Wireless Emergency Stop Terminal for Stacker Crane Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated equipment systems face challenges in providing a safe and efficient emergency stop function, particularly when using general-purpose portable terminals for remote control, as they often require switching to wired connections for maintenance, which hinders efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
An automated equipment system incorporating an emergency stop terminal with wireless communication capabilities that allows operators to remotely initiate an emergency stop through a wearable device, enabling continuous wireless operation and maintaining safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a general purpose portable terminal device is used as the operation terminal, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the ability to provide emergency stop function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the terminal functionality into two separate devices: an operation terminal for normal control operations and an emergency stop terminal for safety functions. This segmentation allows each terminal to be optimized for its specific purpose while using the same wireless communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency stop terminal is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a dedicated emergency stop device and a wireless communication terminal. By integrating these functions, the system maintains safety capabilities while enabling wireless operation.
2Productivity
If wireless communication is used for operation terminal, then ease of operation and maintenance efficiency are improved, but safety control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a dedicated emergency stop terminal as an intermediary safety device that operates independently alongside the wireless operation terminal. This intermediary ensures that safety functions are not compromised by wireless communication limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by allowing wireless communication for normal operations while maintaining wired or dedicated wireless communication for emergency stop functions. This parameter differentiation enables both efficiency and safety.
3Ease of operation
If operator enters intrusion prevention fence for maintenance, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency stop terminal enables the operator to perform maintenance work independently within the intrusion prevention fence area. The operator can autonomously control the automated equipment and initiate emergency stops without external assistance, improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated equipment system including a stacker crane includes an emergency stop terminal and a controller that executes operational control of the stacker crane. The emergency stop terminal includes an emergency stop button; and a first communicator that performs wireless communication with the controller, and changes a state of the wireless communication with the controller when the emergency stop button is operated. The controller: executes the operational control of the stacker crane according to a command from an operation terminal, when wireless communication with both the emergency stop terminal and the operation terminal, which transmits a command for the operational control of the stacker crane, is possible; and stops operation of the stacker crane when the state of the wireless communication with the first communicator is changed.