S depending on the operating state of a machine or an industrial plant or something else. Alternatively, the switching member 15 may be connected to an external device, i.e. a machine, the latter sending an external signal for changing the characteristics of the light signal L and / or the sound signal S depending on the state of the emergency button 12.

[0070] The emergency device 1 of the present invention may be integrated into any known industrial automation device, and in these cases the case 11 may comprise elements of the industrial automation device in which the emergency device 1 is integrated.

[0071] For example, in one embodiment, shown as an example in Figure 6, the emergency device 1 of the present invention is integrated into a safety switch for a movable guard, or in another embodiment, shown as an example in Figure 7, the emergency device 1 of the present invention is integrated into a button panel together with other buttons, for example two other buttons.

Claims

1. A device (1) for the emergency shutdown of a machine or an industrial plant, comprising: an emergency button (12) designed to go through a non-operating state allowing the operation of the machine or industrial plant and an operating state stopping or not allowing the operation of the machine or industrial plant, the emergency button (12) having an actuating element (14), the actuating element (14) defining an actuating axis (X) and adapted to be pressed along the actuating axis (X) and designed to actuate a switching member (15) adapted to be connected to an external circuit of the machine or industrial plant; a hard protective element (13) adjacent to said actuating element (14); It is equipped with an optical signal transmission means (17) designed to generate an optical signal (L) and associated with said protection element (13), The device (1), wherein the protection element (13) comprises at least one signal carrying portion (18) that is at least partially transparent or semi-transparent to the optical signal (L).

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a case (11) provided with a wall (16) to which the actuating element (14) is fixed.

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the case (11) also comprises the protective element (13) and houses the optical signal transmitting means (17) and the switching member (15).

4. 4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the protective element (13) is fixed to or is formed integrally with the wall (16) and the optical signal transmission means (17) is housed inside the case (11).

5. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protective element (13) extends substantially parallel to the actuation axis (X) and at least partially overlaps the drive element (14) along at least one radial direction (R) having a center at a point on the actuation axis (X).

6. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a power supply and control circuit (20) of the light signal transmission means (17), the power supply and control circuit (20) being designed or adapted to be designed to modify a characteristic of the light signal (L) depending on the state of the emergency button (12) or the state of the machine.

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the characteristics of the light signal (L) are selected from the group comprising blinking frequency, colour and light intensity of the light signal (L).

8. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the protective element (13) is formed integrally with the wall (16) and the optical signal transmission means (17) are housed inside the case (11).

9. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the wall (16) is also transparent or semi-transparent to the light signal (L).

10. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the optical signal transmission means (17) is housed inside the case (11), and the protective element (13) is fixed to the wall (16) in an opening (19) formed in the wall (16) and is aligned with the optical signal transmission means (17).

11. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the protective element (13) is fixed to the wall (16) and the optical signal transmission means (17) are integrated in the protective element (13).

12. The power supply and control circuit (20) at least two different parts (21, 22), each of which, when powered, is suitable for causing said optical signal transmission means (17) to generate a respective optical signal (L) with a respective characteristic; one or more auxiliary switching members (23, 24), each associated to be actuated by an actuation element (14) and connected to a power source (25) and to one of said two different parts (21, 22) and designed to power or not power depending on the state of said emergency button (12); The device (1) according to claim 5, comprising:

13. 6. The device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the power supply and control circuit (20) is of the digital type and comprises a sensor of the state of the emergency button (12) and an electronic control unit connected to the sensor and to the optical signal transmission means (17) and designed to control the operation of the optical signal transmission means (17) depending on the state of the emergency button (12).

14. 2. The device (1) of claim 1, further comprising an audio signal transmission means (30) arranged inside said case (11) and connected to said power supply and control circuit (20) for generating an audio signal (S), said power supply and control circuit (20) designed or adapted to be designed to also modify a characteristic of said audio signal (S) depending on the state of said emergency button (12).

15. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising an electronic control unit connected to the optical signal transmission means (17) and adapted to be connected to an external device to receive an external signal and to modify the characteristics of the optical signal (L) in response to the external signal.

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