Locking Push Button With Padlock Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop buttons lack a secure mechanism to prevent the actuating element from unintentionally returning to its initial position, potentially leading to accidental reactivation of safety-critical actuators.
Innovation Solution
A lockable pushbutton design featuring a movable actuating element and a locking accessory with a sleeve and crown, allowing the actuating element to be locked in the depressed position using a padlock, ensuring it cannot be returned to the initial position without removing the padlock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating element is made movable to allow resetting, then the push button can be reused, but it becomes vulnerable to unintentional activation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking accessory is nested within the push button structure, with the crown positioned inside the actuating element and the padlock hole integrated into the crown. This nested design allows the locking mechanism to be contained within the existing push button geometry while providing secure locking capability that prevents unintentional activation during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking accessory enables preliminary locking action before maintenance begins. The crown can be positioned and the padlock attached in advance, creating a pre-established security barrier that must be deliberately removed to reset the push button. This preliminary locking prevents any subsequent unintentional activation during the maintenance process.
2Reliability
If a locking accessory is added to prevent unintentional activation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking accessory serves multiple functions within a single integrated design: the crown provides both the locking interface and the padlock attachment point, the sleeve guides the crown movement and provides structural support, and the entire assembly integrates with the existing push button stem. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate locking components and simplifies the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking accessory is segmented into distinct functional components: the crown (with padlock hole and guide elements), the sleeve (with guide elements and stop), and the interaction between these parts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured and assembled efficiently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the crown is made movable between positions, then locking flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements on the crown and sleeve work together in a self-aligning manner. The guide element on the crown fits into the corresponding guide element on the sleeve, automatically guiding the crown to the correct position during assembly and operation. This self-service guidance mechanism reduces the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances while ensuring reliable positioning and locking flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The pushbutton has a movable actuating element (2) movably attached at a shaft (1). A cap (3) has an inner side (13) aligned toward the actuating element and an outer side (14) partially aligned toward a sleeve inner side (11) in a mounted condition. The cap is attached to a sleeve (4) over the sleeve inner side and arranged between a lower inactive position and an upper active position. An upper side (19) of the actuating element is projected over the cap in a lower position, and an opening (5) is formed above a part of the upper side of the actuating element in an upper position of the cap.