Emergency Stop Button Guard With Lighted State Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency buttons in industrial automation are difficult to locate quickly, especially in large and complex machines or plants with poor visibility, and it is challenging to identify which button was pressed to restart the system.
Innovation Solution
A device with an emergency button that includes a rigid protection element and light signaling means, where the protection element is at least partially transparent or translucent to indicate the button's state, and a power supply and control circuit to modify the light signal properties based on the button's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If emergency buttons are provided in large numbers across extensive industrial plants, then the ability to stop the plant quickly from any position is improved, but the difficulty of locating the nearest emergency button in poor visibility conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The protection element incorporates signaling portions with different optical properties (transparent, translucent, opaque) that change their appearance based on the button state. When the button is pressed, the signaling portion transitions from transparent to opaque, providing visual feedback to operators about the button status without requiring active illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source emits light in periodic cycles, illuminating the signaling portion during specific phases. This periodic illumination creates a visual indication system that operates without requiring continuous power, while still providing sufficient visibility for operators to locate and identify button states in poor visibility conditions.
2Reliability
If the protection element is made opaque to protect the button, then protection against accidental activation is improved, but the ability to see the button state and locate it in poor visibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The protection element is designed with spatially varying optical properties - the signaling portion has different transparency characteristics than other portions. This allows different regions of the same component to serve different functions: the signaling portion provides visual information while other portions provide physical protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling portion changes its optical appearance (from transparent to opaque) in response to button actuation, providing visual state indication while maintaining physical protection. This resolves the contradiction by making the protection element itself the signaling mechanism rather than requiring separate components.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If transparent protection elements are used to see button state, then visibility of button state is improved, but protection against accidental activation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The protection element incorporates a signaling portion with specific optical properties that differs from the rest of the protection element. This localized difference in transparency allows the signaling function to be performed while the overall structure maintains adequate protection characteristics.
4Speed
If multiple emergency buttons are installed in large plants, then the ability to stop the plant from any position is improved, but the difficulty of identifying which button was pressed worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Each emergency button's protection element includes a signaling portion that changes its optical appearance when that specific button is pressed. This provides immediate visual identification of which button was actuated, eliminating the information loss problem associated with having multiple buttons in large plants.
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
The device allows for easy location and identification of the emergency button's state, preventing accidental activation and simplifying the restart process, especially in complex environments.
Implementation Method 1
light signalling means designed to generate a light signal and associated with the protection element
Implementation Method 2
the protection element comprises at least one signalling portion at least partially transparent or translucent with respect to the light signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
An emergency stop device 1 for a machine or industrial plant comprises an emergency button 12, a rigid protective element 13 close to the emergency button and light signalling means 17 designed to generate a light signal associated with said protective element 13, wherein the protective element 13 comprises at least one signalling portion 18 which is transparent or translucent with respect to the light signal.