Emergency Stop Research Articles

Evaluation of joystick built-in emergency stop function for mobile elevating work platform safety and human factors and ergonomics in accident prevention

Evaluation of joystick built-in emergency stop function for mobile elevating work platform safety and human factors and ergonomics in accident prevention

HaptiScan: A Haptically-Enabled Robotic Ultrasound System for Remote Medical Diagnostics

Medical ultrasound is a widely used diagnostic imaging modality that provides real-time imaging at a relatively low cost. However, its widespread application is hindered by the need for expert operation, particularly in remote regional areas where trained sonographers are scarce. This paper presents the development of HaptiScan, a state-of-the-art telerobotic ultrasound system equipped with haptic feedback. The system utilizes a commercially available robotic manipulator, the UR5 robot from Universal Robots, integrated with a force/torque sensor and the Phantom Omni haptic device. This configuration enables skilled sonographers to remotely conduct ultrasound procedures via an internet connection, addressing both the geographic and ergonomic limitations faced in traditional sonography. Key innovative features of the system include real-time force feedback, ensuring that sonographers can precisely control the ultrasound probe from a remote location. The system is further enhanced by safety measures such as over-force sensing, patient discomfort monitoring, and emergency stop mechanisms. Quantitative indicators of the system’s performance include successful teleoperation over long distances with time delays, as demonstrated in simulations. These simulations validate the system’s control methodologies, showing stable performance with force feedback under varying time delays and distances. Additionally, the UR5 manipulator’s precision, kinematic, and dynamic models are mathematically formulated to optimize teleoperation. The results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed system in overcoming the technical challenges of remote ultrasound procedures, offering a viable solution for real-world telemedicine applications.

Effects of modifying hinotori™ surgical robot system on perioperative outcome of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

One of the main advantages of the hinotori™ surgical robot system (HSRS) is that it can be easily adjusted. This study aimed to clarify the effects of modifying the HSRS on the perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Overall, 158 cases of RARP using the HSRS were classified into three groups based on the modification to the system: group A (no modification, 70 cases), group B (addition of the ability to switch between two types of scopes and to adjust the arm base tilt back and forth, left and right, 42 cases), and group C (reduction of arm floating sensation, mitigation of emergency stop during arm collision, and addition of clutch function via hand switch in addition to foot pedal, 46 cases). The perioperative outcomes of each group were compared. The median of operation time, cockpit time, and cockpit time excluding the time required for lymph node dissection of group C were 223, 146, and 135 min, respectively, where are significantly shorter than those of group A (308, 228, and 208 min, p < 0.0001, respectively) and group B (319, 241, and 214 min, p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the rate of positive margin rates and the pad-free rate before the first follow-up visit among these three groups. The complication rates in groups A, B, and C were 11.4%, 9.4%, and 8.4% (Clavien-Dindo grades I-II), and 4.3%, 2.4%, and 0% (grade III), respectively. The modifications to the HSRS have enabled smoother surgical procedures for RARP.

Strengthening flat-die friction self-pierce riveting joints via manipulating stir zone geometry by tailored rivet structures

Achieving high-strength joints with flat surfaces is of significant importance for reducing wind resistance and enhancing aesthetic appeal. In this study, a novel flat-die friction self-piercing riveting (flat-die F-SPR) process is proposed. The rivet flaring without die guidance was achieved through the sophisticated design of rivet structures. Three types of rivets with different internal structures were designed to manipulate the base material flow and microstructure evolution during the joining process. Based on the method of emergency stop, the load-stroke curves, evolutions of macroscopic morphology, and microstructure of the joints made with different rivets were investigated. A novel mechanism for solid-state bonding of joints was proposed to elucidate the generation and evolution of fine grain regions. The results indicate when downward pressure is applied to the material inside the rivet cavity, a central stirring zone appears. By using a rivet with an annular boss structure, the base material flows continuously into the stirring zone and piled up in the rivet cavity, forming a unique conical-shaped fine grain zone. Finally, a comprehensive assessment of the strength of different types of joints and the transition of the fracture modes were conducted based on different lower sheet thicknesses. The joints of Rivet_B and Rivet_C demonstrate 11.1% and 6.9% strength enhancement compared with the joint of Rivet_A, respectively. Two strategies for enhancing the strength of solid-state bonding are proposed by analyzing the joint strengthening mechanism, which offers insights for the optimizations of rivet structures.

The Effect of Core Strength Training on the Shooting Percentage and Ball Control Stability of Men's Basketball Team Players in Higher Vocational Colleges in Guangdong Province

This study selected 54 members of the freshmen men's basketball team of a higher vocational college, divided them into two groups according to the requirements, and conducted an 8-week training. The core strength training was analyzed for stance shooting, emergency stop confrontation shooting, non-confrontation ball control, and confrontation. The improvement effect of the 4 items of sexual ball control. in conclusion, the pre-test results of the players in the control group and the experimental group before training are basically the same; the players in the control group and the experimental group both improved in the post-test results after training, but the players in the experimental group improved even more; there are significant differences in the test results before and after training in the control group, but the difference in test results before and after training is not very significant; there are extremely significant differences in the test results of the experimental group before and after training; and there is a significant difference in the test results between the control group and the experimental group after training.

Distributed decision making for unmanned aerial vehicle inspection with limited energy constraint

The unsatisfactory energy density of the state-of-art batteries imposes constraints on the practical application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Establishing a UAV airport network that integrates energy supply and information exchange functionalities represents an ideal solution for enabling synergistic UAV operations. However, devising efficient distribution protocols for these airports remains a challenge. By leveraging modeling and analysis of the energy density of existing UAV batteries, we can forecast the flight range and distances achievable by UAVs. Here, we propose a distribution protocol for UAV airport platforms aimed at enhancing distribution accuracy by the use of AI principles. Furthermore, considering the possibility of emergency UAV stop, we introduce an emergency stop system in conjunction with standard stopping procedures to optimize distribution efficiency and enhance UAV inspection safety. Moreover, existing UAV airports usually provide energy to UAVs without harnessing UAVs to facilitate interconnection and interoperability among different airports. This inefficiency leads to significant resource wastage in energy distribution. To address this, we introduce a shared energy network that allows different companies to operate according to energy distribution needs. This network not only supplies energy to UAVs but also employs UAVs for energy collection and transportation, facilitating energy trading, business collaboration, and data transmission among diverse organizations. By enabling ubiquitous energy trading, this study provides us an ideal strategy for the future construction of energy network with interconnection and interoperability, which can be extended to other applications calling for energy distribution.

A Study on the Development of Emergency Stop Safety Manual for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

A Study on the Development of Emergency Stop Safety Manual for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

A Study on the Development of Emergency Stop Safety Manual for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

A Study on the Development of Emergency Stop Safety Manual for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Analysis and control of an active balance tail for the tilting dual-rotor UAV

PurposeCompared to quad-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the tilting dual-rotor UAV is more prone to instability during exercises and disturbances. The purpose of this paper is using an active balance tail to enhance the hovering stability and motion smoothness of tilting dual-rotor UAV.Design/methodology/approachA balance tail is proposed and integrated into the tilting dual-rotor UAV to enhance hovering stability and motion smoothness. By strategically moving, the balance tail generates additional force and moment, which can promote the rapid stability of the UAV. Subsequently, the control strategy of the UAV is designed, and the influence of the swing of the balance tail at different installation positions with different masses on the dual-rotor UAV is analyzed through simulation. The accompany motion law and the active control, which is based on cascade Proportion Integration Differentiation (PID) control to enhance the hovering stability and motion smoothness of the UAV, are proposed.FindingsThe results demonstrate that active control has obvious adjustment effectiveness when the UAV moves to the target position or makes an emergency stop compared with the results of balance tail no swing and accompany motion.Practical implicationsThe balance tail offers a straightforward means to enhance the motion smoothness of tilting dual-rotor UAV, rendering it safer and more reliable for practical applications.Originality/valueThe novelty of this works comes from the application of an active balance tail to improve the stability and motion smoothness of dual-rotor UAV.

Welding load, temperature, and material flow in ultrasonic vibration enhanced friction stir lap welding of aluminum alloy to steel

To elucidate the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the welding process (welding load, thermal cycle, and material flow) of aluminum/steel dissimilar metals in friction stir lap welding, conventional friction stir lap welding (FSLW) and ultrasonic vibration enhanced friction stir lap welding (U-FSLW) were used to weld aluminum/steel dissimilar metals. The results indicate that applying ultrasonic vibration to the FSLW of aluminum/steel dissimilar metals can effectively decrease welding loads (tool torque, axial force, and spindle power), and it was found that the reduction in welding load was inversely proportional to the welding speed. The effect of additional ultrasonic vibration on axial force was the largest. Ultrasonic vibration had a significant preheating effect, and its thermal effect in the width and depth directions of the workpiece gradually weakened. Additional ultrasound can reduce the peak temperature during the welding process. The instantaneous state of the weld was obtained using the "emergency stop+emergency cooling" technology, and the three-dimensional visualization characterization of material flow near the keyhole was achieved using X-ray based computer tomography (CT). It was found that ultrasonic vibration could increase the material's plastic flow, change the steel structure's flow path, and significantly increase the steel particles' flow range near the pin tool. Compared with conventional FSLW, the changes in the macro/microstructure of U-FSLW joints were closely related to the welding thermal cycle and material flow.

The Evolution of Grain Microstructure in Friction Stir Welding of Dissimilar Al/Mg Alloys with Ultrasonic Assistance.

The process of grain refinement during welding significantly influences both the final microstructure and performance of the weld joint. In the present work, merits of acoustic addition in the conventional Frictions Stir Welding (FSW) process were evaluated for joining dissimilar Al/Mg alloys. To capture the near "in situ" structure around the exit hole, an "emergency stop" followed by rapid cooling using liquid nitrogen was employed. Electron Backscatter Diffraction analysis was utilized to characterize and examine the evolution of grain microstructure within the aluminum matrix as the material flowed around the exit hole. The findings reveal that two mechanisms, continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and geometric dynamic recrystallization (GDRX), jointly or alternatively influence the grain evolution process. In conventional FSW, CDRX initially governs grain evolution, transitioning to GDRX as material deformation strain and temperature increase. Subsequently, as material deposition commences, CDRX reasserts dominance. Conversely, in acoustic addition, ultrasonic vibration accelerates GDRX, promoting its predominance by enhancing material flow and dislocation movements. Even during the material deposition, GDRX remains the dominant mechanism.

Risk Analysis of Operational Disruptions in Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Using the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Method

The Indonesia government is actively promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, as detailed in the 2021-2030 Electricity Supply Business Plan. The state-owned electricity provider, PLN, is responsible for establishing Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (PEVCS). However, several of these stations have encountered malfunctions; notably, 82 of the 567 stations are classified as Unavailable, indicating they are non-functional. Research literature points to a financial loss of $34,000 from operational issues at PEVCSs. This research aims to helps management understand and prioritize disruption that leads to failures or damages at these stations. Method used is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method along with logistic regression to examine the disruptions at PEVCSs labeled as Unavailable. The data for this research comes from a six-month historical record of PEVCS disruptions. The variables utilized for logistic regression analysis include foundational variables from the FMEA methodology—Severity, Occurrence, and Disturbance—complemented by two supplementary variables: the speed and age of the PEVCS. Result was found that three out of twelve types of disruptions have a high likelihood of failure, specifically issues with Device Communication, Connectivity, and Emergency Stop functions. A disruption is deemed likely to cause failure if its probability exceeds 50%.

Smart Agrobot: An Integrated Approach to Seed Sowing, Pesticide Application

Abstract: A state-of-the-art multifunctional autonomous agricultural robotic vehicle intended to transform farming methods is presented by the suggested system. This robotic vehicle is mostly operated via Bluetooth, but it also has sophisticated navigation features like GPS and object detection sensors, which allow it to navigate precisely and cautiously over fields of crops. The autonomous irrigation system with soil sensors and intelligent seeding mechanisms for different crops are just two of the robotic vehicle's many features that make it stand out. Farmers have freedom thanks to the Bluetooth control capability, which enables remote operation and monitoring. Safety features protect workers' health and prevent equipment damage, such as emergency stop buttons and collision avoidance procedures. This robotic system also performs exceptionally well in drip irrigation management in places that receive rain, optimizing fertilizing depending on soil conditions, and controlling weeds using computer vision. The suggested method, which reduces human intervention and increases total production, is a comprehensive and intelligent approach to automated and sustainable agriculture with an emphasis on energy conservation, data logging, and analytics.

IoT Based Farm Insect Killer

Abstract: In modern agriculture, the efficient and precise application of pesticides is essential for crop health and yield ptimization. To address this need, we present the development of an autonomous pesticide sprinkler robot designed for precision agriculture applications. The robot is equipped with a DTMF module for remote control and a motor driver to enable precise navigation and spraying operations. The system integrates a chassis with sturdy wheels for mobility, DC motors for propulsion, and a pesticide tank with a spraying mechanism for uniform distribution of pesticides over crops. The robot's control system is implemented using an Arduino board, programmed to interpret DTMF signals for remote operation and execute predefined spraying patterns with precision. Safety features such as emergency stop buttons and fail-safes are incorporated to mitigate potential hazards

Belt conveyor starting mode optimization

The work is aimed at increasing the efficiency of belt conveyors by choosing the drive mechanism movement mode. During the operation of belt conveyors, significant energy and dynamic loads occur in the elements of the drive mechanism and traction body. The available loads significantly affect the energy losses and the reliability of the drive mechanism and the traction body. Energy and dynamic loads during transient processes (starting, braking, changing speed or performance and emergency stop) are especially dangerous. At this moment, high-frequency oscillations of both the traction body and the drive elements arise. With such fluctuations in the traction body (belt) of the conveyor, significant breaking forces arise, which create additional unwanted stresses in it and, as a result, contribute to premature destruction. In addition, the stator and rotor windings of the electric motor are heated, which accelerates their wear and failure. In order to reduce dynamic loads, it is proposed to optimize the movement mode of the drive mechanism. For this purpose, the conveyor is presented in the form of a three-mass dynamic model, based on which a mathematical model was created. From the conducted dynamic analysis of the belt conveyor, it was established that during the start-up process, significant power and energy overloads occur in the elements of the drive and the traction body, which depend on the driving force of the drive. In addition, high-frequency oscillations of the tape are observed. Since the undesirable properties of the belt conveyor largely depend on the magnitude of the driving force of the drive, it should form the basis of the optimization criterion. In addition, the driving force of the drive must be reflected in the optimization criterion during the entire movement process, that is, the optimization criterion must be presented in an integral form. To eliminate the possible compensation of negative and positive values of the driving force on the conveyor, the latter should be represented in the integral criterion in quadratic form. Therefore, the rms value of the driving force of the drive during the start-up time was chosen as the criterion for optimizing the motion mode of the belt conveyor. Optimization of the conveyor movement mode was carried out by minimizing the integral dynamic criterion. As a result of the optimization, the start-up mode of the belt conveyor was determined, which minimizes the effect of dynamic loads. This start-up mode makes it possible to increase the reliability of the conveyor and reduce the energy consumption of the drive.

Damping of Suddenly Changing Loads by Drive Means of the Driving Mechanism of the Scraper Conveyor

Abstract An electromechanical method is proposed to avoid peak dynamic loads in a steady state, the condition of smooth start and emergency stop, as well as correction of the scraper conveyor productivity depending on the load flow level of the blasting combine, which will increase the reliability and reduce the energy and metal consumption of the transport link of the mining complex.

Conventional excavation of the emergency stop Innsbruck at the Brenner Base Tunnel: Approach, measures and experiences

Conventional excavation of the emergency stop Innsbruck at the Brenner Base Tunnel: Approach, measures and experiences

A 3D World Interpreter System for Safe Autonomous Crane Operation

In an effort to improve short-sea shipping in Europe, we present a 3D world interpreter (3DWI) system as part of a robotic container-handling system. The 3DWI is an advanced sensor suite combined with AI-based software and the communication infrastructure to connect to both the crane control and the shore control center. On input of LiDAR data and stereo captures, the 3DWI builds a world model of the operating environment and detects containers. The 3DWI and crane control are the core of an autonomously operating crane that monitors the environment and may trigger an emergency stop while alerting the remote operator of the danger. During container handling, the 3DWI scans for human activity and continuously updates a 3D-Twin model for the operator, enabling situational awareness. The presented methodology includes the sensor suite design, creation of the world model and the 3D-Twin, innovations in AI-detection software, and interaction with the crane and operator. Supporting experiments quantify the performance of the 3DWI, its AI detectors, and safety measures; the detectors reach the top of VisDrone’s leaderboard and the pilot tests show the safe autonomous operation of the crane.

Exploring the Benefits of a Simulator-Based Emergency Braking Exercise with Novice Teen Drivers

This exploratory study investigated whether using the Pedals Emergency Stop© interactive driving simulator exercise improved the understanding and performance of emergency braking among novice teen drivers. Seventy-one high school driver education students (aged 15–19) participated. All of the teens completed the Pedals Emergency Stop© interactive exercise driving simulator task and then an on-road ABS exercise in a driver’s education vehicle; there was no control group. Students’ ability to complete the simulator-based emergency braking task increased from an initial passing rate of only 18.3% to a maximum of 81.7% by the end of the simulation exercise. A positive trend was observed over successive simulator trials, with the linear effect explaining 51.1% of the variance in emergency stopping “pass” rates using the simulator task. In addition, participants who passed more trials during the Pedals Emergency Stop© simulator exercise were 12.3% more likely to fully activate the ABS during the on-road emergency stop activity using the driver’s education vehicle. Post-study surveys revealed that 95% of the participants improved their understanding of ABS as a result of the simulation-based training, and 98% felt there was a positive impact from the driving simulation exercise on their real-world emergency braking capabilities. Participants highly endorsed the Pedals Emergency Stop© exercise for ABS education and refresher training, with a rating of 4.7 out of 5. This study emphasizes the potential benefits of incorporating simulator-based exercises into driver education and training, with the long-term goal of promoting safe driving behaviors and outcomes.

Automatic Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Our Automatic Electric Vehicle Charging station is a autonomous power supply unit which works without the need for human attendants. The system is designed to facilitate the existing power grid infrastructure. The system employs the Raspberry Pi as our primary controller board and hosts the User Interface on the LCD Display mounted on the Charger Housing. The Pi Board interfaces with our custom Pilot PCB to communicate with the Electric Vehicle Battery Management Systems to negotiate the charging speed, capacity of the car battery and perform safety checks. The user can choose AC level 1, 2 or DC level 3 charging. The system uses a 30A relay circuit to isolate the battery from the power supply until all the necessary checks and payment processes are completed. RazorPay is our real time Payment gateway for payment transactions. Once the user has completed the formalities the charging process will begin. We also have a charging monitoring system developed that will help users track the battery charge percentage and charging time remaining on the LCD display. The station has emergency Kill Switches and Emergency Stop buttons mounted on the housing to address safety concerns that arise on the advert of damaged high power output utilities, when engaged the entire system will kill all the power inputs from the grid so that any fault can be safely repaired without risk of electrocution. For our implementation and testing we have built a 18650 NMC chemistry 3S5P Battery pack with a 3S BMS. The unit utilizes level 3 AC charging SAE (Society of Automotive Engineering) standards to ensure the safety and quality of the service.