Safety Switch Slider Key Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional safety switches for machines like working robots require a locking mechanism to prevent accidental operation when a worker is inside the working space, which is inconvenient and costly due to the need for multiple parts and cumbersome management of the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A safety switch design that uses a slider and slide key device to prevent the actuator from entering the operating portion when the door is closed, eliminating the need for a closing piece and locking mechanism by allowing the key to be withdrawn only when the slider is moved backward, thus preventing accidental operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is used to prevent accidental operation when the door is closed, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking function with the slider mechanism itself. The slider has a protrusion that engages with a recess in the operating portion, and the actuator has a groove that receives the protrusion. This integration eliminates the need for a separate locking mechanism while maintaining the safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider serves multiple functions: it moves the actuator to operate the switch, and simultaneously locks the actuator in position through the protrusion-groove engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If a closing piece and locking mechanism are used to restrict actuator entry, then safety is improved, but the number of parts increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the slider-actuator interface. The protrusion on the slider and the groove on the actuator form an integrated locking structure that eliminates the need for separate closing pieces and locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the locking function from separate components and integrates it directly into the moving parts (slider and actuator). This extraction and integration reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the safety function.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is used to fix the closing piece, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome management
Solution Approach 1:
The slider automatically performs the locking function through its own protrusion engaging with the actuator's groove. The system serves itself by using the moving component (slider) to provide the locking function, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms that require manual management.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In order to perform maintenance of a working robot, a worker pulls a handle of a slider (12) and moves the slider (12) backward to thereby withdraw a slider fitting portion (37) from a fitting hole portion (15) and withdraw an actuator from an operating portion of a door switch. In this case, a key (18) inserted into a key hole of a lock is rotated through 90° to vertically orient an interference protruding portion to thereby prevent fitting of the slider fitting portion (37) into the fitting hole portion (15). Only in this state, the key can be withdrawn from the key hole of the lock.