Patent · US Expired

Process of making a sensing edge with a failsafe sensor

US5345671A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
19References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 13, 1993
Grant dateSep 13, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 13, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49105
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention includes a sensing edge for controlling movement of a door by actuation of a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes a base member for being secured to the leading edge of a door and a sheath having a plurality of internal cavities extending therethrough for receiving a switch comprising two electrical contacts. The sensing edge assists in providing a failsafe feature for detecting electrical problems (such as open circuits) in the electrical contacts. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the failsafe feature is achieved using an electrical connector, positioned within the sheath, which electrically connects the electrical contacts. A method of making the sensing edge includes coextrusion of the base member and sheath. During the coextrusion process, electrical contacts are positioned within and bonded to the sheath. Electrical wiring may also be positioned within one or more cavities within the sheath during the coextrusion process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.