Lateral Emergency Stop Switch Layout for Remote-Controlled Work Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop systems in work machines, such as heavy machinery, are not suitable for quick and safe operation by workers located in the periphery of the machine, particularly when the machine is being remotely controlled, as they are often positioned in a way that makes it difficult for peripheral workers to access and operate them safely.
Innovation Solution
The emergency stop switch is mounted on the upper turning body of the work machine, with its operation surface facing outward in the width direction of the upper turning body, allowing easy access by peripheral workers, and is protected by a case to prevent damage. The switch is connected via a wire harness and includes a holding mechanism to prevent accidental reactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the emergency stop switch is mounted on the rear surface of the upper turning body, then it can detect contact with persons or objects, but it cannot be easily operated by workers located at the lateral side of the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the emergency stop switch from a rear-facing configuration to a lateral-facing configuration. The operation surface is disposed to face the lateral side of the upper turning body, allowing workers positioned at the lateral side to easily access and operate the switch without needing to approach the rear of the machine.
2Ease of operation
If the operation surface faces the lateral side, then workers can easily operate the switch, but the switch may be exposed to external damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different protective qualities to different parts of the emergency stop switch assembly. The operation surface is exposed laterally for easy access, while the rear and side surfaces are protected by a case structure. This localized protection strategy allows the operation surface to remain accessible while other parts are shielded from external damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the emergency stop switch is protected by a case, then it is protected from damage, but it becomes more complex in structure
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency stop switch assembly is segmented into distinct functional parts: the operation surface for user interaction, the case for protection, and the internal switch mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the operation surface remains simple and accessible, while the case provides structured protection without unnecessarily complicating the core switching function.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided is a work machine allowing a stopping operation to be safely and reliably performed by a peripheral worker. The work machine includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body mounted on the lower traveling body so as to be capable of turning, and an emergency stop switch (50) attached to the upper turning body. The emergency stop switch (50) includes an operation surface (53), which faces the outside in the upper-turning-body width direction so as to allow a worker located at a lateral side of the work machine in a posture where the front-rear direction of the upper turning body and the front-rear direction of the lower traveling body is coincident with each other to apply a stopping operation to an operation part of the operation surface (53).