Illuminated Emergency Stop Switch for 360° Status Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop devices face challenges in providing high visibility and easy access, especially in situations where quick identification of actuated pushbuttons is necessary, and compliance with regulatory requirements for color coding and illumination is not adequately met.
Innovation Solution
A pushbutton-operated switch with a cylindrical housing featuring a multi-color LED illuminator that changes from yellow to flashing red upon actuation, ensuring high visibility and compliance with safety regulations, and allowing for modular connections to facilitate multi-switch safety environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a traditional emergency stop device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the visibility and ability to clearly identify actuated pushbuttons is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-color LED illuminators that change color (e.g., from green to red) to indicate different operational states of the emergency stop device. This color-changing capability provides clear visual identification of the actuated pushbutton while maintaining a relatively simple device structure, as the LED technology integrates multiple functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates flashing or pulsing illumination patterns to enhance the visibility of actuated emergency stop buttons. The dynamic light patterns create visual attention-grabbing effects that improve detectability without requiring complex mechanical moving parts, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility enhancement and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switches are interconnected for multi-switch safety environments, then the adaptability and safety coverage are improved, but the device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency stop device is designed with universal interconnection capabilities that allow multiple switches to be linked together in safety-critical applications. The device incorporates standardized connection interfaces and configurable settings that enable flexible deployment across different safety environments, from single-button to multi-button configurations, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs modular design principles where the emergency stop system can be segmented into independent but interoperable units. Each switch module can function independently or be interconnected with others, allowing the system to scale from simple to complex configurations as needed. This segmentation enables adaptability while keeping individual module complexity manageable.
3Reliability
If compliance with regulatory requirements for color coding and illumination is strictly enforced, then the safety and regulatory compliance are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multi-color LED illuminators that are specifically designed to meet regulatory color coding requirements for emergency stop devices. The LEDs can emit standardized colors (such as green for normal state, red for actuated state) that comply with safety regulations, thereby achieving regulatory compliance through inherently simple LED technology rather than complex color-filtering mechanisms.
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
Enhances the ability to clearly identify the status of emergency stop devices, ensuring quick access and compliance with safety standards, while allowing for convenient configuration and interconnection of switches.
Implementation Method 1
an indicator module, such as a multi-color LED illuminator, also enclosed by the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A switch is disclosed. In some examples, a switch includes a generally cylindrical housing; one or more sets of contact points enclosed by the housing; an indicator module, such as a multi-color LED illuminator, also enclosed by the housing; and a pushbutton actuator disposed to operate the contact points. The housing includes a display section spanning substantially the entire circumference of the housing such that the indication made by the indicator module is visible from all radial directions. When the pushbutton actuator is pressed, some of the contact points open to cut off power from hazards, while others are reconfigured to change the state of the indicator module to indicate the changed status of the switch. Multiple switches can be interfaced with each other, such as by serial connection, to facilitate multi-switch safety environment. Modular cables can be used to conveniently establish the interface.