Emergency Stop Button With Self-Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop devices often require a protruding control button shape for easy manipulation, increasing their size in depth and complicating the design of compact architectures.
Innovation Solution
The emergency stop device features a control button that remains hooked in the actuated position, with an integral unlocking ring and an opening spring mechanism, allowing for a compact design by maintaining the control button in the actuated position until unlocked, and includes a guide rod and light assembly for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control button is made protruding for easy manipulation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the depth of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the button protrude outward to improve graspability, the patent inverts the approach by allowing the button to be recessed or flush-mounted. The button maintains ease of operation through its tactile feedback mechanism and visual indicators rather than through protrusion, thereby reducing the device's overall depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the focus from the dimensional solution of protrusion (increasing depth) to other dimensions such as surface texture, visual indicators, and tactile feedback. The button's graspability and operability are enhanced through these alternative dimensions rather than through increased depth.
2Length of stationary object
If the control button is made compact to reduce device depth, then the depth of the device is reduced, but the ease of manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control button is designed with self-latching functionality that automatically maintains its actuated state without requiring additional locking mechanisms. The button's own structure provides the retention function, eliminating the need for complex locking systems that would increase depth while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the button by introducing tactile feedback mechanisms and visual indicators that enhance manipulability without increasing size. The button's surface properties, feedback characteristics, and visual signals are optimized to improve ease of operation within compact dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the control button is released after actuation, then the ease of operation is improved for resetting, but the reliability of maintaining actuated position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking function from the button's continuous structure and implements it as a separate latching mechanism. This allows the button to be easily released when needed while reliably maintaining the actuated position during normal operation. The latching mechanism can be selectively engaged or disengaged independent of the button's position.
Solution Approach 2:
The control button incorporates dynamic characteristics that allow it to transition between latched and unlatched states. The system can dynamically adjust between maintaining a fixed actuated position and allowing easy release, providing both reliability during operation and ease of resetting when required.
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
This design ensures the control button remains in the actuated position until intentionally released, maintaining a compact overall depth while providing reliable operation and visual signaling, addressing the need for a reduced depth emergency stop device.
Implementation Method 1
an opening spring arranged between the control button and the actuating member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The invention relates to an emergency stopping device, comprising a body (10), a control button (11) that is movable in translation along a control axis (X), at least one normally closed electrical contact unit (13), an actuation member (12) which can be actuated by said control button (11) so as to translate between a inoperative position and an actuated position, and which engages with the contact unit (13), a holding member (121) engaging with the actuation member (12) and capable of assuming a locking position for maintaining the actuation member in the actuated position thereof, and an unlocking ring (15) which is separate from the control button and which can be rotatably actuated, and which engages with the actuation member (12) so as to release the latter with a view to driving same toward the inoperative position thereof.