Door Safety Switch With Optical Status Display Through the Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing safety switches have inadequate visibility of the detection result display for abnormalities, such as the opening and closing states of doors, due to the placement of the sensor and actuator components on the rear surface of the door frame, making it difficult to visually recognize the display from the outside.
Innovation Solution
A safety switch design where the sensor main body projects light based on detection results to an actuator with a light emitting unit, positioned on the movable frame, allowing the light to be visible through a light transmissive door main body, enhancing visibility from the outside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the sensor main body and actuator are placed on the rear surface of the door frame, then the detection function is achieved, but the visibility of the display from the outside is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary to transmit detection results from the sensor main body to the actuator. The light projection unit projects light containing detection result information, which is then received by the light receiving unit of the actuator, enabling external visibility without direct electronic connections or complex wiring through the door frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electrical display systems with an optical system. Instead of using electrical wires to transmit signals or mechanical indicators visible from outside, the system uses light projection and light reception to convey detection results, simplifying the overall system configuration while improving visibility.
2Illumination intensity
If additional light sources are added to the actuator to improve visibility, then the display becomes more visible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it acts as both the detection target (when detected by the sensor) and the display element (by receiving and emitting light). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate display components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator uses the light received from the sensor main body to generate its own visible output. The light receiving unit converts the projected light into visible illumination, allowing the actuator to serve itself as both the receiver of detection information and the source of visible display, without requiring additional external light sources or power connections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves the visibility of the detection result display for abnormalities, enabling easier recognition of the door's state from various angles without the need for additional light sources on the actuator, thus maintaining a simpler and more effective configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a light projection unit configured to project light in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit, and the actuator includes a light emitting unit configured to emit visible light in response to reception of the light projected by the light projection unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a safety switch capable of improving visibility of display of a detection result of abnormality detected by the safety switch. The safety switch (200) includes a sensor main body (210) and an actuator (250). The sensor main body (210) includes a detection unit that detects the actuator (250) when the actuator (250) is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the sensor main body (210), and a light projection unit configured to project light in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit. The actuator (250) includes a light emitting unit configured to emit visible light in response to reception of the light projected by the light projection unit.