Kate Siribhakdi
Abstract :
In 2022, Thailand Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Public Organization) or TOSH that developed or applied innovations for safety to submit projects or innovative works for consideration by experts to create knowledge, promote innovations in safety and occupational health, and spark ideas for developing solutions to problems and prevent accidents or illnesses from work systematically. The winning innovation, or the long-range electrical warning safety helmet from the Provincial Electricity Authority, Phang Khon District, Sakon Nakhon Province, and to further develop and benefit workers widely, the NEA has organized the Safety and Occupational Health Innovation Development Project to develop innovative works on safety and occupational health that are feasible and can be conveniently applied, can solve unsafe problems, and reduce occupational accidents to disseminate to the target group for maximum safety.
The long-range electrical warning device is designed and further developed to be suitable for use in real-world conditions of Provincial Electricity Authority officers. The design is designed to be installed on a safety helmet on the side. It is a module consisting of a base and a body so that it can be installed with a variety of safety helmets. The device can be easily swapped out and put on and off and is stable and does not fall while working. The device is waterproof to IP65, with a flashing light and an alert sound when detecting an electric current. The prototype was produced using a 3D printer using ABS plastic, considering plastic injection molding in mind, and the design can be produced industrially.
After the design was completed, the long-range electrical warning device prototype was tested by the Provincial Electricity Authority, Ban Phai District, Khon Kaen Province, and received good feedback and a desire to try it out in the long term. This development is now complete with the prototype so that the design can be produced industrially.
Objectives :
1. To develop innovative work on occupational safety and health. Remote and applied electric helmet circuit sensors, monitoring and/or warning electric fields.
2. To develop design which suitable in real world working environment.
3. To provide services to interested people or business establishments to use them, creating maximum safety for workers.
Conceptual Framework :
The long-range electrical warning device is designed and further developed to be suitable for use in real-world conditions of Provincial Electricity Authority officers. The design is designed to be installed on a safety helmet on the side. It is a module consisting of a base and a body so that it can be installed with a variety of safety helmets. The device can be easily swapped out and put on and off and is stable and does not fall while working. The device is waterproof to IP65, with a flashing light and an alert sound when detecting an electric current. The prototype was produced using a 3D printer using ABS plastic, considering plastic injection molding in mind, and the design can be produced industrially.
Form design is minimalism approach, form follow its functions, smooth surfaces and easy to clean. Focusing on on-field usage.
Process / Methodology :
The long-range electrical warning device was developed from the winning innovation awards, or the long-range electrical warning safety helmet from the Provincial Electricity Authority, Phang Khon District, Sakon Nakhon Province. The new process was begun with collected usage data during interviewing, product requirement from TOSH.
Idea sketches, design alternative and rough 3D modellings was created and discussed with researcher group. 3D print mock-ups were tested for fitment with helmet. The chosen design was refined with several 3D print to develop waterproof, circuit board fitment, battery and wire routing fitment, and optimal design for 3D print parts to ensure prototype with 3D print will withstand real environment operations. The prototype was tested by the Provincial Electricity Authority, Ban Phai District, Khon Kaen Province. Feedback was collected with some minor adjustment.
Techniques and Materials :
The long-range electrical warning device was designed with plastic injection molding manufacture in mind. With 2mm. plastic thickness shell for durability. The design was design for adhesive bonding with double butt lapping, this can prevent dust and water to get in. The battery cap use Philips head screws to secure one AAA battery inside battery chamber from falling off, dust and water. Electrical current sensitivity adjustment wheel was cover with flexible lid to ensure water and dust proof. The wheel groove was designed large enough to adjust sensitivity wheel without removing working glove.
The main body of the long-range electrical warning device was designed with modified Arca Swiss style plate. It’s provided easy and secure load and unload, suitable for easy operate with glove during operation. The main body need to slide in and lock with it’s base. The base and helmet were attached by 3M VHB adhesive tape, suitable for outdoor, secure, and long lasting, to use with various type and design of electrical safety helmet.
Interchangeable system design has advantage on switch between helmets and the device, incase there are multiple users in one operation.
3D print with ABS base filament cases to accommodate circuit board. 3Dprint with flexible base filament in Electrical current sensitivity adjustment wheel lid.
Result / Conclusion :
After the design was completed, the long-range electrical warning device prototype was tested by the Provincial Electricity Authority, Ban Phai District, Khon Kaen Province, and received good feedback and a desire to try it out in the long term. This development is now complete with the prototype so that the design can be produced industrially.
Some minor design adjustment needs to be improved such as Electrical current sensitivity adjustment wheel cover is good usage with hand without glove, working with gloves can be use Philips screwdriver can be helping to open it. In this case, new design was proposed but it’s not match with given timeline.
Further detail adjustment and retest will be required if TOSH continues to make this project further.
References :
international Electrotechnical Commission (2013). IEC 60529 – Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code). International standard (2.2 ed.). p. 21. ISBN 9782832210864. OCLC 864643678.
