Emergency Power-Off Button Proximity Alarm Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency power-off (EPO) buttons in manufacturing and mechanical systems often lead to accidental activations due to close proximity of personnel, resulting in unintended shutdowns and reduced system uptime.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a proximity sensor with visual, audible, or vibrating alarms to detect approaching individuals and alert them of potential contact with the EPO button, preventing accidental activation by surrounding the button with a protective shroud and using sensors to trigger alarms within specific detection ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the EPO button is placed in close proximity to personnel for easy access during emergencies, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to EPO buttonVSAvoidaccidental activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor detects approaching personnel before they can accidentally contact the EPO button, and the alarm system activates in advance to warn them. This preliminary detection and warning action prevents the accidental activation from occurring in the first place, while maintaining the button's accessible location for genuine emergencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm system serves as an intermediary between the proximity sensor and the EPO button operation. When the sensor detects nearby personnel, the alarm intermediary communicates the potential risk to the operator, allowing them to consciously avoid activation rather than accidentally triggering the button through proximity alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If protective measures such as shrouds and proximity sensors are added around the EPO button, then the reliability against accidental activation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental activationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces purely mechanical protective measures (such as complex protective shrouds or interlocks) with an electronic/optical proximity sensing system combined with an alarm. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the same reliability goal of preventing accidental activation, as sensors and electronic alarms can be more simply integrated than mechanical protective structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Effectively prevents accidental activation of EPO buttons, enhancing system uptime and efficiency by providing timely warnings to nearby personnel through combined alarm systems, ensuring safer operation and reduced downtime.

Implementation Method 1

the proximity sensor is configured to detect the presence of objects near to the emergency power-off button

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensor detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8710999B2Emergency power-off button with proximity alarm

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 BEIJING APOLLO DING RONG SOLAR TECH

AI summary

An emergency power off system is provided including an emergency power off button, a proximity sensor, and alarm connected to the proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to detect an object within a predetermined distance from the power off button, and further wherein the proximity sensor is configured to activate the alarm when an object is within a predetermined distance from the power off button.