Emergency Stop Device With Independent Unlocking Ring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop devices face challenges in reliably returning the control button to its initial rest position without impairing the trip function and in ensuring effective sealing, particularly due to the limitations of spring stiffness and compact design.
Innovation Solution
The emergency stop device incorporates a distinct unlocking ring that rotates to return the control button to its rest position, utilizing a separate unlocking spring that is independent of the actuation and trip springs, along with a dual-housing architecture and sealing solutions to enhance reliability and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control button has a proud shape to be easily gripped, then ease of operation is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a radial grip design to an axial push design. The control button is actuated by pushing along the axis rather than gripping radially, allowing the button to have a compact axial profile while remaining easily operable through simple linear motion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the button shape to facilitate radial gripping, the invention inverts the approach by designing for axial actuation. The button head is optimized for pushing motion rather than gripping, reversing the traditional interaction mode to achieve compactness.
2Reliability
If the spring stiffness is increased to improve button return, then reliability is improved, but trip function is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the spring system into two independent springs: a first spring dedicated to the trip function and a second spring dedicated to the return function. This segmentation allows each spring to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between return reliability and trip sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses two separate springs instead of one spring attempting to perform both functions. The second spring is essentially a dedicated copy for the return function, while the first spring handles the trip function, allowing independent optimization of each.
3Volume of moving object
If a single housing is used for compactness, then device volume is reduced, but sealing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the housing into two separate housings: an inner housing for the actuation assembly and an outer housing for the unlocking assembly. This segmentation allows each housing to have its own dedicated sealing, simplifying the sealing structure while maintaining compact overall design through the nested arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner housing is nested within the outer housing, creating a compact nested structure. This nesting allows the device to maintain small volume while using multiple housings, each with its own sealing, thereby simplifying the sealing architecture compared to a single complex housing.
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 a reliable unlocking operation without affecting the trip function, provides independent adjustment of spring forces, and offers improved sealing and compactness, ensuring the device's effective operation and protection against environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation spring mounted between said body and said actuation plunger
Implementation Method 2
a trip spring mounted between said actuation plunger and said trip plunger and arranged to actuate said trip plunger when the control button is actuated
Implementation Method 3
an unlocking spring mounted between the control button and the body, and arranged to actuate said control button towards its rest position
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency stop device including a control button, an actuation assembly which includes an actuation plunger that cooperates with the control button and an actuation spring mounted between the body of the device and the actuation plunger, a trip plunger designed to cooperate with at least one electrical contact unit and one trip spring mounted between the actuation plunger and the trip plunger and arranged to actuate the trip plunger when the control button is actuated from its rest position to its actuated position, a latching member mounted on the trip plunger, an unlocking assembly including an unlocking ring that is arranged to cooperate with the control button to return it from its released actuated position to the rest position, the unlocking assembly including an unlocking spring mounted between the control button and the body, and arranged to actuate the control button towards its rest position.