RFID Safety Interlock With Solid-State Timing for Machine Stop Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unlocking systems for industrial plants lack effective detection of machine stop signals and timing within the lock switch, leading to safety concerns and economic inefficiencies due to the need for redesigning circuits and the lack of safety feedback.
Innovation Solution
A locking system with onboard electronics that includes a programmable solid-state timer and an RFID reader, which verifies the correct RFID tag before allowing the machine to start or the door to unlock, ensuring safe timing and preventing tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If electromechanical lockout switches with integrated safety timers are used, then timing function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing function from the electromechanical lockout switch and implements it as a separate solid-state timer circuit. This allows the timing function to be achieved without requiring redesign of the entire lockout switch circuit, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining the required timing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromechanical timing mechanism with an electronic solid-state timer. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical components and complex electromechanical integration, simplifying the overall system design and reducing costs while providing more reliable timing control.
2Reliability
If traditional electromechanical systems are used, then结构简单性 is maintained, but safety feedback capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the solid-state timer receives timing signals from the stop button and provides timing status feedback to control the unlocking of the safety door. This feedback capability ensures safe operation by confirming that the machine has completed its stopping cycle before allowing door access, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex electromechanical feedback systems.
3Reliability
If mechanical engagement members with specific shapes are used, then anti-tampering is achieved, but adaptability and ease of replacement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical engagement member system with an electronic RFID-based authentication system. The RFID tag embedded in the engagement member communicates wirelessly with the reader, providing anti-tampering security through electronic verification rather than mechanical key-shape matching. This substitution maintains security while significantly improving adaptability and ease of replacement, as RFID tags can be easily programmed and reconfigured without requiring precise mechanical manufacturing tolerances.
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
The system ensures safe and controlled access to industrial plants by verifying the machine's stop status and preventing unauthorized access or tampering, while also being compact and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
an RFID reader 216, arranged at said opening 212
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an Unlocking system for unlocking the opening of a door or gate, a protection or the like, comprising: at least one power supply control device, interposed between a power supply network and a load to be supplied; an unlocking unit, having an actuator, comprising a body that can be fixed to a door or gate, and an engagement member, and an actuation unit, which can be fixed to a frame in correspondence with an opening, closed by said door or gate, wherein said actuation unit comprises a blocking member, engageable with said engagement member when said door or gate are closed, and a logic control unit, configured or configurable to control the operation of said at least one power supply control device, so as to allowing the interruption of the power supply of said load, and activating the blocking member, releasing the engagement member, after a predefined or predefined time interval.