A multi-function key system and method is provided that includes key identification system, a first key, and a second key. The multi-function key system is in communication with an item of power equipment, and comprises first and second sensors for detecting magnetic fields. The first key is configured to interact with the key identification system, the first key comprises a first magnet generating a first magnetic field. The second key is configured to interact with the key identification system. The second key comprises a second magnet generating a second magnetic field. Wherein the first and second sensors differentiate between the first and second key based upon the first and second magnetic fields. The key identification system initiates a first functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the first key, and initiates a second functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the second key.

A multi-function key system and method is provided that includes key identification system, a first key, and a second key. The multi-function key system is in communication with an item of power equipment, and comprises first and second sensors for detecting magnetic fields. The first key is configured to interact with the key identification system, the first key comprises a first magnet generating a first magnetic field. The second key is configured to interact with the key identification system. The second key comprises a second magnet generating a second magnetic field. Wherein the first and second sensors differentiate between the first and second key based upon the first and second magnetic fields. The key identification system initiates a first functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the first key, and initiates a second functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the second key.

A service plug includes a body portion including a pair of power bus bars that are connected to a power supply circuit by being connected to a first terminal of a connector, a switching lever portion including an interlock terminal that brings the power supply circuit into a closed state when being in a state of conduction with a second terminal of the connector, and brings the power supply circuit into an open state when being in a state of non-conduction with the second terminal of the connector, and a power interruption portion that brings the interlock terminal 32 of the switching lever portion into a state of non-conduction with the second terminal to bring the power supply circuit into an open state by using an actuator that is operated in accordance with a collision detection signal for a vehicle.

A safety switch for the control of access for machines and industrial plants comprises a casing adapted to be fastened to a fixed part of the access to be controlled and housing thereinside switching means) for controlling one or more control and/or service circuits of the machine or plant, driving means adapted to interact with the switching means upon the opening/closing of the access for opening/closing one or more circuits, anchoring means of the casing to the fixed part of the access, the anchoring means being integrated in the casing and adapted to allow the selective fixing to the fixed part of the access according to at least two mutually angled orientations, one or more auxiliary modules adapted to be selectively mounted to the longitudinal upper end of the casing, fixing means for fixing the one or more auxiliary modules to the casing.

A safety switch comprises a switching device (2) having a casing (4) housing switching means (5) connected to one or more circuits, an operating device (3) interacting with the switching means (5) for opening/closing the circuits, an unlocking mechanism (13) having an unlocking pin (14) translating with a maximum stroke from a locking position of the access to an unlocking position to operate the opening of the switching means (5), detection means (17) of the stroke of the unlocking pin (14) having a first detector (18) of the start of the stroke of the unlocking pin (14), an auxiliary unlocking control (25, 26) operatively connected to the unlocking mechanism (13) from a rest position to an operative position of unlocking of the access and promote the translation of the unlocking pin (14) The detection means (17) comprise an auxiliary detector (31) for detecting the actuation of the auxiliary unlocking control (25, 26).

A safety switch with detection of the end-stroke of the unlocking mechanism adapted to supervise a safety access of a machine or industrial plant comprises a switching device (2) adapted to be associated to the fixed part of an access to be supervised and having switching means (5) adapted to be operatively connected to one or more control and/or service circuits of the plant for the control thereof, an operating device (3) associated to a movable part of the access to interact with the switching means (5) at the time of opening/closing of the access for opening/closing of one or more circuits, an unlocking mechanism (13) housed in the switching device (2) and having an unlocking pin (14) adapted to translate with maximum predetermined stroke from a blocking position of the access to an unlocked position to determine the opening of the switching means (5), means (17) for the detection of the stroke of the unlocking pin (14) comprising a first detector (18) adapted to detect the start of the stroke of the unlocking pin (14) and a second detector (19) adapted to detect the end of the stroke of the unlocking pin (14).

A safety power connector includes a male section that has contacts for carrying electric current, one or more magnets, and a protrusion. A female section has a receptacle for receiving the protrusion and contacts that mate with contacts of the male section. When the male section is absent, no hot electrical potential is present at the contacts of the female section, thereby reducing potential for an electric shock. When the male section aligns with the female section and the protrusion inserted into the centrally located receptacle of the female section causes closure of a switch in the female section and a magnetic field from the one or more magnets of the male section cause closure of a magnetically actuated switch caused, providing electrical potential to the contacts of the female section that are now in contact with the contacts of the male section.

A service plug includes a body portion including a pair of power bus bars that are connected to a power supply circuit by being connected to a first terminal of a connector, a switching lever portion including an interlock terminal that brings the power supply circuit into a closed state when being in a state of conduction with a second terminal of the connector, and brings the power supply circuit into an open state when being in a state of non-conduction with the second terminal of the connector, and a power interruption portion that brings the interlock terminal 32 of the switching lever portion into a state of non-conduction with the second terminal to bring the power supply circuit into an open state by using an actuator that is operated in accordance with a collision detection signal for a vehicle.

A cam of a safety switch rotates about a rotational shaft in accordance with an operation of inserting an actuator into an opening and an operation of withdrawing the actuator. A switch part includes an operation rod that reciprocates according to a rotation angle of the cam, and detects an insertion state where the actuator is inserted in the opening. In the insertion state, a locking member locks the actuator upon engagement with a part of the cam. When the operation of withdrawing the actuator is performed in a locked state of the actuator, the cam pushes the locking member in one direction, and the locking member pushes a part of a head case in the one direction. This improves locking strength of the safety switch.

A cam of a safety switch rotates about a rotational shaft in accordance with an operation of inserting an actuator into an opening and an operation of withdrawing the actuator. A switch part includes an operation rod that reciprocates according to a rotation angle of the cam, and detects an insertion state where the actuator is inserted in the opening. In the insertion state, a locking member locks the actuator upon engagement with a part of the cam. When the operation of withdrawing the actuator is performed in a locked state of the actuator, the cam pushes the locking member in one direction, and the locking member pushes a part of a head case in the one direction. This improves locking strength of the safety switch.