A guard door monitoring system comprising a guard door monitoring module for monitoring a state of a guard door to a safety area. The guard door monitoring system also comprises a control unit, configured to analyze a guard door signal generated by interaction between an actuator and a sensor, and to control a machine or system located in the safety area depending on the guard door signal. A locking device with a main body and a locking lever arranged on the main body is additionally provided. The locking lever can be moved relative to the main body from a release position into a blocking position in which the locking lever prevents the interaction between the actuator and the sensor, wherein the locking device comprises a receptacle for a lockable securing part, which, when introduced into the receptacle, keeps the locking lever in the blocking position.

A safety switch with a lock-out device including a switching unit, switching elements and actuating elements. The switching elements and the actuating elements are electronic and are respectively associated with a first communication element and a second communication element adapted to remote communicating therebetween by a signal and to allow the switching elements to discriminate the presence of an operating unit close to the switching unit. The switching unit includes a movable guard having a shielding element adapted to interpose itself between the communication elements when the guard is into the active position to avoid the transmission of the signal and the closing of the switching elements.

A connector with self-powered mating detection is disclosed. An example disclosed connector pair includes a first connector. The example connector pair also includes a piezoelectric sensor attached to the first connector. The example piezoelectric sensor generates a voltage when the first connector and a second connector are mated. The example piezoelectric sensor generates a voltage when the first connector and a second connector are unmated. The example connector pair also includes a memory circuit electrically coupled to the piezoelectric sensor to record a connection event in response to detecting voltage generated by the piezoelectric sensor(s). Additionally, the example connector pair includes an RFID circuit electrically coupled to the memory circuit. The example RFID circuit transmits the connection events.

A connector with self-powered mating detection is disclosed. An example disclosed connector pair includes a first connector. The example connector pair also includes a piezoelectric sensor attached to the first connector. The example piezoelectric sensor generates a voltage when the first connector and a second connector are mated. The example piezoelectric sensor generates a voltage when the first connector and a second connector are unmated. The example connector pair also includes a memory circuit electrically coupled to the piezoelectric sensor to record a connection event in response to detecting voltage generated by the piezoelectric sensor(s). Additionally, the example connector pair includes an RFID circuit electrically coupled to the memory circuit. The example RFID circuit transmits the connection events.

A system for improving a sensing ability of an interlock switch system may include an interlock switch and a target component. The interlock switch may include a first antenna coil that may receive one or more signals from one or more antenna coils within a sensing range of the first antenna coil. The target component may include an actuator that may interface with the interlock switch. The target component may also include at least two antenna coils. Each of the at least two antenna coils may then include an electronic identification (ID) associated with the target component.

A system for improving a sensing ability of an interlock switch system may include an interlock switch and a target component. The interlock switch may include a first antenna coil that may receive one or more signals from one or more antenna coils within a sensing range of the first antenna coil. The target component may include an actuator that may interface with the interlock switch. The target component may also include at least two antenna coils. Each of the at least two antenna coils may then include an electronic identification (ID) associated with the target component.

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 tether kill switch for a motorcycle includes a sensor module and a key. The sensor module is adapted to receive the key and includes a magnetic substrate and at least one sensor. The key is adapted to magnetically couple with the sensor module. A vehicle control system includes a tether kill switch having a sensor module including a magnetic substrate and at least one programmable sensor. A first key and a second key each include at least one unique identifier, wherein the sensor module is adapted to receive either the first key or the second key that are each adapted to magnetically couple with the sensor module. The control system also includes a control unit, wherein the programmable sensor is adapted to identify at least one of the keys by the unique identifier, and send at least one information signal to the control unit based upon the unique identifier.

A tether kill switch for a motorcycle includes a sensor module and a key. The sensor module is adapted to receive the key and includes a magnetic substrate and at least one sensor. The key is adapted to magnetically couple with the sensor module. A vehicle control system includes a tether kill switch having a sensor module including a magnetic substrate and at least one programmable sensor. A first key and a second key each include at least one unique identifier, wherein the sensor module is adapted to receive either the first key or the second key that are each adapted to magnetically couple with the sensor module. The control system also includes a control unit, wherein the programmable sensor is adapted to identify at least one of the keys by the unique identifier, and send at least one information signal to the control unit based upon the unique identifier.

A lever fitting-type connector includes a first housing, a lever that has a pair of arm sections each having a cam groove, and a second housing having a pair of cam pins. Each of the cam grooves includes an inlet section, a curved section, and a guide rail section provided on an inner peripheral face of the cam groove. The inlet section has a running-on preventing portion which is formed so that the cam pin enters the inlet section without allowing the guide rail section to run on the cam pin.