A system and method of illuminating one or more foot pedals with an optically brightened layer positioned to fluoresce responsive to activation of one or more ultraviolet (UV) illuminating devices positioned adjacent or attached to the one or more foot pedals. The optically brightened layer may include an optically brightened coating covering at least a portion of each of the one or more foot pedals, or may include an optically brightened material layer positioned to cover and protect each of the one or more foot pedals from debris or moisture during use. A friction portion may be attached to the optically brightened material layer, the friction portion being positioned adjacent a lower surface of the foot pedal when the optically brightened material layer surrounds the foot pedal, the friction portion being configured to prevent sliding of the foot pedal against the floor or other surface.

A pinch detection sensor, for detecting the occurrence of pinch during closing of a sliding door, includes a door front edge rubber including a hollow portion inside, to be attached to a front edge portion of the sliding door in a closing movement direction of the sliding door, and a plurality of linear shape pressure sensing members accommodated in the hollow portion, each linear shape pressure sensing member comprising a tubular elastic body and respective conductor wires spaced apart from each other in an inner side of the tubular elastic body. The door front edge rubber includes, in the hollow portion, a plurality of housing spaces, which accommodate the plurality of linear shape pressure sensing members, respectively. Movements of the linear shape pressure sensing members between the plurality of housing spaces are restricted by a partitioning portion.

A compression activated switch includes an electrically conductive contact layer pair formed of a conductive first contact layer for electrically connecting to a power source, and a conductive second contact layer spaced from the first contact layer for connecting to an application, and a resilient layer sandwiched between said first and second contact layers and having at least one resilient layer port; so that weight placed on the switch compresses the resilient layer and thereby advances said first contact layer toward said second contact layer until the first and second contact layers make electrically conductive contact through the at least one resilient layer port, closing the switch. A switch assembly includes multiple compression activated switches arrayed either horizontally or vertically and separated by insulating structures.

A device for preventing a human body from being jammed by using a change in capacitance, includes: a sensor unit which detects a change in capacitance corresponding to a gap between an external conductor pressed by a human body approaching a driven object and an internal conductor; a signal processing unit which compares a detection signal of the sensor unit with a reference value and outputs a jamming occurrence signal indicating the human body being jammed in the driven object; a motor driving unit which drives a motor to move the driven object; and a control unit which controls the motor driving unit to stop or move the driven object in the opposite direction when the jamming occurrence signal is received from the signal processing unit, thereby preventing a safety accident caused by the human body being jammed.

A foot pedal system for controlling a surgical robotic system, the foot pedal system comprising a foot pedal assembly movably coupled to a foot pedal assembly platform. The foot pedal assembly having a foot pedal base, a foot pedal pivotally coupled to the foot pedal base, and a foot pedal platform, the foot pedal base operable to slide across the foot pedal platform along an x-axis and a y-axis to an arrangement of activation positions. The foot pedal platform operable to translate and rotate with respect to the foot pedal assembly platform to any position along the foot pedal assembly platform, and the foot pedal platform is operable to engage or disengage with the foot pedal assembly platform at the any position along the foot pedal assembly platform.

An item monitoring system including a bladder including a body with a hollow interior configured to be filled with a fluid is described. The system includes an energy generation mechanism connected to the bladder and including a tube equipped with a wire core or surrounded by a wire coil in fluid communication with the bladder, and a magnetic item movably disposed within the tube. The system includes a light source electrically connected to the energy generation mechanism. Displacement of the fluid from the bladder into the tube moves the magnetic item within the tube, thereby generating an electrical current to emit a light from the light source.

A force activated electrical switch including a conductor that is screen printed on a first base and a conductor that is screen printed on a second base. The switch includes a plurality of nodes of dielectric material printed in a spaced apart pattern on at least one of the bases. The first base is positioned over the second base so that when a downward force is applied to the first base, the distance between at least a portion of the conductors decreases. The switch may be employed in a system that includes a controller operatively connected to the conductors. The controller includes a sensing circuit or processor configured to detect the presence of the occupant when the force is great enough to cause the conductors to contact one another, thereby activating the electrical switch.

A pressure sensitive mat is provided. The pressure sensitive mat includes a nanocomposite film, a first conductive foil, an oxide layer interposed between a first side of the nanocomposite film and the first conductive foil, a second conductive foil and a nanotube film interposed between a second side of the nanocomposite film, which is opposite the first side, and the second conductive foil.

A hand-held power tool, in particular an angle-grinding machine, includes a housing, a switching unit, a motor, and at least one first pivot unit and one second pivot unit. The switching unit includes a ratchet element arranged on the housing. The first and second pivot units are configured to mount the ratchet element on the housing so as to be movable. Each of the first and the second pivot units includes at least one housing-side bearing unit and one ratchet-side bearing unit. The hand-held power tool further includes a coupling unit configured to couple the first pivot unit with the one second pivot unit.

A pinch detection switch includes a pressure sensing structure including at least one linear pressure sensing member with multiple conductor wires spaced apart from each other in an inner side of a tubular elastic body, and a tubular cover member to be attached to an end on a forward side in a moving direction of a movable body, and which is formed with a hollow portion which receives the pressure sensing structure. The pressure sensing structure includes a coating member which covers the at least one linear pressure sensing member, and which faces an inner surface of the hollow portion at both its ends in a width direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the movable body and an extending direction of the cover member. A position in the width direction of the at least one linear pressure sensing member in the hollow portion is defined by the coating member.