Proximity switched machine control method and apparatus
US5212621A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/955
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control station for a machine is equipped with capacitive proximity sensors in two locations for sensing the presence of operator's hands at the locations. The sensors are enclosed in a protective housing behind exterior target surfaces forming exterior wall surfaces of the enclosure and are supplied by a voltage source. A relay in series with each sensor and the voltage source is actuated when the operators hands are both sensed. Each sensor generates an electrical field extending outwardly a predetermined distance forwardly beyond each target surface for sensing an operators hands which are outside the enclosure within the field and need not be in tactile contact with the target surfaces. Only when both hands are sensed do the relays indicate operation of the machine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.