Illuminated Emergency Stop Guard for Fast Button Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency buttons in industrial automation are difficult to locate quickly, especially in large and complex environments with poor visibility, and it is challenging to identify which button was pressed to restart a machine or plant.
Innovation Solution
A device with an emergency button that includes a rigid protection element and light signaling means, allowing for easy identification of the button's state and location, and featuring 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 multiple emergency buttons are provided in large industrial plants, then the ability to stop the plant quickly from any position is improved, but the difficulty to quickly locate the nearest emergency button increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection element incorporates color-changing portions that display different colors (e.g., green for normal state, red for pressed state) to indicate the operational status of the emergency button. This allows operators to quickly identify the state of emergency buttons from a distance without needing to physically approach them, resolving the contradiction between having multiple buttons distributed throughout large plants and the difficulty of locating and identifying their status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates illumination means that can activate the emergency buttons to vibrate or pulse when in the pressed state. This mechanical vibration or pulsing effect creates a distinctive sensory signal that allows operators to locate the activated emergency button quickly by feeling or seeing the vibration, even in large facilities with poor visibility or many buttons distributed throughout.
2Speed
If emergency buttons are provided in large complex machines or plants, then the ability to stop hazardous operation quickly is improved, but the difficulty to identify which button was pressed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection element incorporates color-changing portions that display different colors (e.g., green for normal state, red for pressed state) to indicate the operational status of the emergency button. This allows operators to quickly identify the state of emergency buttons from a distance without needing to physically approach them, resolving the contradiction between having multiple buttons distributed throughout large plants and the difficulty of locating and identifying their status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback through the color-changing portions of the protection element that indicate whether the emergency button is in the normal or pressed state. This feedback mechanism ensures that operators can instantly understand which button has been activated without needing to remember or search through multiple buttons, maintaining clear information about the system state.
3Reliability
If a protective guard is provided to protect the emergency button, then the prevention of accidental activation is improved, but the difficulty to see the button state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection element incorporates color-changing portions that display different colors (e.g., green for normal state, red for pressed state) to indicate the operational status of the emergency button. This allows operators to quickly identify the state of emergency buttons from a distance without needing to physically approach them, resolving the contradiction between having multiple buttons distributed throughout large plants and the difficulty of locating and identifying their status.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection element acts as an intermediary between the emergency button and the external environment. It provides physical protection against accidental activation while incorporating transparent or translucent portions that allow the button state to be visible from the outside, eliminating the need to open or remove the protective guard to check the button status.
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 and quick location and identification of the emergency button's state, preventing accidental activation and simplifying the process of restarting a machine or plant.
Implementation Method 1
light signalling means designed to generate a light signal and associated with the protection element
Implementation Method 2
protection element comprises at least one signalling portion at least partially transparent or translucent with respect to the light signal
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency stop device for a machine or industrial plant comprises an emergency button, a rigid protective element close to the emergency button and light signalling means designed to generate a light signal associated with said protective element, wherein the protective element comprises at least one signalling portion which is transparent or translucent with respect to the light signal.