Interlock Access Control Using Safety Questions and Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powered systems, such as machinery and vehicles, often suffer from injuries due to operator error resulting from inadequate safety training and unfamiliarity with safety procedures, highlighting the need for improved safety measures to ensure operational safety.
Innovation Solution
A safety system comprising an interlock device and a control system that wirelessly communicates with an access device, enabling or disabling operation based on the user's proximity and answers to safety questions, ensuring proper training and familiarity before allowing system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-diagnostic tests are performed before operation, then operational safety is improved, but operator error due to inadequate safety training remains a problem
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary safety verification by requiring operators to answer safety questions through a mobile device before the powered system is enabled. This preliminary action ensures operators demonstrate knowledge of safety procedures before operation begins, addressing the root cause of operator error rather than just detecting operational faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to operators by evaluating their answers to safety questions and only permitting system activation when safety knowledge requirements are met. This feedback mechanism ensures operators understand safety procedures before operating the equipment, reducing operator error while maintaining operational safety.
2Reliability
If safety questions are required before operation, then operator safety knowledge is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a mobile device as an intermediary to deliver and collect safety questions and answers. This approach avoids the need for complex integrated safety training systems within the powered equipment itself, reducing system complexity while still verifying operator safety knowledge through the intermediary mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the universal functionality of mobile devices, which operators already possess, to deliver safety verification. By using a commonly available device for safety question delivery and collection, the system avoids adding specialized equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety knowledge verification.
3Reliability
If proximity verification is implemented, then unauthorized access is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically verifies proximity between the mobile device and the powered system without requiring manual intervention. The mobile device and powered system independently determine their relative position, and the system self-activates when proximity criteria are met, eliminating the need for operators to manually verify or input proximity information, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual proximity verification methods with wireless communication and positioning technologies. Instead of mechanical key switches or manual proximity checks, the system uses electronic signals and location data to automatically verify proximity, reducing operational steps and maintaining ease of access while improving security.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and associated methods for selectively enabling and disabling a powered system include an interlock device and a control system. The interlock device may enable or disable operation of the powered system. The control system may disable operation of the powered system with the interlock device, receive at least one answer to at least one question from a user of the access device, and enable operation of the powered system with the interlock device based on the at least one answer meeting a predetermined criteria. In some cases, the control system enables or disables operation of the powered system based on a distance between an access device and the interlock device, based on a status of the powered system after enabling operation, or based on a communication status of the access device after enabling operation of the powered system.