Protective Garment with Current Sensor for Switch Tester Emergency Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
The safety of individuals using switch testers to inspect and maintain electrical switchgear is compromised due to the risk of electric shock, as the emergency stop activation relies on the presence of another person, which is not always feasible, and manual switching off can be delayed, increasing the duration and severity of electrical accidents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an emergency signal input that can be activated externally via a protective device worn by the person, which detects electrical body currents and automatically triggers the emergency stop, allowing for remote notification and quicker response in case of an accident.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an emergency stop switch is provided on the switch tester, then safety against electric shock is improved, but the protection is ineffective when the person is working alone or no one is in the vicinity to trigger it
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device worn by the person detects electrical body currents through their own body and automatically triggers the emergency stop signal, eliminating the need for another person to activate it. The system serves itself by using the victim's own physiological response as the trigger mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical emergency stop switch is replaced by an automatic electronic detection system that senses electrical body currents through electrodes and triggers the emergency stop signal electronically, removing the need for manual intervention.
2Reliability
If manual switching off is used in case of electrical accident, then the emergency stop can be activated, but the response time is delayed increasing the severity of the accident
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device continuously monitors electrical body currents before a dangerous situation develops, and automatically triggers the emergency stop signal as soon as a harmful current is detected, eliminating the time delay associated with manual recognition and response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback by detecting electrical body currents through electrodes and automatically triggering the emergency stop signal, creating a closed-loop control system that responds instantly to dangerous conditions without human intervention delay.
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
This solution enhances safety by enabling automatic emergency stop activation independent of another person's presence, reducing the risk of electric shock and facilitating quicker assistance in electrical accidents, even when working alone or in remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
The emergency signal is generated with a protective device for detecting an electrical body current, which is worn by the person and which, in the event of a detected body current, emits an emergency signal
Data Source
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AI summary
To increase safety against electric shocks when a switch tester (10) with emergency stop, connected to a switch (14) of a switchgear (11), is used by a person (8), it is provided that the switch tester (10) is additionally provided with an emergency signal input (21) which, upon receiving an external emergency signal (S) at the emergency signal input (21), actuates the disconnecting unit (23), that the person (8) wears a protective device (1) for detecting an electric current in the body, and that the protective device (1) comprises a garment (2) and an evaluation unit (6), wherein the person (8) wears the garment (2) and the garment (2) is equipped with at least one sensor (3) for detecting the electric current in the body.and the evaluation unit (6) evaluates a signal detected by the at least one sensor (3) and, in the event of a detected impermissible body current, outputs an emergency signal (S) and transmits it to the emergency signal input (21) of the switch test device (10), and that the protective device (1) includes a unit (72) for determining the position or location of the person (8).