Ultrasonic Tactile Warning System for Factory Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional visual and auditory warning systems in factories are ineffective due to environmental noise, obstructed vision, and increased risk of startling workers, and tactile warnings using air emission are unsuitable for handling lightweight tools.
Innovation Solution
A notification system incorporating a proximity sensor, image sensor, and ultrasonic irradiation device that detects approaching personnel and generates a tactile sensation using ultrasonic waves to alert them of potential danger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual or auditory warning means are used to alert workers approaching dangerous areas, then the warning can be transmitted to workers, but the warning may not be noticed due to environmental noise, obstructed vision, or worker distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual and auditory warning systems with a tactile warning system using ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic irradiation device emits ultrasonic waves that create tactile sensations on the worker's skin, substituting the traditional sensory-based warning mechanisms with a mechanical/tactile approach that is not affected by environmental noise or visual obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of warning transmission from electromagnetic (visual/auditory) to mechanical tactile stimulation. By using ultrasonic waves with specific frequencies and intensities, the system creates tactile sensations that can be perceived through touch, fundamentally changing how the warning is transmitted and received by the worker.
2Reliability
If the level of visual or auditory stimulation is increased to ensure worker notice, then the warning becomes more noticeable, but workers and other personnel may be startled causing work mistakes or dropping of holdings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the stimulation parameter from high-intensity visual/auditory signals to controlled tactile ultrasonic stimulation. The ultrasonic waves are adjusted to produce gentle tactile sensations rather than overwhelming stimuli, ensuring workers notice the warning without being startled. This parameter change allows effective warning transmission while avoiding the harmful startle effect.
3Reliability
If air emission methods are used for tactile warning, then tactile stimulus can be provided to workers, but lightweight members or tools may be blown off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the air emission-based tactile warning system with an ultrasonic wave-based system. Instead of using compressed air or gas flow to create tactile sensations (which can displace lightweight objects), the system uses ultrasonic waves that create tactile effects through acoustic radiation pressure and mechanical vibration of the skin, eliminating the harmful effect of object displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using pneumatic methods (air emission) to using acoustic waves (ultrasonic vibrations) for tactile stimulation. This substitution of fluid-based mechanisms with wave-based mechanisms achieves the tactile warning function without the side effect of blowing off lightweight members or tools.
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
Effectively alerts workers of approaching hazards without startling them or interfering with factory operations, ensuring safety and productivity by providing a reliable warning through tactile means.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic irradiation device that remotely irradiates a portion of a body of a person with an ultrasonic wave that can generate a tactile sensation
Data Source
AI summary
This notification device (100) of a notification system (10) detects a portion of the body of a person from distance information from a proximity sensor (110) and image information from an image sensor (120) when an approaching object is a person, and causes an ultrasonic irradiation device (130) to irradiate the detected portion of the body of the person with ultrasonic waves that can generate tactile sensation.