Wireless Emergency Stop Routing by Device Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop devices are limited to a single machine assignment, leading to potential human error and mix-ups, which can result in dangerous situations if not used correctly.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with a receiver interface and detection unit determines the position of a mobile emergency stop device, selecting the appropriate safety signal based on its location to ensure correct machine shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile emergency stop devices are used without position detection, then device mobility and flexibility are improved, but human error and incorrect machine shutdown increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the position of the mobile emergency stop device via detection units (WiFi sensing, ultra-wideband tracking, or imaging sensors) and feeds this information back to the control unit. When the emergency stop button is pressed, the control unit uses the current position data to automatically identify and shutdown the correct machine, preventing human error while maintaining device mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical assignment system (where emergency stop devices are physically fixed to specific machines) with an electronic positioning and identification system. The detection unit determines position electronically, and the control unit electronically maps the position to the corresponding machine, eliminating the need for physical attachment while ensuring correct machine identification.
2Reliability
If multiple emergency stop devices are assigned to a single machine, then device availability in emergencies is improved, but device complexity and position management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile emergency stop device is designed as a universal device that can serve multiple machines. Instead of having dedicated emergency stop devices for each machine, a single mobile device can be positioned near any machine and will automatically identify the correct target machine through the position detection system, reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual mapping between physical device positions and machine identities. The control unit maintains an assignment table that acts as a digital copy of the relationship between locations and machines, allowing the mobile emergency stop device to be correctly routed to any machine based on its current position without requiring physical reconfiguration or complex manual tracking.
3Reliability
If organizational measures are strictly enforced for emergency stop device assignment, then correct device usage is improved, but operational flexibility and user freedom decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for users to manually track or remember which emergency stop device belongs to which machine. The detection unit automatically determines the device's position, and the control unit automatically identifies the correct machine based on this position. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the mapping between devices and machines, freeing users from organizational constraints while ensuring correct usage.
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
Prevents human error by ensuring the correct machine is shut down, increasing safety and efficiency by allowing multiple devices to be assigned to a single machine, and eliminating the need for training on organizational measures.
Implementation Method 1
the detection device is designed to use WiFi sensing to determine the position or location of the mobile emergency stop command device
Implementation Method 2
the detection device is designed to determine the position or location of the mobile emergency stop command device by means of real-time radio tracking based on ultra-wideband technology
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an automation system (1) with a wireless emergency stop system, comprising: - a first system section (A1) with a first safety device (SE1) configured to switch the first system section (A1) from normal operation (NB) to safety operation (SB) when a first safety signal (S1) is present, - a second system section (A2) with a second safety device (SE2) configured to switch the second system section (A2) from normal operation (NB) to safety operation (SB) when a second safety signal (S2) is present, - a mobile emergency stop command device (11) configured with a switching element (3SU) that can be switched by a person (P) to transmit an emergency signal (NS) via a wireless communication interface (Tx), - a control unit (2) with a receiver interface (Rx) for the emergency signal (NS), - a detection device (3) configured to detect a position (x,y) of the mobile emergency stop device (11) and transmit it to the control unit (2), - wherein the control unit (2) is designed to select, depending on the position (x,y) of the mobile emergency stop device (11), for which safety device (SE1,SE2) the emergency signal (NS) is to be used and, according to the dependency, to generate the first safety signal (S1) or the second safety signal (S2) and transmit it to the corresponding safety device (SE1,SE2).